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☆ Ukraine takes out one of Russia's most feared drone aces, say reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Reports from various sources, including messages posted by Moisey's wife, confirm the successful operation against the feared drone ace. A Ukrainian drone team, led by drone ace "Balu," successfully hunted down Moisey's team. Ukrainian FPV ace "Balu" published footage of the strike that led to the destruction of the Russian FPV ace "Moisey". However, analysts warn that Moisey and his team are replaceable, and a new drone team could come to terrorize the supply route. AdvertisementThis week, there were unconfirmed reports that Ukraine used US-supplied HIMARS to strike a group of Russian drone pilots who had assembled for training in the occupied part of the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine.

Persons: —, Moses, Moisey's, pX0GLPMNBq — David Hambling, Moisey, ominously, Balu, V0cnKY6UWb, WarTranslated, Dmitri Organizations: Service, Forbes, Business, UK's Ministry of Defence Locations: Russian, Dnipro, Russia, Ukrainian, Krynky, Ukraine, Donetsk

☆ Climate Threatened Tuvalu Holds Election Watched by Taiwan, China
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Kirsty NeedhamSYDNEY (Reuters) -Voting began on Friday in the tiny Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu in a national election that is being closely watched by China, Taiwan, the US and its ally Australia, amid a tussle for influence in the region. Most of Tuvalu is forecast to be flooded by high tides by 2100, says the United Nations Development Programme, which is working with Tuvalu to bolster its coastline. Taiwan on Thursday said China was trying to influence the Tuvalu election and "seize our diplomatic allies". The new government should decide whether Taiwan or China can best respond to Tuvalu's development needs, he said. Prime Minister Kausea Natano has told Taiwan he continues to support ties, Taiwan said.

Persons: Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Seve Paeniu, Kausea Natano, Enele Sopoaga, Natano, Simon Kofe, Sopoaga, Kofe, Kirsty Needham, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry Organizations: United Nations Development, Washington, Tuvalu's Finance, Reuters, Australia Locations: Tuvalu, China, Taiwan, Australia, Funafuti, Pacific, United States, Nauru, Beijing, Nukulaelae, Kofe, United Nations, Canberra, Sydney, Taipei

SYDNEY/BEIJING Nov 13 (Reuters) - Australia scored a significant win for influence in the Pacific Islands region with a trump card that China, seeking to expand security ties, doesn't have: the opportunity of resettlement. "It is something China can't do," said Australian National University Pacific expert Graeme Smith. "China can turn up and offer more infrastructure money... they can't turn up and offer this kind of resettlement relationship. Australia also will be able to block any policing deal between China and Tuvalu - as well as any telecommunications, energy or port deal - under its treaty. "Cooperation in the Pacific region tends to focus on non-traditional security, including maintenance of public security and infrastructure to deal with climate change," he added.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Kausea Natano, Graeme Smith, Richard Marles, Peter Dean, Smith, Wang Yiwei, Kirsty Needham, Martin Pollard, Miral Organizations: SYDNEY, Pacific, Australian National University Pacific, Pacific Islanders, Defence, United States Studies Centre, Albanese's, Pacific Games, State, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Renmin University, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Australia, China, Tuvalu, Washington, Beijing, Rarotonga, Sydney, Pacific Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Kiribati, U.S, United States, Pacific

☆ Australia foreign minister touts Tuvalu security, migration pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 22, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Sunday that a security and migration pact signed with Tuvalu showed Australia was a "genuine, reliable" regional partner, as it seeks to counter China's influence in the Pacific. Australia announced on Friday the security guarantee to the tiny Pacific Islands nation to respond to military aggression, protect it from climate change and boost migration. Australia, a United States ally, has been working to shore up its Pacific standing amid a rising China, which recently upgraded a security pact with Solomon Islands. Under the treaty, announced in the Cook Islands by Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano, Australia will also vet Tuvalu's security arrangements with other nations.

Persons: Penny Wong, Eduardo Munoz, Wong, Anthony Albanese, Kausea Natano, Albanese, Sam McKeith, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Australia's, General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Tuvalu, Pacific ., Australian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Australia, Pacific, Pacific . Australia, United States, China, Solomon, Tuvalu, Cook, Taiwan, Beijing, Hawaii, Sydney

☆ Australia Foreign Minister Touts Tuvalu Security, Migration Pact
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Sunday that a security and migration pact signed with Tuvalu showed Australia was a "genuine, reliable" regional partner, as it seeks to counter China's influence in the Pacific. Australia announced on Friday the security guarantee to the tiny Pacific Islands nation to respond to military aggression, protect it from climate change and boost migration. Australia, a United States ally, has been working to shore up its Pacific standing amid a rising China, which recently upgraded a security pact with Solomon Islands. Under the treaty, announced in the Cook Islands by Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano, Australia will also vet Tuvalu's security arrangements with other nations. Albanese has called the pact Australia's most significant agreement with a Pacific Island nation, giving "a guarantee that upon a request from Tuvalu for any military assistance based upon security issues, Australia will be there."

Persons: Penny Wong, Wong, Anthony Albanese, Kausea Natano, Albanese, Sam McKeith, David Gregorio Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's, Tuvalu, Pacific ., Australian Broadcasting Corp Locations: Australia, Pacific, Pacific . Australia, United States, China, Solomon, Tuvalu, Cook, Taiwan, Beijing, Hawaii, Sydney

☆ Australia signs security, migration pact with Pacific's Tuvalu
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A man riding a motorbike is seen reflected in a puddle of water in Funafuti, Tuvalu, August 13, 2019. Under the treaty announced by Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Tuvalu counterpart Kausea Natano, Australia will also vet Tuvalu's security arrangements with other nations. An Australian government official said this requirement covered any defence, police, port, telecommunications, energy or cyber security arrangements by Tuvalu. Although Australia has defence agreements with other Pacific Islands nations, in a region where China recently struck a security pact with Solomon Islands and is seeking to expand its policing ties and infrastructure projects, the Tuvalu treaty goes much further in positioning Australia as its primary security partner. Australia sees deeper economic and social integration with the Pacific Islands as a way to ensure the security of the region, a government official said.

Persons: Mick Tsikasvia, Anthony Albanese, Kausea Natano, Albanese, Natano, " Albanese, Kirsty Needham, Alasdair Pal, Lewis Jackson, Kim Coghill, Christopher Cushing, Lincoln, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Australia's, Tuvalu, Pacific, Tuvalu Falepili, Australia, Canberra, Thomson Locations: Funafuti, Tuvalu, Australia, Taiwan, Beijing, Cook, China, Solomon Islands, Hawaii, Washington, Sydney

☆ Australia offers refuge to Pacific island nation threatened by rising sea levels
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tuvalu's Department of Foreign Affairs describes climate change as "one of the most existential security risks currently threatening" the country. Australia and the South Pacific island nation of Tuvalu are to forge closer ties thanks to a new agreement covering areas including security, migration and climate change. The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union, a bilateral treaty, sees Australia pledging to create "a special mobility pathway" that will enable Tuvaluans to go to Australia to work, study and live. To start with, the number of Tuvaluans eligible to go to Australia will be capped at 280 a year. "With a population of just over 11,000 people, Tuvalu is extremely vulnerable to the impact of climate change, especially rising sea levels, and is trying to preserve its culture, traditions and land," the Australian government said in a statement.

Persons: Tuvaluans Organizations: Tuvalu's Department of Foreign Affairs, Tuvalu Falepili Locations: Funafuti, Tuvalu, Australia, South Pacific, Tuvalu Falepili Union

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun said he signed the agreement with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Ading in Honolulu, Hawaii, at a ceremony also attended by Marshallese President David Kabua. Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra Maler and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack Ading, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Marshall, Reuters, The, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S, Congress, . State Department, U.S . Postal Service, U.S . Congress, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Marshall, Kwajalein

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of three sprawling but sparsely populated nations that have U.S. ties governed by so-called Compacts of Free Association (COFAs), under which Washington is responsible for their defense and provides economic assistance, while gaining exclusive military access to strategic swathes of ocean. Yun told Reuters he planned to sign the COFA deal with RMI Foreign Minister Jack Adding in Honolulu, Hawaii, at 2 p.m. local time (0000 GMT Tuesday). Analysts and former officials had blamed a delay in finalizing the Marshall Islands COFA on U.S. State Department lawyers wanting to control how new funds were spent and objecting to their being earmarked to address the nuclear legacy, fearing this could lay the U.S. open to more claims. A person familiar with the deal said all current federal programs, including education programs and the U.S. Reporting by David Brunnstrom and Michael Martina; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Joseph Yun, Biden, Yun, Jack, David Kabua, David Brunnstrom, Michael Martina, Sandra Maler Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United, Reuters, The, Marshall, Free Association, Washington, Northern, RMI, RMI Foreign, U.S . Congress, . State Department, U.S, U.S . Postal Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, Micronesia's, WASHINGTON, United States, Marshall, Pacific, The Republic, China, Northern Pacific, Palau, Micronesia, Washington, Honolulu , Hawaii, Kwajalein

☆ Ronald Acuna Jr. joins 40-40 club, Braves beat Nats on road
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreSeptember 23 - Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley homered in the first inning, and the Atlanta Braves defeated the host Washington Nationals 9-6 to move closer to the 100-win mark Friday night. Acuna led off the game with his 40th home run of the season. Two batters after Acuna, Riley's 37th homer gave Atlanta a 3-0 lead before an out was recorded. Riley's sacrifice fly in the third inning pushed the Braves' lead to 4-0. Ozzie Albies doubled for an Atlanta run in the fifth.

Persons: Ronald Acuna Jr, Amber Searls, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Riley, Acuna, Riley's, Charlie Morton, Michael Tonkin, Patrick Corbin, CJ Abrams, Jake Alu, Joey Meneses, groundout, Ildemaro Vargas, Ozzie Albies, Abrams, Ozuna Organizations: District of Columbia, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, Nationals, National League East, Braves, Atlanta, Chicago White Sox, Washington, Thomson Locations: Washington, District, USA

The tribunal will issue an advisory opinion, which is not legally binding, but offers an authoritative statement on legal matters that could guide countries as they craft climate protection law. The prime ministers, representing the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS), will argue that countries have an obligation to protect the marine environment under the UN convention on the Law of the Sea, including from greenhouse gas emissions. Low-lying island states like Tuvalu and Vanuatu are also at risk of becoming submerged by water by the end of the century due to slow-onset climate impacts. Small island nations have also sought legal clarity on nations' climate obligations in other courts. Vanuatu led a campaign to ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion on countries' obligations to address climate change.

Persons: Kausea Natano, Gaston Browne of, Tuvalu's Natano, Valerie Volcovici, Diane Craft Organizations: International Tribunal, International, UN, Court of Justice, Assembly, Thomson Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Tuvalu, Gaston Browne of Antigua, Barbuda, Small, States, Vanuatu

☆ Island States Seek Climate Protection From Law of the Sea
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Valerie Volcovici, Kausea Natano, Gaston Browne of, Tuvalu's Natano, Diane Craft Organizations: International Tribunal, International, UN, Court of Justice, Assembly Locations: Hamburg, Germany, Tuvalu, Gaston Browne of Antigua, Barbuda, Small, States, Vanuatu

☆ No clear winner in US, China contest in the Pacific
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The United States and PNG signed a defence cooperation agreement in May. STRATEGIC CHESSBOARDThe events in Vanuatu this week highlighted the challenges Pacific nations face in seeking to benefit from both the United States and its allies, and China. The U.S. Coast Guard has yet to gain clearance to enter Vanuatu's port, as it does in other Pacific Islands, Coast Guard officials said. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manesseh Sogavare is also reluctant to accept U.S. support. The project was the largest infrastructure donation China had made to the Pacific Islands so far, Chinese ambassador Li Ming said at the ceremony.

Persons: Joe Biden, Louis Mapou, Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi, Surangel Whipps, Kausea Natano, Samantha Power, Power, Washington, Lenora Qereqeretabua, Qereqeretabua, Ratu Jone Logavatu Kalouniwai, Denghua Zhang, Ishmael Kalsakau, Manesseh Sogavare, Sogavare, Li Ming, Kirsty Needham, Miral Organizations: U.S ., Country, New, Tonga's, Tuvalu's, United States, USAID, Pacific, Fiji Military Force, Australian National University, Vanuatu's, U.S . Coast Guard, Coast Guard, Solomon Islands, White, Solomon Islands National University, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Federated States, SYDNEY, China, Taiwan, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, United States, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Pacific, Australia, Vanuatu's, Solomon

☆ MLB roundup: Wander Franco's walk-off HR caps Rays' wild win
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

Franco had three RBIs and Isaac Paredes hit a two-run homer for the Rays, who blew a three-run, ninth-inning lead before Franco's heroics. The Guardians also scored three runs without a hit, tying the game in the ninth on three walks, a hit batter and three wild pitches. Bochy watched Gray (8-5) fire seven shutout innings, with the right-hander allowing just two hits while fanning seven. Jesus Luzardo (8-7) permitted seven runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings to lose his second straight start. Assad (2-2) allowed one run, four hits and one walk with two strikeouts in his third start of the season.

Persons: Wander Franco, Jonathan Dyer, Franco, Nick Sandlin, Isaac Paredes, Paredes, Daniel Norris, Andres Gimenez, Manuel Margot fielder's, Myles Straw, Jon Gray, Nathaniel Lowe, Mitch Garver, Bruce Bochy's, Bochy, Gray, Anthony Volpe, Aaron Judge, Kyle Higashioka, Oswaldo Cabrera, Isiah Kiner, Gleyber Torres, Randy Vasquez, Jesus Luzardo, Bryson Stott, Realmuto, Johan Rojas, Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, Polanco, Michael A, Taylor, Dallas Keuchel, Austin Riley, Eddie Rosario, Charlie Morton, Mark Vientos, Tylor Megill, Ildemaro Vargas, Keibert Ruiz, Jake Alu, Vargas, Alu's, Ruiz, Stone Garrett, Paul Blackburn, Luke Maile, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, TJ Friedl, Andrew Abbott, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Andrew McCutchen, Chris Sale, Casas, Tarik Skubal, Kerry Carpenter's, Javier Assad, Cody Bellinger, Nico Hoerner, Bellinger, Hoerner, Ian Happ, Assad, Jose Berrios, Salvador Perez, Louis, Maikel Garcia, Nelson Velazquez, Bobby Witt, Willson Contreras, Adam Wainwright, Jon Singleton, Justin Verlander, Los Angeles . Singleton, Mark Canha, William Contreras, Carlos Santana, Victor Caratini, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, Andrew Vaughn, Blake Snell, Xander Bogaerts, Snell, Julio Rodriguez, Crawford, Luis Castillo, Cal Raleigh, Ty France, Anthony Santander, Lance Lynn, Freddie Freeman, Lynn, Brendan Rodgers, Austin Gomber Organizations: Tampa Bay Rays, Cleveland Guardians, Tropicana Field, Rays, Cleveland, Rangers, Giants, Texas, Oracle, Yankees, Marlins, Triple, Phillies, Philadelphia, Twins, Dallas, Braves, Mets, Atlanta, Nationals, Athletics, Oakland, Washington, Reds, Pirates, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Red Sox, Tigers, Detroit, Boston, Cubs, Blue Jays, Chicago, Toronto, Brandon, Royals, Cardinals, Kansas City, St, Astros, Angels, Houston, Los Angeles ., Brewers, White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, National League Central, The Brewers, Padres, Diamondbacks, San Diego, Mariners, Orioles, J.P, Seattle, Cal, AL East, Dodgers, Rockies, Angeles, Chicago White Sox, Thomson Locations: St, Petersburg , Florida, USA, St . Petersburg, Fla, Tampa, San Francisco, New York, Miami ., Scranton, Wilkes, Barre, J.T, Minnesota, Boston, Toronto, Los Angeles, Verlander, Houston, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Baltimore, Colorado

☆ Amazon hit with labor complaint over failing to bargain with Staten Island union
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Annie Palmer | In Annierpalmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The National Labor Relations Board said Tuesday it found merit to charges that Amazon violated labor laws by refusing to bargain with a fledgling union representing employees at one of its New York warehouses. Workers at one of the retail giant's Staten Island warehouses, known as JFK8, voted last April to join the Amazon Labor Union, a grassroots organization started by current and former employees. The NLRB complaint comes as the ALU has faced setbacks since its landmark victory on Staten Island. The ALU lost two elections at other Amazon warehouses last year, and rifts have formed between some leaders and members of the union. On Monday, a group of former ALU members sued the union, accusing it of violating the ALU's constitution and asking a Brooklyn court to compel it to hold an election for union officers.

Organizations: National Labor Relations Board, Amazon Labor Union, Workers, Amazon, Democratic Reform Caucus, The New York Times Locations: New York, Brooklyn, Staten, Staten Island

☆ Amazon Labor Union's vice president faces criminal charges over allegations he choked his girlfriend
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Jack Newsham | Katherine Long | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Police bodycam video shows Derrick Palmer, the vice president of the Amazon Labor Union, admitting to strangling his girlfriend. The second-highest-ranking official in the Amazon Labor Union is facing felony charges over claims that he strangled his girlfriend last year, according to police records and body-cam video obtained by Insider. The charges against Palmer are the latest potentially damaging revelation about the leadership of the Amazon Labor Union, the only union to successfully organize an Amazon facility. Palmer, left, and Amazon Labor Union president Chris Smalls arrive at an Ebony magazine gala in October 2022. Historically, union officers removed under the law have been convicted of fraud, embezzlement, or extortion, Logan said.

☆ Amazon Union President Chris Smalls Seen Fighting Worker in Video
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Katherine Long | Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +27 min

On the night of December 5, the president of the Amazon Labor Union pummeled another union member. Some longtime Amazon Labor Union organizers decided to begin organizing on their own, without Smalls. All three said they believe in Smalls' mission and support the goals of the Amazon Labor Union, but worry about Smalls' ability to lead. Amazon Labor Union members consoled each other after the union lost the vote at its second warehouse, LDJ5, last April. One purpose of the organization appears to be to raise funds for the Amazon Labor Union, according to its certificate of incorporation.

☆ Amazon workers' union victory upheld by U.S. labor board director
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-12 | by ( Jeffrey Dastin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. labor board director has upheld Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) workers' landmark union victory at a warehouse in New York, according to a decision issued Wednesday, bringing the online retailer closer to having to bargain with staff on a contract. The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) celebrated the labor board director's decision. "This is a HUGE moment for the labor moment!" Workers in different facilities in New York state have rejected joining the union in two elections since, and Amazon filed objections to conduct during the original contest. The NLRB regional director overruled those objections on Wednesday, in line with an NLRB hearing officer's recommendations last year.

☆ What it's like to climb up and ski down Makalu, the world's 5th-highest mountain
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Almost 28,000 feet, Makalu is just 12 miles away from Mount Everest — a mountain Ballinger has climbed several times, along with K2, the world's second-tallest mountain. But at Makalu, Ballinger wasn't there only to climb — he was making his third attempt to be the first person to ski down from the summit of the world's fifth-tallest mountain. Ballinger spent a year preparing to ski Makalu"Once I decided I wanted to try, I spent a year at home of focus, dedicated training, working towards being ready to try to ski Makalu," Ballinger said. From left, Dorji Sonam Sherpa, Sherpa Sirdar (lead sherpa), Ballinger, Phu Rita Sherpa. At base camp, Ballinger and his fellow climbers are fed by a Nepali chef who prepares fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit.

☆ A tiny Pacific island nation threatened by rising sea levels plans to create a digital copy of itself in the metaverse
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tuvalu wants to replicate itself in the metaverse before rising sea levels wipe it off the map. Tuvalu plans to become the first country to create a complete replica of itself in the metaverse as rising sea levels threaten to completely submerge the tiny island nation. For Tuvalu, climate change poses an existential threat. The UN has classified the low-lying island nation as "extremely vulnerable" to rising global temperatures, and experts predict that it could be fully submerged by 2100, per Chatham House. In his address to COP27, which was delivered against the backdrop of a digital replica of Teafualiku, Kofe said: "Islets like this one won't survive rapid temperature increases, rising sea levels, and drought, so we'll recreate them virtually.

☆ Tuvalu turns to the metaverse as rising seas threaten existence
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - Tuvalu said on Tuesday it plans to build a digital version of itself, replicating islands and landmarks and preserving its history and culture as rising sea levels threaten to submerge the tiny Pacific island nation. Kofe grabbed global attention at last year’s COP26 when he addressed the conference standing knee-deep in the sea to illustrate how Tuvalu is on the front line of climate change. Tuvalu was having to act because countries globally were not doing enough to prevent climate change, he said. Tuvalu, a group of nine islands and 12,000 people halfway between Australia and Hawaii, has long been a cause celebre for the risks of climate change and rising sea levels. Kofe said he hoped the creation of a digital nation would allow Tuvalu to continue to function as a state even if it becomes completely submerged.

☆ Watch Estonia's foreign minister — whose country just voted to declare Russia a terrorist state— bluntly say he wants to see Putin go 'to hell'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Reinsalu was asked Tuesday about Vladimir Putin. When political reporter Nina Haase-Trobridge of DW News asked Reinsalu, "Would you like to see Vladimir Putin go to jail," the foreign minister had another place in mind. Reinsalu's forward answer may not come as a surprise given his outspoken support for Ukraine and denunciation of Putin's war. The foreign minister previously defended his country's decision to ban Russian tourists and stop issuing new visas to Russians. At the outset of Russia's invasion, Estonia donated one-third of its military budget to Ukraine, according to the foreign minister.

☆ Why Amazon employees near Albany were divided about joining a union
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Brendan Mcdermid | ReutersFor the past few months, an Amazon warehouse near Albany has hosted the latest labor battle between the retail giant and its workers. Employees at the warehouse near Albany voted overwhelmingly against joining a union, delivering a blow to the Amazon Labor Union, the group behind the Staten Island victory. Following the vote, an Amazon spokesperson said "Amazon as we think that this is the best arrangement for both our employees and customers. Michael Verrastro said he also feels a union is necessary to keep Amazon from unfairly disciplining its workers. "They're a fresh union, and they're trying to tackle something as big as Amazon," Caldwell said.

☆ Amazon workers in Albany vote against unionization, labor leader calls it 'sham election'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Employees at an Amazon warehouse near Albany overwhelmingly rejected a unionization effort on Tuesday, delivering a blow to an upstart labor union seeking to organize workers at the retail giant. Officials said 949 workers at the ALB1 warehouse were eligible to vote on whether they should become part of the Amazon Labor Union. ALU's victory at JFK8 was a watershed moment for the labor movement, establishing the first unionized Amazon warehouse in the U.S. Workers at an Amazon warehouse in Southern California last week filed a union petition with the hopes of joining the ALU. Amazon workers at facilities in California, Illinois and Georgia recently held walkouts, in time for Amazon's fall Prime Day discount event, to urge the company to respond to employee concerns around working conditions.

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