Tag: 2017

45 mass killings leave 211 dead as United States hits horror high mark in 2019 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Image of El Paso shooting suspect Patrick Crusius

Trump has torn up the record books when it comes to mass- shootings and numbers killed during his term in office. (ODT)

Key points:

Guns were the weapon used in all bar eight of the mass killings to take place
The number of people killed was 211, just 13 shy of 2017 when the worst massacre in US history took place
The Walmart shooting in El Paso, Texas saw more people killed than any other mass killing this year

via 45 mass killings leave 211 dead as United States hits horror high mark in 2019 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Report: World’s Richest Got 20% Richer in 2017

A report published recently by Swiss bank UBS shows the world’s wealthiest are now worth $9.1 trillion, enough to spend $1 million per day for 30,000 years.

In 2017, more than 2,000 billionaires around the world became even wealthier, pushing their collective fortunes to historic levels. According to a report recently published by Swiss bank UBS and accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), no other year in recorded history, including the industrial revolution and the Gilded Age, has seen such a massive increase in wealth of the global elite.

Just over 2,150 people have seen their wealth increase by 20 percent, many doing so through various forms of inheritance and asset transfers.

via Report: World’s Richest Got 20% Richer in 2017

Day to Day Politics: The year 2017 declared yet another political disaster. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/d44030a8b1d53aa6a153a8845e0613d7

“Our lives should be subject to constant reflection, otherwise the way forward is locked into the constraints of today’s thoughts.”

As I write I reflect on the year 2017. I can only conclude that it is another wasted in the advancement of our nation. I try to think of things positive that I might share but I cannot. I stop, hesitate, because marriage equality must surely go down as a magnificent victory for the people. I can’t even count how many pieces I wrote on the subject. Yes, it was a victory for the people, we did it in spite of the politicians not doing what they were elected to do.

We showed what we are capable of doing when we turn our collective attention to the common good.

Day to Day Politics: The year 2017 declared yet another political disaster. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

What were the top BDS victories of 2017? | The Electronic Intifada

Nora Barrows-Friedman Activism and BDS Beat 28 December 2017

The movement for Palestinian rights continues to grow across the world. (Alisdare Hickson/Flickr)

It took just four days for a world famous singer to cancel her Tel Aviv show in response to her fans’ urging her to respect the international picket line.

Lorde’s decision on Christmas Eve to pull the Tel Aviv show from her world tour – remarking that booking the gig in the first place “wasn’t the right call” – completed a successful year for the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement.

2017 saw artists, performers, athletes, politicians, cultural workers, faith-based organizations, students, academics, unions and activists grow the movement for Palestinian rights.

Israel has been taking notice, of course.

via What were the top BDS victories of 2017? | The Electronic Intifada

Forbes 2017 billionaires list: Donald Trump drops 220 spots, Gina Rinehart skyrockets to 69 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Gina Rinehart and Donald Trump

Bill Gates tops Forbes’ billionaires list again, President Donald Trump slips 220 spots and Gina Rinehart has the best year of all female billionaires listed.

Source: Forbes 2017 billionaires list: Donald Trump drops 220 spots, Gina Rinehart skyrockets to 69 – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Pauline Hanson is more sophisticated now? Yeah, and so are Guns n’ Roses | Dom Knight | Opinion | The Guardian

One Nation is like a box of fine cigars, enjoyed only by a discerning few, while others reject them on the grounds of health and taste

Source: Pauline Hanson is more sophisticated now? Yeah, and so are Guns n’ Roses | Dom Knight | Opinion | The Guardian