family

Indonesia fishing village grapples with piles of trash brought in by tides

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Indonesia fishing village grapples with piles of trash brought in by tides

Solikah, a 58-year-old Indonesian housewife from Teluk, a fishing village in Banten province on Java island, is distressed by the trash covering her local beach. Teluk is known for having one of Indonesia’s dirtiest beaches, exacerbated by heavy rains causing stronger tides that bring more trash ashore. Indonesia’s meteorological agency forecasts a milder dry season starting later than usual, in May and June. Fikri Jufri, leading a community beach cleaning effort, attributes the accumulation of trash to the rain and wind bringing sea-borne trash, including plastic waste, back to shore. Indonesia is a major contributor to the global issue of plastic waste in the oceans. A video of environmentalists cleaning the beach in Teluk went viral on TikTok. Local fishermen, like 33-year-old Jayadi, are impacted by weather unpredictability and high tides, affecting their income, especially ahead of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival.

Washington makes new push for Gaza ceasefire to head off famine, Rafah assault

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Washington makes new push for Gaza ceasefire to head off famine, Rafah assault

– The United States is pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza to prevent a famine and is urging Israel not to launch a ground assault on Rafah, where over a million displaced people are taking refuge.
– Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning a trip to the Middle East to meet leaders of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to discuss peace, but no visit to Israel has been announced.
– Israeli air strikes in Rafah killed 14 people, and Gaza’s food shortages have surpassed famine levels according to the international hunger monitor.
– Israel denies causing Gaza’s hunger, claiming it is opening new routes for aid and that U.N. and other agencies should distribute food more effectively.
– The U.N. suggests Israel’s restrictions and conduct in the conflict could constitute a war crime.
– Ceasefire talks are resuming in Qatar, with discussions around a six-week truce that would involve the release of hostages and detainees and the provision of aid to Gaza.
– The humanitarian situation in Gaza and the potential assault on Rafah have caused tension between the Israeli government and the U.S. administration.
– White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed that a ground operation in Rafah would be a mistake and that Israel’s goals can be achieved by other means.
– Israel insists a ground assault is necessary to defeat Hamas in Gaza, including in Rafah.
– Hamas reported the death of a senior police commander and his family in northern Gaza due to overnight air strikes.
– Israel aims to continue its military operations in Gaza until Hamas is defeated and claims to have killed senior Hamas officials, including the deputy commander of the Hamas military wing.
– Talks hosted in Qatar between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, with hopes for a truce that would benefit over two million people in Gaza.

Book Review: Redwood Court by D, éLana R.A. Dameron

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Book Review: Redwood Court by D, éLana R.A. Dameron

DéLana R.A. Dameron’s debut novel, “Redwood Court,” focuses on the theme of connection within a community and family in Columbia, SC, particularly through the lives of the characters linked to the matriarch and patriarch, Weesie and Teeta Mosby, and their residence, Redwood Court. The story is narrated by their granddaughter, Mika, who explores the importance of non-blood relations, personal history, and community support amidst the backdrop of an all-black subdivision facing racial micro-aggressions. The novel addresses the complexities of finding joy and purpose within a system designed to oppress, highlighting the significance of love and connection.