News Briefs
Devan Trout, Associate Writer
International
Locusts swarm Argentina.
Thousands of locusts have been found infesting farmlands in Argentina, such as Catamarca and Santiago del Estero. The locusts were first spotted last July in Santiago del Estero. The infestation has been categorized as the worst of its kind in the country in over 50 years. There are currently more than 100 locust outbreaks in Argentina.
National
Tainted water fixed.
Scientist Raffaele Mezzenga claims to have found a method of purifying water by ridding it of lead and other contaminants. The two year project was a result of a lead pollution crisis in Flint, Mich. Mezzenga’s method was tested several times at his lab at ETH Zurich, a university in Switzerland, and is ready to be tested in real life circumstances.
Uber drivers in NYC protest rate cuts.
The popular transportation service company, Uber, cut its NYC drivers rates by 15 percent in an effort to attract more business with lower rates. Drivers protested at Uber’s Long Island City office on Monday, Feb. 1 at noon. According to Uber, the price cuts are due to the nature of the transportation business during this particular season. Customers request less rides in the winter months.
Local/State
To help domestic violence victims, Upstate students design an app.
Greenville High School students, junior Marti Gathings and sophomore Shannon Johnson, designed an app called SafeHaven that pairs victims of domestic assault with a mentor with similar experiences to provide coaching and support. SafeHaven has been entered into the World Series of Innovation contest.
A new ministry blooms from an old jail.
The old Oconee County Detention Center will be turned into an emergency shelter for homeless men and women. This project is being run by Christ Central Ministries. The ministry also plans to work with inmates before their release for transitional purposes.
Campus
How to avoid falling in love with a jerk.
A new series starting at North Greenville University, the first part of “How to Avoid Falling in Love with a Jerk” begins Feb. 2 and will continue for the remainder of February and the first Tuesday in March. Meetings for the series will be held every Tuesday in the Joyful Sound Conference Room at 4:30 p.m.
