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PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
Job Cuts in Tech Sector Spread as Microsoft Lays Off 10,000 (Maria)
The author writes, “Microsoft is cutting 10,000 workers, almost 5% of its workforce, joining other tech companies that have scaled back their pandemic-era expansions. The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that the layoffs were a response to ‘macroeconomic conditions and changing customer priorities.’ The Redmond, Washington-based software giant said it will also be making changes to its hardware portfolio and consolidating its leased office locations.”
Rep. Grothman Displays Christian Nationalist Flag Outside Congressional Office (DonkeyHotey)
From the Wisconsin Examiner: “U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman has a Christian nationalist flag connected to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol displayed outside his congressional office. On Friday morning, Grothman posted a picture of the flag — which shows an image of a pine tree and the phrase ‘An Appeal to Heaven’ on a white background — to his Twitter account with a message inviting people to visit him in the Longworth House Office Building.”
Army Officer Pepper-Sprayed by Police Gets $3,685 in $1 Million Lawsuit (Mili)
The author writes, “A Black soldier in uniform who was pepper-sprayed in his car by Virginia police officers during a traffic stop has been awarded less than $4,000 in a million-dollar lawsuit against the two officers. The jury awarded 2nd Lt. Caron Nazario a total of $3,685 in the lawsuit against Windsor, Virginia, police officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker.”
Republicans Push Anti-Abortion Measures With New Majority (Reader Steve)
The author writes, “House Republicans are taking early action on abortion with their new majority, approving two measures … that make clear they want further restraints after the Supreme Court overruled the federal right to abortion last year. The new GOP-led House passed one resolution to condemn attacks on anti-abortion facilities, including crisis pregnancy centers, and a separate bill that would impose new penalties if a doctor refused to care for an infant born alive after an abortion attempt.”
A Climate Fund Was Born. It Still Doesn’t Have Any Money. (Laura)
From E&E News: “Two months after officials from around the world reached a surprise agreement to provide aid for escalating climate damages, the new fund hasn’t received a single pledge. The fund, created to help poor nations grapple with unstoppable climate dangers, like rising seas, was seen as a major victory at the global climate talks in Egypt late last year. The absence of any financial commitments since then is raising concerns in developing countries that the fund could fail to deliver the historic help that was promised by world leaders. That’s largely because the agreement left more questions than it answered, including where the money will come from.”
5 Unintended Consequences of the EV Revolution (Sean)
From Vox: “The world around us was built to cater to gas-powered cars. Tank trucks carrying thousands of gallons of fuel are a near-ubiquitous presence on the highway. Auto repair shops are stocked with drain pans and wrenches for oil changes. Gas prices are a central focus in politics. Even pedestrians and cyclists depend on the hum of the internal combustion engine — it’s a powerful audio signal that a car might cross their path. That’s all about to change.”
Scientists May Have Discovered the Long Lost Temple of Poseidon (Dana)
The author writes, “Years of history hid a temple in the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. Archeologists are now excavating and studying it, and it may not be just any old ancient shrine. It may be a long lost temple of Poseidon, the mythological god of the sea. Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who lived 2,000 years ago, wrote of a notable shrine to Poseidon in the area where researchers found the temple. In a statement on Wednesday, Mainz University in Germany said a team of researchers ‘unearthed the remains of an early temple-like structure that was located within the Poseidon sanctuary site and was quite possibly dedicated to the deity himself.’”
