Today’s newsletter covers cryogenic storage of eye tissue, an American consulate in Western Sahara, pro-democracy protests in Eswatini, Argentine price freeze, and more.
In Singapore, eye tissue can be stored for future use
A company in Singapore can store eye tissue to reuse it later when vision degrades getting older. The technique is not ready for clinical use yet. It might also prove to be an alternative in some cases of cornea transplantation from dead donors.
U.S. draft budget does not include a consulate in Western Sahara
A draft bill for next year’s budget says that funds should not be allocated for the construction of a consulate in Western Sahara. The United States has yet to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty when the Kingdom recognized Israel. But this was under Trump’s administration.
Eswatini pro-democracy unrest becomes a regional matter
Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa formerly known as Swaziland, has been experiencing pro-democracy protests for several weeks. A delegation of South African countries will try to restore calm.
Argentina freezes prices of 1,432 mass consumption goods
Argentina freezes prices of mass consumption goods until early January 2022 to combat rampant inflation. While the industry claims they haven’t been the cause of inflation rates recently, food prices actually increased more than the overall inflation in the last few years.
Allowing toilet access to deliverers by law
The provincial government of Ontario in Canada wants to introduce a law for deliverers to be able to use toilets in stores where they pick up or deliver items. Ontario’s minister of labor called them “front-line heroes” although they are often denied washroom access. If passed, it would apply to 200,000 couriers, truck drivers and food deliverers. It would not be applicable to private places, but only enforced in businesses where they pick up or deliver items.
Australian wine export at its lowest in five years
Australian wine exports are at their lowest in the last five years because of Chinese tariffs. Exports to Beijing decreased by 77%. In March, China announced extending the 200% custom tariff implemented last year for another five years. The industry looks for other markets such as Hong Kong, the U.K., or the U.S. Wine is only one of the dozen Australian products the Chinese government restricts imports on through various and more or less overt measures. At the World Trade Organization, Australia accused China of economic punishment motivated by political considerations.
