U.N Panel on Human Rights Horrified at Conditions Women Face in U.S.
Three human rights experts from Poland, the U.K. and Costa Rica working on a report about women’s rights in the U.S. were shocked at the troubling conditions many women face here. They cited the 23 percent gender pay gap, poor maternity leave policies, tension surrounding women’s reproductive rights and poor treatment of migrant women in detention centers. [HuffPo]
Would Apple Make a Better U.S. President?
According to a consumer study by the advertising agency, Rbb Communications, the tech giant would run the country better than the current crop of candidates, with 33% of the votes. Walt Disney came a close second with 28% of the votes, while American Express finished in third with 18%. The firm decided to ask the politically-geared question for its third-annual “Breakout Brands” survey, which was conducted online in October among 1,000 U.S. residents (18 and over).[Advertising Age]
An Unbelievable Story of Rape
The Marshall Project and ProPublica produced this deeply reported look into the story of 18-year-old “Marie,” who said she was raped by a stranger who broke into her apartment. The piece explores why she later recanted her story — until police found proof that the assault really happened, and that the suspect was linked to a string of other disturbing attacks. [The Marshall Project]
Hollywood’s Last Remaining Holocaust Survivors
The Hollywood Reporter takes a look at some of last remaining Holocaust survivors in the entertainment industry, telling their stories in their own words. Through a series of video interviews and archival images, hear from a real-life member of Oskar Schindler’s list, Dr. Ruth, a Polish actor who starred in dozens of roles including those portraying Nazis, and more.
“I was frozen; they thought I was dead,” one survivor recalled. “I was the age of 21. I weighed 72 pounds.” [Hollywood Reporter]
Growing up Hasidic and Trans
Abby Stein describes growing up transgender in an insular Hasidic community in Williamsburg and Monsey, the confusion that led her to leave, and how she has embraced her identity and found community on the outside. Keep tissues handy. [NY Magazine]
Bank Robber Runs By TV Reporter During Live Shot
Adam Sallet, a reporter for KIMT-TV, was just beginning his live report on a string of robberies in Rochester, Minnesota, outside a local Sterling State Bank branch, when a bank employee interrupted it and pointed out the suspect who had just struck again.
Sallet quickly ended his report, saying: “I got to go here and call 911. I’ll talk to you later.” The KIMT anchor then had to assure viewers that it was not a staged event.
Sallet tweeted later that the suspect was caught. [CBS]
Bank robbery suspect in custody. Taken in near twin cities. Believe it's the same suspect as yesterday. @KIMTNews3 #rochmn
— Adam Sallet (@AdamSalletKIMT) December 15, 2015The Tale Behind “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
Listen carefully. The beloved Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear” might sound nice on the radio nowadays, but it was written during the Cuban Missile Crisis and evokes fear of a nuclear missile, according to The Atlantic. The publication is uncovering the histories of 12 Christmas songs leading up to the holiday. Not what you were expecting, huh? [The Atlantic]
Dog DNA Reveals the Incredible Journey of Man's Best Friend
Dogs may have been domesticated for as long as 33,000 years, according to a study recently published in the journal Cell Research. The first dogs were likely grey wolves that lived in southeast Asia and eventually traveled throughout the world, according to the study’s researchers, who examined the genomes of more than 50 canines. [The Guardian]
The Environmental Impact of a Netflix Binge
The Atlantic’s Ingrid Burian digs into the environmental impact of data centers (Google’s data centers are using as much energy as the entire country of Turkey) and why using renewable sources isn’t just an altruistic choice but makes financial sense for these companies. And energy sources are just one part of the picture — big data impacts water usage, causes pollution and uses rare earth minerals and toxic materials, she reports. [The Atlantic]
N.W.A., Cheap Trick and Deep Purple are Headed to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2016 class have been announced. This year’s crop includes several classic rock bands—Cheap Trick, Chicago and Deep Purple—as well as the rap group N.W.A. Voters rejected several high profile names this year as well, including Janet Jackson, Yes, The Smiths and Nine Inch Nails. Maybe next year, guys. [NPR]
The World’s Best Drone Photography Of The Year
From Mont Saint Michel in France to Shandong in China, drones certainly traveled far and wide this year. [Mashable]
This column has been compiled by DNAinfo reporters Lisha Arino, Camille Bautista, Jeanmarie Evelly, Emily Frost, Gwynne Hogan, Noah Hurowitz, Ewa Kern-Jedrychoswka, Carolina Pichardo, Irene Plagianos, Eddie Small, Danielle Tcholakian, Shaye Weaver and Nikhita Venugopal.
