South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Maria Santiago

Small newsrooms across America are joining forces to survive

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As local newspapers continue to shrink or disappear across the United States, a growing number of independent news organizations are turning to collaboration instead of competition in an effort to survive.

That trend is highlighted in a new report from The 19th, which says its journalism partnership initiative, the 19th News Network, has expanded from 25 member newsrooms to 102 in just one year.

The network brings together national, regional and local publishers focused on issues including education, health, climate, race, gender and LGBTQ+ communities. [Read more…] about Small newsrooms across America are joining forces to survive

Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

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A tense special session of the Tennessee legislature ended this week with Republican lawmakers approving a new congressional map that redraws the state’s only majority-Black district, prompting protests from Democratic lawmakers and voting-rights advocates.

At the center of the protest was state Sen. Charlane Oliver, who disrupted proceedings throughout the week and, in the final moments before the vote, climbed onto her desk in the Senate chamber holding a banner reading “Jim Crow 2.0” and “Stop the TN Steal”.

Dressed in white, Oliver then began singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often referred to as the Black National Anthem. [Read more…] about Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end

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Missouri Republicans are pushing to pass a controversial “born-alive” abortion bill before the state’s legislative session ends next week, setting up another major confrontation in the state’s long-running abortion debate.

The legislation, known as the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act”, would require medical providers to administer life-saving care to infants born alive following an attempted abortion. Under the bill, anyone who “knowingly performs or attempts to perform an overt act that kills a child born alive” could face first-degree murder charges.

The measure has become a top priority for Republican lawmakers in the state legislature, despite opposition from Democrats, abortion-rights advocates, and even some anti-abortion Republicans. [Read more…] about Missouri Republicans push ‘born-alive’ abortion bill as session nears end

Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

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The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC after nearly six decades may signal more than a disagreement over production quotas.

According to a new analysis published by The Conversation, the move reflects growing concern among some major oil-producing countries that the long-term future of global oil demand may be weaker than previously expected.

The UAE officially announced its departure from OPEC after 59 years amid rising geopolitical tensions, disagreements over production strategy and accelerating changes in the global energy market. [Read more…] about Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

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As tensions between the United States and China continue reshaping the global economy, economists and policymakers are increasingly focusing on a new concept that could define the next era of international trade: “friendshoring”.

Rather than bringing manufacturing fully back home, countries and multinational corporations may instead shift production and investment toward politically friendly nations.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that friendshoring may allow globalization to continue in a different form, even as trade between the world’s two largest economies becomes more strained. [Read more…] about ‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales

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Missouri’s attorney general has failed, for now, in an attempt to immediately halt the sale of controversial kratom-derived products sold by Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman, in a case that highlights growing national debate over the increasingly popular substance.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie ruled Friday that the state had not yet presented sufficient evidence to justify an emergency temporary restraining order against the company and several affiliated businesses.

The lawsuit, brought by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, specifically targets products containing “7-OH” – short for 7-hydroxymitragynine – a potent compound derived from kratom. [Read more…] about Missouri judge declines to immediately halt controversial kratom product sales

Trump may have removed Maduro – but Venezuela’s future is still unclear

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Four months after US forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and removed him from power, Venezuela remains caught between economic reform, political uncertainty and unresolved questions about democracy.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that while the country is beginning to reverse years of socialist economic policies, many of the structures that supported Maduro’s government remain firmly in place.

Following Maduro’s capture by US forces in January, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership of the country and has begun implementing economic reforms with support from the Trump administration. [Read more…] about Trump may have removed Maduro – but Venezuela’s future is still unclear

Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks

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US President Donald Trump may still enjoy strong support among some European conservative movements, but political tensions in Italy suggest that backing for Trump-style politics across Europe could be more fragile than it appears.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has begun distancing herself from Trump after initially building close ties with his political movement.

Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, spent years cultivating relationships with American conservatives and became closely associated with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. [Read more…] about Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks

Motown’s forgotten women are finally getting recognition

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During the 1960s, Motown became one of the most influential music labels in America, producing hits from artists including Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes and The Temptations.

But while the performers became global stars, many of the Black women who helped write, arrange and produce the music remained largely unknown outside the industry.

A new article published by The Conversation argues that several women behind the scenes at Motown played a crucial role in shaping the label’s sound and success, despite receiving little recognition at the time. [Read more…] about Motown’s forgotten women are finally getting recognition

Can Brazil become America’s most important partner in South America?

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to Washington last week for a closely watched meeting with US President Donald Trump, as both countries attempt to stabilize a relationship shaped increasingly by trade, strategic minerals, organized crime and growing geopolitical competition in Latin America.

The private talks at the White House lasted about three hours on May 7, although neither side issued a formal joint statement afterward.

Despite political differences between the two leaders, the meeting highlighted what analysts increasingly see as a pragmatic shift in US-Brazil relations, driven less by ideology and more by economic and strategic interests. [Read more…] about Can Brazil become America’s most important partner in South America?