Zika Virus


The Zika virus dominated headlines for spreading not just throughout many countries in Latin America, but also in the US in cities like Miami, FL. This year we’ve learned an amazing amount about Zika — how it damages developing brains, how it spreads through sexual contact and where in the world it’s hiding out.

The Zika virus thrives in tropical climates. But it is also growing in this cold-weather city — up a flight of stairs, past a flier for lunchtime yoga and behind a locked door.

Zika virus is said to be more damaging during early pregnancy. The sooner a woman is infected with the Zika virus during her pregnancy, the more likely her baby will be damaged by the virus. Retinal damage Associated with Zika Virus Infection in Infants.



Read more http://rezponder.com/2016-year-review-zika-virus/

Panama Paper, global web of corruption and tax avoidance

The leak of 11 million confidential documents (in about 2.6 terabytes of data) from the Panamanian law firm Mossack, Fonseca and Co. was credited by some media outlets to a whistle-blower who wants to remain anonymous. Others have suggested it came from an attack by hackers. The unprecedented document leak known as the Panama Papers uncovered the hidden dealings of the world’s wealthiest people.

A quiet spring weekend was suddenly shattered when news of the “Panama Papers” investigation broke. The massive international project involved approximately 400 journalists across 75 countries.

The Panama Papers sent ripples across the globe after revealing that 140 politicians from more than 50 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson and Nigeria Senate President Bukola Saraki were linked to offshore accounts set up by the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.



Read more http://rezponder.com/2016-year-in-review-panama-paper/

2016 Year in Review: Scandal and Controversy

2016 will be remembered as a year that was also characterised with scandal and controversy ranging Facebook and fake news problem, Ryan Lochte Apologising for ‘Not Being More Careful And Candid’ In Rio, to the Panama Papers: and what’s been revealed so far. Outrage that grows after Gorilla Harambe was shot dead at Cincinnati Zoo to Save Tot and the Drug lord ‘El Chapo’ recaptured among others

Facebook and fake news problem
News stories are supposed to help ordinary voters understand the world around them. But in the 2016 election, news stories online too often had the opposite effect. Stories rocketed around the internet that were misleading, sloppily reported, or in some cases totally made up.

Over the course of 2016, Facebook users learned that the pope endorsed Donald Trump (he didn’t), that a Democratic operative was murdered after agreeing to testify against Hillary Clinton (it never happened), that Bill Clinton raped a 13-year-old girl (a total fabrication), and many other totally bogus “news” stories. Stories like this thrive on Facebook because Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes “engagement” — and a reliable way to get readers to engage is by making up outrageous nonsense about politicians they don’t like.



Read more http://rezponder.com/2016-year-in-review-scandal-and-controversy/