Shark Scoop is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in global, national, and local news, as well as a top headline in entertainment and sports.
By: REYNA IWAMOTO /MANAGING EDITOR
Amazon Suspends Employees On Staten Island After Protest
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Amazon suspended more than two dozen of its employees at a warehouse in Staten Island. The workers had refused to work their shift the previous evening after a cardboard compactor caught on fire. On Monday night, more than 500 workers took part in a “work stoppage,” protesting “abnormally dangerous working conditions,” a 25-cent raise some workers received recently and Amazon not recognizing the union. According to the Amazon Labor Union, employees complained of inhaling toxic fumes after the fire, while their managers instructed them to go back to work. While an investigation takes place, the employees will be on paid suspension. Amazon has also confirmed the suspension, saying it respects the employees’ right to protest, but does not find it appropriate for them to occupy work spaces while doing so.
In the Wake of Ian, Southwest Floridians Demand More Aid
Florida residents are combing through the wreckage left behind after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sept. 29. While some praised Florida governor Ron DeSantis for his response, many are still criticizing federal response and aid. Residents have said that they not only are having trouble applying for federal disaster relief, but they have also not seen much evidence of federal aid on the ground. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in charge of coordinating a response from federal agencies to a disaster of this magnitude, working alongside state and local governments. Over the last few decades following natural disasters, however, FEMA has faced repeated criticism for its slow emergency response.
Protests Continue in Iran, Spread Around the World
Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, known by her Kurdish surname Jina, protests have erupted throughout Iran, gathering momentum for weeks. Amini died in September after being arrested and detained by morality police — a unit dedicated to enforcing dress codes for women, including wearing the compulsory headscarf — sparking outrage, especially amongst Iranian women who are now at the forefront of the movement. As dozens have been killed in the unrest in Iran, demonstrations have also spread across the world, with protesters gathering in cities like Paris, Istanbul, Kabul, and Washington D.C. to push back against the Iranian regime and stand in solidarity with Iranian women.
Liverpool to Host 2023 Eurovision
Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced on Friday that Liverpool will host the competition in 2023. The contest, one of Europe’s premier cultural events, will be held at M&S Bank Arena on May 13, 2023. While Ukraine earned the right to host next year’s competition following their victory in this year’s contest, the country was ruled out as a host as it could not provide “security and operational guarantees,” organizers said. Britain, the runner-up of last year’s contest, was instead named host. Liverpool was selected as the host city, out of a list of six, including Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.
Report Details Systemic Abuse in Women’s Soccer
In an investigative report released on Monday, known as the Yates report, the United States Soccer Federation found sexual misconduct, verbal and emotional abuse by coaches in the National Women’s Soccer League and issued warnings that girls face abuse in youth soccer as well. The highly anticipated report was published a year after players outraged by the culture of abuse refused to take the field. Along with detailing the abuse in the sport, the report also made recommendations it said should be adopted by U.S. Soccer or the women’s league. Some of these recommendations included: “making a public list of individuals suspended or barred by U.S. Soccer, meaningfully vetting coaches when licensing them, requiring investigations into accusations of abuse, making clear policies and rules around acceptable behavior and conduct, and hiring player safety officers, among other requirements.”
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