Today, young people are leading the global climate change protests. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets for the global climate strike. They demanded that leaders tackle climate change in the run-up to a U.N. summit. Many were young children who skipped school for the event.
These events have been partially inspired through weekly demonstrations called “Fridays for Future,” staged by Sweedish teenage, Greta Thunberg. Thunberg is expected to speak at the U.N. Climate Action Summit on Monday.
Events began in Australia, the world’s largest exporter of coal and liquid natural gas. Organizers estimate more than 300,000 protesters took to Australian streets in what would be the country’s biggest demonstration since the Iraq War in 2003.
Hundreds of rallies took place across Europe, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Britain and Poland. Smaller protests took place across Asia, including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong and India.
Organizers say more than 800 events are planned for later Friday in the U.S.
Police say the death of a Watertown woman who was killed in a crash on Tuesday is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities say a 16-year-old Moorhead, Minnesota boy was going more than 100 mph when he crashed into the woman’s vehicle in an attempted suicide.
Police say Meyer was driving slower than 35 mph when the teen crossed into the opposite lane and struck her. Forty-three year old Dwan Meyer died at the scene. The boy was taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital where he remains in critical condition.
No charges have been filed.
Three Air Force ROTC students were awarded a full-ride scholarship to any medical school of their choosing. Seniors Hank Larson, David Linn and Sam Gentle are among 24 students across the U.S. to receive this scholarship from the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program.
Having three St. Thomas students selected for this scholarship is a big deal to them and the detachment. St. Thomas ROTC is ranked nationally and was given best host institution among other big name schools such as the University of Notre Dame and Texas A&M University. The St. Thomas detachment is ranked high in academics and physical fitness.
Rachel Torralba can be reached at torr3544@stthomas.edu.