The article discusses the gentrification and corruption in Los Angeles, focusing on the actions of city council member Jose Huizar. It highlights the transformation of the Arts District and Boyle Heights, the displacement of residents, and the involvement of developers like Carmel Partners and Shenzhen New World Group in bribery scandals. The text also mentions the efforts of local groups like Defend Boyle Heights to combat gentrification.

Melchie Dumornay, a standout in Haiti's women's soccer, has been named the young player of the year in Europe's Champions League, a significant achievement celebrated in Little Haiti.

Longtime residents of Highland Park remain skeptical about the safety of York Park, built over a former gas station site with a history of fuel leaks in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite official reports deeming the site low-risk, community members, led by activists like Mando Medina, call for further testing due to lingering concerns about soil contamination. The issue has divided the neighborhood, with some residents and experts advocating for additional assessments, while others, including local officials, believe current safety measures are sufficient. The debate underscores broader environmental justice concerns in the area, particularly in light of past industrial pollution incidents.

Usama Ajjan, a Syrian schoolteacher and part-time journalist, was kidnapped in Aleppo along with three Spanish journalists. While the Spanish journalists' abduction received international attention, Usama's plight has been largely ignored. Steve Addison, a New Zealand-based amateur journalist and friend of Usama, has been campaigning to raise awareness about Usama's abduction. Despite his efforts, including contacting Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, media coverage remains limited. The article highlights the challenges faced by non-Western individuals in gaining media attention and the efforts of individuals like Addison to bring their stories to light.

Nearly 3000 television sets are discarded annually in Dunedin's Green Island landfill, significantly outnumbering those recycled. The high cost of recycling, compared to cheaper disposal options, is a major barrier. Despite the presence of valuable and hazardous materials in TVs, recycling efforts remain minimal. Past government initiatives temporarily boosted recycling rates, but costs reverted, reducing participation. Proposals include incorporating recycling costs into product prices and making retailers responsible for disposal. The situation highlights ongoing environmental and policy challenges.

The article by Carla Green investigates the influence of industry funding on agricultural research at the University of Otago. It highlights concerns that such funding may affect research findings and the choice of research topics. A researcher, referred to as Rebecca, shares her experience of the constraints and pressures of industry funding, including the need to 'bury' certain findings. The article also includes insights from Prof Jack Heinemann of the University of Canterbury, who suggests that industry influence is a widespread issue in academia, affecting the framing of research questions and leading to self-censorship among researchers. The University of Otago and Beef + Lamb New Zealand, an industry funder, both deny that funding influences research outcomes. The article raises questions about the balance between industry collaboration and maintaining academic independence.

Los Angeles, a city with a high renter population, often sees tenants dealing with unscrupulous landlords. This guide offers tenants tools and methods to research their landlords, similar to how journalists do. It covers key laws like California's AB-1482 and Los Angeles' Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), and provides steps to use online tools such as ZIMAS to check protections and property details. It also advises on identifying landlords through public records, business databases, and court records, and emphasizes the importance of knowing one's rights and the legal framework to better handle landlord disputes.

The article highlights six organizations in Los Angeles that are actively working against gentrification and displacement. These organizations include the Los Angeles Community Action Network, Ktown for All, Chinatown Community for Equitable Development (CCED) LA, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice (EYCEJ), We the Unhoused, Jtown Action and Solidarity, Polo’s Pantry, and People’s Pantry. Each organization is praised for its unique contributions to supporting unhoused and marginalized communities through various forms of advocacy, outreach, and direct support. The article encourages readers to volunteer or donate to these organizations to help combat displacement and support community resilience.

Disneyland is set to reopen on April 30 after more than a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with strict safety measures including limited capacity, mask mandates, and social distancing. While fans and employees are eager for the return, the experience will be different with no parades, fireworks, or hugs. The reopening has been challenging for Anaheim businesses and Disneyland staff, many of whom have been furloughed or laid off. Despite the changes, there is optimism that the 'magic' of Disneyland will eventually return.

California's tourism industry, crucial for the local economy, faces unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and historic wildfires. While rural areas like Big Sur have seen a surge in visitors, urban attractions such as Disneyland remain closed, transforming cities like Anaheim into ghost towns. The shift in tourist patterns has caused tensions in small towns and a difficult choice for hospitality workers between their livelihoods and safety. Hotel occupancy rates have increased statewide, but remain lower in urban areas. Workers, like housekeeper Aurelia Gonzalez, have adopted strict routines to protect their families from potential COVID-19 exposure.