Reading archive 2021-02-25

Scientists see stronger evidence of slowing Atlantic Ocean circulation, an ‘Achilles’ heel’ of the climate The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, a system of currents, is weaker than it has been in 1,000 years

Inside a Battle Over Race, Class and Power at Smith College: A student said she was racially profiled while eating in a college dorm. An investigation found no evidence of bias. But the incident will not fade away. - "'This is the racist person,' Ms. Kanoute wrote of Ms. Blair, adding that Mr. Patenaude too was guilty. (He in fact worked an early shift that day and had already gone home at the time of the incident.) Ms. Kanoute also lashed the Smith administration. 'They’re essentially enabling racist, cowardly acts.'"

"Ms. Blair has lupus, a disease of the immune system, and stress triggers episodes. She felt faint. 'Oh my God, I didn’t do this,' she told a friend. 'I exchanged a hello with that student and now I’m a racist.'"

At the mercy of foreign powers: Libyans ousted a dictator, but an ensuing civil war has drawn in Russia, Turkey and others with a thirst for control