Hard Numbers: India vs Rihanna, the loneliest girl in America, Iran caves on South Korean ship ransom, cost of a Glock in Congress

Hard Numbers: India vs Rihanna, the loneliest girl in America, Iran caves on South Korean ship ransom, cost of a Glock in Congress
File photo of Rihanna at the 4th Annual Diamond Ball in New York.
Reuters

286,000: Pop superstar Rihanna's "Why aren't we talking about this?" tweet referring to the months-long Indian farmer protests had been retweeted more than 286,000 times by Wednesday at 2pm EST. India's government has lashed out against Rihanna, Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, and other celebrities who have voiced support for the #FarmersProtest.

532: As of February 3rd, a nine-year-old girl from El Salvador has spent 532 days alone in US immigration detention facilities after being separated from her parents while trying to cross the border. This violates a rule limiting the detention of minors to only 20 days, and comes as the Biden administration takes executive action to overturn former president Donald Trump's harsh policies to stem the influx of Central American migrants.

7 billion: Iran has agreed to free the crew of a South Korean tanker impounded for allegedly causing environmental pollution in the Persian Gulf. Following this "humanitarian" gesture, Tehran expects Seoul to cough up over $7 billion in Iranian funds frozen by South Korea's banks under US sanctions over Iran's nuclear program.

5,000: US representatives caught carrying a firearm on the House floor will now have to pay a minimum fine of $5,000. Speaker Nancy Pelosi approved the new rule to ensure the safety of all members in the wake of the recent Capitol insurrection and one GOP lawmaker's pledge to take her Glock to Congress.

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Be sure to catch next week’s groundbreaking discussions on new technologies for global energy security in disruptive times live from the MSC Energy Security Hub at the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion. On Friday, Feb. 1: See the exclusive keynote by Fatih Birol, executive director of International Energy Agency, entitled “Europe’s Energy Power Struggle: Rising Demand and a New Competitive Landscape”, Join an expert panel as they discuss “Net Zero for Global Security? Geopolitics of Energy Transition and Hydrogen Trade,” featuring Leila Benali (Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco), Jennifer Morgan (State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, German Federal Foreign Office), Rainer Quitzow (professor for Sustainability and Innovation, TU Berlin), Katherina Reiche (CEO, Westenergie AG; Chairwoman, National Hydrogen Council), Narendra Taneja (energy expert & chairman, Independent Energy Policy Institute). Saturday, Feb. 15 “Shaping Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Paradigm in Times of Uncertainty,” the keynote by William Chueh, director, Precourt Institute for Energy, associate professor of materials science and engineering, Stanford University Plus many more panels and fireside chats. If you’re eager to explore how nations can boost their competitiveness, strengthen their economies, and create a future-proof society, sign up for our free livestream here.