The Riverview Company has dug numerous wells in Arizona over the past six years. Photo: Guardian. Cynthia Beltran arrives in Sunizona, the center of Cochise County in the state of Arizona, USA in the fall of 2020. Although the area lacks potable water, Beltran can’t do anything because of financial constraints. Also due to lack of money, she accepted to manage 100 USD a week to buy water, instead of spending 15,000 USD to deepen the existing well in the new apartment. With a man with only a part-time job, Beltran soon surrendered to the $100-a-week payment and was forced to live with the help of his neighbors. “I’ve run out of options,” she said. Beltran is not the only case of the Willcox basin, which is about 5,200 square kilometers in Arizona. According to the state Department of Water Resources (ADWR), 78 wells dug between 2015 and 2019 have dried up. This number could increase to 100 in a few months. Several homes in Sunizona have been abandoned because the owners cannot afford to deepen an existing well or dig a new one. However, even with the ability to pay, there is no guarantee the drilling will be successful. Sunizona residents attribute the situation to the fact that Riverview, based in Minnesota, began digging wells with depths of 300-800 meters. They’ve been doing this since the beginning of 2015, and they’re causing the groundwater level to drop more and more. Riverview is not the first well drilling company in Sunizona, but they are the largest and deepest digging organization. Within 5 years, from January 2015 to November 2020, the number of wells in the area increased from 494 to 898. Kevin Wulf, a spokesman for Riverview, acknowledged the impact of the increase in the number of wells but believes it is not the only cause. “It is rumored that we came to dry the valley, then left. But no way, we do.” There is no question that Riverview changed the economic landscape of the Willcox Basin in just a few years. The company turned this place into an economic center thanks to the dairy farming and trading industry. They spent $38 million to buy Coronado dairy cows and bid for 2,600 hectares of land in the Kansas Settlement, north of Sunizona, on the day they started their business. To date, the company has spent about $180 million more to own more than 20,000 hectares of land, mostly agricultural land. The size of the company’s cow herd is estimated at about 150,000 cows. Sources close to Riverview say that the parent company prefers to invest in Arizona because the natural and climatic conditions are similar to the California valley where they have been successful. In addition, in this western state, there is no law regulating the amount of water pumped by each farmer household. “The Willcox Basin is the Wild West. The water there is free to use without any strings attached. As long as you have money to drill a well, you have water and no other planning or reporting,” said Kristine Uhlman, a retired hydrologist at the University of Arizona. Surrounded by five mountain ranges, the aquifer of the Willcox Basin is abundant. Before large-scale agricultural pumping started around 1940, the aquifers there had enough water to service Tucson, the nearest major city at the time, for 970 years, ADWR reports. Unlike the Southwest, the saline part of the aquifer of the Willcox Basin is only about 30 meters, and most of it is fresh water below. Uhlman says that in some areas, groundwater can be several kilometers above the surface. Because of this speculation, the Riverview Company and water-starved farmers have been descending into the valley for about a decade. However, due to lack of management, from 1940 to 2015, the groundwater level here decreased from 60 to 90 meters compared to the pre-development level. A retired ADWR official said the rate of decline increased from 0.6-1.2 meters a year before 2015 to 0.9-1.5 meters a year after 2015, when Riverview arrived. business. A water well in Arizona has risen by nearly 1 meter due to drought. Photo: AZ. According to an independent study by ADWR, Riverview drilled about 21% of the 315 new wells between January 2015 and October 2019. Specific numbers were not disclosed, but Riverview spokesman Wulf said: “Our total water usage is carefully monitored internally. We support state law that requires the measurement of all rural wells. This proposal has stalled in recent years, because of objections from other farmers.” Riverview’s claim to reduce water use causes a lot of skepticism. Two veteran local farmers, Joe Salvail and John Hart, say that while many residents have left their homes due to lack of water, Riverview has ramped up off-season planting, maintaining a two-crop-a-year rate. These factors increase the total amount of water used. In 2015, a group of farmers, ranchers, and government officials proposed the installation of meters on wells. Even so, the plan has created deep divisions within the community and the state legislature. “The leaders back then had no say. Almost no one wants to talk about it anymore,” Hart said. The prospect of Sunizona in particular and Arizona in general, in the long term, is forecasted to be bleak. According to ADWR research, if pumping levels are kept at the current level, water levels will drop by as much as 280 meters in the Kansas Settlement by 2115, compared with 1940 levels. According to the agency, most of the water remains in the strata The reservoir will be so deep that it will be almost impossible to pump up. “The reality is Riverview is drawing water from the bottom. It’s like when you suck water from a bucket, you’ll have water until it’s empty. While people with shorter straws, they get nothing.” hydrologist Uhlman commented. In addition to the state of Arizona, the US also issued an urgent notice about the risk of water shortage in the state of Nevada. The main reason, according to the US Bureau of Reclamation, is climate change causing less snow and ice to flow into lakes and rivers. In addition, hotter temperatures dry the soil, causing more river water to evaporate as it flows through the drought-stricken western United States.

Diamond Ranch High School in Ponoma City, California, has a special shape thanks to its unique structural blocks.Architecture Week said that, at first, the project to build this school on the hill was considered impractical and impossible. . Photo: Library of Congress. The Ramon Cortines School of the Performing Arts is located on the edge of the Chinatown district in Los Angeles, California. This school is designed in the shape of a disruptive pyramid. Photo: Instagram. The spiral around the top of a school building is considered a symbol of this unique architecture. Photo: Wikipedia. Amino Lenox Charter High School in Inglewood, California, is famous for its wall of openings that both create a unique look and provide an airy atmosphere for students studying inside the building. Photo: Wikipedia. Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona, impresses again with its state-of-the-art performing arts center located on campus. Its auditorium can accommodate up to 600 people. Photo: Business Insider. In 2012, Sandy High School in Sandy, Oregon, was redesigned, doubling its size. The school is impressed by its asymmetrical architecture, taking wood as the main material. The school is located next to a small forest, creating an environmentally friendly feeling for teachers and students. Photo: IBI Group Architects. The Ínstituto Institute of Medical Sciences was built in an old warehouse in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The school has only 180 students and focuses on teaching Science, Technology, English, and Mathematics. Photo: JGMA. Most of the building still retains the structure of the old warehouse. However, the floor, ceiling and walls are painted in bright colors, attracting the viewer’s eye. Photo: JGMA. The unique feature of Riverview High School lies in its multi-window architecture. Inside the building, objects are arranged far apart, creating ventilation, especially suitable for space for libraries and cafeterias. Photo: Business Insider. Jones College Preparatory High School is on the list of the most beautifully designed schools in America thanks to its long architecture. Photo: Business Insider. The wide hallway is the perfect spot for a stroll in the sunlight streaming through the windows. It also makes traveling between classes less boring. Photo: Business Insider. This unique architecture belongs to the Football Academy, UNO Elementary School. This is a privileged school that focuses on developing football talents. Photo: JGMA. UNO has a giant soccer field in the back. In addition, the school also impresses with the curved window design. This school has 575 students. Photo: JGMA.

The young girl who made this miracle is named Kiah Twisselman, 25 years old, from California, USA. Previously, Kiah weighed more than 100 kg and she tried to lose weight for many years but to no avail. Kiah Twisselman used to have an oversized body before losing 59 kg The milestone that made Kiah realize she had to change her lifestyle and get serious about losing weight was when she started boarding a flight from Kentucky to Arizona more than a year ago. When she got on the plane, she realized that she was too big for the seat and had to ask the flight attendant to loosen her seat belt. At that time, Kiah realized that her body was so overweight that it was different from the rest. Not only that, when she saw that her loved ones were overweight and at high risk of diabetes and heart disease, Kiah was even more determined to change. Kiah before and after weight loss Finally, instead of conventional weight loss methods, Kiah chooses to maintain 5 simple and healthy habits. Kiah’s relentless efforts have paid off, in just one year, the young girl has dropped 59 kg of excess fat, owning a proudly balanced and slim body. Not only has a beautiful body, now Kiah has become a health coach. Her job is to guide and inspire other overweight people to lose weight. Here are 5 simple habits that changed Kiah’s life: 1. Wake up an hour earlier than usual, take that time for yourself Kiah said, there were weeks when she lost weight quickly, but there were also long periods of struggle where her body didn’t change. After finding out the reason, she discovered that this came from an unscientific and reasonable personal life. Kiah often stays up late to watch movies or work, which is also the reason why she quickly gets hungry and has a habit of eating at night. This girl decided to change by waking up an hour earlier than usual and taking that time for herself. Now, Kiah can exercise, cook a healthy breakfast, and read her favorite book. 2. Always make sure to exercise at least 30 minutes every day Weight loss is not always smooth “The common mistake many people make in weight loss comes from fasting or forcing themselves on a strict diet.” , Kiah shared. Instead of making the body become tired, lacking substance and lack of energy, we should ensure that the habit of exercise takes place regularly, at least 30 minutes a day. This not only helps to lose weight but also gives a supple, strong and disease-resistant body. 3. Give up all foods that are not beneficial for weight Undeniably, fast food, fried foods, confectionery and dairy have always had an irresistible attraction. Kiah hasn’t been able to leave these favorites out of her meals for the past 20 years. However, when she realized she needed to change, she was determined to give them up to have a slim body and reduce the risk of dangerous diseases in old age. 4. Drink lots of water Kiah Twisselman’s story inspires overweight people Many studies have shown that drinking water can help lose weight effectively. Mineral water has no calories, can quench thirst, reduce appetite, make Kiah eat less and thereby lose weight quickly. Besides, she also shared that her skin was more beautiful when drinking a lot of water every day. 5. Write down 10 things you are grateful for To have a beautiful body inside and out, we also need to have a relaxed mind. You should not be too obsessed and pressured about losing weight, because that mentality will inadvertently slow down the process of getting in shape. Kiah also shared that, after setting herself a moderate goal, she will write down 10 things that she is always grateful for, from which to look at to motivate herself, love herself and be more determined. Every time I get tired, Kiah reminds me that all obstacles are surmountable and so is weight loss. Looking back on 25 years of struggling with a heavy body, losing 59 kg in 12 months is like a miracle for Kiah “The most important part of the journey to health is the spirit, you should not hate yourself to lose weight, but lose weight because you love your health and body, don’t do it for anyone else.” Kiah said.

“Color of work” is the work of photographer Tran Tuan Viet. He shared that he took a photo of an employee while preparing for a hot air balloon during a festival in Ba Vi National Park. Preparing a hot air balloon before flying usually takes more than an hour. Tuan Viet said he spent many days at the festival, getting up at 5am and going more than 100 km / day to catch this moment. Tuan Viet’s photo won the “Readers’ Choice” award at the 18th international photo contest organized by Smithsonian magazine. The special prize goes to “In the crowd” work by Skyler Wilson, American freelance photographer. His impressive photo shows a girl during the 2020 women’s march in Washington (USA). The red handprints on the mouth are images that remind indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or missing. Winner of the “Natural World” award is “Whaletail” photo by John Comosky. The photographer said they were sailing through the Antarctic Circle when they spotted humpback whales crossing the bay. The captain decided to follow and discovered about 250 children. They are all feeding. “The whales emerged, dived around us in all directions. How magical,” Comosky said. In the Tourism category, the winning photo is “Generous Russia” by photographer Olesla Kim. Photo of a typical meal of birch land on a famous Volga car. Milky way in the sky suburban San Manuel (Arizona, USA) by Lynsey Schroeder author won the category “Experience America”. This area is less affected by light pollution, so it is very suitable for “galaxy hunters”. While standing here, only a few times, the silence was broken by the sound of passing cars, the author said. The car lights illuminate the giant saguaro cacti. “Blockade Diary” is a photo taken with Mayank Soni’s phone. “Who would believe this city can become such a quiet space? Pandemic shows us how to pay attention and appreciate what is there. On the first day of separation, I saw someone standing on the rooftop. next door, seem to be thinking about something. Didn’t say anything to each other but it seemed like we had the same feeling as we watched the sunset radiating across the silent city, The Smithsonian International Photo Contest is held annually. In the last 17 occasions, they received about 470,000 works from photographers around the world. The overall winner will receive a bonus amount of 2,500 USD. Other categories (including readers’ votes) have a bonus of 500 USD. Last year, the final winning photo belonged to a photo of a fish dealer, taken in Hanoi.