While you were sleeping…

Good morning!

Loads of interesting stuff happened after you turned out the lights last night. The U.S. continued to help Vietnam clear itself of leftover explosives, while reports surfaced that Ellen Pao is preparing to testify in her own Silicon Valley sexism case.

The Garden State cut a deal with Exxon Mobil over environmental damage that has some critics squawking, and Russia kicked off military exercises in disputed regions.

Leftover explosives from Vietnam War drew attention

The Vietnam War may have ended in 1975, but the dangers it left behind are still alive and well. It turns out that 10 percent of the ammunition used never actually detonated. Today, active bombs and landmines are still sprinkled throughout the area. Quang Tri province is a particularly dangerous place. Clearing efforts are underway as the U.S. works toward reclaiming farmland in the region, which has been unusable since the war ended. Vietnam is thought to be one of the most heavily contaminated countries when it comes to leftover war-era explosives.

Woman accusing sexism in Silicon Valley prepared to testify

Ellen Pao, a former venture capitalist and partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, is getting ready to take the stand in her own bias case. With media coverage regarding sexism in Silicon Valley gaining more and more momentum, all eyes are on the Kleiner case. Pao’s story is that her standing at the firm began to fall apart after she ended an affair with another partner. After that partner left, she says that he and the company began lashing out against her. Others say the reason she did not advance in the firm goes back to inadequate work performance. Whether discrimination is at play is yet to be seen.

Critics spoke out after New Jersey cut soft deal with Exxon over environmental damage

After more than a decade of battling with Exxon Mobil over environmental damage, the state of New Jersey has finally reached a deal. According to a New York Times report, the Garden State will settle for $250 million. The case goes back to claims that the oil and gas company contaminated over 1,500 acres of wetlands and water. The legal battle originally set out to collect $8.9 billion from Exxon Mobil. Some critics say the deal is too soft and favors Exxon.

Major military exercises began in Russian territories

In both southern Russia and in disputed regions on Russia’s borders, major military exercises are in motion. The nation’s defense ministry reveals that this involves more than 2,000 anti-aircraft troops and 500 weapons. Due to the crisis in Ukraine, some say that the relationship between the U.S. and Russia hasn’t been this troubled since the Cold War. There is speculation that the West might interpret these military exercises as Russia touting its strength.