Politics: Poland’s President Blocks Legislation Granting Morning-After Pill Access for Ages 15 and Up
According to “U.S. News,” President Andrzej Duda vetoed a law allowing over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill for people ages 15 and above. In an article by “Reuters,” as of March 2024, Poland is one of only two countries in the European Union where a prescription is required to buy emergency contraceptive pills. The new legislation would have made them available without prescription for people over 15, reversing a restriction introduced in 2017 by the former government of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, of which Duda is an ally. In Poland, abortion is legal only when the pregnancy threatens someone’s health or life, or results from a recognized rape, according to “Advanced Press.” Provoking fear among doctors, this strict law has led to a high number of deaths because of troubled pregnancies.
War: Government Struggles to Manage Protests in Jordan Against Israel Become Unpredictable
On March 25, demonstrators and Jordanian security forces engaged in combat as the forces attempted to enter the Israeli consulate in Amman. The “Washington Post” reports that hundreds of demonstrators flocked to the capital of Jordan to demand an end to Israel’s war in Gaza for the third night in a row. They were met with riot police who used batons and tear gas. Even while Amman has seen frequent protests over the course of the nearly six-month conflict, the administration has mainly been able to keep them under control by standing in line with popular opinion and strongly denouncing Israel’s handling of the conflict. However, this week’s spectacles seemed to be more spontaneous, with larger and more charged crowds.
Disaster: Scott Key Bridge Collapses in Baltimore Becoming the Deadliest Bridge Accident in a Decade
A massive cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 just minutes after it departed the Port of Baltimore. To reopen the passage to one of the busiest ports in the United States of America, officials have started clearing the debris of the ship named the Dali. Connecting one of the nation’s biggest ports to the East Coast, the bridge is an essential section of Interstate 695. As reported by the “New York Times,” with six deaths, the incident is now the deadliest bridge collapse in the U.S. in over ten years. According to “NBC,” President Joe Biden said he expected that the federal government would pay for the entire cost of the reconstruction, but the Dali’s owners could be forced to pay damages surpassing one billion dollars, shipping and insurance industry experts said.
Health: Unusual Meningococcal Infections in the U.S.
A rare strain of Meningococcal infection cases are rising in the U.S. Recently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new alert, warning the public and doctors that this new strand presents a higher fatality rate of 1 in 6 and targets middle-aged adults, an unusual trend for pathogens. “CNN” reports that with first cases identified in the September of 2023, there have been 143 cases reported as of 2024. CDC reports that this specific kind of Meningococcal infections does not include the regular symptoms of Meningococcal which include fever, headache, stiff neck, and occasionally light nausea. With more than an 80 percent increase in the number of infected individuals, the CDC recommends the vulnerable middle-aged adults to get booster shots to improve their defense mechanisms.
Technology: Vice President Kamala Harris establishes new requirements for the use of Artificial Intelligence in federal agencies
On March 28, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke of the new artificial intelligence regulations for U.S. agencies. The new rule addresses various scenarios in which AI is used in a multitude of ways, for instance in the Transportation Security Administration and American health care agencies. “CNN” reported that on December 1, 2023, various agencies have verified that the use of AI doesn’t imperil the rights and safety of American citizens who use those services. Currently, AI technology is used by the government in monitoring volcanic activity, tracking wildfires, and soon applying this technology to train immigration officers. To prevent any misuse, the government is planning to add “at least” 100 AI professionals into the government, ensuring that AI practices could make public services more effective within the new regulations.
