Government: New Zealandic Government Issues Apology to Those Abused in State Care
The New Zealand government and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon offered a national apology to thousands of victims and their families who experienced physical and sexual abuse during church and state care. According to “USNews,” from 1950 to 2019, reports suggest that 200,000 children and adults (a third of the total population in care) were suspected of horrific tortures like rape, sterilization, and electric shocking. A majority of the victims were Maori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people as well as those with mental and physical disabilities. The New Zealandic government has taken action on 28 main issues from the report and will have a full plan starting early in 2025, with a national remembrance day beginning next year on November 12.
Climate: Park Employee Died Fighting Wildfire in New Jersey and New York, Air Quality Warnings Issued in Both States
An employee of New York’s (NY) parks tragically died in a wildfire that occurred as the result of a severe dry spell this fall. Dariel Vasquez was an 18-year-old working as a Parks and Recreation aide for the New York State Parks Department. The WDSU states that this wildfire was called the Jennings Creek wildfire and spread 3.9 square miles to the border of NY and New Jersey (NJ), specifically in Passaic County’s West Milford and Orange County, NY. “The Columbian” recorded that air quality warnings have been sent out for both New York City and northeastern NJ, urging people to avoid demanding physical activity outside and especially to stay indoors if they have asthma or a heart condition. Wildfires across New England have broken out this fall in forests such as the Lynn Woods Reservation ten miles north of Boston, F. Gilbert Hills State Forest in Foxborough, MA, and Burlington County, NJ.
Medicine: Senior Citizens in More Financial Pressure after “Medicare B” Prices Outpace Inflation and Social Security
The standard monthly payment of Medicare B Premium will rise by six percent to 185 dollars for senior citizens living in the United States starting in 2025, says “USA Today.” Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals and facilities while Medicare Part B is responsible for visits to doctors, outpatient care, and services such as vaccines and medical equipment like wheelchairs, explains “CBS News.” Medicare Part B premium outspaced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and the monthly inflation that rose to 2.3 percent in October. A few main reasons for the large increase in cost were projected price increases as well as assumed utilization increases based on historical pattern reports “CMS.Gov.” With Part B premium growing faster than Social Security COLAs, it will take larger percentages of the monthly Social Security checks, according to “USA Today.”
Technology: Apple Announces Plans to Stop Production of Vision Pro
Apple announced its release of “Vision Pros” to the press on January 8, 2024, describing the arrival as “a start to spatial computing.” This was one of Apple’s more refreshing developments, incorporating intuitive gestures and the natural surroundings to break the border between technology and real life. Now, plans to shut down the production of this 3,499 dollars device have gone underway, though “CNET” reports that the company already has enough parts to continue production until later next year. The price cap for this model of the Vision is a reason behind its unpopularity. By the end of 2025, Apple hopes to release a new version with a reasonable price so it can meet demand from customers, according to “The Information.” The new device is set to be compatible with the iPhone with ideas to incorporate widely used products into a new one.
Politics: Republicans Hold Edge over House Majority as GOP Gets Closer to Completing the “Trifecta”With the recent victory of President-Elect Donald Trump, the Grand Old Party (GOP) seems to be outperforming the Democrats in all aspects of the political system. Ballotpedia defines a trifecta as a state in which one political party holds control of the presidency, the Senate, and the House. With the GOP having an edge to reach a trifecta, President Trump would have flexibility in carrying out his intended goals without the objection of the Democrats. With the president’s first term providing the Supreme Court with three additional conservative justices, the court of the land remains in a 6-3 conservative favor. Over in the legislative branch, the Senate race was a Republican victory, with a 53-47 upset. As of the evening of November 14, Republicans hold a 218-209 House majority over Democrats according to “NBC,” with five races yet to be called.
