Lindy Verhage
Monday, August 22. Germany. #PanicBuying
Since recent terror attacks in Germany, the government has advised citizens to stockpile food and water, in the event of an emergency. This is the first time since the Cold War that Germany’s government has issued warning of this degree. There have been no direct terror threats, however, Germany’s Interior Minister has still issued these warnings. In response, citizens have taken to Twitter under the hashtag, “Hamsterkaeufe” or “panic-buying” mocking their government, for their extreme policy against a threat that has not even been issued.
Monday, August 29. Philippines. Killing for Drugs?
Since late last week, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, nicknamed ‘The Punisher’, has reported a death toll of over 1,900 people killed in his war raged against drugs. But August 29, Philippines senator Leila de Lima has waged her own war against the President, claiming these death violate basic human rights. Investigations have been brought upon a handful of these deaths and it was reported that of these death, some were not even drug dealers or users. President Duterte was elected on an anti-drug platform but these deaths have raised concerns besides that of Senator Lima, notably the United States responding that these deaths were a threat to human rights.
Wednesday, August 31. France. The war on bathing suits.
Following a suit against what has become known as the “burkini”, a swimsuit that covers the wearer from head to toe worn primarily by Muslims to accommodate religious beliefs, a debate over freedom of religion and expression has expanded beyond France. A French court suspended the ban on full-bodysuits, even after police had forced several beach-goers wearing the suit were forced to undress. The ban was enacted in response to recent terror attacks in the country but received major backlash, most notable in London where a rally was held against the ban. But on August 31, France’s Prime Minister argued that Marianne’s-one of the country’s symbols, a depiction of a woman sometimes portrayed bare chested- was better representative of freedom and the ideals of France because she is exposed. Former president Nicolas Sarkozy vows if he is reelected, he will change their constitution to ban the clothing item.
Thursday, September 1. Cape Canaveral, FL. Spacex Explosion.
Cape Canaveral was blanketed in smoke on September 1, following an explosion of a Space Exploration Technologies Corp. rocket and satellite. The explosion occurred during a routine firing test, leaving no one injured, but destroying hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment as well as potentially endangering their launch date. The rockets final mission is to launch a satellite that, in partnering with Facebook, would provide internet access in sub-Saharan Africa. This explosion will set the launch several months behind schedule which could potentially force the rocket to miss its launch window. The cause of the explosion is still unknown.
Thursday, September 1. The U.S. Pregnancy Rates Drop
The results of a study from 2007-2011 have recently revealed that teen pregnancy in the U.S. has dropped by 25%. The study also found that the percentage of sexually-active teens have remained the same and the drop in pregnancy rates is linked to increased use of contraception. Earlier this year, President Obama pushed to cut funding for abstinence-only sex education due to the fact that there is no scientific backing to support this approach in which Congress currently allots $2 billion.
