Absa Samba, who underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) at age 2, now openly criticizes the practice, highlighting its harm to women’s dignity and well-being. The World Health Organization condemns FGM as a human rights violation causing physical and psychological damage. In The Gambia, intense debates have recently culminated in a significant victory for anti-FGM activists, marking a pivotal moment in their campaign against the practice.
Read more at: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/16/nx-s1-5040481/female-genital-mutilation-gambia
At least two people died and thousands were injured after police fired teargas into crowds of protesting students in Bangladesh. Protests erupted on university campuses demanding an end to quotas reserving 30% of government jobs for veterans’ families, reinstated this month after a court order. Despite the supreme court pausing the ruling, students continued to protest, blocking highways and railways. Violence escalated as police and pro-government groups attacked students with teargas, batons, machetes, and rods, leading to the deployment of paramilitary forces nationwide.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/16/two-dead-and-thousands-injured-as-bangladesh-police-crack-down-on-anti-quota-protests
French President Emmanuel Macron accepted Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s resignation but retained him as head of a caretaker government as France prepares for the Paris Olympics. The caretaker government will handle day-to-day affairs until a new government is appointed. Following recent parliamentary elections, no dominant political bloc exists in the National Assembly. Attal can now serve as a lawmaker and lead Macron’s centrist allies, avoiding a no-confidence vote. The National Assembly’s opening session is scheduled for Thursday.
Read more at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/french-president-accepts-prime-ministers-resignation-keeps-head-careta-rcna162177
Six people, including two U.S. citizens, were found dead in Bangkok’s Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel on Tuesday, in what police suspect was a homicide. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the victims were of Vietnamese descent, with two holding U.S. citizenship and four holding Vietnamese citizenship. The bodies were believed to have been dead since Monday.
Read more at: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiT2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS93b3JsZC8yMDI0LzA3LzE2L2Jhbmdrb2staG90ZWwtZGVhdGhzLWFtZXJpY2Fucy_SAQA?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
Labour’s first King’s Speech, read by King Charles, is expected to outline around 35 draft laws. Key focuses include tackling illegal migration by giving police more powers against smuggling gangs and scrapping the Conservative scheme to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Labour also plans to introduce new workers’ rights within 100 days, including banning zero-hours contracts and removing qualifying times for unfair dismissal, sick pay, and parental leave.
Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51y7pqy1v3o
Spirit Airlines anticipates a larger-than-expected loss for Q2 2024, projecting an adjusted loss between $160 million and $173 million, exceeding the previous estimate of $145 million. Revenue is expected at $1.28 billion, below the forecasted $1.32 billion. Non-ticket revenue fell short, impacting overall earnings. Shares dropped 6% after the update. Spirit and Frontier Airlines have recently changed their ticket sales strategy to include bundles with seat assignments and carry-on bags.
Read more at: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/07/16/spirit-airlines-second-quarter-loss-warning.html
Elon Musk is relocating SpaceX’s headquarters from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas, and plans to move his social media platform X’s headquarters from San Francisco to Austin, Texas, where Tesla is based. Musk cited safety concerns and a new California law on student privacy as reasons for the moves. Tesla had already announced its headquarters move to Austin in 2021. Additionally, SpaceX changed its state of incorporation to Texas in February, and Musk moved his brain implant company to Nevada.
Read more at: https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/16/elon-musk-vows-to-move-x-spacex-headquarters-from-california-to-texas/
A person in Baldwin Borough, Allegheny County, has tested positive for West Nile virus, marking the first human case in the county and Pennsylvania for 2024. The individual, who is frequently outdoors, experienced fever and weakness and was hospitalized. No further details will be released to protect privacy. In 2023, there was only one case in Allegheny County. The CDC notes that 70-80% of infected individuals do not develop symptoms, and most symptomatic cases recover independently. Complaints about stagnant water can be made online.
Read more at: https://www.wtae.com/article/west-nile-allegheny-county-hospitalization/61614340
COVID-19 levels have surged to “very high” or “high” in over half of U.S. states, including California, Texas, and Florida, according to CDC wastewater surveillance data. Nineteen states, including New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut, are at “high” levels. The national wastewater surveillance program, an early warning system, shows a steady increase in COVID cases over the past 45 days. Massachusetts reports “moderate” levels, with Boston’s wastewater levels tripling since late April. The Department of Public Health has paused reporting on respiratory illnesses until August.
Read more at: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/16/nation/covid-levels-surge-in-half-of-us-states/
Daily walking offers numerous health benefits, including improved digestion, mood enhancement, and cardiovascular health. It’s a low-impact, accessible exercise that can extend life expectancy and reduce healthcare costs. Research suggests walking 5,000 steps three times a week for two years could add three years to life expectancy and cut healthcare costs by 13%. Matthew Nolan, a fitness expert, highlights its benefits for circulation, blood pressure, heart disease prevention, and mental health through endorphin release.
Read more at: https://nypost.com/2024/07/16/lifestyle/4-ways-to-burn-more-calories-make-the-most-of-your-daily-walk/