Category: Uncategorized
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Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions may be possible
Pope Francis in a recent letter suggests that ways to bless same-sex unions could be considered, marking a potential change in existing Vatican stance. Context of the letter: Five conservative cardinals had challenged Pope Francis to reaffirm the church’s teaching on homosexuality. * In response, Pope Francis wrote a letter, hinting towards possible blessings for […]
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U.N. Security Council approves sending a Kenya-led force to quell violence in Haiti
The U.N. Security Council has approved a resolution to deploy a Kenya-led armed force to Haiti to help curb violent gangs, the first of such deployments to the Caribbean nation in nearly 20 years. Resolution Details: The U.S. and Ecuador-drafted resolution received 13 votes in favor and two abstentions from China and Russia. * The […]
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U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar unharmed following armed carjacking about a mile from Capitol
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, was unharmed in an armed carjacking near the U.S. Capitol. The incident: Cuellar was approached by three armed assailants who stole his vehicle, according to his office. * “As Congressman Cuellar was parking his car this evening, 3 armed assailants approached the Congressman and stole his vehicle,” said Cuellar’s chief […]
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The Kansas police chief who led the raid on a small newspaper has resigned
The police chief in Kansas known for leading a controversial raid on a local newspaper has resigned following his suspension and ongoing criticism of his tactics. The Resignation: Chief Gideon Cody resigned Monday, following his suspension for reasons not yet made public. * The resignation came weeks after a local prosecutor said the August search […]
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Health care has a massive carbon footprint. These doctors are trying to change that
Doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) are working to reduce the health care sector’s large carbon footprint, estimated to be 8.5% of the US’s total. The problem observed: Operating rooms, despite representing a small part of a hospital’s physical footprint, produce an oversized portion of its waste. * The health care sector […]
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Up First briefing: McCarthy’s job threatened; how a robot could fight climate change
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is risking his position by working with Democrats on a stopgap spending bill, while a U.K. startup plans to use a robot to combat the Sargassum algae issue in the Caribbean Sea. Political Tensions: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s role is under scrutiny after helping Democrats pass a stopgap spending bill to […]
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Nobel Prize goes to scientists who made mRNA COVID vaccines possible
The 2023 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, scientists behind the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Background: They performed their game-changing research at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on the modification of messenger RNA (mRNA) which thereby became the basis for developing the related vaccines. * […]
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Climate solutions are necessary. So we’re dedicating a week to highlighting them
NPR has dedicated a week to covering climate solutions, with stories network-wide, focusing on both governmental change and individual actions. Climate Situation: Climate change has been creating severe weather conditions worldwide, causing increasing concern and a sense of hopelessness. * The summer saw heat waves across the U.S., wildfires in Canada and Maui, hurricanes, melting […]
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Supreme Court to consider abortion pills, guns, social media in its new term
The U.S. Supreme Court is starting a new term and will be revisiting several contentious issues, including abortion, gun laws, and restrictions on social media companies. Tackling Abortion: Abortion is once again a central issue due to a 5th Circuit decision about mifepristone, an abortion pill constituting over half of all U.S. abortions. * Danco […]
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Poland’s dangerous eastern border takes center stage in upcoming elections
Poland’s eastern border with Belarus is becoming a prominent subject in the country’s upcoming elections due to increasing tensions and incidents. The border issue: Poland constructed a 15-foot metal fence with security features along its eastern border in response to a surge of illegal migration facilitated by the Belarusian government. * The tension is escalating, […]