B-K Current Events due 3/22 & M-W Current Events due 3/29. by Amy Brown

Current Event - Addyson Gentry

addgen7653 — 2024-03-20 17:06:36 UTC

HIV is a very serious disease where a virus infects immune cells and then uses their DNA in order to make copies of itself, and spread the virus. When having this virus it may lay dormant within your cells until one day it activates and causes you a world of pain. The antiretroviral medications can make this virus become dormant, but the second a patient stops taking it then their symptoms will return. However, scientists have been using the Nobel Prize Winning technology known as Crisper in order to remove the HIV gene from within the infected cells. This tool acts like a pair of scissors which can cut out the unwanted section of DNA which has been infected with the HIV virus. The research team for the University of Amsterdam is one of the research teams which discovered this process. However, they only classified this as proof that there is a cure, but it isn’t a reality yet. The other scientists which have attempted this process have experimented with three patients. After 48 weeks they had no long term side effects, and in general it is very complicated to remove this gene from every infected cell in the human body. If there were complications where extra genes were removed then it could end up harming the patient and leaving long term side effects. Throughout many years and trials hopefully one day this cure can help thousands of patients live a happy and healthy life.

Current Event- Paisley Johnson

paijoh0149 — 2024-03-20 17:15:28 UTC

A Paris company named Kering says Gucci sales may drop 20% in the first quarter due to the Asia downturn. The luxury market grew in the last decade, but recent sales weren't so strong. Around 33% of Gucci sales come from China, where economy has struggled. The company will release financial results on April 23. Gucci is known for targeting younger, ambitious customers who can be more impacted by money troubles.

Current Event - Kaitlyn Decker

kaidec6912 — 2024-03-21 14:22:15 UTC

Alaska Airlines is being sued by Cuong Tran, a Californian who recently boarded a flight with the company and sustained injuries due to a plane malfunction. As the flight made its way over Portland, Oregon, an unused door next to the row in front of Tran's seat came unhinged and flew off the side of the plane, leaving Tran and surrounding passengers exposed to the outer extremities at 16,000 feet above ground. The four bolts that held this door in place had been worked on late last year, however there is no record of the individual who completed this apparently faulty work. Although the exact cause of the door coming dislodged is still being investigated, it appears to be that the bolts were unable to withstand the increasing air pressure that came with the ascension of the plane, and thus came unscrewed, leading to the displacement of the door. No deaths resulted from this incident, although Tran specifically received minor lacerations to his lower leg. This lack of physical trauma, however, does not constitute to a lack of emotional trauma. Tran had his phone, socks, and shoes ripped away from him, and if it hadn't been for his seatbelt, he too would have been ripped out of the plane. All passengers on the plane had to wear the deployed oxygen masks until a safe elevation was reached, and the thirty minutes that it took for the plane to land was a nightmare for all on board. Tran is not the only one taking legal action against the flight company, as several other passengers present on the flight are suing for the emotional distress and anxiety that they have experienced as a result of the incident. Alaska Airlines has declined to comment on the incident at this time, and further investigation will provide more answers regarding the cause of the malfunction, the course of legal action against the company, and more.

Current Event- Alyssa Branam

alybra8634 — 2024-03-21 14:54:29 UTC

Archaeologists researching in El Cano Archaeological Park in Panama have uncovered a ninth tomb, dating back to 700, this one belonging to a religious leader of high status. This site is known for its pre-Columbian discoveries and lavish burial tombs of the era. This ninth tomb belongs to a man of high status, placed in the center of the tomb, indicated by his physical position and the artifacts that were found with him. This man was likely 30-40 years old and has been dubbed "the Lord of flutes", due to the abundance of animal bone flutes he was buried with. This burial site further indicates the grand importance that ancestor worship and these sacred sights held in the religious practices of this civilization. This tomb is the only one that has been found of a religious leader instead of a military one. The tomb included the bodies of others as well as many artifacts of wealth like jewelry, pottery and artifacts of religious significance. Researchers still have lots to discover at this site.

Current Event- Elizabeth Cowan

2024-03-21 15:25:37 UTC

The US government has filed a significant lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of monopolizing the smartphone market and stifling competition. The lawsuit alleges that Apple has used its control over the iPhone to limit competitors and consumer choices illegally. Apple has denied these claims and promised to vigorously defend itself. The lawsuit accuses Apple of implementing restrictive rules to hinder innovation and suppress competition. Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the potential negative impact on consumers and developers if Apple's actions are not challenged. The complaint lists various anti-competitive actions by Apple, including blocking certain apps, limiting third-party digital wallets, and reducing the functionality of non-Apple smartwatches. Apple has strongly opposed the lawsuit, stating that it threatens the company's core principles and ability to innovate in competitive markets.

Current Event- Anna Brinke

annbri2475 — 2024-03-22 00:32:22 UTC

Research in India is proving that the extreme, increasing temperatures are having very negative effects on pregnant women. A study conducted in 2017, with 8 hundred expectant mothers showed that women working in extreme heat while pregnant are almost twice as likely to suffer stillbirth or miscarriage. In India a large amount of the job's women do involve working in extreme heat and also can be very physically demanding. Even jobs indoors can expose these women to extreme heat and be problematic. According to the study, women exposed to a great amount of heat had a 6.1% stillbirth at full term or premature birth rate and a 3% higher risk of miscarriage compared to unexposed women who had a 2.6% stillbirth at full term or premature birth rate. While temperatures are increasing all around the world, India's women are experiencing the tough reality first. It has been proven in places such as the US and Australia, that during heat waves there is a 15% rise in the risk of premature or stillbirths. Heat can clearly be a detrimental risk to soon-to-be mothers regardless of their location. This is a topic that should not be taken lightly.

Current Event- Allison King

allkin7481 — 2024-03-23 03:57:01 UTC

Long-term sickness in the UK has reached its highest level since the 1990s, with the number of people leaving the workforce due to ill-health rising from 2.1 million in July 2019 to 2.8 million in October 2023, according to the Resolution Foundation. This is the longest sustained rise since 1994-1998. The UK is the only G7 economy not to have returned to its pre-pandemic employment rate, with inactivity figures slightly falling to 2.7 million in December 2023. The rise in long-term sickness has lasted for 54 months, with the longest previous period of increasing economic inactivity due to ill health being between 1994 and 1998. The Department of Work and Pension (DWP) has reported a 68% rise in claims for disability benefits from 2020 to 2024. The Foundation warns that failure to improve the nation's health and reduce economic inactivity could lead to wider strains on the NHS and welfare spending. The government plans to reform the Work Capability Assessment and spend £1.3bn over the next five years to help nearly 700,000 people with health conditions find jobs.

Current Event - Stephanie Wacholz

stewac1792 — 2024-03-25 17:24:59 UTC

A man from Brighton by the name, Luke Young, has been off of the internet and social media for six years and claims that it would be difficult for children, teens and young adults to do the same. Young believes that there are benefits to getting the younger generation off of their phones, but can also result in some serious withdrawal effects in the minors. Many people from the younger generations turn to social media for comfort and a way to block out the world, however this cannot be healthy for them. In addition, if people could get their children away from social media, Young believes it would also keep children safer, as there are suspicious people on social media who are spying on our children and waiting for the right moment to take advantage of them. With all being said, many areas and social media sites have put restrictions on time and the content that is allowed on these sites. Many schools are banning phone usage during school hours, while some social media sites are putting the Online Safety Act to use as well. All this is being implemented, not to prevent kids entirely from having access to social media, but to increase the safety of our children and their privacy.

Current Event - Gracey Sneed

grasne0571 — 2024-03-26 14:19:25 UTC

In the early hours of March 25th, a peaceful and calm night turned into a horrific scene in Bailtmore, Maryland when a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge, causing most of that famous bridge to collapse and be submerged underwater. Several vehicles, with plenty of people inside of them, were quickly plummeted into the water at freezing cold tempatures. Rescuers are currently searching for the missing people, which could be between 7 to 20 people still fighting in that frigid water.

This bridge, which was orignially built in 1977 to honor Francis Scott Key, a famous poet from Maryland, who wrote the words for the National Anthem. The bridge was 8,636ft long and spanned over the Patapsco River to the Baltimore harbour. It was the 3rd largest bridge of its type in the world.

Current Event - Addyson Ward

2024-03-26 17:35:09 UTC

A popular media trope is a main character that is either leading a heist themselves or trying to prevent one. In popular films such as Mission Impossible these main characters fight through security and have dramatic face offs with guards. Currently there has been accusations of damages to the British Museum but the reality is much less glamorous that media. Former Curater Dr. Peter Higgs has been accused of damaging and/or stealing $1800 of gems and other goods from the British Museum. He claims to have been unwell the day of the hearing and was not there but he has said he is fully aware of the accussations and intends to dispute them. Higgs has been accused of selling items on ebay, using psuedonyms, and falsifying documents while serving as curator of the museum. According the the writers of the linked document, "The court has also ordered Dr Higgs to share any information he has on what was sold from the collection and the items' whereabouts." The court has also requested his email and paypal records for investigation. This, if followed through, has the potential to clear up any misunderstanding. However, if it is not a misunderstanding and Higgs really did steal and damage merchandise it is unlikely that he will be very willing to share this information. In the near future Higgs' silence or honesty will be volumes to both the court and the public.

Current events - Carson Phillips

2024-03-27 14:02:59 UTC

The royal family is facing a significant level of turmoil, as Kate Middleton speaks about her recent diagnoses with cancer. King Charles isn't out of the woods in terms of his health either, and with all the fear of health issues significantly affecting the crown, eyes are turning rapidly to Harry and Meghan. Prince Harry and Prince William have seemed to form a rift between themselves after drama with their wives became too much to deal with. Harry and Meghan stepped away from royal responsibilities but are being urged to return in light of the family health issues. Harry said that he would not return until he is met with an apology from brother Harry. During a conversation between the two brothers it was said there was very little forgiving and much more disagreement than what was originally hoped. King Charles is expected to return to duties on Easter Sunday, but he is in fact undergoing cancer treatment at this time. The British population has showed a lack of remorse for Charles however, many beyond ready for William and Kate to take to the throne, and others still upset about the life of Princess Diana.

Article Link: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/kate-middleton-cancer-william-king-charles-harry-b2519352.html

Current Event-Kaydence Walton

2024-03-28 15:20:16 UTC

Carlos Suazo, the brother of missing Honduran soccer player Maynor Suazo, expressed hope for a miracle in finding his brother's body. The family's priority is to locate Maynor's body and then address financial concerns and informing their elderly mother in Honduras. They plan to repatriate Maynor's body to Honduras if found.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/27/us/baltimore-key-bridge-collapse-victims/index.html

Current Event-Madison Munz

2024-03-29 20:59:19 UTC

Harvard University has removed the binding of human skin from a 19th Century book kept in its library.

Des Destinées de l'Ame (Destinies of the Soul) has been preserved in Houghton Library since the 1930s. In 2014, scientists discovered that the material it was bound with was actually human skin. However, the institution has recently announced that the binding has been removed "due to the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history". Harvard University clarified its decision by saying: "After careful study, stakeholder engagement, and consideration, Harvard Library and the Harvard Museum Collections Returns Committee concluded that the human remains used in the book's binding no longer belong in the Harvard Library collections, due to the ethically fraught nature of the book's origins and subsequent history." Simon Chaplin, the head of the Wellcome Library, which houses books on medical history, told the BBC in 2014: "There aren't many of these books out there; it's been an occasional practice done more for generating a sense of vicarious excitement than for a practical reason." Harvard stated that its treatment of the book did not meet the "ethical standards" of care, and that in publicizing it, it utilized a "sensationalistic, morbid, and humorous tone" that was inappropriate. It apologized and stated that it had "further objectified and compromised the dignity of the human being whose remains were used for its binding".

Current Event - Kinsley West

kinwes5727 — 2024-04-01 00:39:15 UTC

In 2016, a public health emergency was proclaimed due to the lethal opioid crisis, which led British Columbia to legalize the use of hard narcotics. In 2016, there were over 2,500 recorded overdose deaths in the province, and it is believed that 225,000 people use illegal drugs. Except in areas near schools and airports, adults are permitted to possess up to 2.5 grams of heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, or methamphetamine without being arrested, charged, or subject to a seizure under the BC program, which is in place until 2026. But locals and political opponents have been putting more and more pressure on the program, arguing that it hasn't succeeded in lowering the number of drug overdose deaths. The BC Supreme Court has halted a law that BC tabled to restrict drug use in playgrounds, residences, and places of commerce. Supporters of decriminalisation fear that public buy-in for the policy is eroding, with debates felt not only in larger cities like Vancouver but also in smaller suburbs like Port Coquitlam. Proponents of drug harm reduction say that decriminalization can save lives by lowering the risk of overdose and keeping individuals from accessing more deadly substances. In 2020, decriminalization was legalized in Oregon, although there has been opposition in Brazil, Canada, and other countries. Decriminalization proponents counter that there is no proof that drug usage in public poses a threat to the broader population. During the first year of the strategy, drug possession charges in Vancouver decreased by 76%, yet the fatality rate increased still. The departing head coroner for the province has ruled out any connection between the spike in opioid-related poisoning deaths and the decriminalization of narcotics. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68621012

Current Event- Adam Cook

2024-04-01 15:18:43 UTC

Germany has partially decriminalized marijuana use as of April 1st, allowing individuals over 18 to possess up to 25g in public and grow up to three plants per household. Marcel Ritschel, a supporter of the law change, plans to establish a cannabis social club. However, police unions express concerns about increased black market activity and difficulties in enforcement. Critics also worry about potential health risks and underage usage. Despite these challenges, the move reflects ongoing debates over drug policy and marks a significant shift in Germany's approach, although its longevity remains uncertain given potential political reversals.