GPR FEATURES
Recent and Upcoming International Elections
In the newest edition of their elections series, GPR authors Lily Thomas, Zach Leggio, and Mayerlyn Rivera review recent elections in Turkey and an upcoming election in Kuwait.
GEORGIA
Georgia Senate passes student-athlete mental health bill
The Georgia Senate passed HB 1104, the “Quality Basic Education Act”, by vote of 33-21. Referred to as a “Frankenstein” Bill by its opposition, it started as a bill to improve students’ mental health. Rep. Omari Crawford introduced the bill in the House, but Senate Republicans have since tacked on multiple measures that limit options for transgender students. Georgia Democrats have called their actions sneaky, but Republicans have responded by emphasizing the necessity of these measures, claiming the bill now protects children and keeps parents informed.
Senate Republicans have strategically modified HB 1104 to ban transgender girls from using the girls’ locker rooms, ban sex education before the sixth grade, and allow parents insight into their children’s library books. In addition, the bill prevents anyone whose sex is male but whose gender identity is female from participating in sports designated for female athletes. The act will apply to all public and private schools that participate. Currently, the bill is returning to the House, facing fierce opposition from LGBTQ advocacy groups and House Democrats.
NATIONAL
US appeals court kills ban on plastic containers contaminated with PFAS
A federal appeals court has killed a ban on plastic containers contaminated with PFAS “forever chemicals”, highly toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, liver disease, fetal complications, and other health problems in the past. PFAS chemicals are applied to make products resistant to water, stains and heat. However, they do not break down naturally and are known to leach into food, cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides, and other products.
Earlier in December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibited companies from manufacturing containers that create PFOA, a toxic compound of PFAS. However, a 5th Circuit Court of appeals has recently overturned this ban, stating an overreach of EPA power. The EPA is currently reviewing the decision.
Biden meets with Obama and Clinton at democratic fundraiser
On Mar. 28th, President Biden and his Democratic predecessors Barack Obama and Bill Clinton gathered at Radio City Music Hall for the president’s largest fundraiser. The fundraiser brought in nearly $26 million as the two former presidents supported President Biden. Biden said the event “showed everyone that we are united,” emphasizing contrast with former President Trump, who has failed to maintain the support of his only living Republican predecessor, George W. Bush.
The 3 men discussed themes of democracy, freedom, and the implications of another Trump presidency. Despite themes of unity, tensions among Democrats were still evident. Most notably, the event was interrupted by members of Pro-Palestine protests who condemned Biden for civilian deaths in Gaza. Obama and Clinton stood by Biden on this issue, stressing the importance of a two-state solution. This meeting between past and current presidents is exceptionally rare, one that marks a pivotal point as Biden seeks a second term in a turbulent political climate.
INTERNATIONAL
Israel— major updates
Israeli forces have ended their two-week long raid on Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa Hospital, leaving the hospital and surrounding areas completely destroyed. The IDF claimed the raid as a major military victory, reporting that over 200 militants had been killed, although they provided no evidence of this. As locals have moved back into the area, many civilians and medical staff have been found killed.
Israeli citizens have begun their largest protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government since the beginning of the war. This comes after Netanyahu’s support in Israel and around the world has fallen steeply since he decided to continue the assault on Rafah. Protesters claim that Netanyahu’s continuation of the war has been more about advancing his personal politics and less about freeing Oct. 7 hostages as promised.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intent to shut down Qatari-owned media outlet, Al Jazeera. Netanyahu claims that Al Jazeera has harmed Israeli security and called it a “terror channel.” Critics, including the Biden White House, call this move an attack on global free press.
Popular Istanbul nightclub fire kills at least 29 people
On Apr. 2, a fire at a popular Istanbul nightclub broke out, trapping several workers and employees inside the building while it was closed for renovations. The incident killed at least 29 people according to officials. The nightclub, also known as the Masquerade, was located on the ground level of a residential building which contained 16-stories.
The fire reached the third floor of the building before it was contained. Several people, including the managers, have been detained for questioning pertaining to responsibility for the fire.
Earthquake strikes Taiwan, prompting damage and tsunami warnings
On Apr. 3rd, 7:58 A.M (Apr. 2nd, 7:58 P.M EST) a powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck near Hualien, Taiwan. The quake is said to have been the strongest in Taiwan since 1999, occurring near the country’s morning rush hour. The earthquake, aside from suspending business and train service and damaging various buildings, led to human casualties reportedly amounting to hundreds, injured or missing. 9 were killed and dozens more were trapped within quarries and buildings. 3 were also reported dead from rock slides in Taiwan’s Taroko National Park that resulted from the earthquake.
The earthquake also created a tsunami that washed ashore the southern Japanese islands. There have been no significant reports of injury or damage according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, who responded to the earthquake threat after the Japanese government issued tsunami advisories.
CULTURE
UNESCO names 18 new geoparks
On Mar. 27, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization (UNESCO) endorsed the addition of 18 new geoparks to its Global Geoparks network, bringing the total number of geoparks to 213 in 48 countries. The network acknowledges geological heritage of international significance, inspires sustainable conservation and exploration of the site, and fosters national pride for selected countries.
The added geoparks spanned a diversity of countries, from Brazil and Belgium to Hungary and Spain. Out of the 18 on the list, Chinese sites named six. The sites were selected based on cultural heritage and geological importance after four-year explorations in each.
Contributors: Sophia Nguyen, Zachary Leggio, Marin Arvin, Blake Daniel, Fiona Getch