Parliament bans alcohol
The Iraqi parliament issues a ban on the sale of alcohol, which many deem unconstitutional. Opponents argue that the vote infringes constitutional guarantees of freedom of religious belief for minority groups such as Christians. They say they will appeal against the surprise decision in the courts. An official said that the ban was a last-minute move by conservatives.
House approves tax exemption
The ways and means committee of Philippine Congress approves House Bill 6367, which seeks to exempt Wurtzbach from payment of taxes arising from her winnings from the international pageant. The Bill filed by the Cagayan de Oro representative is approved unanimously. During the hearing, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) lawyer says there will be no double taxation on Wurtzbach’s earnings from the pageant as long as she submits the necessary documents.
The US may have already taxed Wurtzbach on the prizes she received there. If she wants the tax she paid there credited in the Philippines, she has to submit the documents as proof of the same.
Norway deports migrants
Norway deports 60 migrants to Russia under new rules that allow them to deport any migrant originating in a country deemed to be “safe.” The new rules are expected to see 5,500 people deported to Russia. Many of the migrants are fleeing the war in Syria, but they crossed into Norway through Russia via the Arctic Circle. Human rights groups say that Russia should not be considered a safe place for refugees and condemned the move.
Increases education budget
Gov. Brown will increase California spending on schools by $1.4 billion in the coming fiscal year. The increase still leaves California in the bottom ten states in terms of spending per student. Assemblywoman Weber (D-San Diego):
We have to be aware of the fact that even though we have increased our funding in education, we’re still number 40-something in the nation, so we’re still far, far behind in terms of adequately funding our schools in comparison to other states.
France: gay men can donate blood
By Spring of 2016, gay men in France will be allowed to donate blood, ending a 33 year ban that was put in place in1983. Under new rules, men who haven’t had sex in four months before donating, or have only had one partner will be allowed to donate. If this restriction shows no risk within the year, they will be able to donate blood regularly like the general population. French health minister:
Giving blood is an act of generosity, of citizenship, which cannot be conditioned to sexual orientation. While respecting complete patient safety, today we are ending a taboo and discrimination
Rio mayor bans Uber
Rio de Janeiro’s Mayor Paes signs a bill banning Uber. Uber has over 5,000 drivers and 500,000 users since launching in Brazil a year ago, and aggression by politicians and taxi drivers has been mounting. To celebrate the signing, Paes drives around in a taxi picking up random passengers. Paes:
I can’t drive Uber, it’s illegal.
Uber:
To please taxi owners, Mayor Paes sanctioned a completely unconstitutional law that is trying to ban technology from the city, leaving cariocas with less options to get around. We are now looking at appropriate legal measures. Uber believes that the service our partner drivers provides is completely legal and supported by federal law.
Zimbabwe bans hunting
Following the outrage over the killing of Cecil the Lion by Palmer, Zimbabwe bans the hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in the area frequently used by hunters. Bow and arrow hunts are also suspended unless hunters are approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority. The Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe stands to lose business $40 million a year from a ban.
Signs 20-week abortion bill
Walker signs bill into law that bans abortion beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy. The law applies to non-emergency abortions only. No exceptions apply for those pregnancies that result from incest or rape. Abortions may be performed beyond the 20 week period if the mother is likely to die or suffer irreversible injury within 24 hours. A violation of the law constitutes a felony and may result in a fine up to $10,000 and 3 1/2 years in prison. Civil suits and penalties are also possible.
For people, regardless of where they might stand, when an unborn child can feel pain I think most people feel it’s appropriate to protect that child.
Marijuana bill approved
Governor Ige signs a bill to allow up to eight medical marijuana dispensary licenses within the state, including two in Maui County. These dispensary are expected to serve up to 13,000 qualified patients who hold medical marijuana card. Ige:
I support the establishment of dispensaries to ensure that qualified patients can legally and safely access medical marijuana. We will make a good faith effort to create a fair process that will help the people most in need.
Bans burqa
Chadian police says anyone caught wearing a full-face veil will be arrested. Police:
This attack just confirms that a ban on the full-face veil was justified, adding that, it now must be respected more than ever by the entire population. Anyone who does not obey the law will be automatically arrested and brought to justice,
Adopts strict vaccine law
Brown signs a California bill to strike California’s personal belief exemption for immunizations, a move that requires nearly all public schoolchildren to be vaccinated. The bill takes effect next year.
The science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious and dangerous diseases. While it’s true that no medical intervention is without risk, the evidence shows that immunization powerfully benefits and protects the community.
California joins Mississippi and West Virginia as the only states with such strict requirements. Medical exemptions can be granted to children with serious health issues. Children whose parents refuse vaccination can try to obtain a medical exemption or be homeschooled. The measure applies to public and private schools, as well as day care facilities.
Jail for avoiding quarantine
South Korea passes a law that imprisons people for up to two years if they defy quarantine orders when suspected of having an infectious disease. Police officers, firefighters, and other public workers will also help health investigators enforce the quarantine law. This is in response to the 181 confirmed cases and 31 deaths resulting from an infection by a 68-year-old man from the Middle East who withheld information from doctors in his itinerary. The quarantine law also publicizes information about a disease outbreak in response to criticism that South Korea delayed reporting of hospitals affected by MERS.
Reacts to ‘Obamacare’ decision
Pres. Obama reacts to the Supreme Court decision on Affordable Care Act subsidies:
After multiple challenges to this law before the Supreme Court, the Affordable Care Act is here to stay.
He adds that, had the decision gone otherwise:
America would have gone backwards. That’s not what we do.
Gay Marriage referendum passes
The people of The Republic of Ireland legalise same sex marriage in a nationwide referendum. Irish Minister for Equality, Ó Ríordáin:
Ireland is the first country in the world to introduce marriage equality by popular vote.
This change was supported by just over 62% of the population and is a significant win for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) groups on a global scale.
Signs cybersecurity order
Christie signs an executive order he says will help protect New Jersey residents from cybersecurity attacks.
Cybersecurity is not just a national issue. Attacks consider to rise here and around our nation. As governor, it’s my job to ensure that 21st century threats … are met with 21st century solutions.
Laramie approves anti-discrimination law
The Laramie City Council approves a local anti-discrimination ordinance in the college town where Shepard’s death triggered nationwide sympathy and brought a re-examination of attitudes toward gays 17 years ago. The council votes 7-2 in favor of the measure that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, employment and access to public facilities such as restaurants. Local organizers focused their efforts on Laramie after the Legislature repeatedly rejected anti-discrimination bills, most recently early this year. Shepard’s mother:
I’m thrilled that Laramie’s doing it, at the same time sort of saddened that the state of Wyoming can’t see fit to do that as well.Maybe the rest of Wyoming will understand this is about fellow human beings and not something that’s other than what they are…But I feel like if Wyoming had done more to open the door to acceptance, that kind of reputation would have disappeared very quickly. Instead of taking advantage of the moment, they just sort of turned around and ran.
Restricts Syrian visas
Lebanon begin imposing entry restrictions on Syrians as the country struggles to cope with more than a million refugees fleeing the civil war next door. The government estimates there are about 1.5 million Syrians in Lebanon, about a quarter of the total population. Some 1.1 million are registered with the UN refugee agency. Lebanese officials say they simply cannot absorb any more. The policy requires Syrians to obtain visas that limit the time they can remain in Lebanon. Interior minister:
We have enough. There’s no capacity any more to host more displaced
Lebanese security officials say many Syrians are turned back at border crossings but they have no exact figures. The flow of Syrians through one popular crossing appears lower than normal. There are no plans to forcibly repatriate Syrians already in Lebanon.
Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. legalize marijuana
Voters in Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C. approve marijuana legalization. In Oregon, the law legalizes personal possession, manufacture and sale of marijuana for people 21 years of age and older, as well as create a commercial regulatory system for the production, distribution and sale of marijuana. Alaska’s law taxes and regulates the production, sale and use of marijuana, making the use legal for people over 21 years old. Washington, D.C.’s proposal allows for a person over 21 years old to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use and grow up to six cannabis plants in their home. It also allows people to transfer up to one ounce of marijuana to another person, but not sell it. Drug Policy Alliance:
The pace of reform is accelerating, other states are sure to follow, and even Congress is poised to wake from its slumber.
Minnesota legalizes
Governor Dayton signs legislation that makes Minnesota the 22nd state to legalize medicinal marijuana. Minnesotans who are sick or in serious pain may use marijuana, although they may not smoke it. More specifically, they will still not be allowed to access cannabis in leaf form. The drug will be available by mid-2015 in pill and vapor form, as well as in oil form (which has proven especially successful in treating children with seizures). However, pot advocates say that the best and most beneficial way to consume the drug is in its natural form. Patients worry that by signing up for the medical marijuana program, they could be putting themselves at risk of falling into the grasp of police.
Repeals Equal Pay Enforcement Act
Walker signs a bill repealing the 2009 Equal Pay Enforcement Act which allowed workers to sue employers for wage discrimination in the cheaper and more accessible state courts rather than in federal court. Senator Grothman argues the act was hurting businesses who had to defend themselves from false accusations of discrimination:
It’s an underreported problem, but a huge number of discrimination claims are baseless. Most of them are filed by fired employees, and really today almost anybody is a protected class. As a result many companies are forced to pay fired employees to go away [and it has] raised the cost of doing business in the state to intolerable levels.
Senator Sinicki, who co-authored the act, opposes its repeal:
This whole session has been anti-woman and anti-middle class, and this fits right in with that agenda.