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.
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.