Policy

Summary: A new study analyzed data from 1999 to 2016 to compare gun death rates in rural and urban areas of the United States. The results showed that gun death rates are higher in rural areas compared to cities. Suicide by gun was more common in rural areas, while homicide by gun was more common…

The deadliest fire at Changfeng Hospital killed at least 29 people – most of whom were receiving nursing care or staying at a private hospital for extended periods of time. It brings to light a bigger question of China’s rapidly aging population, even with the prevalence of social stigmas against…

Kemal Kilicdaroglu is doing everything he can to win Turkey's next Presidential election against incumbent, Tayyip Erdogan. His current strategy is to play in opposition to Erdogan in every way, including his policies, promises, and persona. Kilicdaroglu promises to bolster democracy in the…

The price of insulin has quadrupled in the past 20 years, making it unaffordable for many of the eight million Americans with diabetes who need it, including one million Californians. While some people with private health insurance pay little or nothing for a monthly insulin supply, those with…

Juul has faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny over the past few years, with many accusing the company of fueling the youth vaping epidemic in the US. Under the terms of the settlement announced on Wednesday, April 12, Juul will pay $462 million to various states to resolve the lawsuits.…

At Europe’s largest nuclear reactor, Finland has started regular electricity output, contrasting other European countries, where opposition to nuclear power is stronger. With Finland’s reliance on nuclear energy, the nation transitions toward carbon neutrality, which makes Finland resilient against…

US District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk blocked approval of the abortion drug mifepristone by the Food and Drug Administration, while US District Judge Thomas O. Rice ordered the FDA to retain access to the medication in select states. The conservative groups sued the FDA, where in response, the…

Countries have proposed more than 300 amendments to the WHO International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed amendments were discussed during the second meeting of the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations. The 194 member…

Shirley Holtz, 91 with dementia and enrolled in hospice care, was evicted from the assisted-living facility she had been living in for the past four years, because she relied on government health insurance for low-income seniors. A recent increase in evictions in Wisconsin have been attributed to…

As federal investigators probe further into the February 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) advised major freight rail companies to take immediate safety measures to check for any malfunctioning safety valves which was the…

President Tayyip Erdogan has a new opponent in the form of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who leads Turkey's opposition party. Kilicdaroglu is campaigning on the return of democracy and promises to limit the power of the Presidency that Erdogan has significantly bolstered during his tenure. He is preaching…

California is increasing its water allocation to 35% of requested supplies, up from 30%, due to early gains in the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which equates to an additional 210,000 acre-feet of water. The State Water Project, a system of reservoirs, canals, and dams, is a significant component of…

California’s COVID state of emergency officially ends Tuesday, to which Newsom says California is finally ready to move forward after previously resisting GOP pressure to end the said emergency. Although the pandemic solidified Newsom’s legacy as the crisis governor, his use of power turned him…

The Turkish Presidential election is occurring in May, and current President Tayyip Erdogan's odds will be significantly influenced by his response to the catastrophic earthquake that hit Turkey earlier this week. Interestingly enough, he came to power in 1999 after a poor government earthquake…