The Daily Populous

Thursday March 18th, 2021 evening edition

image for Outrage as 172 Republicans vote to oppose Violence Against Women Act

One day after seven women were killed in attacks across three massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia, the US House of Representatives voted to reauthorise the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

The act, according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), “creates and supports comprehensive, cost-effective responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking.”.

The act was originally authored by the now-president Joe Biden, but had lapsed two years ago.

Representatives voted 244 to 172 in favour of the bill, largely along party lines, though 29 Republicans joined the Democrats in supporting its passage.

Deborah Vagins, president of NNEDV, said it was a vote “to support survivors... that both maintains established protections and resources and expands VAWA to address ongoing gaps in the law”.

One social media, Jake Lobin, whose bio identifies him as a “devout Democrat”, tweeted” “172 Republicans voted against renewing the Violence Against Women Act today because they see no problem with violence against women.”.

Another user blasted the Republicans for having “no redeeming qualities”, and others accused the party of not caring for the safety of women in the country. »

Biden defends move not to punish Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing

Authored by theguardian.com
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Last month, the Biden administration released a declassified US intelligence report which concluded that the crown prince authorized the team of Saudi security and intelligence officials that killed Khashoggi.

The US has imposed visa restrictions and penalties on the Saudi agents who killed and dismembered Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

US decision not to punish crown prince puts us in grave danger, Saudi exiles say Read more. »

Oil firms knew decades ago fossil fuels posed grave health risks, files reveal

Authored by theguardian.com
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The oil industry knew at least 50 years ago that air pollution from burning fossil fuels posed serious risks to human health, only to spend decades aggressively lobbying against clean air regulations, a trove of internal documents seen by the Guardian reveal.

These microscopic specks of soot and liquid, known as particulate matter, are expelled when fuels are burned and inhaled by people.

By 1980, Imperial Oil had outlined plans to investigate incidences of cancers and “birth defects among industry worker offspring.” »