The Daily Populous

Progressives warn inaction on student debt could hurt Democrats in midterms

While the Biden administration has once again extended the pause on student loan repayments, some progressives have said that unless more is done, it could cost Democrats in the midterms in 2022.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., tweeted, that "forcing millions to start paying student loans again" will cost Democrats the midterms.

The total amount of student loan debt in the U.S. currently stands at $1.75 trillion.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., said it would be "delusional" to believe that Democrats can get reelected without taking action on student debt.

Natalia Abrams, president of the Student Debt Crisis Center, a nonprofit focused on ending the student debt crisis, told ABC News that "Democrats and lawmakers need to be careful because this is something the public has said they want.".

There are two major issues standing in the way of Democrats tackling student debt.

"I think one of the best things that Democrats can do to secure midterms would be to cancel student debt," Abrams told ABC News. »

Taiwan rejects US CDC guidance on 5-day quarantine

Authored by taiwannews.com.tw

It also shortened the isolation period for vaccinated people who have been exposed to the virus to five days.

More than 80% of these cases were detected upon arrival in Taiwan, while the rest tested positive within six days after entering the country.

Regarding the U.S. CDC's recommendation to shorten quarantines from 10 to five days, Lo said 23 imported Omicron cases have been tracked for more than five days. »

Study finds abrupt decline in the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Americans

Authored by news-medical.net

To put this into perspective, if the prevalence of cognitive impairment had remained at the 2008 levels, an additional 1.13 million older Americans would have experienced cognitive impairment in 2017.

We were astonished to see the prevalence of cognitive impairment decrease so sharply over such a short period of time.

"Our finding from this study of over 5 million older Americans is definitely a very welcome, 'good news story' indicating a steep decline in the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Americans," said Fuller-Thomson. »

'You've won your weight in oysters!' - note in shells stops thieves

Authored by reuters.com

Oysters are lucrative: at the celebrated Chez Francoise restaurant in central Paris, a dish of six high-grade oysters costs 24 euros ($27).

Demand is highest over the festive period, also the busiest time for thieves.

The note tells whoever opens the shell that they have won their own weight in oysters, and invites them to call to claim their prize. »

France introduces free birth control for all women under 25

Authored by france24.com

Contraception including the pill, IUDs, contraceptive patches and other methods will be free for women aged 25 and under in France from January 1, 2021.

Free birth control for all women under 25 will be available in France from Saturday, expanding a scheme targeting under-18s to ensure young women don't stop taking contraception because they cannot afford it.

France announced the extension to women under 25 in September, saying surveys showed a decline in the use of contraception mainly for financial reasons. »