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NEWS
March 8, 2012
NEWS BRIEFS Protestors arrested as a result of proposed Virginia Abortion Bill
U.S. and Europe plan to utilize diplomacy to ease tension with Iran
The Virginia State Legislature passed a bill requiring women to have ultrasounds prior to having an abortion. The bill passed the Senate with a 21-19 vote with Republican Governor Bob McDonnell signing the bill into law on March 7. Prior to going through the Senate, the bill was amended twice with exemptions for victims of rape and incest if they reported their abuse to the authorities. It was also amended from having a transvaginal ultrasound in which a probe would be inserted into a woman prior to an abortion; however it is now a regular ultrasound prior to abortion. Since the bill’s proposal for legislation, prominent women’s rights organizations have protested against bill. Approximately 500 women’s rights activists gathered at the Bell Tower on Capitol Square in Richmond, Va. on March 3 to protest the bill. Approximately 31 protestors were arrested on the steps of Capitol Hill because they did not have a permit.
The U.S., Europe and other countries have pulled together to try to bargain with Iran in regards to its nuclear programs. President Barack Obama has met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent Israel from taking military action and assured Prime Minister Netanyahu that sanctions and diplomacy were helping alleviate the tension. Pres. Obama reacted negatively to the GOP candidates and critics who criticized him for not advocating and launching U.S. military action against Iran. He believes that diplomacy and possible sanctions should be given time and not rushed into military action. Internationally the European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany had agreed talking with Iran again after a hiatus due to frustration from a lack of compromise. Although Iran seems to be willing to engage in diplomacy with other countries, it has yet to make any distinction about what it will do with its nuclear program.
FDA approves of the first 4-in-1 Flu Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine that protects against strains of the common flu virus called FluMist Quadrivalent. FluMist is from AstraZeneca’s MedImmune unit and was approved for distribution to people, ranging from ages two to 49. It is a nasal spray with is consumed as an inhalant and is also free of preservatives, including mercury and thimerosal. FluMist protects against two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B. The strains are weakened forms of influenza, which are not supposed to cause the flu, but help the body build immunity against potential infection. Before the passage of FluMist, most flu vaccinations only protected against the maximum of two flu strains, one with both influenza A and B. Medical experts chose the vaccines based on the severity of the virus spreading. According to the FDA, having an extra strain of influenza B in the vaccine will increase immunity against the flu.
Super Tuesday presents a possible GOP candidate for Election 2012 March 6’s Super Tuesday held GOP primary elections and caucuses in the states of Georgia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Vermont, Ohio, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alaska. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had the most victories winning Ohio, Virginia, Massachusetts and Vermont along with the Idaho and Alaska caucuses. Trailing behind Romney was former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum who won the caucuses in Oklahoma, Tennessee and North Dakota. Coming in third was Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich winning his home state of Georgia. Texas Representative Ron Paul did not win any of the Super Tuesday state primaries or caucuses. For the Republican nomination, both Romney and Santorum seemed to be the top two GOP primary candidates who will obtain the most Super Tuesday delegates. Romney obtained approximately 183 of the 419 Super Tuesday delegates while Santorum gained about 64, Gingrich 52 and Paul 15.