MicroWave

Summary

After Texas banned abortion in 2021, sepsis rates among women hospitalized for second-trimester pregnancy loss rose over 50%, with maternal deaths increasing 33% from 2019 to 2023.

ProPublica’s analysis found that sepsis risk surged when the fetus still had a heartbeat, as doctors hesitated to intervene due to legal fears.

Maternal health experts warn that abortion bans delay critical care, endangering women’s lives.

Texas lawmakers, facing mounting evidence and public pressure, are considering amending the law to better protect patients, but changes remain uncertain.

Summary

Turkey witnessed massive anti-government protests, the largest in a decade, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges, coinciding with his presidential nomination.

Authorities responded with a crackdown, arresting over 1,100 people, including journalists, and requesting X to block hundreds of accounts.

The government deployed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators, while the interior minister defended the actions as necessary to maintain public order.

Economists highlighted the financial strain of propping up the lira, and media freedom advocates criticized the censorship efforts, including X's compliance in blocking accounts.

Summary

Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated with the ongoing aerial strikes between Russia and Ukraine, despite his efforts to broker peace.

After recent talks with both leaders, Russia claimed a 30-day pause on energy infrastructure strikes, but Ukraine accused Russia of continuing civilian attacks.

Heavy attacks continue, with recent Russian strikes killing four and injuring 13 in Ukraine. Ukraine has also reportedly launched strikes against Russian infrastructure, which Russia claims caused significant damage.

A proposed broader ceasefire faltered over Russian demands to halt foreign military support for Ukraine.

Summary

Nationwide protests erupted as postal workers opposed plans to privatize the USPS and cut 10,000 jobs.

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) organized rallies in over 200 cities, condemning the proposed merger with the Commerce Department and collaboration with Elon Musk’s DOGE.

Lawmakers like Senators Dick Durbin and Tina Smith joined demonstrations, calling the changes unconstitutional.

USPS employees fear losing jobs and essential public services, especially in rural areas. Trump and Musk defend privatization as efficient, but critics argue it endangers vital community functions.

Summary

Elon Musk claims widespread Social Security fraud, but evidence contradicts these assertions, with experts criticizing Musk’s claims as exaggerated and misleading.

Musk alleged that millions of dead people over 100 were collecting benefits, but audits found only 202 cases of deceased beneficiaries.

Social Security’s inspector general reported less than 1% of payments as improper, mostly from clerical errors, with most funds recovered. Despite scrutiny, Social Security remains one of the most audited federal agencies.

Budget cuts and canceled contracts risk hampering anti-fraud efforts.

Non-paywall link

Summary

U.S. immigration authorities deported Andrys, a 23-year-old gay Venezuelan makeup artist, to El Salvador’s CECOT prison without due process, despite a court order blocking his removal. Authorities falsely accused him of gang affiliation based on tattoos.

Andrys, seeking asylum, was sent to the notorious 40,000-capacity prison, where detainees face harsh conditions and lack legal recourse.

His lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, expressed concern for his safety and criticized the forced deportation as a human rights violation.

El Salvador’s president celebrated the deportation deal, which grants $6 million annually from the U.S.

Summary

Donald Trump's influence on global right-wing politics is waning as his association increasingly becomes a political liability.

In the UK, Nigel Farage's popularity has dropped, with 53% of Reform Party supporters now viewing Trump unfavorably. This shift undermines Farage’s chances of political success.

Internationally, leaders like Canada’s Pierre Poilievre and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni are distancing themselves from Trump.

Meanwhile, Trump's economic promises have faltered, with US growth forecasts down and stock markets struggling.

The fading appeal of Trumpism marks the end of his ideological hold on Westminster politics.

Summary

United Airlines apologized to Melissa Sotomayor after crew members tried to make her remove her son's ventilator during a March 8 flight from Tampa to Newark.

Sotomayor, whose 2-year-old son relies on a ventilator and tracheostomy tube, said staff demanded the equipment be stowed for takeoff despite prior medical clearance.

A third flight attendant claimed the child would "be OK" without it. The captain called her "difficult" and said the equipment was a safety risk.

Sotomayor expressed feeling humiliated and vowed never to fly United again.

Summary

Greenland’s prime minister, Múte B Egede, condemned the planned visit by Usha Vance, Mike Waltz, and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, calling it "foreign interference" and urging international support against American pressure.

The visit, seen as a charm offensive amid ongoing coalition talks, sparked local outrage, with Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenland’s Democrats, criticizing the US for disrespecting Greenland’s sovereignty.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized cooperation with the US based on respect for sovereignty.

Extra Danish police have been deployed to Greenland ahead of the visit.

Summary

A Georgia jury ordered Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, to pay $2.1 billion in damages to John Barnes, who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from using Roundup weed killer.

The award includes $65 million in compensatory damages and $2 billion in punitive damages, marking one of the largest settlements in Roundup litigation.

Bayer, which acquired Monsanto in 2018, plans to appeal, disputing claims that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, causes cancer despite ongoing legal battles and scientific controversy.

The company faces over 177,000 lawsuits and has allocated $16 billion for settlements.

Summary

Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, putting the DNA data of millions of users at risk of being sold.

Privacy advocates have urged consumers to delete their data amid fears it could be sold to data brokers or used for targeted advertising.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta advised customers to consider deleting their profiles after the company’s share price crash heightened concerns.

CEO Anne Wojcicki reportedly rejected three takeover bids before the bankruptcy filing, raising questions about the company’s future and data protection.

Summary

As ADHD awareness grows, TikTok has become a popular platform for sharing experiences, with ADHD-related hashtags amassing hundreds of millions of views.

However, a new study found that less than half of top ADHD videos on TikTok accurately reflect diagnostic criteria, often oversimplifying symptoms and spreading misinformation.

Excessive viewing of these videos can worsen perceptions of personal symptoms and inflate perceived prevalence rates to 30%, far above the actual 5-6%.

Experts caution that misleading content may prompt unnecessary self-diagnoses and treatments, but acknowledge social media addresses a need for awareness and support.