Trump administration plans to cut funds to teen pregnancy programs
According to NBC News, the Trump administration has proposed cutting $200 million worth of funding to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program established in 2010 under the Obama administration. The prevention program was renewed in 2015 for five additional years and focused on the sexual education of U.S. teens. The CDC notes that the number of teen pregnancies are at an all-time low falling 67 percent since 1991.
Toronto orchestra closes amid fat-shaming ordeal
On Aug. 21, the Toronto-based Sheraton Cadwell Orchestra emailed its singers asking that they refrain from wearing close-fitting clothing while performing if they were not “fit & slim” to hide their “dietary indulgences.” Managing staff have since apologized and resigned following the complaints of artists who had performed with the orchestra, reported BBC News. After news of the ordeal went public, the orchestra informed singers that it would be closing.
‘Beating Heart’ patch makes waves in medical field
Researchers are developing tiny patches of cardiac cells which may be able to cover large areas of scarred tissue and restore normal heart functions, according to NBC News. Currently, the patches are being tested in mice and pigs at Duke University, Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin. However, scientists predict that they will be able to be tested in humans within the next five years.
Farmers in South Africa coffin case convicted
South African farmers Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen have been found guilty by a high court judge of charges including kidnapping, intimidation and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, according to Al Jazeera. The pair allegedly filmed themselves forcing a black man into a coffin and threatened to burn him alive for trespassing on their farmland. Martins Jackson and Oosthuizen will be sentenced on Oct. 23.
