In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today.

RIP Paul Walker, who was a very handsome actor in some movies, most of which I haven't seen. Also RIP Roger Rodas, who was driving the car in which he and his friend both died. They had just left an event for Walker's charitable organization Reach Out Worldwide. My condolences to their families, friends, and colleagues.

Hawaii's law legalizing same-sex marriage goes into effect today, and dozens of couples have already been married. Yay!

[Content Note: Derailment; death] Four people have died and 63 others were injured after a passenger train in NY derailed on its way to Grand Central Station. An investigation is underway.

[CN: Crash; death] Nine people have died and at least 12 others were injured after a helicopter in Glasgow lost power and crashed into a crowded pub. Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, said it was a "black day for Glasgow and Scotland," as investigators continue to search through the wreckage.

Actress Maria Bello wrote a lovely essay about her modern family for the New York Times.

Paul Krugman argues for Better Pay Now.

In related news, fast food workers are reportedly to stage a one-day strike in 100 cities later this week.

[CN: Hostility to agency; disablism] British social services secured an authorization from the Court of Protection to sedate a pregnant Italian woman and deliver her child via c-section without her consent, while she was being restrained at a mental healthcare facility after suffering a panic attack during a business trip to the UK for a training course. Her child, now 15 months old, remains with British social services, and a British judge has recommended adoption "because of the risk that she might suffer a relapse." This is incredible. Breathtakingly indecent.

[CN: Hostility to agency; racism; classism] Meanwhile, in the US, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the Center for Reproductive Rights have released a report finding that "Latinas in Texas—where more than 60 reproductive health clinics have closed since 2010—face such severely restricted and limited reproductive health care that their human rights are violated." Fucking hell.

[CN: Racism] Whoops: The Republican National Committee had to "clarify" a tweet which they credited Rosa Parks with "ending racism."

It's a brave new world, or whatever: Amazon Is Experimenting with Autonomous Flying Delivery Drones. Sure. Perfect. Definitely not terrifying.