News That Affects you: March 2010 in Review

[Mel]

Article featured in Avatar - Volume 3, Issue 10 (April 2010).

News That Affects you: March 2010 in Review
By Jessie (Asylum)

Missed March? Just downright dislike sifting through news reports you could care less about? Want the lowdown? Here’s a glimpse of what people were talking about in March 2010!

Human Rights

Totally right. On March 22, 2010 Internet giant Google stopped censoring search results in China and redirected users to Google Hong Kong. China cried foul play the following day, calling Google’s actions “totally wrong”.

“Don’t Ask” downgrade. New rules which make it more difficult to expel gay service members of the United States Armed Forces were announced on March 25, 2010 by U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates. Activists hope that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is soon to be a thing of the past, but opposition still remains.

Mental Health

Trigger take down. On March 12, 2010 it was reported that doctors are urging websites to remove material which promote or romanticize self harm. According to the Centre for Suicide Research at Oxford University, one in ten 11-25 year-olds self harm, and hospital visits due to self harm by people under age 25 rose 50% between 2004/2005 and 2008/2009.

Health

Severe epidemic. In the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS, a March 6, 2010 announcement revels Washington, D.C. is to be the first American city to hand out free female condoms in all locations which offer free male condoms. In 2009 it was reported that approximately 3% of Washington, D.C. residents were living with HIV/AIDS.

Historic health care. In Washington, D.C. on March 22, 2010, the United States House of Representatives passed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The bill was signed into law the following day by United States President Barack Obama.

Environment

Conquering carbon emissions. The Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) and the Garrison Institute's Climate Mind Behavior Project release a study on March 12, 2010 that found lifestyle changes could reduce carbon emissions in the United States up to 15% by 2020.