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People's March: Thousands Rally in Washington Against Trump Ahead of Inauguration

  Thousands of demonstrators, predominantly women, took to the streets of Washington, D.C., on Saturday to protest President-elect Donald Trump just days before his inauguration. The event, known as the People's March, has been held annually since 2017 and was previously called the Women's March. The march, organized by a coalition of groups with varied interests such as climate change, immigration, and women's rights, aimed to confront "Trumpism" and draw on past successes against autocrats. Despite expectations of 50,000 participants, around 5,000 people gathered at three parks before marching to the Lincoln Memorial for the rally. Protesters carried signs with messages like "Feminists v. Fascists" and "People over politics," and many wore the iconic pink "pussy hats" from the 2017 Women's March. The event highlighted a range of issues, including gender justice, bodily autonomy, and democracy. The People's March has evolved ...

Mpox Emerges as Global Health Crisis: Africa Declares Emergency

 

In a concerning development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time. This decision comes on the heels of a similar continental emergency declaration by African health officials. The virus, known for causing painful, pus-filled lesions and severe illness, first gained global attention in 2022. Although case counts cooled down after widespread vaccination efforts, this year presents a more grim situation.

Across 18 African nations, thousands of infections have been reported, with a highly-transmissible variant spreading beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even vulnerable newborns are falling ill in overcrowded hospitals. The lack of necessary vaccines and therapeutics in hotspots exacerbates the crisis. Year-to-date, Africa has seen over 15,000 mpox cases and nearly 500 deaths, representing a 160% increase compared to 2023.

Toronto, too, faces a resurgence of mpox cases. Officials urgently advise at-risk residents to get vaccinated. Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) estimates a need for 10 million mpox vaccine doses, but the continent has procured only 200,000 doses so far. Coordinated international efforts are crucial to halt these outbreaks and save lives.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize vaccination to combat this global health crisis.


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