World News: 04 January 2023

US FDA clears path for pharmacies to sell abortion pills
Patients currently obtain mifepristone - part of a two-drug regimen that is safe and effective in inducing abortion - in person from a health provider.
A prescription is still required under the new rule, but patients can now pick up the pill in-store or by mail order.
The move could significantly expand access to abortion through medication.

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Google says India regulator copied EU antitrust order
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in October fined Alphabet Inc's Google $161 million for exploiting its dominant position in markets such as online search and the Android app store, and asked it to change restrictions imposed on smartphone makers related to pre-installing apps.
Sources told Reuters in October that Google was worried about the Indian decision as the remedies ordered were seen as more sweeping than the European Commission's landmark 2018 ruling for imposing unlawful restrictions on Android mobile device makers. Google has challenged a record $4.3 billion fine in that case.

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Black Eyed Peas in Polish row over rainbow armbands
One minister condemned the "LGBT promotion" as a disgrace.
But the main governing party refused to get involved in the controversy.
Growing up LGBT in Poland can still be a traumatic experience and both the Law and Justice (PiS)-led government, and President Andrzej Duda used anti-LGBT rhetoric to win votes ahead of elections in 2019 and 2020.

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US House in chaos after Kevin McCarthy loses speaker votes
Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Party's leader in the House, lost three separate votes to secure the speaker's gavel.
It was the first time a House speaker was not elected on the first day of a new Congress since 1923.
After four years in minority, the Republicans regained control of the House in last year's midterms, albeit with a smaller majority than many pollsters predicted.

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Foreigners now banned from buying homes in Canada
Non-Canadians who violate the ban can be fined up to $10,000 and may be required to sell the property they purchased. Any individual or company involved with the home purchase may be fined the same amount.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to introduce the law while campaigning for re-election in 2021. It was passed by Parliament on June 23. Canada is now one of a few countries that bans foreigners from buying residential property as investments. New Zealand introduced a similar measure in 2018, while in Finland, foreigners need permission to buy real estate in the country.

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Climate change: Why is Europe experiencing a January heat wave?
At least eight European countries have recorded their warmest January day ever.
Climatologists are calling this an “extreme event” unlike anything in European history.
At least eight countries in Europe are experiencing record high January temperatures, according to meteorologists.

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