China Bans Smoking in Most Public Places
Starting on May 1, China will implement a ban that limits smoking in public areas. The new regulation includes buses, restaurants, and bars.
Health activists applaud the change but insist that the government has not moved quickly enough to curb smoking. They have also been critical of how the smoke-free measures will be enforced and what punishments will be implemented.
Before the ban, smoking had only been outlawed in hospitals. Smoking will still be allowed in workplaces after the May 1 deadline.
Nearly a quarter of China's population smoke and almost one million people die every year because of smoking-related illnesses, accounting for one-fifth of the worldwide smoking death toll.
The regulations will also include a ban on cigarette vending machines in public areas and an increase in efforts of developing and promoting smoke-free initiatives.
U.S. Jesuits Agree to $166 Million Sex Abuse Payout
In the largest payout by a religious organization in U.S. history, a Jesuit order has agreed to pay $166.1 million to victims that have claimed sexual and psychological abuse. The abuse took place in the Oregon Province, the northwest chapter of the Rome-based Society of Jesus.
The payout will compensate nearly 500 victims of the chapter, which have a presence in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana. Lawyers say the abuse spanned from the 1940s through the 1990s. Most of the victims were Native Americans at mission schools on reservations.
One priest, Father John Morse, has been implicated in abusing 38 victims. Morse left the order years ago but is still being financially supported by the Jesuits.
The Oregon Province argued against the payouts saying they would result in bankruptcy. The order is now classified as having Chapter 11 bankruptcy status.
The settlement also requires the Jesuits to give a written apology to victims and access to any documents or records that were previously withheld by the Jesuits.
Trooper Killed While Issuing Ticket
A New York State Police trooper was struck and killed by a passing motorist while he was issuing a speeding ticket on Youngmann Expressway between Colvin Avenue and Niagara Falls Boulevard. Trooper Kevin P. Dobson died in Kenmore Mercy Hospital approximately 40 minutes after the accident.
Dobson, 43, was a 14-year veteran working out of the Clarence barracks. He was handing out a speeding ticket when a pickup truck struck him in the eastbound direction of Youngmann Highway.
The driver of the truck was identified as a 71-year-old man. After striking Dobson, he immediately returned to the scene of the accident and has been cooperative with authorities in their investigation.
No arrests have been made in connection to the accident. Investigators are still speaking with the driver of the truck and looking into any possible driver distractions or other problems that could have played a role in the fatality.
Dobson was an advocate for the new "Move Over Act." This law, which took place on Jan.1, requires drivers to shift lanes when a police or emergency vehicle is at the side of the road.
Professor to Share Knowledge on Homelessness
Dennis P. Culhane, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, director of research for the National Center on Homeless among Veterans, and co-director of the Intelligence for Social Policy Initiative, is coming to UB today to present a talk called "The Cost of Homelessness – Collecting Data to Effect Change."
As a national expert on homelessness issues, Culhane will present his research on the ways homelessness affects local communities and the most effective means to serve the homeless.
The talk will take place in the Student Union Theater from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
