What's Happening

Health 

The Preventable Deaths of Two Women in Georgia Highlight the Life-Threatening Impact of Abortion Bans

What's going on: At least two women in Georgia died after the state’s abortion ban delayed their access to critical medical care, according to a ProPublica investigation. Georgia’s maternal mortality review committee deemed Amber Nicole Thurman’s death as “preventable.” ProPublica said it’s the first time such a designation for an abortion-related death has become public. In Thurman’s case, the “otherwise healthy” 28-year-old needed a dilation and curettage, or D&C (used routinely for both abortions and miscarriages), to remove fetal tissue causing an infection. However, doctors delayed the routine procedure for 20 hours, even though they were well-equipped to treat her. Georgia’s abortion laws threaten doctors with up to a decade in prison unless they can prove a patient is near death or facing “irreversible physical impairment” — criteria with no clearly defined protocols. The hospital declined to comment, but ProPublica found there was no policy to guide doctors on how to interpret the ban when Thurman came in needing help. Thurman, a single mom who had planned to attend nursing school, told her mother before she died: “Promise me you’ll take care of my son.”

What it means: When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, doctors warned that pregnant people would die because of abortion bans — and now evidence appears to prove them right. ProPublica noted there are “almost certainly” other cases like Thurman’s. Committees like the one that reviewed her case exist in each state. But they typically operate with a two-year lag, so unfortunately this isn’t the last time we’ll hear about these types of cases. At a time when abortion is banned or restricted in 22 states, Thurman’s case also highlights the very real impacts of these bans and how they can prevent people from receiving medically necessary, life-saving care.

Related: People Are Calling Out a TikToker Who Questioned the Harms of Abortion Bans (Newsweek)

International 

Pagers Explode Across Lebanon in an Apparent Attack on Hezbollah

What's going on: Thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah operatives exploded almost simultaneously in Lebanon and parts of Syria yesterday, killing at least 11 people — including civilians and a child — and injuring over 2,700 others, according to officials. Israel rigged the pagers before they were delivered to Lebanon by hiding tiny explosive material and a switch next to the devices’ batteries, per The New York Times, which cited sources familiar with the case. A message sent to the pagers detonated them, with some explosions taking place at grocery stores, on sidewalks, and in homes. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the apparent attack. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, has been using pagers to communicate amid fears that Israel could track their movements through cell phones. The group is now threatening to retaliate.

Tell me more: The incident occurred just a day after Israeli leaders said they were considering ramping up their campaign against Hezbollah. It also comes as the Israeli government faces pressure to allow tens of thousands of evacuees, displaced by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks, to return home. This marks the latest development in the 11-month conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which began when the militant group fired into the Shebaa Farms in October in solidarity with Hamas. Before the apparent attack yesterday, the conflict mostly involved missile exchanges, though there have been warnings that it could escalate into full-scale war. Lebanon’s foreign ministry described the incident as a “dangerous and deliberate Israeli escalation.” 

Related: Here’s What To Know About Hezbollah and Its Conflict With Israel (BBC)

Technology

Instagram Unveils New Safety Features for Teen Users

What's going on: Instagram is rolling out new privacy features for accounts belonging to teenagers to address concerns from parents and lawmakers. As part of its new “Teen Accounts” program, Instagram will automatically set accounts for users 18 and younger to private. Sensitive content, like nudity or violence, will be limited and accounts will be placed on DND between 10 pm and 7 am. These updates will apply instantly to newly-created teen accounts. As for teens already on IG in the US, the rollout could take up to two months. Parents will also gain the ability to monitor their teens’ activity on the app — a modern replacement for reading diaries. There’s the obvious question of how Instagram will verify the age of its users when it’s no secret many fib about exactly how old they are. The platform will require either a photo ID or a video selfie for age verification, which will be analyzed for accuracy. For those unhappy with the changes, parents have the option to override the settings, though 16 and 17-year-olds can adjust the settings themselves.

What it means: Instagram and its parent company Meta have repeatedly come under fire for the harmful effects of social media on teenagers. Nearly three years ago, the “Facebook Papers” put a spotlight on the risks these platforms pose for young users. Social media has contributed to bullying, eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, and depression — especially among teen girls. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had to address these issues during Senate hearings after a whistleblower claimed the tech giant had ignored these problems for years. However, more action may be needed, as reports continue to surface about teen boys being targeted for financial sexual extortion and older men interacting with minors on the app.

Related: It Can Be Tough Living as a Teen Without Social Media. This Is How One Family Does It (AP)