Rise in use of contraception offers hope for containing global population | Global development | The Guardian

Rise in use of contraception offers hope for containing global population | Global development | The Guardian: "The latest figures by the UN show more women than ever now use family planning, with some poorer regions recording the fastest pace of growth since 2000.



 In 2015, an estimated 64% of married women, or women living with a partner, aged between 15 and 49, were using modern or traditional forms of family planning. In 1970, the rate was 36%.


Contraception and family planning around the world – interactive
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The population division of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Undesa) predicts high rates of contraceptive use in Africa over the next 15 years; a region with the largest demand but least access to modern contraceptives.



 Undesa’s projections for global population range between 8 billion and 9 billion by 2030.



 “The UN projections of population growth already give us an idea of the impact that increased access to family planning could have. If by 2030 the average family size is just one child fewer, then by 2030 the world population is estimated to be approximately 8 billion rather than 9 billion,” said Jagdish Upadhyay, head of reproductive health commodity security and family planning at the UN population fund (UNFPA)."



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Europe finds no delight in Turkish deal – POLITICO

Europe finds no delight in Turkish deal – POLITICO: "Under the proposed framework hashed out between the EU and Turkey at a special summit Monday, Europe would double financial assistance to help Turkey cope with the refugee crisis to €6 billion. More controversial: Brussels would accelerate Turkey’s EU membership negotiations and drop visa restrictions for all Turks traveling to the EU.

In return, Turkey would agree to take back all refugees who arrive in Greece illegally. For every Syrian sent back to Turkey, the EU would accept one Syrian from Turkey.

The aim of the strategy would be to dissuade Syrians from trying to reach Greece in the first place. Any Syrian who traveled to Greece illegally and was sent back to Turkey would end up at the back of the queue for legal entry."



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California To Permit Medically Assisted Suicide As Of June 9 : Shots - Health News : NPR

California To Permit Medically Assisted Suicide As Of June 9 : Shots - Health News : NPR: "California Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation last October that would allow terminally ill people to request life-ending medication from their physicians.

But no one knew when the law would take effect, because of the unusual way in which the law was passed — in a legislative "extraordinary session" called by Brown. The bill could not go into effect until 90 days after that session adjourned.

The session closed Thursday, which means the End of Life Option Act will go into effect June 9."



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Why Canada embraces Syrian refugees, while US is still wary - CSMonitor.com

Why Canada embraces Syrian refugees, while US is still wary - CSMonitor.com: "But behind that campaign pledge was something deeper, a national ethic and tradition of welcoming the victims of the world's conflicts that contrasted sharply with the much more modest goals and contradictory – and even vociferously negative – responses to Syrian refugees in the United States."



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With U.S. Aid, Senegal Readies to Repel Terrorists - WSJ

With U.S. Aid, Senegal Readies to Repel Terrorists - WSJ: "The ambush, supervised by U.S. trainers, was an exercise, part of last month’s Flintlock antiterrorism war games that U.S. Special Operations Command and its Western and regional partners conduct in Africa every year. But the scenario was down to the bone realistic: In recent months, Islamist militants have stormed international hotels in the capitals of nearby Mali and Burkina Faso, killing dozens of people in each attack.

This means that African countries untouched by international terrorism are increasingly worried that they, too, will be targeted soon."



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California votes to raise smoking age to 21: Has it worked in other places? - CSMonitor.com

California votes to raise smoking age to 21: Has it worked in other places? - CSMonitor.com: "The California Senate’s vote to make it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under age 21 could mark the beginning of a visible shift in US policy on tobacco use, public health researchers say.

The vote – part of a broader package of antismoking measures placed before the Senate on Thursday – puts California a step away from becoming the second state after Hawaii to implement the policy. It heads next for Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's desk, who does not comment on pending legislation."



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Mitt Romney and John McCain Denounce Donald Trump as a Danger to Democracy - First Draft. Political News, Now. - The New York Times

Mitt Romney and John McCain Denounce Donald Trump as a Danger to Democracy - First Draft. Political News, Now. - The New York Times: "In an extraordinary public rebuke of Donald J. Trump’s campaign, Mitt Romney and John McCain, the last two Republican presidential nominees, denounced Mr. Trump in forceful terms on Thursday and warned that his election could put the United States and even its democratic political system in peril.



 Offering himself as a bulwark against Mr. Trump’s march to the nomination, Mr. Romney laid out a precise and lengthy case against Mr. Trump, lacerating his business dealings, his erratic pronouncements on national security and demeaning treatment of women, minorities and the disabled.



 Mr. Romney warned that Mr. Trump’s nomination would be calamitous for the Republican Party and, quoting John Adams, even suggested it could be suicidal for the country."



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