AP, Richmond
With the first presidential debate complete and its spin cycle nearly over, the two understudies are getting ready to take the main stage.
The vice presidential debate Tuesday will be the only time Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Tim Kaine will have the nation’s political attention all to themselves, away from their much more well-known running mates.
Polish women strike against abortion ban
BBC Online
Women in Poland have gone on strike in protest against proposals for a total ban on abortion.
They marched through the streets wearing black as a sign of mourning for their reproductive rights.
Women who oppose the ban are staying away from work and school and refuse to do domestic chores, in a protest inspired by a women’s strike in Iceland in 1975.
Beijing city issues first air pollution alert
PTI, Beijing
Beijing city today issued its first yellow alert for air pollution in the second half of this year with Met department forecasting that smog will continue to engulf the Chinese capital till tomorrow.
The alert puts restrictions on work at construction sites, outdoor barbecues and straw burning by farmers. The reading of Air Quality Index (AQI) in Beijing was between 200 and 300 yesterday, meaning heavy pollution.
Thailand mulls Zika tests for all pregnant women
Reuters, Bangkok
Thailand is considering testing all pregnant women for Zika, the health ministry said on Monday, following confirmation last week of its first known cases of microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size, linked to the Zika virus.
The two confirmed cases of microcephaly were the first in Southeast Asia linked to Zika, which has been spreading in the region after outbreaks in the Americas.
“The health minister has asked us to study whether this is necessary and cost-effective,” health ministry permanent secretary Sophon Mekthon told Reuters, referring to free tests for all pregnant women.
