Japan earthquakes, new laws in 2024, and a bear vs. reindeer.

Adam Rogers
January 02, 2024

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Big Stories

A series of earthquakes rocked Japan Monday, causing fires and demolishing buildings.

The earthquakes struck around 4 p.m. local time, with one reaching a magnitude of 7.6. The quakes killed at least four people and forced tens of thousands to escape to higher ground. Hospitals in the Ishikawa prefecture were filled with dozens of survivors receiving treatment. The number is expected to rise as rescue crews reach people believed to still be trapped in collapsed homes and buildings.
The Japanese Meteorological Service initially issued a major Tsunami warning for the area, shortly after the earthquakes. Hours later, the warning was downgraded to a regular Tsunami which means the waters could still reach up to 10 feet. Evacuees will likely stay away from the coasts for a few days as aftershocks have the potential to create more life-threatening waves.
Japan is very vulnerable to earthquakes. The last major quake and tsunami, in March 2011, caused meltdowns at a nuclear plant. The disaster destroyed the fishing industry in the area and has been the center of a 12-year environmental battle. The latest warning was the first time since the 2011 accident that a tsunami warning of this level was issued.

Several new laws will take effect in 2024 addressing issues like gun violence, book bans, and birth control.

Illinois will become the first state to outlaw book bans in libraries. The law says that reading materials "should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or personal disapproval." Public libraries that don’t comply will be ineligible for state grants. Also on the education front, four more states — Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, and West Virginia — will begin requiring financial literacy courses in high schools. The courses aim to educate students on how to earn, spend, save, borrow, and protect their money as adults.
The FDA’s approval of the first nonprescription oral contraceptive, Opill, is expected to widen access to birth control when it hits shelves in 2024. Concurrently, states are also expanding access by allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills rather than just doctors. Twenty-nine states now permit pharmacist-prescribed contraceptives.
Michigan’s new gun laws will go into effect early this year. The legislation includes stricter background checks, safe gun storage requirements, and a ban on those convicted of violence from buying, owning, or transporting firearms for eight years.
New York state is banning “puppy mills.” Pet stores can no longer sell dogs, cats, and rabbits to protect the animals from potentially poor treatment in some commercial breeding operations. Pet shops can still offer animals for adoption if they are sourced from shelters.

The U.S. Navy sunk a few small boats carrying Iran-backed Houthi Rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea on Sunday.

Four small boats fired small arms missiles at the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou container ship and then tried to board it. A security team on the Maersk ship returned fire before U.S. Navy helicopters took over, giving verbal warnings to the attackers, who responded with gunfire. The helicopters fired back in self-defense, sinking three of the four boats. Houthi leaders said the Navy killed 10 of their men in the fight and warned of consequences.
The Houthis claim their attacks are against ships going to and from Israel. They say their goal is to end the Israeli offensive in Gaza that was caused by Hamas’ Oct. attack in Israel. However, the rebels have attacked many other ships and significantly stifled passage in one of the world’s most important maritime commercial routes. The Maersk Hangzhou incident represents the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19.
Sunday’s episode is the first Houthi attack since the Pentagon announced a new international coalition to protect ships traveling through the waterway. It is also the first time the U.S. Navy has killed Houthi fighters since the Red Sea attacks began. In the 10 days since the announcement, over 1,200 commercial vessels have traveled safely through the region.

Our planet grew by 75 million people in 2023. As of January 1, the world population stood at more than 8 billion. The U.S. added 1.7 million people and has a population of 335.8 million to start the New Year. Every second in 2024, 4.3 births and 2 deaths are expected, according to Census figures. (More)

In his New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping said “reunification” with Taiwan is “inevitable.” The comments come as Taiwan prepares to elect new presidential and parliamentary leaders on January 13. The tight two-party race could see the country shift power to the opposition Kuomintang, which has historically favored closer ties with China. (More)

Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a controversial judicial reform that would have limited its power to overturn laws it deemed unconstitutional. The law was initially passed in July and sparked nationwide protests and threats of strikes from military reservists who were against the reforms. Critics have argued that the reforms would give the Israeli government dictatorship-like power over its people. (More)

Changes to the federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credit took effect yesterday. The credit, which tops out at $7,500, now excludes EVs that have internationally sourced parts. The new rules have shrunk the qualifying models from two dozen to 13. Models that still qualify for the credit include SUVs from Tesla and Jeep and pickup trucks from Rivian and Ford. (More)

A survey conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University found that President Biden has lost ground in several key demographics that helped him win the White House in 2020. Biden earned 34% support among Hispanic voters surveyed, compared to Trump’s 39% — in 2020 he captured 65% of the demographic group. Biden crushed Trump by 25 points among young voters in 2020 — Trump now leads among voters under 35 with 37% support to Biden’s 33%. (More)

No.1 Michigan beat No. 4 Alabama 27-20 in overtime to clinch their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff national championship game. The Wolverines overcame a 7-point deficit in the 4th quarter to win. (More) ~ No. 2 Washington managed to hold off a surprising late comeback by No. 3 Texas, securing a 37-31 victory. This win sets up a game against No. 1 Michigan for the national title on January 8th. (More)

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