The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 24

February 17, 201 5 | nsucurrent.nova.edu News March 2, 20 1 | n suc rrent.nova.e 2 3301 College Avenue Don Taft University Center, PVA Room 328 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796 nsucurrent.nova.edu NEWSROOM Phone: 954-262-8455 nsunews@nova.edu The Current serves Nova Southeastern University from its location in Room 328 of the Don Taft University Center. The Current is NSU’s established vehicle for student reporting, opinion and the arts. All community members are invited to contribute. Editorials, commentaries and advertisements in this publication reflect the opin- ions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its officials, The Current staff or other advertisers. The Current will not publish unsigned letters except under special circumstances at the dis- cretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Current reserves the right to edit. Contributing writers must not be directly involved with their coverage. Coverage by contributing writers must be meaningful and of interest to the NSU community. The Current reserves the right to edit, publish or deny submitted works as it sees fit. The Current shall remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility or otherwise cre- ate a bias, real or perceived. Megan Fitzgerald Rey Perez Evan Kelley Nyla Wyte Neha Simon Briana Ramnauth Ana Maria Soto Blake Malick Tomas Salom Santiago D. Finochietto Aliyah Gomez Veronica Richard J. L. Glasthal Aaron Kurzweil Faculty Advisor mf821@nova.edu Jarrod Bailey Staff Advisor jbailey1@nova.edu Sofia Gallus Siena Berardi Madelyn Rinka Alexander Martinie Rick Esner Christina McLaughlin Flor Ana Mireles Sports Editor Features Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Co-Editor-in-Chief Co-Editor-in-Chief Opinions Editor News Editor Copy Editor Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Contributing Writer Cheif of Visual Design Emma Heineman BUSINESS & ADVERTISING Phone: 954-262-8461 thecurrentad@nova.edu Acting capitol police chief warns public of right-wing militia threats The acting capitol police chief of the U.S. urges security protocols to stay on high alert, especially on the yet to be scheduled upcoming State of the Union address, as they have received reports of right-wing militia groups threatening to “blow up” the Capitol building. Security measurements at the Capitol building have been catastrophically high since the attempted coup by Trump supporters and alt-right groups on Jan. 6.While the acting police chief insists that keeping security measures high is essential, many tourists are complaining that the Capitol building and the area surrounding it is less available than it has been in the past. Lady Gaga’s dog walker shot in armed robbery On Feb. 25, an armed robber attacked renowned performer Lady Gaga’s dog walker while he was walking her three French bulldogs. The robber shot the dog walker four times in the chest with an automatic handgun and fled with two of the bulldogs. The dog walker was able to save the third dog and remains in the hospital, although he is expected to recover. Lady Gaga is offering $500,000 to anyone who may have the dogs, no questions asked. It is unclear whether this was a targeted attack on the dogs or whether the robbers simply intended on reselling them as the breed sells for a high price tag. U.S. implicates the Saudi crowned prince in American journalist’s killing AccordingtoanofficialU.S.intelligence report released publicly on Feb. 26, Saudi Arabia’s crowned prince was likely involved in the brutal killing of a journalist located in Istanbul. The documents were released a day after a courtesy call took place between newPresident Joe Biden and crowned prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was reported that the two did not discuss the murder, but instead the partnership the two nations. committee assignments, she maintains her position as a member of Congress. Global news, courtesy of the current Germans refusing vaccine brand SomeGermancitizensarewearyofreceiving the COVID-19 vaccine produced byAstraZeneca, citing fears that it is “less effective.” According to The New York Times, the preferred vaccine among many Germans is the one that was created by German company BioNTech with Pfizer, in contrast to thex British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccine. This has resulted in a “pileup,” as some citizens question why the vaccine developed by a company from their country is not more readily available to them. Bahrain authorizes emergency use of new vaccine Bahrain is the first country to authorize the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Associated Press. Officials did not specify a timeline for the delivery or dispersal of the single-dose vaccine, although the country already has one of the highest vaccination rates and offers several vaccines to its citizens.While thismakesBahrain the first country to authorize this emergency use, the decision is being considered by other countries and was actually administered in SouthAfrica, which used the vaccine while it was still in the testing stage. Mount Etna erupts in Sicily Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has been erupting in recent weeks, creating “spectacular” eruptions and “striking” sights, according to The Guardian. While the explosions are being described as notably high, experts have stated that they do not believe there is any danger associated with this “ordinary” eruption, aside from smoke inhalation and ash coverage. Australia makes tech giants pay for news New amendments to Australia’s “News Media Bargaining Code” were passed on Feb. 25, which compels Google and Facebook to pay for news. Rod Sims, the competition regulator who drafted the code, expressed that this amended code’s purpose is to “address the market imbalance between Australian news publishers and the two gateways to the internet,” as stated in theAssociated Press. The amendments come after agreements made by Facebookwere struckwith the Parliament, which in return resulted in the lifting of limitations imposed onAustralian users. Europe’s move towards “vaccine passports” Leaders of the EUhave beenworking towards an agreement regarding what are to be known as “vaccine passports.” The passports will serve as certifications to prove the holder is vaccinated. Some are pushing for a union-wide umbrella approach rather than individualized policies that vary by country, according to Reuters. Supporters are hoping the passports, all of which are not serving as official documents, improve travel within the coming months, while other countries remain hesitant due to concerns of potential discrimination that may arise if some individuals choose not to be vaccinated. House votes to pass Equality Act On Feb. 25 the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This legislation was originally passed in theHouse in 2019, but was struck down in the Senate, which was then majority-ruled by the Republican party. The bill was reintroduced with slight amendments and passed through the House once again, after which it will move onto the now Democrat-ruled Senate.