NC expands opportunity scholarship fund
The North Carolina State Legislature has passed a law to expand the opportunity scholarships for students in the state. The opportunity scholarships gives parents $4,200 towards attending private and chartered schools. The law will expand the earning eligibility for families who want to apply for the scholarship to $72,000. The bill will also end the cap on the number of kindergartners and first grade students that can qualify for the opportunity scholarship. Lawmakers added the expansion to bill determining how to spend a coronavirus federal aid fund awarded to the state from the federal government. Governor Roy Cooper says he is not happy with the bill, but will sign it into law. Opponents of the scholarship fund say public schools are suffering and taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund private school education. Supporters say parents should be given the right to get the best education for their child even if their choice is a private school.The bill will also allow public schools protection from budget cuts if enrollment drops and more financial assistance for special needs students. The president of Parents for Educational Freedom Mike Long called the decision a great week for North Carolina families, students and parents. Long added that North Carolina remains at the forefront of parental school choice. The Wall Street Journal also praised North Carolina’s officials for the decision in an editorial piece calling it an exposure of union-first,
students- last priorities in traditional public schools.
Schools in England now required to teach LGBT curriculum
All schools in England are now mandated to teach an LGBT inclusive curriculum starting this school year. Students of all ages in that nation will be required according to the curriculum to learn about sexual orientation, gender identity, and healthy relationships. Students in primary schools will be taught about different families including LGBT families. The curriculum according to supporters will allow students be mentally well and be safe and healthy. The leader of one organization says the lessons will teach children at a young age to be more inclusive and more tolerant of different families. Opponents call the new requirements sexualizing children and a violation of religious beliefs. Due to protests from parents students can be excluded from the majority of lessons; students can not be exempt from the Relationship and Health education classes that are part of the lessons.
Arab League declines to condemn Israel- UAE Treaty
Palestinian leaders have voiced their frustration over a failed resolution attempt. The Arab League voted down a resolution presented by Palestinians. The resolution would have condemned the recent peace agreement between Israel and the UAE. The Palestinian Authority leader voiced his anger in a statement saying the measure was defeated after a three hour debate. The defeat included a dismissal of discussing the agreement between the two nations and the U.S. Representatives with the Arab League say they still support the Palestinian cause and want to “end Israeli occupation and have East Jerusalem as a potential Palestinian capital.” The statement however contradicts support from powerful members of the Arab League. Egypt, which is already in a peace deal with Israel expressed support for the deal along with Saudi Arabia. The nation of Bahrain responded to the peace treaty by working to establish a diplomatic relationship with Israel.
SNBC HEALTH report : the health benefits of the pomegranate
According to research from around the world the popular fruit has several special nutritional advantages over other fruit. Pomegranates are antioxidant, anti fungal, and boost memory. The fruit is known to fight inflammation and is currently being used as a natural response by some doctors to help patients dealing with this issue. Researchers in Israel released a study in 2013 noting pomegranates improve heart health. The researchers also reported the fruit helped with blood pressure, and cholesterol issues in patients. It has three kinds of antioxidants and has been tested in the prevention of colon cancer. The fruit is also known to aid in digestion, and the prevention of diabetes. Researchers advised consuming organic pomegranate if possible to acquire the full benefits of the fruit.