England is limiting gender transitions for youths. US legislators are watching

Legislators in at least two U.S. states are citing a recent decision in England to restrict gender transitions for young people as support for their own related proposals. They weren’t the first to turn to other countries, notably in Europe, for policy and research ideas. Lawmakers across the U.S., where at least 23 states now … Read more

What makes people happy? California lawmakers want to find out

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Assemblyman Anthony Rendon likes to spend his spare time away from the Capitol in Sacramento with his 4-year-old daughter back home near Los Angeles. Last weekend, he took her ice skating and to an indoor playground, then let her get a donut after she agreed to ride her scooter on the … Read more

Can Indonesia’s next president Prabowo deliver on his big promises?

Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia’s presidential candidate and defense minister, center, waves to supporters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Prabowo declared victory in Wednesday’s presidential vote, citing independent pollsters, putting him on course to lead Southeast Asia’s largest economy after two failed attempts.  Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images JAKARTA — Indonesia’s Defense Minister … Read more

South Korean doctors walk out to protest government policy, causing many surgery cancellations

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean trainee doctors collectively walked off their jobs Tuesday to escalate their protest of a government medical policy, triggering cancellations of surgeries and other medical treatments at hospitals. The Health Ministry urged them to return to work immediately, saying they must not endanger the lives of patients to fight the … Read more

Lawsuits ask courts to overturn Virginia’s new policies on the treatment of transgender students

RICHMOND, Va. — The ACLU of Virginia filed two lawsuits against the state Department of Education on Thursday, asking the courts to throw out Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s policies on the treatment of transgender students and rule that school districts are not required to follow them. Youngkin’s policies roll back many accommodations for transgender students … Read more

Denmark’s King Frederik X visits Poland in his first trip abroad as monarch

WARSAW, Poland — King Frederik X of Denmark began his first trip abroad as monarch Wednesday with a three-day visit to Poland that is focused on promoting his country’s businesses and climate policies. Frederik, who was proclaimed king on Jan. 14, received a red-carpet welcome at the presidential palace in Warsaw, where he was greeted … Read more

New York governor pushes for paid medical leave during pregnancy

ALBANY, N.Y. — Pregnant people in New York would have 40 hours of paid leave to attend prenatal medical appointments under a new proposal by Gov. Kathy Hochul after the state’s legislative session kicked off this week. The Democrat’s plan to expand the state’s paid family leave policy, which would need to be approved by … Read more