NATIONAL

NYPD’s ‘Stop, Question and Frisk’ program accused of racial profiling

New York Police are becoming more powerful after a recent program, titled “Stop, Question and Frisk,” was implemented in order to combat the number of murders and other violent crimes in New York City. Many critics are charging that the new law gives the NYPD too much power and encourages racial profiling.

After the law was introduced last year, close to 700,000 searches took place in the city, contributing to last year’s historically low murder rate. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly claims that the program takes 800 guns a year off the streets as well.

Other city councilmen think that “Stop, Question and Frisk” isn’t achieving its goals, saying that communities are losing trust with the New York Police Department (cnn.com).

 

INTERNATIONAL

Sir Paul McCartney’s son calls for ‘Beatles: The Next Generation’

James McCartney, the son of famed Beatles member Paul McCartney, has reached out to the sons of the other members in order to form a new supergroup that could be “better than the Beatles.”

Sean Lennon, Dhani Harrison (thenewno2), and Zak Starr  (The Who/Oasis) have all taken after their fathers and joined bands, save Lennon, who plays solo shows. McCartney currently plays guitar with his father. Starr is the only one who remains hesitant about the project.

When asked about his ambitious goal, McCartney said “I would love to be equal to The Beatles — but even that’s quite tough” (cleveland.com).

 

NATIONAL

Scientists find use of Body Mass Index outdated

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a ratio of a person’s height to their weight, and doctors and other health officials have been relying on the BMI as a measurement of a person’s health for decades. However, a new study finds that the use of BMI may lead Americans to continue to underestimate the alarming obesity rate in the country.

“We’ve known for a long time that BMI is not a perfect measurement, and it’s important to look at the overall picture. It turns out people who are classified as overweight in fact have a bit more to worry about,” says James Hospedales, the chief of noncommunicable diseases at the World Health Organization (cnn.com).