Thousands of people in Poland protested against a near-total ban on abortion, attributing the legislation to the death of a pregnant woman.

Elon Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, visited the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland on January 22, participating in a memorial service and discussion panel with US right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro. This visit follows Musk's recent controversy over endorsing an anti-Jewish conspiracy theory on X, for which he has apologized. Musk defended the platform against accusations of anti-Semitism, emphasizing his frequent posting activity.

The article discusses the crisis at the Poland-Belarus border where migrants are attempting to cross into the European Union. Over 10,000 migrants, mainly from Iraq, Syria, Africa, and Cuba, have tried to enter Poland in two months, with at least five reported deaths. The Polish government has deployed troops and declared a state of emergency, leading to a media blackout. The EU accuses Belarus of instigating the crisis as retaliation for sanctions. Human rights groups criticize Poland for illegal 'push-backs' of migrants. The Polish human rights organization 'Ocalenie' is providing aid to migrants. The article includes accounts from Cuban migrants and a Syrian refugee, highlighting the false promises of an easy passage into the EU. The situation is worsening with the onset of colder weather, and there has been no EU intervention to resolve the crisis.

The article discusses the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border where migrants have been experiencing pushbacks by Polish border guards. The Polish government is considering a draft law to legalize pushbacks, which would allow authorities to dismiss asylum requests from individuals crossing the border irregularly. This move is criticized by rights groups, including the Association for Legal Intervention, as being contrary to national and international laws, specifically the 1951 Geneva Convention. The Polish Ministry of Interior has not responded to inquiries about these pushbacks. The European Commission has stated that redirecting migrants to official crossing points is acceptable as long as their rights are respected. However, the article raises concerns about the safety and human rights of migrants, particularly in light of the injuries suffered by three Iraqi men, allegedly at the hands of Belarusian police.

LGBT rights have made progress in 2020, with notable advancements such as the decriminalization of same-sex relations in Gabon and legislative moves in Bhutan. However, 69 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relations, with severe penalties in some regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequalities, with increased anti-LGBT measures in places like Poland and Indonesia. Positive developments include Sudan abolishing the death penalty for same-sex acts and Germany banning conversion therapies. Conversely, Hungary has passed laws reinforcing traditional gender roles and restricting adoption rights for same-sex couples, drawing international criticism.

The article highlights a variety of family-friendly outdoor games that can be enjoyed during the summer. These include Cornhole, Ladder ball, Ninja obstacle course, Bocce, Badminton, Spikeball, Kubb, Kan Jam, and Mini golf. Experts from the American Cornhole Association, jaZams toy store, and Spikeball provide insights into the popularity and accessibility of these games for all ages.

Major software companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google have updated their emoji keyboards over the years, focusing on inclusivity and removing controversial emojis. Google replaced its blob emojis in 2017, while Apple removed the Taiwanese flag emoji in Hong Kong and Macau in 2019, and changed the gun emoji to a water gun in 2016. These changes reflect societal issues and prompt discussions about censorship and control over language. Emojipedia's founder Jeremy Burge commented on the negative reception of some emoji changes. The article suggests that emojis are indicative of the times and can be replaced by other symbols to retain their original meanings.

War games have evolved from the early 19th century Kriegspiel to complex computer simulations, offering both entertainment and educational insights into historical and hypothetical conflicts. The article highlights five classic war games and their modern successors, including Close Combat, Combat Mission, Steel Panthers, The Operational Art of War, and Command: Modern Operations. These games are praised for their detailed simulations, historical accuracy, and educational value, with some even used by military organizations for training purposes. Recommendations and alternatives for each game are provided, emphasizing their unique features and contributions to the genre.

YouTube is investing $25 million to promote high-quality news content ahead of the 2018 U.S. midterm elections. The initiative aims to combat misinformation by featuring authoritative news sources, especially during breaking news events. Neal Mohan, YouTube's chief product officer, emphasized that the platform will not delete problematic content but will provide users with reliable information to make informed decisions.

Congress is increasing pressure on Facebook following reports that Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm used by Trump's 2016 campaign, harvested data from millions of Facebook profiles without permission. Lawmakers are calling for Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other top officials to testify. The controversy has reignited discussions about data privacy and the need for tighter regulations on tech companies. Facebook has hired a digital forensics firm to audit Cambridge Analytica and is cooperating with investigators. The issue has drawn bipartisan concern, with calls for more transparency and accountability from tech platforms.

Uber has introduced Express Pool, its first new service in over three years, offering up to 50% cheaper fares than UberPool and 75% cheaper than UberX by having users walk to pickup points. Initially available in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Denver, it will expand to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Miami, following pilots in Boston and San Francisco. The service requires users to walk up to two blocks and wait up to two minutes, aiming for more optimal matches and fewer detours. Questions arise about driver compensation and Uber's role in mass transportation.

Nikolas Cruz, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder, allegedly took an Uber to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, before the shooting. Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie confirmed Cruz's arrival and actions. Uber is cooperating with authorities, though the driver's identity remains undisclosed. It is unclear if Cruz had the AR-15 rifle in the Uber.

The Justice Department issued a subpoena to Twitter for personal information about five users who engaged in discussions about policy and law, following a tweet by security researcher Justin Shafer that included a smiley-face emoji. The subpoena is part of a case alleging Shafer cyberstalked FBI Special Agent Nathan Hopp. Twitter is contesting the subpoena, which legal experts consider unconstitutional. The situation raises concerns about the implications for public discourse regarding law enforcement agents on social media.

The Dutch coast has avoided a real estate bubble threatening to fill it with recreational homes, as the government's plans to lift the current beach construction ban were rejected. Environment Minister Melanie Schultz's proposal to relax the rules to make the coast more attractive year-round faced opposition from Congress and over 100,000 signatures collected by the environmental association Natuurmonumenten. Despite Schultz withdrawing her plan, the real estate catalog remains persistent, with projections of up to 7,000 new summer homes by 2019. The issue highlights a coordination problem between the state, provinces, and municipalities in managing coastal protection and development.

The article discusses the significance of the first communion in the Catholic religion, highlighting the transition from innocence to the use of reason in children around the age of seven. It critiques the Church's influence on childhood development, suggesting that religious doctrines are deeply ingrained in the limbic brain during early childhood. The ceremony is portrayed as a symbolic expulsion from the paradise of innocence, with boys and girls dressed in traditional attire reflecting societal and religious expectations.

A news photographer recounts the damage sustained by their Canon 7D camera and other equipment after shooting in a severe winter storm with over 120km/h winds at the Dutch coast. Despite precautions, the camera and a Canon 70-200mm f/4L lens were damaged by sand and water. The Yongnuo flash and Canon 1D Mark II survived. Attempts to revive the 7D using rice were partially successful, but the camera required expensive repairs and was eventually used for parts. The photographer concluded that the 1D series is more reliable for harsh conditions.