Three Things for February 15
1. Prince Andrew to settle abuse case
Britain’s Prince Andrew has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who said she was sexually trafficked to the British royal by the financier Jeffrey Epstein when she was 17.
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, the deal was discussed in a New York court. The deal avoids a trial and calls for the prince to make a substantial donation to the charity of his accuser, according to AP News.
Attorney David Boies, who represents Giuffre, informed the judge a settlement had been reached and lawyers on both sides will request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.
Giuffre sued Prince Andrew in August 2021 and accused the British royal of sexually abusing her while she traveled with Epstein.
According to a statement from Boies, Prince Andrew acknowledged Epstein trafficked “countless young girls” over many years and said he “regrets his association with Epstein and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.”
To demonstrate his regret, the prince also pledged to support the victims of sex trafficking.
For more information, read the full AP News article.
2. Cleveland firefighters begin 170-mile walk to Nashville
On Feb. 14, local firefighters began a 170-walk to Nashville to raise awareness for the James Dustin Samples Act.
This proposed law would fund PTSD support for firefighters, but with an estimated cost of $4.6 million, the act was deferred to the 2022 session from last year’s calendar.
The bill is named after former Cleveland Fire Department Capt. Dustin Samples. Samples was a 1997 graduate of Cleveland High School, a father of three children and a firefighter suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The scenes that are extraordinary events in the lives of everyday citizens are daily occurrences for first responders. Car accidents, overdoses, house fires, rescues — they begin their endless loop and weigh on the minds of those who answer the call,” reports the Cleveland Daily Banner.
Samples took his own life in December 2020 at age 41.
His wife, Jennifer Samples, and other local firefighters formed the 303 Project. The nonprofit organization seeks to provide mental health resources for firefighters struggling with PTSD.
According to the Cleveland Daily Banner, House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the bill’s language will be under the microscope for lawmakers as they look at whether it will be “up to the employee or employer” to prove whether a firefighter’s PTSD diagnosis occurred on the job or in their personal lives.
Firefighters left from Station No. 5 in Cleveland early morning on Feb. 14 and plan to walk the full 170-mile route to Nashville.
3. Belgium approves four-day workweek
On Tuesday, Feb. 15, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced workers will soon be able to choose a four-day workweek.
The reform package, agreed upon by the country's multi-party coalition government, will also give workers the right to turn off work devices and ignore work-related messages after hours without fear of reprisal.
"We have experienced two difficult years. With this agreement, we set a beacon for an economy that is more innovative, sustainable and digital. The aim is to be able to make people and businesses stronger," De Croo said.
Workers will have the right to request a four-day week for a period of six months. After this, they can choose whether to continue the arrangement or return to a five-day week with no negative consequences.
In addition to Belgium, several other countries are introducing a four-day workweek.
According to Forbes, Scotland, Spain, Japan, Iceland and the United Arab Emirates are also introducing four-day workweeks to their workforce.
