A federal judge in Texas is deciding on a serious challenge to the abortion pill, which could eliminate patient’s access to the medication even in states where abortion is legal and protected. The lawsuit was filed by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group on behalf of antiabortion medical organizations. The pill, also known as mifepristone and misoprostol, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000 as a safe and effective way to terminate early pregnancies.
At the hearing on Wednesday, Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk questioned the FDA's approval process and whether the medication has met the "rigorous federal standard" necessary to be prescribed in the United States. He also discussed the impact of a 19th-century law that prohibits sending articles "for any indecent or immoral use" through the postal service. Kacsmaryk left court after
On Tuesday a Russian fighter jet forced down a US Air Force drone over international waters in the Black Sea. US European Command claim that the jet intentionally flew in front of the MQ-9 Reaper drone and dropped fuel on it several times, potentially causing it to crash.
Russia has pushed back on claims from the US, denying its jets "came into contact" with the drone. The Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, stated that its aircraft was too close to the Russian border and that Moscow did not want a "confrontation" with the US. The drone has not been recovered.
The incident is the first known interaction between Russian and US aircraft, and could be seen as a dangerous escalation at a critical time in the war felt across the region, prompting US EUCOM to express "strong objections" to Russian diplomats.
Meanwhile,
The Biden administration has made it clear: Chinese-owned TikTok must be sold or face looming consequences. In a surprising shift of policy, the White House has now explicitly threatened to ban the popular video-sharing app if its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance, don’t divest. This directive will almost certainly be met with a legal challenge from TikTok’s parent company.
Though the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) adopted measures to prevent users’ data from being mishandled, the Biden administration still claims that the safety of Americans’ data needs to be better safeguarded. ByteDance’s “Project Texas” plan deploys a firewall between TikTok and the Beijing parent company and also creates independent monitors and auditors to ensure that no entity will access U.S. user data. Despite the
MIAMI -- On Wednesday night, Puerto Rico claimed a stunning 5-2 upset victory over the heavily favored Dominican Republic in a thrilling game that sent a sold-out crowd of 36,025 into a frenzy at LoanDepot Park. However, the euphoria of Puerto Rico's advancement to the quarterfinals quickly dissipated after star pitcher Edwin Diaz, of the New York Mets, suffered a terrifying injury in the post-victory celebration.
As Diaz rose to celebrate with his teammates, his right knee suddenly buckled, leaving him writhing in pain on the ground. Despite being injured, Diaz had only moments earlier converted a save for Puerto Rico, aided by Christian Vazquez’s lead-off home run and a brilliant five consecutive hit run in the third-inning.
The cause of Diaz's injury remains unknown, but this tragic accident serves as an illustration of the real risk that comes with high
Due to a conservative Christian organization’s legal challenge, a federal judge in Texas has questioned whether mifepristone, an abortion pill approved for safe use over 23 years ago, should remain legal in states with access to abortions. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee who has views opposing abortion, raised the question on Wednesday during the first hearing for a legal challenge of the FDA-approved abortion pill.
The Alliance Defending Freedom filed the lawsuit on behalf of conservative medical organizations and four doctors who have treated patients with mifepristone. They claim the regulated accelerated process used by the FDA to approve the abortion pill is not sufficient and the medication is unsafe. As it has been used successfully in the U.S. for more than two decades, legal professionals and scientists are fighting the case, denouncing it as baseless.
The challenge
Amid increasing national security concerns around the popular video-sharing app TikTok, the Biden administration has hardened its stance towards resolving the matter. The White House has reportedly demanded that the app's Chinese ownership, ByteDance, must sell their shares in the app and has backed legislation that would allow for a ban of the platform in the U.S. if the owner does not comply.
TikTok has proposed a security program that stores American user's data in the U.S. and has expressed disappointment in the White House's decision. However, the White House still appears opposed to the idea, citing that a change in ownership would not ensure the restriction of data flows or access.
TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew will be appearing in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee next week to answer questions about the app's ties to China as well as
On Tuesday, the U.S. military made the unprecedented claim that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet had clipped the propeller of an American MQ-9 drone, which then caused it to crash into the Black Sea. Moscow vehemently denied this accusation and instead said that the incident was a deliberate provocation on the part of U.S. forces.
This is the first direct encounter between the two countries since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2020. The U.S. has been supporting Ukraine throughout the conflict with military aid and conducting regular surveillance missions.
In response, Ukrainian President Voldoymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address that the military commanders were unanimously in favor of defending the eastern frontline, including the ruined city of Bakhmut. He ended the address by dismissing the governors of three regions: Luhansk, Odesa and Khnelnitskiy.
Peter Schmeichel has made waves in the soccer world as he weighed in with his opinion of Liverpool’s chances of overcoming Real Madrid in their Champions League clash. However, former defender and coach Neil Ruddock urged the club to take heart from their 7-0 demolition of arch-rival Manchester United and the famous comeback in the 2005 Champions League final when the Reds went from a 3-0 half-time deficit to win on penalties.
Liverpool travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Madrid on Wednesday, knowing they will have to overturn a 5-2 deficit to reach the quarter-finals of the competition. The Jekyll and Hyde season has made the task difficult to feel positive about but with Klopp’s men showcasing their ability to shock teams in the second-half of their 7-0 win, there is still hope.
Peter Schmeichel has given Liverpool a fighting chance, upping
At SXSW 2023, cryptocurrency Shiba Inu is launching SHIB The Metaverse, an immersive extended reality experience built on its layer 2 technology Shibarium. The WAGMI Temple Hub, the first of eleven hubs in the SHIB metaverse, debuted during the festival. Visitors are able to experience the hub with no need of a VR headset, while in-depth details on the history of SHIB's creation and its decentralization roots were revealed.
Striving to provide a “Zen-like realm of calming sensations, meditation, natural beauty, and spiritual connections to the world”, the WAGMI Temple Hub guides users through SHIB's history while offering glimpses of what is possible in the metaverse. On March 11th, Shiba Inu Chief Developer Shytoshi Kusama shared a screenshot of the WAGMI Temple to their Twitter page, providing
Liverpool is reputedly one of the best cities in the world, with residents brimming with character and personality. With such a wide range of areas across the city, it can be difficult to determine the best fit for everyone. To assist in that search, Liverpool fans can complete a quiz to discover which part of the city is the perfect fit.
But that's not the only story from the city today. Two Liverpool fans were arrested in central Madrid on Tuesday night after attempting to leave without paying their bar bill of EUR2,200. The men, aged 52 and 49, had been ordering shots, champagne and long drinks, falsely claiming to be millionaires so that the waiting staff would not question their spending. After the National Police were called due to their refusal to pay, a violent response ensued, leading to the arrest of the two men.
Liverpool FC also has over 300 officially recognized fan clubs known as OL
Honda Motor Company announced an urgent recall of 500,000 vehicles in North America due to a potential issue with seat belts not latching properly. The recall affects several of Honda’s top-selling models: the 2017 through 2020 CR-V, 2018 and 2019 Accord, 2018 through 2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and the Acura RDX from 2019 and 2020 model years.
According to U.S. safety regulators, the surface coating on the channel for the buckle can degrade over time and the release button can shrink against the channel at lower temperatures. This increases friction, which can stop the buckle from latching properly. Without a secure latch, the driver and passenger may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has required Honda to repair the vehicles in the recall free of charge. If you or someone you know has one
Starting Monday, a three-year project to repair Kennedy Expressway will begin, creating major delays for commuters and transforming the look of the expressway. The project, costing $150 million, will repair all 36 bridges between the Edens and Ohio Street as well as add new signage, LED lighting, and patch potholes in the pavement.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will close two inbound lanes of the Kennedy overnight Monday into Tuesday morning, aiming to reduce the amount of traffic on the road. It is expected that the delays will continue throughout the year due to lane shifts and overnight lane closures. IDOT recommends that commuters use public transportation during this time or seek alternative routes to their destination.
John Schumache, IDOT Engineer, commented on the need for the repairs, “Our last major rehabilitation was back in the early 90s. So we're about 30 years on from when
On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, appointed by former President Donald Trump, heard arguments for a lawsuit to ban an abortion medication used widely in the U.S. for over two decades. The case was filed by a coalition of anti-abortion groups called the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine to overturn the Food and Drug Administration's approval of pills used to terminate pregnancies, which account for more than half of abortions.
The plaintiffs requested a preliminary injunction to remove mifepristone, one pill in the two-drug regimen, off the market and the attorneys focused on the FDA's regulatory and approval process rather than abortion access. Attorney Erik Baptist, with the Alliance Defending Freedom, was unable to provide an example of a long-established drug being pulled off shelves and Justice Department lawyer Julie Straus Harris argued that removing the drug would be unprecedented.
Crystal Palace are in the midst of their worst run in years under the new manager, Patrick Veira. As of March 8, 2023 Veira has yet to notch a victory in nine games, prompting boos of backlash from frustrated supporters. With premier league matches against Manchester City, Brighton, and Veira's old club Arsenal in the near future, it appears the manager must battle his own team to secure a win.
Veira is aware of the dilemma and finds comfort in remaining in the same page with his young, inexperienced team. Despite their age and minimal Premier League experience, Veira believes that with adequate playing time and the right guidance the players can flourish into top players.
The 11-0 defeat at Aston Villa was not the result Palace were hoping for, but fans did see progress in their defense. Despite the loss, Veira maintained optimism regarding his team's prospects looking forward
Ryan Reynolds has scored big with the news of T-Mobile's acquisition of Mint Mobile in a deal worth potentially up to $1.35 billion. The second largest wireless carrier in the US has announced it is buying the prepaid wireless carrier owned by Ka’ena Corporation that consists of 3 companies. Besides Mint, Ultra Mobile, another prepaid wireless service and wireless wholesaler Plum are all included in the deal.
Reynolds, who has a nearly 25% stake in Mint Mobile, is set to stay on in his 'creative role' for the company. The actor seemed proud of the success of the company and was amused that his mom Tammy Reynolds placed a last minute bid to have their family acquire it. “I never dreamt I'd sell [Mint Mobile] to T-Mobile,” he said. “Life is strange and I'm incredibly proud and grateful.
Pat McAfee, former punter and current media mogul, could be walking away from his $120 million deal with FanDuel just two years into the agreement. In a recent interview with the NY Post, McAfee opened up conversations about his future with the company, saying that, even though his four-year deal is paying him over $30 million annually, he is currently contemplating leaving early because of the busy work that the deal requires.
McAfee also gave insight into what is causing his contemplation; he has recently married and will soon be expecting his first child. The former punter went on to explain that in order to shape the next generation, he would need to be around and present, which requires his time. It seems that McAfee's current work and responsibilities are taking too much time away from his life, and that the thought of the time his daughter would need has been giving him cause
The confrontation between the United States and Russia escalated Wednesday, with Moscow claiming that the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone near the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula proved Washington’s “direct involvement” in the conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin added that Moscow was attempting to recover the wreckage from the Black Sea.
Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, stated that the drone incident was a “confirmation” of what Moscow has repeatedly claimed—the US and NATO are now direct war participants, supplying weapons and intelligence to the Kyiv government and pressing for an end to negotiations.
The US countered these claims and labeled the incident as a reflection of Moscow’s “aggressive and risky behavior” and pledged to continue their surveillance. In order to recover the drone, the US would need to secure the data it collected and deal with the
On Tuesday morning, the US and Russia were involved in a tense encounter over the Black Sea when a Reaper drone belonging to the US crashed after being attacked by a Russian Su-27 fighter jet. US European Command stated that the fighter jet had intentionally flown directly in front of the drone and dumped fuel on it several times before hitting the propeller and forcing it to crash.
The incident has been labeled dangerous, reckless, and unprofessional by the US with the U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker stating that: "This unsafe and unprofessional act by the Russians nearly caused both aircraft to crash." Consequently, Russia's ambassador to the US was summoned to the US State Department to be confronted about the incident. US President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the situation by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The US has released a statement of their side of the story, and Russian authorities
The United States has been warned to stop “hostile” activity near the Russian border after a dramatic incident in the Black Sea. According to the US military, a Russian fighter jet harassed and then collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper drone, forcing the drone to be brought down in international waters. Washington said it was a “brazen violation of international law,” summoning Moscow's envoy to lodge a protest.
However, Russia denied its aircrafts came "into contact" with the drone and accused the US of being to blame for conducting surveillance near its airspace. Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, said during a meeting at the State Department that the "unacceptable actions of the United States military in the close proximity to our borders are cause for concern." He noted that these actions “gather intelligence, which is subsequently used by the Kyiv
Today in pop culture news, the Bella Twins, prolific and decorated WWE superstars, have announced their transition to the Garcia Twins. This change comes at the end of their contract with the WWE, kicking off their ‘next chapter’. Nikki and Brie, now known as Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia respectively, are looking forward to solidifying their place in the entertainment industry. The sisters, who have been integral parts of the WWE since 2007, have since attained many accolades, including being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020.
While their new monikers have stirred some speculation about their ties to the WWE, it has been clarified that the pair have not left the organization. In fact, this summer the sisters will be hosting the reality dating series Twin Love, continuing to make appearances on existing television shows.
The pair may have said goodbye to the wrestling ring for a
This week, the eyes of the nation are on the Northern District Court of Texas where Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk is presiding over a lawsuit brought by an anti-choice organization aimed to revoke the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a drug used in early-stage medication abortion. If the ruling goes in favor of the plaintiff, abortion access will be greatly hindered in Massachusetts and other states across the U.S. that currently allow the procedure.
The plaintiffs of the suit claim the FDA ignored the harmful, yet unproven, side effects of the drug that has been in use for decades. Experts argue, however, that the motivation for the case is to effectively eliminate any means of abortion, especially in response to the Supreme Court's ruling of overturning Roe v. Wade last year.
Judge Kacsmaryk's recent attempt of thwart
Senators slammed Russia on Tuesday over a recent incident where a Russian fighter jet intercepted and downed a US drone in the Black Sea. The incident is seen as a provocation and a heightening of already tense tensions between the US and Russia.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the intercept “dangerous” and “brazen,” and warned President Putin that such behavior could lead to “unintended escalation.” White House national security spokesman John Kirby responded, stating that the US would not be deterred from flying in international airspace, including over the Black Sea.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed (D-R.I.) called the incident “unprofessional” and said it “disregarded the basic rule of international law.” His colleague, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), echoed the
Tensions rose between the United States and Russia after a U.S. MQ-9 drone was forced down in international waters by a Russian Su-27 aircraft. Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that the drone was conducting an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission when it was intercepted. The Kremlin's forces were not able to retrieve the MQ-9 after the crash. Moscow has pinned the blame on the drone flying "provocatively" with its transponders off, alongside claiming that the Su-27's attempt to bring the drone down was justified for this reason and accused Washington of deploying drones to assist Ukraine.
Prominent Republicans have harshly criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for suggesting the war in Ukraine was a "territorial dispute". The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has shown no signs of letting up, with regular positional battles occurring in
The Pitt Panthers kicked off their Spring drills on Tuesday with a lot of fresh faces ready to make their mark on the team. As Pitt football works to build on their successful nine-win season, themajor changes come in the form of departing starters, new additions, and a wealth of youthful talent.
Many eyes will be on quarterback Phil Jurkovec and Christian Veilleux who both carry high expectations firmly on their shoulders. Jurkovec has a final year of eligibility and has already made headlines as he opted to stay with Pitt after transferring twice previously. Veilleux comes with a four-star pedigree and will push Jurkovec for the role. Joe Dieffenbach is a freshman to watch with his high school career in basketball officially over and ready to fully focus on the gridiron.
The running game is also ushering in a wave of change with Israel Abanikanda and Vincent Davis
Sixteen teams in the CONCACAF Champions League contest for a coveted piece of silverware to kick off tonight, but the attention will turn to Liga MX side Atlas, who look to restore Mexican pride after a historic result last year. By no means will it be an easy task. They must face Honduran side Olimpia in the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula tonight at 8:00 PM EST, with a 37,325 fan capacity expected.
Though Olimpia was voted in, Atlas earned the right to participate in the tournament after defeating Leon in the Apertura 2021 Final, and then once again against Pachuca in the Clausura 2022. But recent signs suggest Atlas may have trouble wading through the competition after a run of injuries and fatigue have hurt the Zorros. Coach Benjamin Mora will have his work
