The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in most cases. The ruling found that the Oklahoma Constitution provides an "inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life." The ruling is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and provides a measure of clarity on the legality of abortion in the state.
Posts published in “Health”
A federal appeals court has approved a deal granting immunity to the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, from civil claims related to the opioid crisis. The plan will see Purdue Pharma become a new company, Knoa, with profits going to a fund to prevent and treat addiction. The family will contribute $5.5-$6 billion in cash over time, or around half of their collective fortune. This settlement is the latest development in the opioid crisis, and is hoped to help fund much-needed addiction programs.
Queensland Man Escapes Close Encounter with Saltwater Crocodile While Snorkeling Off Cape York Coast
Queensland Man Escapes Close Encounter with Saltwater Crocodile While Snorkeling Off Cape York Coast
On Saturday, Marcus McGowan had a close encounter with a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling off the Cape York Coast in Australia. He was able to pry the reptile's jaws off his head and fend it off with his right hand, which was subsequently bitten. McGowan was taken to hospital and treated for lacerations to his head and right hand, with the Queensland Government's hospital service saying he was "very lucky" to have escaped the attack.
Elizabeth Holmes, founder of the now-defunct Theranos, has begun her 11-year sentence for defrauding investors of millions of dollars. Holmes was able to raise more than $700 million in venture capital funding for the company, but its technology was never able to live up to its promise and was eventually exposed as a fraud. Her conviction serves as a reminder of the consequences of fraud and the importance of due diligence when investing.
The Carter family has announced that Rosalynn Carter, the former first lady and wife of Jimmy Carter, has been diagnosed with dementia. The Carter Center emphasized Rosalynn's advocacy for mental health and noted that she is still living happily at home with her husband. As Jimmy Carter is receiving hospice care, the nation is sending its best wishes to the Carters.
Hundreds of people gathered at Loose Park in Kansas City, Missouri for the annual Going the Distance for Brain Injury race in honor of 17-year-old Ralph Yarl, who was shot and suffered a traumatic brain injury in April. Yarl was joined by his mother, Cleo Nagbe, and other family, friends, and brain injury survivors, who spoke about the need to raise awareness about the causes of brain injuries, particularly gun violence. The event was a success, with many participants expressing their support for Yarl and the cause.
Hundreds of spectators gathered in Gloucester, England on Monday to witness the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling event, a centuries-old tradition of racers chasing a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a near-vertical hill. Nineteen-year-old Delaney Irving, from Canada, was knocked out during the race but still managed to win the women's race. Despite her fall, Irving was seen smiling with her cheese and supporters, proud of her accomplishment.
Churchill Downs has experienced a tragic month with 12 horses suffering fatal injuries on the racetrack. The two most recent fatalities occurred on Saturday and Friday, with both horses euthanized due to “inoperable and unrecoverable” injuries. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is currently investigating the deaths and has implemented a number of safety measures, including the use of a synthetic track surface, to reduce the risk of injury. Churchill Downs has expressed their sorrow for the loss of the animals and their commitment to ensuring the safety of the horses and the sport.