The Biden administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene in an emergency dispute over a Texas judge's ruling which prevents pregnant women from obtaining the key abortion drug mifepristone by mail. The Justice Department argues that the ruling countermands the FDA's scientific judgment and would make it more difficult for women to access the drug, particularly in rural areas. The Supreme Court has yet to respond to the motion, which if accepted, would put the lower court ruling on hold and allow women to continue to access the drug by mail.
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Key takeaways: GOP lawmakers are continuing to push for restrictions on abortion access. Republican presidential contenders must balance the party base that favors outlawing the…
Former U.S. Capitol Police officer Michael Riley was sentenced to 120 days of home incarceration and two years of probation for offering advice to a rioter and deleting messages when contacted by the FBI. Logan Barnhart, a 42-year-old pipelayer from Michigan, was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting police at the Capitol during the attack. Judge Amy Berman Jackson took into account Riley's job loss, health issues, and lack of criminal history in delivering the sentence, and noted the seriousness of Barnhart's actions and the need to deter similar behavior in the future.
North Korea has announced the successful test of a new long-range ballistic missile, the Hwasong-18, which it claims is the “most powerful piece” of its growing nuclear arsenal. The test was met with condemnation from the international community, with the United Nations Security Council condemning the launch and the United States expressing its concern. Analysts have said that the test is a sign of North Korea’s continued efforts to build up its nuclear arsenal and enhance its counterattack capabilities.
Cyclone Ilsa, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit Australia in eight years, has caused significant damage in the northwest of the country. Wind speeds reached an apparent record of 289 kilometers (180 miles) per hour, weakening to a Category 2 storm as it moved inland. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of injuries, but the cyclone has caused significant damage to infrastructure and property in the region. The Australian government has deployed emergency services to the affected areas to help with the clean-up and recovery efforts.
On Tuesday, a massive fire broke out at a recycling facility in Indiana, causing thousands of people to evacuate due to concerns of toxic fumes. Documents revealed that the site had been cited for building violations, including several fire hazards. As of Thursday, the fire has been extinguished and the cause is still under investigation. Local officials are urging businesses to ensure that their facilities are up to code and that safety protocols are in place to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida has experienced a historic amount of rainfall this week, resulting in massive flooding, road closures, and disruption to the city. Hundreds of residents have been forced to seek shelter in emergency shelters, and there have been 900 calls for service to the city's fire department. The National Weather Service has reported an additional 2 to 3 inches of rain on Thursday, and the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) sparked controversy after tweeting in defense of Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard arrested in connection with a case involving sensitive documents on the war in Ukraine. Greene's comments were met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, and she doubled down on her comments, suggesting Teixeira had "told the truth" about the war. Republicans praised law enforcement and called for due process, while the case is still under investigation and it is unclear what role Greene's comments will play.