Texas lawmakers approve letting private citizens sue abortion pill providers
A bill that would let Texas residents sue out-of-state abortion pill providers for up to $100,000 has been passed by lawmakers and sent to the governor. It’s the first legislation of its kind in any state. Supporters hail it as a tool to stop medication abortions, which remain available despite being illegal in Texas. Abortion rights groups deride it as a “bounty hunter bill” that would encourage private citizens to engage in a form of legalized vigilante justice. Lawmakers agreed to cap the award for most people at $10,000, with the other $90,000 to go to charity. If the law is signed, it’s likely to face legal challenges.
Florida plans to become first state to eliminate all childhood vaccine mandates
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Florida plans to become the first state to eliminate vaccine mandates that have been a cornerstone of public health policy for decades in keeping schoolchildren and citizens safe from infectious diseases. State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo describes current vaccine requirements as an immoral intrusion on rights. He argues that parents should make health decisions for their children. Vaccines have been proven over decades of use to be safe and the most effective way to stop the spread of communicable diseases, especially among schoolchildren. Dr. Rana Alissa from the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that removing vaccines increases risks for students and staff.
Epstein survivors implore Congress to act as push for disclosure builds
WASHINGTON (AP) — Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse have gathered on Capitol Hill to demand the release of the sex trafficking investigation into the late financier. On Wednesday, they pushed back against President Donald Trump's dismissal of the issue as a "hoax." During a news conference, the women shared their experiences and called for transparency and accountability. Lawmakers are divided on how to proceed, with some Republicans supporting a bill to force the Department of Justice to release records. The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee has released some documents. Survivors see this as a crucial moment for justice and accountability.
Famed streetcar in Lisbon, Portugal, derails and crashes, killing 15 people
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portuguese emergency services say an electric streetcar that is one of Lisbon’s big tourist attractions has derailed, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others. Emergency response officials said five of the injured are in serious condition and a child is among the injured. It said an unknown number of the injured are foreigners. The yellow-and-white streetcar, which goes up and down a steep downtown hill in tandem with one going the opposite way, was lying on its side on the narrow road after Wednesday's accident. Eyewitnesses said the streetcar careened down the hill, apparently out of control. The City Council suspended operations of other streetcars in Lisbon and ordered immediate inspections.
Trump asks Supreme Court to quickly take up tariffs case and reverse ruling finding them illegal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is taking the fight over tariffs to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to rule quickly that the president has the power to impose sweeping import taxes under federal law. In an appeal filed late Wednesday, the government called on the court to reverse an appeals court ruling that most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs were illegal under an emergency powers law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit left the tariffs in place for now. The administration nevertheless called on the high court to intervene quickly, arguing the ruling is harming trade negotiations and international relations.
Judge reverses Trump administration's cuts of billions of dollars to Harvard University
BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge in Boston has ordered the reversal of over $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard University. The ruling, issued Wednesday, marks a significant victory for Harvard in its legal battle with the Trump administration. Judge Allison Burroughs found the cuts were illegal retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House demands on governance and policies. The administration had linked the funding freezes to antisemitism issues on campus, but the judge called this a smokescreen. The White House said the administration would appeal the decision, making it unlikely that researchers receive funding any time soon.
Trump says US strike targeting Venezuelan gang will cause cartels to think twice
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is justifying the lethal military strike that his administration said was carried out a day earlier against a Venezuelan gang as a necessary effort by the United States to send an unmistakable message to Latin American cartels. Meawhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that such operations “will happen again.” Rubio at news conference as he visited Mexico City on Wednesday added that previous U.S. interdiction efforts in Latin America have not worked. He said, “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them."
Trump suggests National Guard could go into New Orleans, a blue city in a red state
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump suggests New Orleans could be his next target for deploying the National Guard to fight crime. This follows his decision to send additional law enforcement to Chicago and Baltimore. Trump said Wednesday that Louisiana's Republican governor wanted him to send in law enforcement to help police the state's biggest city. City leaders are balking at the idea. City Councilmember Oliver Thomas noted that crime has decreased in New Orleans and calls the move "very political or a major overreaction!” Trump’s latest comments came a day after he suggested that the National Guard might soon be deployed to Chicago and Baltimore.
With Israeli advance looming, Palestinians in Gaza City ask when to leave and where to go
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — With Israel promising a punishing new offensive, Palestinians in Gaza's largest city are paralyzed with fear. They are unsure where to go, when to leave and if they will ever return. Israel has declared Gaza City to be a combat zone while the military moves forward with plans to overtake it in a campaign to crush Hamas. Parts of the city are already considered “red zones,” where Palestinians have been ordered to evacuate ahead of expected heavy fighting. That has left people there on edge. Departing the city now could mean leaving for good, but staying behind could be deadly.
The president blamed AI and embraced doing so. Is it becoming the new 'fake news'?
Politicians are increasingly blaming artificial intelligence to dodge accountability for embarrassing situations. AI can't defend itself, making it an easy target. This tactic is known as “the liar's dividend,” where the untruthful benefit when truth is hard to discern. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump dismissed a viral video of someone tossing something out a White House window as “probably AI.” Experts warn this practice can be dangerous, eroding trust in real evidence. Polls show many Americans are wary of AI, with concerns about its use in spreading fake information. This trend could lead to a future where accountability is lost.
