Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (June 29) announced the US reinforcements of NATO forces in Europe at a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday (June 29) announced the US reinforcements of NATO forces in Europe at a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The leaders of NATO nations have gathered in the Spanish capital, Madrid, for a summit to discuss the transatlantic ties. During the meeting with Stoltenberg, Biden announced that the US will enhance its "force posture" in Europe, consisting of US military air, sea and land reinforcements on the continent in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Biden also said that the alliance is needed more today "than it ever has been." "We mean it when we say an attack against one is an attack against all," he told reporters at the start of a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. "We're sending an unmistakable message ... that NATO is strong, united and the steps we're taking during this summit are going to further augment our collective strength." "Together with our allies we're going to make sure that NATO is ready to meet the threats from all directions across every domain," Biden said. ALSO READ | Putin has become 'a terrorist,'says Zelensky, urges UN to expel Russia Referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Biden said that in a moment when Russian President Vladimir Putin has shattered peace in Europe and attacked the "very, very tenets of rule-based order", the United States and our allies are going to step up. "We're stepping up, proving that NATO is more needed now than it ever has been and it's important as it ever has been." WATCH | Turkiye signs agreement to support Finland, Sweden NATO bids × Biden said the extra forces included: Boosting the fleet of US naval destroyers from four to six in Rota, Spain. A permanent headquarters in Poland of the 5th Army Corps. An "additional rotational brigade" in Romania, consisting of "3,000 fighters and another 2,000 personnel combat team." Enhanced rotational deployments in the Baltic countries. Two additional squadrons of the F-35 stealth plane to Britain. "Additional air defence and other capabilities in Germany and in Italy." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'We're stepping up': Joe Biden announces US military air, sea, land reinforcements in Europe

A top aide of Donald Trump testified on Tuesday that the former United States President tried to grab the steering wheel of his car in order to drive to the US Capitol Hill riots on January 6 last year. Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked with Trump's then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, also told a House Committee that Trump was not concerned about his supporters carrying firearms at the venue of his speech on January 6 and even asked the guards to stop screening them in order to make the crowd "look bigger".

"Take the effing mags away; they're not here to hurt me," Hutchinson said according to Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-to-invite-finland-and-sweden-to-join-alliance-after-turkiye-lifts-objections-492760" hreflang="en">Finland, Sweden set to become NATO members after Türkiye lifts objections</a>

Hutchinson was testifying in front of a House committee regarding the January 6 riots. She said that when the Trump supporters started to riot at the US Capitol, the former US President did not want to go back to the White House, and he asked the Secret Service to take him to the venue.

"'I'm the effing president. Take me up to the Capitol now,'" Hutchinson testified.

Hutchinson added that the White House staff were alarmed by the idea of Trump joining his supporters at Capitol Hill amid tensions regarding his claims about the election results.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-socialite-ghislaine-maxwell-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison-over-sex-trafficking-492753">Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison over sex trafficking</a>

"We're going to get charged with every crime imaginable," White House counsellor Pat Cipollone told Hutchinson according to her testimony on Tuesday.

"'We need to make sure that this doesn't happen, this would be a really terrible idea for us. We have serious legal concerns if we go up to the Capitol that day,'" Cipollone said, Hutchinson testified.

Trump was quick to dismiss the entire story as he wrote on Truth Social - "Her Fake story that I tried to grab the steering wheel of the White House Limousine in order to steer it to the Capitol Building is 'sick' and fraudulent".

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A top aide of Donald Trump testified on Tuesday that the former United States President tried to grab the steering wheel of his car in order to drive to the US Capitol Hill riots on January 6 last year.

A top aide of Donald Trump testified on Tuesday that the former United States President tried to grab the steering wheel of his car in order to drive to the US Capitol Hill riots on January 6 last year. Cassidy Hutchinson, who worked with Trump's then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, also told a House Committee that Trump was not concerned about his supporters carrying firearms at the venue of his speech on January 6 and even asked the guards to stop screening them in order to make the crowd "look bigger". "Take the effing mags away; they're not here to hurt me," Hutchinson said according to Reuters. Also read | Finland, Sweden set to become NATO members after Türkiye lifts objections Hutchinson was testifying in front of a House committee regarding the January 6 riots. She said that when the Trump supporters started to riot at the US Capitol, the former US President did not want to go back to the White House, and he asked the Secret Service to take him to the venue. "'I'm the effing president. Take me up to the Capitol now,'" Hutchinson testified. Hutchinson added that the White House staff were alarmed by the idea of Trump joining his supporters at Capitol Hill amid tensions regarding his claims about the election results. Also read | Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years in prison over sex trafficking "We're going to get charged with every crime imaginable," White House counsellor Pat Cipollone told Hutchinson according to her testimony on Tuesday. "'We need to make sure that this doesn't happen, this would be a really terrible idea for us. We have serious legal concerns if we go up to the Capitol that day,'" Cipollone said, Hutchinson testified. Trump was quick to dismiss the entire story as he wrote on Truth Social - "Her Fake story that I tried to grab the steering wheel of the White House Limousine in order to steer it to the Capitol Building is 'sick' and fraudulent". WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Donald Trump 'wanted to join US Capitol riot', says former White House top aide

United states: A passenger train derailed in northern Missouri after hitting a dump truck at a crossing. At least three people have been killed and 50 injured in the mishap, approximately 207 passengers were on board.

United States | At least 3 dead, multiple injured after Amtrak train derails in Missouri

Three people were killed and at least two injured as an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle at an unprotected crossing in the United States. The incident happened near Brentwood, California as the passenger train collided with a truck which was crossing the tracks, according to a report by East Bay Times. The Contra Costa county coroner’s office said that Mercedes Regaldo, 51, Maria Nieves, 72, and Julia Mondragon, 41, were pronounced dead at the scene while two people, were airlifted to the nearby hospital. However, none of the passengers on the train were injured in the accident.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-missile-strike-on-shopping-mall-kills-at-least-13-people-ukraine-says-492413" hreflang="en">Russian missile strike on shopping mall kills at least 13 people, Ukraine says</a>

“It’s in a rural area where there are no guards or signals,” Steve Aubert, a fire marshal with the East Contra Costa fire protection district, said according to a report by CNN.

Aubert also said that the crossing is considered to be “highly potentially dangerous” by the authorities and collisions are common near the crossing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-is-not-the-time-for-negotiations-with-russia-zelensky-to-g7-countries-492242" hreflang="en">Now is not the time for negotiations with Russia, Zelensky to G7 countries</a>

"It's in the rural part of our district, so it's a lot more farmland out there. There are no crossing arms, there are no signals at that crossover, and it's not the first accident that we've been to at that same spot. Trains are allowed to go up to 80 miles-per-hour along that stretch, so it doesn't take long for a train to catch up right at that crossing there," Aubert said in the report.

The railroad company BNSF is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, but they said that the line is open for traffic as train services resumed on the route.

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Three people were killed and at least two injured as an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle at an unprotected crossing in the United States. The incident happened near Brentwood, California as the passenger train collided with a truck which was crossing the tracks, according to a report by East Bay Times.

Three people were killed and at least two injured as an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle at an unprotected crossing in the United States. The incident happened near Brentwood, California as the passenger train collided with a truck which was crossing the tracks, according to a report by East Bay Times. The Contra Costa county coroner’s office said that Mercedes Regaldo, 51, Maria Nieves, 72, and Julia Mondragon, 41, were pronounced dead at the scene while two people, were airlifted to the nearby hospital. However, none of the passengers on the train were injured in the accident. Also read | Russian missile strike on shopping mall kills at least 13 people, Ukraine says “It’s in a rural area where there are no guards or signals,” Steve Aubert, a fire marshal with the East Contra Costa fire protection district, said according to a report by CNN. Aubert also said that the crossing is considered to be “highly potentially dangerous” by the authorities and collisions are common near the crossing. Also read | Now is not the time for negotiations with Russia, Zelensky to G7 countries "It's in the rural part of our district, so it's a lot more farmland out there. There are no crossing arms, there are no signals at that crossover, and it's not the first accident that we've been to at that same spot. Trains are allowed to go up to 80 miles-per-hour along that stretch, so it doesn't take long for a train to catch up right at that crossing there," Aubert said in the report. The railroad company BNSF is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, but they said that the line is open for traffic as train services resumed on the route. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Three killed and two injured as Amtrak train collides with car in United States

In March, a secret meeting of top military officials from Israel and Arab countries was convened by the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (June 26) citing officials from the US and the region.&nbsp;

The meeting, which remained previously undisclosed, was apparently held to explore ways to coordinate against Iran's growing missile and drone capabilities.&nbsp;

The talks were held at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. As per the report, the meeting included participants from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain&nbsp;and Jordan.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-announced-600-billion-global-infrastructure-plan-to-rival-chinas-bri-492064">G7 announced $600 billion global infrastructure plan to rival China’s BRI</a>

It is the first time that such a range of ranking Israeli and Arab officers have met under US military officials as they discussed how to defend against a common threat.&nbsp;

The WSJ report mentioned that the US was represented by the then-head of the US Central Command General Frank McKenzie.&nbsp;

According to sources familiar with the talks, participants reached an agreement on procedures for rapid notification when aerial threats are detected.&nbsp;

The sources added that the alerts would be passed by phone or computer and not through a US-style military data sharing system.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-nations-to-announce-ban-on-import-of-new-russian-gold-492029">G7 nations to announce ban on import of new Russian gold</a>

Col. Joe Buccino, a Central Command spokesman of US said in a statement that the command "maintains a firm commitment to increasing regional cooperation and developing integrated air and missile defense architecture to protect our force and our regional partners."&nbsp;

He added tha Iran "is the primary destabilizing factor across the Middle East." Although he didn't acknowledge the Sharm El Sheikh meeting.&nbsp;

Notably, US President Joe Biden is planning to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia in mid-July. No details have emerged but a National Security Council spokeswoman said the White House supported "broadening and deepening Arab-Israeli ties."&nbsp;

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In March, a secret meeting of top military officials from Israel and Arab countries was convened by the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (June 26) citing officials from the US and the region.

In March, a secret meeting of top military officials from Israel and Arab countries was convened by the United States, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday (June 26) citing officials from the US and the region. The meeting, which remained previously undisclosed, was apparently held to explore ways to coordinate against Iran's growing missile and drone capabilities. The talks were held at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. As per the report, the meeting included participants from Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan. ALSO READ | G7 announced $600 billion global infrastructure plan to rival China’s BRI It is the first time that such a range of ranking Israeli and Arab officers have met under US military officials as they discussed how to defend against a common threat. The WSJ report mentioned that the US was represented by the then-head of the US Central Command General Frank McKenzie. According to sources familiar with the talks, participants reached an agreement on procedures for rapid notification when aerial threats are detected. The sources added that the alerts would be passed by phone or computer and not through a US-style military data sharing system. ALSO READ | G7 nations to announce ban on import of new Russian gold Col. Joe Buccino, a Central Command spokesman of US said in a statement that the command "maintains a firm commitment to increasing regional cooperation and developing integrated air and missile defense architecture to protect our force and our regional partners." He added tha Iran "is the primary destabilizing factor across the Middle East." Although he didn't acknowledge the Sharm El Sheikh meeting. Notably, US President Joe Biden is planning to visit Israel and Saudi Arabia in mid-July. No details have emerged but a National Security Council spokeswoman said the White House supported "broadening and deepening Arab-Israeli ties." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US held secret meeting of top military officials from Israel, Arab to discuss Iran: Report

'They are willing to let me die': Protests rock US as abortion ban takes effect in 'trigger law' states

Three people were wounded and one person was arrested following a shooting Saturday at an automotive interior products warehouse in suburban Chicago, as reported by AP.

Bolingbrook police responded about 6:25 a.m. to reports of the shooting at the WeatherTech facility, Capt. Anthony Columbus told WLS-TV.

In a statement, the Bolingbrook Police Department said one person died, another victim is in critical condition, and the third person wounded has been released from an area hospital.&nbsp;

Officials confirmed the shootings and the number of people injured but did not release information on their conditions or the extent of their wounds, according to WGN-TV.

The suspected shooter fled the building, but was found about 9:25 a.m. and taken into custody, police said.

According to CBS Chicago, Illinois senator Eric Mattson issued a statement saying, "My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I pray that the three people who've been shot will recover. While much remains to be learned about the perpetrator, what's clear is that this individual should not have had a gun because they were not mentally fit to be a responsible gun owner.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-talks-with-united-states-to-resume-soon-says-eus-foreign-policy-chief-491767">Iran-US nuclear talks to resume soon, says EU’s foreign policy chief</a>

"We need real gun reform, and we need it now. Without taking action, we continue to put people and first responders at risk of devastation and tragedy," he added.

President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law the first significant federal bill on gun safety in decades, saying that while it falls short of what's really needed it will "save lives."

"While this bill doesn't do everything I want, it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives," he said at the White House before leaving for two major diplomatic summits in Europe, as reported by AFP.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Three people were wounded and one person was arrested following a shooting Saturday at an automotive interior products warehouse in suburban Chicago, as reported by AP.

Three people were wounded and one person was arrested following a shooting Saturday at an automotive interior products warehouse in suburban Chicago, as reported by AP. Bolingbrook police responded about 6:25 a.m. to reports of the shooting at the WeatherTech facility, Capt. Anthony Columbus told WLS-TV. In a statement, the Bolingbrook Police Department said one person died, another victim is in critical condition, and the third person wounded has been released from an area hospital. Officials confirmed the shootings and the number of people injured but did not release information on their conditions or the extent of their wounds, according to WGN-TV. The suspected shooter fled the building, but was found about 9:25 a.m. and taken into custody, police said. According to CBS Chicago, Illinois senator Eric Mattson issued a statement saying, "My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and I pray that the three people who've been shot will recover. While much remains to be learned about the perpetrator, what's clear is that this individual should not have had a gun because they were not mentally fit to be a responsible gun owner. Also Read: Iran-US nuclear talks to resume soon, says EU’s foreign policy chief "We need real gun reform, and we need it now. Without taking action, we continue to put people and first responders at risk of devastation and tragedy," he added. President Joe Biden on Saturday signed into law the first significant federal bill on gun safety in decades, saying that while it falls short of what's really needed it will "save lives." "While this bill doesn't do everything I want, it does include actions I've long called for that are going to save lives," he said at the White House before leaving for two major diplomatic summits in Europe, as reported by AFP. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US gun terror: One dead in Chicago warehouse shooting

The Vatican's Academy for Life and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) applauded the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to abortion.

The Vatican department said in a statement that because life has "broad social significance" it cannot be protected just through the lens of individual rights.

The momentous Roe v. Wade decision from 1973, which acknowledged a woman's constitutional right to an abortion and made it lawful in all 50 states, was dramatically overturned by the US Supreme Court on Friday.

The Academy said in a statement that "The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world."

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights: The Implications

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U.S. President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, condemned the ruling, calling it a "sad day" for America and labelling the court's conservatives "extreme."

The President of the Pontifical Academy, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, said: "In the face of a Western society that is losing its passion for life, this act is a powerful invitation to reflect together on the serious and urgent issue of human generativity and the conditions that make it possible; by choosing life, our responsibility for the future of humanity is at stake."

"This is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions, and prayers. For nearly fifty years, America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die; this policy has resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of preborn children, generations that were denied the right to even be born, " the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a statement.

The statement, signed by USCCB President Archbishop José Gomez and pro-life Committee chair Archbishop William Lori, goes on to note that Roe v Wade, "which legalized and normalized the taking of innocent human life," marked a "grievous" denial of the truth that all men and women are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

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The Vatican's Academy for Life and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) applauded the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to abortion.

The Vatican's Academy for Life and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) applauded the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to abortion. The Vatican department said in a statement that because life has "broad social significance" it cannot be protected just through the lens of individual rights. The momentous Roe v. Wade decision from 1973, which acknowledged a woman's constitutional right to an abortion and made it lawful in all 50 states, was dramatically overturned by the US Supreme Court on Friday. The Academy said in a statement that "The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world." Watch | Gravitas: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights: The Implications U.S. President Joe Biden, a lifelong Catholic, condemned the ruling, calling it a "sad day" for America and labelling the court's conservatives "extreme." The President of the Pontifical Academy, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, said: "In the face of a Western society that is losing its passion for life, this act is a powerful invitation to reflect together on the serious and urgent issue of human generativity and the conditions that make it possible; by choosing life, our responsibility for the future of humanity is at stake." "This is a historic day in the life of our country, one that stirs our thoughts, emotions, and prayers. For nearly fifty years, America has enforced an unjust law that has permitted some to decide whether others can live or die; this policy has resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of preborn children, generations that were denied the right to even be born, " the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) said in a statement. The statement, signed by USCCB President Archbishop José Gomez and pro-life Committee chair Archbishop William Lori, goes on to note that Roe v Wade, "which legalized and normalized the taking of innocent human life," marked a "grievous" denial of the truth that all men and women are created equal, with God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Roe vs Wade overturned: Vatican, US Bishops praise Supreme Court decision

Hours after the US Supreme Court reversed the Roe vs Wade ruling and nullified women’s constitutional right to abortion, several clinics across the country started to shut shop.

In Arkansas state— where a so-called 'trigger' law is in place that automatically bans abortion services if Roe is overturned—an abortion clinic in Little Rock disallowed patients from entering as soon as the court's opinion was posted online.

While the staff were calling women to cancel their appointments, the anti-abortion activists celebrated outside the clinic.

"No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard. Having to call these patients and tell them Roe v Wade was overturned is heartbreaking," nurse Ashli Hunt told the BBC.

In New Orleans, Louisiana— another trigger law state—the Women's Health Care Centre, one of only three abortion providers in the state, was closed and its staff had gone home.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights: The Implications

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Apart from Louisiana and Arkansas, other trigger law countries where abortion has been banned with immediate effect are: Kentucky, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama.

In states like Mississippi and North Dakota, bans will come into effect after their attorney generals approve it.

Wyoming's ban will take effect in five days, while Utah's ban must be certified by a legislative council.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-vs-wade-overturned-california-oregon-washington-governors-pledge-to-defend-abortion-rights-491522">California, Oregon &amp; Washington governors pledge to defend abortion rights</a>

In Idaho, Tennessee and Texas, bans will be applied in 30 days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pence-back-us-supreme-courts-verdict-on-abortion-rights-491516">Trump, Pence back US Supreme Court's verdict on abortion rights</a>

Amid the pall of gloom, several experts noted that the SC ruling could pave the wave for illegal procedures as well-off women would still be able to access abortions in other states while the poor women would be dependent on illegal clinics.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hours after the US Supreme Court reversed the Roe vs Wade ruling and nullified women’s constitutional right to abortion, several clinics across the country started to shut shop.

Hours after the US Supreme Court reversed the Roe vs Wade ruling and nullified women’s constitutional right to abortion, several clinics across the country started to shut shop. In Arkansas state— where a so-called 'trigger' law is in place that automatically bans abortion services if Roe is overturned—an abortion clinic in Little Rock disallowed patients from entering as soon as the court's opinion was posted online. While the staff were calling women to cancel their appointments, the anti-abortion activists celebrated outside the clinic. "No matter how hard we prepare for bad news, when it finally hits, it hits hard. Having to call these patients and tell them Roe v Wade was overturned is heartbreaking," nurse Ashli Hunt told the BBC. In New Orleans, Louisiana— another trigger law state—the Women's Health Care Centre, one of only three abortion providers in the state, was closed and its staff had gone home. Watch | Gravitas: US Supreme Court strikes down abortion rights: The Implications Apart from Louisiana and Arkansas, other trigger law countries where abortion has been banned with immediate effect are: Kentucky, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Alabama. In states like Mississippi and North Dakota, bans will come into effect after their attorney generals approve it. Wyoming's ban will take effect in five days, while Utah's ban must be certified by a legislative council. Also read | California, Oregon & Washington governors pledge to defend abortion rights In Idaho, Tennessee and Texas, bans will be applied in 30 days. Also read | Trump, Pence back US Supreme Court's verdict on abortion rights Amid the pall of gloom, several experts noted that the SC ruling could pave the wave for illegal procedures as well-off women would still be able to access abortions in other states while the poor women would be dependent on illegal clinics. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Roe vs Wade overturned: Abortion clinics in US shut shop within hours of SC ruling

After the US Supreme Court overturned its 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling, which now denies women the constitutional right to an abortion, protests broke out across the nation. The decision, according to President Joe Biden, was a "tragic blunder" that had set the nation back 150 years.

The decision was made after a report that the US Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked in early May. The ruling on Friday has shed light on abortion laws in other nations, notably India, where abortion has been permitted under certain conditions for the past 50 years.

Let's take a look at the abortion law in India as public indignation over the US Supreme Court decision grows.

What is the legal stance in India?

If it wasn't done in good faith to save the woman's life, Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code makes intentionally causing a miscarriage a crime.

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, a law passed by the Parliament in 1971, gave licenced medical professionals permission to perform abortions in specific predetermined situations. Doctors who performed abortions in line with the law were exempt from prosecution under Section 312 IPC.

Women do not have an unrestricted right to abortion under the law. Under specific conditions and to a certain extent, abortion is permissible based on a medical opinion.

The amendments in Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

Since the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was passed in 1971, abortion has been permitted in India under a variety of circumstances. The Act was changed to give women access to safe and authorised abortion procedures.

In order to permit the use of the brand-new medical abortion medicines mifepristone and misoprostol at the time, the abortion law was briefly modified in 2002.

The MTP Act, 1917 was ultimately revised in 2021. On March 16, 2021, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, received approval from the president in the Rajya Sabha. On March 17, 2020, the Lok Sabha passed the Bill.

Present status

All women may choose to end their pregnancies up to 20 weeks if their doctor recommends it. However, special categories of women such as survivors of sexual abuse, minors, rape victims, incest, and disabled women can seek termination up to 24 weeks.

If a medical board of specialist doctors decides that there is a foetal disability, there is also no maximum gestation for abortion.

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994

To avoid abuse of the MTP Act and to ensure that abortions "aren't carried out at the whims and fancies of a woman or a couple," the PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act was passed in 1994.

While a woman can get an abortion without the agreement of her spouse, she cannot be forced to have one by her spouse.

Present status in the US

Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion restrictions were put into place immediately in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

At least 13 states already have legislation that forbid abortions outright or will do so shortly.

Unless the procedure is carried out in the case of a medical emergency, Missouri punishes anybody who performs an abortion with a five- to 15-year prison sentence. 
&nbsp;

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After the US Supreme Court overturned its 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling, which now denies women the constitutional right to an abortion, protests broke out across the nation.

After the US Supreme Court overturned its 50-year-old Roe v. Wade ruling, which now denies women the constitutional right to an abortion, protests broke out across the nation. The decision, according to President Joe Biden, was a "tragic blunder" that had set the nation back 150 years. The decision was made after a report that the US Supreme Court might overturn Roe v. Wade was leaked in early May. The ruling on Friday has shed light on abortion laws in other nations, notably India, where abortion has been permitted under certain conditions for the past 50 years. Let's take a look at the abortion law in India as public indignation over the US Supreme Court decision grows. What is the legal stance in India? If it wasn't done in good faith to save the woman's life, Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code makes intentionally causing a miscarriage a crime. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, a law passed by the Parliament in 1971, gave licenced medical professionals permission to perform abortions in specific predetermined situations. Doctors who performed abortions in line with the law were exempt from prosecution under Section 312 IPC. Women do not have an unrestricted right to abortion under the law. Under specific conditions and to a certain extent, abortion is permissible based on a medical opinion. The amendments in Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act Since the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act was passed in 1971, abortion has been permitted in India under a variety of circumstances. The Act was changed to give women access to safe and authorised abortion procedures. In order to permit the use of the brand-new medical abortion medicines mifepristone and misoprostol at the time, the abortion law was briefly modified in 2002. The MTP Act, 1917 was ultimately revised in 2021. On March 16, 2021, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, received approval from the president in the Rajya Sabha. On March 17, 2020, the Lok Sabha passed the Bill. Present status All women may choose to end their pregnancies up to 20 weeks if their doctor recommends it. However, special categories of women such as survivors of sexual abuse, minors, rape victims, incest, and disabled women can seek termination up to 24 weeks. If a medical board of specialist doctors decides that there is a foetal disability, there is also no maximum gestation for abortion. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994 To avoid abuse of the MTP Act and to ensure that abortions "aren't carried out at the whims and fancies of a woman or a couple," the PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) Act was passed in 1994. While a woman can get an abortion without the agreement of her spouse, she cannot be forced to have one by her spouse. Present status in the US Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion restrictions were put into place immediately in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. At least 13 states already have legislation that forbid abortions outright or will do so shortly. Unless the procedure is carried out in the case of a medical emergency, Missouri punishes anybody who performs an abortion with a five- to 15-year prison sentence. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Roe v. Wade overturned: Comparative analysis of Indian and American abortion laws

The US Supreme Court’s reversal of the 50-year-old Roe vs Wade ruling has dealt a major blow to the women, impinging their right to access abortion in the country.

Experts have warned that the order will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences for treatments like miscarriages and the entire field of reproductive medicine, and will lead to illegal clinics, making it difficult for women, especially the poor, to access the facilities.

However, there might be one&nbsp;possible way for women to fight abortion restrictions—abortion pills.

Hours after the ruling, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement proclaiming that the Justice Department disagrees with the verdict. In addition to vowing to “work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom,” he indicated a potential avenue for the legal fight for abortion rights.

He said that states cannot ban mifepristone—a medication that is used for abortion—based on disagreement with the federal government on its safety and efficacy.

President Joe Biden has also directed the US Department of Health and Human Services “to protect women’s access to critical medications for reproductive health care” including “essential preventive health care like contraception and medication abortion.”

Is the medical abortion way out?

Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion care practised in the US. Nearly 60 per cent of all procedures are related to medical abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy research group.

In a medication abortion, a patient takes a drug called mifepristone, also known as RU-486, followed by a second drug called misoprostol, to end a pregnancy rather than having a surgical procedure.

The drug was&nbsp;approved for use&nbsp;by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in most cases up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2000. It has been deemed safe and effective.

Are abortion pills easily accessible?

Though it has been approved in 2000, the US FDA last year permanently lifted the in-person requirement for medication abortion prescriptions.

Now, patients can access the drugs via telehealth appointments and online pharmacies so that they can take the drugs at home.

This new order increased access to abortion for patients living in remote areas without providers nearby and women unable to take time off from work or not able to get to clinics for other reasons.

Can states restrict medication abortion?

Yes, they can. Medication abortions have become a target of anti-abortion politicians and activists.

Indiana bans medication abortion at 10 weeks, and Texas after seven weeks; other state medication abortion bans have been blocked by courts.

Thirty-two states allow only physicians, and not other clinicians such as nurse practitioners, to dispense abortion pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Nineteen states require that the dispensing clinician be in the patient’s physical presence, effectively banning telemedicine.

What is the impact of SC’s ruling on telemedicine abortion?

Before the Supreme Court’s ruling, 13 states had so-called “trigger laws” to impose new abortion bans immediately or soon after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and other states are expected to follow after Friday’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health.

The Guttmacher Institute predicts at least 26 states, including those with trigger laws, will pass new abortion laws.

Such state laws have so far not distinguished between surgical and medication abortion, so they are expected to ban medication abortion entirely. Some will ban abortions almost completely, while others outlaw abortion at six weeks or 15 weeks.

Can patients get abortion pills from other countries?

Yes. Women in states cracking down on telemedicine abortion have increasingly turned to order pills online from overseas.

While the practice is not legal, state authorities have said they have no effective way of policing orders from foreign doctors and pharmacies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-vs-wade-overturned-abortion-clinics-in-us-shut-shop-within-hours-of-sc-ruling-491560" hreflang="en">Roe vs Wade overturned: Abortion clinics in US shut shop within hours</a>

Are there currently lawsuits challenging state restrictions on medication abortion?

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-vs-wade-overturned-vatican-us-bishops-praise-supreme-court-decision-491574">Roe vs Wade overturned: Vatican, US Bishops praise Supreme Court decision</a>

Yes. GenBioPro Inc, a company that sells mifepristone, has already challenged Mississippi’s restrictions on prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine by arguing that they are “preempted” by the FDA, meaning that the federal approval of the drug overrides any state law. There has not been a ruling in that case, which is pending in Mississippi federal court.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US Supreme Court’s reversal of the 50-year-old Roe vs Wade ruling has dealt a major blow to the women, impinging their right to access abortion in the country.

The US Supreme Court’s reversal of the 50-year-old Roe vs Wade ruling has dealt a major blow to the women, impinging their right to access abortion in the country. Experts have warned that the order will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences for treatments like miscarriages and the entire field of reproductive medicine, and will lead to illegal clinics, making it difficult for women, especially the poor, to access the facilities. However, there might be one possible way for women to fight abortion restrictions—abortion pills. Hours after the ruling, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a statement proclaiming that the Justice Department disagrees with the verdict. In addition to vowing to “work tirelessly to protect and advance reproductive freedom,” he indicated a potential avenue for the legal fight for abortion rights. He said that states cannot ban mifepristone—a medication that is used for abortion—based on disagreement with the federal government on its safety and efficacy. President Joe Biden has also directed the US Department of Health and Human Services “to protect women’s access to critical medications for reproductive health care” including “essential preventive health care like contraception and medication abortion.” Is the medical abortion way out? Medication abortion is the most common form of abortion care practised in the US. Nearly 60 per cent of all procedures are related to medical abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy research group. In a medication abortion, a patient takes a drug called mifepristone, also known as RU-486, followed by a second drug called misoprostol, to end a pregnancy rather than having a surgical procedure. The drug was approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in most cases up to 10 weeks of pregnancy in 2000. It has been deemed safe and effective. Are abortion pills easily accessible? Though it has been approved in 2000, the US FDA last year permanently lifted the in-person requirement for medication abortion prescriptions. Now, patients can access the drugs via telehealth appointments and online pharmacies so that they can take the drugs at home. This new order increased access to abortion for patients living in remote areas without providers nearby and women unable to take time off from work or not able to get to clinics for other reasons. Can states restrict medication abortion? Yes, they can. Medication abortions have become a target of anti-abortion politicians and activists. Indiana bans medication abortion at 10 weeks, and Texas after seven weeks; other state medication abortion bans have been blocked by courts. Thirty-two states allow only physicians, and not other clinicians such as nurse practitioners, to dispense abortion pills, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Nineteen states require that the dispensing clinician be in the patient’s physical presence, effectively banning telemedicine. What is the impact of SC’s ruling on telemedicine abortion? Before the Supreme Court’s ruling, 13 states had so-called “trigger laws” to impose new abortion bans immediately or soon after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and other states are expected to follow after Friday’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. The Guttmacher Institute predicts at least 26 states, including those with trigger laws, will pass new abortion laws. Such state laws have so far not distinguished between surgical and medication abortion, so they are expected to ban medication abortion entirely. Some will ban abortions almost completely, while others outlaw abortion at six weeks or 15 weeks. Can patients get abortion pills from other countries? Yes. Women in states cracking down on telemedicine abortion have increasingly turned to order pills online from overseas. While the practice is not legal, state authorities have said they have no effective way of policing orders from foreign doctors and pharmacies. Also read | Roe vs Wade overturned: Abortion clinics in US shut shop within hours Are there currently lawsuits challenging state restrictions on medication abortion? Also read | Roe vs Wade overturned: Vatican, US Bishops praise Supreme Court decision Yes. GenBioPro Inc, a company that sells mifepristone, has already challenged Mississippi’s restrictions on prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine by arguing that they are “preempted” by the FDA, meaning that the federal approval of the drug overrides any state law. There has not been a ruling in that case, which is pending in Mississippi federal court. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained: Can abortion pills help bypass state ban in aftermath of SC ruling on Roe vs Wade?

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a joint news conference with the EU's foreign policy chief in Tehran that Iran's indirect talks with the United States on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact will resume soon, as reported by Reuters.

"We are prepared to resume talks in the coming days. What is important for Iran is to fully receive the economic benefits of the 2015 accord," said Amirabdollahian, adding that he had held a "long but positive meeting" with the European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Borrell made the announcement after a two-hour meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the second day of a previously unannounced visit to the Islamic republic.

Borrell said, "We are expected to resume talks in the coming days and break the impasse. It has been three months and we need to accelerate the work. I am very happy about the decision that has been made in Tehran and Washington."

Amir-Abdollahian confirmed the resumption of the negotiations.

Amir-Abdollahian said, "We have had a long but positive conversation on global cooperation between Iran and the EU."&nbsp;

"We will try to solve the problems and differences through the negotiations that will resume soon," he added.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/danish-scientists-working-on-developing-seafood-substitute-using-seaweed-and-fungi-491711">&nbsp;Danish scientists working on developing seafood substitute using seaweed and fungi</a>

The Iran nuclear deal has been hanging by a thread since 2018 when then United States President Donald&nbsp;Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord and began imposing crippling economic sanctions on America's arch-enemy.

The administration of incumbent US President Joe Biden has sought to return to the agreement, saying it would be the best path with the Islamic republic.

The talks began in April last year but stalled in March amid differences between Tehran and Washington, notably over a demand by Iran to remove its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a US terror list.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a joint news conference with the EU's foreign policy chief in Tehran that Iran's indirect talks with the United States on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact will resume soon, as reported by Reuters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a joint news conference with the EU's foreign policy chief in Tehran that Iran's indirect talks with the United States on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact will resume soon, as reported by Reuters. "We are prepared to resume talks in the coming days. What is important for Iran is to fully receive the economic benefits of the 2015 accord," said Amirabdollahian, adding that he had held a "long but positive meeting" with the European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. Borrell made the announcement after a two-hour meeting with Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the second day of a previously unannounced visit to the Islamic republic. Borrell said, "We are expected to resume talks in the coming days and break the impasse. It has been three months and we need to accelerate the work. I am very happy about the decision that has been made in Tehran and Washington." Amir-Abdollahian confirmed the resumption of the negotiations. Amir-Abdollahian said, "We have had a long but positive conversation on global cooperation between Iran and the EU." "We will try to solve the problems and differences through the negotiations that will resume soon," he added. Also Read: Danish scientists working on developing seafood substitute using seaweed and fungi The Iran nuclear deal has been hanging by a thread since 2018 when then United States President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the accord and began imposing crippling economic sanctions on America's arch-enemy. The administration of incumbent US President Joe Biden has sought to return to the agreement, saying it would be the best path with the Islamic republic. The talks began in April last year but stalled in March amid differences between Tehran and Washington, notably over a demand by Iran to remove its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from a US terror list. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran-US nuclear talks to resume soon, says EU’s foreign policy chief

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP.

"The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the court said.

&nbsp;

An angry President Joe Biden called on voters Friday to rise up over the Supreme Court's "tragic error" in ending the constitutional right to abortion, warning that an "extreme ideology" is already targeting other rights.

"The court has done what it has never done before -- expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans," Biden said in the White House after the conservative-dominated Supreme Court overturned "Roe v. Wade."

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President Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade. <a href="https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE">https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1540373668580179968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former US President Barack Obama slammed the decision by the Supreme Court to throw out the right to abortion in the United States by calling it an attack on "essential freedoms."

"Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues -- attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," the Democrat tweeted.

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Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you're looking for ways to respond, <a href="https://twitter.com/PPFA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PPFA</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/USOWomen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USOWomen</a>, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight. <a href="https://t.co/PpXBEcbL2S">pic.twitter.com/PpXBEcbL2S</a>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1540340648972279813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Former US vice president Mike Pence on Friday said the right to abortion had been "consigned to the ash heap of history" as he hailed a Supreme Court ruling that ended 50 years of constitutional protections.

"By returning the question of abortion to the states and the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong, and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves," said Pence, a Republican potential presidential candidate and leading anti-abortion campaigner.

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Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn...
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1540337831297654784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The leading abortion provider in the United States, Planned Parenthood, vowed Friday it would "never stop fighting" for those in need, after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure.

"We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now -- hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We're here with you -- and we'll never stop fighting for you," the organization tweeted.

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BREAKING: The Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, ending our constitutional right to abortion. We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now — hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We’re here with you — and we’ll never stop fighting for you.
— Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PPFA/status/1540340537114378241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As reported by AP, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in “cases of medical emergency.”

He tweeted, “Following the SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Missouri has just become the first in the country to effectively end abortion with our AG opinion signed moments ago. This is a monumental day for the sanctity of life.”

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THREAD: Today is a historic day, but we also remember over 60 million innocent lives lost. There was a lot of work behind the scenes before we achieved this incredible victory. Here are some of our efforts to protect all, including the unborn. <a href="https://t.co/rI8GTLgr5r">pic.twitter.com/rI8GTLgr5r</a>
— Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGEricSchmitt/status/1540339949550981121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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A women’s organisation called the United State of Women tweeted, “Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action.”

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Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action. Pledge to join our fight at <a href="https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3">https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BansOffOurBodies?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BansOffOurBodies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeWontGoBack?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeWontGoBack</a> <a href="https://t.co/2EybznJnXy">pic.twitter.com/2EybznJnXy</a>
— UnitedStateofWomen (@USOWomen) <a href="https://twitter.com/USOWomen/status/1540338026664034307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP.

The United States Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion, saying that individual states can now permit or restrict the procedure themselves, as reported by AFP. "The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled, and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives," the court said. An angry President Joe Biden called on voters Friday to rise up over the Supreme Court's "tragic error" in ending the constitutional right to abortion, warning that an "extreme ideology" is already targeting other rights. "The court has done what it has never done before -- expressly take away a constitutional right that is so fundamental to so many Americans," Biden said in the White House after the conservative-dominated Supreme Court overturned "Roe v. Wade." President Biden delivers remarks on the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade. https://t.co/nUiI79bxrE — President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2022 × Former US President Barack Obama slammed the decision by the Supreme Court to throw out the right to abortion in the United States by calling it an attack on "essential freedoms." "Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues -- attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," the Democrat tweeted. Across the country, states have already passed bills restricting choice. If you're looking for ways to respond, @PPFA, @USOWomen, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight. pic.twitter.com/PpXBEcbL2S — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 24, 2022 × Former US vice president Mike Pence on Friday said the right to abortion had been "consigned to the ash heap of history" as he hailed a Supreme Court ruling that ended 50 years of constitutional protections. "By returning the question of abortion to the states and the people, this Supreme Court has righted a historic wrong, and reaffirmed the right of the American people to govern themselves," said Pence, a Republican potential presidential candidate and leading anti-abortion campaigner. Now that Roe v. Wade has been consigned to the ash heap of history, a new arena in the cause of life has emerged and it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn... — Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) June 24, 2022 × The leading abortion provider in the United States, Planned Parenthood, vowed Friday it would "never stop fighting" for those in need, after the US Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to the procedure. "We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now -- hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We're here with you -- and we'll never stop fighting for you," the organization tweeted. BREAKING: The Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, ending our constitutional right to abortion. We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now — hurt, anger, confusion. Whatever you feel is OK. We’re here with you — and we’ll never stop fighting for you. — Planned Parenthood (@PPFA) June 24, 2022 × As reported by AP, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said he was acting immediately to enforce a state law banning abortion except in “cases of medical emergency.” He tweeted, “Following the SCOTUS ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, Missouri has just become the first in the country to effectively end abortion with our AG opinion signed moments ago. This is a monumental day for the sanctity of life.” THREAD: Today is a historic day, but we also remember over 60 million innocent lives lost. There was a lot of work behind the scenes before we achieved this incredible victory. Here are some of our efforts to protect all, including the unborn. pic.twitter.com/rI8GTLgr5r — Attorney General Eric Schmitt (@AGEricSchmitt) June 24, 2022 × A women’s organisation called the United State of Women tweeted, “Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action.” Abortion is a human right and politicians should never intervene with our decisions about our bodies. We join those across the country in our grief and determination. Don't wait to take action. Pledge to join our fight at https://t.co/MkU2BC1si3.#BansOffOurBodies #WeWontGoBack pic.twitter.com/2EybznJnXy — UnitedStateofWomen (@USOWomen) June 24, 2022 × (with inputs from agencies)

Roe vs Wade overturned: Biden, Obama, Planned Parenthood react to US top court judgement

The US&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration is preparing to order Juul Labs Inc to take its e-cigarettes off the market in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (June 22), citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares in tobacco giant Altria Group MO.N, which owns a 35% stake in the maker of the vaping product, fell 8.5% following the report. The decision could come as early as Wednesday, the report said.

Juul has faced heightened scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and state attorneys general over the appeal of its nicotine products to teenagers. Under pressure, the company in late 2019 had halted U.S. sales of several flavours.

The FDA declined to comment on the report, while Altria and Juul did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

The looming verdict comes nearly two years after Juul had applied for approval to keep selling e-cigarettes in the country.

The FDA's review of the applications was based on whether the e-cigarettes are effective in getting smokers to quit and, if so, whether the benefits to smokers outweigh the health damage to new users, including teenagers.

In October, the FDA had allowed Juul rival British American Tobacco Plc BATS.L to market its Vuse Solo e-cigarettes and tobacco-flavoured pods, the first-ever vapour product to get clearance from the health regulator.

The estimated fair value of Altria's investment in Juul was $1.6 billion as of March-end, a fraction of the $12.8 billion it paid in 2018, as a crackdown on vaping has upended the once fast-growing industry.

The US Food and Drug Administration is preparing to order Juul Labs Inc to take its e-cigarettes off the market in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (June 22), citing people familiar with the matter.

The US Food and Drug Administration is preparing to order Juul Labs Inc to take its e-cigarettes off the market in the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday (June 22), citing people familiar with the matter. Shares in tobacco giant Altria Group MO.N, which owns a 35% stake in the maker of the vaping product, fell 8.5% following the report. The decision could come as early as Wednesday, the report said. Juul has faced heightened scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and state attorneys general over the appeal of its nicotine products to teenagers. Under pressure, the company in late 2019 had halted U.S. sales of several flavours. The FDA declined to comment on the report, while Altria and Juul did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters. The looming verdict comes nearly two years after Juul had applied for approval to keep selling e-cigarettes in the country. The FDA's review of the applications was based on whether the e-cigarettes are effective in getting smokers to quit and, if so, whether the benefits to smokers outweigh the health damage to new users, including teenagers. In October, the FDA had allowed Juul rival British American Tobacco Plc BATS.L to market its Vuse Solo e-cigarettes and tobacco-flavoured pods, the first-ever vapour product to get clearance from the health regulator. The estimated fair value of Altria's investment in Juul was $1.6 billion as of March-end, a fraction of the $12.8 billion it paid in 2018, as a crackdown on vaping has upended the once fast-growing industry.

Juul e-cigarettes to be ordered off US shelves: Report

US senators unveiled a bill Tuesday addressing the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the country as they locked down a narrow set of reforms that were nevertheless hailed as the first significant firearms controls in a generation.

The cross-party group, which had been working for weeks on the wording of the legislation, voiced confidence that it would have enough support to pass the Senate, and it could be signed into law by President Joe Biden as soon as next week.

The limited proposals don't go as far as reforms called for by Biden, such as an all-out ban on assault rifles.

But Chris Murphy, the senator leading negotiations for Democrats, hailed the bill as the "most significant piece of anti-gun violence legislation in nearly 30 years."

"This bill is going to save thousands of lives," he tweeted.

The lawmakers had been up against the clock -- aware that any delay risked losing the sense of urgency ignited by the fatal shooting of 19 children in Uvalde, Texas and of 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, upstate New York, both last month.

The&nbsp;last significant federal gun control legislation was passed in 1994, banning the manufacture for civilian use of assault rifles&nbsp;and large capacity ammunition&nbsp;clips.

But it expired a decade later and there has been no serious effort at reform since, despite rising gun violence.

"This&nbsp;bipartisan&nbsp;gun-safety legislation is progress and&nbsp;will save lives. While it is not everything we want,&nbsp;this legislation&nbsp;is urgently-needed," Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.

A cross-party group of senators&nbsp;agreed on a framework on June 12 that includes enhanced background checks for buyers aged under 21, $11 billion in funding for mental health and $2 billion for school safety programs.

The blueprint also calls for funding to incentivize states to implement "red flag" laws to remove firearms from people considered a threat.

However the National Rifle Association, America's powerful gun rights lobby, rejected the deal.

"We will oppose this gun control legislation because it falls short at every level," the NRA said in a statement. "It does little to truly address violent crime while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom by law-abiding gun owners."

Gun rights

Multiple issues had been holding up the talks but appeared to have been resolved, with both sides making concessions.

The first was "red flag" programs that many conservatives see as violating the due process rights of those accused of being a threat. &nbsp;

The Senate Democrats agreed the final gun control bill would extend funding for states with red flag policies to also include states with other crisis intervention programs.

And Democrats got the Republicans to agree to closing the so-called "boyfriend" loophole.

Under federal law, individuals are banned from buying firearms if they are convicted of domestic violence and have been married to, lived with or have a child with the victim.

Democrats ensured that law will now include other kinds of dating partners.

"I am proud that this mental health and school safety bill places NO NEW RESTRICTIONS on law-abiding gun owners," said lead Republican negotiator, Texas Senator John Cornyn.

The Senate Democratic leadership is hoping to pass the bill by the weekend, when members leave town for a two-week recess.&nbsp;

The House -- which is also off next week -- would likely stay in session into the weekend or bring representatives back during the break to send the legislation to Biden.&nbsp;

Republicans in Texas booed Cornyn as he tried to defend the bill at a convention over the weekend, underlining the peril conservatives face in appearing open to any gun control reform.

Biden had pushed for more substantial reforms, including a ban on assault rifles -- which were used in both the Texas and New York shootings -- and high-capacity magazines.

But the political challenge of legislating in a 50-50 Senate, where most bills require 60 votes to pass, means that more wide-ranging reforms are unrealistic.

US senators unveiled a bill Tuesday addressing the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the country as they locked down a narrow set of reforms that were nevertheless hailed as the first significant firearms controls in a generation.

US senators unveiled a bill Tuesday addressing the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the country as they locked down a narrow set of reforms that were nevertheless hailed as the first significant firearms controls in a generation. The cross-party group, which had been working for weeks on the wording of the legislation, voiced confidence that it would have enough support to pass the Senate, and it could be signed into law by President Joe Biden as soon as next week. The limited proposals don't go as far as reforms called for by Biden, such as an all-out ban on assault rifles. But Chris Murphy, the senator leading negotiations for Democrats, hailed the bill as the "most significant piece of anti-gun violence legislation in nearly 30 years." "This bill is going to save thousands of lives," he tweeted. The lawmakers had been up against the clock -- aware that any delay risked losing the sense of urgency ignited by the fatal shooting of 19 children in Uvalde, Texas and of 10 Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, upstate New York, both last month. The last significant federal gun control legislation was passed in 1994, banning the manufacture for civilian use of assault rifles and large capacity ammunition clips. But it expired a decade later and there has been no serious effort at reform since, despite rising gun violence. "This bipartisan gun-safety legislation is progress and will save lives. While it is not everything we want, this legislation is urgently-needed," Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. A cross-party group of senators agreed on a framework on June 12 that includes enhanced background checks for buyers aged under 21, $11 billion in funding for mental health and $2 billion for school safety programs. The blueprint also calls for funding to incentivize states to implement "red flag" laws to remove firearms from people considered a threat. However the National Rifle Association, America's powerful gun rights lobby, rejected the deal. "We will oppose this gun control legislation because it falls short at every level," the NRA said in a statement. "It does little to truly address violent crime while opening the door to unnecessary burdens on the exercise of Second Amendment freedom by law-abiding gun owners." Gun rights Multiple issues had been holding up the talks but appeared to have been resolved, with both sides making concessions. The first was "red flag" programs that many conservatives see as violating the due process rights of those accused of being a threat. The Senate Democrats agreed the final gun control bill would extend funding for states with red flag policies to also include states with other crisis intervention programs. And Democrats got the Republicans to agree to closing the so-called "boyfriend" loophole. Under federal law, individuals are banned from buying firearms if they are convicted of domestic violence and have been married to, lived with or have a child with the victim. Democrats ensured that law will now include other kinds of dating partners. "I am proud that this mental health and school safety bill places NO NEW RESTRICTIONS on law-abiding gun owners," said lead Republican negotiator, Texas Senator John Cornyn. The Senate Democratic leadership is hoping to pass the bill by the weekend, when members leave town for a two-week recess. The House -- which is also off next week -- would likely stay in session into the weekend or bring representatives back during the break to send the legislation to Biden. Republicans in Texas booed Cornyn as he tried to defend the bill at a convention over the weekend, underlining the peril conservatives face in appearing open to any gun control reform. Biden had pushed for more substantial reforms, including a ban on assault rifles -- which were used in both the Texas and New York shootings -- and high-capacity magazines. But the political challenge of legislating in a 50-50 Senate, where most bills require 60 votes to pass, means that more wide-ranging reforms are unrealistic.

US lawmakers agree bipartisan bill on gun safety

Around 200,000 former students who attended schools that they said defrauded them will have $6 billion in federal loans canceled under a sweeping settlement announced Wednesday, the latest move by the Biden administration to address the student loan crisis by eliminating some debts.

Those who applied for relief — some as long as seven years ago — will have their loans wiped out if they attended one of more than 150 schools named in the class-action settlement, nearly all of which are for-profit colleges and vocational programs. The deal reverses 128,000 denial notices — which a federal judge called “disturbingly Kafkaesque” — that were sent to relief applicants during the Trump administration.

Many of the schools included in the settlement are out of business. They include large chains like the Art Institutes and other campuses run by the Dream Center, whose operations abruptly collapsed in 2019, and those owned by Career Education Corp. The latter, at its peak, enrolled tens of thousands of students at more than 100 locations. The deal also includes a few colleges that are still operating, including the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and DeVry University.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called the deal “fair and equitable for all parties.”

The Education Department granted relief to applicants from the schools included in the deal “based on strong indicia regarding substantial misconduct by listed schools, whether credibly alleged or in some instances proven,” according to the settlement papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Those borrowers’ loans will be fully eliminated, and any payments they made will be refunded.

The deal, which must be approved by a federal judge, was greeted with cheers and relief by borrowers. “This is probably the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long time!” one posted in a Facebook group. “My school listed as a bad actor and my debt will be wiped out.”

The agreement is a major step toward resolving a problem that had stretched across three presidential administrations: a glut of relief claims from students who attended for-profit schools that saddled them with large bills for a subpar education.

A state and federal crackdown a decade ago led to enforcement actions against some of the industry’s most notorious operators, pushing several prominent chains into bankruptcy. But even after the schools disappeared, the debts that their former students incurred remained.

The Obama administration tried to address the problem by updating a federal program called borrower defense to repayment, which allows those who attended schools that broke state consumer protection laws or otherwise committed serious misdeeds to have their federal student loans eliminated.

However, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary under President Donald Trump, froze the program, calling it a “free money” giveaway. DeVos allowed hundreds of thousands of claims to stack up; in her final year in office, officials churned out mass denials.

The Biden administration revived the borrower defense program and used it earlier this month to wipe out nearly $6 billion in loans for 580,000 borrowers who attended Corinthian Colleges, a large chain that closed in 2015 after extensive allegations of illegal recruiting tactics. It also granted borrower defense claims at a half-dozen or so other schools.

But the mass denials under DeVos remained, as well as a queue of tens of thousands of pending relief applications, many of them years old. Wednesday’s deal would wipe out the denials, treating them as if they never happened. The deal also promises to resolve all applications that are not automatically granted — for those involving schools not on the settlement list — within 6 to 30 months.

“This momentous proposed settlement will deliver answers and certainty to borrowers who have fought long and hard for a fair resolution of their borrower defense claims after being cheated by their schools and ignored or even rejected by their government,” said Eileen Connor, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending, which represented borrowers in the case.

The deal’s relief is mainly limited to those who submitted a borrower defense application on or before Wednesday. The Education Department must now decide if it will approve future claims from students who attended the schools that it has said acted illicitly.

President Joe Biden is still mulling a larger decision: whether to use executive action to make good on a campaign promise to cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for all borrowers. High inflation has intensified a debate among his advisers about the wisdom of such a move.

Theresa Sweet, one of the named plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, said she was stunned to achieve what she considered justice after years of stress and, as settlement talks advanced, the “roller-coaster ride of feeling certain the process would fall apart.”

Sweet graduated in 2006 from the Brooks Institute of Photography, a for-profit school owned by Career Education Corp. that closed in 2016. Saddled with debt from a program that promised students lucrative careers but offered them little actual training or support, she struggled after graduation to earn a living wage.

“I hope that the experience of each and every class member will serve as proof that fighting for your rights is something you should never be afraid to do,” she said in an email. “It has been too long a road, but I think we are finally where we needed to be all along.”

Around 200,000 former students who attended schools that they said defrauded them will have $6 billion in federal loans canceled under a sweeping settlement announced Wednesday, the latest move by the Biden administration to address the student loan crisis by eliminating some debts.

Around 200,000 former students who attended schools that they said defrauded them will have $6 billion in federal loans canceled under a sweeping settlement announced Wednesday, the latest move by the Biden administration to address the student loan crisis by eliminating some debts. Those who applied for relief — some as long as seven years ago — will have their loans wiped out if they attended one of more than 150 schools named in the class-action settlement, nearly all of which are for-profit colleges and vocational programs. The deal reverses 128,000 denial notices — which a federal judge called “disturbingly Kafkaesque” — that were sent to relief applicants during the Trump administration. Many of the schools included in the settlement are out of business. They include large chains like the Art Institutes and other campuses run by the Dream Center, whose operations abruptly collapsed in 2019, and those owned by Career Education Corp. The latter, at its peak, enrolled tens of thousands of students at more than 100 locations. The deal also includes a few colleges that are still operating, including the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and DeVry University. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called the deal “fair and equitable for all parties.” The Education Department granted relief to applicants from the schools included in the deal “based on strong indicia regarding substantial misconduct by listed schools, whether credibly alleged or in some instances proven,” according to the settlement papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Those borrowers’ loans will be fully eliminated, and any payments they made will be refunded. The deal, which must be approved by a federal judge, was greeted with cheers and relief by borrowers. “This is probably the sexiest thing I’ve seen in a long time!” one posted in a Facebook group. “My school listed as a bad actor and my debt will be wiped out.” The agreement is a major step toward resolving a problem that had stretched across three presidential administrations: a glut of relief claims from students who attended for-profit schools that saddled them with large bills for a subpar education. A state and federal crackdown a decade ago led to enforcement actions against some of the industry’s most notorious operators, pushing several prominent chains into bankruptcy. But even after the schools disappeared, the debts that their former students incurred remained. The Obama administration tried to address the problem by updating a federal program called borrower defense to repayment, which allows those who attended schools that broke state consumer protection laws or otherwise committed serious misdeeds to have their federal student loans eliminated. However, Betsy DeVos, the education secretary under President Donald Trump, froze the program, calling it a “free money” giveaway. DeVos allowed hundreds of thousands of claims to stack up; in her final year in office, officials churned out mass denials. The Biden administration revived the borrower defense program and used it earlier this month to wipe out nearly $6 billion in loans for 580,000 borrowers who attended Corinthian Colleges, a large chain that closed in 2015 after extensive allegations of illegal recruiting tactics. It also granted borrower defense claims at a half-dozen or so other schools. But the mass denials under DeVos remained, as well as a queue of tens of thousands of pending relief applications, many of them years old. Wednesday’s deal would wipe out the denials, treating them as if they never happened. The deal also promises to resolve all applications that are not automatically granted — for those involving schools not on the settlement list — within 6 to 30 months. “This momentous proposed settlement will deliver answers and certainty to borrowers who have fought long and hard for a fair resolution of their borrower defense claims after being cheated by their schools and ignored or even rejected by their government,” said Eileen Connor, director of the Project on Predatory Student Lending, which represented borrowers in the case. The deal’s relief is mainly limited to those who submitted a borrower defense application on or before Wednesday. The Education Department must now decide if it will approve future claims from students who attended the schools that it has said acted illicitly. President Joe Biden is still mulling a larger decision: whether to use executive action to make good on a campaign promise to cancel $10,000 in federal student loan debt for all borrowers. High inflation has intensified a debate among his advisers about the wisdom of such a move. Theresa Sweet, one of the named plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit, said she was stunned to achieve what she considered justice after years of stress and, as settlement talks advanced, the “roller-coaster ride of feeling certain the process would fall apart.” Sweet graduated in 2006 from the Brooks Institute of Photography, a for-profit school owned by Career Education Corp. that closed in 2016. Saddled with debt from a program that promised students lucrative careers but offered them little actual training or support, she struggled after graduation to earn a living wage. “I hope that the experience of each and every class member will serve as proof that fighting for your rights is something you should never be afraid to do,” she said in an email. “It has been too long a road, but I think we are finally where we needed to be all along.”

Government to cancel $6 billion in student loans for defrauded borrowers

The United States is expected to provide an additional $450 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including more long-range rocket systems, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

Moscow’s forces are advancing in Ukraine’s east in a bid to capture the industrial heartland known as the Donbas, where Ukraine fears some of its troops could be encircled in a Russian pincer move.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an announcement was expected later on Thursday and the latest package is expected to include four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

The official added that details on the package could change at the last minute.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukraine said it had received the first tranche of HIMARS, a powerful long-range weapon system that Kyiv hopes can help turn the tide in the months-long battle.

The latest package comes after President Joe Biden's administration last week announced a fresh infusion of $1 billion in weapons for Ukraine that includes anti-ship rocket systems, artillery rockets, howitzers and ammunition.

The war has entered a brutal attritional phase in recent weeks, with Russian forces concentrating overwhelming artillery firepower on the Donbas, which Moscow claims on behalf of separatists.

Ukraine says it needs the HIMARS systems to better match the range of Russian rocket systems that it says are being extensively used to pummel Ukrainian positions in Donbas.

Washington has said it has received assurances from Kyiv that those longer-range weapons would not be used to attack Russian territory, fearing an escalation of the conflict.

U.S. officials have said that while HIMARS are important for Ukrainian forces, no single weapon system alone can change the war.

Moscow has warned it will strike targets in Ukraine which they "have not yet been hitting" if the West supplies longer-range missiles to Ukraine for use in high-precision mobile rocket systems.

The United States is expected to provide an additional $450 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including more long-range rocket systems, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

The United States is expected to provide an additional $450 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including more long-range rocket systems, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday. Moscow’s forces are advancing in Ukraine’s east in a bid to capture the industrial heartland known as the Donbas, where Ukraine fears some of its troops could be encircled in a Russian pincer move. One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an announcement was expected later on Thursday and the latest package is expected to include four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The official added that details on the package could change at the last minute. Earlier on Thursday, Ukraine said it had received the first tranche of HIMARS, a powerful long-range weapon system that Kyiv hopes can help turn the tide in the months-long battle. The latest package comes after President Joe Biden's administration last week announced a fresh infusion of $1 billion in weapons for Ukraine that includes anti-ship rocket systems, artillery rockets, howitzers and ammunition. The war has entered a brutal attritional phase in recent weeks, with Russian forces concentrating overwhelming artillery firepower on the Donbas, which Moscow claims on behalf of separatists. Ukraine says it needs the HIMARS systems to better match the range of Russian rocket systems that it says are being extensively used to pummel Ukrainian positions in Donbas. Washington has said it has received assurances from Kyiv that those longer-range weapons would not be used to attack Russian territory, fearing an escalation of the conflict. U.S. officials have said that while HIMARS are important for Ukrainian forces, no single weapon system alone can change the war. Moscow has warned it will strike targets in Ukraine which they "have not yet been hitting" if the West supplies longer-range missiles to Ukraine for use in high-precision mobile rocket systems.

US expected to send $450 million in security aid to Ukraine: Officials

With fuel prices soaring across America and his own popularity waning domestically, US president Joe Biden has pitched a temporary break from paying fuel tax to help Americans cope with the highest inflation.

United States: Biden pitches 3-month suspension of federal tax on fuel

In a court filing late Wednesday, United States prosecutors argued that former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell should go to jail for somewhere between 30 and 55 years for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls, as reported by Reuters. Maxwell, 60, was convicted in December of sex trafficking minors for the late disgraced financier and is scheduled to be sentenced in Manhattan on Tuesday.

Her lawyers have argued for leniency, citing a traumatic childhood and claiming that Maxwell is being unfairly punished because Epstein escaped trial. They called for Judge Alison Nathan to hand down a sentence less than the probation department’s recommended 20 years.

But in a court filing late Wednesday, the government argued that Maxwell should go to jail for somewhere between 30 and 55 years. She has shown an "utter lack of remorse" for her crimes, wrote Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"Instead of showing even a hint of acceptance of responsibility, the defendant makes a desperate attempt to cast blame wherever else she can," he said.

"Maxwell was an adult who made her own choices. She made the choice to sexually exploit numerous underage girls. She made the choice to conspire with Epstein for years, working as partners in crime and causing devastating harm to vulnerable victims," Williams added, as reported by Reuters.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mass-graves-being-prepared-for-earthquake-victims-in-afghanistan-491083">Mass graves being prepared for earthquake victims in Afghanistan</a>

Maxwell, the Oxford-educated daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, has already been held in detention for some two years following her arrest in New Hampshire in the summer of 2020.

During her high-profile trial, prosecutors successfully argued that Maxwell was "the key" to Epstein's scheme of enticing young girls to give him massages, during which he would sexually abuse them.

She was found guilty on five of six sexual abuse counts and her sentence could amount to an effective life term behind bars.

Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting his own sex crimes trial in New York.

(with inputs from agencies)

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In a court filing late Wednesday, United States prosecutors argued that former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell should go to jail for somewhere between 30 and 55 years for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls, as reported by Reuters.

In a court filing late Wednesday, United States prosecutors argued that former socialite Ghislaine Maxwell should go to jail for somewhere between 30 and 55 years for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse girls, as reported by Reuters. Maxwell, 60, was convicted in December of sex trafficking minors for the late disgraced financier and is scheduled to be sentenced in Manhattan on Tuesday. Her lawyers have argued for leniency, citing a traumatic childhood and claiming that Maxwell is being unfairly punished because Epstein escaped trial. They called for Judge Alison Nathan to hand down a sentence less than the probation department’s recommended 20 years. But in a court filing late Wednesday, the government argued that Maxwell should go to jail for somewhere between 30 and 55 years. She has shown an "utter lack of remorse" for her crimes, wrote Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York. "Instead of showing even a hint of acceptance of responsibility, the defendant makes a desperate attempt to cast blame wherever else she can," he said. "Maxwell was an adult who made her own choices. She made the choice to sexually exploit numerous underage girls. She made the choice to conspire with Epstein for years, working as partners in crime and causing devastating harm to vulnerable victims," Williams added, as reported by Reuters. Also Read: Mass graves being prepared for earthquake victims in Afghanistan Maxwell, the Oxford-educated daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, has already been held in detention for some two years following her arrest in New Hampshire in the summer of 2020. During her high-profile trial, prosecutors successfully argued that Maxwell was "the key" to Epstein's scheme of enticing young girls to give him massages, during which he would sexually abuse them. She was found guilty on five of six sexual abuse counts and her sentence could amount to an effective life term behind bars. Epstein killed himself in 2019 while awaiting his own sex crimes trial in New York. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US prosecutors say Maxwell deserves minimum 30-year prison sentence for sex-trafficking conviction

Ghost guns are homemade or home-assembled guns which do not have a serial number.&nbsp;Traditional guns sold in the United States are either produced by licensed manufacturers or imported from abroad. Both kinds are sold by licensed gun dealers and both must have a serial number, usually engraved on the frame.

This serial number allows law enforcement to trace any weapon found to have been involved in a crime. 
But, Ghost guns also called "80-per cent guns", are sold as unfinished products, with the final assembly completed by the end-user. Crucially, they have no serial number, and, because they are not classified as guns during the retail process, the kits do not require a license or a background check.

As reported by Metro,&nbsp;Cody Wilson, a ghost gun manufacturer in Texas says, “You buy it, we ship it. You can put gun parts in the cart, and check out. The whole process is very impersonal.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-want-to-meet-mermaids-you-might-find-one-in-your-local-community-pool-490972">In pics: Want to meet mermaids? You might find one in your local community pool</a>

Readily available online, they have quickly become the go-to solution for people barred from buying a weapon because of a criminal record or their age.

A study by Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization that campaigns to reduce gun violence, found that a kit to assemble an AR-15 rifle -- one of the most popular models in the United States, and often used in mass shootings -- can cost less than $400, as reported by AFP.

They are hard to find because of the lack of serial numbers, the fact that they are not regulated and that you do not need a background check to get one, there are no records on the number in circulation. But police forces around the United States are noticing a big uptick in the number of ghost guns they are seizing.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Ghost guns are homemade or home-assembled guns which do not have a serial number. Traditional guns sold in the United States are either produced by licensed manufacturers or imported from abroad.

Ghost guns are homemade or home-assembled guns which do not have a serial number. Traditional guns sold in the United States are either produced by licensed manufacturers or imported from abroad. Both kinds are sold by licensed gun dealers and both must have a serial number, usually engraved on the frame. This serial number allows law enforcement to trace any weapon found to have been involved in a crime. But, Ghost guns also called "80-per cent guns", are sold as unfinished products, with the final assembly completed by the end-user. Crucially, they have no serial number, and, because they are not classified as guns during the retail process, the kits do not require a license or a background check. As reported by Metro, Cody Wilson, a ghost gun manufacturer in Texas says, “You buy it, we ship it. You can put gun parts in the cart, and check out. The whole process is very impersonal.” Also Read: In pics: Want to meet mermaids? You might find one in your local community pool Readily available online, they have quickly become the go-to solution for people barred from buying a weapon because of a criminal record or their age. A study by Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization that campaigns to reduce gun violence, found that a kit to assemble an AR-15 rifle -- one of the most popular models in the United States, and often used in mass shootings -- can cost less than $400, as reported by AFP. They are hard to find because of the lack of serial numbers, the fact that they are not regulated and that you do not need a background check to get one, there are no records on the number in circulation. But police forces around the United States are noticing a big uptick in the number of ghost guns they are seizing. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: E-commerce of ‘ghost guns’

A limited package of new gun reform proposals may soon become law in the United States. Democrats and Republicans in the senate have now agreed on a bipartisan bill in the wake of the long series of devastating mass shootings.

United States: Bipartisan gun reform unveiled

Texas's director of public safety says his department has compelling evidence to prove that Texas Shooting response was an abject failure of the law enforcement officials. Simon Marks gets you this report with Susan Tehrani.

United States: Police response an 'abject failure' in Texas Shooting case

The United States said Tuesday it will return to a ban on landmines other than on the Korean peninsula, reversing course from former president Donald Trump as it drew a contrast with Russia's use of the explosives in Ukraine.

President Joe Biden's administration said it would stop the use and production of anti-personnel landmines, which kill thousands of civilians a year.

It said it will destroy the US stockpile of three million&nbsp;mines&nbsp;except when judged to be needed in Korea.

"The administration's actions today are in sharp contrast to Russia's actions in Ukraine," senior State Department official Stanley Brown told reporters.

In Ukraine, "there's compelling evidence that Russian forces are using explosive munitions including landmines in an irresponsible manner, which is causing extensive harm to civilians and damage to vital civilian infrastructure there," he said.

The policy shift puts the United States closer to compliance but still outside the 1997 Ottawa Convention that banned anti-personnel landmines -- a treaty rejected by US adversaries Russia and China as well as historic enemies India and Pakistan.

The Biden administration returned to a policy of former president Barack Obama and reversed the position of Trump, who in 2020 gave the green light again to use and produce landmines, saying the United States had put itself at a competitive disadvantage.

The changes reflect Biden's "belief that these weapons have disproportionate impact on civilians, including children, long after fighting has stopped," a White House statement said.

Adrienne Rich, spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said that the United States has invested more than $4.2 billion since 1993 to destroy landmines and other conventional weapons.

"We will continue this important work&nbsp;as we take another step to reclaim American leadership on the world stage," she said in a statement.

Korean exception

The major exception is on the Korean peninsula, where many of North Korea's 1.2 million troops are stationed near the Demilitarized Zone just 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Seoul, the South's capital and a global economic hub.

"The unique circumstances on the Korean peninsula and the US commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea preclude the United States from changing anti-personnel landmine policy on the Korean peninsula at this time," the White House said.

The United States does not actively control minefields on the peninsula as it has transferred control to South Korea, which is not party to the Ottawa Convention.

The Trump administration argued that the United States could develop smarter landmines that could be deactivated remotely.

But anti-mine&nbsp;campaigners -- who famously included Princess Diana -- have long pointed to the deaths and maiming of civilians years after conflicts.

In 2019, landmines killed at least 2,170 people and injured another 3,357 people, nearly half of them believed to be children, according to the annual Landmine Monitor researched by non-governmental groups.

Non-governmental group Humanity and Inclusion praised the Biden shift but called on the United States to join the Ottawa treaty.

"Civilians can breathe a little easier today, because the leader of one of the world's largest militaries just promised to avoid future use of these weapons outside of the Korean peninsula," said Jeff Meer, the group's US executive director.

But the US refusal to join the treaty -- even though it has not used antipersonnel&nbsp;mines&nbsp;since the 1991 Gulf War -- "is an ironic and historical oddity" that "leaves thousands of lives at risk," Meer said.

Mines&nbsp;in Ukraine&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch in a recent report said that Russia has deployed at least seven kinds of&nbsp;mines&nbsp;in Ukraine since invading, including new types making their battlefield debut.

The landmines include booby-traps laid as Russian forces retreat that are set off by victims, it said.

The&nbsp;mines&nbsp;have stopped Ukrainian civilians -- whose own country is party to the Ottawa Convention -- from accessing homes and fields, it said.

The United States has shipped Claymore&nbsp;mines&nbsp;-- designed to ambush enemy infantry -- to Ukraine.

The United States said Tuesday it will return to a ban on landmines other than on the Korean peninsula, reversing course from former president Donald Trump as it drew a contrast with Russia's use of the explosives in Ukraine.

The United States said Tuesday it will return to a ban on landmines other than on the Korean peninsula, reversing course from former president Donald Trump as it drew a contrast with Russia's use of the explosives in Ukraine. President Joe Biden's administration said it would stop the use and production of anti-personnel landmines, which kill thousands of civilians a year. It said it will destroy the US stockpile of three million mines except when judged to be needed in Korea. "The administration's actions today are in sharp contrast to Russia's actions in Ukraine," senior State Department official Stanley Brown told reporters. In Ukraine, "there's compelling evidence that Russian forces are using explosive munitions including landmines in an irresponsible manner, which is causing extensive harm to civilians and damage to vital civilian infrastructure there," he said. The policy shift puts the United States closer to compliance but still outside the 1997 Ottawa Convention that banned anti-personnel landmines -- a treaty rejected by US adversaries Russia and China as well as historic enemies India and Pakistan. The Biden administration returned to a policy of former president Barack Obama and reversed the position of Trump, who in 2020 gave the green light again to use and produce landmines, saying the United States had put itself at a competitive disadvantage. The changes reflect Biden's "belief that these weapons have disproportionate impact on civilians, including children, long after fighting has stopped," a White House statement said. Adrienne Rich, spokeswoman for the National Security Council, said that the United States has invested more than $4.2 billion since 1993 to destroy landmines and other conventional weapons. "We will continue this important work as we take another step to reclaim American leadership on the world stage," she said in a statement. Korean exception The major exception is on the Korean peninsula, where many of North Korea's 1.2 million troops are stationed near the Demilitarized Zone just 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Seoul, the South's capital and a global economic hub. "The unique circumstances on the Korean peninsula and the US commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea preclude the United States from changing anti-personnel landmine policy on the Korean peninsula at this time," the White House said. The United States does not actively control minefields on the peninsula as it has transferred control to South Korea, which is not party to the Ottawa Convention. The Trump administration argued that the United States could develop smarter landmines that could be deactivated remotely. But anti-mine campaigners -- who famously included Princess Diana -- have long pointed to the deaths and maiming of civilians years after conflicts. In 2019, landmines killed at least 2,170 people and injured another 3,357 people, nearly half of them believed to be children, according to the annual Landmine Monitor researched by non-governmental groups. Non-governmental group Humanity and Inclusion praised the Biden shift but called on the United States to join the Ottawa treaty. "Civilians can breathe a little easier today, because the leader of one of the world's largest militaries just promised to avoid future use of these weapons outside of the Korean peninsula," said Jeff Meer, the group's US executive director. But the US refusal to join the treaty -- even though it has not used antipersonnel mines since the 1991 Gulf War -- "is an ironic and historical oddity" that "leaves thousands of lives at risk," Meer said. Mines in Ukraine Human Rights Watch in a recent report said that Russia has deployed at least seven kinds of mines in Ukraine since invading, including new types making their battlefield debut. The landmines include booby-traps laid as Russian forces retreat that are set off by victims, it said. The mines have stopped Ukrainian civilians -- whose own country is party to the Ottawa Convention -- from accessing homes and fields, it said. The United States has shipped Claymore mines -- designed to ambush enemy infantry -- to Ukraine.

United States reimposes near total ban on landmine use

United States President Joe Biden is expected to call on Congress to suspend the federal gas taxes for the next three months in order to combat the rapid rise in fuel prices. Biden will also ask the state governments to suspend their own taxes in order to provide some relief to the public, according to the White House. According to ABC News, a senior administration official said that there is "some evidence that state tax suspensions, in particular, do get passed through to consumers" and added that Biden will be speaking directly on gas companies for price regulation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-920-people-killed-and-600-wounded-after-magnitude-61-earthquake-hits-eastern-afghanistan-490492" hreflang="en">Afghanistan earthquake: At least 1000 killed, rescue efforts underway</a>

"Companies, of course, are beholden to their shareholders, but they really need to be beholden and conscious of customers, and their fellow neighbors, and their fellow citizens, just like this administration's doing," another senior administration official told reporters according to the ABC News report. "And we hope that that's the spirit that CEOs of these companies will take."

Currently, the United States government charges an 18.4-cent tax per gallon of gasoline and a 24.4-cent tax per gallon of diesel. However, under the new directives, they will forego all tax earnings for three months and the White House said that the cost of the action will be around $10 billion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/with-4-to-5-rape-cases-daily-pakistans-punjab-declares-rape-emergency-490546">With 4 to 5 rape cases daily, Pakistan's Punjab declares 'rape emergency'</a>

However, according to the ABC News report, the White House official made it clear that these are steps that can provide some relief but a “tax holiday” cannot be the ultimate solution.

A federal gas tax holiday "isn't going to solve the whole problem. It is something that can be done to take a real step to relieve some of that pain at the pump. And we see it as part of a suite of policies that are designed to provide that relief, including policies that focus on the supply side."

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United States President Joe Biden is expected to call on Congress to suspend the federal gas taxes for the next three months in order to combat the rapid rise in fuel prices.

United States President Joe Biden is expected to call on Congress to suspend the federal gas taxes for the next three months in order to combat the rapid rise in fuel prices. Biden will also ask the state governments to suspend their own taxes in order to provide some relief to the public, according to the White House. According to ABC News, a senior administration official said that there is "some evidence that state tax suspensions, in particular, do get passed through to consumers" and added that Biden will be speaking directly on gas companies for price regulation. Also read | Afghanistan earthquake: At least 1000 killed, rescue efforts underway "Companies, of course, are beholden to their shareholders, but they really need to be beholden and conscious of customers, and their fellow neighbors, and their fellow citizens, just like this administration's doing," another senior administration official told reporters according to the ABC News report. "And we hope that that's the spirit that CEOs of these companies will take." Currently, the United States government charges an 18.4-cent tax per gallon of gasoline and a 24.4-cent tax per gallon of diesel. However, under the new directives, they will forego all tax earnings for three months and the White House said that the cost of the action will be around $10 billion. Also read | With 4 to 5 rape cases daily, Pakistan's Punjab declares 'rape emergency' However, according to the ABC News report, the White House official made it clear that these are steps that can provide some relief but a “tax holiday” cannot be the ultimate solution. A federal gas tax holiday "isn't going to solve the whole problem. It is something that can be done to take a real step to relieve some of that pain at the pump. And we see it as part of a suite of policies that are designed to provide that relief, including policies that focus on the supply side." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Joe Biden to ask US Congress to stop gas tax for three months as fuel prices rise

Under pressure from furious motorists and truck drivers, the White House is searching for ways to save Americans from high fuel prices. President Biden has said that he is considering announcing a tax holiday on which people could save almost 5 cents per liter in fuel costs.

United States: Gasoline tax holiday proposed to curb inflation

Goldman Sachs, an American multinational investment bank and financial services said it now thinks there is a 30% chance of the U.S. economy tipping into a recession over the next year, up from its previous forecast of 15%,&nbsp;as reported by Reuters.

Wall Street was set to open higher on Tuesday and European shares were set for the second day of gains, recovering slightly from last week's 17-month lows, but major central banks' rate hike plans and global recession risks kept investors cautious.

World stocks have edged higher so far this week, recovering from last week's sharp sell-off which saw global equities tumble to their lowest since November 2020 as expectations for central bank policy tightening to combat high inflation prompted investors to ditch risky assets.

But, analysts expect the bounceback to be short-lived. Timothy Graf, head of macro strategy for EMEA at State Street Global Markets, said the move higher was likely a result of markets being oversold in recent weeks and relief that event risks, such as the Bank of Japan and Swiss National Bank meetings, have passed.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-television-broadcasted-in-ukraines-kherson-490290">Russian television broadcasted in Ukraine’s Kherson</a>

Oil prices rose as investors focused on tight supplies of crude and fuel products. Brent crude futures were up 1.1% at $115.38 while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 1.4% at $111.13. Gold was little changed at around $1,832.6 an ounce.&nbsp;

Bitcoin was up around 3% on the day at $21,173, having stabilised slightly since it plunged to as low as $17,592.78 at the weekend. Cryptocurrencies have increasingly become a metric of risk appetite, State Street's Graf said.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Goldman Sachs, an American multinational investment bank and financial services said it now thinks there is a 30% chance of the U.S. economy tipping into a recession over the next year, up from its previous forecast of 15%, as reported by Reuters.

Goldman Sachs, an American multinational investment bank and financial services said it now thinks there is a 30% chance of the U.S. economy tipping into a recession over the next year, up from its previous forecast of 15%, as reported by Reuters. Wall Street was set to open higher on Tuesday and European shares were set for the second day of gains, recovering slightly from last week's 17-month lows, but major central banks' rate hike plans and global recession risks kept investors cautious. World stocks have edged higher so far this week, recovering from last week's sharp sell-off which saw global equities tumble to their lowest since November 2020 as expectations for central bank policy tightening to combat high inflation prompted investors to ditch risky assets. But, analysts expect the bounceback to be short-lived. Timothy Graf, head of macro strategy for EMEA at State Street Global Markets, said the move higher was likely a result of markets being oversold in recent weeks and relief that event risks, such as the Bank of Japan and Swiss National Bank meetings, have passed. Also Read: Russian television broadcasted in Ukraine’s Kherson Oil prices rose as investors focused on tight supplies of crude and fuel products. Brent crude futures were up 1.1% at $115.38 while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up 1.4% at $111.13. Gold was little changed at around $1,832.6 an ounce. Bitcoin was up around 3% on the day at $21,173, having stabilised slightly since it plunged to as low as $17,592.78 at the weekend. Cryptocurrencies have increasingly become a metric of risk appetite, State Street's Graf said. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Goldman Sachs forecasts 30 per cent chance of US economy tipping into recession: Report

The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed over one million lives in the United States, but it looks like the rate is slowing going down. According to the New York Times, the rise of vaccination and herd immunity has resulted in Covid-related deaths falling drastically and it is now close to the lowest since the pandemic began. According to the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, 230 Covid-related deaths were reported on June 16 - a huge fall from the 2200 cases recorded in February earlier this year when the country was dealing the Omicron sub-variant. The fall is almost similar when it comes to the seven-day moving average which is also down to almost one-tenth.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-floods-and-landslides-as-heaviest-rain-in-60-years-hits-southern-china-490261" hreflang="en">In pics - Floods and landslides as heaviest rain in 60 years hits southern China</a>

"In previous waves there were still substantial pockets of people who had not been vaccinated or exposed to the virus, and so were at the same risk of dying as people at the beginning of the pandemic,” Dr David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health told The New York Times in an interview. "Those pockets don’t exist anymore."

Dr Joe Gerald, an associate professor of public health at the University of Arizona, told The New York Times that the situation has gotten much better since the Omicron surge between January &amp; March.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-presidential-election-2022-yashwant-sinha-chosen-as-candidate-of-opposition-parties-490260">Indian Presidential Election 2022: Yashwant Sinha becomes opposition's choice</a>

"Our level of community immunity heading into this wave was much higher than it's ever been due to the combination of infection and vaccination,” he said according to the NYT report.

However, some doctors have warned the United States may see a surge in cases in the near future as a big percentage of people are opting to not take the booster vaccine shots.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed over one million lives in the United States, but it looks like the rate is slowing going down. According to the New York Times, the rise of vaccination and herd immunity has resulted in Covid-related deaths falling drastically and it is now close to the lowest since the pandemic began.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already claimed over one million lives in the United States, but it looks like the rate is slowing going down. According to the New York Times, the rise of vaccination and herd immunity has resulted in Covid-related deaths falling drastically and it is now close to the lowest since the pandemic began. According to the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, 230 Covid-related deaths were reported on June 16 - a huge fall from the 2200 cases recorded in February earlier this year when the country was dealing the Omicron sub-variant. The fall is almost similar when it comes to the seven-day moving average which is also down to almost one-tenth. Also read | In pics - Floods and landslides as heaviest rain in 60 years hits southern China "In previous waves there were still substantial pockets of people who had not been vaccinated or exposed to the virus, and so were at the same risk of dying as people at the beginning of the pandemic,” Dr David Dowdy, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health told The New York Times in an interview. "Those pockets don’t exist anymore." Dr Joe Gerald, an associate professor of public health at the University of Arizona, told The New York Times that the situation has gotten much better since the Omicron surge between January & March. Also read | Indian Presidential Election 2022: Yashwant Sinha becomes opposition's choice "Our level of community immunity heading into this wave was much higher than it's ever been due to the combination of infection and vaccination,” he said according to the NYT report. However, some doctors have warned the United States may see a surge in cases in the near future as a big percentage of people are opting to not take the booster vaccine shots. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-related deaths fall sharply while cases surge in United States: Report

The controversy regarding the Roe v Wade judgement has been brewing in the United States for quite some time. Since the release of a leaked draft saying that the landmark judgement regarding the women’s reproductive rights will be overturned, people have been protesting against it. Now, a study shows that the decision can led to the closure of almost a quarter of abortion clinics all over the US. The study, conducted by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, said that more than a quarter of the 790 abortion clinics in the country – 202 clinics to be exact - will shut down in case Roe v Wade, which provides legal protection for abortion, is overturned in the near future.

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The study found that in the last two years, more clinics opened up in different states across the United States and although there were closures, the number was not alarming in comparison.

However, in case Roe v Wade is overturned, it will result in around twelve states coming up with their own laws making abortion less accessible to the general public. According to the proposed laws, the restrictions will range from decreasing access to necessary healthcare required for the abortion process to facing homicide charges for abortion (as proposed by Kentucky lawmakers).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lankan-military-opens-fire-to-contain-unrest-over-fuel-crisis-489724">Sri Lankan military open fire to contain unrest over fuel crisis</a>

This will be a huge blow to the progress made by the United States in making abortion safe for the people as the clinics will die down and abortion pills will be difficult to access for the public.

Right now, there is one clinic for every 158,000 women of reproductive age, according to the report.

(With inputs from agencies)

The controversy regarding the Roe v Wade judgement has been brewing in the United States for quite some time. Since the release of a leaked draft saying that the landmark judgement regarding the women’s reproductive rights will be overturned, people have been protesting against it.

The controversy regarding the Roe v Wade judgement has been brewing in the United States for quite some time. Since the release of a leaked draft saying that the landmark judgement regarding the women’s reproductive rights will be overturned, people have been protesting against it. Now, a study shows that the decision can led to the closure of almost a quarter of abortion clinics all over the US. The study, conducted by Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health, said that more than a quarter of the 790 abortion clinics in the country – 202 clinics to be exact - will shut down in case Roe v Wade, which provides legal protection for abortion, is overturned in the near future. Also read | Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara takes oath as Philippines vice president The study found that in the last two years, more clinics opened up in different states across the United States and although there were closures, the number was not alarming in comparison. However, in case Roe v Wade is overturned, it will result in around twelve states coming up with their own laws making abortion less accessible to the general public. According to the proposed laws, the restrictions will range from decreasing access to necessary healthcare required for the abortion process to facing homicide charges for abortion (as proposed by Kentucky lawmakers). Also read | Sri Lankan military open fire to contain unrest over fuel crisis This will be a huge blow to the progress made by the United States in making abortion safe for the people as the clinics will die down and abortion pills will be difficult to access for the public. Right now, there is one clinic for every 158,000 women of reproductive age, according to the report. (With inputs from agencies)

One quarter of abortion clinics will close in the US if Roe v Wade is overturned: Report

A group of employees called AppleCORE (Coalition of Organized Retail Employees) campaigned for unionisation, resulting in a majority of employees at a US Apple store having voted to form a union, a first for Apple, which has so far tried to discourage unionizing attempts.&nbsp;

Of the 110 employees at the Towson, Maryland shop, 65 voted in favour and 33 against, according to a live count broadcast Saturday by the federal agency overseeing the vote.

"We did it, Towson! We won our union vote! Thanks to all who worked so hard and all who supported us! Now we celebrate... Tomorrow we keep organizing," AppleCORE tweeted.

They are demanding a say in deciding on wages, hours and safety measures.&nbsp;

Saturday's result means that the shop's employees, who have been voting since Wednesday, should form their own branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union, once the agency has certified the results.&nbsp;

IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr said he applauded the workers' "courage."

"They made a huge sacrifice for thousands of Apple employees across the nation who had all eyes on this election. I ask Apple CEO Tim Cook to respect the election results and fast-track a first contract for the dedicated IAM CORE Apple employees in Towson," he said in a statement.

"This victory shows the growing demand for unions at Apple stores and different industries across our nation." 
It was not the first time employees at an Apple store have tried to unionize, but it was the first attempt that resulted in a vote.&nbsp;

Apple's director of distribution and human resources, Deirdre O'Brien, visited the shop in May to address employees, and said, "I want to start out by saying it's your right to join a union, but it's equally your right not to join a union.”

"If you’re faced with that decision, I want to encourage you to consult a wide range of people and sources to understand what it could be like to work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement," &nbsp;he added.

She said that the presence of an intermediary would complicate relations between Apple and its employees.&nbsp; 
Unions, on the decline for decades, have won several symbolic victories in the United States in recent months, with President Joe Biden voicing his support. &nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/wion-insights/what-did-wto-ministerial-agree-on-and-why-are-these-agreements-historic-489400">&nbsp;What did WTO ministerial agree on? And why are these agreements historic?</a>

After a union was formed at two Starbucks coffee shops in December in the northern city of Buffalo, employees at more than 160 of the chain's locations have filed for similar votes.&nbsp;

At Amazon, employees at a New York warehouse surprised everyone in early April by voting overwhelmingly to form a union, a first for the online retail colossus in the United States.

But the company has asked for the result to be cancelled and a second vote to be held.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

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A group of employees called AppleCORE (Coalition of Organized Retail Employees) campaigned for unionisation, resulting in a majority of employees at a US Apple store having voted to form a union, a first for Apple, which has so far tried to discourage unionizing attempts.

A group of employees called AppleCORE (Coalition of Organized Retail Employees) campaigned for unionisation, resulting in a majority of employees at a US Apple store having voted to form a union, a first for Apple, which has so far tried to discourage unionizing attempts. Of the 110 employees at the Towson, Maryland shop, 65 voted in favour and 33 against, according to a live count broadcast Saturday by the federal agency overseeing the vote. "We did it, Towson! We won our union vote! Thanks to all who worked so hard and all who supported us! Now we celebrate... Tomorrow we keep organizing," AppleCORE tweeted. They are demanding a say in deciding on wages, hours and safety measures. Saturday's result means that the shop's employees, who have been voting since Wednesday, should form their own branch of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) union, once the agency has certified the results. IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr said he applauded the workers' "courage." "They made a huge sacrifice for thousands of Apple employees across the nation who had all eyes on this election. I ask Apple CEO Tim Cook to respect the election results and fast-track a first contract for the dedicated IAM CORE Apple employees in Towson," he said in a statement. "This victory shows the growing demand for unions at Apple stores and different industries across our nation." It was not the first time employees at an Apple store have tried to unionize, but it was the first attempt that resulted in a vote. Apple's director of distribution and human resources, Deirdre O'Brien, visited the shop in May to address employees, and said, "I want to start out by saying it's your right to join a union, but it's equally your right not to join a union.” "If you’re faced with that decision, I want to encourage you to consult a wide range of people and sources to understand what it could be like to work at Apple under a collective bargaining agreement," he added. She said that the presence of an intermediary would complicate relations between Apple and its employees. Unions, on the decline for decades, have won several symbolic victories in the United States in recent months, with President Joe Biden voicing his support. Also Read: What did WTO ministerial agree on? And why are these agreements historic? After a union was formed at two Starbucks coffee shops in December in the northern city of Buffalo, employees at more than 160 of the chain's locations have filed for similar votes. At Amazon, employees at a New York warehouse surprised everyone in early April by voting overwhelmingly to form a union, a first for the online retail colossus in the United States. But the company has asked for the result to be cancelled and a second vote to be held. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

United States: Apple store workers vote to form union

A lot of people were not happy with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida saying that the state will not order or distribute COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 5. Florida was the only state in the United States to not place advance orders for the vaccines which were earlier authorised by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).&nbsp; The White House was also extremely critical of the decision, and they announced on Friday that the doctors in Florida will now be able to directly order the vaccine from the federal government. The orders will be sanctioned once the vaccines receive the final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the next few days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-of-first-americans-captured-by-russian-forces-since-ukraines-invasion-telecasted-by-russian-tv-489414" hreflang="en">Watch | Russian TV shows videos of two US vets captured in Ukraine</a>

“We are encouraged that after repeated failures by Governor DeSantis to order COVID-19 vaccines even after every other state had ordered, the State of Florida is now permitting health care providers to order COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest children,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “We believe it is critical to allow parents everywhere to have the choice to get their kids vaccinated and have a conversation with their pediatrician or health care provider.”

The FDA finally authorised the COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of six months and five years on Friday and it is expected to be approved in a CDC vote taking place on Saturday.

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The vaccine will be available at pharmacies and community health centers all around Florida and the orders can be placed by children's hospitals and other clinics directly through a state portal.

"Doctors can get it. Hospitals can get it. But there's not going to be any state programs that are going to be trying to get COVID jabs to infants and toddlers and newborns," DeSantis said at a news conference. "That's not where we're gonna be utilizing our resources."

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(With inputs from agencies)

A lot of people were not happy with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida saying that the state will not order or distribute COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 5.

A lot of people were not happy with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida saying that the state will not order or distribute COVID-19 vaccines for children under the age of 5. Florida was the only state in the United States to not place advance orders for the vaccines which were earlier authorised by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The White House was also extremely critical of the decision, and they announced on Friday that the doctors in Florida will now be able to directly order the vaccine from the federal government. The orders will be sanctioned once the vaccines receive the final approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the next few days. Also read | Watch | Russian TV shows videos of two US vets captured in Ukraine “We are encouraged that after repeated failures by Governor DeSantis to order COVID-19 vaccines even after every other state had ordered, the State of Florida is now permitting health care providers to order COVID-19 vaccines for our youngest children,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “We believe it is critical to allow parents everywhere to have the choice to get their kids vaccinated and have a conversation with their pediatrician or health care provider.” The FDA finally authorised the COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of six months and five years on Friday and it is expected to be approved in a CDC vote taking place on Saturday. Also read | In pics-Which are EU candidate countries and what's their status now? The vaccine will be available at pharmacies and community health centers all around Florida and the orders can be placed by children's hospitals and other clinics directly through a state portal. "Doctors can get it. Hospitals can get it. But there's not going to be any state programs that are going to be trying to get COVID jabs to infants and toddlers and newborns," DeSantis said at a news conference. "That's not where we're gonna be utilizing our resources." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Florida doctors can order COVID-19 shots for children under 5, says White House

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