“A North Dakota judge vacated the state’s near-total abortion ban on Thursday, saying that a pregnant resident had a ‘fundamental right’ to choose an abortion until their fetus was viable. State District Judge Bruce Romanick also said that the ban was ‘unconstitutionally void for vagueness’ in how it defined exceptions. The ban, passed by the Republican-led state Legislature last year, allows abortions only in the case of rape or incest, and only then in the first six weeks of pregnancy, before many people know they’re pregnant. An exception also exists for patients facing life-threatening health risks. The lawsuit challenging the ban was filed by several North Dakota physicians and the Red River Women’s Clinic, which until 2022 was the state’s sole abortion provider.” (09/12/24)
“New York’s high court tossed out former President Trump’s appeal of the gag order in his hush money criminal case Thursday. The gag order, which remains in partial effect ahead of Trump’s sentencing, bars the former president from making public remarks about prosecutors involved in the case or their families. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) and Judge Juan Merchan remain fair game. In a brief order, the court said ‘no substantial constitutional question is directly involved’ and that it would dismiss Trump’s appeal. The former president has argued the gag order violates the First Amendment rights of him and his millions of supporters, emphasizing his status as a presidential candidate in this year’s election.” (09/12/24)
“The European Central Bank announced its second interest rate cuts in three months Thursday, with a quarter-point cut to the deposit rate, down to 3.5% from 3.75%. Analysts had anticipated the deposit rate cut, however the ECB declined to commit to any further cuts this year — most traders bet there will be at least one further 0.25% this year. The ECB’s move comes ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s widely anticipated meeting next week, at which it is also expected to cut the cost of borrowing by 0.25% as inflation comes into its target 2% range.” (09/12/24)
“Harvey Weinstein has been indicted on additional sex crimes charges, Manhattan prosecutors said at a Thursday hearing, according to the Associated Press. The indictment for the disgraced Hollywood producer remains under seal until Wednesday. The new charges come ahead of a retrial for Weinstein, after a previous rape conviction collapsed this year. … Weinstein was originally sentenced to 23 years in prison in the New York trial. He was convicted of forcibly performing oral sex on a former production assistant, Mimi Haleyi, at his apartment in 2006; and of rape in the third degree for an attack on aspiring actress Jessica Mann at a hotel in 2013. But in a 4-3 split decision, a majority of the appellate judges concluded that the trial court erroneously allowed other women to testify about Weinstein’s alleged pattern of abuse, even though he was not being prosecuted for crimes against those witnesses.” (09/12/24)
“The U.S. government on Thursday responded to Venezuela’s disputed July presidential election by imposing sanctions against 16 allies of President [sic] Nicolás Maduro, accusing them of obstructing the vote and carrying out human rights abuses. Those targeted by the Treasury Department include the head of the country’s high court, leaders of state security forces and prosecutors. The move came days after the departure into exile of Edmundo González Urrutia, the former diplomat who represented the main opposition parties and claimed to have won the July 28 presidential election by a wide margin. Venezuela’s electoral authorities declared Maduro the victor hours after polls closed, but unlike previous presidential elections, they never released detailed vote tallies to back up their claim arguing that the National Electoral Council’s website was hacked.” (09/12/24)
“Greece outlined measures to boost its lagging birthrate on Thursday, from vouchers and childcare benefits to tax breaks for new parents, although experts questioned the plan’s effectiveness. Greece has one of Europe’s lowest fertility rates, a dire demographic state driven by a decade-long economic crisis, emigration and changed attitudes among the young. The prime minister has called it a national threat and a ‘ticking time bomb’ for pensions. It currently spends around one billion euros a year on pro-child measures. Yet it recorded its lowest ever number of births in 2022. The measures outlined on Thursday by the family, interior, finance and health ministries include tax relief for new parents, daycare vouchers, a rise in the minimum wage from 2025, pension increases and social contribution reductions.” (09/12/24)
“Taking a high dose of ADHD drugs is linked to more than five times greater risk of developing psychosis or mania, according to a new study published Thursday in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The research is among the first to find a relationship between escalating doses of the drugs — amphetamines, in particular — and a greater likelihood of psychotic symptoms. The drugs include Adderall, Vyvanse and generic amphetamines, such as dextroamphetamine.” (09/12/24)
“Congress will have an unprecedented amount of security when it certifies the winner of the presidential election in January, at a level typically seen for the Olympic Games and gatherings of world leaders like the Nato summit. The US Secret Service said the decision to treat the procedure at the Capitol as a ‘national special security event’ was made after they received numerous calls from politicians, including Washington’s mayor. The agency said the classification will allow for ‘significant resources’ at local, state and federal levels and a ‘comprehensive security plan.’ This will be the first time lawmakers confirm election results since the US Capitol riot, when supporters of former President Donald Trump violently breached the complex.” (09/12/24)
“All flights at Brussels South Charleroi Airport were canceled Thursday due to a surprise strike affecting around 200 flights and 30,000 passengers. The airport’s management said it was ‘very surprised that this action is taking place,’ as the unions issued a notice of action on Sept. 4 calling for a possible strike ‘from Sept. 19,’ the airport told the Belgian press. ‘It is regrettable that passengers are being held hostage by these wild actions,’ said Nathalie Pierard, the airport’s spokesperson. A strike was announced for Thursday on Wednesday, but in the evening the Christian union Cne said there had been no official call for action by workers’ representatives. The airport’s operational capacity was preventively reduced to 15 percent but this morning ‘we were not able to board passengers on planes,’ Pierard told RTL Info.” (09/12/24)
“After slashing 1,900 jobs across Xbox and Activision earlier this year, Microsoft is laying off another 650 employees, according to an internal memo seen by The Verge. The cuts are again related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition and will mostly affect corporate and supporting functions, Xbox head Phil Spencer told employees. … Microsoft completed its $68.7 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard in October 2023, following a 21-month battle with regulators in the US and UK.” (09/12/24)
