Iowa Republicans advance 6-week abortion ban in special session
Iowa's Republican-controlled legislature advanced a bill that would ban most abortions in the state as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
2023-07-12 20:26
Red Bull has handed Daniel Ricciardo the first step to Sergio Perez’s seat
Within the Red Bull ecosystem, encompassing two teams on the Formula 1 grid and the junior team below, there is no doubting who the senior statesman is. When Dr Helmut Marko speaks, people listen. And for Nyck de Vries, the writing has been on the wall for a while now. Asked after the British Grand Prix whether Red Bull’s ‘third driver’ Daniel Ricciardo could replace De Vries at Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri, Marko grinned. A grin which told us everything we need to know. “We’ll have the tyre test next week and then we’ll see,” he stated. That test, with Ricciardo in the cockpit of Red Bull’s RB19 rocketship for the first time this season, took place on Tuesday morning at Silverstone. Hours later, the Australian’s return to F1 was confirmed. The first thing to note is, despite his obvious struggles, it is brutally harsh on Nyck de Vries. When the Dutchman made his splash last September in Monza – filling in for Alex Albon at Williams and securing points with an impressive ninth-place finish – it must have seemed like a dream. The former Formula 2 and Formula E champion had long been on the cusps of a grid spot, entwined in Mercedes’ junior programme, and now a 2023 place was inevitable. AlphaTauri, with Pierre Gasly departing for Alpine, moved swiftly for De Vries – a decision we have now learned that Christian Horner did not agree with. Yet this year, the pairing has always felt like an uncomfortable marriage. AlphaTauri have slumped to the worst team on the grid, with Williams showing signs of improvement under the leadership of James Vowles. And while Yuki Tsunoda – in his third season with the team, it should be said – has maximised any potential out of the AT04, De Vries has undeniably stumbled in his first full season. 10 races. Zero points. Out the door. De Vries may now look back with regret that he did not stick in Mercedes’ wider bubble and eye a spot with Williams. The chances are he would have been favoured over Logan Sargeant, the only other driver on the grid yet to score a point this season. But the stark reality is that De Vries is a sacrificial lamb in this situation. Because, as we have seen in the past with Red Bull’s ruthless revolving door, his axing and Ricciardo’s return is about something much bigger than the prospects of Red Bull’s sister team this season. As much as De Vries’ poor form looks the reason on paper, Sergio Perez’s struggles as Max Verstappen’s team-mate in the past two months is a factor equally important, if not more so. Since winning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in April, Perez has endured a wretched run given he is, clearly, in the fastest car. While Verstappen is on a win streak of six, Perez has finished on the podium just twice and has not made the final qualifying session in his last five races. Three of those have been a humiliating exit in Q1. Thus, Perez has gone from a world championship contender to under pressure for his race seat in a matter of months. While Horner insists publicly that the Mexican’s spot is not shrouded in uncertainty – with a contract until the end of the 2024 season – there is no doubting that Ricciardo’s re-emergence heaps an extra crumb of pressure on that second Red Bull seat. For what its worth, simply assuming Ricciardo will snap up Perez’s seat as soon as next year is inadvisable. The 34-year-old was dropped by McLaren for a reason, after a chastening 2022 campaign, and has plenty to prove in the remaining 12 races of this season, starting next week in Hungary. But if the tyre test is anything to go by, the popular Aussie is champing at the bit. Speculation is rife that his best time would have been quick enough for the front row at the British Grand Prix on Sunday. Sure, it was just a tyre test, but nonetheless impressive after eight months out of the car. A similar set of statement performances throughout the season’s remainder, back where it all began with Red Bull’s sister team, could give Ricciardo the most unlikeliest of routes back into the sport permanently with Red Bull next year. At the very least, it will give Marko and Horner a decision to make. Read More Daniel Ricciardo returns to F1 as he replaces Nyck de Vries A fictional Drive to Survive? Daniel Ricciardo ‘full steam ahead’ with scripted F1 show Daniel Ricciardo shaped void will take some filling by Oscar Piastri at Australian GP Daniel Ricciardo returns to F1 as he replaces Nyck de Vries The moment Norris came of age in British Grand Prix – and it wasn’t his super start Max Verstappen storms to British Grand Prix victory with two Brits on the podium
2023-07-12 19:17
Pence would ban abortions when pregnancies aren't viable. His GOP rivals won't say if they agree
Former Vice President Mike Pence is leaning in on his anti-abortion stance as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination
2023-07-12 17:48
Netflix's 'Painkiller' trailer tells the grim story of the opioid crisis
It's been less than two years since Hulu's Dopesick explored the rise of the Sackler
2023-07-12 17:45
Iowa Republicans pass new bill banning almost all abortions after six weeks
Iowa’s Republican-led legislature has enacted a new bill prohibiting the vast majority of abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy. This comes just weeks after a deadlock in the Iowa Supreme Court that rendered a six-week abortion ban unenforceable. On Tuesday, however, legislators reconvened at the Iowa State Capitol and successfully passed a nearly identical set of restrictions on the procedure. Republican governor Kim Reynolds plans to sign the bill into law on Friday, her office said. “I believe the pro-life movement is the most important human rights cause of our time,” she said in a statement on Tuesday night. “The Iowa Supreme Court questioned whether this legislature would pass the same law they did in 2018, and today they have a clear answer. The voices of Iowans and their democratically elected representatives cannot be ignored any longer, and justice for the unborn should not be delayed.” Under the new Republican bill, abortions are permitted up until approximately six weeks of pregnancy – a timeframe that critics say could pass before many women are even aware of their pregnancies. The legislation does incorporate exceptions beyond this point, such as in cases of rape or incest, when the woman’s life is at significant risk, when she faces the possibility of certain permanent injuries, or when there are foetal abnormalities deemed “incompatible with life”. “Unborn people, in my opinion, are babies, and the government’s job is to protect the rights of every person, including babies,” Republican representative Brad Sherman said on the House floor. The neighbouring Republican-led states of Missouri, South Dakota and Wisconsin have already implemented stringent abortion bans, effectively prohibiting the procedure in almost all cases. Additionally, Nebraska recently passed a new ban at the 12-week mark. Illinois and Minnesota, which have Democratic leaderships, maintain permissive abortion laws and reports suggested these may emerge as potential destinations for Iowans seeking abortions. “If this bill becomes law, women will die in Iowa. Common sense has walked out the door,” Democrat representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell told her colleagues on Tuesday night. “The ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood, and the Emma Goldman Clinic remain committed to protecting the reproductive rights of Iowans to control their bodies and their lives, their health, and their safety – including filing a lawsuit to block this reckless, cruel law,” Mark Stringer, the executive director of ACLU’s Iowa chapter, said in a statement. Protesters gathered ahead of the vote at the capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, holding signs that read “My Body, My Choice” and “Unborn Lives Matter”. Read More Iowa Legislature will take up 6-week abortion ban during special session Tuesday Republican presidential candidates jump to defend Iowa governor from Trump attacks Abortion numbers in Indiana drop amid ‘fear and uncertainty’ of possible state ban Republican presidential candidates jump to defend Iowa governor from Trump attacks Paraguay’s president-elect recommits to ties as Taiwan’s last ally in South America Thailand's Election Commission says top candidate for prime minister may have broken election law
2023-07-12 15:59
Russia's threat to pull out of Ukraine grain deal raises fears about global food security
Concerns are growing that Russia won't extend a United Nations-brokered deal that allows grain to flow from Ukraine to parts of the world struggling with hunger
2023-07-12 15:20
Iowa House passes 6-week abortion ban in special session called by GOP governor
Iowa's state House passed a bill Tuesday night that would ban most abortions in the state as early as six weeks into pregnancy, acting quickly in the special session ordered by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds with the sole purpose of restricting the procedure in the state.
2023-07-12 11:57
Iowa House approves law banning most abortions after about 6 weeks
A new ban on almost all abortions in Iowa after roughly six weeks of pregnancy has prevailed with exclusively Republican support in one chamber of the Legislature
2023-07-12 11:49
Fans can’t get enough of Barbie’s already sold-out collaboration with Crocs: ‘So cute’
If you needed more proof that it really is a Barbie world, Crocs’ new collaboration with the live-action film has already sold out online, much to the frustration of fans. Crocs is the latest brand to launch a collaboration with the Barbie movie, which hits theatres on 21 July. The shoe company debuted its new collection on Tuesday 11 July, with each shoe fittingly coated in Barbiecore pink. The Mega Crush Clog, which has already sold out online, features a 2.9-inch platform sole with a glittery midsole design and eight built-in Barbie movie charms with the classic “B” logo. The new collection also includes the Barbie Cozzzy Sandal, lined with plush pink fuzz; the Barbie Crush Clog in black; and a Barbiecore version of Crocs’ classic clog. The brand additionally released a set of kidswear shoes alongside the collection, though Barbie is for every age. Earlier this week, Crocs announced its Barbie collaboration on social media by sharing a first look at the pink shoes. However, it appears the heads-up wasn’t enough for Barbie fans, who already snatched up the collection just hours after it dropped. As of Tuesday, the platform Mega Crush Clog – which retails at $84.99 (£65.72) – is currently sold out in all sizes. However, the black Crush Clog is still available in select sizes at $74.99 (£57.99), as well as the Barbie Classic Clog at $59.99 (£46.39) and the Barbie Cozzzy Sandal at $64.99 (£50.25). Unsurprisingly, Barbie fans took to Twitter to reveal whether they were one of the lucky ones who snagged the limited edition Crocs. “Secured a pair of the Barbie Crocs before they sold out,” said one user. “The Barbie Crocs are soooo cute,” said another fan. “The Barbie Crocs are out they’re tempting me so bad,” a third person wrote, while someone else admitted: “Yes I bought the Barbie Crocs, yes they were incredibly expensive, yes my wallet hurts but my heart is happy!!!!!” However, not everyone was able to purchase a pair of the coveted Barbie shoes before they sold out online. “All the Barbie Crocs sold out in my size before I could get them,” tweeted one person. “This in my villain origin story.” “I want you to know that not being able to get the Barbie platform Crocs is absolutely my breaking point,” another wrote. While some Barbie Crocs have sold out on the brand’s website, fans can still purchase the collection items at Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Urban Outfitters, and Hibbett. This isn’t the only brand to collaborate with the Mattel doll ahead of the Barbie premiere. Last month, Airbnb announced that fans of the live-action film will be able to stay in Barbie’s oceanfront Malibu mansion free of charge. “The Barbie Malibu DreamHouse is back on Airbnb – but this time, Ken’s hosting,” Airbnb wrote on Instagram, sharing their announcement. “While everyone’s favourite doll makes her live action film debut in Barbie, Ken transformed the pink palace with maximum Kenergy – cowboy hats, rollerblades, you name it.” The home rental company said: “The stay will cost zero dollars, as Ken couldn’t figure out how to put a price on Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse.” According to Airbnb, two individual one-night stays in Ken’s bedroom inside the Barbie dreamhouse will be available on 21 and 22 July 2023. Fans can request to book their stay beginning on 17 July at 10am PT at airbnb.com/kendreamhouse. The upcoming Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, had its star-studded world premiere on 9 July in Los Angeles, California. The film stars Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie, along with Ryan Gosling as Ken. Barbie hits theatres in the US and UK on 21 July. Read More ‘Annoying’: Barbie director Greta Gerwig names two A-list cameos she failed to secure for film Michael Cera explains brilliant reason he wasn’t in the Barbie group chat Ryan Gosling’s subtle tribute to Eva Mendes at the Barbie premiere Michael Cera twinned with Ryan Gosling at Barbie premiere for sweet reason Ryan Gosling’s subtle tribute to Eva Mendes at the Barbie premiere Ryan Gosling says his daughters were ‘huge inspiration’ for his role in Barbie
2023-07-12 06:28
Idaho sued over law making it a crime to help minors get abortions without parental consent
Two advocacy groups and an attorney who works with sexual assault victims are suing Idaho over a new law that makes it a felony to help minors get an abortion without their parents’ consent
2023-07-12 06:28
Ryanair Quits UK Aviation Panel, Citing No Progress on Key Goals
Ryanair Holdings Plc. resigned from a UK effort to bolster the country’s aviation sector after five months, saying
2023-07-12 02:29
Canadian lake ground-zero for Anthropocene epoch
Scientists on Tuesday designated a small body of water near Toronto, Canada as ground-zero for the Anthropocene, the proposed geological epoch defined by humanity's massive and...
2023-07-12 01:28