z 777 Texas' abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine Texas has sued a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. It appears to be the first challenge in the U.S. to a state shield law that's intended to protect prescribers in Democratic-controlled states from being punished by states with abortion bans. Prescriptions like these, made online and over the phone, are a key reason that the number of abortions has increased across the U.S. even after state bans started taking effect. Most abortions in the U.S. involve pills rather than procedures. Anti-abortion groups are increasingly focusing on the rise of pills. Syrians cheer end of 50 years of Assad rule at first Friday prayers since government fell DAMASCUS (AP) — Exuberant Syrians observed the first Friday prayers since the ouster of President Bashar Assad, gathering in the capital’s historic main mosque, its largest square and around the country to celebrate the end of half a century of authoritarian rule. The newly installed interim prime minister delivered the sermon at the Umayyad Mosque, declaring that a new era of “freedom, dignity and justice” was dawning for Syria. The gatherings illustrated the dramatic changes that have swept over Syria less than a week after insurgents marched into Damascus and toppled Assad. Amid the jubilation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with allies around the region and called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian” interim government. US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has brought an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to two U.S. officials, who said Friday that Travis Timmerman has been flown to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter. The 29-year-old Timmerman told The Associated Press earlier Friday he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA's idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it 'absurd' NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers are again urging a judge to throw out his hush money conviction. In a court filing Friday, they balked at the prosecution’s “absurd” idea for preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI is filing its response Friday. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paula Abdul and former “American Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show. Abdul filed a notice of settlement in a Los Angeles court Thursday. The lawsuit filed nearly a year ago had also accused Lythgoe of sexually assaulting Abdul after she left “American Idol” and became a judge on Lythgoe’s other show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Lythgoe said at the time that the allegations were “an appalling smear.” Both sides said in statements Friday that they were glad to put the case behind them.US attorney general’s professionalism can protect Americans’ privacy, former federal judge explains

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It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap?Daniel Penny stands to make millions after not guilty verdict in Jordan Neely's death By BRITTANY CHAIN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:07 GMT, 9 December 2024 | Updated: 23:07 GMT, 9 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Daniel Penny stands to make millions as a martyr of the BLM movement after being found not guilty following a blockbuster trial in Manhattan. The 26-year-old Marine veteran was facing charges of second degree manslaughter and negligent homicide following the subway death of mentally ill homeless street performer Jordan Neely . But after more than 20 hours of deliberations over four days, jurors told the court they were unable to reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge and the state sensationally withdrew the charge in a desperate, last ditch effort to avoid a mistrial. By Monday, jurors returned a verdict of not guilty to negligent homicide to Justice Maxwell Wiley. They quickly found him not guilty - paving the way for his bright future full of book deals, TV appearances and even a career in politics. Since the very beginning, Penny won sympathy from conservatives who said he was right to step in when Neely acted out on the subway. Now, with the trial behind him and renewed support from the likes of the Trump family, Penny's future is brighter than ever. Daniel Penny leaves Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday after being found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. The manslaughter charge was dropped last week Industry experts believe Penny could be in for a windfall in excess of $1million after the criminal case against him concludes. 'He could become a symbolic figure for a certain segment of society, opening doors to mainstream and conservative media alike,' James Pipe is a legal expert and advocate at freegrantsforfelons.org, told Daily Mail. Pipe noted a conviction would 'necessarily preclude offers' because publishers and producers are notoriously 'drawn to controversial figures.' He said a 'compelling memoir or exclusive first interview' could be worth up to $500,000, while a documentary or film deal could exceed $1million. 'A significant factor will be how Penny and his team handle public relations after the trial. 'If he can frame his story in a way that resonates with the public or aligns with ongoing social conversations, the financial opportunities could be transformative,' Pipe said. 'However, backlash or boycotts from opposition groups could dampen prospects.' Pipe said Penny would also need to consider civil lawsuits against him, and how any 'post-trial earnings' could be impacted by those suits. 'Public scrutiny will likely follow him for years, which could affect the longevity of his public persona and his ability to secure deals long-term,' he said. Before the subway incident, Penny was a mild-mannered 24-year-old who'd left the Marines and spent time traveling the world Penny celebrated the court victory at the Stone Street Tavern on Monday afternoon Valerie Zucker said she envisions a 'one hour special or documentary' in the future. She said there could be hurdles to face 'from Neely's' camp, but that immediately after the trial would be a great time for Penny to 'clear the air and change public perception on his vision of what took place that day.' And while Penny is still a divisive figure amongst the public, Zucker said there could be a pathway into politics for Penny down the track. 'I don't think [it happens] right away,' she said. 'There's some backlash. 'Maybe something in the future.' Penny's acquittal enraged BLM activists, who instantly called for revenge in the form of black vigilantes. The 26-year-old quickly dashed to a downtown bar to celebrate his win with his lawyers and ponder his next move. Even before the verdict came back, there were calls from Republicans for him to be heralded a hero. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona has been so impressed by Penny and his swift action against Neely that, according to Fox, he wants to award him Congress ’ highest civilian honor - a Congressional Gold Medal. ‘Daniel Penny’s actions exemplify what it means to stand against the grain to do right in a world that rewards moral cowardice,’ he said. He went on to describe the justice system as ‘corrupt’ and one which ‘allows degenerates to steamroll our laws and our sense of security, while punishing the righteous. ‘Mr. Penny bravely stood in the gap to defy this corrupt system and protect his fellow Americans. I’m immensely proud to introduce this resolution to award him with the Congressional Gold Medal to recognize his heroism,’ he said. The Marine veteran has kept a dignified silence since he was charged in May 2023 Penny with his mother, Gina Flaim, on November 19 Penny intervened when Neely jumped on the train and began threatening other commuters, including mothers, children and students. Neely was shouting that somebody would ‘die’ and that he was willing to ‘go back to Rikers.’ He placed Neely in a chokehold which the state argued lasted six minutes. His defense told jurors that he was not applying consistent pressure for the length of that time, and that he was simply restraining Neely until police arrived. And while New York’s ‘Son of Sam’ laws prevent convicted criminals from selling their stories to publishers, Penny is innocent and has been convicted of no crime . He could theoretically sell his sensational life story to the highest bidder, or write a book himself about the ordeal. Legal expert and advocate at freegrantsforfelons.org James Pipe told DailyMail.com Penny could be in for a windfall in excess of $1million. 'He could become a symbolic figure for a certain segment of society, opening doors to mainstream and conservative media alike,' he said. Pipe noted a conviction would 'necessarily preclude offers' because publishers and producers are notoriously 'drawn to controversial figures.' He said a 'compelling memoir or exclusive first interview' could be worth up to $500,000, while a documentary or film deal could exceed $1million. 'A significant factor will be how Penny and his team handle public relations after the trial. If he can frame his story in a way that resonates with the public or aligns with ongoing social conversations, the financial opportunities could be transformative,' Pipe said. 'However, backlash or boycotts from opposition groups could dampen prospects.' Similarly, Valerie Zucker of Zucker Media Group said she envisions a 'one hour special or documentary' in the future. She said there could be hurdles to face 'from Neely's' camp, but that immediately after the trial would be a great time for Penny to 'clear the air and change public perception on his vision of what took place that day.' And while Penny is still a divisive figure amongst the public, Zucker said there could be a pathway into politics for Penny down the track. 'I don't think [it happens] right away,' she said. 'There's some backlash. 'Maybe something in the future.' The case has already attracted interest from several writers who have been present daily in the courtroom and are working on books about the outcome. With true-crime documentaries on the rise, there is also a strong possibility that Penny will find himself back in the spotlight via a streaming special about the case. Conservatives have long offered support for Penny since the case gained widespread national attention and became a lightning rod for racial debate. Vivek Ramaswamy donated $10,000 to Daniel Penny's staggering legal fund, which has now reached $3million. He has also repeatedly spoken out about Neely’s lengthy rap sheet, accusing the Manhattan District Attorney’s office of sharing ‘responsibility for his death for creating an anti law enforcement culture.’ ‘Habitual felons like Neely should not roam freely to terrorize and prey on innocent members of our communities,’ he said. Penny also has the strong backing of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis , sparking questions about if Penny would consider a tilt in politics himself, given he has access to two recent presidential candidates. The May 2023 incident sparked uproar in America - BLM says it was the racist killing of a mentally ill black man by an overzealous white military faithful. With the trial out of the way, Penny is also free to return his attention to his studies. When he was charged, he was studying architecture at the New York City College of Technology. He was also working two jobs – one as a swim teacher and also at a restaurant in Brooklyn – which he gave up to focus on the trial. He is also not completely out of the woods after Neely’s family filed a civil lawsuit against Penny last week. Penny’s legal team, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser, released a statement Friday afternoon revealing they will immediately set their sights on the lawsuit. The duo said the conclusion of the criminal trial would ‘allow us to focus on the civil lawsuit, filed two days ago, for the same allegations contained in the criminal indictment.’ Pipe said Penny would also need to consider civil lawsuits against him when he considers what his next step will be, because any 'post-trial earnings' could be impacted by those suits. 'Public scrutiny will likely follow him for years, which could affect the longevity of his public persona and his ability to secure deals long-term,' he said. Jordan Neely Daniel Penny Share or comment on this article: Daniel Penny stands to make millions after not guilty verdict in Jordan Neely's death e-mail Add comment

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US court rejects Tiktok request to temporarily halt pending US banA study of hot spots for collisions between ships and whales around the world, including Canadian waters, offers a map for measures to prevent the deadly strikes that could drive some species to extinction, one of the British Columbia-based authors says. Chloe Robinson said reported strikes represent a fraction of their true extent, and a lack of protection measures leaves whales vulnerable as global shipping expands. The study found shipping takes place across 92 per cent of the ranges for humpback, blue, fin and sperm whales worldwide, but measures to reduce vessel strikes have been implemented in less than seven per cent of high-risk areas. "That could really spell, you know, potential extinction for some of these species," said Robinson, director of whales for Ocean Wise, a B.C.-based organization that provided data for the paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science. "A recent study estimated anything up to 20,000 whales are killed a year through ship strikes, globally, and that's just an estimate, a best-case estimate." Robinson said she was surprised to see Swiftsure Bank, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, emerge as a risk hot spot for strikes of fin, blue and humpback whales. The area is a "migration highway" for humpbacks, she noted. The study also identified a hot spot for the same three species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. "This is something that Ocean Wise has been looking into because a lot of the management measures occur offshore and not sort of within the Gulf of St. Lawrence itself and even the St. Lawrence Seaway, (which) leads down to the Great Lakes," she said. "That was a huge hot spot, which was really interesting for me." Robinson said there have been smaller studies on the risk of ship strikes in different regions, but the study published Thursday is the first to map the distribution of the four whale species, using a variety of data sources, then compare it with the Automatic Identification System, a tool used for tracking vessels worldwide. "This was really the first of its kind to map these two on top of each other," she said. The researchers found the highest levels of risk in the Indian, western North Pacific and Mediterranean, while it also identified high-risk areas in the eastern North Pacific, North and South Atlantic Ocean along with the South China Sea. The Southern Ocean was the only region that did not contain any ship-strike hot spots due to low levels of shipping, despite high use by whales, the study found. Robinson said the findings support a strong case for maritime authorities to adopt measures such as whale alert systems, speed limits and no-go zones. "We know where there are areas where there are lots of whales and lots of ships, so this is where we need to target for management," she said in an interview. Robinson said Canada is home to many "eyes on the water" and researchers exploring innovative techniques for monitoring whales. But the country lacks mandatory mitigation measures, and it's not alone. "Next to none of the measures globally are mandatory. So, having voluntary measures (is) great, provided people comply," Robinson said. Ocean Wise launched an alert system in 2018 that notifies large vessels of the presence of whales in Pacific Northwest waters, and Robinson said about 80 per cent of mariners from Washington state up to Alaska have signed up. The WhaleReport alert system mainly functions in what she describes as "inshore" waters around busy ports in Seattle, Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The Port of Vancouver has also seen a high rate of compliance for its ECHO program, Robinson noted. The program encourages vessels to take voluntary steps, such as slowing down or staying farther away from whales, in order to reduce underwater noise and the potential for strikes in busy shipping areas. Robinson favours a multi-pronged approach to reducing ship strikes, but she said one single measure she believes could have a big impact would be equipping vessels with an infrared camera to detect whales within several kilometres. "Maybe some mariners ... respond better to knowing there 100 per cent is a whale 200 metres in front of your vessel, versus, 'slow down, there might be a whale here.'" Robinson said such cameras can cost between US$50,000 and $75,000. But the cost was a "drop in the bucket" of major companies' profits, she said. The cameras also present a public-relations opportunity for businesses to advertise themselves as operating in a more whale-friendly manner, Robinson said. "I know people who have had to go and have therapy after killing a humpback whilst at the helm," she added. "I think there's a lot to be said (for) the long-term benefits of this kind of technology." The study also found areas with lower traffic that could provide refuge for whales, especially with added protections. It shows the Arctic Ocean, for example, has very few high-risk areas for vessel strikes, and Robinson said some researchers view it as potential sanctuary. But without protections, Robinson said Arctic waters could become the next high-risk hot spot as sea ice melts with climate change, opening up shipping routes. "Knowing the plans to expand shipping routes into these areas to cut shipping time, make things faster, right through prime whale habitat, I think this is a really good opportunity to get ahead of the issue before it becomes an issue," she said. Whales play crucial roles in their ecosystems, including cycling nutrients that support other species, and they're a boon for tourism, Robinson said. They're also "magical" creatures that people feel connected to, she said, and they remain vulnerable after many species were hunted to the brink of extinction. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.

Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in OregonPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”

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Springworks Therapeutics COO sells $839,335 in stockMassachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren insists Democrats should not shy away from speaking against the incoming Donald Trump administration, even if it means facing potential backlash. "Look, our job is to speak up. We are in the minority, and that is our job," Warren said. The senator's comments came in response to a question about whether Massachusetts is risking retaliation from the Trump administration on issues like immigration. Last month, Trump's incoming border czar criticized Mayor Michelle Wu after she stated on WCVB's "On The Record " that she would not cooperate with the president-elect's plans for mass deportation. "We cannot start out by rolling over and playing dead in the hopes that if we do that, Donald Trump and his team will leave us alone," Warren said. Concerns about retaliation have grown after Trump suggested that members of the House Select Committee who investigated the Jan. 6 attack should go to jail. "I don't think there's going to be any retaliation from this administration. In fact, President Trump has spoken he wants to de-weaponize the Justice Department, which is what I expect he'll do," said Logan Trupiano, Massachusetts GOP spokesperson. The Massachusetts GOP does not believe there will be retribution but accuses Democrats of taking steps to score political points with their base. "Oh, absolutely. I mean, there was really no reason for the Boston City Council to reaffirm themselves as a sanctuary city directly after Trump was elected president. They did that as a show," Trupiano said. Gov. Maura Healey has also stated that Massachusetts State Police would not cooperate with the president-elect's plans for mass deportation.Literary of politics

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