State senators to meet Friday afternoon for 3rd reading of bill A bill up for a final vote in West Virginia’s Senate could make the state the first to pass new legislation restricting access to abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling removing its protected status as a constitutional right. Senators are set to meet Friday afternoon for a third reading of the bill, which some complained was not vetted in any of the chamber’s committees. If passed, it would head to the Republican governor, who has signalled he favoursRead more

Cleric’s supporters object to Iran-backed parties leading efforts to form next government Thousands of followers of an influential Shia cleric breached Iraq’s parliament on Saturday, the second time this week, protesting government formation efforts led by his rivals, an alliance of Iran-backed groups. The alliance called for counter-protests, raising the spectre of civil strife. Iraqi security forces initially used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the demonstrators, causing several injuries. Once inside, the protesters declared an open-ended sit-in and claimed they would not disperse until their demands were answered. As the number ofRead more

Biden ‘has experienced no re-emergence of symptoms,’ says White House doctor U.S. President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again Saturday, slightly more than three days after he was cleared to exit coronavirus isolation, the White House said, in a rare case of “rebound” following treatment with an anti-viral drug. White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor said in a letter that Biden “has experienced no re-emergence of symptoms, and continues to feel quite well.” In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, Biden will re-enter isolation forRead more

It could take weeks to find all the victims of the record flash flooding, says governor At least 25 people died — including four children — when torrential rains swamped towns across Appalachia, Kentucky’s governor said Saturday. “We continue to pray for the families that have suffered an unfathomable loss,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Some having lost almost everyone in their household.” Beshear said the number would likely rise significantly and it could take weeks to find all the victims of the record flash flooding. Rescue crews continue the struggleRead more

Those still in combat zones in larger Donbas also need to flee, Zelenskyy says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday his government was ordering the mandatory evacuation of people in the eastern Donetsk region, scene of fierce fighting with Russia. In a late-night address, Zelenskyy also said the hundreds of thousands of people still in combat zones in the larger Donbas region, which contains Donetsk as well as the neighbouring Luhansk region, needed to leave. “The more people leave Donetsk region now, the fewer people the Russian army will haveRead more