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Media magnate Rupert Murdoch, who turns 93 next week, has been married four times — and is engaged again, his representative said Saturday. He plans to marry Elena Zhukova, 67, a Russian-born retired scientist he met last year. Their daughter Dasha was previously married to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who used to own the Premier League football club Chelsea. Murdoch has been married four times and shares six children with three of his wives. These four Murdoch children have the same stake in the family trust and an equal say in what happens to the trust’s voting stock upon Murdoch’s death.

Persons: Rupert Murdoch, Elena Zhukova, Alexander Zhukov, Dasha, Roman Abramovich, Murdoch, Lachlan, Fox, Tucker Carlson, Murdoch's, Jerry Hall, Patricia Booker, Prudence, Anna Torv, James, Elisabeth, Wendi Deng, Grace, Chloe, Ann Lesley Smith Organizations: Premier League football club Chelsea, Fox News, News Corp, Street Journal, Fox News Channel, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, New York Post, HBO, Forbes Locations: Russian, Australia, United States, Britain, London, U.S, Scottish, Chinese

(AP) — Montana Republicans gathered in a hotel ballroom this weekend aiming to unite ahead of the 2024 election and defeat three-term incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Rosendale's move laid bare deep fissures within the Montana GOP at a time when Republicans can ill afford it. Outside observers and even some Republicans say an intraparty skirmish leading up to Montana's June primary could undermine those hopes. Rosendale’s entry into the Senate contest capped months of speculation that the hard-right lawmaker wanted a rematch six years after losing to Tester in 2018. Those Democrats are egging on the division in the GOP Senate race, hopeful it will drain Republican funds and alienate independent voters before the general election.

Persons: HELENA, —, Sen, Jon Tester, Matt Rosendale, Rosendale's, Steve Daines, “ I’ve, boisterously, Greg Gianforte, Tim Sheehy, “, Donald Trump, Sheehy, ” Gianforte, Trump, Rosendale, Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, ”, I’ve, irk, Theresa Manzella, George Nikolakakos, Nikolakakos, Steve Bullock Organizations: — Montana Republicans, Democrat U.S, U.S . Rep, Montana GOP, Republican, National Republican, Committee, U.S . Navy, Senate, Montana Gov, GOP, Montana Freedom Caucus, Rosendale, GOP Senate, Democratic Party, Trump, Biden, Republicans Locations: Mont, Montana, Montana , Ohio, West Virginia, U.S, Rosendale, Helena, Belgrade , Montana, Afghanistan, Washington, Great Falls, “, Rosendale . Montana, Daines

☆ Powerful Koch group endorses Haley's 2024 Republican presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Doina Chiacu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley listens as she is introduced during a campaign stop in Hooksett, New Hampshire, U.S., November 20, 2023. And last night, we concluded that analysis," the Koch group, Americans for Prosperity Action, said in a statement. "That candidate is Nikki Haley." The group promised Haley "the full weight and scope of AFP Action’s unmatched grassroots army and resources" in her bid to become the next U.S. president.

Persons: Nikki Haley, Brian Snyder, Charles Koch, Donald Trump, Trump, Joe Biden, Biden, Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Doina Chiacu, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, United, REUTERS, Rights, South, Trump, White, Prosperity, Republican, Florida Governor, Thomson Locations: Hooksett , New Hampshire, U.S, South Carolina, United Nations

☆ Pope Francis Fires Conservative U.S. Bishop
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Francis X. Rocca | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, took part in a protest in June over the Los Angeles Dodgers honoring a pro-LGBTQ+ group at Dodger Stadium. Photo: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConROME— Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph Strickland, one of the pope’s most vocal critics in the U.S. hierarchy, the Vatican said Saturday. The Vatican said that the pope had “relieved [the bishop] of the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler,” Texas, and appointed Bishop Joe Vázquez of Austin as “apostolic administrator,” or acting bishop, of Tyler.

Persons: Bishop Joseph Strickland, Kirby Lee, Reuters Con ROME — Pope Francis, Bishop Joe Vázquez Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, USA, Sports, Reuters Con, Vatican Locations: Tyler , Texas, U.S, Tyler, ” Texas, Austin

☆ In very rare move, Pope dismisses conservative U.S. bishop Strickland
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pope Francis has dismissed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, one of his fiercest critics among U.S. Roman Catholic conservatives, a Vatican statement said on Saturday. Usually bishops in trouble with the Vatican are asked to resign before submitting a resignation, which the pope accepts. Strickland, a prolific user of social media who was named to the diocese by the late Pope Benedict in 2012, tweeted earlier this year that he rejected Pope Francis' "program undermining the Deposit of Faith". Strickland is a strong supporter of former U.S. president Donald Trump and is seen as a hero by conservative U.S. Catholic media outlets that are aligned with Trump. The Vatican said Francis named the bishop of Austin, Texas, Joe Vasquez, as the interim administrator of the Tyler diocese.

Persons: Joseph Strickland, Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph E . Strickland, Strickland, Pope Benedict, Francis, Donald Trump, Frank Pavone, Joe Vasquez Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger, Roman, Vatican, Bishops Conference, U.S . Church, Catholic, U.S, Trump, Twitter Locations: Tyler , Texas, Los Angeles , California, U.S, Tyler, Texas, United States, Austin , Texas

(AP) — A manhunt for a suspect in the fatal shooting of a Maryland judge continued for a fourth day Sunday as authorities completed their search of an area where the suspect's SUV was found. Officials said Pedro Argote, 49, is suspected of gunning down Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson in his driveway on Thursday, hours after Wilkinson ruled against him in a divorce case. On Sunday, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that authorities have concluded their search of the Williamsport area. “No further information indicates that Argote is still in the immediate area,” the sheriff's office said. Wilkinson, 52, was shot the same day he awarded custody of Argote’s children to his wife.

Persons: Pedro Argote, gunning, Andrew Wilkinson, Wilkinson, Washington County Sheriff Brian Albert, Albert, Argote, Joe Biden, Roe, Wade Organizations: Sheriff’s, Washington County Sheriff, U.S . Marshals Service, Marshals Service, U.S, Supreme Locations: HAGERSTOWN, Md, Maryland, Washington, Williamsport, Hagerstown, Washington County, Brooklyn, Long, , New York, Tampa, Clearwater , Florida, Columbus , Indiana, North Carolina

☆ Conservatives challenge pope on women, same-sex couples before Vatican meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke attends a consistory as Pope Francis elevates five Roman Catholic prelates to the rank of cardinal, at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, June 28, 2017. The action was the latest latest clash between the pope and minority conservatives, who have accused him of undermining a number of traditional precepts. Topics will include the role of women, greater acceptance of LGBT Catholics, social justice and the effects of climate change on the poor. At the meeting, around 365 "members", including cardinals, bishops, lay people and, for the first time, women will vote on proposals. Conservatives have taken issue with the fact that many lay people will have voting rights in a what is formally a Synod of Bishops.

Persons: Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Pope Francis, Alessandro Bianchi, Raymond Burke, Walter Brandmueller of, Joseph Zen, Robert Sarah of Guinea, Juan Sandoval Iniquez, Francis, Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, Burke, Saint Pope John Paul II, Philip Pullella, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, America, National Catholic Register, Thomson Locations: Saint Peter's, Asia, Europe, Africa, United States, Walter Brandmueller of Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Germany, Vatican, U.S

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud attends Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. The conservative U.S. network’s interview with the crown prince, widely known as MbS, comes as President Joe Biden’s administration presses ahead with an effort to broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses, Washington’s top Middle East allies. We need to solve that part,” MbS said when asked what it would take to get a normalization agreement. MbS also voiced concern about the possibility of Iran, a mutual adversary of Saudi Arabia and Israel that the U.S. wants to contain, could obtain a nuclear weapon. Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Evelyn Hockstein, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel, Joe Biden’s, ”, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rami Ayyub, Matt Spetalnick, Leslie Adler, Josie Kao Organizations: Saudi, Saudi Arabian Crown, Partnership, Global Infrastructure, REUTERS, Rights, Fox, MbS, Israeli, Thomson Locations: Saudi Arabian, New Delhi, India, Saudi, U.S, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Tehran, Gulf

☆ Saudi Crown Prince Says Getting 'Closer' to Israel Normalization -Fox Interview
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

The conservative U.S. network’s interview with the crown prince, widely known as MbS, comes as President Joe Biden’s administration presses ahead with an effort to broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses, Washington’s top Middle East allies. We need to solve that part,” MbS said when asked what it would take to get a normalization agreement. MbS also voiced concern about the possibility of Iran, a mutual adversary of Saudi Arabia and Israel that the U.S. wants to contain, could obtain a nuclear weapon. Both leaders also said Iran could not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. (Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler and Josie Kao)

Persons: Matt Spetalnick, Rami Ayyub WASHINGTON, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Israel, Joe Biden’s, ”, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rami Ayyub, Leslie Adler, Josie Kao Organizations: Saudi Arabian Crown, Fox, MbS, Israeli Locations: Saudi, U.S, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Tehran, Gulf

☆ Chinese social media campaigns are successfully impersonating U.S. voters, Microsoft warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese state-aligned influence and disinformation campaigns are impersonating U.S. voters and targeting political candidates on multiple social media platforms with improved sophistication, Microsoft said in a threat analysis report Thursday. Chinese influence campaigns have historically struggled to gain traction with intended targets, who in this case are U.S. voters and residents. Policymakers and industry experts have expressed concern about foreign influence campaigns on social media platforms, especially on X, formerly known as Twitter. Microsoft found content from Chinese influence campaigns on multiple apps, including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Microsoft-owned LinkedIn, and X. In August, Facebook parent Meta announced it had disrupted the largest ever identified disinformation campaign and linked it to China state-affiliated actors.

Persons: Elon Musk, Microsoft's Organizations: U.S, Microsoft, Communist Party, Twitter, Democratic House, Facebook, Meta, CCP, Embassy, Washington , D.C, Justice Department, China's Ministry of Public Security Locations: East Asia, China, U.S, Washington ,

☆ Vanguard joins BlackRock, cuts support for shareholder items on climate, social issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Ross Kerber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo for Vanguard is displayed on a screen on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 1, 2022. Support for shareholder resolutions calling for such steps has declined at U.S. companies this year, with top asset manager BlackRock saying it backed the mostly-advisory measures just 7% of the time, down from 22% last year. Like BlackRock, Vanguard noted new securities regulations that make it harder for companies to leave questions off their ballots. In a note on its website, Vanguard also said many resolutions sought changes that might not be needed. Like BlackRock, Vanguard did not address how the criticism may have shaped votes this year but said its approach to evaluating shareholder proposals "has been consistent over time."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Ross Kerber, Diane Craft Organizations: Vanguard, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, U.S, BlackRock, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Pennsylvania, BlackRock

B REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies BlackRock Inc FollowAug 23 (Reuters) - Top asset manager BlackRock on Wednesday reported a further decline in its support for shareholder resolutions on environmental and social themes, citing corporate progress on the areas and poor crafting of the measures by filers. In an annual stewardship report being released with the end of the 12-month corporate annual meeting cycle on June 30, New York-based BlackRock said it supported 7% of 399 shareholder proposals on environmental and social issues. In the newest report BlackRock said many of the measures called for changes that would not be helpful to companies in its funds. Data has previously shown investor support slipping for many resolutions, and as companies strike compromises with activists. BlackRock has been under fire from conservative U.S. politicians who say it has over-emphasized sustainability issues, citing past proxy votes.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, BlackRock, Ross Kerber, Isla Binie, Simon Jessop, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, BlackRock, filers, Thomson Locations: BlackRock, New York, U.S, Boston, London

☆ Alito says Congress lacks authority to regulate US Supreme Court, Wall Street Journal reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( John Kruzel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, July 28 (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said that Congress lacks the power to regulate the court, in an interview published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday a week after Senate Democrats advanced a bill to impose an ethics code. The Democratic-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee last week approved the bill, which would mandate a binding code for the court following revelations that some justices - including Alito - had failed to disclose luxury trips funded by wealthy benefactors. "I know this is a controversial view, but I'm willing to say it," Alito said in the interview published in the Journal's opinion section. "No provision in the Constitution gives them the authority to regulate the Supreme Court — period." That bill, which cleared the committee on an 11-10 party-line vote, is unlikely to gain the Republican support needed to pass Congress.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, preemptively, ProPublica, Thomas, Harlan Crow, Sheldon Whitehouse, John Kruzel, Andrew Chung, Scott Malone, Alistair Bell Organizations: Conservative U.S, Supreme, Wall, Democrats, Democratic, Republicans, Republican, Thomson Locations: Alaska

It was unclear what proportion of the $70 million raised by Americans for Prosperity Action, the Koch network super PAC, will go directly to tackling Trump. News of the $70 million raised was first reported by the New York Times on Thursday. The Koch-backed network of political organizations was founded by Charles and his brother David Koch, who died in 2019. The Koch network has yet to back a candidate, but has joined other big Republican donors in scrambling to try to defeat Trump. The Koch network intends to make an endorsement before the Iowa caucus in early 2024, the AFP official said.

Persons: Charles Koch, Donald Trump, Koch, Joe Biden, Trump's, The Koch, Charles, David Koch, Ron DeSantis, Trump, Biden, DeSantis, Steven Cheung, Alexandra Ulmer, Ross Colvin, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Republican, Koch Industries, Prosperity, Koch, Trump, New York Times, AFP, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Florida, Iowa

NEW YORK, June 20 (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Tuesday published a commentary in the Wall Street Journal defending himself from questions about his ethical conduct raised in a yet-to-be published article by news outlet ProPublica. Alito's comments come as the court has been embroiled in ethics controversies - in particular revelations about ties between conservative Justice Clarence Thomas and a Texas billionaire. Alito wrote that for the private flight to Alaska, which appears to have taken place in 2008, Singer "allowed me to occupy what would have otherwise been an unoccupied seat." Alito said the justices commonly interpreted financial disclosure requirements to mean that "accommodations and transportation for social events were not reportable gifts." Alito also said he had "no obligation" to recuse in any case connected to Singer, with whom he has spoken to a handful of times.

Persons: Samuel Alito, Alito, Paul Singer, ProPublica, Clarence Thomas, Singer, Singer's Elliott, Andrew Chung, Lincoln Organizations: YORK, Conservative U.S, Supreme, Street Journal, Judicial, Singer, Singer's Elliott Management, Thomson Locations: Alaska, Texas

☆ Pence attacks Trump as he challenges his ex-boss in 2024 White House race
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

During Trump's tumultuous four years in the White House, Pence repeatedly defended him through multiple scandals. Pence, who turned 64 on Wednesday, joins a crowded nominating contest that is currently a two-man race between front-runner Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Trump supporters stormed the Capitol during the certification process, forcing Pence, family members, lawmakers and staff to flee to safety. "The American people deserve to know that on that day, President Trump also demanded that I choose between him and the Constitution. As president, Trump appointed conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped end the national right to abortion last year.

Persons: Mike Pence, Donald Trump, Trump, Pence, Joe Biden's, Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie, Doug Burgum, Karen, Read, DeSantis, Todd Starnes, Trump's, Tim Reid, Susan Heavey, Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell Organizations: Wednesday, U.S . Capitol, U.S, Congress, Republican, Senate, Trump, Florida, Former New Jersey, North Dakota, Republican White House, Reuters, Capitol, CNN, Farmers of, Supreme, Pence, Thomson Locations: United States, Iowa, Former, North, Farmers of America, Ankeny , Iowa, U.S, UKRAINE, Ukraine, Indiana

[1/2] U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas poses during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn HocksteinWASHINGTON, June 7 (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, under scrutiny following revelations that he did not disclose luxury trips paid for by a billionaire Dallas businessman, has received an extension to file his mandatory annual financial disclosure, the court said on Wednesday. Some congressional Democrats have proposed imposing new ethics standards on the Supreme Court following reporting on conduct by some of the justices, in particular Thomas. Supreme Court justices are not bound like other federal judges by a code of conduct that includes avoidance even of the "appearance of impropriety." The three conservative justices appointed by former President Donald Trump drew additional income as law professors.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, Evelyn Hockstein WASHINGTON, Samuel Alito, Thomas, Harlan Crow, Crow, Frederick Douglass, Neil Gorsuch, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Sonia Sotomayor, Sotomayor, John Roberts, Donald Trump, Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, George Mason University's Antonin Scalia, Amy Coney Barrett, Roberts, Andrew Chung, John Kruzel, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, REUTERS, Conservative U.S, Judicial Conference, Politico, Liberal, Vogue, Random, Charter Communications, Texas, University of Notre Dame Law School, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Dallas, Crow, Colorado, New York, Washington

The Democratic-led Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the subject in May. Crow, a major Republican donor, last month, rejected the panel's request for a meeting. Separately, Bopp declined to provide another Democratic-led Senate panel, the Finance Committee, any personal financial information about Crow, it said. In a statement, the panel accused Crow of "stonewalling" and "doubling down on bogus legal theories." The news outlet ProPublica has detailed the ties between Thomas and Crow.

Persons: Harlan Crow's, Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Crow, Crow's, Michael Bopp, Dick Durbin, Sheldon Whitehouse, Bopp, Ron Wyden, Neil Gorsuch, Susan Heavey, Kanishka Singh, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, Supreme, Republican, Democratic, Finance Committee, Finance, Politico, Thomson Locations: Texas, Colorado

The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, is expected to act before the deadline to either grant or reject the requests or further pause the litigation. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. agency that signs off on the safety of food products, drugs and medical devices, approved mifepristone in 2000. Circuit Court of Appeals on April 12 declined to block the curbs ordered by Kacsmaryk. Anti-abortion groups led by the recently formed Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and four anti-abortion doctors sued the FDA in November. The plaintiffs contend that the agency used an unlawful process to approve the drug, which they consider to be dangerous.

☆ U.S. Education Secretary Cardona on transgender athletes, student debt, history lessons
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

TRANSGENDER YOUTH ATHLETESA recent Title IX proposed rule from the Department of Education prohibits outright bans in transgender athletes in sports, but allows schools to keep them from some teams. The Department of Education hopes to take feedback and have the rule finalized in time for the next school year, he said. "I do believe there are very deliberate attempts to attack public education so that a private voucher option sounds better," Cardona said. Florida is one of several states that have banned public schools from teaching "Critical Race Theory," an academic framework that teaches that racism is embedded in U.S. laws, policies and institutions. Cardona said he intended to double down on ensuring access to education for all students.

The news outlet said the frequency of the gifts have "no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court." Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "This cries out for the kind of independent investigation that the Supreme Court — and only the Supreme Court, across the entire government — refuses to perform," Whitehouse said on Twitter. The ProPublica report is the latest revelation to prompt ethics concerns about Thomas. Thomas's failure to report the trips provided by Crow appears to violate a federal law requiring justices, judges and other federal officials disclose most gifts, ProPublica reported, citing legal ethics experts.

☆ Biden proposal limits bans on transgender athletes
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Jarrett Renshaw | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Thursday proposed a rule change that would prohibit schools from enacting outright bans on transgender athletes from teams that are consistent with their gender identities, but offered flexibility on exceptions for the highest levels of competition. The proposed change to Title IX is likely to revive debates about transgender rights, particularly in sports. Across the country, there has been a push by conservative U.S. lawmakers to prevent transgender women from participating in school sports. The proposal would also offer flexibility to K-12 schools and universities to limit the participation of transgender students when including them could undermine "fairness in competition" or potentially lead to sports-related injuries. Critics say transgender women who take part in women's sports are often bigger and stronger than their cisgender opponents and have an unfair advantage.

WASHINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday appeared inclined to uphold a federal law that made it a crime to encourage illegal immigration, signaling agreement with President Joe Biden's administration that the measure does not violate constitutional free speech protections. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out Hansen's conviction for violating the provision, which bars inducing or encouraging noncitizens "to come to, enter or reside" in the United States illegally, including for financial gain. The 9th Circuit upheld Hansen's convictions on mail and wire fraud charges. The 9th Circuit decision applies in the group of western states over which it has jurisdiction including Arizona and California, which border Mexico. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction of a group of other states, also ruled against the law in a separate case.

March 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in Texas is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in a bid by anti-abortion groups to ban sales of the abortion pill mifepristone across the country, even in states where abortion is legal, as they challenge regulatory approval granted more than two decades ago. Twelve of the 50 states now ban abortion outright while some others prohibit it after a certain length of pregnancy, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. The judge cited death threats and harassment directed at the court during the case and a wish to avoid disruption. After appealing to the 5th Circuit, the losing side could seek to take the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court. Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Will Dunham and Alexia GaramfalviOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'Mexico is safer than the U.S.', Mexican president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Dave Graham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MEXICO CITY, March 13 (Reuters) - Mexico's president said on Monday his country is safer than the United States, pushing back against U.S. critics of his security record following a deadly kidnapping this month near the border that claimed the lives of two Americans. The March 3 attack on four Americans in the Mexican city of Matamoros and their subsequent abduction was covered closely by U.S. media and sparked recriminations from politicians in the U.S., particularly Republicans. By the time Mexican authorities found the Americans, two of them were dead. "Mexico is safer than the United States," he told reporters when questioned about the warnings at a news conference. Additional reporting by Isabel Woodford and Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City and Julia Harte in New York; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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