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Potter scores 19 as Miami (OH) knocks off Sacred Heart 94-76Yu Miao smiles as he stands among the 10,000 books crowded on rows of bamboo shelves in his newly reopened bookstore. It’s in Washington’s vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood, far from its last location in Shanghai, where the Chinese government forced him out of business six years ago. “There is no pressure from the authorities here,” said Yu, the owner of JF Books, Washington’s only Chinese bookseller. “I want to live without fear.” Independent bookstores have become a new battleground in China, swept up in the ruling Communist Party’s crackdown on dissent and free expression. The Associated Press found that at least a dozen bookstores in the world’s second-largest economy have been shuttered or targeted for closure in the last few months alone, squeezing the already tight space for press freedom. One bookstore owner was arrested over four months ago. The crackdown has had a chilling effect on China’s publishing industry. Bookstores are common in China, but many are state-owned. Independent bookstores are governed by an intricate set of rules with strict controls now being more aggressively policed, according to bookstore owners. Printing shops and street vendors are also facing more rigorous government inspections by the National Office Against Pornography and Illegal Publication. The office did not respond to interview requests from The Associated Press. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement to AP, said it was not aware of a crackdown on bookstores. Yu isn't alone in taking his business out of the country. Chinese bookstores have popped up in Japan, France, Netherlands and elsewhere in the U.S. in recent years, as a result of both stricter controls in China and growing Chinese communities abroad. It’s not just the books' contents that are making Chinese authorities wary. In many communities, bookstores are cultural centers where critical thinking is encouraged, and conversations can veer into politics and other topics not welcomed by the authorities. The bookstore owner who was arrested was Yuan Di, also called Yanyou, the founder of Jiazazhi, an artistic bookstore in Shanghai and Ningbo on China’s eastern coast. He was taken away by police in June, according to Zhou Youlieguo, who closed his own bookstore in Shanghai in September. Yuan's arrest was also confirmed by two other people who declined to be named for fear of retribution. The charge against Yuan is unclear. An official in Ningbo's Bureau of Culture, Radio Television and Tourism, which oversees bookstores, declined comment, noting the case is under investigation. The Ningbo police didn’t respond to an interview request. Michael Berry, director of UCLA's Center for Chinese Studies, said a sluggish Chinese economy may be driving the government to exert greater control. “The government might be feeling that this is a time to be more cautious and control this kind of discourse in terms of what people are consuming and reading to try to put a damper on any potential unrest and kind of nip it in the bud,” Berry said. These bookstore owners face dual pressures, Berry added. One is the political clampdown; the other is the global movement, especially among young people, toward digital media and away from print publications. Wang Yingxing sold secondhand books in Ningbo for almost two decades before being ordered to close in August. Local officials informed Wang he lacked a publication business license even though he wasn’t eligible to obtain one as a second-hand seller. Faded outlines marked the spot where a sign for Fatty Wang’s Bookstore once hung. Spray-painted black letters on the bookstore’s window read: “Temporarily closed”. “We’re promoting culture, I’m not doing anything wrong, right? I’m just selling some books and promoting culture,” Wang said, tying a bundle of books together with brown wrapper and white nylon string. “Then why won’t you leave me alone?” Wang added. Half a dozen other people heaved boxes of books into the back of a van. The books, Wang said, were being sold to cafe and bar owners who wanted to burnish little libraries for their patrons. Some would be sent to a warehouse in Anhui. The rest, he said, were to be sent to a recycling station to be pulped and destroyed. Bookstores are not the only target. Central authorities have also cracked down on other places such as printing shops, internet bars, gaming rooms and street vendors. Strict inspections have taken place all over the country, according to Chinese authorities. Authorities in Shanghai inspected printing places and bookstores, looking for “printing, copying or selling illegal publications,” according to a government document. This shows the authorities are not just barring the sale of some publications, but tracing them back to the printing process. They found some printing stores did not “register the copy content as required” and demanded they fix the problem quickly. In Shaoyang, a city in China’s south, authorities said they will be “cracking down on harmful publications in accordance with the law.” The Communist Party has various powers to control which books are available. Any publication without a China Standard Book Number is considered illegal, including self-published books and those imported without special licenses. Books can be banned even after they are published if restrictions are later tightened — often for unclear reasons — or if the writers say something upsetting to the Chinese authorities. Yet despite these restrictions and the crackdown on existing booksellers, more bookstores are opening. Recent figures are unavailable, but a survey by Bookdao, a media company that focuses on the book industry, shows more than twice as many bookstores opened than closed in China in 2020. Liu Suli, who has been running All Sages Books in Beijing for over three decades, says there are many idealists in the industry. “Everyone who reads has a dream of having a bookstore,” Liu says, despite the challenges. In many cases, those dreams are being fulfilled outside China. Yu and other Chinese booksellers around the world stock their shelves with books from Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China, as well as books published locally. Zhang Jieping, founder of Nowhere, a bookstore in Taiwan and Thailand, said there's a growing demand for books from migrants who left China after the COVID-19 pandemic. “They don’t just want to speak fluent English or Japanese to fit in, they want cultural autonomy,” Zhang said. “They want more community spaces. Not necessarily a bookstore, but in any format — a gallery, or a restaurant.” Li Yijia is a 22-year-old student who arrived in Washington from Beijing in August. One Sunday morning, she wandered through JF Books where she found titles in Chinese and English. She said a Chinese bookstore feels like “another world in a bubble” which helps her critical thinking by allowing her to read books in both languages. “It also relieves homesickness, like a Chinese restaurant,” Li added. The closure of the bookstores leads the owners to different paths. Some ended up in jail, some went looking for jobs to feed their families. Some started a journey to leave censorship behind. Since he closed his Shanghai bookstore, Zhou, 39, has moved to Los Angeles, but hasn't decided what his next step will be. He said his fully licensed independent bookstore, which sold art books and self-published works by artists and translators, was fined thousands of dollars and he was interrogated over a dozen times during the past four years. He's seen colleagues jailed for selling “illegal publications.” All the self-published book artists and editors he worked with asked him to take down their work after warnings by local authorities. Zhou said he could not handle further harassment He said it was as if he were “smuggling drugs instead of selling books.” The existence of his bookstore, Zhou said, was “a rebellion and a resistance,” which is not there anymore. Associated Press writer Dake Kang in Ningbo, China, contributed to this report.
Alex Berenguer prodded the hosts ahead after 53 minutes before Mbappe – who failed to convert a Champions League penalty against Liverpool last week – sent his kick too close to Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Jude Bellingham appeared to have rescued a point for Real after scoring for the fourth successive league game 12 minutes from time. 📸 PORTERAZO. JULEN, JULEN! JULEN JULEN! #AthleticRealMadrid #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/w260s6xo79 — Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) December 4, 2024 But Federico Valverde’s mistake two minutes later gifted Gorka Guruzeta the winner in front of a delirious San Mames crowd. On a busy night of second-round Copa del Rey action, Villarreal suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Pontevedra while there were wins for Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Fiorentina went out of the Coppa Italia to Empoli on penalties on an emotional night at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Viola were back in action after Edoardo Bove’s health scare forced their weekend league fixture with Inter Milan to be abandoned during the first half. Midfielder Bove collapsed on the pitch and required emergency medical treatment. He was taken to hospital but regained consciousness in intensive care. Esposito's penalty books Empoli's place in the next round 💪 #FiorentinaEmpoli pic.twitter.com/UUxghH9l6b — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) December 4, 2024 Empoli led at half-time through Emmanuel Ekong’s fourth-minute opener before Moise Kean and Riccardo Sottil put Fiorentina ahead. Sebastiano Esposito struck 15 minutes from time to make it 2-2 and take the last-16 tie into extra time, Empoli eventually winning 4-3 on penalties. Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring and Luis Openda struck twice as RB Leipzig brushed aside Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the German DFB Pokal. Second-half goals from Denis Vavro, Jonas Wind and Yannick Gerhardt saw Wolfsburg beat Hoffenheim 3-0. Cologne knocked out Hertha Berlin 2-1 after extra time with Dejan Ljubicic converting a penalty in the final seconds, while Augsburg prevailed 5-4 on penalties against Karlsruhe after a 2-2 draw.Is a liberal arts degree useless if you want to succeed in life? Not at all.
A councillor at the centre of former leader Doug Beattie’s resignation has removed any reference to the Ulster Unionist Party from his social media accounts. Cllr Darryl Wilson, who represents the Ballymoney area on , previously spoke of how he was “disillusioned and heartbroken” to be overlooked for the Assembly seat vacated by Robin Swann following the UK General Election. At the time, it had been reported that then party leader Doug Beattie favoured Cllr Wilson for the role only to be vetoed by party officers and the seat was then offered to Colin Crawford. Days later, Doug Beattie announced that he was to stand down as leader of the party, citing irreconcilable differences with party officers. When contacted by on Friday, Councillor Wilson refused to comment on his future within politics and if he had any plans to defect to another party. Later on Friday, Cllr Wilson removed all mention of the Ulster Unionist Party from his social media accounts, including changing his X handle from @DarrylUUP to @CllrDarrylW. Earlier this week, Cllr Wilson took to social media to reflect on the year that has passed and some of the challenges he faced. “This year has brought its challenges, with many high points and some low moments as well. However, I firmly believe that it is essential to focus on the positives and to learn from the less favorable [sic] experiences. A new year presents the perfect opportunity to reflect, adapt, and change what isn’t working,” he said. “As such, there will be some significant changes ahead for me in politics. That said, I want to assure you all that my commitment remains steadfast: to serve the people of Ballymoney and always put community and country above party politics.” The have been approached for comment. To remove this article -CNBC Daily Open: With cooler-than-expected PCE, would the Fed's dot plot have looked different?HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT AS OF JUNE 30, 2024 December 27, 2024, 6.00 p.m. Safe Group announces that it has made available to the public and filed with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers its half-year financial report as of June 30, 2024. The 2024 Half-Year Financial Report can be found on www.safegrp.com website in the Investors - Documentations section . About Safe Group Safe Group is a French medical technology group that brings together Safe Orthopaedics, a pioneer in ready-to-use technologies for spine pathologies, and Safe Medical (formerly LCI Medical), a medical device subcontractor for orthopedic surgeries. The group employs approximately 100 people. Safe Orthopaedics develops and manufactures kits combining sterile implants and ready-to-use instruments, available at any time to the surgeon. These technologies are part of a minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing the risks of contamination and infection, in the interest of the patient and with a positive impact on hospitalization times and costs. Protected by 15 patent families, SteriSpineTM kits are CE marked and FDA approved. Safe Orthopaedics has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States. For more information: www.safeorthopaedics.com Safe Medical produces implantable medical devices and ready-to-use instruments. It has an innovation center and two production sites in France and in Tunisia, offering numerous industrial services: industrialization, machining, finishing and sterile packaging. For more information: www.safemedical.fr Contacts SAFE GROUP AELYON ADVISORS [email protected] [email protected] Attachment Safe_PR_HYFR
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Iconic pub with 300-year-old history shuts its doors just days before Christmas leaving punters devastatedInvestor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than US$1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining US$147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it's possible that Buffett's children could die before giving it all away. He didn't identify the successors, but said his kids all know them and agree they would be good choices. "Father time always wins. But he can be fickle -- indeed unfair and even cruel -- sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit," the 94-year-old Buffett said in a letter to his fellow shareholders. "To date, I've been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me. There is, however, a downside to my good fortune in avoiding his notice. The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66." Buffett said he still has no interest in creating dynastic wealth in his family -- a view shared by his first and current wives. He acknowledged giving Howard, Peter and Susie millions over the years, but he has long said he believes "hugely wealthy parents should leave their children enough so they can do anything but not enough that they can do nothing." The secret to building up such massive wealth over time has been the power of compounding interest and the steady growth of the Berkshire conglomerate Buffett leads through acquisitions and smart investments like buying billions of dollars of Apple shares as iPhone sales continued to drive growth in that company. Buffett never sold any of his Berkshire stock over the years and also resisted the trappings of wealth and never indulged in much -- preferring instead to continue living in the same Omaha home he'd bought decades earlier and drive sensible luxury sedans about 20 blocks to work each day. "As a family, we have had everything we needed or simply liked, but we have not sought enjoyment from the fact that others craved what we had," he said. If Buffett and his first wife had never given away any of their Berkshire shares, the family's fortune would be worth nearly US$364 billion -- easily making him the world's richest man -- but Buffett said he had no regrets about his giving over the years. The family's giving began in earnest with the distribution of Susan Buffett's US$3 billion estate after her death in 2004, but really took off when Warren Buffett announced plans in 2006 to make annual gifts to the foundations run by his kids along with the one he and his wife started, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Warren Buffett's giving to date has favored the Gates Foundation with US$55 billion in stock because his friend Bill Gates already had his foundation set up and could handle huge gifts when Buffett started giving away his fortune. But Buffett has said his kids now have enough experience in philanthropy to handle the task and he plans to cut off his Gates Foundation donations after his death. Buffett always makes his main annual gifts to all five foundations every summer, but for several years now he has been giving additional Berkshire shares to his family's foundations at Thanksgiving. Buffett reiterated Monday his advice to every parent to allow their families to read their will while they are still alive -- like he has done -- to make sure they have a chance to explain their decisions about how to distribute their belongings and answer their children's questions. Buffett said he and his longtime investing partner Charlie Munger, who died a year ago, "saw many families driven apart after the posthumous dictates of the will left beneficiaries confused and sometimes angry." Today, Buffett continues to lead Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO and has no plans to retire although he has handed over most of the day-to-day managing duties for the conglomerates dozens of companies to others. That allows him to focus on his favorite activity of deciding where to invest Berkshire's billions. One of Buffett's deputies who oversees all the noninsurance companies now, Greg Abel, is set to take over as CEO after Buffett's death.
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Cheap yet cool finds that’ll make friends ask, “Where’d you get that?” If you think you need to blow your whole paycheck to make your home feel more impressive, think again. In fact, we put together a list of dope things that’ll have you pleasantly surprising friends, family, and even yourself — and the best part is that they’re all under $25. Whether you’re looking for cool ways to hide clutter, free up counter space, elevate the ambiance, or streamline food prep, you’ll find it here for a steal. This decorative cable management box that keeps cords tucked away It can feel tough to impress guests when your home is strewn with jumbled cords and power strips. This unique is a great way to make things appear sleeker and more stylish, tucking all of your electronics cords into a little box that looks like two books stacked together. Held together with magnets for easy access, one features the Statue of Liberty while the other showcases the Eiffel Tower. “This is so clever, I can hardly believe how good it looks,” wrote . An absorbent stone faucet mat that keeps the area around your sink dry If your kitchen sink has a habit of collecting water around the faucet, you’ll love this quick-absorbing . Made with diatomite stone, it absorbs moisture in an instant, helping ensure your counters stay dry, clean, and stain-free. And it comes in a range of sizes and colors so you can find just the right match. “Water is absorbed almost immediately and the thick stone is much more pleasing to look at than the rubber mat that it replaced,” wrote one . A washer & dryer cover that gives your laundry room an instant upgrade This cute is a fantastic way to upgrade your laundry room and add a bit of style to an otherwise lackluster space. 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It holds up to 15 tortillas and is microwave-friendly, allowing you to heat them up with ease. Once heated, you can leave them in there and they’ll stay nice and warm. It’s reusable, and the colorful print makes it fun and festive for use when company is over. Moving sand art that makes dynamic decor Think of this as the adult version of those sand art bottles you used to make and admire as a kid. It creates a very cool sandscape that is oddly hypnotizing to watch, with a 360-degree design that allows you to place it just about anywhere. This is definitely a conversation-starting (and mesmerizing) piece of decor. Chic, easy-to-install hooks for coats, towels, & more Made of metal with wood accents, these simple have a mid-century modern look to them that makes them quite versatile. They come with everything you need to hang them up and have a sturdy build — each of the two included hooks can hold up to 25 pounds. These can be used for coats, bags, towels, robes, and more. A multipurpose outlet cover with a motion-sensor light Replace your standard wall plates with these . They have a clean look to them, are energy efficient, snap on to install, and boast more than 6,000 five-star ratings. The motion-sensor night-light along the bottom, which automatically turns on or off when it senses movement, is energy efficient. They create a subtle, low-maintenance night light that also looks impressive for an inexpensive price. Sturdy plastic wedges that prevent furniture wobbling Most of us know that one table or chair that has one shorter leg or sits on uneven flooring, and wobbles constantly. You can minimize that annoying sensation with this 30-pack of . They can be propped underneath the wobbling leg in question, can hold up to 2,000 pounds, and have a blessedly steady feel. A handy magnetic bin for storing dryer sheets & more Keep your laundry area looking neat by utilizing convenient storage solutions, like this . It attaches right onto the side of your dryer and is the perfect organized space to keep dryer sheets in a tidy stack. It also clears up space on top of your dryer or washing machine, since, let’s be real, that’s probably where the box was sitting previously. A cabinet rack that holds onto plastic bags A collection of plastic bags can definitely come in handy, but storing them usually means stuffing all of them into one large bag and tossing that in the corner. Instead, try this . It’s a little rack that sits over your cabinet door, keeping one plastic bag wide open so you can easily stuff it with other bags, reusable totes, or garbage bags. It’s easy to add onto the cabinet and move as needed. A wall-mounted dispenser for tissue boxes & beyond Keep tissues, plastic baggies, or rubber gloves within easy reach with this It comes with everything necessary to mount to a wall and allows easy access for items wherever you put it. Once mounted, you simply stick the box inside. This is a space-saving solution ideal for small rooms, offices, or even near your bed. Covers for your refrigerator door handles to keep them clean The door handles on your stainless steel refrigerator are likely the first things to get covered in grime and fingerprints. These velvety slip over them to keep them clean. Velcro makes them simple to add and secure, and the gray color blends nicely with stainless steel, making them a pretty seamless addition. Adorable faux taper candles with a realistic flame These adorable snowman make the perfect seasonal decoration, whether you use them as a table centerpiece or on bookshelves or a fireplace. They’re electric and flameless, making them a safer option compared to real candles, but the “wick” flickers like a real flame. If you’re not into snowmen or the holiday theme, these are also available in simple white as well. A magnetic hanger that makes framing posters easy Finding the perfect print, large photo, or poster for your wall is only part of the process — you also need some sort of frame to avoid an unfinished look. This makes the task so simple. Just pop your artwork on one wooden frame piece, top it with another, and strong magnets will hold the item firmly in place. Since it’s so simple and low-key, it also won’t distract from the image you’re showing off. Stick-on hooks that keep your eyeglasses safe & in reach Keep your favorite sunglasses and important eyeglasses safe, intact, and in a spot you can always find them with these . They can be mounted to the wall with screws or they have an adhesive backing for an even easier option. The hooks themselves are made of soft leather that’s gentle on frames, with a subtle yet sophisticated look that lets you put them just about anywhere. An automatic night-light with a colorful glow This makes a cool addition to any space that needs a little extra light at night. It cycles through a rainbow of different hues or can be programmed to stay on only one color, with a cubed shape that gives it a modern feel. It also automatically turns on at night and off when it detects light in the morning, making it a low-maintenance choice. A clip-on cup holder so you can store your drink anywhere Think of this clever gadget as a : the strong clip allows you to attach it to the side of a desk, counter, or table, creating a stable spot for your drink almost anywhere. It’s great for adding extra storage to your tabletop or ensuring that a beverage isn’t going to spill all over whatever you’re working on, and it’s small and lightweight enough to take anywhere. A dishwasher magnet that keeps everyone updated on dish status Keep everyone in your home up-to-date on exactly what’s going on with the dishwasher by sticking on this . It goes onto the front and has a tab that allows you to move it to read “empty,” “clean,” or “dirty,” letting everyone else know exactly what they need to do with their dishes. It’s subtle and effective. An unexpected toothpick or cotton swab dispenser At a quick glance, this looks like a tiny succulent with a blooming flower in the middle. But when you look closer, you can see what it’s actually holding, which is most likely cotton swabs or toothpicks. This has enough space for a handful of either, with a lid on top to keep everything clean and secure. Stylish geometric trivets that can expand & contract Instead of stocking up on trivets in different sizes, try these offered as an affordable pack of five. The design features a flexible silicone covering that can be kept in for a standard square shape or expanded outwards to manage larger pots and pans. The silicone is heat safe up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit, and wraps around the stainless steel core — which makes these durable and rust resistant. A sink edge guard that helps prevent splashes & mess Protect the countertop around your sink and cut down on soapy, watery messes with this . It’s made of flexible silicone, so it helps prevent dishes from breaking or the sink from chipping, and also has raised edges around it to contain any spills and cut down on splashing. An attached caddy is the perfect subtle spot to keep your sponges. A hanging bin that neatly collects extra plastic bags If you’re looking for the perfect spot to neatly stash all of your extra plastic bags, consider this . At the top, clear plastic brackets simply hook over a door or cabinet, while the interior has plenty of space for plastic or tote bags. The straightforward design makes this simple and practical. A slim container that hydrates herbs to keep them fresher Left in the plastic baggie from the grocery store, fresh herbs won’t last very long. But when stored properly — with the right amount of air and a little bit of water, they can stay fresh for weeks. This is super simple to use: Add a little water to the bottom, put the herbs inside, and stick it in the fridge. Shoppers said it keeps herbs fresh “for weeks” and love the simple design. Waterproof shelf liners that are chic & easy to clean Add this to your pantry, cabinets, drawers, and even refrigerator and freezers for an extra layer of protection. It helps prevent stains and marks, is easy to wipe clean, and so simple to use — there’s no adhesive backing you have to stick on, it just grips to the surface. The fun prints add some personality and it’s available in a variety of sizes you can cut to fit. A handy table brush that removes every last crumb When it comes to cleaning, it makes sense to work smarter, not harder. Gadgets like this make that possible. With a hidden brush made of sturdy iron wire and bristles, this quickly and effortlessly brushes crumbs off of any surface. It’s small and lightweight, easy to grip, and does exactly what it’s supposed to. A handheld snack bag sealer that prevents food from going stale While this might look like a mini hair straightener, it’s actually a . Turn this on, let it heat up, and use it to effectively seal opened bags of chips, nuts, cookies, and more. This prevents air from coming in and keeps food fresh. One summed it up nicely: “No more stale chips or cookies. Not bulky, perfect size, great quality [...].” A super-absorbent stone drying mat that looks so stylish Cloth dish mats may be convenient for storage, but they have a tendency to get soggy, moldy, and smelly pretty quickly. This is an excellent alternative. It’s made of super-absorbent diatomaceous earth, which has lots of little holes that suck up water, helping moisture evaporate quickly. Stainless steel feet keep it from sitting directly on your counter and it’s easy to clean off with a washcloth.Springfield, IL (Capitolnewsillinois.com) A conservative Catholic legal group is suing Illinois over a landmark state law enshrining a "fundamental right" to abortion care and requiring insurance companies to cover abortion and other reproductive health care. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in federal court in Chicago by the Thomas More Society, seeks to prevent the state from requiring insurers to cover abortion coverage by arguing that doing so violates the First Amendment and 14th Amendment rights of its plaintiffs. It also argues that the state is in violation of the Comstock Act, which criminalizes mailing abortion-related materials, because it requires health insurers to cover providers who send abortion medication in the mail. This federal provision, which hasn't been widely enforced against abortion providers in decades, has been discussed among anti-abortion activists and conservative politicians as one way to crack down on abortion access. The lawsuit also relies on the Coats-Snowe Amendment and the Weldon Amendment, which prevent states that receive federal funding from discriminating against health care entities because they don't provide abortions. It was filed on behalf of six organizations and six individuals against Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie and Attorney General Kwame Raoul. "Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his administration are on an uncompromising campaign to transform the Land of Lincoln into the nation's abortion capital," Thomas More Society's head of litigation Peter Breen said in a statement. "In doing so, they have shown little-to-no regard for the rights of those who believe that all human life is worth protecting." The plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit include three anti-abortion advocacy groups, a church, a private Christian school, a DuPage County machining business and six individuals. The law at the center of the legal complaint, the Reproductive Health Act, passed in 2019 and was meant at the time as a protective measure ahead of the expected overturning of Roe v. Wade. It has been strengthened several times in the years since. The legal complaint alleges the law forces Illinoisans "to choose between paying for other people's elective abortions with their premiums or forgoing health insurance entirely." The lawsuit equated that to a choice of struggling to recruit staff by not offering insurance on principal or subjecting themselves to "charges of hypocrisy" by offering insurance that covers behaviors they condemn. They argue this prevents them from being able to engage in "expressive association" as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The Thomas More Society previously but unsuccessfully challenged Illinois' abortion insurance requirements in state court on behalf of the Illinois Baptist State Association. In 2020, it sued the state's Department of Insurance and Pritzker in another attempt to prevent them from enforcing the Reproductive Health Act. That lawsuit claimed the law violated the state's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protects individuals' right to freedom of religion, and the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act, which allows doctors and other practitioners to conscientiously refuse to provide medical treatments, including abortion. Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Chris Perrin ruled in favor of the state in September of this year, noting that the claim in that case failed because the plaintiffs did not demonstrate that the Reproductive Health Act "imposes the type of coercive choice necessary to establish a substantial burden." State and federal law often rely on different legal standards, so whether a federal judge will reach the same conclusion is still untested. In the meantime, the Thomas More Society has filed an appeal in the state case. At the time of the Sangamon County decision, Attorney General Kwame Raoul said it was "a win in a years-long fight that is by no means over." On Wednesday, he said that remains true. "And I remain steadfast in my commitment to protecting reproductive rights in the state of Illinois," Raoul said in a statement. Other abortion rights advocates reacted to the legal challenge with confidence that abortion access will prevail in the case. Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said the federal case was "a pathetic retread of a case that they lost." Cassidy was the chief sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act and is a longtime champion of abortion protections at the Statehouse. "Fundamentally, without appropriate access, a right isn't a right," Cassidy said. "So this is fundamental to ensuring that we truly have an accessible system here in Illinois. If it's only available to those who can afford it, it's not a right." This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with jrogers@capitolnewsillinois.com should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/new-federal-lawsuit-from-conservative-legal-group-challenges-illinois-abortion-protections/AMRITSAR (AFP) – A gunman who attempted to shoot a Sikh political leader at a shrine in India was arrested yesterday after the thwarted attack, police said. The assailant entered the Golden Temple in northwestern Amritsar city as a visitor and attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of a Sikh political party. Badal’s security tackled the gunman after he took his weapon from his waist and the sole shot he fired off missed its target, instead hitting a marble pillar. “Security of Sukhbir Singh Badal has been tightened. The assailant is in police custody and investigation is in process,” senior Punjab state police officer Harpal Singh told reporters. Badal, 62, was at the temple to serve a punishment imposed by the faith’s hierarchy for alleged “mistakes” committed while his party was governing Punjab state in the decade up to 2017. He had been ordered to sit at the Golden Temple’s entrance holding a spear since the beginning of the week as an act of contrition. The Golden Temple – a gleaming structure in a large artificial pond, revered by Sikhs the world over – has been the scene of violence in the past.
Rural areas experience the brunt of healthcare system deficiencies. Are there solutions?
Alex Berenguer prodded the hosts ahead after 53 minutes before Mbappe – who failed to convert a Champions League penalty against Liverpool last week – sent his kick too close to Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Jude Bellingham appeared to have rescued a point for Real after scoring for the fourth successive league game 12 minutes from time. But Federico Valverde’s mistake two minutes later gifted Gorka Guruzeta the winner in front of a delirious San Mames crowd. On a busy night of second-round Copa del Rey action, Villarreal suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Pontevedra while there were wins for Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Fiorentina went out of the Coppa Italia to Empoli on penalties on an emotional night at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Viola were back in action after Edoardo Bove’s health scare forced their weekend league fixture with Inter Milan to be abandoned during the first half. Midfielder Bove collapsed on the pitch and required emergency medical treatment. He was taken to hospital but regained consciousness in intensive care. Empoli led at half-time through Emmanuel Ekong’s fourth-minute opener before Moise Kean and Riccardo Sottil put Fiorentina ahead. Sebastiano Esposito struck 15 minutes from time to make it 2-2 and take the last-16 tie into extra time, Empoli eventually winning 4-3 on penalties. Benjamin Sesko opened the scoring and Luis Openda struck twice as RB Leipzig brushed aside Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the German DFB Pokal. Second-half goals from Denis Vavro, Jonas Wind and Yannick Gerhardt saw Wolfsburg beat Hoffenheim 3-0. Cologne knocked out Hertha Berlin 2-1 after extra time with Dejan Ljubicic converting a penalty in the final seconds, while Augsburg prevailed 5-4 on penalties against Karlsruhe after a 2-2 draw.
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time