WORLD
US Supreme Court preserves access to abortion pill
The future of the drug was questioned after a federal judge in Texas, on April 7, ruled to suspend FDA-approved mifepristone used in more than half of abortions in the country. In a split decision, it also rejected restrictions on mifepristone implemented by a lower court, essentially maintaining the status quo, the BBC reported.
Shehbaz stands firm on Parliament's supremacy amid SC standoff
Legal brains of the party -- federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman and former law minister Zahid Hamid -- briefed the premier about the possible consequences the government could face after the Act, became law despite the apex court's order, Dawn reported. The Supreme Court had halted implementation of the bill seeking to curtail the Chief Justice of Pakistan's (CJP) powers to take suo motu notices and constituting benches.
Musk's wealth nosedives $12.6 bn after chaos at SpaceX, Tesla, Twitter
According to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, this was the biggest drop in Musk's wealth so far this year. Tesla's share price fell by 9.8 per cent after disappointing first quarter results. Tesla's operating income decreased 24 per cent to $2.7 billion in Q1 2023 as the Elon Musk-run EV maker continues to cut prices of its vehicles.On the same day, SpaceX's integrated Starship spacecraft experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" four minutes into its first test flight.
Mexican Prez rejects US 'intervention' to fight organised crime
In a speech at the 109th anniversary of the defence of the Port of Veracruz against the US invasion in 1914, Lopez Obrador said, "From the port of Veracruz, we say, and let it be heard clearly and far away: we do not accept any intervention." The President's remarks came amid an initiative proposed by US lawmakers to allow the country's armed forces to fight drug cartels, which they consider "terrorists", on Mexican soil, Xinhua news agency reported.
Canada provides new military aid package for Ukraine
In a news release on Friday, the department said this 39 million Canadian dollars ($31 million) assistance includes 3.3 million litres of much-needed fuel supplies, modular floatation bridge assets to enable wet-gap crossing, medical first aid kits, as well as sniper rifles and ammunition. This donation comes from the remaining funds across the government of Canada's various funding envelopes for military assistance to Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the news release.
New Omicron subvariant spreading in US
The subvariant XBB.1.16, referred to as "arcturus", has been added by the CDC to its variant tracker, Xinhua news agency reported. The percentage is expected to increase in the coming weeks, and it may become the next dominant coronavirus strain in the country, experts warned.The highly transmissible Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 remains the dominant strain in the US and accounted for about 73.6 per cent of new Covid-19 cases this week, CDC data showed.
US reports over 19,000 deaths from flu this season
A total of 143 pediatric flu deaths have been reported in the country so far this season, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the CDC data. Nearly 2,000 people were hospitalized with flu in the latest week ending April 15, CDC data showed. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues.
Pakistan National Assembly notifies law curtailing Chief Justice's powers
The bill's implementation was halted by the Supreme Court's eight-member bench headed by CJP Umar Ata Bandial, Geo News reported. However, it was notified as a law on Friday because it was deemed to have been assented to by the President (with effect from April 21) under Clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz hold 'positive' meeting with Saudi Crown Prince
During the meeting, both sides discussed the current issues being faced by Pakistan and the solutions to them in detail, Geo News reported. According to sources, the meeting between former Prime Minister Sharif and the Crown Prince was positive. Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz are currently in Saudi Arabia where they performed Umrah along with their other family members.
Trump storms into Florida to oust rival DeSantis from 2024 race
Republican Congressman Michael Waltz, who replaced DeSantis in the House, made it clear on Thursday that he won't be supporting his predecessor's expected run for the White House. He has endorsed Trump. The Combat-decorated Green Beret Waltz has virtually waltzed his way to join as many as 11 of the 20-member Florida.
Don't Miss
Advertisement