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Year: 2025

FDA chief has no ‘plans’ for abortion pill policy changes but continues safety review

FDA chief has no ‘plans’ for abortion pill policy changes but continues safety review

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said in a recent interview he has “no preconceived plans” to modify policies surrounding abortion pill mifepristone, which is designed to end a pregnancy in the first 10 weeks. “We have an ongoing review of safety data on mifepristone, which is a requirement from the prior administrations,” Makary said in an interview with POLITICO. “You always have to be open-minded. You have to listen to different opinions and make decisions based on what you think is the right thing to do.” His comments mirror those he made during the Semafor World Economy Summit in April. During the summit, Makary said he has “no plans to take action” that would restrict the abortion drug’s availability, but cautioned the agency wouldn’t hesitate to act if the data suggested there was a safety issue. ABORTION PILL MIFEPRISTONE SPARKS NEW PRO-LIFE DEBATE AS SOME DOCTORS STRESS SAFETY CONCERNS “There is an ongoing set of data that is coming into the FDA on mifepristone,” he said. “So if the data suggests something or tells us that there’s a real signal, we can’t promise we’re not going to act on that data.” Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., wrote an April 28 letter to Makary regarding safety concerns about mifepristone. SENATOR INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO REIN IN WIDELY USED, CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION PILL “I urge you to follow this new data and take all appropriate action to restore critical safeguards on the use of mifepristone. The health and safety of American women depend on it,” Hawley wrote. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Makary said during the interview with POLITICO that he has no plans to make “any changes” with policy regarding mifepristone, adding he would “continue to listen to folks that say they have concerns.” Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA and Sen. Hawley for comment.

Youngkin unleashes cutting-edge AI technology in effort to slash Virginia’s government red tape

Youngkin unleashes cutting-edge AI technology in effort to slash Virginia’s government red tape

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin is embarking on a landmark project to use “agentic” artificial intelligence to hasten his 2022 pledge to cut one-quarter of Virginia’s red-tape regulatory structure during his tenure. The term-limited Republican signed an executive order that introduced a pilot program using AI to scan the entirety of Richmond’s regulations and official guidance. “We ask each agency to calculate the savings to them associated with any action that is taken. For more information about our methodology, I would point you to the Regulatory Economic Analysis Manual, which can be found online,” Youngkin spokesperson Peter Finocchio told Fox News Digital. “AI is utilized in two key ways in this process: comparing existing regulations with what is actually required by statute, to identify any redundancies, and comparing Virginia’s regulations to those in other states, to see if other states are accomplishing similar goals more efficiently and with less red tape.” ‘VETO CORLEONE’: YOUNGKIN KILLS LEFT-WING DREAMS WITH RECORD-SETTING BILL NIXING SPREE “AI is utilized in this way to make recommendations, but there is always a human in the loop making the final decisions, which is required by Executive Order 30,” Finocchio added. Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence that differs from typical reactive bots like ChatGPT or Grok that provide information based on prompts, and instead can be programmed to pursue a goal, make autonomous decisions and take actions. Driverless cars like Waymo taxis are another real-world example of such technology. AI will “supercharge” the Youngkin administration’s efforts, his office said in a statement, and help ensure that government is streamlined and modernized to better serve the people of the Old Dominion. EDUCATION IS THE BEDROCK OF ATTAINING THE AMERICAN DREAM, YOUNGKIN TELLS REAGAN FORUM “We have made tremendous strides towards streamlining regulations and the regulatory process in the Commonwealth. Using emergent artificial intelligence tools, we will push this effort further in order to continue our mission of unleashing Virginia’s economy in a way that benefits all of its citizens,” said Youngkin, who was a successful executive in the private sector before entering government. The AI tool will alert the state to any areas in which regulations are redundant, contradictory or overbroad. State agencies will then be able to use the AI platform in the future as well to continue breaking down the barriers to effective governance. “The ‘Virginia model’ for regulatory modernization has become the gold standard across the U.S., with other states and federal agencies looking to replicate our reforms,” Virginia Regulatory Management Director Reeve Bull said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “With this newest initiative, Virginia will continue to lead the nation, becoming the first state to launch an agentic AI tool to power the regulatory reduction process,” Bull added. Thus far, state government guidance documentation has been culled by nearly half, as roughly 48% of the total word counts have been deleted. That figure adds to the 26% of regulatory requirements statewide that have been either streamlined or eliminated, resulting in an estimated $1.2 billion annual taxpayer savings. The state indicated that there are still some agencies in Richmond that have not met Youngkin’s 25% goal laid out in his original order.

US-Mexico Tijuana River sewage crisis deal is ‘massive’ win for Americans, EPA says

US-Mexico Tijuana River sewage crisis deal is ‘massive’ win for Americans, EPA says

A new deal between the United States and Mexico aimed at resolving the Tijuana River sewage crisis is “massive” win for Americans living in the San Diego area, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced this week.  The memorandum of understanding was signed Thursday as the EPA said “For many decades, untreated raw sewage has flowed into Southern California from Mexico, polluting the Tijuana River Valley, closing beaches, fouling the air, harming the region’s economy, and sickening people on both sides of the border.”  “The Trump Administration is proud to deliver this massive environmental and national security win for Americans in the San Diego area who have been living with this disgusting raw sewage flowing into their communities for far too long,” Zeldin said in a statement.  The EPA said the deal meets multiple “top Trump Administration priorities and milestones critical to ensuring a 100% solution to this issue” — including expediting already-existing critical infrastructure projects.  LIV GOLF STAR PHIL MICKELSON ADDS HIS REACTION TO DEEPENING SEWAGE CRISIS IN SAN DIEGO  “The United States — which has withheld sending more American dollars to projects until Mexico fulfilled their obligations toward other projects — agreed to release EPA Border Water Infrastructure Program funding to complete the rehabilitation of Pump Station 1 and the Tijuana River collection pipes. This is because Mexico agreed to fund and begin construction on two priority projects this year, the diversion of treated effluent from two wastewater treatment plants and the rehabilitation of the Parallel Gravity Line,” the EPA said, in reference to a wastewater collecting pipe in Mexico. “This increased the total number of projects planned for this year from two to six.”  “To that end, Mexico will immediately seek internal funding to initiate the construction process for the diversion, which will divert 10 million gallons per day of treated effluent entering the Tijuana River, and the rehabilitation of the Parallel Gravity Line. This will be completed no later than December 31, 2025,” the EPA added.  It also said “Several necessary Mexico side projects have been added to account for future population growth in Tijuana and operation and maintenance costs.”  DEAL STRUCK BETWEEN US AND MEXICO TO ENSURE TEXAS FARMERS GET MUCH-NEEDED WATER  The deal was reached after Zeldin traveled to San Diego in April to speak to those affected by the situation.  “I made a commitment to the residents that I would spearhead an effort to construct an all-encompassing plan to finally bring the sewage crisis to an end,” Zeldin said. “Since my visit, the Mexican and United States’ governments have been working collaboratively to urgently finalize a permanent 100% solution to this longstanding issue. Secretary Rubio and the whole State Department, and the National Security Council at the White House worked hand-in-hand with EPA, and other federal partners, to make this agreement a reality.”  “This is not just a solution for 2025,” he added. “We devised this agreement to factor in population growth, operation and maintenance costs, and other variables that would make this solution durable and long term. Grateful to President Claudia Sheinbaum, Secretary [of the Environment and National Resources of Mexico Alicia] Bárcena, and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their partnership, cooperation, and commitment to work with us to clean up the Tijuana River Valley. This is a huge win for millions of Americans and Mexicans who have been calling on us to end this decades old crisis.” 

India’s Pant defies injury but England control of fourth Test

India’s Pant defies injury but England control of fourth Test

India’s injured Rishabh Pant hits 54 after surprise return before England takes control of fourth test England might have thought it had seen the last of Rishabh Pant in this Test series against India. Pant had other ideas. After retiring early on Day One of the fourth Test at Old Trafford with a foot injury, Pant returned Thursday, albeit with a limp, and posted a half-century as India reached 358 all out, with England captain Ben Stokes taking 5-72. While Pant’s involvement came as a surprise and prolonged the visitors’ first innings, England went on to take control of the match with a blistering opening partnership of 166 by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The hosts reached 225-2 at stumps on Day Two at Old Trafford to trail by 133 runs, largely thanks to the explosive batting of Crawley (84) and Duckett (94), which included 26 fours between the pair – 13 each – and a six for Crawley. Ollie Pope (20 not out) and Joe Root (11 not out) are at the crease. England leads the five-match series 2-1. India resumed on 264-4 and England took the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja (20) and Shardul Thakur (41) in the morning session. But Pant’s return presented an unexpected obstacle for England when he came out to replace Thakur after overnight reports that he had sustained a fracture. Walking slowly and uncomfortably, he made his way to the crease to cheers from all around the stadium and resumed his innings on 37. India batsman Rishabh Pant sets off for his first run as Ben Stokes looks on during Day Two [Stu Forster/Getty Images] It was a gutsy display from Pant, who was hurt a day earlier when his showmanship got the better of him, and an attempted reverse sweep off Chris Woakes saw the ball deflect onto his right foot. He lay on the field in pain and had to leave on a cart, with his foot badly swollen. Advertisement He went on to add 17 more runs to get to 54 before being bowled by Jofra Archer, who sent the stumps crashing. England wasted no time in chasing down India’s total with Crawley and Duckett on a mission. The hosts were 77-0 at tea in reply, with Duckett hitting 43 off 41 balls with seven fours, while Crawley was 33 off 44. The pair kept on finding the boundary when play resumed, and both were looking on course for centuries until India’s breakthrough. Crawley was caught by KL Rahul at slip off Jadeja and Duckett was caught by substitute Dhruv Jurel off Anshul Kamboj. Duckett’s head dropped as the realisation sunk in that he’d fallen just six short of a test century. The England captain is now the leading wicket-taker for the series after his haul of five in the fourth test. Stokes added the wickets of Thakur (41), Washington Sundar (27) and Kamboj (0) to those of Shubman Gill (12) and Sai Sudharsan (61) on Day One. Stokes has 16 wickets for the series, and this was the first time he had taken five in a match for eight years. Adblock test (Why?)

Israeli settler attacks show new level of violence, organisation

Israeli settler attacks show new level of violence, organisation

NewsFeed Israeli settlers are becoming more brazen and heavily armed, attacking Palestinians with impunity as the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority stand by. Saeed Al Umoor’s story exemplifies this desperate situation. Published On 24 Jul 202524 Jul 2025 Adblock test (Why?)

US, Israel recall teams from Gaza ceasefire talks after Hamas proposal

US, Israel recall teams from Gaza ceasefire talks after Hamas proposal

US special envoy Steve Witkoff accuses Palestinian group of showing ‘a lack of desire’ to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. United States special envoy Steve Witkoff has said he is cutting short talks aimed at reaching a truce in Israel’s war on Gaza, after the latest proposal from Hamas showed “a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”. Witkoff made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, just hours after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had also recalled its negotiating team from Qatar amid the latest diplomatic flurry. There was no immediate comment from Hamas. The group has repeatedly accused Israel of blocking a ceasefire agreement. Earlier in the day, Hamas had submitted its latest response to a ceasefire framework floated by mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US. Netanyahu’s office confirmed receipt of the response, and said it was under review. Neither side disclosed the contents. Both Israel and Hamas are facing growing international pressure to reach an agreement as the humanitarian and hunger crisis in the territory continues to deteriorate sharply amid Israel’s severe restrictions on the entry of aid. At least 115 people have died from malnutrition since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, mostly in recent weeks, as the United Nations and aid agencies have warned that Gaza’s residents were facing mass starvation. “While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said in a statement. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,” Witkoff said, without elaborating. Advertisement Witkoff, a businessman with no formal diplomatic experience prior to his appointment, said the US remains “resolute” in seeking an end to the war in Gaza, adding it was “a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way”. The current proposal under discussion has been reported to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living captives and the remains of 18 others. In turn, Palestinians imprisoned by Israel would be released and aid supplies would be ramped up as the two sides held negotiations on a lasting truce. Details of the current sticking point were not immediately clear, but officials from both sides have previously pointed to a dispute over what would happen in the wake of any new ceasefire. Israel has repeatedly said it plans to deploy the military long term in Gaza, seeking a complete defeat of Hamas, despite warnings that such a goal is unrealistic. Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly laid out a plan for the forced transfer of Palestinians to a “humanitarian city” within Gaza, a maximalist approach that critics say would violate international law. Israel’s government has also faced domestic pressure over the plan, amid fears it would foreclose ceasefire negotiations and block the release of captives still held in Gaza. Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi said it remained unclear whether the US withdrawal from the talks was a “negotiating tactic”. “It’s a very sternly worded tweet, talking about ‘alternative options for a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,’” he said. “We know that Trump simply hasn’t ruled out ethnic cleansing, so-called ‘self deportation’, in his words, of Palestinians.” “Right now, we simply don’t know whether it’s a negotiating position or the end of the negotiations,” Rattansi said. Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 59,587 Palestinians since it began in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,139 people. This week, more than 100 aid groups blamed Israel’s restrictions on aid for “mass starvation” in the enclave. Adblock test (Why?)