
Ukraine war: Ship leaves Odesa amid Russia Black Sea attack fears
It came as Kyiv said Russian strikes damaged grain facilities in a river port 260km southwest of Odesa.
2023-08-16 19:53

Total GivingTuesday donations were flat this year, but 10% fewer people participated in the day
The nonprofit organization GivingTuesday estimates that donors gave $3.1 billion this year on what has become one of the most important fundraising dates for U.S. nonprofits, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving
2023-11-30 09:17

Senate Democrats turn up pressure on Clarence Thomas' billionaire friend by demanding accounting of gifts
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked Harlan Crow, the GOP megadonor and friend of Clarence Thomas whose gifts to the Supreme Court justice have prompted fresh criticism about the ethical standards of the nation's highest court, for more information about the expenditures.
2023-05-09 22:18

'Forever grateful': Maria Menounos celebrates her first Thanksgiving with her 4-month-old daughter
Menounos expressed her gratitude on Thursday, November 23, in a photo post featuring her 4-month-old daughter Athena and husband Keven Undergaro
2023-11-25 05:23

Thea Booysen: 5 unknown facts about fan-favorite YouTuber MrBeast's girlfriend
MrBeast and Thea Booysen reportedly started dating in February 2022, after the former broke up with Maddy Spidell
2023-05-31 18:53

FTX attorneys accuse Sam Bankman-Fried's parents of unjustly enriching themselves with company funds
Lawyers for collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX Trading are accusing Sam Bankman-Fried's parents of exploiting their influence over their son and the company he founded to enrich themselves by millions of dollars
2023-09-20 04:27

Indiana attorney general faces ethics case over abortion doctor remarks
By Nate Raymond and David Thomas An Indiana judicial watchdog on Monday accused Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita
2023-09-19 07:47

Proposed constitutional change before Ohio voters could determine abortion rights in the state
Ohio concludes a hastily called and highly charged special election Tuesday, a contest that could determine the fate of abortion rights in the state and fuel political playbooks nationally heading into 2024. On the ballot is Issue 1, a proposal to raise the threshold for passing future changes to the state's constitution from a simple majority to 60%. But more passionately in the sights of the proposal's backers — including Republican officeholders — is a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that calls for enshrining access to reproductive care in the state's foundational document. The measure was clearly resonating with voters, who turned out in huge numbers during the early voting period, which ended Sunday. The number of advance ballots cast — a combination of mail and early in-person ballots — hit nearly 700,000, more than double the early vote during the state's two previous midterm primary elections in 2022 and 2018. Ohio's August elections have historically focused on local issues and been plagued with chronically low turnout. The Republican lawmakers who backed Issue 1 maintained that the measure was not about thwarting the fall abortion amendment, despite reinstating an August special election just like the ones they had only recently voted to eliminate. Raising the bar for passing citizen-led constitutional amendments could make it difficult, if not impossible, for the fall proposal to succeed, based on polling figures. Voters in several states, even deeply conservative ones, have affirmed abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, though usually with less than 60% of the vote. AP VoteCast polling last year found that 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal. Out-of-state money has poured into both sides of the contest over the 60% threshold, even as both supporters and opponents say one of their main goals is to keep special interests from having more influence over state policy than average Ohioans. The campaign in favor of Issue 1, Protect Our Constitution, has told voters that raising the threshold will keep deep-pocketed interest groups from pushing redistricting, gun control and minimum wage policies on Ohio. One Person One Vote, the opposition campaign, argues that raising the threshold for passing future amendments would prioritize the interests of Ohio's increasingly conservative GOP supermajority at the statehouse over those of everyday voters. But abortion rights are at the epicenter of the fight, as Ohio and other states have been given control of their own abortion policies following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last summer. Ohio's ban on most abortions had been placed on hold under Roe and then allowed to take effect briefly after the court overturned it. Since then, it has been frozen again while a challenge alleging it violates the state constitution plays out. The abortion amendment would give individuals the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions, including on contraception, fertility treatment, abortion and miscarriage care, until a fetus is viable outside the womb. At the same time, a broad bipartisan coalition opposes Issue 1 for other reasons. Former Ohio governors and attorneys general of both parties have come out against the constitutional change, calling it poor public policy. If passed it would reverse 111 years of direct democracy that has the potential to affect future citizen-led ballot efforts. Protect Women Ohio, the campaign against the fall abortion question, has spent millions on the August election — airing ads suggesting the measure not only codifies abortion, but could pressure children into receiving gender-affirming care and undercut parental rights. Several legal experts have said there is no language in the amendment supporting the ads' claims, but it follows a pattern through this election cycle of misinformation and fear-mongering being used to sway voters. Issue 1 opponents have aired ads and mobilized a large coalition, including voting rights, labor, faith and community groups, as well as the state Democratic Party. It was because of chronically low turnout that lawmakers voted just last year to scrap summer elections, prompting an unsuccessful lawsuit alleging this year's August special election violated the new law and calling further into question if it was brought back solely to thwart abortion rights for Ohioans. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Samantha Hendrickson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation's most violent fields Ohio election that revolves around abortion rights fueled by national groups, money Taylor Swift bracelet-trading trend makes way to Women’s World Cup in Australia
2023-08-08 12:25

Pay dispute between England women's international players and FA appears to be resolved
England women’s players appear to have reached an agreement with the country’s soccer federation regarding a dispute over bonuses and commercial structures
2023-09-21 20:45

Russia extends detention of a US journalist detained for failing to register as a foreign agent
Russian media report a Russian-American journalist was ordered detained for another three days on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent
2023-10-20 21:29

Is Jeremy Allen White dating Ashley Moore? Internet calls duo 'corny' amid Addison Timlin divorce
Jeremy Allen White was seen hugging and kissing Ashley Moore on a sidewalk and getting very cozy
2023-08-06 19:20

Who is Jayson Blair? Disgraced NYT reporter donates $2K to Gilgo Beach murders' suspect Rex Heuermann’s wife
Jayson Blair has become a top donor on GoFundMe launched to help Rex Heuermann's family
2023-08-05 17:46
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