HARTFORD — Gov. Ned Lamont will push for legislation to allow patients to obtain contraception and oral abortion medication from their pharmacists without first visiting their doctors. Speaking in the State Capitol during what could have been a melancholic 50th anniversary commemoration of the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion-rights ruling that was overturned last year by the U.S. Supreme Court, a combative Lamont said Monday that Connecticut will continue its campaign for civil rights. "You know what you do? You get back up and you fight back," Lamont told about 30 people during an afternoon ceremony that was forced inside from the snowy north steps of the Capitol. "That's what we do in America." He recalled that the laws on voting rights and ending slavery were just the beginning of political conflicts that rage to this day. "They're always trying to take away our rights," Lamont said. "This goes back many, many years. Look, we thought we signed the Emancipation Proclamation … [Read more...] about Lamont: Pharmacies should be able to prescribe birth control pills
Long lasting birth control
WEC drivers hope new sportscar era will last longer than LMP1
Listen to this article The introduction of new regulations by both the WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship have brought an unprecedented number of manufacturers to the top echelon of sportscar racing, with the likes of Porsche, Toyota, Peugeot, Ferrari, BMW, Cadillac, Acura, Lamborghini, Alpine and Glickenhaus all having confirmed factory programmes for the coming seasons. This has brought back much needed life to prototype competition, particularly in the WEC, after several lean years plagued by limited manufacturer rivalry and diminishing grids. The WEC last enjoyed such a strong period in the mid-2010s when LMP1 formed the top class but, while the high-performance thoroughbreds from the likes of Porsche, Toyota and Audi drew comparisons to Formula 1, the rapid withdrawal of manufacturers left the category in the doldrums. However, many believe that the championship organisers have since learned lessons from LMP1 and the new LMDh and LMH regulations will … [Read more...] about WEC drivers hope new sportscar era will last longer than LMP1
In Haiti, gangs take control as democracy withers
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 26 PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Jimmy Cherizier zips through Haiti’s capital on the back of a motorcycle, flanked by young men wielding black and leopard print masks and automatic weapons. As the pack of bikes flies by graffiti reading “Mafia boss” in Creole, street vendors selling vegetables, meats and old clothes on the curb cast their eyes to the ground or peer curiously. Cherizier, best known by his childhood nickname Barbecue, has become the most recognized name in Haiti. And here in his territory, enveloped by the tin-roofed homes and bustling streets of the informal settlement La Saline, he is the law. Internationally, he’s known as Haiti’s most powerful and feared gang leader, sanctioned by the United Nations for “serious human rights … [Read more...] about In Haiti, gangs take control as democracy withers
‘The Last of Us’ tells a new but familiar queer love story
(Spoilers for episode 3 of HBO's "The Last of Us," as well as both video games and the "Left Behind" DLC.) --- Much of the focus on HBO's interpretation of "The Last of Us" has been on its fidelity to the games - how faithfully it re-creates the original's story and scenes, and what it chooses to change. While episode 2 gave us a very different death for Tess, episode 3 is an even bigger departure, telling a whole new story about side character Bill and his partner Frank. Through this change, the episode tells a new, more hopeful story about the zombie apocalypse. At the same time, it tells a complex but also stereotypical story about the lives and deaths available to the queer people in its world. In the video game of "The Last of Us," Joel and Ellie meet Bill, a lone survivor who is distrustful and unpleasant. He makes reference to a "partner" and seems to suggest he kicked that person out, finding it better to be on his own. After fighting through infected in search of a … [Read more...] about ‘The Last of Us’ tells a new but familiar queer love story
Public viewing at palace for ‘last Hawaiian princess’
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 HONOLULU (AP) — The casket bearing the 96-year-old heiress long considered the last Hawaiian princess went on public display Sunday in the downtown Honolulu palace that benefited from her wealth. Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawānanakoa's casket, handcrafted from a 165-year-old koa tree that fell during a 2021 storm on the Big Island, arrived at ʻIolani Palace in a hearse. It was greeted by a traditional Hawaiian wailing and a chanting of her lineage before being carried by members of a law enforcement honor guard up the palace's front stairs and into the throne room. Family spokesperson Caroline Witherspoon called the procession “extremely emotional,” saying, “The wailing — it was just beautiful. It just caused a visceral reaction for me. I started to cry.” The palace is America’s only royal residence, where the Hawaiian monarchy dwelled but now serves mostly as a … [Read more...] about Public viewing at palace for ‘last Hawaiian princess’
ABC 13 meteorologist Rachel Briers gives birth to baby girl
A Houston meteorologist's family just got a little bigger over the long holiday weekend. On Sunday, ABC 13's Rachel Briers announced she had recently given birth to her second child—a baby girl named Laine. Briers had her first daughter, Tenley, back in March 2020 and this past August posted on social media that she was pregnant with her second, writing: "THIS TWISTER IS GETTING A SISTER! Baby girl Briers coming January 2023." New photos Briers shared over the weekend show Tenley, now nearly 3-years-old, holding her new sister. Briers prepped the ABC 13 audience for her coming maternity leave about two weeks ago via Instagram, telling viewers that they would "start seeing less" of her since her baby would be "making her appearance very soon." Meteorologist Alan Shoemaker from KRGV Channel 5 News in the Rio Grande Valley is taking over as the temporary fill-in for Briers. Fans and colleagues of Briers congratulated the meteorologist on her family's new addition over social … [Read more...] about ABC 13 meteorologist Rachel Briers gives birth to baby girl
The errors the FIA must not repeat in 2023 after completing F1 race control overhaul · RaceFans
The FIA’s announcement yesterday of a restructuring of its Formula 1 operation is intended to draw a line under a process which began in response to the controversial conclusion to the 2021 world championship. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free It will inevitably focus attention on whether the sport’s governing body can reduce the confusion, inconsistencies and errors which created too many problems during races last year. The FIA embarked on an “analysis and clarification exercise” three days after the 2021 season ended in bitter recriminations at Yas Marina . The outcome appeared three months later as a 3,300-word report which laid out the reasoning for a raft of changes to how the sport’s governing body runs the races which constitute its most prestigious championship. Race director Michael Masi was removed from his position for failing to enforce the series’ rules correctly in the final lap restart which decided the destiny of the 2021 drivers’ title. … [Read more...] about The errors the FIA must not repeat in 2023 after completing F1 race control overhaul · RaceFans
Steiner: “A lot of margin” for F1 race control to improve after “nonsense” calls
Listen to this article F1's governing body, the FIA, restructured its race control operations last year in the wake of the Abu Dhabi controversy at the end of 2021, with changes including the appointment of two race directors. But it did not stop the decisions from race control becoming a big talking point throughout the 2022 season, especially over its use of the black-and-orange flag, policing of track limits and deployment of recovery vehicles at the Japanese Grand Prix. By the end of the season, the FIA had ended its rotation of race directors, although president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has since indicated it will return to having multiple officials filling the role this year. Earlier this week, the FIA also announced that highly-respected team manager Steve Nielsen had joined as its new sporting director as part of an overhaul of its F1 management structure. But Haas team principal Steiner felt there was room for improvement with race officiating in F1 heading into … [Read more...] about Steiner: “A lot of margin” for F1 race control to improve after “nonsense” calls
Max Verstappen doubles down on virtual Le Mans criticism: ‘You can’t even control your own s**t server’
Max Verstappen has not held back when giving his opinion on the virtual Le Mans race after being disconnected midway through his stint. While some Formula 1 drivers are preparing for the new season with winter weather training, Verstappen has been behind the wheel competing in the virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans race. But his race, which he competed in as part of his esports team Team Redline, came to an early end when he was disconnected from the server. It was not the only incident of a race blighted by technical problems including the two servers being used for the event being the target of a security breach. Immediately after his disconnection, the Dutchman launched a tirade against the organisers of the race describing it as a “clown show.” The red mist had not fully faded when Verstappen later took to Discord to again complain at the organisers and asked how can they control a race when they cannot even control their own “s**t servers.” “I’m going to write this once, … [Read more...] about Max Verstappen doubles down on virtual Le Mans criticism: ‘You can’t even control your own s**t server’