United states

Netflix's fictionalized Marilyn Monroe biopic, "Blonde," has been widely criticized for its exploitative depiction of Monroe's character. Now, some also say the film mishandled a major theme: abortion. The movie shows Monroe have two illegal abortions, both times against her will. She also exchanges dialogue with a computer-animated fetus that she later miscarries. "You won't hurt me this time, will you?" the fetus asks Monroe, who is played by Ana de Armas. Abortion rights activists say the scenes, based on a 2000 novel by Joyce Carol Oates, contribute to "antiabortion propaganda." "Medically inaccurate descriptions of fetuses and pregnancy" contribute to abortion stigma, Caren Spruch, national director of arts and entertainment engagement at the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told The Washington Post in a statement. The film bolsters antiabortion advocates' message "with a CGI-talking fetus, depicted to look like a fully-formed baby," she added in the … [Read more...] about Talking fetus in ‘Blonde’ adds to ‘antiabortion propaganda,’ critics say

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss their next steps after North Korea conducted its longest ever test launch by firing a nuclear-capable ballistic missile over Japan. The White House in a statement said the leaders condemned North Korea's missile test in the “strongest terms, recognizing the launch as a danger to the Japanese people, destabilizing to the region, and a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.” The White House said the leaders agreed to coordinate an immediate and longer-term response together, as well as with South Korea, and with the international community. They also vowed to work to limit North Korea's “ability to support its unlawful ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs." North Korea has test-fired about 40 missiles over about 20 different launch events this year as its leader, Kim Jong Un, refuses to return to nuclear diplomacy with the … [Read more...] about Biden consults Japan PM Kishida after N. Korea missile test

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The snail darter, a tiny Southeastern fish at the center of an epic battle over Endangered Species Act protection in the 1970s, is no longer considered imperiled, officials announced Tuesday. The fish held up construction of the Tellico Dam in Tennessee for more than two years as biologists and others fought to protect its only known habitat, the free-flowing Little Tennessee River. The battle, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and beyond, is still sometimes cited as an example of environmental excess, although the reality is much more complicated. The dam eventually was built, with snail darters collected and transplanted into other rivers. They were also later discovered in several additional streams. Snail darters went from being considered an endangered species to a threatened species in 1984. Three years ago, the Center for Biological … [Read more...] about Snail darter, focus of epic conservation fight, is recovered

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 PHOENIX (AP) — Abortion is the top issue in the Arizona attorney general election pitting Republican Abraham Hamadeh against Democrat Kris Mayes. Hamadeh, a former Maricopa County prosecutor and intelligence officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, promises to uphold Arizona's longstanding ban on abortion if elected in November. He is endorsed by former President Donald Trump for the Nov. 8 contest. Mayes, an attorney and university professor who served for seven years on the Arizona Corporation Commission, says she supports abortion rights and doesn’t consider either the older ban or a more recent law to be constitutional. “My opponent apparently is OK with forcing the victims of rape and incest to carry to term,” Mayes said last week during the only televised debate the pair will have during their contest. Hamadeh said the attorney general can’t unilaterally decide which laws to … [Read more...] about Abortion rights a key issue in Arizona attorney general race

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 8 NEW YORK (AP) — Steve Bannon’s trial on charges he defrauded donors who gave money to build a wall on the U.S. southern border might not happen until late next year, a judge said Tuesday. Judge Juan Manuel Merchan said he anticipates Bannon, former President Donald Trump’s longtime ally, will go to trial in November 2023 — about a year before the 2024 presidential election. Manhattan prosecutors charged Bannon, 68, last month with state-level money laundering, fraud and conspiracy charges related to the “We Build the Wall” campaign. Bannon has pleaded not guilty. The New York case stems from much of the same alleged conduct as a federal case cut short last year by a Trump presidential pardon. Prosecutors say that Bannon falsely promised donors that all money would go to constructing a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Instead, prosecutors allege, … [Read more...] about Judge expects Steve Bannon’s wall fraud trial in Nov. 2023

ATLANTA (AP) — Former President Donald Trump and his allies have whipped up a relentless campaign of attacks against voting equipment since his loss in the 2020 election. After nearly two years, no evidence has emerged that voting machines were manipulated to steal the election or that there was any widespread fraud. Conspiracy theories spread online and in forums across the country nevertheless have undermined public confidence in voting machines and election results, while leading some counties to consider ditching the equipment in favor of hand-marked and hand-counted ballots. Elections have been held across the country this year during a busy primary season. While programming errors sometimes occur and equipment can malfunction, no major problems have been reported. Voting equipment is tested before and after to identify any problems, while audits done after the election confirm it worked correctly. The Associated Press explains how we got to this point, the efforts to … [Read more...] about EXPLAINER: Voting systems reliable, despite conspiracies

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — J.D. Runnels and his son, James, share a love for football. Runnels played for the University of Oklahoma and in the National Football League, and he coached in the United States Football League this past season. His son plays center for Southridge Middle School's eighth-grade team in Moore, an Oklahoma City suburb. James nearly was held out of playing this season because his parents objected to the “biological sex affidavit” Oklahoma public school athletes, from kindergarten to college, are now required to submit to participate. The form — part of a law its author says is aimed at ensuring girls' and women's teams allow only cisgender females — asks what sex a student was at birth. J.D. said James' mother considered it government overreach and “none of their business." They considered not turning in the form for their son, who is cisgender. … [Read more...] about Oklahoma sports ‘biological sex affidavit’ raises questions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced plans on Tuesday to provide an additional $625 million in military aid to Ukraine, a package that includes additional advanced rocket systems credited with helping the country’s military gain momentum in its war with Russia. President Joe Biden provided details on the latest package, which includes High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, artillery systems ammunition, and armored vehicles, in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vice President Kamala Harris joined the leaders on Tuesday's call. The U.S. and Ukraine leaders spoke as Russia’s upper house of parliament on Tuesday formally approved the annexation of swaths of Ukrainian territory following referendums that Ukraine and its Western allies dismissed as fraudulent. “President Biden also affirmed the continued readiness of the United States to impose severe costs on any individual, entity, or country that provides support to Russia’s purported annexation,” … [Read more...] about US announces new $625M security package for Ukraine

Listen to this article As we move into the final quarter of 2022, automakers around the world continue to struggle with supply chain problems, limiting new-vehicle production. In the United States, nothing outsells pickup trucks and with all the major players reporting Q3 sales figures, we can see how production slowdowns are affecting this very important segment. Ford has ruled the pickup truck realm for decades now, and it looks like that reign will continue for 2022. Total F-Series production for the third quarter (July-September) was 167,962 units. That was driven by strong sales in July and August, particularly in August where F-Series sales were up 21 percent compared to last year. However, September sales were down sharply, 26.6 percent to be exact. With the all-new Ford Super Duty revealed , it will be interesting to see how the Dearborn brand fares with sales in the final months of the year. Despite the September drop, Ford outsold its Detroit rivals for Q3. Ram … [Read more...] about Ford F-Series Expands Sales Lead In Q3 2022, Silverado Barely Ahead Of Ram