Author: Julia Conley
Following a state Supreme Court ruling, Iowa faces a harsh reality where pregnant individuals have fewer rights than inanimate objects like trash bags. The court’s decision allows a six-week abortion ban passed in 2018 to take effect, sparking outrage among advocacy groups. Justice Thomas Waterman pointed out the irony in granting more legal protection to garbage cans than to a woman’s autonomy over her body. The ruling, which lacks guidance on urgent medical conditions for abortions, poses a grave threat to pregnant individuals’ lives, according to the Iowa Abortion Access Fund. Despite limited exceptions, such as cases of rape or…
Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza were nearly halted by Israeli forces, prompting Israel’s national security minister to call for a complete blockade. Itamar Ben-Gvir advocated reducing humanitarian aid and withholding fuel from Gaza. With only two crossings open, the situation worsened as aid trucks dwindled from nearly 200 to less than 50 per day. Over 1 million Palestinians in Rafah have been displaced, with a death toll of more than 36,000 since October. The crossing closures and obstacles at Israeli-controlled points hindered relief efforts, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis. Despite international efforts for a cease-fire, Ben-Gvir rejected deals like…
Amid threats against jurors and a judge after guilty verdicts in Donald Trump’s hush money case, concerns rise about potential violence from his supporters. Research fellow Jacob Ware warns of possible extremist reactions due to Trump’s denial of the legal process. Trump’s repeated claims of a “rigged” case further fuel the anger among his followers, as seen in violent posts on right-wing platforms. The former president’s refusal to accept the verdict and plans to appeal only fan the flames. Trump’s influence is evident in the alarming calls for violent actions against perceived enemies, indicating a troubling trend of potential unrest.…
The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to immediately end its military offensive in Rafah, Gaza, and to open the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid. The court emphasized that Israel’s efforts to protect civilians from harm were insufficient, resulting in a disastrous humanitarian situation in Rafah. Following the displacement of over a million people in the city, the court demanded that Israel allow urgent humanitarian assistance into Gaza to prevent starvation deaths. Despite the ruling, Israel seized control of the Rafah crossing, exacerbating the crisis. The ICJ mandated Israel to keep the crossing open for essential services and aid,…
WhatsApp’s privacy concerns have taken a dangerous turn as reports suggest Israel is using user data to target Palestinians. The Palestinian digital rights group Sada Social has called for an investigation into Israel’s alleged use of WhatsApp data to fuel its AI system, Lavender. According to reports, the Lavender AI system is being used by the Israeli military to target individuals in Gaza, including those believed to be Hamas members. The system allegedly uses WhatsApp data to select targets, raising serious human rights concerns. While Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, denies collaborating with Israel, activists like Esra’a Al Shafei warn…