The end of pregnancy by design or circumstance
Former SNP deputy first minister Kate Forbes has addressed the ARC conference in London, insisting she has "absolutely won the public support" while explaining she would not abandon her religious beliefs or policy stances on abortion and same-sex marriage. The event featured prominent conservatives and sparked debate over honesty and leadership.
Ann Widdecombe, 78, has been found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon; prosecutors have charged 28‑year‑old Joshua Kerry with her murder after his arrest in Rotherham. Counter‑terrorism teams have taken the lead and police are continuing to investigate whether the attack had a political or terrorist motive.
Los Angeles prosecutors have presented texts, photos and forensic evidence at a preliminary hearing accusing singer David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, of murdering and sexually abusing 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Evidence shown has included long-running messages, indications of a pregnancy and abortion, purchases of tools and a body bag, and DNA matches tying blood in Burke’s garage and a Tesla to the victim.
The Massachusetts Senate has adopted a measure that would remove the existing list of conditions for late-term abortion, allowing it based on physicians’ professional judgment. Gov. Healey now faces signing the bill into law as debates continue over safety and access amid a shifting national landscape.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
A surrogate has given birth to Gabriel in Dallas after a dispute over a termination request tied to a severe heart condition. California-based parents are the legal guardians, while the surrogate seeks parentage. Texas orders require life-saving care for Gabriel, with ongoing court battles looming.
Tributes to Dolly Parton pour in after her death at 80, celebrating a career that reshaped music and fashion. The Guardian, Independent and Guardian again provide reflections on her influence, philanthropy, and enduring legacy.
A lawsuit filed in San Antonio accuses Texas leaders and medical officials of upholding a near-total abortion ban that endangered Tierra Walker, who died in December 2024 after facing life-threatening pregnancy complications. The suit argues the emergency exception is effectively unusable and seeks accountability for preventable deaths.
Pope Leo XIV has criticised AI-generated art and called for an alliance between the Church and cultural institutions to protect "what is human." During a visit to France he has warned that algorithms lack the "spark of humanity," repeated concerns about misinformation and dignity, and continued the Vatican's push for stronger ethical limits on AI.