government 12 - The Latremie Post

Forty-seven Democrats sign letter calling for US to recognize a Palestinian state

**Forty-Seven Democrats Call on U.S. to Recognize Palestinian State**

A group of 47 Democratic lawmakers, led by Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), has signed a letter urging President Trump and Senator Marco Rubio to support the recognition of a Palestinian state. This move highlights growing calls within the Democratic Party to advance Palestinian statehood as part of efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the region.

In addition to this letter, some lawmakers have proposed an alternative approach involving an Arab League-led peace deal, emphasizing the need for broader regional cooperation.

Representative Ro Khanna was recently seen walking ahead of a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a stopgap spending bill aimed at averting a partial government shutdown scheduled to begin on October 1. The vote took place on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 19, 2025.

*Photo Credit: Reuters/Kent Nishimura*

By MICHAEL STARR
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-868836

Trump’s Latest ‘Epstein Distraction’?: Prez Orders Release of Amelia Earhart Files… as He Ignores Public’s Pleas to Reveal Info on Sex Offender

**President Donald Trump Orders Declassification of All Government Records Related to Amelia Earhart**

*Published: September 27, 2025, 12:45 p.m. ET*

President Donald Trump has announced that his administration will declassify and release all government records connected to Amelia Earhart, the legendary aviation pioneer who vanished during her world flight attempt in 1937, RadarOnline.com reports.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote,
*”I am ordering my Administration to declassify and release all Government Records related to Amelia Earhart, her final trip, and everything else about her. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”*

**Background on Amelia Earhart’s Disappearance**

Amelia Earhart disappeared along with her navigator, Fred Noonan, on July 2, 1937, while flying her Lockheed 10-E Electra across the South Pacific. It is widely believed that their aircraft ran out of fuel near Howland Island; however, the exact circumstances of her disappearance have remained a mystery and the subject of speculation for decades.

Trump added,
*”I have been asked by many people about the life and times of Amelia Earhart, such an interesting story, and would I consider declassifying and releasing everything about her, in particular, her last, fatal flight!”*

**Honoring an Aviation Pioneer**

Trump praised Earhart as *“an Aviation Pioneer, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and achieved many other Aviation ‘firsts.’”* At the time of her disappearance, Earhart was 39 years old and was attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world.

He continued,
*”Amelia made it almost three-quarters around the World before she suddenly, and without notice, vanished, never to be seen again. Her disappearance, almost 90 years ago, has captivated millions.”*

**The Search and Theories Surrounding Her Fate**

Earhart’s disappearance triggered an unprecedented search effort by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, costing the equivalent of $88 million in today’s dollars. Despite the massive operation, no trace of Earhart or her plane was found. She was declared legally dead in 1939, 18 months after her last flight.

Over the years, many theories have emerged about her fate:
– Some suggest Earhart landed safely but was captured by Japanese forces.
– Others believe she and Noonan survived a crash but later died stranded on a remote island.
– Another theory posits that she was on a secret spy mission, with her plane equipped with cameras to monitor Japanese military buildup in the South Pacific.

**Legacy and Continued Interest**

Decades later, Amelia Earhart’s story continues to inspire and fascinate. In 2024, deep-sea explorers revealed sonar images of what appeared to be an aircraft near her last known location. However, the object was ultimately identified as a rock.

The Trump administration has a precedent for declassifying significant historical documents, having previously released large sets of files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

With this new announcement, many hope that the mystery surrounding Amelia Earhart’s final flight may finally come closer to being solved.
https://radaronline.com/p/donald-trump-epstein-distraction-amelia-earhart-files-publics-pleas/

Sarkozy jailing reignites debate over French political justice ahead of Le Pen appeal

Former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s prison sentence has deepened divisions in France over the judiciary’s handling of political wrongdoing, just months before far-right leader Marine Le Pen attempts to overturn her own embezzlement conviction and run for the country’s top office.

A court in Paris shocked the political landscape on Thursday by handing Mr. Sarkozy a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy related to efforts to raise campaign funds from Libya. Should the sentence be enforced, he will become France’s first post-war president to be imprisoned.

Ludovic Friat, president of the USM—the largest union representing French prosecutors and judges—said the ruling demonstrated that no one is above the law, even if some question the court’s motivation. “There will clearly be a before and after this decision,” he said. “In high-profile political-financial trials, some inevitably see judges stepping onto the political stage. What I regret is that too often, this becomes a smokescreen that diverts attention from the offences actually committed.”

### Judges Cracking Down on Political Wrongdoing

As Mr. Sarkozy left the court, he reiterated his innocence and warned that the ruling could undermine public trust in the judiciary. “What happened today is of extreme gravity in regard to the rule of law, and for the trust one can have in the justice system,” he said.

His prison sentence is enforceable immediately. The former president was given a short period to arrange his affairs but is not allowed to avoid imprisonment while awaiting appeal—a contrast to how some French politicians have handled similar situations in the past.

Appeals in such cases can take years, often fueling a perception of impunity among the powerful. As a result, judges are increasingly issuing “provisional execution” sentences that begin immediately, according to lawyers and politicians who spoke to Reuters.

“For several decades, there has been a growing democratic demand for integrity among elected officials,” said Judith Allenbach, president of another judicial union. She added that 89 percent of jail terms over two years are enforced before any appeals process and highlighted that judges are implementing laws passed by parliament mandating tougher penalties for political crimes.

Reflecting the mounting tensions, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Saturday that it had launched investigations into threats directed at the lead judge in Mr. Sarkozy’s case. The judge who presided over Ms. Le Pen’s conviction earlier this year has also received threats and has been placed under police protection.

### What Does This Mean for Marine Le Pen?

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), was convicted of embezzling EU funds in March. She received a five-year political ban that currently bars her from running in the 2027 presidential election. Like Mr. Sarkozy, she was given a provisional execution of the sentence.

Le Pen’s appeal is scheduled for January and will determine whether she remains eligible to run in 2027. She criticized Mr. Sarkozy’s conviction, stating that the increasing use of provisional execution by certain courts “represents a great danger.”

Judicial sources have emphasized that the cases of Le Pen and Sarkozy are distinct, and it is impossible to predict how one ruling might affect the other.

Mr. Friat affirmed that the Sarkozy ruling shows judges remain steadfast in their fight against political corruption. “I can understand her concern,” he said regarding Ms. Le Pen’s stance, while noting that the outcome of her appeals process remains uncertain.

Le Pen’s supporters argue that right-wing politicians face harsher judicial treatment. They point to the case of former centrist prime minister François Bayrou, who was acquitted last year of fraud allegations related to EU fund misuse.

Le Pen’s legal struggles have also drawn international attention. Former US President Donald Trump called her a victim of “lawfare” and sent a diplomatic delegation to offer support.

### Calls for Judicial Reform and Debate

Brigitte Bareges, a right-wing former mayor who was convicted of embezzlement in 2021 and given a provisional political ban (later acquitted on appeal), criticized the justice system. “What we see today is that the justice system, or at least a part of it, has become the weapon of those in power,” she said. “Once, I had faith in justice; today, I’m afraid.”

The justice ministry has not responded to requests for comment on Bareges’ remarks.

Following Sarkozy’s conviction, conservative Senate chief Gérard Larcher acknowledged growing societal debate over the provisional execution of convictions before appeals are exhausted. “I share this concern,” he said.

However, left-wing lawmakers applauded the verdict. Manuel Bompard of the France Unbowed party stressed, “The requirement to be honest and respect the law is not reserved for the public. It also applies to those in power.”

Amid mounting calls to repeal the provisional execution measure, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told *Le Parisien* on Friday that “if a law gives rise to debate, it is up to parliament to address it.”
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/update-1-sarkozy-jailing-reignites-debate-over-french-political-justice-ahead-of-le-pen-appeal-1811902.html

Meet Lisa Monaco, Microsoft executive Trump wants to see fired

**Meet Lisa Monaco, Microsoft Executive Trump Wants Fired**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 27, 2025, 11:36 AM*

US President Donald Trump has publicly called on Microsoft to terminate Lisa Monaco, the company’s head of global affairs. Trump labeled Monaco a “menace” to national security and linked his demand for her dismissal to ongoing legal cases against him.

Lisa Monaco was appointed as Microsoft’s head of global affairs in June 2025. Prior to joining Microsoft, she served in prominent roles within the Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations, including as Deputy Attorney General under Biden and national security advisor under Obama. Notably, Monaco played a key role in coordinating the Justice Department’s response to the January 6 Capitol attack.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Monaco as “corrupt and totally Trump deranged.” He argued that her previous government roles pose a risk to national security, particularly given Microsoft’s extensive contracts with the US government. Trump also alleged that because of her past actions, Monaco was stripped of all security clearances and lost access to classified national security intelligence.

This demand fits a pattern of Trump targeting individuals and institutions he perceives as political adversaries since his return to office in January 2025. Previously, he pressured Intel’s CEO to resign and sought to influence Disney’s ABC regarding programming content.

Meanwhile, Microsoft faces increasing scrutiny over its contracts with various US government agencies. The company has also come under fire for limiting access to certain cloud services to a unit of the Israeli military after reviews into alleged surveillance practices.

Despite the controversy, Monaco’s LinkedIn profile confirms her current role at Microsoft. It remains unclear how the company or Monaco herself will respond to Trump’s call for her firing.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently attended a White House dinner with President Trump and other tech industry leaders, highlighting ongoing engagement between the tech giant and the US administration amid the unfolding situation.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/trump-demands-microsoft-fire-global-affairs-head/story

NBCC holds 65th Annual General Meeting

**NBCC (India) Ltd Showcases Strong Growth and Strategic Vision at 65th AGM**

NBCC (India) Ltd, the State-owned Navratna Enterprise, is poised to capitalize on the increased government impetus towards infrastructure development. At the 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 24th September 2025 at East Kidwai Nagar, K.P. Mahadevaswamy, Chairman and Managing Director of NBCC (India) Limited, highlighted the company’s key achievements during the financial year 2024-25. He also outlined the various opportunities the company is pursuing in both domestic and international markets.

### Leadership and Attendance

The meeting was attended by other members of the NBCC Board, including Saleem Ahmad, Director (Projects); Suman Kumar, Director (Commercial); Anjeev Kumar Jain, Director (Finance); and Government Nominee Directors Sanjeet, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India; Ravi Kumar Arora, Joint Secretary (Land & Estates). Independent Directors Bhimrao Panda Bhosale, Deepak Singh, Rajeev Kumar, Vishal Puri, and Smt. Deepti Gambhir, Company Secretary, NBCC, were also present.

### Financial Performance

NBCC posted a consolidated revenue of Rs 12,038.57 crore, marking a 15.68% year-on-year growth. The consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) reached Rs 557.42 crore, representing an impressive 34.52% increase.

On a standalone basis, revenue stood at Rs 8,725.36 crore. PAT for the standalone entity rose 38.26%, touching Rs 476.11 crore. The company’s consolidated order book surged to Rs 1,20,533 crore, reaffirming NBCC’s leadership in redevelopment, real estate, overseas ventures, and project management consultancy (PMC) works.

### Key Highlights from the CMD’s Address

– **Record Dividend and Bonus Shares:** NBCC declared its highest-ever dividend of Rs 180.90 crore (@67%) and issued 90 crore bonus equity shares in the ratio of 1:2, underscoring its commitment to shareholder value creation.

– **New Business Wins:** The company secured new contracts worth Rs 23,250 crore.

– **Flagship Redevelopment Project Sales:** NBCC achieved complete commercial sales at its flagship redevelopment projects — World Trade Centre, Nauroji Nagar (Rs 13,409 crore), and Downtown, Sarojini Nagar (Rs 1,391 crore), aggregating nearly Rs 14,800 crore.

– **Amrapali Project Progress:** Under the Amrapali mandate, NBCC successfully completed 25,500 housing units and initiated further sales expected to generate Rs 2,353 crore.

– **Global Expansion:** Strengthening its international footprint, NBCC is executing its largest-ever overseas EPC project — 2,000 social housing units in Hulhumale, Maldives, valued at $130 million. This landmark project, funded through EXIM Bank of India under the Government of India’s NEIA framework, symbolizes strong India–Maldives cooperation. The recent inauguration by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Hon’ble President of the Republic of Maldives highlights NBCC’s strategic importance and ability to deliver world-class socially impactful infrastructure globally.

– **New Markets:** The company has expanded operations with a subsidiary in Dubai and is actively exploring opportunities in Uzbekistan and the UAE.

### Focus on Sustainability and Innovation

Anchored in sustainability and digital transformation, NBCC advanced green construction practices and adopted centralized project monitoring systems. The company invested significantly in workforce development, conducting 90 training programmes during the year.

Its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives continued to create positive impact across education, healthcare, sanitation, renewable energy, and skill development sectors.

### Recognition and Awards

NBCC’s excellence was recognized with an ‘Excellent’ MoU rating from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), securing 2nd rank among all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and 1st in its sector with a record score of 98.50.

Several iconic projects such as Bharat Mandapam, Vanijya Bhawan, IIM Sambalpur, and AIIMS Bilaspur earned prestigious GRIHA ratings. Awards in digital transformation and cybersecurity further validated NBCC’s growing credentials in technology adoption.

### Commitment to Viksit Bharat Vision

Aligned with the Government of India’s vision for a developed (‘Viksit Bharat’), NBCC remains steadfast in creating sustainable, inclusive infrastructure and delivering long-term value for its stakeholders as a trusted arm of the government.

### Appreciation and Acknowledgment

In conclusion, CMD K.P. Mahadevaswamy expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Department of Public Enterprises, DIPAM, SEBI, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), as well as all Central and State Government agencies, the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India, esteemed clients, valued customers, dedicated employees, and stakeholders. Their continuous support and cooperation have been instrumental in driving NBCC’s progress and success.

NBCC continues to strive for excellence in its core businesses and remains committed to delivering utmost value to its shareholders.

—

*For more updates and detailed information, stay connected with NBCC (India) Limited.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/corporate-gallery/nbcc-holds-65th-annual-general-meeting

FBI fires agents photographed kneeling during 2020 racial justice protest, sources say

WASHINGTON — The FBI has fired agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in Washington following the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, three people familiar with the matter said Friday.

The bureau had reassigned the agents last spring but has since terminated their employment, according to the sources who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press due to the sensitive nature of personnel matters. While the exact number of employees fired remains unclear, two sources estimated it to be roughly 20.

The photographs in question showed a group of FBI agents taking a knee in apparent solidarity during one of the demonstrations sparked by Floyd’s May 2020 killing. The death led to a national reckoning over policing and racial injustice, igniting widespread anger after millions of people viewed the arrest on video.

An FBI spokesman declined to comment on the firings Friday.

These terminations come amid a broader personnel purge at the bureau as Director Kash Patel seeks to reshape the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency. Last month, five agents and top-level executives were summarily fired in a wave of ousters that current and former officials say has contributed to declining morale within the bureau.

Among those dismissed was Steve Jensen, who helped oversee investigations into the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Another, Brian Driscoll, served as acting FBI director during the early days of the Trump administration and resisted demands from the Justice Department to provide the names of agents involved in the January 6 investigations.

Chris Meyer, also fired, was the subject of incorrect social media rumors alleging his involvement in the investigation into former President Donald Trump’s retention of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Walter Giardina, another ousted agent, participated in high-profile probes including the investigation into Trump adviser Peter Navarro.

A lawsuit filed by Jensen, Driscoll, and another fired FBI supervisor, Spencer Evans, alleged that Patel acknowledged the likely illegality of firing agents based on the cases they worked but felt powerless to intervene because the White House and Justice Department were determined to remove all agents who investigated Trump.

At a congressional hearing last week, Patel denied receiving orders from the White House regarding personnel decisions and stated that anyone who has been fired simply failed to meet the FBI’s standards.
https://abc7.com/post/fbi-fires-agents-photographed-kneeling-during-2020-racial-justice-protest-following-death-george-floyd-sources-say/17889760/

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Distributes ₹89.96 Crore Scholarships To 3.96 Lakh Students, Praises New Education Policy

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday transferred Rs 89.96 crore to 3.96 lakh students during a scholarship distribution program held in Lucknow.

Addressing the public meeting, CM Yogi praised the Centre’s New Education Policy and announced the upcoming launch of the ‘One Nation, One Scholarship’ system. “Education is a fundamental right in our country, and education has been made inclusive through the New Education Policy introduced by Prime Minister Modi in 2020. In the coming times, the ‘One Nation, One Scholarship’ system will also be introduced. Students will receive the scholarship amount with a click as soon as they take admission in the school,” he said.

Taking a subtle dig at the Opposition, CM Yogi claimed that students from Scheduled Tribes did not receive scholarships before 2017. He stated, “More than 4,00,000 students are receiving scholarships today, and this program is organised to ensure they receive scholarships on time. Before 2017, students were often discriminated against, and Scheduled Tribes were not given scholarships in 2016-17, which we distributed after our government came to power. I have received complaints that Scheduled Tribes were not receiving scholarships in some areas because data was not uploaded.”

He further added, “However, we are going to decide to provide scholarships to these students before Diwali. The role of the officials responsible for the delay in scholarships has been determined, and action will be taken.”

Earlier, sharing a post on X, CM Yogi lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, writing, “Education plays a significant role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Under the illustrious leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, over the past 11 years, the path to development for the underprivileged has been paved by connecting them with scholarships and fee reimbursement arrangements through excellent and superior education.”

He continued, “On the sacred occasion of Shardiya Navratri, today in Lucknow, under the scholarship distribution ceremony, an amount of Rs 89.96 crore was transferred to more than 3 lakh 96 thousand students. Heartiest congratulations to all students and best wishes for a bright future.”

(Note: Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanath-distributes-8996-crore-scholarships-to-396-lakh-students-praises-new-education-policy

IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Result 2024 OUT; Check Now!

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the results of the IBPS RRB Clerk Preliminary Examination 2024. Candidates who appeared for the Office Assistant (Multipurpose) exam can now check their results on the official IBPS website, ibps.in.

### How to Check IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Result 2024

To view your result, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit the official IBPS website at [ibps.in](https://www.ibps.in).
2. On the homepage, locate the link titled **”Click Here to View Your Result for Online Preliminary Examination of CRP-RRBs-XIII Office Assistants (Multipurpose)”**.
3. Enter your credentials, including your password, date of birth, and either your registration number or roll number. These details were sent to you via email or SMS during the registration process.
4. Click on the **Login** button to access your result.
5. Once your result is displayed, download and print a copy for your records.

### What’s Next After the Preliminary Result?

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection will release the scorecard and cut-off marks within two to three days following the announcement of the preliminary exam results.

Candidates who qualify in the preliminary round will be eligible to appear for the Mains examination, scheduled for October 6, 2024.

It is important to note that the marks obtained in the preliminary exam serve only as a qualifying criterion and will **not** be counted towards the final selection. The final selection will be based solely on the performance in the mains examination.

Stay tuned to the official IBPS website for further updates and notifications related to the IBPS RRB Clerk examination process.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/ibps-rrb-clerk-prelims-result-2024-out-check-now

Canadian privacy watchdogs call for TikTok to enhance protection for children on platform

**Canadian Privacy Authorities Find TikTok’s Protection for Children Inadequate, But Steps Are Being Taken**

*OTTAWA, Ontario (AP)* — TikTok’s efforts to keep children off its platform and prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal information have been found “inadequate,” according to Canadian privacy authorities. However, the company is taking steps to address these concerns, officials said Tuesday.

Federal Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne emphasized that TikTok must do more to keep underage children off the platform and improve transparency around its data collection practices, especially for youth. TikTok maintains that its platform is not intended for users under the age of 13.

“Our investigation found that measures TikTok uses to keep children off the popular video-sharing platform and to prevent the collection and use of their sensitive personal information … were inadequate,” Dufresne stated.

In response, TikTok has agreed to enhance its underage assurance methods to better exclude underage users. The company will also strengthen its privacy communications to help users understand how their data is being used.

“There are some steps they still have to take. For the moment, we find it’s conditionally resolved,” Dufresne said. “We are going to be monitoring the situation.”

Dufresne also noted that TikTok’s privacy policies currently lack detail and are difficult to locate.

The federal, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia privacy commissioners publicly released the results of their joint investigation, which was launched in 2023. The findings highlighted that in Quebec, 40% of young people aged 6 to 17 have a TikTok account. Among children aged 6 to 12, that figure stands at 17%.

“We were certainly struck by how elaborate a profiling that was being used by TikTok,” said British Columbia Privacy Commissioner Michael Harvey. He pointed out concerns over the extensive data collection, including facial and voice analytics, combined with location information, used to create detailed inferences about users, such as their spending power. This information then influences the content and advertising shown to them.

Last year, following a national security review of TikTok’s Chinese parent company, the Canadian government decided not to block access to the popular app but ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business.

Meanwhile, in the United States, former President Donald Trump suggested that prominent billionaires—such as media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell—could be involved in a deal where the U.S. would take control of the social video platform.
https://wgntv.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/ap-canadian-privacy-watchdogs-call-for-tiktok-to-enhance-protection-for-children-on-platform/

Federal agencies are studying safety of abortion drug mifepristone, driving new concerns about limits on access

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced they will review the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, one of the primary drugs used for medication abortion.

In a letter dated September 19, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary informed 22 Republican attorneys general that the FDA is examining evidence regarding the safe dispensing of mifepristone. “This Administration will ensure that women’s health is properly protected by thoroughly investigating the circumstances under which mifepristone can be safely dispensed,” they wrote. They added that the FDA would conduct its own review of real-world data and evidence related to the drug’s safety and efficacy.

This move has raised concerns among abortion rights advocates, who worry that the federal government might impose new restrictions on access to medication abortion. Medication abortion access has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly through telehealth services.

Earlier this month, Kennedy told senators that the FDA is actively collecting new data for a safety review of mifepristone. He mentioned that “those studies are progressing and that they’re ongoing.” During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Kennedy claimed the Biden administration had “twisted the data” on mifepristone to “bury one of the safety signals,” though he did not specify the nature of this supposed safety issue. “We’re getting data in all the time — new data that we’re reviewing,” he explained.

The Republican attorneys general referenced a report from the Ethics and Public Policy Center—a conservative think tank opposing what it calls the “extreme progressive agenda”—as evidence that mifepristone poses risks and needs tighter oversight. In response, Kennedy and Makary acknowledged that the report highlighted “potential dangers that may attend offering mifepristone without sufficient medical support or supervision.”

However, many experts have criticized the report, labeling it “junk science.” The report has not undergone peer review or been published in any medical journal. Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, associate professor in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science at the University of California, San Francisco, identified significant flaws in the report in a comprehensive 10-point review. She pointed out that the report lacks transparency, providing little information about the data sources. Furthermore, it overstated the risks by counting any emergency room visit—including those that required no treatment—as a serious adverse event. Other research suggests that approximately half of abortion-related emergency department visits are for observation only.

The Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to abortion and contraception research, has urged the FDA to dismiss the report due to its lack of scientific rigor. “In short, this paper is not a methodologically rigorous, evidence-based resource, and does not warrant consideration, particularly in scientific spaces,” the group stated in a letter to Dr. Makary.

Mifepristone is typically used in combination with misoprostol for medication abortion in the United States. The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000, and it has since been consistently demonstrated to be safe and effective for terminating pregnancies up to 10 weeks gestation.

Clinical studies and decades of real-world use have established its safety profile. Since its approval, there have been approximately five deaths associated with mifepristone per one million users—an extremely low rate of 0.0005%. Studies show that mifepristone’s safety is comparable to that of common over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have repeatedly advocated for increased accessibility to mifepristone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration permitted certified providers to prescribe mifepristone via telehealth and ship the medication by mail. This policy significantly expanded access, especially in rural areas with limited abortion clinic availability.

Despite this, anti-abortion advocates argue that the drug is unsafe and that the FDA did not adequately study it. Republican officials have persistently called for the government to rescind the telemedicine policy and restrict mifepristone distribution to in-person visits only.

In June 2024, the US Supreme Court declined to block the availability of mifepristone but left open the possibility of future regulatory changes. This decision has placed additional scrutiny on federal agencies such as the FDA.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, there were more than 1 million abortions in the US in 2024 for the second consecutive year. Since the Supreme Court’s June 2022 Dobbs decision, which revoked the federal right to abortion, 20 states have enacted bans or severely restricted abortion access, while some have introduced new protections for abortion care.

The rise in access to medication abortion through telehealth has contributed to the increase in abortion numbers. Approximately 14% of abortions in 2024 were provided by online-only clinics, a rise from 10% in 2023—an increase of about 40,000 abortions.

—

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**Job Hunting Insight:**
Has job hunting as a Black Gen Zer come with more halts and frustration than expected? You’re not alone. Unemployment rates for Black/African American youth in Philadelphia remain higher than other racial and age groups.
https://www.phillytrib.com/news/health/federal-agencies-are-studying-safety-of-abortion-drug-mifepristone-driving-new-concerns-about-limits-on/article_f54ccc9e-7012-4a1d-ae30-ab1af77b13ae.html