Latest news with #Wilkinson
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
West Virginia ban on abortion medication upheld
A divided federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld West Virginia's near-total ban on abortion, including limits on the widely used medication abortion drug mifepristone. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, said the Food and Drug Administration's approval of mifepristone did not preempt West Virginia's law as applied to medication abortions, which account for more than half of U.S. abortions. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson said a 2007 federal law giving the FDA more authority over "high-risk" drugs did not evince a clear intention to displace states' traditional right to protect their citizens' health and safety. Wilkinson also found no indication that Congress intended to guarantee nationwide access to mifepristone. "The debate joined by able and dedicated supporters and opponents of access to abortion medications is simply not one, in the absence of clear congressional direction, for this court to decide," the judge wrote. Tuesday's 2-1 decision is the first by a federal appeals court to say states can restrict use of the pill. In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court preserved access to mifepristone, rejecting an effort by anti-abortion doctors and groups to roll back FDA approval. West Virginia's law had been challenged by GenBioPro, a Nevada company that sells a generic version of mifepristone. Opponents said letting the law stand could allow other states to criminalize access to federally approved medications. The law "sets a dangerous precedent regarding access to other evidence-based health care that (the) FDA has deemed safe and effective," said Skye Perryman, president of the nonprofit Democracy Forward, which helped represent GenBioPro. Erin Hawley, a lawyer representing West Virginia, said the court "rightly refused GenBioPro's invitation to federalize the issue of abortion." Hawley is senior counsel at the nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom, which also brought the Supreme Court mifepristone case. Governor Patrick Morrisey , a Republican who defended West Virginia's law as that state's attorney general, called the decision a "big win" that lets West Virginia "lead the nation in our efforts to protect life." DISREGARDING SUPREME COURT 'NOT AN OPTION' Mifepristone is the first pill, followed by the drug misoprostol, for medication abortion in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, and won FDA approval in 2000. Twenty-eight states restrict access to medication abortions, according to the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute, which focuses on reproductive health. West Virginia's Unborn Child Protection Act banned abortion with narrow exceptions, including within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy for minors who are victims of rape and incest. Without opining on the law, Wilkinson said federal courts shouldn't substitute their policy preferences for those of state legislators. He also said voiding the law would amount to near "defiance" of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization , the 2022 Supreme Court decision that eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion. "Just after the Supreme Court restored the states' traditional authority to regulate abortion, GenBioPro would have us wrest it right back," Wilkinson wrote. "At a time when the rule of law is under blunt assault, disregarding the Supreme Court is not an option," he added. Wilkinson was appointed to the bench by Republican President Ronald Reagan. His opinion was joined by U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston, an appointee of Republican President Donald Trump who normally sits in Alexandria, Virginia. Circuit Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, an appointee of Democratic President Joe Biden, dissented, saying West Virginia's law "erects barriers to life-saving healthcare for countless West Virginians in ways not envisioned by Congress." She also said the law could unduly burden patients in medically underserved areas elsewhere by forcing West Virginians to travel to other states for treatment. Tuesday's decision upheld an August 2023 ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Chambers in Huntington, West Virginia.
The Hill
16 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
Appeals court upholds West Virginia's medication abortion ban
A divided federal appeals court panel on Tuesday upheld West Virginia's ban on medication abortion, ruling that the law does not conflict with the Food and Drug Administration's ability to regulate the drug. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit dismissed mifepristone manufacturer GenBioPro's effort to strike down West Virginia's near-total abortion ban in a 2-1 decision. The court ruled FDA's approval of mifepristone did not preempt West Virginia's law. GenBioPro produces a majority of the mifepristone sold in the United States, and has held FDA approval for generic mifepristone since 2019. GenBioPro argued that FDA's authority to impose regulations on the prescription and distribution of mifepristone superseded state efforts to restrict access to medications. A lower court ruled against the company, which then appealed the decision. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote that a 2007 federal law 'leaves the states free to adopt or diverge from West Virginia's path' and it 'falls well short of expressing a clear intention to displace the states' historic and sovereign right to protect the health and safety of their citizens.' The ruling is the first time a federal appeals court has said states can restrict use of mifepristone. Twenty-eight states restrict access to medication abortions, according to the reproductive health nonprofit Guttmacher Institute. The Supreme Court upheld access to mifepristone last year, when it unanimously dismissed a lawsuit seeking to roll back changes FDA made in 2016 and 2021 to expand access. 'We respect the fact that appellant and some amici have argued that access to mifepristone is important to the health of women in the course of their reproductive choices,' Wilkinson wrote. 'Our objection is not to the substance of this point, but to the venue in which it is advanced.' Wilkinson was appointed by President Reagan. He was joined by U.S. District Judge Rossie Alston, an appointee of President Trump. 'The court is allowing the state to continue putting those seeking medication abortion care in harm's way,' GenBioPro CEO Evan Masingill said in a statement. 'The panel's ruling allows states to restrict access to medications that FDA has deemed safe and effective, threatening a dangerous ripple effect on the availability of essential medications in this country. As we have always made clear, GenBioPro will not stop fighting to ensure all people can access safe, evidence-based healthcare.' West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said in a statement he was 'proud to see a victory in this case.' 'West Virginia can continue to enforce our pro-life laws and lead the nation in our efforts to protect life. We will always be a pro-life state!' he said. In a dissent, Circuit Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin said the state's law 'erects barriers to life-saving healthcare for countless West Virginians in ways not envisioned by Congress.' Benjamin, who was appointed by former President Biden, added that 'the twin sensitivities of abortion access and states' rights cannot influence our willingness to recognize the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) clear authority in this area.' 'By criminalizing medical providers and prohibiting medication abortions, then, West Virginia has exceeded the ability to regulate abortion as established in Dobbs and has trespassed on the FDA's authority to regulate the safe use of and unburdened access to mifepristone,' Benjamin wrote.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Metro urged to ditch outdated security solutions as cable theft cripples Fountains area
East residents and civic organisations are raising concerns over the metro's plans to allocate over R230-million in security guard contracts to protect assets. According to AfriForum, this is an outdated method that will drain public funds without effectively protecting assets. Ward 56 councillor Shaun Wilkinson, whose ward has been battling persistent power outages caused by cable theft, said the time has come for the metro to embrace smarter, more cost-effective solutions. He added that his residents are constantly affected by infrastructure vandalism and theft, yet the metro remains committed to deploying guards. 'Metro guards are often under-equipped and unable to stop organised criminal syndicates,' Wilkinson said. 'We need to move beyond symbolic security measures and embrace systems that provide real-time monitoring and faster responses.' Wilkinson said vandalism near the Unisa and Tuks perimeters has a ripple effect, disrupting water and electricity supply, research activities and even the academic reputation of institutions in Pretoria. He added that current guards, especially those deployed at tourist attractions and power stations, are ill-prepared for the scale of organised theft. 'Even if patrollers are stationed, they are not backed by high-visibility surveillance or rapid response teams. That makes them a deterrent in name only.' Groenkloof residents are currently contributing money out of their own pockets to buy and install cameras in the area. This comes after the area has faced back-to-back power outages due to cable theft. Resident Francois Geringer said it would be great if they could get the metro's help. 'The stolen cables cost more than installing cameras to safeguard the cables.' AfriForum has launched its own initiatives to protect vulnerable sites and argues that the metro's reliance on traditional guarding contracts is fiscally irresponsible and ineffective in curbing theft. The organisation's Greater Pretoria North district co-ordinator, Llewellynn Hemmens, said modern technology could achieve far more at a fraction of the cost. Hemmens said their organisation obtained quotations to secure three substations for under R100 000 using camera systems and smart monitoring tools. 'We are already installing cameras at the first substation as part of a community project, but despite letters and discussions, the metro has shown little co-operation.' According to Hemmens, AfriForum has offered assistance free of charge or at minimal cost, but their proposals were met with silence while the city pursued 'inflated' guarding contracts. 'This is a clear sign of poor management and a lack of political will,' he said. 'Taxpayers are footing the bill, but the infrastructure remains exposed.' AfriForum has urged the city to halt new guarding contracts, audit current infrastructure vulnerabilities, and collaborate with civil society on scalable, cost-efficient security solutions. 'The tools exist to turn this around, but the metro needs to act decisively and responsibly,' Hemmens said. The metro was approached for comment, but had not responded in time for printing. ALSO READ: Planned march today in Mamelodi Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. ⏰ FT | 🏴 6-1 🏴 Defeat for Cymru. — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' To every member of The Red Wall who travelled to Switzerland or supported from back home, your passion and unwavering support carried us every step of the way. The legacy of this summer will last far beyond the final whistle. Diolch o galon. ♥️🏴 — Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 13, 2025 Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
