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Arizona’s latest abortion ban takes the state back to the Civil War era

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abortion, Black women, election, abortion rights


Arizona’s latest abortion laws has made the state one in all the strictest in the country when it comes to reproductive rights. Critics point to the law’s origins in 1864, highlighting its troubling racial history.

In April this 12 months, Arizona lawmakers voted to keep an abortion law originally passed in 1864. Its restoration comes after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. According to Vox, the recent ruling almost leaves The reproductive autonomy of 1.6 million people is in danger.

The law states that anyone who “performs, supplies and administers” an abortion procedure or drugs to induce it faces two to five years in prison. The law only provides an exception for pregnant women who die without being pregnant. However, the laws stemmed from the anti-abortion movement that began in the mid-Nineteenth century. This effort was intended to limit white women’s desires outside the home as more women participated in the women’s suffrage movement.

In reality, anti-abortion efforts were intended solely to be sure that white women lived up to their responsibilities to uphold conservative American values. Doctors – a occupation then largely made up of white men – also benefited from the laws, making a monopoly on who could perform the procedure.

Although the original views on abortion up to that point were less religiously based, doctors and clergy later joined forces to demonize abortion, under the leadership of Harvard physician Horatio Storer. This later change led to imprisonment and heavy fines for those defying the regulations.

But today’s version of the law particularly affects minorities, a lot of whom have less freedom and resources. According to US Census data, black people makeup over 5.5% of Arizona’s population. Historical and racially motivated abortion protections have been designed to profit white people, leaving people of color in the most vulnerable position. The topic of hot buttons can be prevalent for Black women as the presidential election approaches.

Although the ban is scheduled to go into effect on April 24, Democratic lawmakers are calling for its repeal. Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said she wouldn’t implement the ruling. Regardless, residents still worry about their reproductive freedom.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Jesse Williams files motion to modify child custody agreement with ex-wife

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Jesse Williams, 43, is back in court, this time in search of equal joint physical custody of his children, Sadie, 10, and Maceo, 9. We’re writing this since the actor has been in court several times prior to now, fighting for more time with his children.

According to court documents, Williams, who currently shares custody with his ex-wife, Aryn Drake-Lee, is asking for more time because his current contract allows him to have a maximum of two overnight stays per school yr..

“There is no question that spending more time with me is in the best interest of the children,” Williams said. “The children benefit from the love and stability I provide and continue to ask to spend more time with me. I am actively involved in Sadie and Maceo’s lives.”

The actor also accuses his ex-wife of getting a “bizarre obsession” with keeping him from participating of their children’s extracurricular activities, no matter his efforts to cultivate a healthy co-parenting relationship. He explained in recent court documents that she interferes with his relationship with his children by blocking FaceTime calls, not allowing him to attend various activities with their children and manipulating vacation schedules to minimize the time he spends with his two children. On that basis, Jackson argued that there’s “good reason” for his children to spend “less time” with Drake-Lee.

“I have never denied Aryn access to the children. I continue to model normal, healthy co-parenting, hoping she will see that this works better than chaos and conflict,” Williams argued. “Aryn’s behavior is the opposite — it is designed to undermine my care and my relationship with my children, and she is not concerned about the impact her behavior is having on our children.”

The former couple met in 2007, when Williams was still a teacher in New York City. They married in 2012 after five years together. The Power actor filed for divorce from Drake-Lee in 2017, and so they have been in legal battles over their children and funds ever since. The divorce was finalized in 2020, with Williams ordered to pay $40,000 a month in child support and each parties given joint legal and physical custody of the kids. The former couple returned to court in February 2022, with the actor accusing Drake-Lee of “repeatedly violating court orders” and “erratic, controlling behavior.”

That same yr, after leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Williams’ alimony payments were reduced to $6,413 per thirty days.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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New COVID vaccines could come to Australia. Here’s what you need to know about the JN.1 vaccines

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COVID-19 vaccines have undoubtedly made an enormous difference during this pandemic. For example, it’s estimated that COVID vaccinations Since their introduction in December 2020, they’ve saved greater than 1.4 million lives in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region alone.

Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) is changing quite rapidly, which is affecting how well our immunity from each vaccination and past infection protects us. This problem is usually referred to as “avoiding resistance”.

One strategy to address this issue has been to update our vaccines, which we have now done 4 times in Australia. Now the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is considering a fifth version of a COVID vaccine – a shot geared toward JN.1 omicron sub-variant.

Here’s what you need to know about these updated amplifiers.

Keeping up with COVID variants

Our first vaccines were directed against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. first update still in the set original strain but we added an early subvariant of the BA.1 omicron. Then modified BA.1 to BA.4/5 With original strain.

This latest update took place at the end of 2023, after we returned to possession just one ingredient in the vaccine, on this case omicron subvariant XBB.1.5.

The virus continues to change. Another omicron subvariant, JN.1, was first detected in August 2023 and caused a major wave of infections in Australia in the summer.

JN.1 then gave way to other sub-variants that you may know as “Flirt“and the “FLuQE” variants which have been observed relatively large increase in COVID activity in recent months. FLuQE, or KP.3, is currently dominant.

Although JN.1 now not causes many cases, on condition that FLiRT and FLuQE are derived from JN.1, vaccines targeting JN.1 should good job to protect against these newer subvariants.

What is the process?

Already in April, WHO beneficial the use of vaccines against JN.1 line based on the expectation that the virus will proceed to evolve from JN.1. European Medicines Agency issued the same advice.

Potentially, from the point at which it became clear that JN.1 was going to turn into the dominant vaccine, but definitely from that time on, pharmaceutical corporations would have began working to refine their vaccines accordingly.

Once vaccines are ready and tested, they need to be applied to the appropriate regulatory authorities for approval.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Emergency Use Authorization regarding Novavax’s vaccine against JN.1.

Meanwhile, the UK regulatory body has approved the JN.1 specification Spikevax by Moderna AND Comirnats from Pfizer.

In Australia our process is barely different and takes somewhat longer. TGA website indicates that applications for 2 JN.1 vaccines are currently under review (Spikevax and Comirnaty). We won’t know after they shall be approved until a choice is made, but we hope it isn’t too far off.

The United States has also approved KP.2 vaccines.

In June, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) beneficial that vaccine manufacturers: update your COVID vaccines to refer JN.1. However, he later beneficial that it will be higher to use vaccines to combat the KP.2 strain as a substitute (FLiRT).

Moderna and Pfizer have said they’ll find a way to develop vaccines targeting KP.2, and the FDA has given its approval. Emergency Use Authorization for the KP.2 vaccines of those two corporations.

It seems likely that the difference between a JN.1 booster and a KP.2 booster shall be minimal. Both should provide significantly improved protection against the currently circulating subvariants compared with the XBB vaccines. So we shouldn’t feel like we’re missing out by not having plans for KP.2 boosters in Australia presently.

Are the recent vaccines protected and effective?

Before approving updated boosters, regulators are fastidiously analyzing data on the immune response produced by the recent vaccines against newer variants compared with previous vaccines.

Based on data generated mainly by vaccine manufacturers, it seems that the updated JN.1 vaccines lead to significantly improved immune response against multiple related sublineages, including KP.2 and KP.3, in comparison to XBB vaccines.

These latest updates will not be expected to change the well-established security profile COVID vaccines. But as all the time, the safety of vaccines (and their effectiveness) shall be proceed to be monitored even after they’ve been approved and implemented.

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is consistently monitored.
Carlos Giusti/AP/AAP

What about Novavax?

The COVID vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines. They work by instructing our bodies to make the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins (the proteins on the surface of the virus that it uses to attach to our cells). Then, after we encounter SARS-CoV-2, our immune system is prepared to respond.

This Novavax injection Is adjuvant protein based vaccinemeaning the proteins are produced in a lab, and an ingredient called an adjuvant is added to improve the body’s immune response. Vaccines using this kind of technology have been available for a while, so it’s considered a more traditional way of constructing a vaccine.

While our mRNA options work well, there are individuals who I can not have it or you don’t need an mRNA vaccine, so Novavax provides a vital alternative option.

However, Novavax’s improved booster vaccine doesn’t yet appear to be available to be used before the TGA, so it is probably going to take a while in Australia.

Some challenges remain

While we’re proud to have successfully updated our vaccines, ideally we would really like to develop vaccines that don’t need to be updated as ceaselessly.

But perhaps the most vital consider determining a vaccine’s effectiveness is its uptake, and at once, the rate of individuals getting booster doses of the COVID vaccine is way lower than it must be.

For example, from August only 31.8% of individuals aged 75 and over have received a COVID vaccine in the last six months (beneficial) every six months on this age group).

We also need to look for tactics to approve updated COVID vaccines faster and effectively on this country, including non-mRNA options.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Mecca Takes the Crown: Howard University Tops Forbes’ List as Best HBCU – Essence

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Mecca Takes the Crown: Howard University Tops Forbes' List as Best HBCU

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: An entrance sign near the predominant gate at Howard University on October 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. Students have complained about mold and poor conditions in some dorm rooms, and greater than 100 students have been protesting for weeks to attract attention to the issues. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Howard University makes history once more, earning the title of top historically black college and university (HBCU) prestigious list of the best American universities for 2024.

This will not be the first time Howard has gained national attention for its excellence in scholarship, culture and leadership. Known as the “Mecca,” Howard was a cornerstone of scientific achievement and black intellectualism since its foundation in 1867Now, being named a top HBCU on the list further solidifies its position as a pacesetter in higher education. The university ranked 83rd on the list of ‘Best Colleges in America,’ outpacing greater than 500 institutions nationwide. Six HBCUs made the list, but Howard stood tall at the top.

For HBCUs, this rating is of great significance. Traditionally, rankings from publications like have been dominated by predominantly white institutions, and HBCUs have often received less visibility. Howard’s top spot on the HBCU list, together with its placement amongst the top 100 schools overall, reflects a growing recognition of the critical role HBCUs play in educating black students and cultivating future leaders.

Howard University has a wealthy heritage that goes far beyond its rankings. From producing iconic figures like Vice President Kamala Harris, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and civil rights activist Stokely Carmichael, the university’s alumni list reads like a who’s who of black excellence. And it’s not nearly the past—Howard continues to pave the way for future generations. The school stays a premier destination for college kids searching for an education rooted in black culture, empowerment, and innovation, myself included.

As a proud graduate of Howard University School of Law, this distinction feels especially meaningful to me. It is a major achievement not just for the university but for the entire HBCU community, as it signals a growing national recognition of the excellence and influence of those institutions. I can personally attest to the transformative experience of attending HU—Howard instills a way of pride, history, and community that extends beyond the classroom.

Howard’s recognition is greater than just prestige — it’s an indication that HBCUs are finally being seen as the academic and social powerhouses they’re. HBCUs are sometimes praised for his or her ability to foster black excellence, educating leaders in fields as diverse as politics, science, entertainment and law.

In fact, HBCUs as an entire proceed to be key drivers of economic growth, community development, and cultural progress. According to study conducted by UNCFHBCUs enroll just 10 percent of black students, but graduate with nearly 20 percent of black students.

This disparity speaks volumes about the quality of education these institutions offer, and Howard’s role as a pacesetter amongst them further underscores the immense value of HBCUs in shaping the future. Being amongst the top HBCUs is just the starting. As Howard continues to speculate in its students, faculty, and facilities, it is obvious that the university is poised for even greater achievements. Under the leadership of Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Howard has expanded its academic offerings, increased research funding, and developed programs that meet the needs of today’s global workforce.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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