Nation and world news in brief for August 2

Utah Supreme Court upholds a block on a strict abortion ban

(NYT) — The Utah Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a suspension of the state’s near-total ban on abortion, meaning the procedure remains legal while a court challenge to the law proceeds.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, it cleared the way for two Utah laws to come into force: a ban on most abortions after the 18th week of pregnancy, which was passed in 2019 and is currently in effect, and a near-total abortion ban passed in 2020 that would prohibit the procedure at any time during pregnancy, with very limited exceptions, including for cases of rape or incest or to save the life of the mother.

The near-total abortion ban took effect in 2022, but the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah almost immediately filed a lawsuit in the state seeking to block the ban. The organization argued that the ban violated several provisions in the state constitution, including those that guarantee a right to determine family composition and a right to gender equality.

Trump loses appeal of gag order in hush money criminal case

NEW YORK (Reuters) — A New York state appeals court on Thursday rejected Donald Trump’s challenge to a gag order in his hush money criminal case, where the former U.S. president was convicted in May on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.

The decision by the Appellate Division in Manhattan means the Republican presidential nominee cannot comment publicly about individual prosecutors and others in the case until Justice Juan Merchan sentences him on Sept. 18, seven weeks before the Nov. 5 election.

US appeals court blocks Biden net neutrality rules

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — A U.S. appeals court on Thursday blocked the Federal Communications Commission’s reinstatement of landmark net neutrality rules, saying broadband providers are likely to succeed in a legal challenge.

The FCC voted in April along party lines to reassume regulatory oversight of broadband internet and reinstate open internet rules adopted in 2015 that were rescinded under then-President Donald Trump.

The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which had temporarily delayed the rules, said on Thursday it would temporarily block net neutrality rules and scheduled oral arguments for late October or early November on the issue, dealing a serious blow to President Joe Biden’s effort to reinstate the rules.

Net neutrality rules require internet service providers to treat internet data and users equally rather than restricting access, slowing speeds or blocking content for certain users. The rules also forbid special arrangements in which ISPs give improved network speeds or access to favored users.

UK charges 17-year-old boy with murder in Southport killings

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND/LONDON (Reuters) —A 17-year-old boy appeared in an English court on Thursday charged with the murder of three young girls in a knife attack at a summer dance class that has shocked the nation and sparked two nights of violent protests.

Axel Rudakubana first appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court over Monday’s incident at a “Taylor Swift yoga and dance workshop” summer vacation event for children in the seaside town of Southport.

He is charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one of possession of a bladed article.

Biden administration rule protecting LGBT students blocked in 26 states

(Reuters) — A new federal rule protecting LGBT students from discrimination in schools and colleges based on gender identity that took effect on Thursday remained blocked in 26 states after the U.S. Supreme Court did not act on requests by President Joe Biden’s administration to widen its enforcement.

The justices have yet to act on the administration’s requests to partially lift lower court injunctions blocking the rule in 10 Republican-led states that had challenged it, while litigation continues.

The complex legal landscape means that the U.S. Education Department can enforce the rule, announced in April, in 24 of the 50 states. The rule expands protections under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that bars sex discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Biden’s administration had asked the Supreme Court to intervene in a lawsuit by Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Idaho and numerous Louisiana school boards, and another lawsuit by Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia and an association of Christian educators.

Trump ally Clark should have law license suspended, panel finds

WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Attorney Jeffrey Clark, a senior U.S. Justice Department official during Donald Trump’s presidency, should have his law license suspended for two years for acting dishonestly in his efforts to help the former president overturn his 2020 election defeat, a Washington legal panel recommended on Thursday.

Clark acted with “extraordinary recklessness” in his attempts to send a letter in December 2020 and January 2021 falsely claiming that the Justice Department had identified concerns about the integrity of the election, a three-member committee of District of Columbia Board on Professional Responsibility said.

The board handles attorney ethics cases involving lawyers in Washington. The panel’s recommendation will now be considered by the full D.C. Board on Professional Responsibility and then a Washington appeals court.

Senate rejects bipartisan tax deal

(NYT) — The Senate rejected a bill Thursday that would have restored lapsed tax breaks for businesses and expanded the child tax credit, as many Republicans lined up against the bipartisan deal in hopes of gaining an advantage in bigger tax legislation expected next year.

Sen. Chuck Schumer brought it up for a procedural vote Thursday. The vote failed 48-44, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance. Three Republicans joined Democrats in favor of the bill, while two independents who caucus with Democrats opposed it. Schumer also ultimately voted against the bill, a decision that allows him to potentially bring it back up for another vote.

In a 911 call, Sonya Massey’s mother asked that police not hurt her

(NYT) — The day before the fatal police shooting of Sonya Massey in Springfield, Illinois, her mother called 911, saying that her daughter was having a mental breakdown, according to call recordings released by county officials in Illinois on Wednesday.

In a phone call made July 5, Donna Massey told the dispatcher: “I don’t want you guys to hurt her, please.” Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman, called police for help July 6 and was fatally shot inside her home by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy.

On Wednesday, Sangamon County released 911 call recordings and reports showing that local law enforcement were aware of Massey’s mental health issues.

US recognizes Maduro’s rival as winner of Venezuelan election

(NYT) — The United States on Thursday recognized Venezuela’s opposition presidential candidate, Edmundo González, as the winner of the country’s disputed presidential election.

The announcement comes despite a claim by the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, that he won the vote. Maduro has yet to produce clear evidence of a victory, and election officials have failed to provide a vote count. González’s campaign says it has receipts from more than 80% of voting machines that indicate he won the election by an insurmountable margin.

The candidacy of González, who is backed by popular opposition leader María Corina Machado, represented the most significant electoral threat to Maduro’s power since he took office.