Minneapolis Revises Abortion Clinic Ordinance Following Free Speech Lawsuit

Minneapolis Revises Abortion Clinic Ordinance Following Free Speech Lawsuit

City Amends Law Restricting Access to Clinics After Legal Challenge by Anti-Abortion Activists

Minneapolis has amended an ordinance that previously prohibited obstructing entrances and driveways to abortion clinics, following a lawsuit by anti-abortion activists who argued it violated free speech rights.

The City Council quietly revised the law this month, clarifying that constitutionally protected activities are exempt. Additionally, the city agreed to cover the plaintiffs’ legal expenses. Brian Gibson, CEO of Pro-Life Action Ministries, claimed this change signified the city’s acknowledgment of violating freedom of speech.

Pro-Life Action Ministries dispatches “sidewalk counsellors” to Planned Parenthood locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other areas to dissuade individuals from undergoing abortions. The ordinance, initially introduced in 2022, aimed to safeguard patients at the Planned Parenthood facility in the Uptown neighbourhood from activists who approached vehicles entering the parking lot. Gibson maintained that their volunteers never blocked any entrances but would offer literature or initiate conversations.

Minneapolis was the only city in Minnesota with such a rule. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, aimed to overturn the ordinance and discourage other cities, including St. Paul, from implementing similar measures.

On 5 December, during a City Council meeting, the ordinance was amended to exempt “any person or group engaging in conduct protected by the United States Constitution, the Minnesota Constitution, or federal or Minnesota law.” However, the law continues to prohibit the physical obstruction of clinic entrances, aligning with the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act).

Aisha Chughtai, vice president of the City Council, emphasised that the amendment preserves access to healthcare, including abortions, while safeguarding First Amendment rights.

Peter Breen, head of litigation for the conservative Thomas More Society representing the plaintiffs, hailed the revision as a victory for free speech. The group plans to seek legal fees estimated at around $600,000.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood North Central States stated that despite the amendment, patients remain protected from individuals blocking or obstructing access.

The Thomas More Society continues to challenge similar ordinances nationwide, including in Florida, New York, California, and Michigan, and has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a related case in Illinois.

Day Care Tragedy: Teacher Killed as Cars Crash into Play Area in Texas

Day Care Tragedy: Teacher Killed as Cars Crash into Play Area in Texas

Vehicle Accident at San Antonio-Area Preschool Leaves One Dead and Six Injured, Including Toddlers

A tragic accident at a day care centre near San Antonio resulted in the death of a teacher and injuries to another employee and five toddlers after two cars crashed into a play area, authorities reported.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon as parents were departing a holiday event at the preschool in Boerne. According to officials, the collision happened when a parent, after placing her children in her car, suddenly accelerated for reasons yet to be determined. Her vehicle struck another car in the parking area, propelling both vehicles through a fence and into the play area where children were present.

The teacher who tragically lost her life was identified as 22-year-old Alexia Rosales. A 23-year-old staff member and five one-year-old children sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital for medical attention, as confirmed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Javier Salazar described the event as “a very tragic accident,” emphasising that the cause of the unexpected acceleration remains under investigation.

Ange Postecoglou Defends Fraser Forster After Costly Mistakes in Carabao Cup Victory

Ange Postecoglou Defends Fraser Forster After Costly Mistakes in Carabao Cup Victory

Tottenham’s Manager Backs Goalkeeper Despite Blunders Against Manchester United

Ange Postecoglou has shown strong support for Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster following two critical mistakes in Spurs’ dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup. The match saw Forster make errors that nearly cost his side a three-goal lead, but the victory secured Tottenham’s place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Liverpool.

Forster’s first mistake came when a poor pass allowed Bruno Fernandes to set up Joshua Zirkzee for a tap-in. His second blunder followed when Amad Diallo blocked his clearance, sending the ball into the net. Despite these missteps, Forster had been in strong form recently while standing in for the injured Guglielmo Vicario.

Postecoglou acknowledged Forster’s disappointment but praised his overall contributions. “He’s been exceptional for us up until this point,” said Postecoglou. “Although the mistakes were tough, he’s a big guy who has been vital for us in this period, and I can’t praise him enough.”

The Tottenham boss also highlighted the team’s resilience amidst a string of injuries, with several key players unavailable. “We’ve had less rest than Manchester United, and yet we still found a way to win. We are operating with 10 players off the senior list, which is almost unmanageable,” Postecoglou explained. “Despite the challenges, we’re still playing at a high level. This period of adversity will ultimately lead to significant growth for the squad.”

Record Four Million Britons Heading Abroad for the Holidays

Record Four Million Britons Heading Abroad for the Holidays

Travel experts predict busiest festive season for UK departures, with Sunday expected to be the peak day for travel.

This festive season, an estimated four million Britons are preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year abroad, according to the travel industry body, Abta. The busiest day for departures is forecast to be this Sunday, with Christmas Day expected to be the quietest.

Abta’s analysis reveals that winter sun destinations such as the Canary Islands, southern Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and Dubai remain the top choices for many. Meanwhile, skiers are flocking to resorts in France, Austria, Switzerland, and Scandinavia, while popular city breaks include Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris, and Prague.

Heathrow Airport anticipates a record number of passengers this December, surpassing last year’s high of 6.7 million. Other major airports, including Manchester, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, and Bristol, are also expecting substantial numbers of travellers over the holiday period.

Mark Tanzer, CEO of Abta, encouraged holidaymakers to plan ahead for their travels, as public transport and roads are expected to be extremely busy. He said, “Millions are heading overseas to spend quality time with loved ones, whether they’re after some winter sun or guaranteed snow.”

Tanzer stressed the importance of allowing extra time to reach departure points, as congestion is expected on both public transport and the roads. Friday will likely be the busiest day on the roads for festive travel, with the AA estimating 23.7 million journeys to be made.

The AA also identified several congestion hotspots, including the M4/M5 interchange near Bristol and the M25 around Heathrow. Rail engineering works are expected to exacerbate the situation, as several train lines will be closed, affecting key stations.

In terms of air travel, EasyJet is forecasting its busiest-ever Christmas period, with up to 4.1 million passengers expected to board flights from airports across Europe.

Additionally, disruption at the Port of Holyhead in North Wales, caused by storm damage, will force travellers to find alternative routes to and from Ireland until mid-January.

Net Migration to Fall to 300,000 in the Coming Years, Says Migration Expert

Net Migration to Fall to 300,000 in the Coming Years, Says Migration Expert

Professor Brian Bell predicts significant decrease in migration numbers within the next two to three years, with 300,000 as the long-term average.

Professor Brian Bell, the chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), forecasts that net migration to the UK will decrease significantly over the next few years, potentially reaching around 300,000 annually. Speaking to the PA news agency, Bell expressed his confidence that migration figures will experience a “rapid decline,” stabilising at this level for the next decade or two, provided no significant policy changes are made.

In the year leading up to June 2023, net migration reached a record high of 906,000, with the difference between arrivals and departures being 166,000 higher than originally estimated by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, the numbers dropped by 20% in the following year, with the latest figures for June 2024 showing 728,000 migrants.

Bell emphasised that the overall trend is “very clearly downwards” and expects this to continue, possibly accelerating in the next 12 to 24 months. He attributed this decline to a steady decrease in Home Office visa issuance numbers, predicting that migration numbers will settle at about 300,000, which he views as a sustainable long-term average.

Geopolitical factors such as international humanitarian crises or visa restrictions in other countries could influence UK migration numbers, Bell explained. He noted that while short-term fluctuations may occur, policy should focus on long-term averages when addressing migration.

The Labour Party’s Sir Keir Starmer has also pledged to reduce immigration numbers, though he refrained from setting specific targets. Migration Minister Seema Malhotra stated that net migration had quadrupled over the past five years and reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing numbers, ensuring that immigration is managed in conjunction with the UK’s skills and labour market policies.

NASA Extends Astronauts’ Mission in Space Due to Launch Delays

NASA Extends Astronauts’ Mission in Space Due to Launch Delays

Homecoming for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams postponed until at least March due to crew replacement issues.

NASA has announced an extended stay for its astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, meaning they will remain in space for several more weeks. Their return to Earth, originally expected in February, has now been delayed until late March or possibly April. The two astronauts, who launched on Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June, were initially scheduled for a short, week-long mission to the International Space Station. However, their mission extended from eight days to eight months after NASA decided to delay the return of the Starliner capsule, which had encountered several issues.

NASA confirmed that the delay in their return is due to a hold-up in the launch of their replacement crew, which was originally set for February. SpaceX has encountered additional preparations needed for its new capsule, leading to a push in the launch schedule. The new crew is now expected to launch no earlier than late March, pushing back Wilmore and Williams’ planned return.

Originally, the plan was for the astronauts to return alongside two others after the February crew mission. However, as the new capsule is still being prepared, NASA decided to wait for it to be ready, rather than using a different spacecraft for the return journey. This decision aims to maintain a smooth transition, as NASA prefers to have overlapping crews aboard the space station.

Typically, astronauts spend around six months aboard the space station, although some missions extend up to a year. For Wilmore and Williams, their extended mission will now last nearly 10 months.

Sexual Misconduct Allegations Rock PinkNews as Former Employee Shares New Details

Sexual Misconduct Allegations Rock PinkNews as Former Employee Shares New Details

More than 30 employees accuse the CEO and his husband of inappropriate behaviour, prompting calls for resignation.

Fresh details have emerged regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour at PinkNews, with a former employee sharing their experiences. Benjamin Cohen, the founder and CEO of the popular LGBTQ+ news platform, along with his husband, Anthony James, face accusations from over 30 current and former staff members about their conduct in the workplace. These new revelations follow previous reports from the BBC, which exposed claims of inappropriate actions, including an incident where Dr James allegedly kissed and touched a junior colleague who appeared too intoxicated to consent.

Stephan Kyriacou, a former employee who worked at PinkNews between 2019 and 2021, has described his initial excitement about working at the company, especially as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. However, Kyriacou soon became disillusioned with Cohen’s behaviour, recalling an incident where Cohen slapped him on the backside during a Christmas party. Kyriacou expressed his anger over the incident, which he described as inappropriate given Cohen’s position as his boss. “I’m angry more than anything else that he has been getting away with this for so long,” Kyriacou said, adding that he later realised how unsettling the encounter was.

The allegations against Cohen did not stop at this incident. Kyriacou also revealed that Cohen made highly inappropriate comments about his gender-affirming surgery during a Zoom call. He claimed that Cohen had asked detailed and intrusive questions about his private medical matters, which Kyriacou described as unprofessional and troubling.

In a documentary on the subject, Kyriacou also mentioned that some male employees felt uncomfortable around Cohen, referring to him as a “creep.” He further added that Cohen’s behaviour towards a younger employee was blatantly infatuated, creating an unhealthy work dynamic. Kyriacou concluded that Cohen’s position at the company had become untenable and pointed out that the focus seemed to be more on profit and clickbait headlines than on the wellbeing of employees.

Staff members at PinkNews have expressed their frustration over the lack of communication from management regarding the allegations. One current employee described the office atmosphere as “miserable,” with many staff members wanting answers. Despite the growing discontent, the management has remained silent, except for a brief message from Anthony James. Cohen and James have yet to publicly address the allegations, though it is understood that they maintain the accusations are false.

In addition to the allegations within PinkNews, Dr James has faced professional consequences. He was suspended from his role as an associate non-executive director at the NHS’s Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust pending further investigation into the claims against him.

A former staff reporter from PinkNews who worked at the company during its early years described the work environment as “toxic” and “deeply unprofessional.” This former employee recalled a culture where shouting was common, and staff were left in the dark about Cohen’s treatment of them, with little support from the human resources department. They expressed disbelief that no formal response has been issued regarding the sexual misconduct allegations, and they lauded the courage of those who have come forward.

An anonymous blog post written by a former staff member also criticised Cohen for his dismissive attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community, accusing him of demeaning the site by referring to it as the “Gayly Mail” and for belittling staff suggestions for Cohen to resign or face disciplinary action.

PinkNews has been contacted for comment but has yet to respond. The BBC reported that both Cohen and James have declined to issue a statement, but their position is understood to be one of denial regarding the allegations.

Yung Filly Faces Reckless Driving Charge Amid Ongoing Sexual Assault Allegations in Australia

Yung Filly Faces Reckless Driving Charge Amid Ongoing Sexual Assault Allegations in Australia

The British rapper is accused of driving at excessive speeds while dealing with serious charges of rape and assault.

British rapper Yung Filly, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, has been charged with reckless driving in Australia while simultaneously facing serious allegations of rape and assault. The 29-year-old, known for his social media influence and musical career, was caught speeding at 98mph in a 60mph zone in November.

The incident occurred on Roe Highway near Kalamunda Road, where a speed camera captured his vehicle breaking the speed limit. Following the alleged offence, the rapper had his car impounded. Yung Filly will appear in court next Thursday, facing charges for reckless driving, coinciding with a court hearing for a separate sexual assault case.

At the time of the speeding incident, Barrientos was out on bail after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a Perth hotel following a nightclub performance in September. Local reports suggest that the rapper was extradited from Brisbane to Perth to attend the hearing.

In October, Barrientos was formally charged with four counts of rape, three counts of assault, and one count of strangulation. He was given strict bail conditions, including daily reporting to police and remaining within Western Australia. He has also been prohibited from posting about the case on social media.

The charges led to professional consequences for Yung Filly. His podcast, The Chunkz and Filly Show, had a scheduled live performance cancelled, and his contract with FootAsylum was suspended. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that the contract was paused due to the serious nature of the charges. Additionally, the Football Association cancelled an online cooking series involving Yung Filly.

Born in Colombia and raised in the UK, Barrientos first gained fame in 2017 by releasing content online and as a member of the YouTube collective Beta Squad. He later achieved musical success with tracks like Confidence and won a Mobo Award for Best Media Personality in 2021. He also appeared on television in shows such as Soccer Aid and The Great Celebrity Bake Off.

Yung Filly has not publicly commented on the latest allegations or the driving charge. Representatives for the rapper have been contacted for a statement.

Legendary 80s Comedian Duncan Norvelle Passes Away at 66

Legendary 80s Comedian Duncan Norvelle Passes Away at 66

The comedian, famous for his catchphrase “Chase me”, is remembered fondly by fans and fellow entertainers alike.

Duncan Norvelle, the beloved comedian recognised for his iconic catchphrase “Chase me”, has passed away at the age of 66. He died peacefully in hospital on Thursday after battling a chest infection and sepsis, surrounded by his family.

Norvelle rose to fame in the 1980s through his television appearances on popular shows such as Surprise Surprise, Wogan, and The Keith Harris Show. His clean, wholesome style of comedy, which avoided swearing and relied on light-hearted, self-deprecating humour, made him a unique figure in British entertainment.

In a tribute to her partner, Lynn Trevallion described Norvelle as “a gentle comedian” and perhaps the last of the true variety entertainers. She said, “His kind of comedy no longer exists, he was truly one of the last legends of variety comedy.”

Sir Ken Dodd, a revered figure in British comedy, had praised Norvelle for his clean act and had invited him to perform at his 80th birthday celebrations. Trevallion continued, “He never made fun of the audience, only himself, and that’s what made him so beloved.”

A statement posted on his Facebook page, signed by Trevallion and Norvelle’s children Yasmin, Jack, and Sophie, announced his death. “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Duncan at 8:15 am this morning. He passed peacefully with myself and daughter Yasmin by his side. He will be deeply missed.”

His management team also paid tribute to Norvelle, calling him a “comedy genius and a British icon ahead of his time”. They fondly remembered his love for show business and his enduring friendship.

Norvelle’s career spanned many successful years, including hosting the pilot episode of Blind Date, which later became one of the most popular dating shows in the UK, presented by Cilla Black. He performed stand-up at renowned venues such as the London Palladium and appeared on numerous TV shows, including The Bob Monkhouse Show and Come Dine With Me in 2011.

Fellow comedians and friends were quick to share their tributes. Roy “Chubby” Brown called Norvelle “a great entertainer” and expressed his sadness at the news. Jim Davidson also sent his condolences, describing Norvelle as a “proper comedian.” TV presenter Lizzie Cundy remembered his catchphrase “Chase me, chase me” as a source of much laughter and joy.

Duncan Norvelle’s death has left a significant void in the world of British comedy, and he will be deeply missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe After Disappearance in Los Angeles, Family Confirms

Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe After Disappearance in Los Angeles, Family Confirms

The 30-year-old from Hawaii, who vanished after arriving in Los Angeles, is now safe, bringing relief to her family.

Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who had gone missing after arriving in Los Angeles last month, has been found safe, her family confirmed in a statement.

“We are beyond relieved and thankful that Hannah has been located safely,” the family said. “This past month has been an incredibly difficult time for us, and we kindly ask for privacy as we process everything and take the time to heal. Our deepest gratitude goes out to all who have supported us.”

Although no further details were provided by the family, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) received notification on Wednesday from the family that Kobayashi had been found. Initially, the LAPD had classified her disappearance as voluntary, a decision that the family had previously contested.

Lieutenant Doug Oldfield of the LAPD’s missing persons unit had stated, “We have no obligation to make her speak to us, and while the case is being widely reported, she may choose to come forward with a lawyer.”

Kobayashi, who had flown to Los Angeles in early November to catch a connecting flight to New York for a photography job, lost contact with her family after missing her flight. She informed them she was staying overnight at the airport. Shortly after, her family began receiving alarming messages from her phone, some suggesting she had been financially manipulated.

Worried that she might be a victim of kidnapping or trafficking, her family launched a public campaign to locate her. Despite concerns, photographs later emerged showing her in various parts of Los Angeles, including at the high-end Grove shopping centre. Her last known social media post from November 10 suggested she was still in the city, after which her family lost contact with her.

Adding to the tragedy, Kobayashi’s father, Ryan, was found dead in a Los Angeles parking lot in late November, a death ruled as a suicide.

The LAPD had reviewed surveillance footage showing Kobayashi at Los Angeles International Airport, where she retrieved her baggage. She then used her passport and cash to buy a ticket to the U.S.-Mexico border. Investigators later confirmed that she crossed the border on foot at San Ysidro on November 12, appearing unharmed.

“We reviewed video footage from US Customs and Border Protection that shows Hannah crossing into Mexico alone, with her luggage,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated.