Baroness Dr. Hilary Cass, a leading critic of transgender treatments for children, has warned that allowing minors unrestricted smartphone use constitutes a “deliberate social experiment” with serious consequences. Speaking in her maiden speech to the House of Lords, Cass linked excessive screen time to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia in children, particularly those already struggling with mental health challenges or bullying.
President Joe Biden issued 39 pardons and commuted nearly 1,500 sentences on Thursday, marking the largest single-day act of clemency in U.S. history. The move affects Americans convicted of non-violent crimes, with the White House citing rehabilitation and contributions to community safety as reasons for the clemency.
The Labour Party-led UK government announced it will uphold a ban on prescribing puberty blockers to minors, citing warnings from medical experts about “unacceptable” risks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed the decision Tuesday, emphasizing that children’s healthcare must be grounded in evidence and caution.
The Supreme Court opted not to intervene on Monday in a case challenging Hawaii’s restrictive gun laws, missing an opportunity to reinforce Second Amendment rights over state-imposed limitations. The case contested Hawaii’s ban on carrying firearms in public without a permit, a policy upheld by the Hawaii Supreme Court earlier this year.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) stated that President-elect Donald Trump has the right to pardon those involved in the January 6 protests but suggested it should be handled on a “case-by-case” basis rather than through a blanket pardon.
An Altoona, Pennsylvania McDonald’s is facing intense backlash after an employee’s tip helped authorities apprehend Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the high-profile murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The arrest has triggered a wave of negative online reviews from supporters of the alleged killer, prompting Google to step in and remove the fake reviews.
The Queensland government announced Monday that hundreds of virus samples, including dangerous pathogens like Hendra, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus, are missing from a state laboratory.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Tuesday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary holds broad authority to revoke visa petitions without judicial review.
