International

US: Health Secretary criticizes judge’s abortion ruling

Photo: AP

April 10 |

The top U.S. health official said Sunday that a court ruling threatening the availability of an abortion pill is “not America” and did not rule out challenging the judge’s orders if necessary.

“We want the courts to overturn this irresponsible ruling,” Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“We do want women to continue to have access to a drug that has been proven safe. Millions of women have used this drug around the world,” he added.

He emphasized that for now, women do have access to mifepristone after a federal judge in Texas appointed by then-President Donald Trump, Matthew Kacsmaryk, on Friday put his ruling on hold for a week so the federal government could file a motion against it. The drug was approved in 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, which Becerra heads.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

President Joe Biden has stated that his administration will oppose the Texas ruling. Kacsmaryk’s 67-page ruling gives the government seven days to appeal.

“Our intention is to do everything we can to keep the drug accessible, not just a week from now but ultimately going forward, because mifepristone is one of the safest and most effective drugs we’ve seen in the last 20 years to help women in their health care, especially in care related to an abortion,” Becerra said.

Asked whether he might recommend that the FDA ignore a court ruling, Becerra replied, “Everything is on the table.”

There is uncertainty about the abortion pill, the most common method of abortion in the United States, because of two conflicting court rulings – one in Texas and one in Washington – on the legality of mifepristone.

The Kacsmaryk decision, ordering a pause to official approval of mifepristone, contradicted decades of scientific recommendations. But a near-simultaneous ruling by Judge Thomas O. Rice in Washington, a Barack Obama appointee, orders authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the drug in at least 17 states where Democrats filed lawsuits to ensure such access.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Becerra said Kacsmaryk’s ruling could have dire repercussions for the legality of any FDA-approved drug – such as insulin or Alzheimer’s drugs – as it seeks to “turn upside down” the entire FDA approval process.

Becerra acknowledged that there is “a good chance” that the case will end up being decided in the Supreme Court, which last year overturned Roe v. Wade, which gave women the right to decide about their pregnancy.

“If a judge decides to place his or her judgment or preference over the opinion of health professionals, what drug will be exempt from any court challenge? That is why we have to go to court,” Becerra said.

In an appearance after Becerra on CNN, Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, stated that “it’s important that we take care of women” and “have real discussions about women’s health care” but “you have to get out of this abortion conversation. Women have a lot of other issues that have nothing to do with abortion. … Let’s talk about other things that are going on in this world.”

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

20250501_mh_noexigencia_dui_728x90

Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.