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US approval of the abortion medication mifepristone has been revoked, in a decision that could further disrupt reproductive healthcare for millions of people.

District Judge Matthew J Kacsmaryk, a Trump administration appointee in Amarillo, Texas, signed an injunction directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to halt its approval while a lawsuit challenging its safety continues.

He sided, in part, with a conservative Christian group, Alliance Defending Freedom, who brought a lawsuit alleging the drug was not being regulated properly.

He did not go as far as the plaintiffs wanted, but he put a “stay” or hold on approval of the drug.

The judge’s decision does not come into effect for seven days. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has announced it will appeal the ruling.

In a statement, President Joe Biden said: “My Administration will fight this ruling…

“Let’s be clear – the only way to stop those who are committed to taking away women’s rights and freedoms in every state is to elect a Congress who will pass a law restoring Roe versus Wade.

“Vice President Harris and I will continue to lead the fight to protect a woman’s right to an abortion, and to make her own decisions about her own health.”

Amarillo, Texas

Mifepristone blocks the hormone needed to maintain a pregnancy and has been approved in the US since 2000 for medical abortion and miscarriage management.

It is used safely in more than 60 countries worldwide and when taken together with the drug misoprostol, accounts for more than half of abortions in America.

Some abortion providers have said they will wait for guidance from the FDA before implementing the ban on mifepristone.

In a separate ruling in Washington state on Friday night, a judge said the FDA must keep medication abortion drugs available in at least 12 liberal states, creating a legal stand-off on the drug, which is likely to escalate to the Supreme Court.

‘Ludicrous’ to question drug ‘safer than ibuprofen’

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists say the Texas lawsuit disregards “decades of data” that support the efficacy of mifepristone, and is “exacerbating the current abortion care crisis in the US”.

Dr Razel Remen, an abortion provider in Michigan, told Sky News: “Mifepristone is literally one of the safest medications on the market – safer than ibuprofen, safer than Tylenol.

“People are more likely to have an adverse event happen to them driving in their car, or going through childbirth… The fact that it’s even being put into question is absolutely ludicrous.”

Angel, who is 24 and lives in Texas, had an abortion using the drug in February.

She was already a mother of three, and decided to terminate her recent pregnancy because she did not want any more children.

Angel speaks to Sky's Sarah Gough about abortion

Angel says this attempted ban on mifepristone is “another attack on a woman’s right to choose”.

“You can do it at home… it’s convenient, it’s easy, it’s safe… I just don’t understand how something could be right for so many years. And then one day, all of a sudden, be wrong.”

Pills have become the new frontier in the battle for abortion access since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade – the constitutional right to abortion – last June.

Many people trying to access abortion in severely restricted states are ordering pills in the post, or travelling across state lines to pick them up.

As abortion clinics have already been shuttered in Texas, Angel had to acquire the pills through underground methods.

“It’s nearly impossible to get an abortion here,” she said. “You can’t go to the pharmacy. You can’t go to a Planned Parenthood. No clinics… nothing… If you find it, it’s like a blessing.”

Read more:
Could abortion really be banned in the UK?
What’s changed since Roe v Wade was overturned?

‘Outrageous injustice’

Now, with mifepristone access in jeopardy, pro-choice campaigners fear that getting an abortion in America has become even harder to navigate.

“What’s clear is that we need all forms of abortion in this country, and we need them all to be legal,” Elisa Wells, co-founder of the organisation Plan C, tells us.

Her organisation provides information and support to women searching for abortion access in every state.

“This injustice is being done by manipulating the court system to try and ban this medication… It’s really outrageous,” Ms Wells said.

“We are a modern democracy, and we need access to basic medical care in every part of our country, legally and without restriction – and that includes abortion.”

There are alternatives to mifepristone for those still trying to access medical abortion.

Some doctors have been anticipating the ruling, and plan to move to a misoprostol-only option. They say that method is still safe, but it has the potential for more side effects and increased discomfort.

This decision marks yet another controversial legal battle over abortion access in America, which has the potential to wind up back in the Supreme Court.

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‘ANTI ICE’ engraved bullet found at scene of Dallas immigration centre shooting, FBI chief says

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'ANTI ICE' engraved bullet found at scene of Dallas immigration centre shooting, FBI chief says

Ammunition recovered from the scene of a shooting at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Dallas was engraved with the phrase ‘ANTI ICE’, the FBI has said.

It is being investigated as an act of “targeted violence”, the bureau added.

There are conflicting reports about injuries. The Department of Homeland Security said two detainees had been killed and another was in a critical condition.

Earlier, Dallas police said one person had died and four had been shot.

The attacker also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect has not been identified.

One of the bullet casings was engraved with 'ANTI ICE'. Pic: Kash Patel/X
Image:
One of the bullet casings was engraved with ‘ANTI ICE’. Pic: Kash Patel/X

The shooter opened fire on the office from an adjacent building at about 6.40am local time, officers said.

Dallas FBI Special Agent Joseph Rothrock said it was a “coordinated attack” and “just the most recent example we’ve seen of targeted violence”.

Early evidence suggested the incident was “anti-ICE in nature”, he added.

A recovered, unspent shell casing was engraved with the phrase “ANTI ICE”, said FBI director Kash Patel.

The shooting happened at an ICE field office in Dallas. Pic: Reuters
Image:
The shooting happened at an ICE field office in Dallas. Pic: Reuters

Multiple rounds were fired just before 7am local time, Mr Patel said.

An initial review of evidence shows an “ideological motive behind this attack”, he added, describing the assault as “despicable”.

The “whole of government” will respond, Mr Rothrock said.

“There will be no resource not utilised to bring all those individuals who are responsible to justice and to hold them accountable.”

No police officers had been hurt, Mr Rothrock added.

Police near the ICE facility in Dallas. Pic: AP
Image:
Police near the ICE facility in Dallas. Pic: AP

The victims were being led into the building to be processed and repatriated, Fox News reported, citing Dallas police Department sources.

Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, said the shooting would “NOT slow our arrest, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants”.

He added: “We will work with ICE and the Dallas Police Department to get to the bottom of the assassin’s motive.”

US Vice President JD Vance said: “The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop.

“I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”

No ICE agents were shot or hurt, Sky News’s US partner network NBC reported.

Despite the reports that no ICE agents were shot, US Attorney General Ken Paxton said: “We will continue to do everything in our power to combat the alarming increase of targeted attacks against ICE and all law enforcement by evil, twisted individuals.”

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Jimmy Kimmel addresses Charlie Kirk comments in first show since being taken off-air

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Jimmy Kimmel addresses Charlie Kirk comments in first show since being taken off-air

Jimmy Kimmel has said it was “never my intention to make light of” Charlie Kirk’s death.

The presenter appeared almost tearful as he opened his first show since being taken off-air last week over comments about the assassination of the conservative influencer.

“I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,” he said as he choked up.

“Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of what was obviously a deeply disturbed individual. That was really the opposite of the point I was trying to make”.

Kimmel was accused of being “offensive and insensitive” after using his programme, Jimmy Kimmel Live, to accuse Donald Trump and his allies of capitalising on the killing.

Speaking on Tuesday night’s show, Kimmel said he understood why the remarks “felt either ill-timed or unclear, or maybe both”.

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Kimmel returns – and not everyone’s on same page

‘Not legal’ to take me off-air, says Kimmel

Appearing tearful again, Kimmel praised Kirk’s widow, Erika, for forgiving her husband’s killer at his memorial service, calling it a “selfless act of grace … that touched me deeply”. In contrast, Mr Trump has said he disagreed, telling the service: “I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them.”

Kimmel went on to criticise the ABC affiliates who took his show off the air, saying: “That’s not legal. That’s not American. It’s un-American.”

He also thanked those who supported him, adding: “It takes courage for them to speak out against this administration. They did and they deserve credit for it.”

Disney announced the return of the show to its ABC network after backlash to his suspension, although two major operators said they still wouldn’t show it.

Read more from Sky News:
Trump backs Ukraine to retake all lost territory
Man found guilty of trying to assassinate US president

Jimmy Kimmel's show returned after less than a week off-air. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Jimmy Kimmel’s show returned after less than a week off-air. Pic: Reuters

Trump threatens further action

In a post on his Truth Social platform before it aired on Tuesday night, Mr Trump said he “can’t believe” ABC gave Kimmel his show back and hinted at further action.

“Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE,” he wrote.

“He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we’re going to test ABC out on this.”

In his opening monologue, Kimmel mocked Mr Trump for criticising him for bad ratings, saying: “He tried his best to cancel me and instead he forced millions of people to watch this show.”

Mr Trump had welcomed Kimmel’s suspension, saying he had “bad ratings”, but the move was criticised by Hollywood stars and senior Democrats including Barack Obama.

What did Kimmel say about Charlie Kirk?

The comments that saw Kimmel taken off-air were made last week.

The TV presenter said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”

Speaking about Mr Trump, he added: “This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he calls a friend.

“This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish.”

“Many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk,” he continued.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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Trump disparages Russian military – and backs Ukraine to retake all lost territory

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Zelenskyy's UN speech was a warning and a plea - as he knows Trump can turn on a dime

US President Donald Trump has said he believes Ukraine could retake all its occupied territory and described Russia as a “paper tiger”.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Sky News correspondent Mark Stone it was a “big shift” from his US counterpart.

Mr Trump, speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron at the United Nations in New York, said his relationship with Vladimir Putin had turned out to be meaningless.

Read more: Why emboldened Trump has changed his stance on Ukraine

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations. Pic: Reuters
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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the United Nations. Pic: Reuters

Writing on Truth Social, the US president said: “I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form.

“With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.”

Mr Trump wrote that he had gained a greater understanding of the “economic trouble” the war was causing Moscow.

He said Russia had been “fighting aimlessly” for three-and-a-half years and had it been a “real military power” it would have defeated Ukraine in less than a week.

Mr Trump added: “This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like ‘a paper tiger’.”

Mr Trump’s tone contrasted greatly with his red-carpet treatment for the Russian president at a summit in Alaska last month, part of a push to expedite an end to the war in Ukraine.

The US president has previously suggested Ukraine would never be able to reclaim all the territory Russia has occupied since seizing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014.

Mr Zelenskyy later said he was surprised by Mr Trump’s comments, telling Fox News’ Special Report he has a better relationship with the US president than before.

He said the comments were a very positive signal Mr Trump and the US will be with Ukraine until the end of the war.

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Rigby to Trump: Was Putin’s Alaska invite a mistake?

Earlier on Tuesday, while talking to Mr Zelenskyy at the United Nations, Mr Trump was asked by reporters whether he thought NATO should shoot down Russian planes if they entered NATO airspace.

“Yes, I do,” Mr Trump replied.

Asked whether the US would support NATO in shooting down Russian aircraft, Mr Trump said it depended on the circumstances.

On Truth Social, he said the US would continue to supply weapons to NATO and it was for the military alliance to “do what they want with them”.

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Trump attacks UN and London mayor

Ukraine, he said, with the “support of the European Union”, is in a position to “fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form”.

Kyiv would need the “financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO”, he said.

But, given those caveats, he said the “original borders from where this war started is very much an option”.

In a joint statement following the president’s comments, G7 foreign ministers said discussions were ongoing about additional economic sanctions on Russia.

Read more:
Man found guilty of trying to assassinate Trump
Trump makes full-throttle assault on UN | Analysis
Has Trump ‘ended seven wars’?

Mr Trump also suggested the Russian people are not aware of “what is really going on with this war”.

He added: “Most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine. Putin and Russia are in big economic trouble and this is the time for Ukraine to act.”

Ukraine has lost large areas of land in the east of the country. In the Donetsk region, Russia now controls about 70% of the territory. Kyiv’s forces have been pushed back to a string of four cities analysts have dubbed the “fortress belt”.

Moscow has partly annexed three other regions, too: Luhansk in the east, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson further west.

The situation in Ukraine on 19 September
Image:
The situation in Ukraine on 19 September

Meanwhile, Russia appears to be provoking its neighbours to the west. Last week, Estonia said three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets violated its airspace for 12 minutes before Italian NATO jets escorted them away.

The week before, about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO jets to shoot some of them down.

NATO has now beefed up its defence of Europe’s eastern flank.

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