Texas abortion law overturned, debt ceiling can may be kicked to December – National & International News Thur7OCT2021

National and International News for Thursday Oct. 7

Texas abortion law is temporarily overturned. The debt ceiling crisis may be kicked to December. Twenty deaths confirmed in Pakistan earthquake, more expected.

NATIONAL NEWS

Federal judge in Texas restrains state from enforcing its abortion law

 A federal judge in Austin, Texas, has issued an order temporarily overturning the strong restrictions on abortions passed by that state’s legislature.

However, the ruling is certain to be appealed by the state.

Judge Robert L. Pitman said in his opinion, “Women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution.” The full opinion runs to 113 pages.

The Biden Administration Justice Department brought the case to Pitman’s court. Reacting to Judge Pitman’s ruling, the White House called the decision “an important step” toward restoring abortion rights in the state.

Judge Pitman was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas by President Barak Obama in 2014. He holds a law degree from the University of Texas and a Masters degree from Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

For the full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58824668

Agreement to avert debt ceiling shut down until December appears near

The possibility of an imminent federal government shutdown over raising the government debt ceiling seemed to near solution yesterday. Democrats reacted favorably to a proposal by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell that would postpone a showdown until December.

See full story: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-mitch-mcconnell-6e330d9fb94b73787ea70e7807b87151

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Twenty killed by earthquake in remote part of Pakistan

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Pakistan early today, killing at least 20 people. Discovery of more dead is expected as rescue workers dig through rubble.

The worst-affected area was the remote mountainous city of Harnai, in Balochistan, where a lack of paved roads, electricity and mobile phone coverage has hampered the rescue effort.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/07/pakistan-earthquake-magnitude-deaths