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Today — 13 April 2025Main stream

Pig Kidney Removed From Alabama Woman After Organ Rejection

11 April 2025 at 14:41
Towana Looney lived with the kidney longer than any other transplant patient had tolerated an organ from a genetically modified animal.

© Jackie Molloy for The New York Times

Towana Looney in December at NYU Langone. “Though the outcome is not what anyone wanted, I know a lot was learned from my 130 days with a pig kidney,” she said in a statement.

Experts Doubt Kennedy’s Timetable for Finding the Cause of Autism

11 April 2025 at 12:17
The nation’s health secretary announced that he planned to invite scientists to provide answers by September, but specialists consider that target date unrealistic.

© Eric Lee/The New York Times

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his pledge to discover the reason for the increasing rates of autism during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday.

King K. Holmes, a Pioneer in STD Research, Dies at 87

8 April 2025 at 12:15
He took a down-to-earth approach to sexually transmitted infections, a subject no one wanted to discuss, arriving at novel methods of treatment and prevention.

© Associated Press

Dr. Holmes in 1988. He called the lack of funding for studying sexually transmitted diseases a “conspiracy of silence” that was “ignorant,” “appalling” and “a disgrace.”

RFK Jr. Calls for States to Ban Fluoridated Drinking Water

8 April 2025 at 08:29
The health secretary’s announcement came on the first day of a tour through the Southwest to showcase nutrition legislation and other priorities.

© Annie Rice/Associated Press

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. arriving at Reinlander Mennonite Church in Seminole, Texas, on Sunday after a second measles death.
Before yesterdayMain stream

DOGE Stops $10 Million in Taxpayer Funds from Paying for Circumcisions in Mozambique

17 February 2025 at 20:15

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has stopped millions of U.S. tax dollars from going to outlandish overseas programs, including $10 million to "voluntary medical male circumcisions" in Mozambique, the watchdog initiative announced.

The post DOGE Stops $10 Million in Taxpayer Funds from Paying for Circumcisions in Mozambique appeared first on Breitbart.

Alabama gov signs What is a Woman Act: 'If the good Lord made you a boy, you're a boy'

13 February 2025 at 12:21

Alabama Republican Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a new bill that she says answers a simple question: What is a woman?

The bill from state Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Leeds, and Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, would adjust state law to explicitly define "man," "woman," "boy," "girl," "father," "mother," "male," female" and "sex."

It cleared the legislature in Montgomery on Wednesday.

"If the Good Lord made you a boy, you’re a boy. And if He made you a girl, you’re a girl," Ivey said in a signing statement from the Capitol.

"In Alabama, we believe there are two genders: Male and female. There is nothing complicated or controversial about it."

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON REFUSES TO DEFINE THE WORD 'WOMAN'

"Today, I was proud to officially answer the question "What is a Woman?" with my signature on Senate Bill 79. It did not take a biologist to figure it out."

In comments to Fox News Digital, Ivey said prior to the signing: "In Alabama, it does not take a biologist to answer the question: What is a woman?"

During Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, the jurist told Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn she could not define the term "woman." "In this context – I’m not a biologist," Brown Jackson said. 

"There are only two genders: Male and female," Ivey told Fox News Digital.

The law would require the government to collect vital statistics to identify a person's sex at birth and "delete obsolete or unnecessary definitions and make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style."

"For purposes of state law, a ‘female’ is an individual whose biological reproductive system is designed to produce ova, and a ‘male’ is an individual whose biological reproductive system is designed to fertilize the ova of a female," a draft of the bill published on a government site read.

WOMANHOOD IS NOT A GAME OF SEMANTICS, ATTORNEY SAYS

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter told Fox News Digital on Thursday the Yellowhammer State is one that "refuses to back down from commonsense conservative values."

"We believe boys should play against boys and girls should play against girls. We believe that men have no business using the girls’ restroom," said Ledbetter, R-Rainsville.

Ledbetter said every human is made in the image of God and their gender is defined by Him.

"I am proud that the House has passed Rep. Susan DuBose’s ‘What Is a Woman Act’ and look forward to Governor Ivey signing it into law," he said.

DuBose told Fox News Digital she is grateful to know that her children and future generations in Alabama will not have to worry about losing opportunities to men:

"I couldn’t be more thrilled to see this bill pass the legislature," DuBose said. 

"Alabamians know what a woman is, and we have fought hard to ensure our laws do too. I am grateful to all my colleagues for their support in finally getting this bill to Governor Ivey’s desk, and I look forward to watching her sign it into law."

The bill does have its opponents, including the ACLU of Alabama.

"We oppose House Bill 405. The ‘What is a Woman’ Act seeks to answer a question that is contextualized by far more than biological gender norms that this bill seeks to codify," a statement from the group read.

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"The bill establishes a stringent assertion of the definition of a man or woman that completely cuts transgender people out of the picture. This bill attempts to place antiquated gender assumptions as a rule of law."

The group added that the legislation will make it more difficult for transgender people to "authentically" live life.

Democrats, including state Reps. Barbara Drummond of Mobile and Napoleon Bracy of Pritchard, also objected to the bill only being slated for 10 minutes of floor debate.

The Blackburn-Jackson incident and ensuing public debate also led conservative commentator Matt Walsh to produce a documentary on the matter called "What is a Woman?"

When the issue first came up in the Jackson hearing, Blackburn said the jurist being unable to give a "straight answer" about "something as fundamental as what a woman is" underscores the dangers of progressive education.

Blackburn suggested that biological male athletes should not be allowed to compete against women.

Trump's 'Make America Healthy Again' commission to target autism, chronic diseases

13 February 2025 at 11:59

FIRST ON FOX: President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which will be led by newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Fox News Digital exclusively learned. 

The commission will be chaired by Kennedy and will be "tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases," the White House explained to Fox News Digital.

Kennedy was confirmed as the nation's leader of the U.S. Health and Human Services on Thursday and was expected to be sworn in later in the afternoon. His commission will work to "restore trust in medical and scientific institutions and hold public hearings, meetings, roundtables" to receive input from health leaders. 

The commission, Fox Digital learned, will focus on four policy directives to reverse chronic disease, including providing Americans transparency on health data to "avoid conflicts of interest in all federally funded health research;" prioritizing "gold-standard research on why Americans are getting sick" in all federally-funded health research; working with farmers to ensure food is healthy, as well as affordable; and expanding health coverage and treatment options "for beneficial lifestyle changes and disease prevention."

The commission initially will focus on childhood chronic diseases, such as autism and fatty liver disease, and also investigate adult chronic diseases, such as asthma and the U.S. average life expectancy compared to other nations. 

RFK JR. VOWS HE WON'T TAKE CHEESEBURGERS AWAY, JUST HIGHLIGHT HEALTH ISSUES: 'MY BOSS LOVES' THEM

Within 100 days of the commission's founding, it is expected to publish "an assessment that summarizes what is known and what questions remain regarding the childhood chronic disease crisis, and include international comparisons." Within 180 days, it is expected to "produce a strategy, based on the findings of the assessment, to improve the health of America’s children," Fox Digital learned. 

SENATE CONFIRMS ROBERT F KENNEDY JR. TO SERVE AS TRUMP'S HEALTH SECRETARY

Kennedy and Trump vowed on the campaign trail to "Make America Healthy Again," including directing their focus on autism among youths in recent years. The commission will investigate chronic conditions for both adults and children, including those related to autism, which the White House said affects one in 36 children.

TRUMP HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE RFK JR. SURVIVES HEATED HEARINGS

Trump, in recent months, has cited autism stats while previewing his second administration, balking at the number of children currently diagnosed compared to just 25 years ago. 

"When you look at, like, autism from 25 years ago, and you look at it now, something's going on," Trump said in December ahead of his inauguration. "Think of this: 25 years ago, autism, 1 in 10,000 children. Today it's 1 in 36 children. Is something wrong? I think so, and Robert and I, we're going to figure it out." 

Trump also vowed while on the campaign trail in June that he would "establish a special Presidential Commission of independent minds who are not bought and paid for by Big Pharma, and I will charge them with investigating what is causing the decades-long increase in chronic illnesses." 

TRUMP INNER CIRCLE SHARES MCDONALD’S MEAL AS DONALD JR. JOKES 'MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN STARTS TOMORROW’

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 52–48 on Thursday to confirm Kennedy. His confirmation hearings before the Senate in late January included a few outbursts from protesters, as well as Democrats grilling him over his vaccine stances. 

Kennedy, who ran for president as a Democrat in the 2024 cycle before ultimately dropping out and endorsing Trump, clarified to the Senate that he is not "anti-vaccine." 

"I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish. And nobody called me anti-fish. And I believe that… that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare. All of my kids are vaccinated. I've read many books on vaccines. My first book in 2014, a first line of it is ‘I am not anti-vaccine’ and last line is ‘I am not anti-vaccine.’ Nor am I the enemy of food producers. American farms are the bedrock of our culture, of our politics, of our national security," Kennedy said during his hearing before the Senate Finance Committee in January. 

Screening is key to prevent cervical cancer

12 February 2025 at 17:35

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — Health experts estimate that nearly 14,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer, with more than 4,000 dying from the fourth-most common cancer in women worldwide.

Cervical cancer is most devastating in middle- and low-income countries, but in the U.S., efforts to get ahead of the diagnosis have been successful. But that's the key — getting ahead of it.

"Unfortunately when diagnosed in late stages, [cervical cancer] can cause quite a detriment to quality of life and can be challenging to cure,” said Dr. Danielle Chau, a gynecological oncologist with Virginia Oncology Associates at Sentara.

Nearly all cervical cancer cases are caused by the huma papillomavirus, or HPV, with 80% to 85% of everyone in the U.S. exposed to HPV.

For most, it's a temporary virus, but for a small group, their bodies are unable to clear it. It's something Chau feels strongly about.

"Because it's something that I feel like, if we have enough advocacy for, we can actually prevent this in the pre-cancerous stages," Chau said.

She stresses the importance of screening, such as a simple pelvic exam or pap smear. A vaccine that guards against HPV was introduced in 2006. Doctors recommend getting it at age 11 or 12. 

"Depending on their age, it's either two vaccines or three vaccines that they'll get," Chau said.

And studies show it's been able to be 97% to 99% effective in preventing HPV. And it's been proven effective — even if you've already had a history of cervical pre-cancer.

"If they get vaccinated after that point, that we can actually reduce their risk of recurrence by 65%," Chau said.

Symptoms of cervical cancer can include abnormal spotting after intercourse, heavy discharge, a sensation of “pelvic fullness” and changes in bowel or bladder habits.

A test you can take at home for cervical cancer is currently being studied and awaiting approval by the FDA.

NYC subway rider who gave birth on train identified as missing Florida woman: report

13 February 2025 at 16:09

The woman who gave birth on a New York City subway has been identified as a missing Florida woman who was last seen in August, according to reports.

The ex-boyfriend of 25-year-old Jenny Saint Pierre reported her missing on Aug. 5, 2024, according to the Hallandale Beach Police Department.

"MISSING PERSON ALERT. We need your help to locate 25-year-old Jenny Saint Pierre, missing since August, 5, 2024," a previous post on X from police read.

"Please share and help bring Jenny home safely."

FAMILY OF MISSING PREGNANT WOMAN REVEALS SUSPICIONS ABOUT DISAPPEARANCE

Investigators told CBS News Miami that Pierre was schizophrenic and that she could be in danger. Pierre's family also expressed concern to police, saying that she was "excited about becoming a mother," but were worried something may have happened to her. 

Pierre's ex-boyfriend told her sister that they had an argument, which made her angry, and then she left, the outlet reported.

However, Pierre's family's worst fears were debunked on Wednesday after she made national headlines.

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said just after 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a train conductor was notified by numerous passengers that a woman had given birth inside a subway car.

INVESTIGATORS SEARCH LANDFILL SITE FOR MICHIGAN MOTHER WHO VANISHED 10 DAYS AGO

Video obtained by Fox News Digital from a passenger on board captured the situation.

"POV: You're headed to work, and you witness someone giving birth on the train," a caption over the video read. 

Witnesses told the New York Times that, thanks to the swift actions of some good Samaritans, Pierre was taken care of after they jumped in to help deliver the baby before EMS arrived. 

Crichlow added that EMS transported Pierre and her new baby girl to a hospital. Both are said to be in good condition.

"This is another example of New Yorkers coming together to help each other, assisted by caring transit workers and other responders, reflecting the best of the subway community and this city," Crichlow said.

WOMAN VANISHES ON SHOPPING TRIP BEFORE THANKSGIVING IN 'VERY SUSPICIOUS' DISAPPEARANCE: FAMILY

"We are thrilled that both mother and Baby W are doing well, and look forward to welcoming both of them back aboard for a lifetime of reliable—and hopefully less dramatic—rides."    

Pierre’s mother told the Times that she was happy to learn that her daughter was safe and that she was a grandmother.

"I’ve been thinking about my daughter every day, praying every day that she’s OK, that her baby is OK," she told the newspaper. "I’m going to sleep good tonight."

She added that her daughter and new granddaughter could return home anytime and that their entire family would be waiting for them. 

"We will always be there for her, and for her baby," she said.

It was not immediately known why Pierre fled to New York or how long she was living there. 

Fox News Digital reached out to the Hallandale Beach Police Department but did not immediately receive a response. 

Fox News Digital's Julia Bonavita contributed to this report. 

New mpox strain confirmed in US state for first time

13 February 2025 at 15:28

The New York State Department of Health issued a health advisory Wednesday about the emergence of a new strain of mpox (formerly monkeypox).

The first case of mpox clade Ib in New York State was confirmed in a symptomatic individual who had recently traveled from Africa.

The present risk to the public remains low, the department noted, and there are no additional known community cases of this strain in New York State currently.

IS MPOX THE NEXT COVID? INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS ADDRESS PANDEMIC POTENTIAL

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald shared that the infected individual is under the care of a physician and isolated "until the full resolution of symptoms."

"There is no known local transmission of mpox clade Ib in the community where the individual lives or anywhere within New York State," he said in a statement.

McDonald added that the JYNNEOS vaccine, which is a two-dose preventative vaccine series for mpox, is "expected to be effective" against this new strain.

"[It is] available for individuals at risk with the standing order I signed last year," he noted. "There is no immediate risk to the general public."

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The health department added in its advisory that individuals should inquire with their local pharmacy or healthcare provider about vaccine availability as they continue to "monitor and maintain the situation."

Mpox is "rarely fatal," according to the department, but can be dangerous for people with immunocompromising conditions, as well as older adults, young children and pregnant women.

Symptoms can include rashes that progress to "painful skin lesions," in addition to swollen lymph nodes, fever, sore throat, headaches, back pain, low energy and muscle aches, the department listed.

There is a "high likelihood of transmission" until these lesions scab over, which means infected individuals are encouraged to isolate until new skin forms at the lesion site.

Mpox can spread through close, intimate contact with sores, scabs or rashes, the department stated, as well as through the respiratory droplets, saliva or mucus of an infected person.

Those who plan to travel to areas with reported cases of mpox should consider being vaccinated with the two doses of JYNNEOS, experts recommend.

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Dr. Myles Druckman, global medical director at International SOS in California, told Fox News Digital that there have been reports of this strain in several countries in Central and Eastern Africa.

"We’re finding that other countries have also reported travel-associated cases of clade I, including Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Oman, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe," he noted.

"It's important to recognize that cases of this strain are expected due to the ongoing outbreak in multiple countries and the risks associated with global travel."

Mpox can be infectious for up to four days before symptoms occur, but it is most contagious from the time symptoms appear until about two to four weeks later, according to Druckman.

The expert emphasized that vaccination is recommended for high-risk individuals, such as healthcare workers with high exposure or people with weakened immune systems.

"Prevention of mpox is mainly through vaccination and avoiding skin-to-skin contact with others – especially those with symptoms or visible outbreaks – and observing good personal hygiene and washing hands well and frequently," he added.

Linda McMahon speaks out on protecting women and girls from trans athletes during confirmation hearing

13 February 2025 at 15:25

Linda McMahon made her stance clear on trans inclusion in women's and girls' sports during her confirmation hearing for education secretary on Thursday.

"I do not believe that biological boys should be able to compete against girls in sports, and I think now that certainly not only have the people spoken, because that was something that Trump ran very heavily on, but I believe the court has spoken," McMahon said. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America (CWA) legislative action committee found that 70% of moderate voters saw the issue of "Donald Trump’s opposition to transgender boys and men playing girls and women’s sports and of transgender boys and men using girls and women’s bathrooms," as important to them. And 6% said it was the most important issue of all, while 44% said it was "very important."

Trump vowed during his 2024 campaign to ban trans athletes from women's and girls' sports. Trump made good on that promise early when he signed the No Men in Women's Sports executive order on Feb. 5. 

Prior to that, the Supreme Court ruled in August to deny a Biden administration emergency request to enforce portions of the former president's Title IX rewrites that would allow biological males in women's and girls' changing rooms. 

HOW TRANSGENDERISM IN SPORTS SHIFTED THE 2024 ELECTION AND IGNITED A NATIONAL COUNTERCULTURE

And as McMahon looks to get confirmed as education secretary, she insists on carrying out the original mission of Title IX, and keeping women's sports for biological females. 

"We are really back to what Title IX was originally established to do and that was to protect social discrimination. Women should feel safe in their locker rooms. They should feel safe in their spaces. They shouldn't have to be exposed to men undressing in front of them," McMahon said Thursday. 

"I heard one person the other day say, ‘Well, guys should just hold the shower curtain in front of them so that they aren’t exposing themselves.' I mean really, that's just not what we should be doing. We should be making sure that Title IX, which is the law, should be enforced." 

The Biden administration education secretary, Miguel Angel Cardona, supported allowing trans athletes to compete in women's and girls' sports. 

Cardona helped draft the Title IX changes that would have prohibited blanket bans of transgender athletes on public school teams. 

In a June 2021 interview with ESPN, Cardona said "transgender girls have a right to compete."

"Our LGBTQ students have endured more harassment than most other groups. It's critically important that we stand with them and give them opportunities to engage in what every other child can engage in without harassment," Cardona said. 

"It's their right as a student to participate in these activities. And we know sports does more than just put ribbons on the first-, second- and third-place winner," he said. "We know that it provides opportunities for students to become a part of a team, to learn a lot about themselves, to set goals and reach them and to challenge themselves. Athletics provides that in our K-12 systems and in our colleges, and all students deserve an opportunity to engage in that."

Now, under the Trump administration, there will be multiple layers of efforts to prevent trans athletes from competing in women's and girls' sports, and McMahon's agenda will be one of those layers if she is confirmed. 

A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found the vast majority of Americans, including a majority of Democrats, do not think transgender athletes should be permitted to compete in women's sports. Of the 2,128 people polled, 79% said biological males who identify as women should not be allowed to participate in women's sports. 

Of the 1,025 people who identified as Democrats or leaning Democratic, 67% said transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete with women.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.


 

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