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<title>09 April, 2023</title>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="covid-19-sentry">Covid-19 Sentry</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-preprints">From Preprints</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-pubmed">From PubMed</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-patent-search">From Patent Search</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-preprints">From Preprints</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>A new tractable method for generating Human Alveolar Macrophage Like cells in vitro to study lung inflammatory processes and diseases</strong> -
<div>
Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are unique lung resident cells that contact airborne pathogens and environmental particulates. The contribution of human AMs (HAM) to pulmonary diseases remains poorly understood due to difficulty in accessing them from human donors and their rapid phenotypic change during in vitro culture. Thus, there remains an unmet need for cost-effective methods for generating and/or differentiating primary cells into a HAM phenotype, particularly important for translational and clinical studies. We developed cell culture conditions that mimic the lung alveolar environment in humans using lung lipids, i.e., Infasurf (calfactant, natural bovine surfactant) and lung-associated cytokines (GM-CSF, TGF-{beta}, and IL-10) that facilitate the conversion of blood-obtained monocytes to an AM-Like (AML) phenotype and function in tissue culture. Similar to HAM, AML cells are particularly susceptible to both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. This study reveals the importance of alveolar space components in the development and maintenance of HAM phenotype and function, and provides a readily accessible model to study HAM in infectious and inflammatory disease processes, as well as therapies and vaccines.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.535806v1" target="_blank">A new tractable method for generating Human Alveolar Macrophage Like cells in vitro to study lung inflammatory processes and diseases</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>The Rous sarcoma virus Gag polyprotein forms biomolecular condensates driven by intrinsically-disordered regions</strong> -
<div>
Biomolecular condensates (BMCs) play important roles in cellular structures including transcription factories, splicing speckles, and nucleoli. BMCs bring together proteins and other macromolecules, selectively concentrating them so that specific reactions can occur without interference from the surrounding environment. BMCs are often made up of proteins that contain intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), form phase-separated spherical puncta, form liquid-like droplets that undergo fusion and fission, contain molecules that are mobile, and are disrupted with phase-dissolving drugs such as 1,6-hexanediol. In addition to cellular proteins, many viruses, including influenza A, SARS-CoV-2, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encode proteins that undergo phase separation and rely on BMC formation for replication. In prior studies of the retrovirus Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), we observed that the Gag protein forms discrete spherical puncta in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and at the plasma membrane that co-localize with viral RNA and host factors, raising the possibility that RSV Gag forms BMCs that participate in the virion intracellular assembly pathway. In our current studies, we found that Gag contains IDRs in the N-terminal (MAp2p10) and C-terminal (NC) regions of the protein and fulfills many criteria of BMCs. Although the role of BMC formation in RSV assembly requires further study, our results suggest the biophysical properties of condensates are required for the formation of Gag complexes in the nucleus and the cohesion of these complexes as they traffic through the nuclear pore, into the cytoplasm, and to the plasma membrane, where the final assembly and release of virus particles occurs.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.07.536043v1" target="_blank">The Rous sarcoma virus Gag polyprotein forms biomolecular condensates driven by intrinsically-disordered regions</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>GATA1 knockout in human pluripotent stem cells generates enhanced neutrophils to investigate extracellular trap formation</strong> -
<div>
Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived tissues can be used to model diseases and validate targets in cell types that are challenging to harvest and study at scale, such as neutrophils. Neutrophil dysregulation, specifically unbalanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, plays a critical role in the prognosis and progression of multiple diseases, including COVID-19. hPSCs can provide a limitless supply of neutrophils (iNeutrophils) to study these processes and discover and validate targets in vitro. However, current iNeutrophil differentiation protocols are inefficient and generate heterogeneous cultures consisting of different granulocytes and precursors, which can confound the study of neutrophil biology. Here, we describe a method to dramatically improve iNeutrophils’ yield, purity, functionality, and maturity through the deletion of the transcription factor GATA1. GATA1 knockout (KO) iNeutrophils are nearly identical to primary neutrophils in cell surface marker expression, morphology, and host defense functions. Unlike wild type (WT) iNeutrophils, GATA1 KO iNeutrophils generate NETs in response to the physiologic stimulant lipopolysaccharide (LPS), suggesting they could be used as a more accurate model when performing small-molecule screens to find NET inhibitors. Furthermore, through CRSPR/Cas9 deletion of CYBB we demonstrate that GATA1 KO iNeutrophils are a powerful tool in quickly and definitively determining involvement of a given protein in NET formation.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.02.08.526339v3" target="_blank">GATA1 knockout in human pluripotent stem cells generates enhanced neutrophils to investigate extracellular trap formation</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>A rapid, low cost, and highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic based on whole genome sequencing</strong> -
<div>
Early detection of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is key to managing the current global pandemic, as evidence shows the virus is most contagious on or before symptom onset. Here, we introduce a low-cost, high-throughput method for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, dubbed Pathogen-Oriented Low-Cost Assembly &amp; Re-Sequencing (POLAR), that enhances sensitivity by aiming to amplify the entire SARS-CoV-2 genome rather than targeting particular viral loci, as in typical RT-PCR assays. To achieve this goal, we combine a SARS-CoV-2 enrichment method developed by the ARTIC Network (https://artic.network/) with short-read DNA sequencing and de novo genome assembly. We are able to reliably (&gt;95% accuracy) detect SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations of 84 genome equivalents per milliliter, better than the reported limits of detection of almost all diagnostic methods currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. At higher concentrations, we are able to reliably assemble the SARS-CoV-2 genome in the sample, often with no gaps and perfect accuracy. Such genome assemblies enable the spread of the disease to be analyzed much more effectively than would be possible with an ordinary yes/no diagnostic, and can help identify vaccine and drug targets. Finally, we show that POLAR diagnoses on 10 of 10 clinical nasopharyngeal swab samples (half positive, half negative) match those obtained in a CLIA-certified lab using the Center for Disease Control’s 2019-Novel Coronavirus test. Using POLAR, a single person can process 192 samples over the course of an 8-hour experiment, at a cost of ~$30/patient, enabling a 24-hour turnaround with sequencing and data analysis time included. Further testing and refinement will likely enable greater enhancements in the sensitivity of the above approach.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.25.061499v4" target="_blank">A rapid, low cost, and highly sensitive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic based on whole genome sequencing</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>The effect of perceived morbidity and mortality risk on risk-taking and patience</strong> -
<div>
Beyond immediate health consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected people’s environment. People had to adapt to new circumstances and take into account the risks related to COVID-19 in their everyday decisions. Given the unprecedented circumstances associated with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we might ask how people adapt to their new environment. In particular, we ask how people form their morbidity and mortality risk perception associated with the virus and whether increased perceived risk affects psychological traits, such as risk-taking and patience. To address these questions, we analyzed data from a large survey conducted during the first wave in France on 5,000 nationally-representative people. We find that people use the public information on COVID-19 deaths in the area where they live to form their perceived morbidity and mortality risk. Using a structural model approach to lift endogeneity concerns, we found that higher perceived morbidity and mortality risk increases risk aversion. We also found that higher perceived morbidity and mortality risk leads to less patience, although this was only observed for high levels of perceived risk.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://psyarxiv.com/u768y/" target="_blank">The effect of perceived morbidity and mortality risk on risk-taking and patience</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Integration of serial self-testing for COVID-19 as part of contact tracing in the Brazilian public health system: A pragmatic trial protocol</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Background:The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an unprecedented public health crisis. Insufficient testing continues to limit the effectiveness of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Molecular testing methods such as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) continue to be highly centralized and are a sub-optimal option for population surveillance. Rapid antigen tests (Ag-RDTs) offer multiple benefits including low costs, high flexibility to conduct tests in a wide variety of settings, and faster return of results. Recently, self-test Ag-RDTs (STs) have gained approval in several markets and offer the possibility to expand testing, reaching at-risk populations. While STs have the potential to assist the COVID-19 response, test result integrity, reporting, and appropriate linkage to care continue to hinder the widespread implementation of self-testing programs. Methods:This protocol presents a mixed-methods pragmatic trial (ISRCTN91602092) to better understand the feasibility of self-testing as part of a contact tracing strategy within the Brazilian public health system. Approximately 604 close contacts of 150 index cases testing positive for COVID-19 will be enrolled. Close contacts will be randomized to either serial (daily) self-testing over a 10-day follow-up period or a more traditional approach to contact tracing with a professional Ag-RDT at one time point post-exposure. Usability workshops and focus group discussions will also be conducted. Discussion:This study protocol presents a comprehensive plan to assess the effectiveness, operational feasibility, and stakeholder preferences of a serial self-testing strategy for contact tracing within the Brazilian public health system. Our results will contribute to better understanding of the feasibility of a self-testing strategy within the public sector. Potential risks and limitations are discussed. Our findings will have important implications as governments continue working to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, particularly in the context of where to direct limited resources for testing and healthcare infrastructure.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.23288207v1" target="_blank">Integration of serial self-testing for COVID-19 as part of contact tracing in the Brazilian public health system: A pragmatic trial protocol</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>The FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide is a potent inhibitor of human seasonal coronaviruses acting at postentry level: effect on the viral spike glycoprotein</strong> -
<div>
Coronaviridae is recognized as one of the most rapidly evolving virus family as a consequence of the high genomic nucleotide substitution rates and recombination. The family comprises a large number of enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, causing an array of diseases of varying severity in animals and humans. To date, seven human coronaviruses (HCoV) have been identified, namely HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, which are globally circulating in the human population (seasonal HCoV, sHCoV), and the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Seasonal HCoV are estimated to contribute to 15-30% of common cold cases in humans; although diseases are generally self-limiting, sHCoV can sometimes cause severe lower respiratory infections, as well as enteric and neurological diseases. No specific treatment is presently available for sHCoV infections. Herein we show that the anti-infective drug nitazoxanide has a potent antiviral activity against three human endemic coronaviruses, the Alpha-coronaviruses HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63, and the Beta-coronavirus HCoV-OC43 in cell culture with IC50 ranging between 0.05 and 0.15 g/ml and high selectivity indexes. We found that nitazoxanide does not affect HCoV adsorption, entry or uncoating, but acts at postentry level and interferes with the spike glycoprotein maturation, hampering its terminal glycosylation at an endoglycosidase H-sensitive stage. Altogether the results indicate that nitazoxanide, due to its broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity, may represent a readily available useful tool in the treatment of seasonal coronavirus infections.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.13.499346v2" target="_blank">The FDA-approved drug nitazoxanide is a potent inhibitor of human seasonal coronaviruses acting at postentry level: effect on the viral spike glycoprotein</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant</strong> -
<div>
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants alters the efficacy of existing immunity towards the viral spike protein, whether acquired from infection or vaccination. Mutations that impact N-glycosylation of spike may be particularly important in influencing antigenicity, but their consequences are difficult to predict. Here, we compare the glycosylation profiles and antigenicity of recombinant viral spike of ancestral Wu-1 and the Gamma strain, which has two additional N-glycosylation sites due to amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal domain (NTD). We found that a mutation at residue 20 from threonine to asparagine within the NTD caused the loss of NTD-specific antibody binding. Glycan site-occupancy analyses revealed that the mutation resulted in N-glycosylation switching to the new sequon at N20 from the native N17 site. Site-specific glycosylation profiles demonstrated distinct glycoform differences between Wu-1, Gamma, and selected NTD variant spike proteins, but these did not affect antibody binding. Finally, we evaluated the specificity of spike proteins against convalescent COVID-19 sera and found reduced cross-reactivity against some mutants, but not Gamma spike compared to Wuhan spike. Our results illustrate the impact of viral divergence on spike glycosylation and SARS-CoV-2 antibody binding profiles.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.03.535004v1" target="_blank">The role of N-glycosylation in spike antigenicity for the SARS-CoV-2 Gamma variant</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Longitudinal study of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 of health professionals in Brazil: the impact of booster dose and reinfection on antibody dynamics</strong> -
<div>
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had a major impact on health systems. Vaccines have been shown to be effective in improving the clinical outcome of COVID-19, but they are not able to fully prevent infection and reinfection, especially that caused by new variants. Here, we tracked for 450 days the humoral immune response and reinfection in 52 healthcare workers from Brazil. Infection and reinfection were confirmed by RT-qPCR, while IgM and IgG antibody levels were monitored by rapid test. Of the 52 participants, 19 (36%) got reinfected during the follow-up period, all presenting mild symptoms. For all participants, IgM levels dropped sharply, with over 47% of them becoming seronegative by the 60th day. For IgG, 90% of the participants became seropositive within the first 30 days of follow-up. IgG antibodies also dropped after this period reaching the lowest level on day 270 (68.5{+/-}72.3, p&lt;0.0001). Booster dose and reinfection increased the levels of both antibodies, with the interaction between them resulting in an increase in IgG levels of 130.3 units. Overall, our data indicate that acquired humoral immunity declines over time and suggests that IgM and IgG antibody levels are not associated with the prevention of reinfection.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.03.535504v1" target="_blank">Longitudinal study of humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 of health professionals in Brazil: the impact of booster dose and reinfection on antibody dynamics</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Pre-infection neutralizing antibodies, Omicron BA.5 breakthrough infection, and long COVID: a propensity score-matched analysis</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Importance Investigating the role of pre–infection humoral immunity against Omicron BA.5 infection risk and long COVID development is critical to inform public health guidance. Objective To investigate the association between pre–infection immunogenicity after the third vaccine dose and the risks of Omicron BA.5 infection and long coronavirus disease. Design, Setting, and Participants This nested case–control analysis was conducted among tertiary hospital staff in Tokyo, Japan who donated blood samples in June 2022 (1 month before Omicron BA.5 dominant wave onset [July–September 2022]) approximately 6 months after receiving the third dose of the historical monovalent coronavirus disease 2019 mRNA vaccine. Exposures Live virus–neutralizing antibody titers against Wuhan and Omicron BA.5 (NT50) and anti–SARS–CoV–2 spike protein antibody titers with Abbott (AU/mL) and Roche (U/mL) assays at pre–infection. Main Outcomes and Measures Symptomatic SARS–CoV–2 breakthrough infections during the Omicron BA.5 dominant wave vs. undiagnosed controls matched using a propensity score. Incidence of long COVID (persistent symptoms ≥4 weeks after infection) among breakthrough infection cases. Results Anti–spike antibody titers were compared between 243 breakthrough infection cases and their matched controls among the 2360 staff members who met the criteria. Neutralizing antibodies in 50 randomly selected matched pairs were measured and compared. Pre–infection anti-spike and neutralizing antibody titers were lower in breakthrough cases than in undiagnosed controls. Neutralizing antibody titers against Wuhan and Omicron BA.5 were 64% (95% CI: 42–77) and 72% (95% CI: 53–83) lower, respectively, in breakthrough cases than in undiagnosed controls. Individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections were more frequent among undiagnosed controls than breakthrough cases (19.3% vs. 4.1%), and their neutralizing antibody titers were higher than those of infection–naive individuals. Among the breakthrough cases, pre–infection antibody titers were not associated with the incidence of long COVID. Conclusions and Relevance Pre–infection immunogenicity against SARS–CoV–2 may play a role in protecting against the Omicron BA.5 infection, but not in preventing long COVID.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.23288162v1" target="_blank">Pre-infection neutralizing antibodies, Omicron BA.5 breakthrough infection, and long COVID: a propensity score-matched analysis</a>
</div></li>
<li><strong>Comparative Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccines in Immunocompromised Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using the GRADE Framework</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Introduction: Despite representing only 3% of the US population, immunocompromised (IC) individuals account for nearly half of the COVID-19 breakthrough hospitalizations. IC individuals generate a lower immune response following vaccination in general, and the US CDC recommended a third dose of either mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccines as part of their primary series. Influenza vaccine trials have shown that increasing dosage could improve effectiveness in IC populations. The objective of this systematic literature review and pairwise meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of mRNA-1273 (50 or 100 mcg/dose) versus BNT162b2 (30 mcg/dose) in IC populations using the GRADE framework. Methods: The systematic literature search was conducted in the World Health Organization COVID-19 Research Database. Studies were included in the pairwise meta-analysis if they reported comparisons of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 in IC individuals ≥18 years of age; outcomes of interest were SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization due to COVID-19, and mortality due to COVID-19. Risk ratios (RR) were pooled across studies using random-effects meta-analysis models. Outcomes were also analyzed in subgroups of patients with cancer, autoimmune disease, and solid organ transplant. Risk of bias was assessed for randomized and observational studies using the Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, respectively. Evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Results: Overall, 22 studies were included in the pairwise meta-analysis. Compared with BNT162b2, mRNA-1273 was associated with significantly reduced risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79-0.96; P=0.0054; I2=61.9%), COVID-19-associated hospitalization (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.76-0.90; P&lt;0.0001; I2=0%), and COVID-19-associated mortality (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.89; P=0.011; I2=0%) in IC populations. Results were consistent across subgroups. Because of sample size limitations, relative effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in IC populations cannot be studied in randomized trials and evidence certainty among comparisons was type 3 (low) and 4 (very low), reflecting potential biases in observational studies. Conclusion: This GRADE meta-analysis based on a large number of consistent observational studies showed that the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine is associated with improved clinical effectiveness in IC populations compared with BNT162b2.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.23288195v1" target="_blank">Comparative Effectiveness of mRNA-1273 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccines in Immunocompromised Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Using the GRADE Framework</a>
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<li><strong>Incidence of Symptoms Associated with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Non-Hospitalized Vaccinated Patients Receiving Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir</strong> -
<div>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Background: The role of Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir (NMV-r) in preventing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) is unknown. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of NMV-r in non-hospitalized, vaccinated patients on the occurrence of PASC. Methods: We performed a comparative retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the TriNetX research network, including vaccinated patients ≥18 years old who subsequently developed Covid-19 between December 2021-April 2022. Cohorts were based on NMV-r administration within five days of diagnosis. Based on previously validated broad and narrow definitions, the main outcome was the presence of symptoms associated with PASC. Outcomes were assessed between 30-180 days and 90-180 days after the index Covid-19 infection. Results 1,004 patients remained in each cohort after propensity-score matching. PASC (broad definition) occurred in 425 patients (42%) in the NMV-r cohort, vs. 480 patients (48%) in the control cohort (OR 0.8 CI 0.67-0.96; p=0.01) from 30-180 days and in 273 patients (27%) in the NMV-r cohort, as compared to 347 patients (35%) in the control cohort (OR 0.707, CI 0.59-0.86; p&lt;0.001) from 90-180 days. Narrowly defined PASC was reported in 337 (34%) patients in the NMV-r and 404 (40%) in the control cohort between 30-180 days (OR=0.75, CI 0.62-0.9, p=0.002) and in 221 (22%) in the NMV-r cohort as compared to in 278 (28%) patients in the control cohort (OR=0.7, CI 0.63-0.9, p=0.003) between 90 -180 days. Conclusions NMV-r treatment in non-hospitalized vaccinated patients with Covid-19 was associated with a reduction in the development of symptoms commonly observed with PASC and healthcare utilization.
</p>
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.23288196v1" target="_blank">Incidence of Symptoms Associated with Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Non-Hospitalized Vaccinated Patients Receiving Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir </a>
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<li><strong>Direct and indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the survival of kidney transplant recipients: a national observational study in France.</strong> -
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Background During the pandemic period, healthcare systems were substantially reorganized for managing COVID-19 cases. The corresponding changes on the standard care of persons with chronic diseases and the potential consequences on their outcomes remain insufficiently documented. This observational study investigates the direct and indirect impact of the pandemic period on the survival of kidney transplant recipients (KTR), in particular in those not hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods We conducted a cohort study using the French national health data system which contains all healthcare consumptions in France. Incident persons with end stage kidney disease between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 who received a kidney transplant were included and followed-up from their transplantation date to December 31, 2021. The survival of KTR during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods was investigated using Cox models with time-dependent covariates, including vaccination and hospitalization events. Findings There were 10,637 KTR included in the study, with 324 and 430 deaths observed during the pre-pandemic (15,115 person-years of follow-up) and pandemic periods (14,657 person-years of follow-up), including 127 deaths observed among the 659 persons with a COVID-19-related hospitalization. In multivariable analyses, the risk of death during the pandemic period was similar to that observed during the pre-pandemic period (hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval]: 0.92 [0.77-1.11]), while COVID-19-related hospitalization was associated with an increased risk of death (HR: 10.62 [8.46-13.33]). In addition, pre-emptive kidney transplantation was associated with a lower risk of death (HR: 0.71 [0.56-0.89]), as well as a third vaccine dose (HR: 0.42 [0.30-0.57]), while age, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were associated with higher risks of death. Interpretation Considering persons living with a kidney transplant with no severe COVID-19-related hospitalization, the pandemic period was not associated with a higher risk of death.
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.23288113v1" target="_blank">Direct and indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the survival of kidney transplant recipients: a national observational study in France.</a>
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<li><strong>Second-order Citations in Altmetrics: A Case Study Analyzing the Audiences of COVID-19 Research in the News and on Social Media</strong> -
<div>
The potential to capture the societal impact of research has been a driving motivation for the use and development of altmetrics. Yet, to date, altmetrics have largely failed to deliver on this potential because the primary audience who cites research on social media has been shown to be academics themselves. In response, our study investigates an extension of traditional altmetric approaches that goes beyond capturing direct mentions of research on social media. Using research articles from the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, we demonstrate the value of measuring ‘second-order citations,’ or social media mentions of news coverage of research. We find that a sample of these citations, published by just five media outlets, were shared and engaged with on social media twice as much as the research articles themselves. Moreover, first-order and second-order citations circulated among Twitter accounts and Facebook accounts that were largely distinct from each other. The differences in audiences and engagement patterns found in this case study highlight the importance of news coverage as a public source of science information and provide strong evidence that investigating these second-order citations can be an effective way of observing non-academic audiences that engage with research content.
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<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.05.535734v1" target="_blank">Second-order Citations in Altmetrics: A Case Study Analyzing the Audiences of COVID-19 Research in the News and on Social Media</a>
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<li><strong>Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.16 variant</strong> -
<div>
At the end of March 2023, XBB.1.16, a SARS-CoV-2 omicron XBB subvariant, emerged and was detected in various countries. Compared to XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 has two substitutions in the S protein: E180V is in the N-terminal domain, and T478K in the receptor-binding domain (RBD). We first show that XBB.1.16 had an effective reproductive number (Re) that was 1.27- and 1.17-fold higher than the parental XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, respectively, suggesting that XBB.1.16 will spread worldwide in the near future. In fact, the WHO classified XBB.1.16 as a variant under monitoring on March 30, 2023. Neutralization assays demonstrated the robust resistance of XBB.1.16 to breakthrough infection sera of BA.2 (18-fold versus B.1.1) and BA.5 (37-fold versus B.1.1). We then used six clinically-available monoclonal antibodies and showed that only sotrovimab exhibits antiviral activity against XBB subvariants, including XBB.1.16. Our results suggest that, similar to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 is robustly resistant to a variety of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Our multiscale investigations suggest that XBB.1.16 that XBB.1.16 has a greater growth advantage in the human population compared to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5, while the ability of XBB.1.16 to exhibit profound immune evasion is comparable to XBB.1 and XBB.1.5. The increased fitness of XBB.1.16 may be due to (1) different antigenicity than XBB.1.5; and/or (2) the mutations in the non-S viral protein(s) that may contribute to increased viral growth efficiency.
</div>
<div class="article-link article-html-link">
🖺 Full Text HTML: <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.04.06.535883v1" target="_blank">Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.16 variant</a>
</div></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-clinical-trials">From Clinical Trials</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Nasal Treatment for COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Optate;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Indiana University<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Effect of a Health Pathway for People With Persistent Symptoms Covid-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Other: usual care and follow-up by a nurse;   Other: Personalized Multifactorial Intervention (IMP)<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>RCT for Yinqiaosan-Maxingganshitang in the Treatment of COVID-19</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Chinese Herb;   Diagnostic Test: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Chinese University of Hong Kong<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Tailored COVID-19 Testing Support Plan for Francophone African Born Immigrants</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID19 Testing<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Behavioral: FABI tailored COVID-19 testing pamphlet;   Behavioral: Standard COVID-19 home-based test kit<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   Texas Woman’s University;   National Institutes of Health (NIH)<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Study to Understand the Effect and Safety of the Study Medicine PF-07817883 in Adults Who Have Symptoms of COVID-19 But Are Not Hospitalized.</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   SARS-CoV-2 Infection<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: PF-07817883;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Pfizer<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Traditional Chinese Medicine or Low-dose Dexamethasone in COVID-19 Pneumonia</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19 Pneumonia<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Other: conventional western medicine treatment;   Drug: Dexamethasone oral tablet;   Other: Traditional Chinese medicine decoction<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   China-Japan Friendship Hospital<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A Clinical Study on Safety and Effectiveness of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes for the Treatment of COVID-19.</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19 Pneumonia<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Biological: Extracellular Vesicles from Mesenchymal Stem Cells<br/><b>Sponsors</b>:   First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University;   REGEN-αGEEK (SHENZHEN) MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Inpatient COVID-19 Lollipop Study</strong> - <b>Conditions</b>:   COVID-19;   Diagnostic Test<br/><b>Intervention</b>:   Device: Lollipop<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   University of Wisconsin, Madison<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Study of the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of NP-101 in Treating High Risk Participants Who Are Covid-19 Positive.</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: NP-101;   Other: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Novatek Pharmaceuticals<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Effectiveness of Testofen Compared to Placebo on Long COVID Symptoms</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Long Covid19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: Testofen;   Drug: Microcrystalline cellulose<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   RDC Clinical Pty Ltd<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Building Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Randomized Controlled Trial</strong> - <b>Conditions</b>:   Healthy;   COVID-19;   Distress, Emotional<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Behavioral: RASMUS Resilience Training;   Behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Medical University Innsbruck<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Care for Veterans Post-COVID</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Behavioral: Concordant Care Training;   Behavioral: Education Packet Training<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   VA Office of Research and Development<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Complementary Self-help Strategies for Patients With Post-COVID Syndrome</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   Post-COVID-19 Syndrome<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Behavioral: Complementary self-help strategies in addition to treatment as usual;   Other: Treatment as usual<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Universität Duisburg-Essen<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Safety &amp; Immunogenicity of RVM-V001/RVM-V002 or RVMV001+RVMV002 (Co Administered as Separate Injections) in Healthy Individuals</strong> - <b>Conditions</b>:   Infectious Disease;   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Biological: RVM-V001 30 µg;   Biological: RVM-V002 30 µg;   Biological: RVM-V001 (15 µg) + RVM-V002 (15 µg) co-administration<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   RVAC Medicines (US), Inc.<br/><b>Recruiting</b></p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>HH-120 Nasal Spray for Post-exposure Prevention of SARS-CoV-2</strong> - <b>Condition</b>:   COVID-19<br/><b>Interventions</b>:   Drug: HH-120 Nasal Spray;   Drug: Placebo<br/><b>Sponsor</b>:   Huahui Health<br/><b>Not yet recruiting</b></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-pubmed">From PubMed</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Suramin binds and inhibits infection of SARS-CoV-2 through both spike protein-heparan sulfate and ACE2 receptor interactions</strong> - SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domains (RBDs) interact with both the ACE2 receptor and heparan sulfate on the surface of host cells to enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that suramin, a polysulfated synthetic drug, binds to the ACE2 receptor and heparan sulfate binding sites on the RBDs of wild-type, Delta, and Omicron variants. Specifically, heparan sulfate and suramin had enhanced preferential binding for Omicron RBD, and suramin is most potent against the live SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Metabolic dysregulation impairs lymphocyte function during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection</strong> - Cellular metabolic dysregulation is a consequence of SARS-CoV-2 infection that is a key determinant of disease severity. However, how metabolic perturbations influence immunological function during COVID-19 remains unclear. Here, using a combination of high-dimensional flow cytometry, cutting-edge single-cell metabolomics, and re-analysis of single-cell transcriptomic data, we demonstrate a global hypoxia-linked metabolic switch from fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial respiration towards…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Development of a Peptide Sensor Derived from Human ACE2 for Fluorescence Polarization Assays of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain</strong> - Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the continuing emergence of infectious variants have caused a serious pandemic and a global economic slump since 2019. To overcome the situation and prepare for future pandemic-prone diseases, there is a need to establish a convenient diagnostic test that is quickly adaptable to unexpected emergence of virus variants. Here we report a fluorescent peptide sensor 26-Dan and its application to the fluorescence polarization (FP) assay…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Comparison of a rapid fluorescence immunochromatographic test with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody neutralizing activity</strong> - CONCLUSION: FIC had good qualitative agreement with ELISA in the detection of positive NAbs-RBD(%) and could be an alternative for rapid NAbs-RBD(%) testing.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Comparison of antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination between patients with solid or hematologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy</strong> - CONCLUSION: Hematologic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy tended to respond poorly to both COVID-19 mRNA and vector vaccines and had a significantly lower antibody titer compared to those with solid cancers.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>A covalent inhibitor targeting the papain-like protease from SARS-CoV-2 inhibits viral replication</strong> - Covalent inhibitors of the papain-like protease (PLpro) from SARS-CoV-2 have great potential as antivirals, but their non-specific reactivity with thiols has limited their development. In this report, we performed an 8000 molecule electrophile screen against PLpro and identified an α-chloro amide fragment, termed compound 1, which inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells, and also had low non-specific reactivity with thiols. Compound 1 covalently reacts with the active site cysteine of PLpro,…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Factor Xa cleaves SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to block viral entry and infection</strong> - Serine proteases (SP), including furin, trypsin, and TMPRSS2 cleave the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, enabling the virus to enter cells. Here, we show that factor (F) Xa, an SP involved in blood coagulation, is upregulated in COVID-19 patients. In contrast to other SPs, FXa exerts antiviral activity. Mechanistically, FXa cleaves S protein, preventing its binding to ACE2, and thus blocking viral entry and infection. However, FXa is less effective against variants carrying the D614G mutation…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>TRPC6 inhibitor (BI 764198) to reduce risk and severity of ARDS due to COVID-19: a phase II randomised controlled trial</strong> - CONCLUSIONS: TRPC6 inhibition was not effective in reducing the risk and/or severity of ARDS in patients with COVID-19 requiring non-invasive, supplemental oxygen support.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>SARS-CoV-2 Inhibits NRF2-Mediated Antioxidant Responses in Airway Epithelial Cells and in the Lung of a Murine Model of Infection</strong> - Several viruses have been shown to modulate the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), the master regulator of redox homeostasis. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, also seems to disrupt the balance between oxidants and antioxidants, which likely contributes to lung damage. Using in vitro and in vivo models of infection, we investigated how SARS-CoV-2 modulates the transcription factor NRF2…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Chemical Composition of Honeysuckle (<em>Lonicerae japonicae</em>) Extracts and Their Potential in Inhibiting the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and ACE2 Binding, Suppressing ACE2, and Scavenging Radicals</strong> - Honeysuckle (Lonicerae japonicae) has been used in functional tea products. The chemical compositions of the water and ethanol extracts of honeysuckle were examined in the present study, along with their potential in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2, suppressing ACE2 activity, and scavenging reactive free radicals. Thirty-six compounds were tentatively identified from the honeysuckle extracts using HPLC-MS/MS, with ten reported for the first time in honeysuckle. Both…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Surfactin-like lipopeptides from <em>Bacillus clausii</em> efficiently bind to spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2</strong> - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread across the globe, infecting millions and causing hundreds of deaths. It has been now around three years but still, it remained a serious threat worldwide, even after the availability of some vaccines. Bio-surfactants are known to have antiviral activities and might be a potential alternative for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the present study, we have isolated and purified, a surfactin-like lipopeptide produced by a probiotic…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Repurposing immune boosting and anti-viral efficacy of <em>Parkia</em> bioactive entities as multi-target directed therapeutic approach for SARS-CoV-2: exploration of lead drugs by drug likeness, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods</strong> - The COVID-19 pandemic has caused adverse health (severe respiratory, enteric and systemic infections) and environmental impacts that have threatened public health and the economy worldwide. Drug repurposing and small molecule multi-target directed herbal medicine therapeutic approaches are the most appropriate exploration strategies for SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery. This study identified potential multi-target-directed Parkia bioactive entities against SARS-CoV-2 receptors (S-protein, ACE2,…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Attitudes and concerns regarding booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among Egyptian patients with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional survey study</strong> - CONCLUSIONS: There is a low acceptability rate of booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine among Egyptian patients with ARD diseases. Public health workers and policymakers need to make sure that all ARD patients get clear messages about accepting the COVID-19 booster dose.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir): A new approach to Covid-19 therapy?</strong> - Despite the need for novel, effective therapeutics for the COVID-19 pandemic, no curative regimen is yet available, therefore patients are forced to rely on supportive and nonspecific therapies. Some SARS-CoV-2 proteins, like the 3 C-like protease (3CLpro) or the major protease (Mpro), have been identified as promising targets for antiviral drugs. The Mpro has major a role in protein processing as well as pathogenesis of the virus, and could be a useful therapeutic target. The antiviral drug…</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Efficacy of pentasodium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate in ameliorating anosmia post COVID-19</strong> - CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the efficacy of DTPA in treating post-COVID-19 anosmia.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-patent-search">From Patent Search</h1>
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<h1 data-aos="fade-down" id="daily-dose">Daily-Dose</h1>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" data-aos-anchor-placement="top-bottom" id="contents">Contents</h1>
<ul>
<li><a href="#from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-vox">From Vox</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</a></li>
<li><a href="#from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</a></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-new-yorker">From New Yorker</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Inside the Hush-Money Payments That May Decide Trump’s Legal Fate</strong> - Years of interviews with potential witnesses provide insights into the Manhattan D.A.’s case. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/inside-the-hush-money-payments-that-may-decide-trumps-legal-fate">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>How Putin Criminalized Journalism in Russia</strong> - The case of Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter being held in Moscow on espionage charges, is only the most recent example of the Kremlin’s crackdown on reporters. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/how-putin-criminalized-journalism-in-russia">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>The Same Ole Line Dudes Are Waiting for You</strong> - Donald Trump’s arraignment was a circus for the media, but it was just another day at the office for New York’s professional line sitters. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/the-same-ole-line-dudes-are-waiting-for-you">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>What’s Behind the Fight Between Pope Francis and the Latin Mass Movement?</strong> - The discord has become a stand-in for conflicts over the decline in Catholics’ participation in Mass, over the progressive orientation of Francis’s pontificate, and over Vatican II itself. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/whats-behind-the-fight-between-pope-francis-and-the-latin-mass-movement">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Fighting for the Right to Come and Go</strong> - In Mexico, return-migrant activists are asserting their “pocha” heritage and working to end legal and cultural exclusion. - <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-immigration/fighting-for-the-right-to-come-and-go">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-vox">From Vox</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>Small acts of kindness matter more than you think</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="An abstract illustration of two pairs of legs with geometric designs on them walking toward each other. A small red heart is between two of the feet." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q84bQEkAtsF_-t8isrI6BfGfLko=/0x1302:5209x5209/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72162693/GettyImages_1363616490.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Getty Images/iStockphoto
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Text a friend, write a thank-you note, compliment a stranger — people appreciate these gestures.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ZgL4AT">
Think about the last time someone showed you a small token of appreciation. Perhaps a stranger gave you a compliment, or maybe you got a check-in text from a friend, or received a particularly heartfelt thank-you note from a mentee. Chances are, that tiny act brightened your day. After all, there’s a delight in knowing you were on someone’s mind for even a brief moment.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="jppNGB">
When the roles are reversed, though, you might often psych yourself out of performing these simple bids, convincing yourself you must initiate a follow-up after that initial text or that stranger will rebuff your kind remark.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="u70OuN">
“I think people felt like there was an obligation,” says <a href="https://gilliansandstrom.com/">Gillian Sandstrom</a>, a senior lecturer in the psychology of kindness at the University of Sussex, who is currently studying people’s reluctance to reach out to friends with whom they’d lost touch. “There is no commitment. I can just have a one-off thing, walk away. There’s something really beautiful about that.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="2WJ7d4">
<a href="https://clarkrelationshiplab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/BoothbyCooneySandstromClark2018.pdf">Research</a> suggests, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001271">across</a> <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797618772506">multiple</a> <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-77686-001?doi=1">studies</a>, that people have overwhelmingly similar impulses to <em>not</em> do the nice thing: They underestimate how much other people value the reach-out, the random act of kindness. These seemingly minor deeds are appreciated, though. Turning down the naysaying voice in your head allows for more opportunities to show warmth to those around you.
</p>
<h3 id="OZlxgW">
We all underestimate how much others appreciate us
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="r8pnTS">
Since humans lack the ability to read minds, we simply guess at what other people think of us. These <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1993-41255-001">hypotheses are informed</a> by how people perceive themselves, and not by real-world feedback and criticism from those they’ve actually interacted with. These self-perceptions are often <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-07168-004">marred by negativity</a>; when recalling past social interactions, people worried their jokes were subpar or that their conversation partner found them uncool. “We assume other people are thinking what we’re thinking,” Sandstrom says.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="fI7wjT">
Psychologist and friendship expert <a href="https://drmarisagfranco.com/">Marisa Franco</a> credits these pessimistic assumptions to a concept called the <a href="https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/negativity-bias">negativity bias</a>, wherein people remember negative events and feelings more acutely than positive ones. As a result, people tend to avoid socially risky behaviors — like telling a stranger on the subway you like their shoes — in order to avoid potential awkwardness. “Across the board,” says Franco, who is also the author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676695/platonic-by-marisa-g-franco-phd/"><em>Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make — and Keep — Friends</em></a>, “in pretty much every act of connection, we tend to underestimate how much people will be receptive to our overtures in connection.” Of course, there will be instances where a stranger, in particular, will not be amenable to your overtures (this isn’t permission to harass people on the street), but your intention should be to brighten someone’s day without worrying what they think about you.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="EDOuOD">
The persistent underestimation of how much others enjoy our company is known as the liking gap, dubbed by Sandstrom and her colleagues in <a href="https://clarkrelationshiplab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/BoothbyCooneySandstromClark2018.pdf">a 2018 paper</a>. Through both short conversations and long ones, with both strangers and acquaintances, study participants consistently misjudged how much their conversation partners liked them. (Participants took surveys after each chat and reported that they liked their conversation partner much more than they perceived their conversation partner to have liked them.)
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="rRd6W3">
This mismatch of appreciation extends to other domains, such as writing <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797618772506">thank-you notes</a>, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-77686-001?doi=1">sending text messages</a>, and gifting <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001271">a cup of hot chocolate</a>. “Being kind to other people, doing nice things for others — those are the activities that tend to improve our well-being,” says <a href="http://www.kumar-amit.com/">Amit Kumar</a>, assistant professor of marketing and psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. “Folks have lots of opportunities for acting in these other-oriented ways that they don’t take advantage of. I think the interesting question then becomes, well, why don’t people act in ways that are likely to make them feel better?”
</p>
<h3 id="e9ZiHj">
Why we don’t do nice things for others
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NIUf9a">
If small, kind gestures have a positive impact on the receiver’s day, why are people so hesitant to do them? According to Kumar, who has studied the positive impact of <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001271">acts of kindness</a> and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797618772506">gratitude letters</a>, we don’t often recognize the power of these benevolent acts on others. Instead of focusing on the warm intention (literally and figuratively) associated with buying a stranger a cup of coffee, we fixate on the value of what we’re presenting. “When you’re doing something for someone else, you’re thinking about the thing that you’re giving and what its value is,” Kumar says. Recipients, on the other hand, are “thinking about the warmth associated with the fact that it was given to them by another person out of kindness.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="WlUsim">
Surprise also generates appreciation from recipients, says <a href="https://business.pitt.edu/professors/peggy-liu/">Peggy Liu</a>, the Ben L. Fryrear Chair in Marketing and an associate professor of business administration at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business. In her <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-77686-001?doi=1">recent studies</a> demonstrating the power of a brief check-in text to friends, Liu found that when recipients weren’t expecting to hear from the initiator — maybe it had been a few months since they last spoke — they appreciated that someone thought about them enough to reach out. While Liu did not identify what prevented would-be initiators from sending the text, she suspects thoughts of worry held them back: Is my friend going to think it’s strange that I just reached out? Does what I wrote to them sound okay?
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="UJeuW4">
There is also an inherent anxiety that something as simple as a text must come with strings attached: a phone call, a coffee date. In Sandstrom’s as-of-yet unpublished study about reconnecting with friends, participants often didn’t reach out because they lacked the time to commit to the relationship beyond the initial message. During a time <a href="https://www.vox.com/23144336/emotional-exhaustion-friendships-community">when so many are stretched thin</a>, just the small act itself is enough. “A brief text,” Liu says, “doesn’t create that much obligation in the other person and allows the other person to decide when and how they want to respond.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NXo42n">
That nagging negativity bias creates doubt. There will inevitably be times when our attempts at conversations with strangers fall flat — and those memories will prevail over those of successful acts of kindness. Still, pursuing these bids with regularity helps break the assumption that they won’t be appreciated. With each positive interaction, anxiety is replaced by joy.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xTDeDs">
In other words, don’t fixate on picking out the <em>best</em> flowers for your partner or fear a distant friend will criticize your grammar in a text message. The gesture itself is more consequential than the content — because it’s always worth it to do the nice thing rather than to avoid doing it out of fear of rejection or awkwardness. In his studies, not only did the recipients feel appreciated, but the do-gooders reported feeling happy, too, Kumar says.
</p>
<h3 id="etpba4">
Being vulnerable yourself goes a long way
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="7KBZNm">
To avoid talking ourselves out of performing friendly exploits, it’s helpful to catch ourselves in the act of second-guessing and remind ourselves how lovely it felt when we were on the receiving end of, say, a check-in text, Liu says. No one criticizes a kind note they weren’t expecting.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="91stxW">
These small gestures can be just that: a quick chat, a thinking-of-you message, gifting unused public transit fare to a stranger. “I’m a working mom,” Liu says. “It can be hard to actually have a more lengthy get-together. So I think that’s partly why these brief reach outs are so appreciated.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="26TTFA">
The consequence of ignoring our impulse to reach out is missed opportunities for social connection. Instead, says Franco, assume people like you. “When people are told that they’re going into a group and [will] be accepted, they become warmer, friendlier, and more open,” she says. “Whereas people that have rejection sensitivity, who tend to assume they’ll be rejected, they tend to become cold and withdrawn, thus rejecting other people and getting rejected back.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Dad8d2">
Opt for a touch of optimism, put yourself out there, and, Franco says, consider potential rejection as the price worth paying for meaningful interactions.
</p></li>
<li><strong>How to understand competing medication abortion rulings</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="A protester standing in a crowd in front of the Supreme Court holds a cardboard sign supporting the abortion medications mifepristone and misoprostol." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S2W8wrg-ITJiipS91AjTLNL3MAs=/593x0:6957x4773/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72161620/1246459643.0.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Pro-abortion and anti-abortion activists rally near the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. | Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
Contradictory court orders put the abortion drug mifepristone in “uncharted territory.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="fsR8NQ">
Federal judges in Texas and Washington handed down <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23593396/medication-abortion-pills-mifepristone-misoprostol-pregnancy-texas">two opposing rulings</a> on the abortion pill mifepristone on Friday, jeopardizing access to the drug and putting the US Food and Drug Administration in an impossible situation.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="WnL5gx">
Matthew Kacsmaryk, a conservative federal district court judge in Texas, issued a <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067.137.0_8.pdf">long-awaited ruling</a> Friday evening calling for the FDA to stay its approval of mifepristone, which has been deemed safe and legal for 23 years, while Thomas Rice, a federal court judge in Washington state, swiftly issued a <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.waed.102225/gov.uscourts.waed.102225.80.0.pdf">directly contradictory decision</a>.
</p>
<aside id="YtOSMR">
<div>
</div>
</aside>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="nMByLM">
Kacsmaryk’s order to halt mifepristone’s approval was widely expected given his <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/17/23512766/supreme-court-matthew-kacsmaryk-judge-trump-abortion-immigration-birth-control">conservative views</a> and background<strong> </strong>in the Christian right, and hinges on the idea that medication abortion is not safe. That claim, though, is disputed by decades of evidence to the contrary, and in the <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23747042-19514454683">Washington state order</a> enjoining the FDA from making changes to mifepristone’s availability in the 17 states and Washington, DC, Rice also argued that it isn’t the role of a court to determine a drug’s safety.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="hZ1Ugn">
As of now, medication abortion — most frequently a two-drug regimen consisting of mifepristone and misoprostol — remains legal in the US, and both drugs, mifepristone and <a href="https://www.vox.com/23672829/what-is-misoprostol-abortion-medication-mifepristone-kacsmaryk">misoprostol</a>, are approved by the FDA. Kacsmaryk’s order would have invalidated mifepristone’s approval after a seven-day stay of the order to allow for potential emergency relief. But Rice’s ruling further complicates Kacsmaryk’s, since the FDA would be unable to fully comply with both orders at once.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="pBk1gx">
“There is now directly conflicting federal court decisions on what the status of mifepristone is,” Rachel Rebouché, dean of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law told Vox in an interview. “So nothing changes for the next week, and we’ll see litigation start to move as the FDA and DOJ ask the Fifth Circuit and Supreme Court to clarify.”
</p>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="H7fuZa">
Not only does the Texas ruling endanger access to medication abortion, it also calls into <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/04/07/texas-abortion-pill-decision-fda/">question the ability of the FDA and other federal agencies</a> to follow through with their mandates, according to several experts. Kacsmaryk’s ruling cites dubious claims about mifepristone’s supposed dangers, and experts told Vox that the fact that a court has now decided it can arbitrate scientific fact better than medical experts is unprecedented and potentially quite dangerous.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Y7dLTd">
Contrary to Kacsmaryk’s order, mifepristone is extremely safe, and along with misoprostol is widely used to end abortions within the first trimester. As <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23593396/medication-abortion-pills-mifepristone-misoprostol-pregnancy-texas">Vox’s Rachel Cohen explains</a>:
</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="agiOpV">
Medication abortion — referring to the combination of both mifepristone and misoprostol — accounts for <a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions">more than half</a> of all abortions in the US, and is used typically within the first 10 to 12 weeks of a pregnancy. It’s <a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2022/02/medication-abortion-now-accounts-more-half-all-us-abortions">become the most common method</a> for ending pregnancies in the United States, partly due to its <a href="https://www.guttmacher.org/evidence-you-can-use/medication-abortion">safety record</a>, its <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01528">lower cost</a>, diminished access to in-person care, and greater opportunities for privacy.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="8QnUSb">
Medication abortion is just the latest battleground in reproductive rights after the Supreme Court overturned <em>Roe v. Wade </em>last summer, voiding the constitutional right to an abortion. Kacsmaryk’s case has been the highest-profile attacks on mifepristone, it’s not the only one; in March, Wyoming’s governor signed a bill <a href="https://www.vox.com/2023/3/19/23647123/wyoming-abortion-pill-ban-south-carolina-texas">banning medication abortion effective July 1</a>, though that law is <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/21/lawsuit-block-wyoming-abortion-pill-ban-00088217">being challenged in court</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="fbf6mN">
Friday’s contradictory rulings are by no means the last word on medication abortion; both the <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067.138.0_4.pdf">Justice Department</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisgeidner/status/1644519448160661504?s=20">Danco Laboratories</a>, which manufactures mifepristone under the name Mifeprex, have filed appeals to the Fifth Circuit Court, and it’s likely the issue will end up before the Supreme Court. However, <a href="https://www.vox.com/politics/2023/3/16/23642927/supreme-court-abortion-matthew-kacsmaryk-mifepristone-texas-trump">given the recent track record of both the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court on abortion issues</a>, the outcome for medication abortion is far from clear.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="uxCxXW">
For its part, the FDA made a statement to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/04/07/texas-abortion-pill-decision-fda/">Washington Post</a> defending mifepristone and its approval for the market. “FDA stands behind its determination that mifepristone is safe and effective under its approved conditions of use for medical termination of early pregnancy, and believes patients should have access to FDA-approved medications that FDA has determined to be safe and effective for their intended uses,” an agency spokesperson said.
</p>
<h3 id="JrGt1c">
The legal labyrinth around mifepristone, explained
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ewsJpQ">
The decisions came down rapid-fire Friday evening; Rice’s order became public just after Kacsmaryk’s, fueling confusion over the future of the drug. Kacsmaryk’s 67-page order rules on the idea that the FDA didn’t properly study the effects of medication abortion and fast-tracked its approval, siding with the plaintiffs — four anti-abortion medical groups and four anti-abortion doctors.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="mseTIm">
According to Greer Donley, an associate professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh’s center for bioethics and health law, “if the Texas order goes into effect in seven days — if there’s no appeal that changes that — the drug will become unapproved. There’s nothing for the FDA to do. The order was specifically written to avoid any action on the FDA’s part, the drug just becomes unapproved in seven days.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="YhBHDA">
That outcome is complicated by the injunction from a Washington state federal court: Rice’s decision orders that the FDA maintain the status quo for mifepristone by not blocking its availability. While Kacsmaryk’s order would apply nationally, Rice’s only applies to DC and the 17 states named as plaintiffs.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HXwq7h">
It’s unlikely, however, that the limited scope of the Washington state ruling clears the way for Kacysmaryk’s injunction in any meaningful way. According to Steve Vladeck, the Charles Alan Wright Chair in Federal Courts at the University of Texas, it’s “a distinction without a difference given what it orders the FDA to not do.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="AKKSFm">
“So there would be no way for the FDA to comply with both <em>if</em> Kacsmaryk’s ruling ever goes into effect,” Vladeck <a href="https://twitter.com/steve_vladeck/status/1644479162436972547?s=20">tweeted Friday evening</a>. “Hence, #SCOTUS.”
</p>
<div id="cgGBvi">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" dir="ltr" lang="en">
The WA ruling is <em>not</em> nationwide (although I think that’s a distinction without a difference given what it orders the FDA to not do), but Kacsmaryk’s would be. So there would be no way for the FDA to comply with both <em>if</em> Kacsmaryk’s ruling ever goes into effect. Hence, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOTUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOTUS</a>.
</p>
— Steve Vladeck (<span class="citation" data-cites="steve_vladeck">@steve_vladeck</span>) <a href="https://twitter.com/steve_vladeck/status/1644479162436972547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2023</a>
</blockquote></div></li>
</ul>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="arS0eW">
It’s possible the courts could find a way to square the circle, Donley told Vox, by issuing an “enforcement discretion notice to say, ‘Even though it’s technically illegal in seven days, barring any appeal, for a manufacturer to market mifepristone because it’s going to be unapproved, we’re not going to go after anyone who does that.’” But more likely, the contradictory orders will expedite the cases’ trip to the Supreme Court.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dMlSU5">
Vox reached out to the FDA regarding the possibility of an enforcement discretion notice, but did not receive a response before press time.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="VoxnXR">
Kacsmaryk <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067/gov.uscourts.txnd.370067.137.0_11.pdf">stated in his order</a> that mifepristone’s safety hadn’t been well-established, <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-mifepristone-medical-termination-pregnancy-through-ten-weeks-gestation">even though the FDA re-approved the drug in 2016 and 2019 after its initial approval in 2000</a>. Certain assertions in the order, including an assertion that “chemical abortions are over fifty percent more likely than surgical abortion to result in an emergency room visit within thirty days,” are used without context or <a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/164331/download">are not borne out by data</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="NFiKIp">
But some of the damage may already have been done — in addition to Friday’s contradictory rulings on medication abortion, restrictions in states and court challenges to those restrictions have created an atmosphere of fear and confusion that makes it difficult for providers to operate.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="erQI83">
“People are very afraid, criminal laws are very scary, understandably, to providers,” Donley said. “So you’re seeing that chaos is really impacting and affecting abortion access.”
</p>
<h3 id="DGq9XQ">
The Texas ruling could set an alarming precedent
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="WkugTz">
Whatever the outcome of the fight over medication abortion — whether mifepristone’s approval status is decided in the Fifth Circuit or the Supreme Court — the Kacsmaryk case in particular has the potential to set some alarming precedents.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="FRuBGH">
In terms of abortion access, Cohen wrote, there are still some options for people who need them:
</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ACek6p">
If mifepristone is ultimately pulled from the market, people seeking abortions could still access care at in-person clinics for surgical abortions. But those procedures typically <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01528"><strong>cost more money</strong></a>, and require more time and resources from already-strapped abortion clinics. In its legal filing opposing the Texas case, the Justice Department warned that taking mifepristone off the market would lead to delays and overcrowding at these clinics, which were already managing an influx of out-of-state patients since <em>Roe’s </em>overturn.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="QTB3nL">
And at least one state has gone even further to protect medication abortion access: Washington has <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/04/04/1167867948/washington-state-stockpiles-thousands-of-abortion-pills#:~:text=Press-,Washington%20officials%20say%20they%20have%2030%2C000%20doses%20of%20mifepristone%20ready,of%20a%20pending%20federal%20lawsuit.">stockpiled tens of thousands of doses</a> of mifepristone against the possibility of a decision like Kacsmaryk’s.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="AEpxIa">
If the Fifth Circuit or the Supreme Court allow Kacsmaryk’s order to stand, however, Rebouché told Vox that it would have significant implications regarding the role of the FDA and other federal agencies and their ability to carry out their mandates.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="xSsj9F">
“No matter your feelings about abortion, what’s your track record on federal power?” she said. Should the case make it to the Supreme Court, “they would have the same questions about not just the nature of abortion or the nature around the fact-finding of the safety of medication abortion, but also the role of the FDA in all of this.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="1zzTuy">
As Donley told Vox, the Kacsmaryk ruling is unprecedented — and if the Fifth Circuit or Supreme Court were to agree with its logic, it would create a precedent for the courts to not only call into question the power of federal agencies, but also for the courts to overrule matters of settled medical science which could have wide-ranging implications.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="zidFYo">
“This is uncharted territory,” Donley said.
</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Will anybody stop that Trump judge from banning abortion pills?</strong> -
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Hm5erKt2aq45C6BvDrz5cMLdHyA=/499x0:6839x4755/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72082849/1246459633.7.jpg"/>
<figcaption>
Pro-abortion rights and anti-abortion activists rally near the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on January 22, 2023. | Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
The federal courts are dominated by Republicans, so the appeals process could be rough.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="dLo1ql">
If you’ve followed the fight over where and whether abortion should remain legal in the United States, you’ve probably <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/17/23512766/supreme-court-matthew-kacsmaryk-judge-trump-abortion-immigration-birth-control">heard the name “Matthew Kacsmaryk.”</a>
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="mRSryH">
Kacsmaryk is a former lawyer for a religious right law firm, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump to a federal court in Texas. On Friday, he <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23593396/medication-abortion-pills-mifepristone-misoprostol-pregnancy-texas">issued a decision </a>ordering the Food and Drug Administration to <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2023/1/22/23539363/abortion-medication-mifepristone-supreme-court-pills-comstock-matthew-kacsmaryk">withdraw its approval of mifepristone</a>, a medication used in more than half of all abortions within the United States.
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</aside>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Ikym4J">
His decision in this lawsuit, <a href="https://adfmedialegalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/files/AllianceForHippocraticMedicineComplaint.pdf"><em>Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA</em></a>, won’t go into effect for seven days, but it is <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisgeidner/status/1644469957952978946?s=20">clear about its stance</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="mmE7X9">
Make no mistake, there is <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2023/1/22/23539363/abortion-medication-mifepristone-supreme-court-pills-comstock-matthew-kacsmaryk">no legal basis whatsoever</a> for a federal judge to endorse a lawsuit trying to ban this medication, which has been lawful in the United States since 2000.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="FrBcLo">
But now that Kacsmaryk has ruled in a way that won’t surprise anyone familiar with his <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/17/23512766/supreme-court-matthew-kacsmaryk-judge-trump-abortion-immigration-birth-control">record of partisan rulings</a>, it will immediately test whether the rule of law still exists in a judiciary dominated by Republican appointees.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ULc9Xd">
Here’s what happens next in the federal court system: There will likely be two parallel appeals processes — a relatively quick process seeking to temporarily block Kacsmaryk’s order, and then a much more drawn-out process seeking to permanently reverse his decision. (In fact, Kacsmaryk explicitly acknowledges the likelihood that the US government will quickly seek an emergency stay; that’s why he says he’s delaying his ruling from taking effect for seven days.)
</p>
<aside id="Hnkrkh">
<div>
</div>
</aside>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="PC2uWc">
This ordinary process may be fast-tracked, however, because a different federal judge in Washington State handed down a <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy/2023/4/7/23593396/medication-abortion-pills-mifepristone-misoprostol-pregnancy-texas">contradictory order</a> requiring the FDA to allow mifepristone to be sold in 17 states. That means that, once Kacsmaryk’s order takes effect, FDA will be subject to competing orders and it will literally be impossible for it to comply with both.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="Hln6rh">
In these sorts of extraordinary circumstances, the Supreme Court may permit the federal government to bypass the ordinary appeals process and seek immediate relief from the justices themselves — assuming that the Justice Department asks the high Court to do so.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="oPoUiO">
If the federal courts could be trusted to apply the law in a fair and non-partisan manner, even when <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/12/10/22827899/supreme-court-texas-abortion-law-sb8-decision-whole-womans-health">hot-button issues like abortion are at stake</a>, then we could expect a higher court to step in almost immediately to quash a decision seeking to ban mifepristone. As attorney Adam Unikowsky, a former law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, <a href="https://adamunikowsky.substack.com/p/mifepristone-and-the-rule-of-law">writes</a> in a scathing prebuttal of Kacsmaryk’s expected decision, “if the subject matter of this case were anything other than abortion, the plaintiffs would have <a href="https://adamunikowsky.substack.com/p/mifepristone-and-the-rule-of-law">no chance of succeeding in the Supreme Court</a>.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="e7FFZE">
But in these courts … well, buckle up, because it’s not entirely clear where this ride ends.
</p>
<h3 id="HDQyB5">
The fight to swiftly block Kacsmaryk’s expected decision, briefly explained
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="hsActj">
Now that Kacsmaryk has issued an order seeking to remove mifepristone from the market, President Joe Biden said <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1644538497951227904">the Justice Department will file an appeal and seek an immediate stay of the decision</a> to temporarily block that order as fast as it can. This is ordinarily the first step the government takes when a judge imposes a nationwide injunction upon it.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="GwMjpp">
Realistically, the DOJ will probably need at least several days to review Kacsmaryk’s opinion, to consult with other federal agencies that are impacted by that decision, and to draft a motion seeking a stay of Kacsmaryk’s decision. But, in a case as important as this one, it is likely that the Justice Department will move as fast as it reasonably can to invoke the authority of a higher court.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="usCWSv">
Federal appellate courts are <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/u.s._federal_courts_circuit_map_1.pdf">divided into 13 different circuits</a>, most of which have jurisdiction over appeals from federal trial courts in a handful of states. Appeals arising out of Texas are typically heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which is probably the <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/27/23496264/supreme-court-fifth-circuit-trump-court-immigration-housing-sexual-harrassment">most right-wing appeals court in the entire federal system</a>.
</p>
<aside id="rAvH6I">
<div>
</div>
</aside>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="khRv7s">
In the last year or so, the Fifth Circuit <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/10/20/23414311/cfpb-unconstitutional-fifth-circuit-supreme-court-trump-community-financial">declared an entire federal agency unconstitutional</a>. It permitted Texas Republicans to effectively <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/9/19/23361050/supreme-court-texas-twitter-facebook-youtube-social-media-fifth-circuit-netchoice-paxton">seize control of content moderation</a> at social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. And it even <a href="https://www.vox.com/22965738/supreme-court-navy-seals-vaccine-covid-joe-biden-commander-mandate">tried to override the US Navy’s decisions</a> about which military personnel are fit for deployment.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="9ZFVzm">
Simply put, this court is not where you want to be if you are trying to block a trial judge’s decision restricting abortion.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="O7k9Id">
That said, it is possible to draw a reasonable panel of judges in the Fifth Circuit. Typically, federal appeals courts hear cases in three-judge panels, randomly selected from among the court’s judges. Four of the Fifth Circuit’s 16 active judges were appointed by Democrats, and some of the Court’s older Republican appointees are more moderate than the <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/27/23496264/supreme-court-fifth-circuit-trump-court-immigration-housing-sexual-harrassment">newer crop appointed by Trump</a>. So it is still possible that the Fifth Circuit will grant the DOJ’s request to temporarily block Kacsmaryk’s order.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="5iOvKX">
Should the Fifth Circuit deny this request, however, the Justice Department’s next move is to ask the Supreme Court to block Kacsmaryk’s order by invoking the Supreme Court’s enigmatic “<a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/8/11/21356913/supreme-court-shadow-docket-jail-asylum-covid-immigrants-sonia-sotomayor-barnes-ahlman">shadow docket</a>.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="ASkmCU">
The shadow docket is a mix of emergency motions and other matters that the Court decides on an expedited basis, often without full briefing or oral argument. Although most shadow docket orders are brief and say little more than whether the Court has decided to block a lower court decision or not, the Court occasionally hands down important precedent-setting decisions on its shadow docket. Its shadow docket decision in<em> </em><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20a87_4g15.pdf"><em>Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo</em></a> (2020) revolutionized the law governing <a href="https://www.vox.com/2020/12/2/21726876/supreme-court-religious-liberty-revolutionary-roman-catholic-diocese-cuomo-amy-coney-barrett">when people with religious objections to a law may violate it</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="eTe2QW">
Unfortunately, the shadow docket has become a <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/12/29/23530842/supreme-court-arizona-mayorkas-title-42-mexican-border-immigration">politicized area of the Court’s work</a>. When Trump was in the White House, the justices frequently blocked lower court decisions within days or a few weeks of the Trump Justice Department’s request asking them to do so. Under Democratic President Joe Biden, by contrast, the justices’ ordinary practice has been to reject such requests — even in cases where the Court ultimately concludes, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2022/6/30/23189965/supreme-court-biden-texas-remain-in-mexico-john-roberts">months later</a>, that the lower court decision was wrong.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="g3brjs">
That said, the Court did intervene on the Biden administration’s behalf in at least one truly egregious case. In <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21a477_1bo2.pdf"><em>Austin v. U.S. Navy SEALs 1-26</em></a> (2022), the Court largely halted the decision ordering the Navy to deploy servicemembers that the military deemed unfit for such service. As Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a brief concurring opinion, the lower court in the <em>Navy SEALs</em> case “in effect inserted itself into the Navy’s chain of command, overriding military commanders’ professional military judgments.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="TJrBEO">
Kacsmaryk’s decision ordering the FDA to withdraw its approval of mifepristone is no less egregious than the lower court’s action in <em>Navy SEALs</em>. Among other things, it effectively strips the FDA — an agency made up of scientists with considerable expertise in drug efficacy and safety — of its ability to definitively rule on which medicines should be available in the United States, making the judiciary the final word on such decisions.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="EatIXU">
That’s an extraordinary threat to public health. And one that five justices may have the good sense to avoid.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="BnuoTt">
One additional complicating factor here is that a federal judge in Washington State issued a directly contradictory <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.waed.102225/gov.uscourts.waed.102225.80.0.pdf">ruling</a> on Friday evening, moments after Kacsmaryk’s, prohibiting the FDA from pulling mifepristone from the market.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="LwZXSp">
That increases the likelihood that this case makes its way up to the Supreme Court quite quickly. Even if the Supreme Court doesn’t rule on the underlying issue about whether mifepristone should be legal or not, the two conflicting orders put the FDA in such a legal bind — it cannot comply with both — that they may ask the justices to invoke a rarely used process, known as “certiorari before judgment,” which allows the Supreme Court to hear a case before it is decided by an appeals court.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="lAwfFD">
Under the <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/filingandrules/2023RulesoftheCourt.pdf">Court’s rules</a>, a request to use this process “will be granted only upon a showing that the case is of such imperative public importance as to justify deviation from normal appellate practice and to require immediate determination in this Court.” But the justices may very well determine that this highly unusual situation, where the federal government faces contradictory orders from competing federal judges, warrants such review.
</p>
<h3 id="tEIPFm">
If the courts do not swiftly block Kacsmaryk’s decision, can anything else be done?
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="LOZELG">
Regardless of whether the Fifth Circuit or the Supreme Court grants emergency relief to the Justice Department, blocking Kacsmaryk’s order while the case is fully litigated on appeal, at least one appeals court will need to determine whether to reverse Kacsmaryk and permanently restore the FDA’s authority to determine which medicines should be available.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="cXu8Ce">
This process, however, will move very slowly if no court grants emergency relief blocking Kacsmaryk’s decision. Each side will likely need weeks to prepare briefs for the Fifth Circuit, and the panel of Fifth Circuit judges assigned to the case will most likely take just as much time to prepare for an oral argument. Then, after that argument takes place, the Court could spend months pondering the case before a final decision is released.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="KZzC1Z">
And then, whichever side loses is likely to seek review in the Supreme Court — which will require its own time-consuming process of briefing, oral arguments, and deliberation if it agrees to hear the case (which it almost certainly will if the Fifth Circuit does not reverse Kacsmaryk).
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="4dFKEw">
To give you a sense of how long this process could take, in August of 2021, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/8/17/22627107/trump-judge-remain-in-mexico-matthew-kacsmaryk-immigration-asylum-joe-biden-donald-trump">Kacsmaryk handed down an unlawful order</a> requiring the Biden administration to reinstate a Trump-era border policy known as “Remain in Mexico.” The Supreme Court rejected the Biden administration’s request to block this order on the Court’s shadow docket, but it did eventually reverse Kacsmaryk — <a href="https://www.vox.com/2022/6/30/23189965/supreme-court-biden-texas-remain-in-mexico-john-roberts">10 months later at the end of June 2022</a>.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="FG4WLB">
Realistically, in other words, if the Justice Department cannot obtain emergency relief from either the Fifth Circuit or the Supreme Court, Kacsmaryk’s unlawful order attacking mifepristone could be in effect for months, if not longer.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="eztnPk">
That said, the conflicting Washington order significantly increases the chances that higher federal courts will move quickly here as, again, the Biden administration cannot comply with Kacsmaryk’s order and the Washington order simultaneously.
</p>
<h3 id="zOMf7U">
But will the Biden administration actually win this case after this lengthy process plays out?
</h3>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="yQOann">
The answer is unclear.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="y6b8Ll">
There is no plausible legal argument that could justify a federal court decision requiring the FDA to unapprove mifepristone. To list just a few reasons why, the plaintiffs in this lawsuit, <a href="https://adfmedialegalfiles.blob.core.windows.net/files/AllianceForHippocraticMedicineComplaint.pdf"><em>Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA</em></a>, waited too long to bring their suit — the statute of limitations to challenge the FDA’s approval of a drug is <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/2401">six years</a>. Kacsmaryk also does not have jurisdiction over this lawsuit. And, as Unikowsky writes in his prebuttal of Kacsmaryk’s expected decision, “<a href="https://adamunikowsky.substack.com/p/mifepristone-and-the-rule-of-law">no statute exists that the FDA could possibly have violated</a>” when it approved mifepristone.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="YO3c4F">
But five of the current justices have shown an extraordinary willingness to bend the law in order to restrict access to abortion.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="rRLasI">
Specifically, the Court’s decision in <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/21-463_3ebh.pdf"><em>Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson</em></a> (2021), which was decided before the Court overruled <em>Roe v. Wade</em>,<em> </em>held that states can effectively <a href="https://www.vox.com/2021/12/10/22827899/supreme-court-texas-abortion-law-sb8-decision-whole-womans-health">immunize an anti-abortion law from federal judicial review</a> if the law can only be enforced by private bounty hunters, and not by state employees. Indeed, the Court’s reasoning in <em>Jackson</em> was so sweeping that it could effectively allow a state to neutralize any constitutional right using this same tactic.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="HLSooi">
That said, in <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf"><em>Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization</em></a> (2022), the decision overruling <em>Roe</em>, the Court did claim that there were limits to its efforts to restrict abortion rights. Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion declared that “it is time to heed the Constitution and <a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives</a>.” In a concurring opinion, Kavanaugh added that his Court “must scrupulously adhere to the Constitution’s neutral position on the issue of abortion.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="KHCTLs">
We are likely to find out in the coming months, in other words, whether we can trust the justices to draw the line where they said they would draw it in <em>Dobbs.</em> Or whether the judiciary will decide for all of us — regardless of whether we live in red states or blue states — if medication abortion is legal.
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom" id="GPHMIU">
<em><strong>Update, April 8, 3 pm ET: </strong></em><em>This story, originally published March 16, has been updated with news of Kacsmaryk’s decision.</em>
</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-sports">From The Hindu: Sports</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Knotty Dancer claims the Stewards Trophy</strong> -</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>PM Modi extends best wishes to 35th Australian Sikh Games</strong> - The games organised by Australian National Sikh Sports and Cultural Council are being held in Brisbane from April 7- 9</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Tiger Woods withdraws from Masters due to injury</strong> - The golf player completed seven holes of his third round at the tournament before withdrawing</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>IPL 2023 | Vijay Shankar, Sai Sudharsan power Gujarat Titans to 204/4 vs KKR</strong> - GT made one forced change, bringing in Vijay Shankar in place of regular skipper Hardik.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Ahead of IPL practice match in Bengaluru on April 10, here is a list of ‘no parking’ spaces</strong> - Bengaluru Traffic Police issues advisory on traffic diversions and no parking spaces during IPL</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-the-hindu-national-news">From The Hindu: National News</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Supreme Court to hear on April 10 Delhi Govt’s plea challenging nomination of members to MCD by L-G</strong> - Delhi Govt has challenged the decision of the L-G to nominate the members allegedly without the “aid and advice” of the elected dispensation and its Council of Ministers</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Pilot opens new front against CM Gehlot, demands action against ‘corruption’ during BJP rule in Rajasthan</strong> - The development again brings into open the power tussle in the Congress between the Pilot and the Gehlot factions in the state, putting pressure on the central leadership to resolve it before the year-end polls.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Around 2.82 lakh passport applications cleared, 805 rejected in past three years: Jammu and Kashmir Police</strong> -</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>‘This has inspired every Indian’, says PM Modi on President Murmu taking sortie on Sukhoi-30 fighter jet</strong> - President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie on the Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet at Assam’s Tezpur Air Force Station on Saturday</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>India does not believe in conflict between ecology and economy, says PM Modi</strong> - Protection of wildlife was a universal issue, PM Modi said, launching the International Big Cat Alliance that endeavours to protect and conserve big cats</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-bbc-europe">From BBC: Europe</h1>
<ul>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Ukraine to export electricity again after months of Russian attacks</strong> - Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure led to blackouts throughout winter.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Vitaly Votanovsky flees Russia after documenting a Wagner cemetery</strong> - How an activist documented Russia’s war dead by counting graves - and was forced to flee.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>One Romanian family’s fatal attempt to reach the US</strong> - What drove the Iordache family to make a desperate bid to reach the US from Canada?</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Evan Gershkovich: Russia charges US journalist with spying - reports</strong> - Evan Gershkovich, who was arrested last week, categorically rejects the accusations, reports say.</p></li>
<li data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Charles Leclerc: Ferrari driver asks fans to stop gathering outside his home</strong> - Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc asks fans to respect his privacy and stop turning up outside his Monaco apartment.</p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-ars-technica">From Ars Technica</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Black hole is soaring between galaxies, leaving stars in its wake</strong> - A galaxy merger may have set a supermassive black hole free. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1930219">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Klaus Teuber made Catan, and it changed the world’s expectations for board games</strong> - One man’s quest to re-create ancient exploration opened up new tabletop worlds. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1929865">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>We’re one step closer to reading an octopus’s mind</strong> - A recording device and electrodes were implanted in the very flexible cephalopods. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1930115">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>New photo reveals extent of Centaur V anomaly explosion [Updated]</strong> - “A column of burning, clear hydrogen shot up into a mushroom cloud.” - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1929875">link</a></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Artists astound with AI-generated film stills from a parallel universe</strong> - A Q&amp;A with “synthographer” Julie Wieland on the #aicinema movement. - <a href="https://arstechnica.com/?p=1904461">link</a></p></li>
</ul>
<h1 data-aos="fade-right" id="from-jokes-subreddit">From Jokes Subreddit</h1>
<ul>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>On day six of the Creation, God announced to his archangel underlings, "Today we’re creating a place called Canada.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
<div class="md">
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Today we’re creating a place called Canada. Pull out all the stops. Give it beautiful mountains, lakes, planes, forests, and sandy beaches. Underground, give it oil, gold, etc. Oh, and plenty of fish and wildlife.”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Sir,” interjected an archangel, “aren’t you being overly generous to these Canadians?”
</p>
<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom">
“Don’t worry, I’ll balance it out,” said God. “Wait ’till you see the neighbours I’m giving them.”
</p>
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/Boofrick"> /u/Boofrick </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12fx3z9/on_day_six_of_the_creation_god_announced_to_his/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12fx3z9/on_day_six_of_the_creation_god_announced_to_his/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Wife: Am I the only one you’ve ever slept with?</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
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Husband: Yes. The others were sixes and sevens.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/xboxgamer2122"> /u/xboxgamer2122 </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12g3d9y/wife_am_i_the_only_one_youve_ever_slept_with/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12g3d9y/wife_am_i_the_only_one_youve_ever_slept_with/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>What’s the difference between a prostitute and Jesus?</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
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The sound they make when you’re nailing them.
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Happy Easter you filthy degenerates.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/DavetheGeo"> /u/DavetheGeo </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12g19kg/whats_the_difference_between_a_prostitute_and/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12g19kg/whats_the_difference_between_a_prostitute_and/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>As it is the month of Ramadan</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
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A man goes to an imam and says “I want to get married, find me a spouse.”
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The imam says “I can’t promise I can find you a spouse but if you fast tomorrow, by sunset you’ll have a date.”
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/dajjalnextdoor"> /u/dajjalnextdoor </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12gel49/as_it_is_the_month_of_ramadan/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12gel49/as_it_is_the_month_of_ramadan/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
<li><p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"><strong>Rest in peace, boiling water.</strong> - <!-- SC_OFF --></p>
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You will be mist.
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<p data-aos="fade-left" data-aos-anchor-placement="bottom-bottom"> submitted by <a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/jharish"> /u/jharish </a> <br/> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12fq7f2/rest_in_peace_boiling_water/">[link]</a></span> <span><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/12fq7f2/rest_in_peace_boiling_water/">[comments]</a></span></p></li>
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