Gender surgeries nearly tripled from 2016 through 2019, study finds
The number of gender-affirming surgeries, intended to align patients’ physical appearance with their gender identity, nearly tripled in the United States between 2016 and 2019, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Network Open on Wednesday. The number of procedures rose from about 4,550 in 2016 to about 13,000 in 2019, and then dipped slightly in 2020, according to the study’s estimates. Breast and chest surgeries were the most common. Just over half of all patients were ages 19 to 30; about 22% were ages 31 to 40; and almost 8% were ages 12 to 18.
Trial opens for men accused of aiding plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor
Nearly three years ago, federal and state prosecutors outlined a sprawling right-wing terror plot to kidnap and possibly kill Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer, at her vacation home. Since then, in courtrooms across Michigan, that investigation has led to guilty pleas, convictions at trial and two acquittals. This week, what is likely the final chapter in that case is unfolding. Three men — Michael Null and William Null, who are twin brothers; and Eric Molitor — are on trial on a charge of providing material support for a terrorist act. Prosecutors said the plot had been fueled by anti-government sentiment, militia activity and anger over pandemic lockdowns.
A stroke stole her ability to speak at 30. AI is helping to restore it years later.
On Wednesday, scientists reported a remarkable advance toward helping some patients speak again. In a milestone of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, implanted electrodes decoded Ann Johnson’s brain signals as she silently tried to say sentences. Technology converted her brain signals into written and vocalized language, and enabled an avatar on a computer screen to speak the words and display expressions. The research, published in the journal Nature, demonstrates the first time spoken words and facial expressions have been directly synthesized from brain signals, experts say. The goal is to help people who cannot speak because of strokes or conditions like cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Florida approves tough discipline for college staff who break bathroom law
The Florida State Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve new rules at state colleges for transgender employees and students that are intended to comply with a law, passed in May, restricting access to bathrooms. Colleges will be forced to fire employees who twice use a bathroom other than the one assigned to their sex at birth, despite being asked to leave. And bathroom restrictions also now apply to student housing operated by the colleges. All seven members of the state education board are appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate who has made restricting transgender rights a signature issue.
Wagner leader believed to be aboard plane that crashed in Russia
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group who staged an aborted mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June, was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed Wednesday in Russia, killing everyone on board, the nation’s aviation authorities said. Prigozhin’s fate was not immediately known. A passenger manifest released by Russian authorities showed his name and that of Wagner’s top commander, Dmitri Utkin, among the seven passengers and three crew members. And Grey Zone, a Telegram account associated with the Wagner group, said that Prigozhin had been killed. But there was no official confirmation of his death from Wagner or Russian authorities.
Greece battles its most widespread wildfires on record
Wildfires ravaged northern Greece for a fifth consecutive day Wednesday and forced evacuation of settlements on the outskirts of the capital, Athens. Authorities said they were battling scores of blazes around the countrys. In the northeastern Evros region, desperate residents rushed to beat back fires only to watch bigger ones rise up around them. Firefighters used trucks and helicopters to tackle the rapid advance of a blaze in one spot while flames grew out of control in another. By Wednesday evening, it was clear that the wildfires remained largely uncontrolled. “It is the worst summer for fires since records began,” said Vassilis Kikilias, the civil protection minister.
China tries to increase its clout in Africa
President Xi Jinping of China, traveling to Africa for the first time in five years, pledged greater cooperation with South Africa to enhance the voice of poor nations, and commended developing countries for “shaking off the yoke of colonialism.” His comments came at a meeting with the leaders of the BRICS, a club of emerging nations, where he also called for members to “accelerate” its expansion to serve as a counterweight to the West. Xi said Wednesday that the grouping should “bring more countries into the BRICS family so as to pool our strength, pool our wisdom to make global governance more just and equitable.”
Tropical Storm Franklin lashes Dominican Republic, displacing hundreds
Tropical Storm Franklin lashed the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and flooding that displaced about 350 people, cut off several communities and left hundreds of thousands of homes without power or potable water, officials said Wednesday. More than 500 homes were damaged, and more than 2,500 roads were affected, leaving six communities cut off, officials said. As the storm moved north and away from the coast of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday evening, tropical storm warnings remained in effect for the country’s southeastern and northern coasts and Turks and Caicos, meteorologists said.
North Korean satellite launch fails, again
North Korea on Thursday launched a space vehicle carrying its first military reconnaissance satellite, but failed to put it into orbit. The launch was the second such failure in three months, denting the image of the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, who has made it one of his top priorities to strengthen and modernize his country’s military capabilities. North Korea said it would try to launch the satellite again in October. North Korea later said its launch had failed because the “emergency blasting system” of the rocket’s third stage malfunctioned.
By wire sources