SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Padres organization is reportedly concerned about local sports fan Lonny Philbin for being more invested in the success of the team than even the actual players.
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Platypus or Duck-billed platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) near Scottsadale, Tasmania, Australia.
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“We’re in a battle today with the Chinese Communist Party and their authoritarian view,” Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said at an event at the Hudson Institute.
![Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pro-life-groups-praise-fda-commissioners-exit-flag-acting-leaders-planned-parenthood-role-catholic-many-pro-life-advocates-cheered-marty-makarycabcs-resignation-as-commission.jpg "Pro-life groups praise FDA commissioner’s exit, flag acting leader’s Planned Parenthood role – #Catholic – Many pro-life advocates cheered Marty Makaryʼs resignation as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) while raising concerns that the agencyʼs acting leader once represented a Planned Parenthood affiliate in court.Makary, who resigned on May 12, drew the ire of the pro-life community throughout his tenure for inaction to reimpose regulations on the abortion pill mifepristone.Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Kyle Diamantas will serve as the acting commissioner of the FDA until President Donald Trump nominates and the Senate confirms a replacement. Some pro-life advocates lamented Diamantas' elevation to acting commissioner, saying he once served as counsel for Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando.Court documents show that while he worked at the Baker Donelson law firm, he was part of the legal team that represented the Planned Parenthood affiliate in a property dispute. He was not an employee of Planned Parenthood, and a Trump administration adviser says it was just an assignment that he eventually backed out of due to moral objections.Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins posted concerns about Diamantas on X, saying: “Quite frankly, this is why our team at Students for Life did not call for Dr. Makary to resign, because I know the FDA is filled with pro-abortion leftists.”“The new FDA commissioner must be 100% committed to protecting innocent children in the womb AND their mothers,” she said.Live Action President Lila Rose posted on X that “we cannot allow someone who represented Planned Parenthood to oversee rules surrounding the deadly abortion pill mifepristone that has killed MILLIONS of babies.”In response to the concerns, Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz said in a post on X that Diamantas was working as a junior associate “but he later removed himself from the case because of his personal beliefs.”“Kyle is a good man, is pro-life, and he is focused on delivering on President Trump’s promise to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN,” he said.Makary’s tenureDuring his tenure, Makary faced repeated criticism from pro-life advocates, who are expressing hope that Trump will nominate someone who will take stronger action against abortion.Makary launched a study in coordination with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to review the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone in September 2025. No action has been taken to restrict the drug, but the FDA did move in the opposite direction by approving a generic version of mifepristone that same month.The Department of Justice also filed a motion on behalf of the FDA in January asking a federal court to pause a lawsuit from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill that challenged the 2023 deregulation of mifepristone based on claims that it led to harm against residents.Marjorie Dannenfelser, who has been one of Makaryʼs top critics for months, said on X that “we must return immediately to the [first] Trump administration standard of in-person dispensing to protect women from coercion and abuse and allow the enforcement of pro-life state laws.”Live Action President Lila Rose similarly rejoiced about Makaryʼs exit, saying: “He tragically continued to allow sending the abortion pill through the mail and approved a new version of the abortion pill.”“The abortion pill has killed over 7 million preborn American children and harmed countless mothers,” she said and appealed to Trump to appoint a pro-life commissioner who will “ban the abortion pill now!”Some pro-life senators joined the voices cheering his resignation, including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, who called the announcement “welcome news” in a post on X and accused Makary of being “uniquely destructive to the pro-life movement.”Hawley, who initially supported Makaryʼs nomination in January 2025, has been publicly critical of his leadership since December. In his post, he said Makary “slow walked” the mifepristone review while approving a generic version in spite of safety risks.The senator called Makary’s resignation “an opportunity for the FDA to reset.” Sarah Zagorski, senior director of public relations and communications for Americans United for Life, told EWTN News the Trump administration “has the opportunity to demonstrate real moral leadership by appointing a commissioner dedicated to protecting women and girls from the harms associated with abortion drugs” upon Makary’s resignation.“With these drugs increasingly available online, the risks of coercion, misuse, and medical complications have grown substantially. Strong oversight and patient safety must come first,” she said.Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana, called Makary’s tenure “part of a broader symptom of an administration that has not paid attention to pro-life issues” in a post on X.“I care deeply about life, and I anticipate the next FDA nominee shall as well,” he said.Although many pro-life advocates see an opportunity for change, it’s unclear whether their criticisms contributed to Makary’s resignation, considering Trump himself committed during his campaign to ensuring the FDA would not threaten access to the abortion pill.Trump did not reference the life issue when asked by reporters about Makary’s resignation and declined to say whether he asked him to step down.“He was having some difficulty,” Trump said. “You know he’s a great doctor and he was having some difficulty, but he’s going to go on and he’s going to do well. We have — everybody wants that job, everybody.”")
Pro-life advocates said they hope President Donald Trump replaces Marty Makary with someone who will further regulate the abortion pill mifepristone.
John Vermette, taken from Starfront Observatory, Texas Lying 1,000 light-years away, NGC 1333 is the most active star-forming region in the Perseus molecular complex, producing newborn stars that carve cavities in the surrounding dust. The imager collected 8 hours of exposure with a one-shot color camera and a 4-inch f/5 refractor.
The post A stellar nursery in Perseus appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.
Read More![Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet," Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity."Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.](https://unitedyam.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/venezuelan-archbishop-maduros-gone-but-the-same-people-are-still-in-charge-catholic-four-months-after-u-s-special-forces-captured-and-removed-president-nicolas-maduro-venezuela-remai.jpg "Venezuelan archbishop: Maduro’s gone, but the same people are still in charge – #Catholic – Four months after U.S. special forces captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela remains trapped in a political no-manʼs-land.The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated the pope at the Vatican on May 4 about the situation: “Change has arrived, yes — but democracy has not yet,\" Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate, president of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference, told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. “Many unresolved questions remain regarding what Venezuela’s immediate future will be like,” Zárate explained, following the meeting with the leadership team held with Pope Leo XIV, to whom they laid out the complex and uncertain situation the country is currently facing.“Throughout these past months, we have asked ourselves many questions, and we still do not have sufficient answers,” he explained in a statement to ACI Prensa.The bishops “constantly” receive requests to mediate the release of political prisoners. However, “the channels are not always open,” Zárate said.More than 450 political prisoners remain behind bars, according to the count by Foro Penal, the promised amnesty has stalled, and fear of arbitrary detention persists in the streets.As pastors, he noted, the Venezuelan bishops “have highlighted the need to restore the primacy of human dignity, which is the fundamental point of the Church’s social doctrine.”“Upon this,” he clearly affirmed, “would rest the freedom of citizens, the right to participate, the paths toward democratization that we need, and overcoming of merely partisan or private interests for the sake of the common good.”Political continuity following Maduro’s departureAlthough he acknowledged that since Maduroʼs capture, “there is a change, a result of the fact that the person who previously held the highest office is no longer there,” he pointed out that “there is also continuity among the political actors,” which casts doubt on whether there will be political change.The prelate emphasized that the outlook remains uncertain: “More concrete decisions were expected in the political sphere, which have yet to materialize.”Relations with the United States have been normalized, but for Zárate, the advent of democracy does not appear to be imminent. “The reconstruction of political institutions, economic recovery, and the establishment of a new social dynamic constitute a slow, complex, and difficult undertaking,” he said.In this process, he insisted that “the participation of everyone is required,” particularly to overcome the “constant confrontation and conflict-ridden political rhetoric that have impoverished Venezuelan social life.”The prelate issued an urgent call to rebuild trust: “It is necessary to restore the population’s trust in institutions such as the National Electoral Council, the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and other state institutions” in order to reestablish “healthy democratic coexistence.”The National Electoral Council tallies and announces election results and declared Maduro the winner of the last presidential election despite strong evidence to the contrary.The amnesty law passed in February benefited 8,616 people. However, that process appears to have stalled since Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced that it had come to an end.For the Church, this represented a key opportunity to advance national reconciliation, even though the lawʼs implementation has been inconsistent. “What was particularly significant was the full liberty of political prisoners, not merely their release,” Zárate said.“Release would mean that they leave the detention facility, but their activities would still remain restricted; we are speaking of full liberty, that is, the recognition of full freedom for all,” the archbishop explained.The prelate acknowledged a loss of momentum after initial progress: “At first, there was greater diligence in the implementation of the amnesty law; subsequently, however, there has been something of a delay.”In light of this, he warned that as long as there remains a Venezuelan “imprisoned for their political ideas or personal opinions, we can hardly rest easy or build a better society in peace.”Víctor Hugo Quero, a Venezuelan political prisoner who died in custody, is one of many on a long list of citizens who have perished at the hands of the state over more than 25 years of authoritarian socialist rule.“Doubts therefore remain regarding the whereabouts of many others. At this moment, there is the open question whether those about whom there is no news may have met a similar fate,” he added.From initial hope to discouragementMaduro’s removal from power sparked a certain “hopeful expectation” among Venezuelans, he said, yet now there is growing frustration. “There is much talk of investments in oil, of better prices, and of agreements with various companies, but the concrete reality is the average Venezuelan continues to suffer from the same deprivations,” Zárate lamented.Among these difficulties, he cited “the constant rise in prices, the depreciation of buying power, the inability to access certain services, or the deficiencies within those very services” such as electricity or water supply. It’s a situation that “breeds discouragement.”The harsh reality of the Venezuelan diasporaAfter years of crisis, many who fled the country have been unable to return. “There are more than 8 million Venezuelans outside our country,” the archbishop noted.The impact of the diaspora is part of families' daily lives: “There are children who don’t have the opportunity to be close to their parents, and parents who cannot enjoy their children or their grandchildren.”This also impacts ecclesial life: “The migration of many Venezuelans also leaves parishes without catechists, without their ministers, and without the young people who were part of the youth ministry.” Economic deterioration further exacerbates this scenario. “The widespread impoverishment of the population — to which the Church has sought to respond through social programs [providing] food and healthcare — also affects the life of the Christian community,” he noted.Zárate said this reality even limits the Church’s pastoral outreach: “It finds itself weakened in its capacity to carry out its programs and to provide assistance to people.”The bishops’ priority: ‘Preserving internal unity’The president of the bishops’ conference stated that one of the episcopate’s constant efforts has been “to preserve internal unity.\"Unity was one of the key issues discussed during the meeting at the Vatican on May 4. The pope, he said, was “very attentive; he is well-informed about the reality in the country.”The pontiff centered his interest on the Church’s role as an agent of reconciliation: “His questions focused on the role we can play in the reunification of the Venezuelan people and in the internal unity of the Church.”Zárate emphasized that the credibility of the message depends on the witness: “We could hardly proclaim reunification, reconciliation, or harmonious coexistence if divergences were visible within the Church itself.”Some things never should have happenedZárate clarified that the Church’s message of reconciliation to Venezuelan society “is not that forgiving means forgetting.”“There are situations that never should have happened, and there are people who are responsible,” he pointed out.Nevertheless, Zárate emphasized that the response cannot be based on vengeance: “We cannot believe that revenge or retaliation will provide the answer. The healing of hearts must be based on the truth.”This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.")
The leadership of the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference updated Pope Leo XIV on the political situation in the country, noting that only limited progress has been made and the economy hasn’t improved.
FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday went off on Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen during a fiery exchange over accusations of ‘excessive drinking.’ “Multiple reports, including by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials…” Van Hollen said to Patel.
The post Kash Patel SHREDS Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen in Fiery Exchange Over Accusations of “Excessive Drinking” (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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The trespasser who walked in front of the Frontier Airlines plane on the Denver Airport runway has been identified a 41-year-old Michael Mott.
The post Man Who Was Sucked Into Engine of Frontier Airlines Plane on Denver Runway Identified appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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President Trump on Monday told reporters that the US ceasefire with Iran is in jeopardy, describing Tehran’s recent proposal to end the war as “garbage.” “I would say it’s one of the weakest right now; it’s on life support,” Trump said of the temporary truce between the US and Iran.
The post (VIDEO) Trump Says Iran Ceasefire on “Life Support” After “Garbage” Proposal from Iran appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
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Cardinal Blase Cupich said Father Jose Molina was accused of “improper communications” and was barred from ministering in Chicago.
The Vatican’s message for Vesak calls Buddhists and Christians to promote an “unarmed and disarming” peace rooted in truth, compassion, and mutual trust.
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