News in brief

By The Associated Press

County judge strikes down Ohio abortion ban

COLUMBUS, Ohio | A county judge has permanently blocked enforcement of an Ohio law that bans virtually all abortions.

Hamilton County Judge Christian Jenkins on Thursday cited the voters’ approval last November of Issue 1, which created a constitutional right for people to make their own reproductive decisions.

The state is expected to appeal.

The 2019 law banned most abortions once cardiac activity is detected. It took effect briefly in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Tropical storm battering Philippines leaves at least 24 dead

MANILA, Philippines | Widespread flooding and landslides set off by a tropical storm in the northeastern Philippines left at least 24 people dead, swept away cars and prompted authorities to scramble for motorboats to rescue trapped villagers, some on roofs.

The government shut down schools and offices — except those urgently needed for disaster response — for the second day on Thursday on the entire main island of Luzon to protect millions of people.

Tropical Storm Trami slammed into the northeastern province of Isabela after midnight. The toll was expected to rise as isolated villages report damage.

Trudeau vows to lead Liberal Party into next election

TORONTO | Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that he will lead his Liberal Party into the next election, dismissing a request by some party members to not run for a fourth term.

Trudeau met with his Liberal members of Parliament for three hours Wednesday, where he learned that more than 20 lawmakers from his party signed a letter asking him to step down before the next election.

He said there were “robust conversations” ongoing about the best way forward, but “that will happen with me as leader going into the next election.”

—From AP reports