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San Francisco

Axios San Francisco

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Tuesday that the state constitution guarantees a "limited right" to abortion, including in cases where there is a "reasonable" certainty pregnancy threatens a person's life.

Why it matters: Abortion providers filed a lawsuit last year challenging two laws in the state, a pre-Roe ban and another one that the governor signed into law in 2022. The court ultimately ruled that the 2022 ban interfered with the "inherent right to terminate a pregnancy to preserve the woman's life."

Context: Abortion providers had argued that abortion rights are protected by the state constitution, which says: "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law."

The 2022 ban specifically states that a health provider cannot provide an abortion unless a person's life is "endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness or physical injury."

The pre-Roe ban is less strict, allowing abortions when the procedure is "necessary to preserve her life."

Driving the news: In its opinion, the court concluded that the provisions of the 2022 law are "much more invasive to a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy in order to preserve her life." 

The opinion highlights a language discrepancy between "save the life of a pregnant woman" and "preserve her life," both of which are used in different state laws addressing abortion.  

The judges say that the first phrase, "save the life of a pregnant woman,"  limits abortions to a pregnant woman "in a medical emergency" if her life "is endangered."

Details: That portion of the law, the opinion said, requires a woman to be in "actual and present danger" to obtain a "medically necessary abortion." 

"We know of no other law that requires one to wait until there is an actual medical emergency in order to receive treatment when the harmful condition is known or probable to occur in the future," the opinion reads. 

"Requiring one to wait until there is a medical emergency would further endanger the life of the pregnant woman and does not serve a compelling state interest."

What they're saying: "We are disappointed that the Court declined to rule whether the state Constitution also protects the right to abortion outside of these circumstances," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. 

"The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s own precedent and the plain language of the Oklahoma Constitution guarantee the right to liberty and assure that a broad right to reproductive autonomy exists."

Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Oklahoma Supreme Court: State constitution grants "limited right" to abortion

In its opinion, the court concluded that the provisions of the 2022 law are "much more invasive to a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy in order to preserve her life."

A woman takes part in a nationwide abortion rights protest in New York on March 12, 2023. Photo: Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images

Oklahoma

Health

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

Chinese President Xi Jinping offered Russian President Vladimir Putin a significant show of solidarity by visiting Moscow this week, but offered no indications he's prepared to step up Chinese support for Putin's war in Ukraine.

Driving the news: In a joint appearance after several hours of talks on Tuesday, Xi described China's approach to Ukraine as "unbiased" and "impartial." Putin praised the ceasefire plan Xi proposed last month but said Ukraine and the West weren't "ready" for peace talks.

China's plan doesn't call for Russia to leave the territories of Ukraine it annexed last fall. Secretary of State Tony Blinken argued Monday that a ceasefire on such terms "would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest."

Despite Xi's claim of neutrality, Chinese officials and state media have echoed Russia's claims that NATO countries provoked or inflamed the conflict. A joint statement the leaders signed Tuesday condemned "unilateral sanctions" and "moves that lead to tensions and the protraction of fighting."

Yes, but: Xi hasn't explicitly endorsed the invasion, openly breached sanctions or supplied weapons to Russia. He offered no indications on Tuesday that China's positions on those issues had changed.

Xi seems intent on projecting China as a responsible actor and plausible mediator at a time when the other members of the UN Security Council are either at war (Russia) or arming Ukraine (France, U.K., U.S.), says Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Endowment.

Xi is expected to hold a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky some time after he returns from Moscow on Wednesday.

Xi and Putin also signed a series of joint statements and memorandums of understanding about cooperation on trade and other issues on Tuesday. Those didn't include a final deal on a pipeline to export Russian gas to China.

Some analysts contended the summit underscored the increasingly lopsided nature of the relationship, with Putin praising Xi effusively and pledging favorable trade terms and Xi offering little beyond the visit itself (though he did call Putin a "dear friend" and endorse his re-election in 2024).

Still, it's unclear what Xi and Putin may have decided behind closed doors. Even if something more substantive was agreed, Xi might not want to make any announcements that distract from his peace plan, Gabuev notes.

The big picture: While Xi and Putin were meeting in Moscow, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was making a surprise visit to Ukraine. He visited Bucha and expressed "great anger at the atrocity" committed there by Russian troops. He also met with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky got another boost this week when 18 European countries announced a joint agreement to procure much-needed artillery shells for Ukraine.

Ukraine is expected to undertake a counteroffensive this spring to try to win back some of the territory currently occupied by Russia. 

show of solidarity by visiting Moscow this week

Xi and Putin stick to same Ukraine positions after summit

Xi offered Putin a significant show of solidarity by visiting Moscow this week.

Xi and Putin at Tuesday's signing ceremony. Photo: Contributor/Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine

China

Russia

Conflicts, policies and powers are intersecting and shaping the world. Breaking news and analysis of national security, foreign policy and global crises.

World

More than 158 million passengers are expected to travel for spring break this year — a volume that's expected to surpass 2019 levels, according to a forecast by the trade association Airlines for America.

Why it matters: Spring's travel season will mark the first time many Americans travel without COVID-related mandates and restrictions. The surge in demand comes as the industry continues to struggle with staffing shortages, logistical issues and aviation accidents.

Airlines for America is projecting 2.6 million travelers every day through March and April.

Don't forget: In the three days prior to the Christmas holiday, nearly 10,000 flights were canceled and over 22,000 delayed due to a winter storm and operational challenges, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

January saw a similar spate of cancellations and delays caused by issues with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system that sends pilots safety alerts and other critical information.

The industry's staffing crisis has also played a role in disruptions to flights, with airlines scrambling to meet the rise in demand after urging many senior pilots, flight attendants and other employees to take buyouts or early retirements at the outset of the pandemic.

Worth noting: The FAA issued a "safety call to action" in February after a string of narrowly-averted catastrophes in the past few months — including an incident in which a JetBlue plane struck a parked aircraft at the John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system

Spring break travel expected to top pre-pandemic levels

A forecast estimates 2.6 million air travelers every day through March and April.

Photo of an American Airlines aircraft taking off from an airport

An American Airlines plane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on March 20, 2023. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Air travel

Transportation

Top stories & latest news on the Federal Reserve, real-time data, plus the biggest shifts happening in the U.S. and global economy.

Economy

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the U.S., walked off the job Tuesday over failed contract negotiations, joining teachers and other education staff across the city on a three-day strike.

Driving the news: The Service Employees International Union, Local 99 (SEIU Local 99), which represents 30,000 school workers across the district that serves over 600,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade at more than 1,000 schools, says its members are striking to protest "unfair practices."

The union United Teachers Los Angeles asked its 35,000 members to go on strike in solidarity.

A screenshot by the Los Angeles teachers' union announcing a three-day strike from Tuesday.

The latest: LAUSD remains ready to return to negotiations to reach a deal, superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

Carvalho praised the District's "historic" proposal to workers, while acknowledging many employees' frustrations were likely decades in the making.

Workers gathered in picket lines Tuesday morning, with some hoisting signs reading, "We keep schools safe, Respect Us!," AP reported. Demonstrations are expected at schools across Los Angeles.

Despite the strike, schools would still be providing meals to children in need, Carvalho tweeted.

The big picture: The SEIU Local 99 is seeking a 30% pay raise overall for its members, plus an additional $2 an hour "equity wage adjustment for all."

The average salary of school workers in the LAUSD is about $25,000 per year, with most working part-time hours, the union notes.

Carvalho at a news conference Monday announced a proposal for a 23% recurring raise and a 3% cash-in hand bonus.

What they're saying: "This afternoon, SEIU Local 99 had agreed to enter a confidential mediation process with LAUSD to try and address our differences," per a statement Monday from SEIU Local 99 executive director Max Arias.

"Unfortunately, LAUSD broke that confidentiality by sharing it with the media before our bargaining team, which makes all decisions, had a chance to discuss how to proceed. This is yet another example of the school district’s continued disrespect of school workers. We are ready to strike," the statement continued.

"We want to be clear that we are not in negotiations with LAUSD. We continue to be engaged in the impasse process with the state."

The other side: "I made myself available alongside my team for hours today, hoping that we would, in fact, be able to have a conversation for a whole host of reasons, some of which I do not understand," Carvalho said.

"All schools across LAUSD will be closed tomorrow," Carvalho said. "Tomorrow will be a difficult day."

A screenshot of a tweet by LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho saying he's open to negotiations with unions while schools are closed due to the strikes.

Photo: Superintendent Alberto Carvalho/Twitter

Los Angeles schools shut down for 3 days as union strike begins

Tens of thousands teachers and other education staff are part of the strike.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks during a news conference at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Los Angeles Thursday, September 22.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho during a September news conference in Los Angeles. Photo: Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Los Angeles

First Citizens BancShares Inc. has submitted an offer to buy all of failed Silicon Valley Bank, according to a person familiar with the matter. 

Why it matters: A buyer for the entire company would help the FDIC in its effort to stabilize the business and move SVB out of receivership. 

The SVB bank run sparked fears across financial markets, causing investors to yank money from regional banks. 

Details: First Citizens, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based lender, submitted an offer on Sunday to buy all of SVB, the person said. What price First Citizens is willing to pay, or the structure of the offer, was not immediately clear. Bloomberg was the first to report news of the First Citizens bid. 

First Citizens is a 125-year-old bank that operates in over 20 different states.

It is the 30th largest commercial bank in the U.S., with $109 billion in assets, according to the FDIC.

Of note: The FDIC has been trying to find a buyer for SVB, now known as Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, since the regulator took it into receivership on March 10. It's also trying to sell SVB Private Bank, which is part of the commercial bank that collapsed. 

On Monday, the FDIC said it had substantial interest from multiple parties seeking to buy SVB, adding that it is still accepting bids from qualified financial institutions for the whole company.

The FDIC added that to expand the pool of bidders, it is breaking up the bidding process for the commercial bank and the private bank. 

The FDIC is seeking bids for Silicon Valley Private Bank by 8pm ET on Wednesday. Bids for Silicon Valley Bridge Bank are due by 8pm ET on Friday. 

The regulator added that the bridge bank continues to operate as a chartered bank under its receivership. 

Zoom in: The source familiar with the matter said that First Citizens planned to submit an offer for just the commercial bank and just the private bank in addition to its whole company bid. 

What they're saying: "It is First Citizens Bank’s policy not to comment on market rumors or speculation," a company spokesperson said in a statement. 

A spokesperson for SVB did not immediately return a request for comment. 

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note that First Citizens operates in more than 20 states, not in 23 states.

Axios

Tuesday's top stories

Oklahoma Supreme Court: State constitution grants "limited right" to abortion

Xi and Putin stick to same Ukraine positions after summit

Spring break travel expected to top pre-pandemic levels

Los Angeles schools shut down for 3 days as union strike begins

First Citizens submits bid for all of failed SVB

Democrats see downside in Trump's N.Y. case

TikTok bans spread globally

Drug shortages upend hospitals care, cancer treatments

Potential Trump arrest stokes lawmakers' fears of Jan. 6 redux

Drug-resistant fungus gained strength during pandemic: CDC

Fox News seeks restraining order against producer over Dominion lawsuit