The 40 Days for Life Fall 2026 campaign began on September 23 in 682 cities, continuing a tradition of peaceful sidewalk prayer vigils aimed at saving unborn babies from abortion. In March, a grandmother outside a Granite City, Illinois abortion facility successfully persuaded her daughter to cancel a late-term abortion of twins after seeing 40 Days for Life volunteers praying, resulting in the twins being saved.
Donna Duncan was euthanized in Canada under the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program despite not being terminally ill, with her daughters stating she was suffering from a serious mental health crisis triggered by a car accident and worsened by COVID-19 isolation. Her daughters reported that she was given only 48 hours' notice before euthanasia, and after a psychiatric assessment diagnosed her with a psychosomatic disorder, she died by lethal injection shortly after being discharged from a psychiatric ward without their knowledge.
President Donald Trump's nominee for the Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to answer questions from Senate lawmakers on Thursday. The senators are expected to focus on her views regarding vaccines, the abortion pill, and other products recently scrutinized by the FDA.
Dr. Heidi Overton, President Donald Trump's nominee for FDA commissioner, avoided direct answers on vaccines, abortion, and vaping policies during her Senate confirmation hearing, frustrating both Democrats and Republicans.
The World Health Organization predicts that new male contraceptive methods, including hormonal gels and non-hormonal pills, could be available within three to five years, around 2029 to 2031. While these methods aim to allow men to take a more active role in contraception, concerns are raised about their effectiveness, potential behavioral consequences, and the impact on attitudes toward pregnancy and abortion. The WHO has published Target Product Profiles to guide development, and surveys indicate significant interest among men, with 69% of British men willing to use hormonal contraceptives that suppress sperm production. Critics argue that increased contraception availability does not necessarily reduce abortion rates and may contribute to a culture that devalues children and family life.
Donna Duncan died by euthanasia in Canada after being deemed eligible under the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program, despite her daughters stating she was not terminally ill but suffering from a serious mental health crisis triggered by a traffic collision and worsened by COVID-19 isolation. Her daughters reported that Donna was diagnosed with a psychosomatic disorder, had attempted suicide shortly before her death, and was discharged from psychiatric care without their knowledge just two days before she was euthanized by lethal injection.
Students for Life America filed a notice of intent to sue the Food and Drug Administration over alleged inaction regarding the Endangered Species Act. The group claims that more than 50 tons of medical waste are involved in their complaint as part of their effort to restrict abortion drugs using environmental laws.
Bill C-218, which aims to prevent euthanasia for mental illness as the sole criterion, had its first hour of debate on December 5, 2025, and its second hour on September 23, 2026, with a vote scheduled for October 7, 2026. During the September 23 debate, Luc Thériault (Montcalm) of the Bloc Québécois opposed Bill C-218 and supported euthanasia for mental illness as a sole criterion.
Bishop Alan McGuckian of Down and Connor has written a letter to all 60 members of Belfast City Council urging them to keep Belfast City Hall as a civic space that unites rather than divides. The letter was sent ahead of the City Council's decision to illuminate City Hall in support of safe abortions on September 28.
California dropped all charges against anti-abortion activist Anastasia Rogers related to a 14-second Instagram video criticizing Planned Parenthood, and the protective order restricting her sidewalk outreach was terminated. The charges were initially based on claims that her video violated California's Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, but after a diversion program and a deadlocked jury, the court dismissed the case in San Francisco County.
Canadian Members of Parliament are debating the expansion of the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) service to include the mentally ill, with Bill C-218 proposed to prevent this expansion and protect the mentally ill from euthanasia. The article draws a historical parallel between Canada's MAiD program and Nazi Germany's Aktion T4 euthanasia program, highlighting concerns about consent and the ethical implications of euthanizing mentally ill individuals.
Michael Cooper spoke in parliament on September 23, 2026, in support of Bill C-218, which aims to prevent euthanasia (MAiD) when mental illness is the sole criterion. He described the bill as the 'right to recover act,' emphasizing its goal to offer hope and help to those with mental health challenges rather than allowing state-sanctioned death.
A wrongful death lawsuit in New Mexico resulted in a $200,000 settlement awarded to the estate of a 26-week aborted baby, recognized as a person under the state's Wrongful Death Act, due to the mother's inability to provide informed consent while under the influence of methamphetamine. The lawsuit also accused the abortion providers of unfair trade practices, including failing to inform the mother of substance abuse treatment programs and improperly handling the baby's remains by placing them in medical waste instead of releasing them for funeral services.
In 2024, Canada recorded 16,499 deaths through Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), which is 1,135 more than the 15,364 firearm homicides recorded in the United States that year despite the US having a population more than eight times larger. Since legalizing MAiD in 2016, with expanded eligibility in 2021, the number of assisted deaths in Canada has approximately tripled from 5,461 in 2019 to 16,499 in 2024, accounting for 5.1 percent of all deaths in Canada that year.
Hassan-James Abbas received a six-month jail sentence and two years probation after forcing abortion drugs into his pregnant girlfriend's mouth using his estranged wife's personal information, resulting in the death of their unborn child. Ohio Right to Life supports House Bill 324, the Patient Protection Act, which aims to require in-person examinations before prescribing abortion drugs and prohibit their delivery through the mail to prevent similar abuses.
Hannah Strege, known as the world’s first snowflake baby, was conceived as a frozen embryo from an IVF process and later adopted. Strege advocates against the view that embryos are merely property, emphasizing that human value is inherent from conception regardless of size, development, environment, or dependence.
ERI has refined its mission statement to focus on equipping people to have respectful, one-on-one conversations that can change hearts and minds about abortion, emphasizing mutual respect and understanding between pro-life and pro-choice individuals. The organization highlights the importance of personal relationships in transforming culture and invites supporters to share their experiences and challenges in engaging with pro-choice people to improve their approach.
More than 100 young people aged 18-35 attended the first ever Youth Summit at March for Life UK 2026, where speakers emphasized the importance of vocal and unashamed advocacy for unborn lives. The March for Life event in London saw 10,000 participants peacefully demonstrating for life despite aggressive counter-protesters and poor policing, with young attendees expressing deep conviction and knowledge about the pro-life cause.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is urging Catholics to fast on Fridays in October and vote against two constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage appearing on the November 3 ballot in Virginia. He has directed priests to read a letter during Masses opposing the amendments, which would expand abortion access and redefine marriage, and has led prayer efforts while acknowledging both support and criticism from parishioners.
In Hawaii, the use of abortion pills has tripled over the past decade, with more than three out of four abortions now performed chemically rather than surgically, according to 2026 state health data. Despite this trend, Planned Parenthood and other providers have not fully disclosed the risks, as a large study found that about 10.93 percent of women using mifepristone experience serious complications, while the FDA's official adverse reaction rate is under half a percent.
Fifty pro-life leaders sent a letter to FDA Commissioner nominee Dr. Heidi Overton urging her to restore the pre-Biden administration safeguards on mifepristone while the FDA completes its ongoing review of the drug.
Tamara Jansen delivered a speech in parliament on September 23, 2026, supporting Bill C-218, which aims to prevent Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) from being granted solely based on mental illness. She referenced the case of Kiano Vafaeian, a 26-year-old who sought MAiD in Ontario at age 23 after struggling with Type 1 diabetes, mental health issues following a car accident, and vision loss, with his mother Margaret opposing his decision.
Students for Life of America threatened to sue the FDA for approving and expanding access to the abortion pill mifepristone without studying its environmental risks, claiming it may harm over 1,500 protected species across the U.S. and that the FDA failed to consult wildlife agencies as required by the Endangered Species Act.
Haile McAnally, a Nebraska woman who was previously pro-abortion, experienced a severe hemorrhage in her bathtub after taking abortion pills and required a blood transfusion. She now identifies as pro-life and warns that women are not adequately informed about the risks of chemical abortions, which have higher rates of emergency room visits compared to other medications and surgical abortions.
J Hewitt, a 19-year-old apprentice at Elite Hair Lounge in London, was told by her manager to have an abortion because she was too young and was subsequently fired 19 minutes after asking about maternity leave. An employment tribunal ruled that her pregnancy was the principal reason for her dismissal and ordered the salon to pay her £29,489.62 in damages for unfair dismissal and pregnancy discrimination.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed legislation effective November 2026 allowing abortion after 24 weeks based on physicians' subjective professional judgment, permitting termination up to birth. Shortly after, she promoted expanding postpartum care and a program called Welcome Family to support mothers and families, raising questions about the state's role in both late-term abortion and newborn welfare monitoring.
The gradual erosion of safeguards following the liberalization of abortion laws, focusing on the ongoing effort to remove the three-day waiting period to access abortion services. It notes that this issue attracted some attention last week, but not enough given its significance.
Students for Life of America (SFLA) has filed a notice of intent to sue the FDA for allegedly failing to conduct required environmental testing of the abortion drug mifepristone, claiming this violates the Endangered Species Act due to potential risks to waterways and wildlife. The group cites studies suggesting anti-progesterone activity in water samples and argues the FDA did not consult wildlife protection agencies before approving the drug in 2000, with SFLA President Kristan Hawkins stating the FDA has 60 days to respond before a lawsuit is filed.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) faces a challenge regarding her stance on abortion as she evaluates Dr. Heidi Overton, President Trump's nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Overton is scheduled to testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Thursday. The situation serves as a significant test of Collins' commitment to being an abortion-rights Republican amid the confirmation process for the FDA leadership position.
