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Prominent Egyptian rights activist briefly detained in Lebanon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Lebanese authorities Wednesday briefly detained a prominent Egyptian blogger and human rights activist, his lawyer and sister said, but the reason for his arrest was not immediately clear. The first word about the arrest of Abdul-Rahman Tarek, also known by his nickname Moka, came from his sister, Sara Tarek. She posted on her Facebook page that her brother was detained by plainclothes policemen Wednesday afternoon from his apartment. She called for his release saying he had spent seven years in jail in Egypt until his release last year.Tarek was taken to police intelligence headquarters in Beirut where he spent about five hours and was later released, his lawyer, Farouk Moghrabi. The reason behind the arrest was not immediately clear, Moghrabi said.Sara Tarek later wrote that her brother was released and he is at home.Security officials did not immediately confirm Tarek’s arrest and later release.Mary Lawlor, the U.N.’s independent expert on human rights defenders, tw...

Missouri attorney general urges Kansas City police to enforce transgender care restrictions law

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey on Wednesday vowed to take “any legal action necessary” against Kansas City if its police department does not enforce a law banning transgender transition procedures for minors.Bailey, a Republican, said in a letter to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners that the board has a constitutional duty to enforce the law, which was passed by the Missouri Legislature this month. Republican Gov. Mike Parson has not yet signed the bill but is expected to do so.The letter comes after the Kansas City Council on May 11 approved a resolution designating the city as an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city. The resolution said the city will not prosecute or fine any person or organization that seeks, provides, receives or helps someone receive gender-affirming care such as as puberty blockers, hormones or surgery.The city also said if the state passes a law imposing criminal or civil punishments, fines, or professional sanctions in such case...

Target has been a leader in catering to LGBTQ+ shoppers – now it’s on the defensive

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Target once distinguished itself as being boldly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.It risked losing that status on Wednesday after removing some LGBTQ+-themed products, and hiding Pride Month displays in certain Southern locations, to address online complaints and in-store confrontations that it says were a threat to employees’ well-being.Target now faces a potential second backlash from customers who are upset by the discount retailer’s reaction to aggressive, anti-LGBTQ+ activism, which has also been sweeping through Republican state legislatures. Civil rights groups chided the company for caving to anti-LGBTQ+ customers who tipped over displays and expressed outrage over gender-fluid bathing suits.“Target should put the products back on the shelves and ensure their Pride displays are visible on the floors, not pushed into the proverbial closet,” Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson said in a statement. “That’s what the bullies want.”The uproar over Tar...

What’s on DeSantis’ agenda? A look at the laws he passed as Florida governor, from abortion to guns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — From the death penalty to gender identity to abortion, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has cemented himself as a conservative standard-bearer in the lead-up to his 2024 presidential announcement.With the help of GOP supermajorities in the statehouse, the Republican has been able to push through an aggressive agenda that forms the base of his White House run, which he made official in a Federal Election Commission filing Wednesday.Here’s a look at some of the policies: ABORTIONDeSantis signed a bill banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, but it won’t take effect unless the state’s current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge that is before the state Supreme Court, which is controlled by conservatives. A six-week ban in Florida would strike a devastating blow to abortion access in the South, since the nearby states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi have banned the procedure at all stages of pregnancy. Georgia and South Carolin...

Former cast member of ‘Basketball Wives LA’ admits to 15 federal crimes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A former cast member of the reality TV show “Basketball Wives LA” admitted to more than a dozen federal felonies in a court appearance Wednesday in St. Louis.Brittish Williams, 33, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty to five counts of misuse of a Social Security number, four counts of bank fraud, three counts of making false statements to the IRS and three counts of wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 23.U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming said in a statement that the crimes “victimized taxpayers, banks, credit card companies, individuals and programs that were intended to help struggling businesses and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Fleming said federal prosecutors will seek reimbursement for the victims.Among the crimes Williams admitted to in the plea agreement: Using false Social Security numbers to defraud banks and credit card companies; illegally obtaining loans meant for businesses damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic; and submitting fake medical bills t...

On 1st anniversary of Uvalde, Texas, school shooting, Biden will push for more gun control

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — As families and loved ones mourn the unimaginable loss of 19 children and two teachers shot dead last year in Uvalde, Texas, President Joe Biden will speak Wednesday about the epidemic of gun violence that has become the No. 1 killer of kids in America. The town planned a private ceremony and candlelight vigil in the evening, and the Texas legislature paused for a few moments of silence at 11:30 a.m. CDT, the moment the shooter entered Robb Elementary School last year, touching off the nation’s deadliest school shooting in a decade. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden would offer his support to the families, “who will bear the trauma and scars from that day for the rest of their lives.” And he’s urging Republicans to enact gun safety laws. “We need Congress to enact common sense policies that Americans support,” she said. “Uvalde is a tragic reminder of the urgency to pass gun safety legislation.” The killings, along with ano...

Hay River, N.W.T., residents allowed to return Thursday as wildfire burns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

HAY RIVER, N.W.T. — Officials from the town of Hay River say residents will be allowed to return to the Northwest Territories community Thursday even as a wildfire continues to burn on the nearby K’atl’odeeche First Nation reserve.Around 3,500 residents from the town and reserve were forced to leave their homes on May 14. A post on the town’s Facebook page Wednesday said the evacuation order would be reduced to an evacuation alert. That means the general public will be allowed to return but residents should be prepared to leave again if conditions worsen. “Conditions are still not without risk, but the town recognizes the offsetting impact and risks to residents being away from their homes,” the post states. “The mayor and council appreciate residents’ sacrifices during this time.  Countless people have relentlessly worked to ensure there has been no damage to your homes or properties and are excited for you to return.”Glenn Smith, Hay River...

WATCH: Pritzker to speak on 2024 state budget negotiations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will be speaking about the state budget negotiations Wednesday afternoon.You can watch the entire press conference live in the video player above.The President of the Illinois Senate Don Harmon (D) and the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel Welch (D) will be joining Gov. Pritzker during Wednesday's press conference.

Mayor Johnson presides over his first Chicago City Council meeting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

CHICAGO — Newly inaugurated Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has presided over his first Chicago City Council meeting Wednesday; a meeting which had a packed agenda.In addition to officially organizing the councils many committees, to include chairperson appointments, a discussion took place on a $51 million aid package to assist migrants being moved into the city. If approved at a special meeting next week, the money will be used for staffing shelters, providing meals, and supporting the migrants in other ways such as with legal assistance. Retired Chicago officer shot while attempting to stop carjacking on West Side This story will be updated, check back later for details.

Man steals backhoe for 10-mile drive to Illinois airport to catch flight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:10:46 GMT

MARION, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois man has been charged with theft for allegedly stealing a backhoe to drive about 10 miles (16 kilometers) to an airport to catch a flight, authorities said.Security camera footage shows a Carbondale man arriving at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois atop a backhoe and leaving it in the airport parking lot Thursday, the Williamson County Sheriffs Office said. Video captures woman setting fire at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines; charged with arson Footage captured the man walking across the street from the lot to the airport lobby, carrying a guitar case, the sheriff's office said.The owner of the backhoe arrived at the airport a short time later and identified the equipment as belonging to his company, the sheriff's office said. The owner said the machine, typically used to move large debris, had been parked at a job site.