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California governor vetoes bill that would have banned caste discrimination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Saturday that would have made California the first U.S. state to outlaw caste-based discrimination.Caste is a division of people related to birth or descent. Those at the lowest strata of the caste system, known as Dalits, have been pushing for legal protections in California and beyond. They say it is necessary to protect them from bias in housing, education and in the tech sector — where they hold key roles.Earlier this year, Seattle became the first U.S. city to add caste to its anti-discrimination laws. On Sept. 28, Fresno became the second U.S. city and the first in California to prohibit discrimination based on caste by adding caste and indigeneity to its municipal code.In his message Newsom called the bill “unnecessary,” explaining that California “already prohibits discrimination based on sex , race, color , religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics, and s...

Judge’s order cancels event that would have blocked sole entrance to a Kansas abortion clinic

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A demonstration planned by a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas that would have blocked the only entrance to a Wichita abortion clinic on Saturday was canceled after a judge put a hold on the city permit that would have allowed it. Earlier this year, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita was granted a permit through the city’s Parks and Recreation and police departments to close the street in front of the Trust Women clinic, the Wichita Eagle reported. The diocese had planned to hold a “Mass for Life” demonstration Saturday morning that would have blocked the entrance to the clinic while leaving open the entrance to another clinic on the street that seeks to dissuade people from getting abortions. A judge on Friday granted a request for a temporary restraining order until the Wichita City Council holds a hearing to address objections to the street closure from the Trust Women clinic and another nearby business. The clinic is normally closed for business on Saturda...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill that would have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at decriminalizing the possession and personal use of several hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms.The legislation vetoed Saturday would have allowed those 21 and older to possess psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component in what’s known as psychedelic mushrooms. It also would have covered dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and mescaline.The bill would not have legalized the sale of the substances and would have barred any possession of the substances on school grounds. Instead, it would have ensured people are neither arrested nor prosecuted for possessing limited amounts of plant-based hallucinogens.Newsom, a Democrat who championed legalizing cannabis in 2016, said in a statement Saturday that more needs to be done before California decriminalizes the hallucinogens.“California should immediately begin work to set up regulated treatment guidelines – replete with dosing information, therapeuti...

New York City mayor wraps up Latin America trip with call for ‘right to work’ for migrants in US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

NECOCLI, Colombia (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams capped off a four-day trip to Latin America on Saturday by calling for a “right to work” for migrants in the United States.He spoke during a visit to Necocli, the northern Colombia town where thousands of migrants start the perilous trek across the roadless Darien jungle into Panama, as they head for the U.S.Speaking from a dock where migrants take boats toward the jungle, Adams said countries in the region need to “come together” to find solutions to the immigration crisis being felt across the Americas as well as in cities in the United States, including New York.He called on the U.S goverment to find pathways for migrants and asylum seekers to work legally in the United States.“When you look at Colombia they have really shown how to absorb individuals into their societies, and one of the most important ways to do it is to allow people to work,” Adams told reporters in Necocli. “Nothing is more humane and, nothing is more Ame...

Boomer Sooner: Gabriel throws late TD pass as No. 12 Oklahoma beats No. 3 Texas in Red River rivalry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Dillon Gabriel threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left and 12th-ranked Oklahoma won a battle of unbeatens 34-30 over No. 3 Texas on Saturday in their last Red River rivalry game as Big 12 members before moving to the Southeastern Conference.With the SEC Commissioner in attendance, but not the Big 12’s, the Sooners and Longhorns played a classic that must have made Greg Sankey thrilled with his new acquisitions.The pocket was collapsing around Gabriel when he threw the game-winner for the Sooners (6-0, 3-0 Big 12), to Anderson in the back of the end zone. Gabriel completed 23 of 38 passes for 285 yards and ran 14 times for 113 yards and a score. The left-handed quarterback had missed the Sooners’ 49-0 loss in last year’s game because of a concussion. Texas (5-1, 2-1) had erased a 10-point deficit and taken a 30-27 lead on Bert Auburn’s third field goal, a 45-yarder with 1:17 left. The Sooners then went 75 yards in five ...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law requiring big businesses to disclose emissions

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Large businesses in California will have to disclose a wide range of planet-warming emissions under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Saturday — the most sweeping mandate of its kind in the nation.The law requires more than 5,300 companies that operate in California and make more than $1 billion in annual revenues to report both their direct and indirect emissions. That includes things like emissions from operating a building or store as well as those from activities like employee business travel and transporting their products.The law will bring more transparency to the public about how big businesses contribute to climate change, and it could nudge them to evaluate how they can reduce their emissions, advocates say. They argue many businesses already disclose some of their emissions to the state.But the California Chamber of Commerce, agricultural groups and oil giants that oppose the law say it will create new mandates for companies that don’t hav...

4 hospitalized after shooting in Uptown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after four people were shot in Uptown on Saturday, Chicago police said. According to police, the shooting happened in the 5000 block of North Winthrop Avenue just after 12:30 p.m.Officers said the four victims were in the area when they were approached by two people who pulled out guns and fired shots, injuring all four.  Man dead, another critical after wrong-way crash on DuSable Lake Shore Drive According to police, a 26-year-old woman was hit in the face, a 28-year-old woman was hit in the shoulder and head, a 61-year-old woman was hit in the leg and a 43-year-old man was hit in the leg. Officers said all four people who suffered gunshot wounds were taken to the hospital in good condition. Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and police said detectives are conducting an investigation. Anyone with information on Saturday's shooting can leave a tip for p...

2 teens in the hospital after shooting in Roseland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

CHICAGO — Two teen boys are in the hospital after they were shot by someone they know in the Roseland neighborhood Saturday afternoon, according to the Chicago Police Department.CPD said a 15-year-old and 16-year-old boy were in the 9400 block of South Lafayette Avenue around 1:30 p.m. when they were approached by someone they know, who then pulled out a handgun and opened fire on them.The 15-year-old was shot in the leg and taken to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park in good condition.The 16-year-old was shot in the hand and also taken to Little Company of Mary in good condition. 4 hospitalized after shooting in Uptown Those who have information that could help police make an arrest and conviction in the investigation of this incident can file anonymous tips online with CPD at cpdtip.com.Police have no one in custody as area detectives continue to investigate.

2 teens in custody after carjacking suspect leads officers on chase in Cook County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — Police say two teens are in custody in connection to an alleged carjacking and police chase on Friday.According to police, around 12:25 p.m. on Friday, officers spotted a Mercedes Benz in the 800 block of Ewing Street that they believed was involved in an aggravated carjacking that occurred earlier in the morning near 107th Street and La Grange Road in Cook County.While on the scene, officers arrested a 16-year-old boy who exited a home near the parked vehicle. Man dead, another critical after wrong-way crash on DuSable Lake Shore Drive While investigating, officers spotted a person, who was later identified as a 15-year-old boy, who appeared to be asleep in the driver's seat of the car. Police approached the Mercedes Benz and officers say that is when the teen in the driver's seat allegedly put the car in drive and attempted to flee the scene by driving around police vehicles in the area. Police allege that the teen almost hit an officer while attempting to flee th...

What is Israel’s Iron Dome and how does it work?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:14 GMT

(The Hill) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Palestinian militants after they launched a surprise attack on his country on Saturday.The Palestinian militant group Hamas, the group that rules Gaza, led the deadly, multi-front attack that left at least 200 people dead.Israel has touted the success of its Iron Dome air defense system, but it's not yet clear how effective the system was in today's attack given the number of rockets launched into Israel. Biden vows ‘rock solid and unwavering’ support for Israel following Hamas attacks What is the Iron Dome?The Iron Dome is Israel's air missile defense system that can defend against short-range rockets, intercepting them in the air above the state. According to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, it’s capable of successfully handling multiple rockets at a time.Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the system became operational in March 2011 and performed its first intercep...