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Presidential hopeful DeSantis inspires push to make book bans easier in Republican-controlled states

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (AP) — As he vies for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is touting a series of measures he has pushed that have led to an upswing in banned or restricted books — not just in Florida schools but in an increasing number of other conservative states.Florida last year became the first in a wave of red states to enact laws making it easier for parents to challenge books in school libraries they deem to be pornographic, deal improperly with racial issues or in other ways be inappropriate for students.Books ensnared in the Florida regulations include explicit graphic novels about growing up LGBTQ+, a children’s book based on a true story of two male penguins raising a chick in a zoo and “The Bluest Eye,” a novel by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison that includes descriptions of child sexual abuse. Certain books covering racial themes also have been pulled from library shelves, sometimes temporarily, as school administrators try to assess what...

Green carpet in United Arab Emirates welcomes India’s film elite for Bollywood awards ceremony

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Indian celebrities and Bollywood stars on Friday walked a green carpet for a second year in a row in the United Arab Emirates — the signature color of the International Indian Film Academy awards.The 23rd edition of the “Bollywood Oscars” is being hosted at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, over two days. Friday night kicked off with performances by Bollywood A-listers such as Badshah and Rajkummar Rao.The spotlight will shift on Saturday night to the main event, a grand awards ceremony that recognizes cinematic achievements from the past year. “Often film stars and the industry are something that’s far away from things like India and with us traveling around the world, we can bring them closer and create a bigger industry.” said Noreen Khan, vice president of IIFA.Home to over 3.5 million Indians, the UAE has an undeniable link to India’s thriving multi-billion dollar film industry. Bollywood continues to extend its sway within t...

Guatemala’s top court ends candidacy of leading presidential hopeful 1 month before vote

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemala’s top court blocked the candidacy of another presidential hopeful on Friday, this time ending the campaign of poll leader Carlos Pineda for alleged violations of electoral law.The Constitutional Court rejected Pineda’s appeal after electoral authorities had ruled him ineligible only a month before the first round of voting June 25.Pineda is the third presidential candidate ruled ineligible to run. The court rejected the final appeals of candidate Roberto Arzú on Thursday, and previously had ruled against Thelma Cabrera because of a paperwork issue with her running mate.Some observers have accused Guatemala’s electoral authorities of using the judicial system to pare down the field to candidates acceptable to the establishment.Pineda, a conservative populist, running a campaign that caught fire on social media, emerged as the surprise leader atop the polls earlier this month.Authorities said there were problems in the way his party selected its candida...

U.S. cities reporting fewer killings hope crime strategies prevent a summer surge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — An expected bump in violent crime this summer has mayors and police officials around the U.S. rolling out familiar strategies of making officers more visible and engaging with community groups, in some cases leaning on civilians to enforce curfews and keep the peace.Chicago is among the U.S. cities under scrutiny following a mayoral race that focused on public safety in response to demands for change. Violence often surges during summer months, so this holiday weekend will undoubtedly ramp up pressure on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new administration to deliver short-term improvement along with the long-term strategies that the former union organizer advocated while campaigning to lead the nation’s third-largest city.“It’s going to take all of us, not just the police, not just city government, to ensure that our communities can live and thrive in peace and safety,” Johnson said at a lakefront press conference promoting the city’s Memorial Day weekend strategy. Most large ...

Saudi Arabia and the US say Sudan’s warring sides appear to be better abiding by latest cease-fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Saudi Arabia and the United States said Friday the warring sides in Sudan’s conflict are adhering better to a new, weeklong cease-fire following days of sporadic fighting.The truce, brokered by Riyadh and Washington, went into effect on Monday, but fighting continued in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and the western Darfur region. Particularly intense clashes flared up on Wednesday, the two mediators said in a joint statement.The conflict in Sudan erupted in mid-April after months of escalating tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has killed at least 863 civilians, including at least 190 children, according to the most recent numbers from the Sudanese Doctors’ Syndicate.The latest, weeklong cease-fire is the seventh attempt at a truce after the others were violated. A new cross-party committee tasked with monitoring potential vio...

Aide: North Dakota Gov. Burgum planning run for GOP presidential nomination

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

Two-term North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a former computer software entrepreneur, is expected to run for the Republican presidential nomination, a political aide familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Friday, putting him in an already crowded field dominated by ex-President Donald Trump.The aide said Burgum plans to launch his campaign with a June 7 event in Fargo, the largest city in North Dakota. The aide was speaking on the condition of anonymity because the event had not been publicized yet.The 66-year-old Burgum is jumping into a field that includes fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, seen by some Republicans as the strongest alternative to Trump. Other candidates include former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Former Vice President Mike Pence is also considered a likely presidential candidate but has not yet announced a bid.The eventual GOP nominee ...

Shots fired on Chicago's North Avenue Beach hours after opening for the summer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Shots were fired on Chicago's North Avenue Beach hours after it opened on Friday for the summer.According to information from the Chicago Police Department, about 80 teens were at the beach when a fight broke out around 1:30 p.m. Chicago’s new leaders’ Memorial Day weekend public safety plan Shots were fired during the fight and no one was injured, police said.One person, who hasn't been identified yet, was eventually taken into custody, police said. Boating safety tips this Memorial Day weekend in Chicago Officers were checking bags before people were allowed on the beach.The beach is closed while officers are investigating.On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago police officials shared their safety plans for the holiday weekend.

Bears approved to start first part of Arlington Park demolition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have gotten the go-ahead to begin the demotion of the former Arlington Park racecourse. Per their website, the Village of Arlington Heights has approved the permit for Phase 1 of the demolition of the former horse racing facility as the NFL franchise continues its efforts to build a new stadium on the property.This permit allows for interior demolition to begin for the grandstand, office, and jockey buildings located on the site. Permits for demolition of the exterior demolition of buildings will require approval from Arlington Heights along with Cook County. An early Bears’ Arlington Park stadium bill on hold Per the village, there will be increased traffic around the Arlington Park site as the interior demolition begins. It's expected there will be 20-to-30 trucks per day with most of the material from the demolition going to West Chicago with another transfer site in Rolling Meadows. There will be access for commuters to the Metra Ar...

2 Indianapolis brothers sentenced for gun trafficking conspiracy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two Indy brothers have been convicted of federal felonies for their scheme to illegally sell "straw-purchased" firearms.28-year-old Jacob Tomlin was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to two counts of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. 21-year-old Ryan White was sentenced in January 2023 to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to dealing firearms without a license.Court documents show during the Summer of 2021 the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the source of firearms located at crime scenes in Indianapolis and Chicago. The gun investigations found that weapons from multiple crime scenes were purchased by Tomlin from federally licensed dealers in Indiana. Who killed Alexandra Anaya in 2005? FBI doubles reward to $20,000 for the answer. The ATF investigation revealed that from May 19 to June 8, 2021 Tomlin lied on federal firearms purchase documents to illegally...

Brookfield Zoo Mexican wolf puppies arrive in wild dens of Arizona, New Mexico

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:21:49 GMT

CHICAGO —  The Brookfield Zoo is helping re-establish the Mexican wolf population in the southwestern US and Mexico. Six of seven Mexican wolf puppies born at the zoo last month were placed days later in wild dens as part of a federal recovery program.   Brookfield Zoo announces summer concerts series featuring Macy Gray, Vertical Horizon and more Seven Mexican wolf puppies were born at Brookfield Zoo on April 27. On May 6, six of the puppies were flown to Arizona to be placed with wild wolf packs as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, which helps enhance the genetic diversity of the overall Mexican wolf population. (CZS-Brookfield Zoo)Dr. Lily Parkinson, a clinical veterinarian at Brookfield Zoo, examines a 9-day-old Mexican wolf puppy. The puppy was one of six flown to Arizona to be placed with wild wolf packs as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. (CZS-Brookfield Zoo)Dr. Lily Parkinson, a clinical v...