Georgina Beyer, the world's first openly transgender member of Parliament, passed away at the age of 65. She was a tireless advocate for LGBTQ rights and was known for her work in the legalization of civil unions and gay marriage as well as the decriminalization of prostitution. Her death has been met with an outpouring of grief from the LGBTQ community and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who praised her for her courage and commitment to equality.
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Key takeaways: The changes to Toblerone’s packaging are a result of the Swissness Act, which requires products to meet a set of origin criteria in…
At least 35 people were detained after a violent protest at a new police training center in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday. Surveillance videos released by the police department show orange flames rising from a construction tractor and at least four other fires burning in and around the fenced site. The weeklong “mass mobilization” is set to continue through Thursday, with the Atlanta Police Department urging protesters to remain peaceful and vowing to take action against anyone engaging in violence or destruction of property.
The Supreme Court declined to take up an appeal from the city of Ocala, Florida, concerning a prayer vigil held in response to a local shooting spree. The vigil was challenged by individuals who argued it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented from the decision, suggesting the court should take up a similar case in the future. The case highlights the difficulty of determining when a government action crosses the line into unconstitutional territory, and leaves the door open for similar cases to be heard in the future.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has expressed doubt over House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-CA) statement that footage from the Jan. 6 Capitol riots will be screened by the Capitol Police before being released to the public, questioning whether the police have done so yet. Jeffries said that any material footage must be vetted before it is released into the public domain, and McCarthy's office has not yet responded to his comments. It is unclear when the Capitol Police will finish screening the footage or when it will be released.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently issued a warning to pet owners after a cat was discovered in a passenger's carry-on bag at Norfolk International Airport. Animals can be taken through the metal detector, but must be removed from their carriers and held by the owner. The TSA also recommends that pet owners inform the security officer that they are traveling with a pet, and never put them through the X-ray machine. "Attention pet owners: Please do not send your pet through the X-ray unit," said TSA spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.
Bruce Willis recently received a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his wife Emma Heming Willis has taken to social media to ask paparazzi to keep their distance. In an emotional Instagram video, she recounted a recent incident in which photographers attempted to speak to her husband and asked for more education on the subject. Her plea has been met with an outpouring of support from fans, reminding us of the importance of providing support and understanding to those living with dementia.
Four U.S. citizens were kidnapped in Matamoros, Mexico, after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on Friday. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the return of the four Americans and is asking for information leading to arrests. The agency is also urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them and to be aware of any suspicious activity.