WorldReutersFrench government disgusted by attack on Muslim centre
The French government on Sunday condemned the defacing of an Islamic cultural centre in western France with Islamaphobic slogans, and said an attack on Muslims was an attack on the Republic. The tags, daubed on the side a building used as a prayer room in the city of Rennes, were found shortly before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in France on Tuesday. Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said it was a disgusting attack against the fundamental freedom to believe in a religion and that Muslims deserved the same protection as any other religious group in France.
U.S.INSIDERFlorida cops who responded to a noise complaint at house party 'cowered away' after finding out their boss was a guest
Florida cops backed off a noise complaint at a party after they found out their boss was a guest. The officers "cowered away" when partygoers told them the sheriff was inside the house. Florida police officers were in for a big surprise after responding to a noise complaint at a house party last Saturday, only to find that a guest at the event was their own boss.
WorldThe TelegraphItaly faces calls to come to terms with its dark wartime past 80 years after invasion of Yugoslavia
For decades, Italians liked to think that their soldiers behaved with decency and compassion during the Second World War, in contrast to the atrocities carried out by their German counterparts. It was a comforting image that was perpetuated by popular culture, including the award-winning 1991 film Mediterraneo about a platoon of hapless soldiers stranded on a tiny Greek island who spend their days playing football with urchins, seducing the local women and swimming in the Aegean. Italy now faces an appeal to confront its past and to acknowledge that its troops massacred civilians, burnt villages and executed prisoners during the war, in some cases on a par with the worst ravages of the Nazis.
U.S.Associated PressLas Vegas pushes to become first to ban ornamental grass
A desert city built on a reputation for excess and indulgence wants to become a model for restraint and conservation with a first-in-the-nation policy banning grass that nobody walks on. Las Vegas-area water officials have spent two decades trying to get people to replace thirsty greenery with desert plants, and now they're asking the Nevada Legislature to outlaw roughly 40% of the turf that's left. The Southern Nevada Water Authority estimates there are almost 8 square miles (21 square kilometers) of “nonfunctional turf" in the metro area — grass that no one ever walks on or otherwise uses in street medians, housing developments and office parks.
WorldReutersBlinken warns of China's 'increasingly aggressive actions' against Taiwan
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday the United States is concerned about China's aggressive actions against Taiwan and warned it would be a "serious mistake" for anyone to try to change the status quo in the Western Pacific by force. "What we've seen, and what is of real concern to us, is increasingly aggressive actions by the government in Beijing directed at Taiwan, raising tensions in the Straits," Blinken said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press." Beijing on Thursday blamed the United States for tensions after a U.S. warship sailed close to Taiwan.
PoliticsThe WeekLiz Cheney holds off on calling for Matt Gaetz's resignation, says allegations are 'sickening'
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) didn't have much to say when CBS News' Margaret Brennan asked her about her colleague and leading critic, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), aside from the fact that the allegations against him are "sickening." Gaetz is the subject of multiple investigations from the Justice Department and the House Ethics Committee centered around whether he violated sex trafficking laws and, separately, whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl and paid for her to travel out of state with him.
U.S.INSIDERA 911 dispatcher in Louisiana was arrested after authorities say she refused to return $1.2 million that was accidentally deposited into her account
Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. A woman who worked for more than four years as a sheriff's dispatcher in Louisiana was fired and arrested after authorities say she refused to return more than $1.2 million that was accidentally deposited into her account. According to a report Thursday from nola.com, 33-year-old Kelyn Spadoni of Harvey, Louisiana, was arrested Wednesday and charged with theft valued over $25,000, bank fraud, and illegal transmission of monetary funds after she repeatedly evaded requests to return funds inadvertently transferred to her in February.
CelebrityThe TelegraphWhy Prince Philip’s great-grandchildren shouldn't attend the Royal funeral
Of all the images that stood out during the televised funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, there was one that has endured in the collective consciousness longer than any other: that of two boys who had just lost their mother, walking in sombre procession behind her coffin, while the world looked in upon their most private moment. Almost a quarter of a century later, has there been a change of heart within the monarchy about the role of children at Royal funerals? It is understood that the Duke's 10 great-grandchildren, who include Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will not be in attendance at his funeral this Saturday.
WorldAssociated PressPentagon chief declares 'ironclad' US commitment to Israel
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday declared an “enduring and ironclad” American commitment to Israel, reinforcing support at a tense time in Israeli politics and amid questions about the Biden administration's efforts to revive nuclear negotiations with Israel's archenemy, Iran. Austin's first talks in Israel since he became Pentagon chief in January come as the United States seeks to leverage Middle East diplomatic progress made by the Trump administration, which brokered a deal normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states. After meeting with Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv, Austin said he had reaffirmed “our commitment to Israel is enduring and ironclad."
WorldReutersAustralia abandons COVID-19 vaccination targets after new advice on AstraZeneca shots
Australia has abandoned a goal to vaccinate nearly all of its 26 million population by the end of 2021 following advice that people under the age of 50 take Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine rather than AstraZeneca's shot. Australia, which had banked on the AstraZeneca vaccine for the majority of its shots, had no plans to set any new targets for completing its vaccination programme, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon. "While we would like to see these doses completed before the end of the year, it is not possible to set such targets given the many uncertainties involved," Morrison said.
U.S.Associated PressProsecutors seek 5-year term for ex-leader of neo-Nazi group
Federal prosecutors in Virginia are seeking a five-year prison sentence for a former neo-Nazi group leader who pleaded guilty to conspiring with other far-right extremists to threaten dozens of targets, including a predominantly African American church, a sitting U.S. Cabinet member and journalists. John Cameron Denton, of Montgomery, Texas, and others involved in the plot made at least 134 threats to injure people and institutions, often for racist reasons, Justice Department prosecutors wrote in a court filing last Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Liam O'Grady is scheduled to sentence Denton on Tuesday.
WorldReutersBrazil sees 1,803 COVID-19 deaths; Chinese vaccine found 50.7% effective against variant
Brazil on Sunday recorded 1,803 new COVID-19 deaths, as a large study found that a Chinese vaccine that has become the linchpin in the country's vaccination campaign is 50.7% effective against the infectious new homegrown variant known as P1. Brazil, which has in recent weeks become the global epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, saw over 37,000 new cases, the Health Ministry said on Sunday. Sao Paulo's Butantan biomedical institute, which tested and is now producing the CoronaVac vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech Ltd, said on Sunday a study it conducted found the shot had an efficacy rate of 50.7% against the P1 variant, and a less widespread strain known as P2.
WorldBusiness InsiderIran calls blackout at underground atomic facility 'nuclear terrorism.' Israeli outlets blame an Israeli cyberattack.
Iran blames a Sunday blackout at a nuclear facility on "nuclear terrorism." The country hasn't assigned blame, but Israeli media has reported an Israeli cyberattack is responsible. The attack comes as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S.Associated PressMom arrested in death of her 3 kids was in custody dispute
The woman arrested on suspicion of killing her three young children at her Los Angeles apartment had been involved in a custody dispute with their father, according to a newspaper report Sunday. Liliana Carrillo, 30, was arrested Saturday in Tulare County after fleeing the gruesome scene and leading law enforcement officers on a long-distance chase, authorities said. The Los Angeles Times cites family court documents that show Eric Denton sought custody of the children — ages 3, 2 and 6 months — on March 1.
U.S.USA TODAY'Really unbelievable': Severe storms in South leave at least 3 dead, thousands without power in Florida
Strong winds, tornadoes, and isolated large hail were expected across southern Florida into Sunday night, the Storm Prediction Center forecasted. A 17-year-old girl died Sunday after stepping on a power line during the strong storm that swept through central Florida. Tornado warnings in Florida largely expired Sunday, a day which capped off the worst of a weekend storm that brought heavy rain, strong winds, hail and lightning to wide areas of the state.
WorldThe Daily BeastHow Putin or Xi Could Blow It All Up for Biden
Russia has in recent weeks increased troop and military resource deployment on the Crimean peninsula and along the Russian-Ukrainian border. And China has increased aggressive posturing toward Taiwan and within the South and East China Seas that has Asian and U.S. military leaders deeply concerned. While neither a Russian invasion of Ukraine nor a Chinese attack on Taiwan is considered the most likely near-term consequence of their saber-rattling, it does not make these situations less risky.
CelebrityThe TelegraphDuchess of Cornwall's relative accuses wife of lying about her age when they married - denying him the chance of more children
An aristocrat and relative of the Duchess of Cornwall has accused his wife of lying about her age in an ongoing divorce battle, which he claims denied him more children. Charles Villiers, 58, has been embroiled in a six-year divorce case that has so far played out in five different courts and before twelve judges. As part of the ongoing legal battle, he now claims to have unearthed new evidence on one of his wife's previous marriage certificates which would mean she was in fact 40 when they tied the knot, according to the Sunday Times.
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Two sheriff deputies shot in Utah
Both deputies were shot in the face while on patrol outside the jail complex, Rivera said. The suspected gunman, whose identity was not immediately known, was killed during the gunfire exchange. Both deputies were taken to the hospital.
U.S.USA TODAY'We are done dying': NAACP, Virginia governor express outrage at pepper-spraying of Black and Latino Army officer during traffic stop
Virginia's governor, attorney general, a congressman and the NAACP expressed outrage at the actions of Windsor police officers who pointed weapons, pepper-sprayed and threatened a Black and Latino military officer in December during a traffic stop caught on video. Army Lt. Caron Nazario filed suit against police officers Joe Gutierrez and Daniel Crocker last month, and video from the officers' body cameras and Nazario's cellphone has gone viral in recent days. Nazario seeks $1 million plus punitive damages from the officers, saying they violated his constitutional rights.
U.S.Business InsiderEver Given ship forbidden to leave the Suez Canal until its owners pay up to $1 billion in compensation for the chaos it caused
The Ever Given can't leave the Suez Canal until compensations are paid, officials said Thursday. The owner of the Ever Given said it hadn't officially heard from Egyptian authorities yet. While the giant Even Given container ship might have been freed from the banks of the Suez Canal, it still finds itself stuck, embroiled in a row of who should pay for dislodging it from the waterway.
U.S.INSIDER'I hate this home now:' California couple finally changes the locks on their dream house after previous owner refused to leave for over a year
A California couple could finally get into their new home after the former owner refused to leave. Due to the state's eviction moratorium, the seller continued to occupy the property after the couple bought the home. Myles and Tracie Albert were able to change the locks of their home after 15 months.
U.S.The New York TimesHis Fence Says 'Black Lives Matter.' His City Says Paint Over It.
West St. Paul, where about 5% of the 20,000 residents are Black, says that the mural violates two sections of city code — about fences and prohibited signs — and that its specific content has nothing to do with the violations. The commotion over the mural comes at a pivotal moment in the Twin Cities area, which is anxiously awaiting a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer who is charged in the death of George Floyd, who was Black. Thousands of residents spilled into the streets of Minneapolis, St. Paul and West St. Paul after Floyd's death, demanding justice night after night in protests that reverberated around the country.
CelebrityThe TelegraphSir John Major calls on Royal family to ‘end friction as speedily as possible’
Sir John Major said yesterday that the “friction” between the Royal family and the Duke of Sussex was “better ended as speedily as possible”. The former prime minister spoke about the rift after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Harry would fly back from the US to attend the Duke's funeral. Appearing on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Sir John was asked whether he agreed with comments made by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who said: “Many a family gather and get over tension and broken relationships at the time of a funeral.
PoliticsUSA TODAY OpinionCorporations don't like voter suppression, so McConnell wants them out of politics. Seriously?
An ironic turn of events given the fact that Republicans are supposed to be the party that supports capitalism, free markets and free speech. What's more, the GOP has been filling its campaign coffers with corporate donations for years and has even encouraged and publicly supported companies such as Hobby Lobby in their free speech efforts surrounding divisive political issues like birth control and LGBTQ rights. As Republicans nationwide are furiously working to enact voter suppression bills in statehouses, Democrats in Congress are trying to enact campaign finance reforms and broaden voter access to thwart the restrictive state measures.
U.S.USA TODAYJail time for Florida woman who coughed on cancer patient in viral video
The woman seen in a viral video giving the finger to another shopper then coughing in her face at a Jacksonville mall has been sentenced to 29 days in jail for assault. The decision ended several hours of testimony and questions Thursday in the sentencing hearing of Debra Jo Michele Hunter, the woman from Fernandina Beach, outside of Jacksonville. It came despite an August plea agreement that had consisted of only probation with conditions.
“There’s no ‘both sides of the debate’ when it comes to active voter suppression.”
“Companies that do this ooze contempt for their own customers and employees who are not in the leftmost quarter of opinion.”
“The truth is that Fortune 500 companies were never taking moral stances from the goodness of their corporate hearts.”
“The truth is, the companies hold the cards…If companies stick to their guns, Georgia is likely to back down as well.”
“When a company folds to the unfounded outrage of a few misinformed nuts, they are forever at the mob’s beck-and-call.”