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LGBTQ activists in Japan launch engagement group ahead of G7

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese LGBTQ activists and rights groups have launched a civil “engagement group” to make policy proposals ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Japan and announced plans to hold an inaugural Pride 7 summit in Tokyo later this month, seeking to accelerate their efforts to get the Japanese government to adopt an anti-discrimination law.Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven advanced industrialized nations that lacks a law protecting the rights of LGBTQ people.“Other G-7 members are watching if Japan enacts an anti-discrimination law,” said Natsuo Hayashi, co-director of the Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation, a local civil group.His group, joined by two other organizations, on Wednesday announced the launch of Pride 7, which plans to make policy proposals for G-7 organizers in the hopes of achieving an LGBTQ anti-discrimination law in Japan while also addressing problems in other countries, especially in Asia. P-7 is joined by rights organizations in 10 other ...

EU Commission proposes rules to better fight greenwashing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive arm proposed rules Wednesday to protect consumers from businesses selling goods labeled as green which actually aren’t.The European Commission said greenwashing was a notable problem, with 53% of green claims on products or services making “vague, misleading or unfounded information.”About 230 sustainability labels are in use across the 27-nation EU, “with vastly different levels of transparency,” according to the commission.With its “green claims” directive, the commission wants to set common criteria that would bring more clarity. The European Parliament and EU member countries need to approve the initiative for it to take effect.Under the proposal, companies that claim the packaging for their products is made of 30% recycled plastic would have to prove it with scientific evidence. EU countries would be in charge of setting up verification processes overseen by independent bodies. Businesses based outside the EU making env...

Police besiege gunman in Thailand who killed at least 2

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Police in Thailand said Wednesday they have cordoned off a neighborhood in a city southwest of the capital where they have trapped a gunman inside his house after he shot dead at least two people and wounded several others.Thai television showed images of police taking positions on a quiet street in Phetchaburi, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) southwest of Bangkok, some carrying weapons and others with protective shields.Police Maj. Punyapon Srimaek, speaking from the scene, told The Associated Press two people had been confirmed killed in the incident, which began early Wednesday afternoon. He said one of the three people believed to be wounded might actually be dead because although his body could be seen by a police drone in front of the gunman’s house, it could not be retrieved because it was in the line of fire.The two other injured people, one a local official who rushed to the site when he was notified of the shooting, were taken to a hospital.Local police eva...

North Korea fires cruise missiles as allies stage drills

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea launched cruise missiles toward the sea on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, three days after the North carried out what it called a simulated nuclear attack on South Korea to protest its military drills with the United States.North Korea has stepped up its weapons testing activities, saying they are in response to the ongoing South Korean-U.S. military training that it sees as an invasion rehearsal. Analysts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un likely intends to enlarge his arsenal to win greater outside concessions, while trying to boost an image of a strong leader amid domestic economic hardships.The 11-day South Korean-U.S. drills are to end on Thursday. But North Korea is expected to continue its weapons tests as the United States reportedly plans to send an aircraft carrier in coming days for another round of joint drills with South Korea.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it detected “several” cruise missile launches from the N...

TikTok CEO to tell Congress app is safe, urge against ban

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok’s CEO plans to tell Congress that the video-sharing app is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence.Shou Zi Chew is due to answer questions Thursday from U.S. lawmakers concerned about the social media platform’s effects on its young user base and possible national security risks posed by the popular app, which was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs. Chew is sticking to a familiar script as he urges officials against pursuing an all-out ban on TikTok or for the company to be sold off to new owners. TikTok’s efforts to ensure the security of its user data, including a $1.5 billion project to store the information on Oracle servers in the U.S. and allow outside monitors to inspect its source code, go “above and beyond” what any of its rivals are doing, according to Chew’s prepared remarks released ahead of his appearance before the U.S. House Committee on Energ...

Netanyahu seeks to soothe US concerns over settlement repeal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to back down on Wednesday, saying his government has ″no intention” of returning to four abandoned settlements in the occupied West Bank under a law that was repealed by parliament this week. His statement followed harsh U.S. criticism and an international uproar over Netanyahu’s far-right government, the country’s most hard-line ever, over the Knesset vote early Tuesday to revoke a 2005 law that dismantled the four settlements. The Biden administration summoned Israel’s ambassador in Washington hours after the vote — a rare rebuke between the allies. Jordan’s parliament meanwhile, in a largely symbolic vote, approved the expulsion of Israel’s envoy over the conduct of a firebrand minister. Netanyahu said the Knesset vote on Tuesday ended a period that discriminated against and humiliated Jews by not allowing them to live in “northern Samaria,” using the biblical term for the West Bank. “That s...

Editorial Roundup: Minnesota

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

Minneapolis Star Tribune. March 20, 2023. Editorial: He’s right. And it’s much harder to fight back when the officials you elected to protect you don’t have your back.Gov. Tim Walz pushes for public safety and more in revised budget Revised budget plan’s most critical investment might be in addressing crime statewide. Local law enforcement agencies across Minnesota could get a too-long-delayed infusion of state funds that is desperately needed to hire more and better police officers and sheriff’s deputies, to update equipment and to implement crime intervention strategies.That money, $550 million, would come via Gov. Tim Walz’s revised budget. It’s a significant and welcome increase over last year’s proposal of $300 million, which was rejected by Senate Republicans. The GOP no longer controls the Senate, and Walz now says that he is more determined than ever to get the public safety funding that local officials have been pleading for.“We’re going to do more, not less,” Walz told an ...

MPP Mitzie Hunter ‘preparing to run’ for mayor of Toronto

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

An Ontario Liberal MPP appears ready to join the race to replace former Toronto mayor John Tory.Speaking at a Tuesday night event organized by Black Professional in Tech (BPTN), Mitzie Hunter apparently told the crowd she was “preparing to run” in the June byelection.“This is an uncertain time for Toronto, and this is an important moment for the city” said the Scarborough-Guildwood MPP. “It’s time to get Toronto back on track so that Toronto can be a city that works for everyone.”“And that’s why I’m preparing to run to be mayor. Because of what is required right now.”The 51-year-old said improving public services, increasing safety on public transit, and making the city more affordable would be her main priorities if elected.“Everything from opening public washrooms all the way to making transit safe and available,” Hunter said. “Everything from replacing aging infrastructure, to basic services like snow clearan...

79-year-old woman killed, 5 family members injured in North Side car crash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

CHICAGO — An elderly woman was killed and several family members — including two children — were injured following a crash on the city's North Side.The crash happened around 8 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Peterson and Kimball. According to police, a 44-year-old man was traveling eastbound on Peterson in a KIA SUV with five of his family members, when he was struck as he entered the intersection by an 18-year-old man driving a Saturn sedan.  A 78-year-old woman was transported to St. Francis Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The medical examiner has identified her as Zainab Suboh.The 44-year-old man was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in fair condition. An 80-year-old man was transported to St. Francis in critical condition. A 36-year-old woman was transported to Lutheran General in critical condition.  A 3-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl were both transported to Lurie Children's Hospital and are listed in fair condition.  Read more: ...

Vallas, Johnson face off in WGN's Chicago Mayoral Debate

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:28 GMT

CHICAGO -- The two election runoff candidates for Chicago's Mayoral race faced off in their third debate ahead the April 4 election.The Your Local Election Headquarters: Chicago Mayoral Debate took place on Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at WGN's studios on Chicago's North Side.You can watch the entire Chicago Mayoral Debate in the video player above.Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson meet for their third debate since they were announced as the runoff winners from the Feb. 28 election. Finalists for Chicago mayor layout their plans for city’s future During the February election, Vallas received 33% of the votes compared to Johnson’s near 22%.Since then, Vallas has been endorsed by at least 20 council members and three of his rival candidates, including Ja'Mal Green, along with the FOP and a number of trade unions.Johnson’s endorsements include national leaders, like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Illinois' Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as well as the Chicago Teacher...