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Advocates sue federal government for failing to ban imports of cocoa harvested by children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Child welfare advocates filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday asking a judge to force the Biden administration to block imports of cocoa harvested by children in West Africa that can end up in America’s most popular chocolate desserts and candies. The lawsuit, brought by International Rights Advocates, seeks to have the federal government enforce a 1930s era federal law that requires the government to ban products created by child labor from entering the U.S. The nonprofit group says it filed the suit because Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security have ignored extensive evidence documenting children cultivating cocoa destined for well-known U.S. candy makers, including Hershey, Mars, Nestle and Cargill. The major chocolate companies pledged to end their reliance on child labor to harvest their cocoa by 2005. Now they say they will eliminate the worst forms of child labor in their supply chains by 2025. “They will never stop until they...

Militia clashes rock Libya’s capital, leaving civilians trapped, health ministry says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

CAIRO (AP) — Clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital have left residents trapped in their homes unable to escape the violence, the country’s health ministry said Tuesday, in what appears to be the most intense fighting to rock Tripoli this year.Fighting broke out between the 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force late Monday evening, according to local media. Tensions flared after the head of the 444 brigade was allegedly detained by the other force at an airport in Tripoli earlier Monday, media reported.The Health Ministry urged the warring sides to allow ambulance and emergency teams to enter the affected areas, primarily in the south of the city, and for blood to be sent to nearby hospitals. It remains unclear how many casualties there are. Libya’s Red Crescent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.OPSGroup, an organization for the aviation industry, said late Monday that a large number of aircraft departed the capital due to the clashes. I...

14-year-old boy shot by 3 masked suspects in West Englewood: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A 14-year-old boy is in serious condition after he was shot by a group of people wearing masks in the city's West Englewood neighborhood.The shooting happened just after 9 p.m. Monday in the 6600 block of South Marshfield. Police responded to a person shot and found a 14-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the chest standing at the rear entrance of a residence.A witness told police that three offenders, who were wearing masks, fled the scene on foot. Search underway in Winnetka for missing swimmer in Lake Michigan The teen was transported to Comer Children's Hospital in serious condition.No one is in custody. Area One detectives are investigating.

Tuesday Forecast: Temps in mid 70s with lingering showers and storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A few lingering showers and thunderstorms Tuesday, then decreasing clouds and breezy conditions. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Winds: NNE 5-30 mph. Air quality is in the Good category for Chicagoland. Highs mid 70s, upper 60s by the lake. A Beach Hazard Statement has been issued through Tuesday evening. High wave activity and dangerous currents are expected at Lake Michigan beaches. Waves six to nine-feet may reach some areas.Partly cloudy tonight and less humid with comfortable conditions. Winds: NNE/SW 5-10 mph. Lows near 60.Wednesday Forecast: Partly to mostly sunny and warmer. SSW 5-15 mph. High 86.Extended outlook calls for showers/t'storms for Thursday, mostly in the morning. Highs in the lower 80s, but could get warmer if skies clear out earlier. Then we're trending back towards some August heat. We'll see upper 80s likely on Friday and mid to low 90s through the weekend which could end up being our hottest stretch of weather so far this summer....

Meet the 18 people charged with Trump in Georgia indictment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

Former President Trump was indicted in Georgia late Monday night on 13 charges ranging from making false statements and impersonating a public officer to conspiracy and racketeering — a charge generally reserved for organized crime. But the former president is far from the only person tied to the 2020 plot to keep him in power to face serious charges. Eighteen Trump lawyers, advisers and affiliates are charged alongside the leading GOP 2024 hopeful in the most wide-ranging indictment he’s yet to face. Each of them face the racketeering charge, linking the multitude of alleged crimes together. The shared charge alleges the defendants participated in a “criminal enterprise in Fulton County, Georgia — and elsewhere — to accomplish the illegal goal” of keeping Trump in office, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) said Monday.Here’s what to know about the other 18 people charged with Trump in the Georgia probe.High-ranking Trump officialsMark MeadowsFormer White...

Former 'Family Feud' contestant Timothy Bliefnick gets life for wife's murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

QUINCY, Ill. (AP) — A judge sentenced a former contestant on the television game show “Family Feud” to life in prison after he was convicted of first-degree murder and other charges in the slaying of his estranged wife in western Illinois.Timothy Bliefnick, 40, showed no reaction as Adams County Circuit Judge Robert Adrian read the sentence Friday, news outlets reported.A jury in May convicted Bliefnick of murder, home invasion and use of a firearm to commit first-degree murder in the Feb. 23 shooting death of Rebecca Bliefnick, 41. Her body was found by a family member inside her Quincy home after she failed to pick up her children from school. She had been shot multiple times.The couple was separated and going through a divorce. Hawaii works to identify 99 confirmed dead after Maui wildfires as teams intensify search Bliefnick’s attorney did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.In 2020, Timothy Bliefnick and some of his family members appeare...

Texas sues Planned Parenthood, wants millions of dollars repaid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas wants Planned Parenthood to give back millions of dollars in Medicaid reimbursements — and pay far more in fines on top of that — in a lawsuit that appears to be the first of its kind brought by a state against the largest abortion provider in the U.S.A hearing was set for Tuesday in front of U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who earlier this year put access to the most common method of abortion in the U.S. in limbo with a ruling that invalidated approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.The case now before him in America's biggest red state does not surround abortion, which has been banned in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. But Planned Parenthood argues the attempt to recoup at least $17 million in Medicaid payments for health services, including cancer screenings, is a new effort to weaken the organization after years of Republican-led laws that stripped funding and imposed restrictions on how its...

WATCH: Congressman berates officers after being wrestled to ground at rodeo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Police video released Monday shows U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas being taken to the ground by officers, profanely berating them and threatening to report them to the governor during an altercation at a rodeo last month.In body camera video, the former White House physician can be seen approaching a group of people surrounding a 15-year-old girl who authorities have said was having seizures. The two-term Republican congressman later has what looks like an argument with one of the people attending to the teenager before she is put on a stretcher. Sheriff says Ronny Jackson angry, aggressive, threatened to ‘beat’ trooper; Jackson claims local authorities’ actions ‘overly aggressive and incompetent’ Shortly afterward, Jackson is wrestled to the ground by at least two officers. The 31-minute video, which has sound in only some portions, shows officers turning Jackson facedown and putting him in handcuffs before helping him to his feet.In this screen grab from body came...

LIVE: Austin moving to Stage 2 drought restrictions Tuesday; Watering times shortened by 3 hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin said it would move to Stage 2 of its Drought Contingency Plan Tuesday, as water levels on Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan continue to drop.A press release from the city last week said the combined storage level in the lakes was projected to drop below 900,000 acre-feet within a few days. LCRA enters Stage 2 drought response; asks water cutback of 10-20% Interim City Manager Jesus Garza ordered the move to Stage 2 effective Tuesday, Aug. 15."For many years, Austin has leaned into water conservation in normal weather as well as drought," said Shay Ralls Roalson, director of Austin Water. "As our current drought continues, we know that the entire Austin community will respond to the need to conserve our most precious resource. We’re all in this together, and there is no substitute for water." LIST: What are the current water restrictions in your city? Here are the changes to watering restrictions under Stage 2:Automat...

Williamson County launches donation drive for wildfire victims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:26:25 GMT

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – Williamson County said Monday all four county Justices of the Peace along with the Austin Disaster Relief Network were collecting donations for families impacted by area wildfires. The county announcement said people can drop off new socks and undergarments for children and adults at any of the JP offices in Williamson County. Workers will collect donations will be collected through Friday at each JP office. Justice of the Peace, Pct. 11801 E Old Settlers Blvd., Suite 100, Round Rock, TX 78664Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 350 Discovery Blvd., Suite 204, Cedar Park, TX 78613Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4211 W 6th Street, Taylor, TX 76574Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.