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Senegal becomes latest African country to severely punish homosexuality

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Dakar, Senegal— Senegal Parliament approved a new bill to toughen penalties for homosexuality in the predominantly Muslim West African country, latest african countries Harsh penalties for LGBTQ people.

Senegal becomes latest African country to severely punish homosexuality
Senegal becomes latest African country to severely punish homosexuality

The new bill is submitted to parliament last month Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has described homosexual behavior as “unnatural”. It doubles the sentences for those convicted from one to five years in prison to five to 10 years in prison.

At Wednesday’s plenary session, almost all MPs voted in favor of the bill, with none objecting and three abstaining. The bill requires presidential assent before becoming law, and Senegalese President Basilou Diomaye Faye is widely expected to sign it.

In another change, the proposed law seeks to crack down on organizations that support sexual minorities by penalizing so-called “promoting” or “financing” homosexual behavior.

The fine for the offense was also increased to a maximum of CFA 10 million, but the bill retains the offense as a misdemeanor rather than a crime. During the parliamentary session, ministers argued that the 1966 law was too lax.

The proposed law classifies homosexuality as an “unnatural act” crime along with necrophilia and bestiality. But it would also punish anyone who accuses someone of homosexual behavior “without evidence.”

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Senegal’s president not to approve the law.

“It goes against the sacred human rights that we all enjoy: respect, dignity, privacy, equality and freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,” Turck said in a statement.

Laws against homosexuality are common in Africa: more than 30 out of 54 countries criminalize same-sex sexual behavior. Senegal has joined countries such as Kenya, Sierra Leone and Tanzania where penalties can include 10 years or more in prison. This crime is punishable by death in Somalia, Uganda and Mauritania.

In recent weeks, groups promoting Islamic values ​​have organized rallies in support of the new legal measures, and police have cracked down on suspected homosexuals and arrested at least a dozen people.

The proposed law fulfills a campaign promise by the prime minister, who tried and failed to introduce the bill while in opposition.

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This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.

‘Let there be as much anger as possible’: Zoran Mamdani reacts to criticism after hosting first iftar party at New York City Hall

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'Let there be as much anger as possible': Zoran Mamdani reacts to criticism after hosting first iftar party at New York City Hall

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacts to the outpouring of hate he received after hosting his first iftar at New York City Hall. Mamdani was called an enemy within, and in response, New York City’s first Muslim mayor said politicians in Washington should show similar outrage when children go hungry. “When kids go hungry, Washington politicians get as angry as I do when I break bread with New Yorkers,” Mamdani wrote, responding to a post by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “The enemy is within the gates.”Mamdani hosted Eid, inviting community members, and was seen breaking his fast to sit on the floor, which became a meme for trolls comparing the photo to 9/11. New York Senator Chuck Schumer defended Mamdani and pointed to Islamophobia in Tuberville. “This is mindless hatred. American Muslims are police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, bankers, bricklayers, mothers, fathers, neighbors, mayors and more. Islamophobic hatred like this is fundamentally un-American and we must confront and overcome it every time it rears its ugly head,” Schumer wrote. MAGA activist Laura Loomer also claimed that a guest at Mamdani’s iftar party gave the ISIS finger salute. “A Muslim who was invited by @ZohranKMamdani to the New York City Mayor’s Mansion for Ramadan Eid yesterday gave the ISIS one-finger salute inside Gracie Mansion. This comes after two ISIS terrorists dropped bombs on Americans in New York City this weekend,” Loomer posted.Prior to the iftar gathering, Mamdani had been criticized for hosting Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and his family for a dinner to mark the first anniversary of Khalil’s arrest. “One year ago, Mahmoud was detained by federal agents while walking home through our city after an Iftar meal with his wife, Noor, and flown to Louisiana and then held in an ICE facility for several months. During that time, he was forced to miss the birth of his first child. All in an effort to exercise your First Amendment right to protest the ongoing genocide in Palestine,” Mamdani wrote. “Mahmood is a New Yorker and he belongs in New York City.”

Israel temple shooter: Are synagogue kindergarten students safe? detail

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‘Active situation’ at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, michiganThere was a massive police response Thursday afternoon. Notably, the synagogue houses a K-12 kindergarten, which raised concerns about the safety of students involved in the shooting. The suspect is now reportedly dead.

Law enforcement responded to a call at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Associated Press)
Law enforcement responded to a call at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. (Associated Press)

However, the school was not in session and no students were present when the shooting broke out, according to the Temple Israel synagogue website.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said students were removed from the preschool as Temple Israel Synagogue was holding a reunification event at the Jewish Center. So far, no casualties have been reported shooting.

The Sheriff’s Office updated on its Facebook page: “OCSO and multiple agencies responded to the West Bloomfield Israel Temple scene for reports of a shooting. Emergency crews are clearing the building.”

Oakland County officials confirmed that a vehicle was involved in the attack. NBC 5 Chicago reported that the suspect crashed a car into the synagogue before shooting into the building.

Fox News reports that the suspect is now dead.

This story is being updated.

‘Some people are trying to create panic’: PM Modi downplays LPG crisis; targets opposition

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday played down the country’s energy crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict between joint US-Israeli forces and Iran. Speaking at the NXT Summit, the Prime Minister indirectly targeted those “trying to create panic” and claimed they were exposing themselves to the public by doing so.

‘Energy security compromised’: Rahul Gandhi sounds alarm in Parliament

“We have to work collectively to put national interest first and fulfill our responsibilities. There is a lot of talk about LPG. Some people are trying to create panic. They want to push their own agenda,” PM Modi said.“At this time, I don’t want to make political comments about them. But I can say with certainty that by doing this they are not only exposing themselves to the public, but they are doing great harm to the country,” he added.The Prime Minister said the government is prioritizing self-reliance in the energy sector to ensure that the country does not have to be completely dependent on foreign energy sources.“To ensure that we do not have to be completely dependent on foreign energy, the focus in the energy sector is on self-reliance. Till 2014, the country had only 140 million LPG connections. Today, this number has more than doubled to Rs 33 crore. In 2014, the country had only 4 LNG terminals,” PM Modi said.“Today, their number has also doubled. Today, no country is immune to the impact of this global crisis that has arrived. More or less, everyone is a victim of this crisis. India is also sparing no effort to deal with this crisis,” he added.The Prime Minister also said that the government is making every effort to ensure that the burden of the situation caused by the war does not fall on Indian citizens.“The Indian government has always made every effort to ensure that the burden of the situation created by the war does not fall on Indian citizens,” he said.“This time, too, we will make every effort to ensure that the impact of the war on the lives of the country’s farmers and citizens is minimized,” he added.Concerns about a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas are starting to spread across the country as escalating conflicts in the Middle East disrupt global energy supply chains.The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in Iran’s retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks triggered panic buying, long queues at LPG agents and gas stations, and forced restaurants and small businesses to switch to alternative cooking methods.Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum ministry, said the government decided to allow partial sale of commercial LPG to meet one-fifth of the demand as it took certain measures that helped boost domestic LPG production by 28 per cent and developed some alternative sources overseas.“The state has to identify the beneficiaries,” she said.As panic buying escalates, the government extended the LPG refill ordering window for rural customers to 45 days from the 25 days set for all customers last week, itself replacing the previous 21-day limit. She said the move was aimed at managing demand and ensuring equitable distribution amid ongoing disruptions to energy supplies caused by the crisis in West Asia.The increase in the monthly quota of kerosene issued to states is the first in more than a decade, temporarily reversing the government’s stated goal of phasing out kerosene, which besides being heavily subsidized is also used in petrol adulteration.

Old Dominion University shooting: Gunman opens fire in campus building, two seriously injured | World News

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Old Dominion University shooting: Gunman opens fire inside campus building, two seriously injured

A gunman opened fire inside a building at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, on Thursday morning, seriously injuring two people and later killing the suspect, according to university officials. The shooting, which occurred in Constant Hall on the university’s main campus, prompted a shooting and a temporary lockdown of the campus as police and emergency personnel rushed to the scene. Authorities later confirmed the shooter had been subdued and issued an “all clear” notice to students and staff after the threat was over.The incident began around 10:49 a.m. when reports of a shooting inside Constant Hall prompted the university to issue an emergency alert to students, faculty and staff. The alert warns of an active threat on campus and advises people to follow “run, hide, fight” safety procedures while emergency personnel respond.Constant Hall is located on the north side of the old Dominion University campus, near West 49th Street. Police and emergency medical personnel quickly arrived at the building and secured the surrounding area while students and staff sheltered in place.Two people were injured in the shooting and remain in critical condition, officials said. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the victims or confirmed whether they were students, staff or visitors.Law enforcement officials later confirmed that the suspected shooter had been killed, although officials have not yet clarified whether the suspect died during a confrontation with police or from other causes. Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter.During the emergency rescue process, live video showed that the police were rescuing an injured person on the ground near Constant Hall, while another injured person was carried away by rescuers. Additional footage showed a heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the building as police secured the campus.At 12:05 p.m., Old Dominion University issued an “all clear” notice to the campus community, indicating that the emergency was over and there was no longer an active threat. Officials are asking students and staff to continue to avoid the area around Constant Hall while investigators and emergency personnel work on the scene.Following the incident, the university canceled all classes and suspended main campus operations for the remainder of the day. A Family Information Center has been set up at Chartway Stadium to assist relatives in finding information about students and staff.Old Dominion University President Brian Hemphill released a message to the campus community acknowledging the shooting and thanking campus police, emergency management teams and City of Norfolk first responders for their quick response.Nearby schools in the surrounding area, including several primary schools, were taken into temporary security custody as Norfolk Police responded to the incident.The Norfolk Police Department is leading the investigation with assistance from federal authorities. FBI Director Kash Patel said on social media that the FBI was aware of the situation and was supporting local law enforcement.So far, authorities have not released details about the shooter’s motive, background or whether the victims were specifically targeted. Investigators are continuing to collect evidence and review information related to the incident. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

What is the Jones Act? Why Trump might temporarily abandon a 100-year-old oil transportation law

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this trump card The government is planning to temporarily relax century-old maritime rules while it looks for ways to combat the rising problem. Oil and the price of gasoline during the war. Iran. Officials are considering short-term exemptions that would allow foreign ships to help transport fuel between U.S. ports, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump may temporarily waive the Jones Act to allow foreign ships to transport fuel between U.S. ports. (Reuters)
Trump may temporarily waive the Jones Act to allow foreign ships to transport fuel between U.S. ports. (Reuters)

A 30-day exemption from the Jones Act would allow foreign tankers to help supply East Coast refineries with fuel from the Gulf Coast and other parts of the United States. Those who spoke about the plan were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

What is the Jones Act?

The Jones Act is an important part of U.S. maritime law that has been in place since 1920. It requires that cargo transported between U.S. ports must be carried on ships built, owned and operated by Americans.

The law is actually Section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, which was designed to maintain and support the U.S. Merchant Marine. It was introduced after World War I to strengthen the American shipping industry.

Also read: Oil prices top $100 a barrel amid Middle East conflict, Trump to re-examine options: report

Why are laws made?

U.S. Senator Wesley Jones of Washington proposed a law that would give his state a shipping monopoly over Alaska. Congress passed this legislation to support the U.S. shipping industry after World War I.

The law is considered protectionist, meaning it protects domestic businesses. It focuses on maritime trade and cabotage, the transport of goods within the same country.

Under the regulations, cargo transported between U.S. ports must be transported on ships built in the United States and owned and operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

While the law protects the domestic shipping industry, it also increases shipping costs. This particularly affects non-continental U.S. territories that rely heavily on imported goods, such as Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.

Because only U.S.-built and operated ships can transport cargo between U.S. ports, that means fewer ships are available, which will make shipping more expensive.

Why the government might issue exemptions

The possible waivers come as President Donald Trump considers options to address rising energy prices amid the war with Iran.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced it would release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of an internationally coordinated effort to release 400 million barrels of oil into global markets.

Allowing foreign tankers to temporarily transport fuel between U.S. ports could help increase supplies to East Coast refineries and ease price pressures.

René Redzepu: Celebrity chef René Redzepu resigns from Noma amid abuse allegations, says ‘apology is not enough’

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Celebrity chef René Redzepu resigns from Noma amid abuse allegations, says 'apology is not enough'

Celebrity chef René Redzepi, founder of iconic Danish restaurant Noma, which has won three Michelin stars and multiple other international recognitions for its New Nordic cuisine, has announced his resignation following allegations of abuse and assault at the Copenhagen landmark. “I’ve always strived to be a better leader and Norma has taken significant steps over the years to change the culture,” he wrote in the caption of his post Thursday. “I recognize that these changes will not repair the past. An apology is not enough; I take responsibility for my actions.”

physical assault, public humiliation, abuse

The accusations against Redzepi are not new, but this time they have not gone unnoticed. The New York Times detailed the employees’ harrowing experience working under the world-famous chef — just days before a Noma pop-up was scheduled to open in Los Angeles. Now, sponsors have withdrawn funding from the project in Los Angeles, and protests have been held against Redzepui. Those who worked under him recall that going to work felt like going to war. The New York Times report highlighted an incident in 2014 in which Redzepi ordered all kitchen staff to follow him out of the restaurant during a busy dinner hour. He was pushing around one of the sous chefs, a young man who played a style of music that the boss didn’t like. He punched the employee in the ribs while 40 chefs watched, as it was a ritual with a new target each time. Redzepi was knighted by the Queen of Denmark. In 2013, Anthony Bourdain called him “without a doubt the most influential, provocative and important chef in the world.”One woman said she was beaten when Redzepi saw her using a phone that was strictly prohibited during services. She fell on a metal counter and cut her hip. She said no one said a word after the attack and she had to leave work.

ODU active shooter threat: Horrifying video appears in Constant lobby; ATF gives update

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Panic spread across the Norfolk University campus after a gunman opened fire at an Old Dominion University building in Norfolk on Thursday morning, injuring two people before the suspect was found dead, according to a university alert.

Shooting at ODU in Norfolk, two injured (X)
Shooting at ODU in Norfolk, two injured (X)

The shooting occurred in Constant Hall, an academic building on campus. The gunman opened fire around 10:49 a.m., causing panic among students and staff in the area, according to the university’s online alert.

University officials stated that both victim Several people were injured in the incident and were sent to local hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not released further details about their conditions.

Officials also said the shooter was dead, but the university did not explain how the suspect died.

Following the incident, the university announced the cancellation of classes for the remainder of the day and authorities responded to the situation.

“Please avoid Constant Hall and the surrounding area where first responders continue to work,” the university’s alert reads.

Also read: What happened at Reagan National Airport this morning? ‘Suspicious package’ reports spark concerns

The school said it will provide another update around 12:15 p.m. ET.

Earlier, the university reported an “active threat” to Constant Hall on its website and issued an urgent warning to students and staff.

“Follow flight-hide-fight protocol. Emergency personnel respond. Avoid area,” an emergency alert from the university reads.

According to the school, Old Dominion University in Norfolk is a public university with approximately 24,000 students. Constant Hall is the main building of the university’s business school.

Also read: What is the Jones Act? Why Trump might temporarily abandon a 100-year-old oil transportation law

ATF responds to Old Dominion University shooting

According to CNN, agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said they were responding to the college shooting. The federal agency confirmed its involvement Thursday morning as it assisted the investigation.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident and more details are expected to be released.

Janitor, ice cream sales analyst: Texas whistleblower reveals ‘craziest H-1B job titles’

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Janitor, ice cream sales analyst: Texas whistleblower reveals 'craziest H-1B job titles'

In her latest YouTube video, Texas journalist and whistleblower Sara Gonzales revealed a list of H-1B jobs she considers “crazy” and said it’s not just Indian software engineers but others who are “taking advantage” of the H-1B visa program. Gonzalez began her own investigation of H-1B employers, visiting some and finding empty offices and home addresses. As Gonzalez continues her investigation, she has now come up with a list of positions that, she says, should not require foreigners with any special skills. Gonzalez said the list undermined claims that companies were forced to hire foreigners for these positions. “Why on earth would we hire janitors from foreign countries?” Gonzalez cited records of a cleaning service company in Massachusetts hiring janitors with a salary of $31,200. “They can’t find anyone in the country who knows how to clean toilets,” Gonzalez said. The list provided by the whistleblower includes a retail assistant, a dry cleaner, a public relations specialist, a travel agent, a human resources manager at a Mexican restaurant, a human resources manager at a Texas smoke shop and an ice cream sales analyst in Chicago. Gonzalez scoffs that in obese America they can’t find an ice cream sales analyst. The YouTuber also cited records from a California business called Sing Chinese that hires H-1B foreigners for English teaching positions. “Yes, they can’t find English teachers in the United States,” Gonzalez added. The H-1B visa program allows companies to hire foreigners in specialized occupations with skills that Americans do not possess. Silicon Valley companies are highly dependent on this visa program as they hire engineers from India and China, but Gonzalez revealed that small cleaning service companies are also hiring foreigners and are contributing to the creation of an ecosystem that requires the hiring of foreign English teachers for non-English speaking immigrant workers. The visa program is now under intense scrutiny as MAGA calls for its abolition because they are stealing American jobs. The government charged $100,000 for H-1B foreigners hired by companies, and the lottery system was overhauled.

Government recommends abandoning repeated virus testing for plasma drugs

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NEW DELHI: The Center has proposed amending drug rules to stop repeated viral testing of drugs made from human plasma, saying the original plasma used to make these products is screened for infections like HIV and hepatitis before production begins.These drugs include albumin, intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and clotting factors such as factor VIII and factor IX, and are used to treat immune disorders, serious infections, and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia.Officials said the move is aimed at bringing India’s drug regulations in line with international pharmacopeia standards. Global guidelines require that pooled plasma must be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus RNA and HIV antibodies before being used for isolation, and only plasma that tests negative can be used to make plasma-derived drugs.Currently, the plasma collected to make these drugs is first pooled and tested for viruses, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. However, once a drug is produced from this screened plasma, the finished product will be tested again for the same viral markers under existing rules. The government is now proposing to cancel the second round of testing.The health ministry has issued a draft notification seeking public views on the amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, which regulate the testing of blood products. Dr Aseem Kumar Tiwari, senior director, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Medanta, Gurgaon, said the remaining plasma collected from blood donors can be used by plasma separators to produce a variety of life-saving drugs.“Albumin, plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and coagulation factors such as factor VIII and factor IX are widely used to treat immune disorders, serious infections and bleeding disorders such as hemophilia,” he said.He added that blood centers often generate surplus plasma after meeting patient demand, which can be supplied to specialized fractionation facilities where different proteins are separated to make these drugs.Dr Tiwari said PDMPs undergo multiple safety checks before reaching patients. “Donated plasma is screened for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, malaria and syphilis, and the production process includes viral inactivation steps to ensure safety,” he said.“These drugs, known globally as plasma-derived medicines, are not associated with the spread of infection due to stringent testing and viral inactivation during the manufacturing process,” he added.Officials say repeating the same virus tests at the finished product stage would create unnecessary duplication in global practice. The proposed amendments aim to rationalize testing requirements while maintaining strict safety checks during the plasma screening phase.The draft rule was released in consultation with the Pharmaceuticals Technical Advisory Committee, and stakeholders have 30 days to submit comments before the amendments are finalized.