California officials on Thursday said the state has appealed a federal judge's decision to strike down its three-decade-old ban on assault-style weapons, saying the law is needed to prevent gun deaths.
California is appealing a decision by a federal judge to overturn the state's decades-long ban on assault weapons.
Last week when U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez overturned the ban he called it "a failed experiment," arguing that it violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms. California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday called the decision flawed and said he was confident that it would be overturned.
"Aurora, Boulder, is it Sandy Hook, is it Parkland?
Is it Sutherland Springs, is it San Bernardino, is it Poway, you've got another ten minutes.
I could continue down that damn list.
I said it the other day.
What the hell is wrong with us?
We're better than this.
And this state will continue to fight and continue to lead." The judge's ruling was subject to a 30-day stay, leaving the ban in place for now.
The state will ask the court to put the ruling on hold during the appeal.
California became the first state to ban assault weapons in 1989 after a school shooting that killed five children.
Six other states and D.C.
Have an assault weapons ban in place, according to the gun safety group Giffords.
A federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004, and Congress has not re-authorized the law in the face of Republican opposition.
Guns are a hot-button issue in the U.S., which has the highest rate of gun ownership of any country.
The U.S. has seen over 250 mass shootings this year alone.
The world's first known combat between a human pilot and a fighter jet controlled by AI has been carried out in California, the US military has said. Sky News
Prince Harry Officially Considers America , to Be His Home Instead of Britain.
After stepping away from
royal duties in 2020, Prince Harry
and Meghan Markle moved to California.
At the time, Harry suggested
that the move was temporary. .
The U.K. is my home and a place
that I love, that will never change. , Prince Harry, via previous statement.
We both do everything we can to
fly the flag and carry out our roles
for this country with pride, Prince Harry, via previous statement.
But a Travalyst Ltd filing on April 17 shows that the U.S. is now the prince's primary residence, NBC News reports. .
The company is based in London
and is 75% owned by Harry.
The new listing shows Harry's full name,
Prince Henry Charles Albert David Duke Of Sussex.
and then reads, "New country/State
Usually Resident: United States.".
While the residency change was filed this week, it was actually made on June 29, 2023, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Frogmore Cottage. .
While the residency change was filed this week, it was actually made on June 29, 2023, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left Frogmore Cottage. .
In February of this year, Harry told a journalist that he was thinking about becoming an American citizen, NBC News reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google Fires Employees , for Protesting Israel Contract.
28 Google workers have been fired for protesting
a $1.2 billion contract that the company has with
the Israeli government and military to provide
cloud and AI services, NBC News reports. .
The firings follow an April 16 sit-in at
Google's offices in California, New York and Seattle in which nine workers were arrested.
The group that coordinated the demonstration
is known as No Tech for Apartheid. .
Google issued a statement about the recent firings.
A small number of employee
protesters entered and disrupted
a few of our locations. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
Physically impeding other employees’
work and preventing them from
accessing our facilities is a clear
violation of our policies, and
completely unacceptable behavior. , Google spokesperson, via statement.
We have so far concluded
individual investigations that
resulted in the termination of
employment for 28 employees,
and will continue to investigate
and take action as needed, Google spokesperson, via statement.
No Tech for Apartheid claims that the
workers were fired "indiscriminately.".
This excuse to avoid confronting
us and our concerns directly,
and attempt to justify its illegal,
retaliatory firings, is a lie, No Tech for Apartheid, via statement.
Meanwhile, many of Google's workers have
reportedly quit after experiencing "mental health consequences of working at a company that is using their labor to enable a genocide," No Tech for Apartheid said.
On a personal level, I am opposed
to Google taking any military
contracts — no matter which
government they’re with or what
exactly the contract is about. , Cheyne Anderson, a Google Cloud software engineer based
in Washington who was arrested during a sit-in, to CNBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
This Day in History: , Kendrick Lamar Becomes the
First Rapper to Win the Pulitzer Prize.
April 16, 2018.
Lamar was awarded the
Pulitzer Prize for Music for his
extraordinary 2017 album, 'DAMN.'.
It was the first time the
prestigious award had been granted
to a genre outside of classical music or jazz.
According to the Pulitzer Prize administrator,
the decision to recognize
Lamar's work was unanimous.
['DAMN' is] a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life, Pulitzer Prize
Awarding Committee.
Lamar grew up during the 1990s
in Compton, CA, surrounded by the
influence of artists like Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre.
His previous album efforts
became known for their social commentary.
A fellow nominee called Lamar
“one of the greatest living American composers, for sure.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:54Published
Kendall Jenner's 818 Tequila brand has stirred up a storm at Coachella -- 'cause a local bar owner claims her team ruined a beloved mural of theirs ... even.. TMZ.com
Fast Food Chains Warn Consumers , That Worker Pay Increases
Will Impact Prices.
'Newsweek' reports that franchises have
warned an increase of the minimum wage
for fast food workers in California could also
force menu prices to climb.
As of April 1, fast food restaurants in California
will have to pay employees at least $20 an hour, an
increase of four dollars from the current $16 an hour. .
Business owners have warned that the new law,
signed in by Democratic governor Gavin Newsom,
will have an impact on margins and consumer costs. .
At the end of October, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski
said that the impact of the minimum wage rise would
be partially "worked through with higher pricing.".
At the end of October, McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski
said that the impact of the minimum wage rise would
be partially "worked through with higher pricing.".
According to McDonald's numbers, the price of
the signature Big Mac burger is currently $5.89
in California, the 10th highest in the United States.
The latest data compiled by 'The Economist' shows that
the average price of a Big Mac nationwide is currently
$5.69, which is up from $5.36 at the same time in 2023. .
Last year, McDonald's , reported net profits of , almost $8.5 billion.
According to the company's latest financial reports,
sales increased 8.7% in the U.S. in 2023, which the
company attributed to "strategic menu price increases.".
According to the company's latest financial reports,
sales increased 8.7% in the U.S. in 2023, which the
company attributed to "strategic menu price increases.".
Meanwhile, Jack Hartnung, the CFO of fast food
chain Chipotle, told investors that the wage
increase would impact consumer prices with a
"mid-to-high single digit" percentage increase.
Meanwhile, Jack Hartnung, the CFO of fast food
chain Chipotle, told investors that the wage
increase would impact consumer prices with a
"mid-to-high single digit" percentage increase.
In December, Pizza Hut cited the wage
increase as the reason behind laying off
the company's in-house delivery drivers. .
In December, Pizza Hut cited the wage
increase as the reason behind laying off
the company's in-house delivery drivers.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
California Voters Pass Proposition 1 , to Address Homelessness Crisis.
In a state that accounts for close to a third
of all homeless people in the United States.
California counties will now be required to
spend money "on housing and drug treatment programs" to fight homelessness, NPR reports. .
Gov. Gavin Newsom raised over
$13 million to promote the measure.
Proposition 1 represents California's first mental health system update in 20 years, NPR reports. .
This is the biggest change in
decades in how California tackles
homelessness, and a victory for
doing things radically different, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Now, counties and local officials must
match the ambition of California voters. , Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
This historic reform will only
succeed if we all kick into action
immediately – state government
and local leaders, together, Gov. Gavin Newsom, via statement.
Revenue from a tax on millionaires, enacted in 2004, brings in about $2 billion to $3 billion a year toward California's mental health budget, NPR reports. .
Counties will now be required to spend two-thirds
of that money to tackle homelessness. .
The state will also be allowed to borrow
$6.3 billion to create an additional 6,800 beds for mental health and addiction treatment.
That money can also be used to
construct 4,350 housing units. Half of
those housing units will be for veterans
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Title IX Regulations Add Protections , for Transgender Students.
Title IX prohibits "sex-based discrimination at government-funded schools," 'The Hill' reports. .
On April 19, the Biden administration revealed the last of its changes to the federal civil rights law. .
The new regulations expand how sex discrimination is defined, now including
sexual orientation and gender identity. .
These final regulations build on the
legacy of Title IX by clarifying that
all our nation’s students can access
schools that are safe, welcoming,
and respect their rights. , Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, via statement.
The update also reinstates "protections for student survivors of sexual assault and harassment" which were changed under President Trump, 'The Hill' reports.
Catherine Lhamon, the Education Department’s assistant secretary for civil rights, .
says the new rules will help schools
respond to "all sex discrimination,
not limited to sexual harassment.".
Biden's final changes to Title IX
are sure to be condemned by Republicans
who view transgender protections as failing
to protect cisgender women and girls.
The new changes will take effect Aug. 1.
The Biden administration has not yet finalized an additional rule pertaining to sports eligibility. .
Since 2021, 24 states have passed laws prohibiting transgender student-athletes from playing on
sports teams that align with their gender identity
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
House Republican leaders have lambasted President Joe Biden for his perceived inaction in enforcing existing measures against Iran. Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, voiced concerns over the administration's policies allegedly facilitating Iran's oil sales, which fund terrorism. The Biden administration faces mounting pressure to deter future attacks without exacerbating regional tensions or antagonising China, a major buyer of Iranian oil.
#Biden #BidenSanctions #BidenIraq #AlSudani #BidenGaffee #USnews #Politics #IsraelIran #IranAttacksIsrael #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~HT.178~PR.152~ED.103~GR.125~
Rob Schneider is calling BS on the notion he bombed in front of a bunch of Republican lawmakers -- calling the report a hit piece ... and even labeling it as.. TMZ.com
Biden Cancels Over $7 Billion in Student Debt , for More Than 277,000 Borrowers.
On April 12, President Joe Biden said that over 277,000 borrowers in more than
40 states will have $7.4 billion in student
loan debt wiped out, 'The Hill' reports. .
To date, the Biden administration has canceled $153 billion in student loan debt. .
From day one of my administration,
I promised to fight to ensure higher
education is a ticket to the middle class,
not a barrier to opportunity. , President Joe Biden, via statement.
I will never stop working to cancel
student debt – no matter how
many times Republican elected
officials try to stop us, President Joe Biden, via statement.
'The Hill' reports that Biden's loan forgiveness has largely been aimed at helping
"public service workers, those on IDR plans," .
people who've been defrauded by educational institutions and those with disabilities. .
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, issued a statement in response to Biden's actions. .
The administration is tone deaf.
There’s no other way to put it, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
We know that instead of doing its
job the administration focused
time, energy, and resources on
its illegal student loan scheme. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
And that has been frustrating, especially
since it has jeopardized the academic
journey of millions of students, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
But what is absolutely maddening is
that the administration is STILL not
doing its job and instead focusing on
its student loan shenanigans. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, , “We know what Republicans are going to do; we can’t
stop them from that. But it’s also not going to stop the president from acting and taking action, like he is today.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will address the Republican-led US Congress on Thursday amid continued scepticism of the role of the US in international conflicts such as the Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:20Published
Survivors of the Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton are speaking out after a federal judge struck down California's assault weapons ban, calling it unconstitutional.
Credit: CBS 13 Sacramento Duration: 03:54Published
Gov. Newsom launched a blistering attack on a federal judge in San Diego who overturned California's assault weapon ban. Wilson Walker reports. (6-10-21)