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A judge may rule on Wyoming’s abortion laws, including the first explicit US ban on abortion pills

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A judge in Wyoming will decide as soon as Thursday whether to strike down, affirm or hold a trial over the state’s abortion bans, including its first-in-the-nation explicit prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy. Any decision on the bans during or after a pretrial conference before Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens in Jackson likely would be appealed to the Wyoming Supreme Court. Both sides have asked Owens to issue a ruling without holding a bench trial that is scheduled to begin April 15.So far, Owens has shown sympathy for arguments that the bans violate women’s rights under the state constitution. Three times over the past year and a half, the judge has blocked the laws from taking effect while they were disputed in court.One of the laws bans abortion except to protect to a pregnant woman’s life or in cases involving rape and incest. The other made Wyoming the only state to explicitly ban abortion pills, though other state...

Earliest version of Mickey Mouse set to become public domain in 2024, along with Minnie, Tigger

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — M-I-C-K-E-Y will soon belong to you and me.With several asterisks, qualification and caveats, Mickey Mouse in his earliest form will be the leader of the band of characters, films and books that will become public domain as the year turns to 2024.In a moment many close observers thought might never come, at least one version of the quintessential piece of intellectual property and perhaps the most iconic character in American pop culture will be free from Disney’s copyright as his first screen release, the 1928 short “Steamboat Willie,” featuring both Mickey and Minnie Mouse, becomes available for public use.“This is it. This is Mickey Mouse. This is exciting because it’s kind of symbolic,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a professor of law and director of Duke’s Center for the Study of Public Domain, who writes an annual Jan. 1 column for “Public Domain Day.” ”I kind of feel like the pipe on the steamboat, like expelling smoke. It’s so exciting.”U....

How the deep friendship between an Amazon chief and Belgian filmmaker devolved into accusations

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — It was considered to be among the world’s most productive partnerships between an Indigenous chief and a Westerner.For five decades, the Amazonian tribal leader and Belgian film director enlisted presidents and royals, even Pope Francis, to improve the lives of Brazil’s Indigenous peoples and protect their lands. The pair befriended celebrities and movie stars. Sting, the musical legend, was one of their greatest champions.Just a few months ago, their bond seemed as strong as ever. Chief Raoni Metuktire, sporting his iconic lip plate and an emerald feathered crown, and tuxedo-clad filmmaker Jean-Pierre Dutilleux were at the Cannes Film Festival to promote the Belgian’s latest documentary: “Raoni: An Unusual Friendship.” Standing on the red carpet, amid a flurry of camera flashes, the two clasped hands, as if old friends.Behind the scenes, however, the relationship was nearing its end. Not long after returning to Brazil in May, the chief of the Kayapo severed ti...

Guyana and Venezuela leaders to meet face-to-face as region pushes to defuse territorial dispute

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — The leaders of Guyana and Venezuela headed for a tense meeting Thursday as regional nations sought to defuse a long-standing territorial dispute that has escalated with Venezuelans voting in a referendum to claim two-thirds of their smaller neighbor.Pushed by regional partners, Guyanan President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro agreed to meet at the Argyle International airport on the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent. The prime ministers of Barbados, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago said they also would attend.The meeting is aimed at easing the tensions that have flared over Essequibo, a vast border region rich in oil and minerals that represents much of Guyana’s territory but that Venezuela claims as its own.Venezuela’s president followed the referendum by ordering his state-owned companies to explore and exploit the oil, gas and mines in Essequibo. And both sides have put their militaries on alert.It was unclear if the sessi...

Stillwater boys basketball powers past Tamarac in Wasaren clash

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

TROY, NY (NEWS10) -- A few of the key players on the Stillwater boys basketball team just went on a run to the state title game in football. Now they look to go on a similar run in basketball. The 1-0 Warriors visited 1-1 Tamarac in a Wasaren League clash Tuesday night. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! It was a back and forth battle in the first quarter, as the quarter ended in a 10-10 tie. Stillwater put their foot on the gas from there, leading 26-13 at halftime on their way to a 70-47 win. Stillwater's Lucas Lilac and Kaelan Leak both tallied 18 points. Jaxon Mueller put up a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

Police in pursuit of driver in suspected stolen vehicle

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's Van Nuys Division are in pursuit of a driver in a suspected stolen vehicle Wednesday night. The suspect was leading officers in chase on the northbound 405 Freeway before taking the pursuit on the northbound 5 Freeway through the 210 Freeway. As the chase continued, the suspect wound their down surface streets and got onto the southbound 405, eventually getting off at Nordhoff Street. It is unclear how many people are in the vehicle, but the driver has been clocked at speeds of 125 miles per hour. Sky5 is live overhead.

Jewish community replaces Lake Merritt menorah destroyed by vandals

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

OAKLAND – The Jewish community and its supporters gathered Wednesday at Lake Merritt to replace a menorah that was destroyed by vandals the previous evening.The Oakland Police Department is investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. No arrests were announced Wednesday night.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Retired Pittsburg detective charged with attempting to kill Pleasant Hill cops Crime and Public Safety | Hanukkah menorah near Lake Merritt destroyed by vandals in latest act of anti-Semitism Crime and Public Safety | Oakland man gets no additional jail time for biting off cousin’s earlobe during drive Crime and Public Safety | One person killed in East Oakland shooting Crime and Public Safety | Police arrest suspect in Berkeley double stabbing Previously set out for the public, the menorah was smashed and its pieces strewn around the area, according to Jewish Community Relatio...

Stock market today: Asian shares are mostly higher after the Dow hits a record high, US dollar falls

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares are mostly higher in Asia after a powerful rally across Wall Street sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record high as the Federal Reserve indicated that interest rate cuts are likely next year. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell, however, as the yen gained sharply against the U.S. dollar, since a weaker dollar can hit the profits of Japanese exporters when they are brought back to Japan.The Nikkei lost 1% to 32,594.89 while the dollar slipped from about 145 yen to 141.42 yen, its lowest level in four months. The value of the dollar tends to mirror expectations for interest rates, which affect returns on certain kinds of investments. Toyota Motor Corp.’s shares fell 4.2% and Sony Corp. lost 2.3%. Honda Motor Co. shed 5.2%. Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 1.1% to 16,408.26 and the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.3% at 2,977.56. A World Bank report forecast that the Chinese economy will post 5.2% annual growth this year but that i...

Collin Sexton scores season-high 26 points, Jazz beat Knicks 117-113

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Collin Sexton scored a season-high 26 points, Lauri Markannen punctuated his return to the court with 23 points and the Utah Jazz beat the New York Knicks 117-113 on Wednesday night.After missing eight games because of a strained left hamstring, Markkanen scored both inside and on the perimeter and was only slowed by a minutes restriction. In 25 minutes, Markkanen went 7 for 13 from the field, had four 3s and eight rebounds.Talen Horton-Tucker scored 13 of his 15 points for Utah in the fourth quarter, mostly coming in a 16-0 run that bridged the third and fourth quarters.Julius Randle had 32 points and 12 rebounds for New York, but only scored on two free throws in the fourth quarter. He topped 30 points for the third time in the last four games but was forced to be a passer down the stretch.Jalen Brunson scored 23 points and Donte Divincenzo added 20 for the Knicks. They have lost three in a row on the road and face four more road games on this trip.The Jazz l...

Jack Hughes scores in OT to give Devils a 2-1 win over Bruins

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:36:23 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — When the New Jersey Devils head into overtime, Jack Hughes takes over.Hughes scored with 2:13 to play in overtime and the Devils rallied to beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Wednesday night despite an outstanding 34-save effort by Jeremy Swayman.The goal was Hughes’ sixth career overtime winner, and second this season. He came into the overtime without a shot on goal in the game and had five in the 2:47 of play. He played 1:57 of the extra session.“I think we gave him about 20 seconds off,” Devils coach Lindy Ruff said. “He’s got incredible glide in his skating so he can recover in a short period of time. He had a couple breathers but we knew he was ready to go. And the opportunity was there and he put it in the back of the net for us.”On the game winner, Hughes took a pass from Jesper Bratt and ripped a shot behind Swayman for his 11th goal.“Me and Bratter play so well together,” Hughes said. “We read off each other. We have not played together much in t...