AP-Newswatch

Leak suspect appears in court as US reveals case against him

BOSTON (AP) — Billing records of an Internet social media platform helped the FBI identify a Massachusetts Air National Guardsman in the leak of highly classified military documents. That’s according to court records unsealed Friday. The new details came as Jack Teixeira appeared in court to face charges of unauthorized removal and retention of classified and national defense information. A judge ordered him held until a detention hearing next week. Investigators believe Teixeira was the leader of an online private chat group where the documents were shared. Though prosecutors have not revealed a possible motive, accounts of those in the chat group have depicted Teixeira as motivated more by bravado than ideology.

Here’s why downpour in Florida just wouldn’t stop

Fort Lauderdale’s 25 inches of rain is a case of a strong thunderstorm not knowing when to say when. Normally storms fizzle out after 20 minutes or they move on. But Wednesday’s supercell didn’t. It poured for six to eight hours and was continuously fed by the nearby Gulf Stream. Other conditions also lined up. One more factor that put this week’s storm into the top three to hit major U.S. cities in a 24-hour period: the atmosphere in our warming planet can hold more moisture that comes down as rain.

DeSantis signs 6-week abortion ban in closed-door ceremony

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, giving the Republican a major conservative policy victory as he prepares to launch an expected presidential candidacy. DeSantis signed the measure late Thursday night in a private ceremony without fanfare, hours after the Republican-dominated statehouse approved the bill. The law will take effect only if the state’s current 15-week ban is upheld in an ongoing legal challenge that is before the state Supreme Court. For DeSantis, the closed door bill signing signals the difficult political line he is walking on abortion politics ahead of his anticipated White House run

China vows not to sell arms to any party in Ukraine war

BEIJING (AP) — China’s foreign minister says the country won’t sell weapons to either side in the war in Ukraine. Qin Gang was responding to Western concerns that Beijing could provide military assistance to Russia. China has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict, while backing Russia politically, rhetorically and economically at a time when Western nations have imposed punishing sanctions and sought to isolate Moscow for its invasion of its neighbor. Qin is the highest-level Chinese official to make such an explicit statement about arms sales to Russia. He added that China would also regulate the export of items with dual civilian and military use.

Senegal gas deal drives locals to desperation, prostitution

SAINT-LOUIS, Senegal (AP) — When the gas rig arrived off the coast of Saint-Louis, residents of the seaside Senegalese town found reason to hope. Fishing is Saint-Louis’ lifeblood, but the industry struggled with climate change and COVID-19. Officials promised the drilling would bring thousands of jobs. But locals say it’s brought only a wave of problems, including forcing some women into prostitution. The women spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because their families don’t know what they do. Prostitution is legal in Senegal, but the women don’t want to register, citing cultural shame. They say their husbands can’t fish because of restricted access from the rig. The government and gas companies say people must be patient, and benefits will eventually materialize.

France’s Constitutional Council approves higher pension age

PARIS (AP) — France’s Constitutional Council on Friday approved an unpopular plan to raise the retirement age to 64. It is a victory for President Emmanuel Macron after three months of mass protests over the legislation that have damaged his leadership. The move is likely to enrage unions and other opponents of the pension plan, including protesters gathered in spots around France on Friday evening as the decision came down. The council rejected some other measures in the pension bill, but the higher age was central to Macron’s plan and the target of protesters’ anger. Macron can enact the bill within 15 days.

Trump answers questions for 7 hours in NY fraud lawsuit

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has visited the offices of New York’s attorney general for his second deposition in a legal battle over his company’s business practices, answering questions for around seven hours instead of invoking his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination. The Republican met Thursday with lawyers for Attorney General Letitia James, who sued Trump last year. Her lawsuit claims Trump misled banks and others about the value of his assets. He denies that. Trump met previously with James’ lawyers but refused to answer questions, invoking the Fifth Amendment. His attorney, Alina Habba, says this time Trump was “eager to testify.”

‘Quiet luxury’: No flash, no logos, but big-time style

NEW YORK (AP) — They’re the biggest of brands. But with no logos. And that’s the whole point. Call it stealth wealth or quiet luxury. For the rich and those who aspire, logo-free, low-key fashion with large price tags is having a moment among people who can spend big in the face of higher inflation and a volatile economy. And retailers are taking note, along with more designers looking to capture the rich and their wannabes alike. Think Gwyneth Paltrow and her head-to-toe Prada, cashmere sweaters and Celine boots during her recent week in a Utah courtroom.

NJ charges itself with damaging land it was bound to protect

New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection has issued a violation notice against itself for wrongly clearing nearly 15 acres of a wildlife management area. The work in February and March was designed to create habitat for the American woodcock. But it destroyed habitat for the barred owl, a threatened species, and the red-shouldered hawk, an endangered species. A division of the department has 30 days to decided how to restore the site in Clayton, a town in the southwestern part of the state. The violation notice includes the threat of penalties. How that would work when the state is both the accuser and the accused was not immediately clear.

Minneapolis OKs dawn Muslim prayer call, 1st for big US city

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Minneapolis will allow broadcast of the Muslim call to prayer in early mornings and late evenings, becoming the first major U.S. city to allow the announcement over speakers five times a day, year-round. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the vote came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Minneapolis has a flourishing population of East African immigrants. Mosques are now common. Three of 13 members of the council identify as Muslim. The decision drew support from Jewish and Christian leaders. The city allowed year-round broadcasts last year, but only between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. The mayor is expected to sign the new measure, clearing the way for 5:30 a.m. calls in summer.