

9-year-old girl dies after being caned during "exorcism" in Sri Lanka
Police in Sri Lanka said Monday they have arrested two people in connection with the death of a 9-year-old girl who was repeatedly beaten during a ritual they believed would drive away an evil spirit. The two suspects - the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother - were to appear in court Monday to hear charges over the girl's death, which occurred over the weekend in Delgoda, a small town about 25 miles northeast of the capital, Colombo.According to police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, the mother believed her daughter had been possessed by a demon and took her to the home of the...…Police in Sri Lanka said Monday they have arrested two people in connection with the death of a 9-year-old girl who was repeatedly beaten during a ritual they believed would drive away an evil spirit. The two suspects - the woman performing the exorcism and the girl's mother - were to appear in court Monday to hear charges over the girl's death, which occurred over the weekend in Delgoda, a small town about 25 miles northeast of the capital, Colombo.According to police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, the mother believed her daughter had been possessed by a demon and took her to the home of the...WW…

"An absolute, utter shock": Doctor fired after giving away expiring doses of COVID-19 vaccine speaks out
Dr. Hasan Gokal decided to give away 10 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were on the verge of going to waste, in what he thought was the responsible decision. Everything that was "an absolute, complete utter shock," and "mind-blowingly unexpected," he told CBS News. The Houston doctor worked as Texas' Harris County Public Health Department emergency response physician for the Office of Preparedness. He was also the medical director for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the county.In late December of last year, he was supervising a vaccination event for emergency workers — the county's...…Dr. Hasan Gokal decided to give away 10 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were on the verge of going to waste, in what he thought was the responsible decision. Everything that was "an absolute, complete utter shock," and "mind-blowingly unexpected," he told CBS News. The Houston doctor worked as Texas' Harris County Public Health Department emergency response physician for the Office of Preparedness. He was also the medical director for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the county.In late December of last year, he was supervising a vaccination event for emergency workers — the county's...WW…

Female McDonald's employees accuse fast-food chain of abuse, harassment in workplace
Young women from across the country with remarkably similar accounts of workplace abuse and harassment at one of America's largest, most iconic fast-food restaurant chains: McDonald's:"He would make comments on my body, and other workers' bodies, saying, like, 'I would have sex with you, I wouldn't have sex with her,'" said Emily Anibal. "First he was like, 'You have nice hair,' started touching my hair," said Jamelia Fairley. "Then he was like, physical; then he actually started grabbing my butt."Kat Barber said, "Any woman that he could get his hands on or be near, he was taking advantage...…Young women from across the country with remarkably similar accounts of workplace abuse and harassment at one of America's largest, most iconic fast-food restaurant chains: McDonald's:"He would make comments on my body, and other workers' bodies, saying, like, 'I would have sex with you, I wouldn't have sex with her,'" said Emily Anibal. "First he was like, 'You have nice hair,' started touching my hair," said Jamelia Fairley. "Then he was like, physical; then he actually started grabbing my butt."Kat Barber said, "Any woman that he could get his hands on or be near, he was taking advantage...WW…

McDaniel says GOP voters "overwhelmingly" agree with Trump's record in office
Washington — Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said Sunday that Republicans "overwhelmingly" agree with the actions former President Donald Trump's took while in office, even as the party appears deeply fractured in the wake of his presidency.In an interview with "Face the Nation," McDaniel was pressed on the continued embrace of Mr. Trump by some wings of the GOP, even as the party grapples with losing the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2020. Mr. Trump's position as the future of the party, she said, will be decided by Republican voters."The...…Washington — Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said Sunday that Republicans "overwhelmingly" agree with the actions former President Donald Trump's took while in office, even as the party appears deeply fractured in the wake of his presidency.In an interview with "Face the Nation," McDaniel was pressed on the continued embrace of Mr. Trump by some wings of the GOP, even as the party grapples with losing the White House and both chambers of Congress in 2020. Mr. Trump's position as the future of the party, she said, will be decided by Republican voters."The...WW…

Armenian leader says he's facing "coup attempt" amid rage over "painful" deal to end war with Azerbaijan
Armenia's prime minister said Thursday that his military had staged an attempted coup against him, as a ceasefire he struck to end a bloody war with neigboring Azerbaijan only months ago came back to haunt him. The Armenian military's General Staff demanded that Pashinyan step down after months of protests over the nation's perceived with Azerbaijan.The General Staff issued a statement calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. It was signed by top military officers. Pashinyan called the military's demand a "military coup attempt," and he ordered the chief of the General Staff...…Armenia's prime minister said Thursday that his military had staged an attempted coup against him, as a ceasefire he struck to end a bloody war with neigboring Azerbaijan only months ago came back to haunt him. The Armenian military's General Staff demanded that Pashinyan step down after months of protests over the nation's perceived with Azerbaijan.The General Staff issued a statement calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign. It was signed by top military officers. Pashinyan called the military's demand a "military coup attempt," and he ordered the chief of the General Staff...WW…

Photos show work at secretive facility at center of Israel's undeclared atomic weapons program
Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A secretive Israeli nuclear facility at the center of the nation's is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project in decades, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show. A dig about the size of a soccer field and likely several stories deep now sits just yards from the aging reactor at the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the city of Dimona. The facility is already home to the decades-old underground laboratories that reprocess the reactor's spent fuel rods to obtain weapons-grade plutonium for Israel's nuclear bomb...…Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A secretive Israeli nuclear facility at the center of the nation's is undergoing what appears to be its biggest construction project in decades, satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show. A dig about the size of a soccer field and likely several stories deep now sits just yards from the aging reactor at the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center near the city of Dimona. The facility is already home to the decades-old underground laboratories that reprocess the reactor's spent fuel rods to obtain weapons-grade plutonium for Israel's nuclear bomb...WW…

Third stimulus check: Will you get a $1,400 check?
President Joe Biden's would provide a third round of federal stimulus checks to millions of Americans. Yet while lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the proposal, there is less agreement on exactly who should qualify for the $1,400 direct payments.Congressional Democrats are moving forward with Mr. Biden's relief plan through a process called budget reconciliation, which would allow the Senate to approve the effort without any Republican support. As the process moves forward, House and Senate committees will discuss spending priorities before drafting and voting...…President Joe Biden's would provide a third round of federal stimulus checks to millions of Americans. Yet while lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for the proposal, there is less agreement on exactly who should qualify for the $1,400 direct payments.Congressional Democrats are moving forward with Mr. Biden's relief plan through a process called budget reconciliation, which would allow the Senate to approve the effort without any Republican support. As the process moves forward, House and Senate committees will discuss spending priorities before drafting and voting...WW…

Senate Democrats move immediately to "Plan B" on minimum wage
Senate Democrats are racing to finalize a new tax provision that would penalize large companies that pay low wages. The move comes after ruled Thursday night that a $15 minimum wage hike cannot be included in the Senate COVID relief package, which is currently being pushed through the chamber through a process known as budget reconciliation. The plan being drafted by aides to Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden of Oregon — in close consultation with Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders of Vermont — would impose a 5% payroll tax penalty on "very large" companies that do not pay workers a...…Senate Democrats are racing to finalize a new tax provision that would penalize large companies that pay low wages. The move comes after ruled Thursday night that a $15 minimum wage hike cannot be included in the Senate COVID relief package, which is currently being pushed through the chamber through a process known as budget reconciliation. The plan being drafted by aides to Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden of Oregon — in close consultation with Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders of Vermont — would impose a 5% payroll tax penalty on "very large" companies that do not pay workers a...WW…

Historic blackouts push Texas to consider something new: Regulation
Austin, Texas — All the groceries spoiled and the water was out for days. Then Melissa Rogers, a believer in the Texas gospel that government should know its place, woke up to a $6,000 energy bill before the snow and ice even melted."The roads were awful, but we were running around town trying to get money from every single bank we could possibly think of," said Rogers, 36, whose Fort Worth family of four was left with $80 after the charges drained her accounts and took her husband's paycheck.Now, the emerging response to a winter catastrophe that caused one of the worst power outages in...…Austin, Texas — All the groceries spoiled and the water was out for days. Then Melissa Rogers, a believer in the Texas gospel that government should know its place, woke up to a $6,000 energy bill before the snow and ice even melted."The roads were awful, but we were running around town trying to get money from every single bank we could possibly think of," said Rogers, 36, whose Fort Worth family of four was left with $80 after the charges drained her accounts and took her husband's paycheck.Now, the emerging response to a winter catastrophe that caused one of the worst power outages in...WW…

Minneapolis to hire influencers to spread messaging during trial over George Floyd's death
The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously approved paying six social media influencers to spread city-approved messaging and updates throughout the upcoming murder trial of former officer , who has been charged in George Floyd's death. On Friday, the council approved $1,181,500 for communication with the community during the trial, . The city says social media partners will help dispel potential misinformation, and that the influencers will intentionally target Black, Native American, Somali, Hmong and Latinx communities with their messaging. Each influencer will be paid $2,000.The goal...…The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously approved paying six social media influencers to spread city-approved messaging and updates throughout the upcoming murder trial of former officer , who has been charged in George Floyd's death. On Friday, the council approved $1,181,500 for communication with the community during the trial, . The city says social media partners will help dispel potential misinformation, and that the influencers will intentionally target Black, Native American, Somali, Hmong and Latinx communities with their messaging. Each influencer will be paid $2,000.The goal...WW…

Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill passes House, but faces Senate hurdle
The House passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package early Saturday morning almost entirely along partisan lines. The bill now goes the Senate, although it included a minimum wage hike that the Senate parliamentarian ruled on Thursday cannot be included if Congress uses the budget reconciliation process.Two Democrats, Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Jared Golden of Maine, voted with the Republicans in the 219-212 vote. Not one Republican voted for the bill. Debate on the bill went until nearly 1 a.m. on Saturday. The bill, called the American Rescue Plan, includes $1,400 in direct...…The House passed President Biden's $1.9 trillion relief package early Saturday morning almost entirely along partisan lines. The bill now goes the Senate, although it included a minimum wage hike that the Senate parliamentarian ruled on Thursday cannot be included if Congress uses the budget reconciliation process.Two Democrats, Kurt Schrader of Oregon and Jared Golden of Maine, voted with the Republicans in the 219-212 vote. Not one Republican voted for the bill. Debate on the bill went until nearly 1 a.m. on Saturday. The bill, called the American Rescue Plan, includes $1,400 in direct...WW…

Senate Democrats move immediately to "Plan B" on minimum wage
Senate Democrats are racing to finalize a new tax provision that would penalize large companies that pay low wages. The move comes after ruled Thursday night that a $15 minimum wage hike cannot be included in the Senate COVID relief package, which is currently being pushed through the chamber through a process known as budget reconciliation. The plan being drafted by aides to Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden of Oregon — in close consultation with Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders of Vermont — would impose a 5% payroll tax penalty on "very large" companies that do not pay workers a...…Senate Democrats are racing to finalize a new tax provision that would penalize large companies that pay low wages. The move comes after ruled Thursday night that a $15 minimum wage hike cannot be included in the Senate COVID relief package, which is currently being pushed through the chamber through a process known as budget reconciliation. The plan being drafted by aides to Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden of Oregon — in close consultation with Senate Budget Chair Bernie Sanders of Vermont — would impose a 5% payroll tax penalty on "very large" companies that do not pay workers a...WW…

13 House Republicans are voting by proxy on COVID relief bill, citing pandemic, but they're speaking at CPAC
At least 13 House Republicans have filed paperwork to have colleagues cast their votes on the COVID-19 relief bill Friday evening, citing the ongoing pandemic. However, they are also slated to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. Republican Representatives and of North Carolina, and of Florida, of Arizona, of Tennessee, of California, of Pennsylvania, of California, of Colorado, of South Carolina, of Indiana and of Texas, filed paperwork with the House clerk this week, stating, "I am unable to physically attend proceedings in the House...…At least 13 House Republicans have filed paperwork to have colleagues cast their votes on the COVID-19 relief bill Friday evening, citing the ongoing pandemic. However, they are also slated to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida. Republican Representatives and of North Carolina, and of Florida, of Arizona, of Tennessee, of California, of Pennsylvania, of California, of Colorado, of South Carolina, of Indiana and of Texas, filed paperwork with the House clerk this week, stating, "I am unable to physically attend proceedings in the House...WW…

Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed for hanging anti-trans sign outside office in escalation of debate over Equality Act
Two members of Congress have taken the debate over the out of the House chamber and into the hallway outside of their offices. After Rep. Marie Newman placed a transgender pride flag outside of her office, which is across from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Greene put up an anti-trans sign outside of her own, sparking backlash. Newman, a Democrat from Illinois who has a transgender daughter, criticized Georgia Republican Greene on Wednesday for opposing the Equality Act — a sweeping anti-discrimination bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting...…Two members of Congress have taken the debate over the out of the House chamber and into the hallway outside of their offices. After Rep. Marie Newman placed a transgender pride flag outside of her office, which is across from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Greene put up an anti-trans sign outside of her own, sparking backlash. Newman, a Democrat from Illinois who has a transgender daughter, criticized Georgia Republican Greene on Wednesday for opposing the Equality Act — a sweeping anti-discrimination bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting...WW…

Picasso's anti-war "Guernica" tapestry removed from U.N. headquarters after decades on display
For nearly 36 years, a tapestry depicting Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" adorned the wall at the entrance to the 15-nation Security Council chamber at the United Nations' New York headquarters. But the tapestry, a haunting and harsh reminder of the horrors of war, has since been removed and returned to its owner. The tapestry was commissioned in 1955 by Nelson A. Rockefeller and was loaned to the United Nations in 1984, Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said in a letter to the Security Council's president. Viotti added that Rockefeller's son, Nelson A. Rockefeller Jr., had recently,...…For nearly 36 years, a tapestry depicting Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" adorned the wall at the entrance to the 15-nation Security Council chamber at the United Nations' New York headquarters. But the tapestry, a haunting and harsh reminder of the horrors of war, has since been removed and returned to its owner. The tapestry was commissioned in 1955 by Nelson A. Rockefeller and was loaned to the United Nations in 1984, Chef de Cabinet Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti said in a letter to the Security Council's president. Viotti added that Rockefeller's son, Nelson A. Rockefeller Jr., had recently,...WW…

Biden administration to release new guidelines after Khashoggi intelligence report
The Biden administration is preparing a new policy that it will unveil following the imminent public release of a U.S. intelligence report regarding the killing of journalist , three sources confirm to CBS News. The policy guidelines will lay out consequences for future attacks on journalists working for U.S. outlets. It will put foreign governments in the U.S. government's crosshairs if they target journalists like Khashoggi, who was a Washington Post contributing columnist and U.S. resident. The directive will apply to all foreign governments, not just the Saudi kingdom. Two U.S....…The Biden administration is preparing a new policy that it will unveil following the imminent public release of a U.S. intelligence report regarding the killing of journalist , three sources confirm to CBS News. The policy guidelines will lay out consequences for future attacks on journalists working for U.S. outlets. It will put foreign governments in the U.S. government's crosshairs if they target journalists like Khashoggi, who was a Washington Post contributing columnist and U.S. resident. The directive will apply to all foreign governments, not just the Saudi kingdom. Two U.S....WW…

She came to the U.S. with only $300 and worked housekeeping jobs to pay for school. Now she's a flight director for NASA's Mars Perseverance.
When on Mars last week, aerospace engineer , who is a flight director on the mission, said in an interview with CBS News that it took her some time to process that it had arrived on the red planet. "I was very much on the mindset of 'What's happening?'" she said. Then as from Perseverance started to beam back, it became real."Are we safe? I think that watching the image was when I actually processed that we had actually landed," she added.The landing only marked the beginning of Perseverance's stop on Mars, but playing a leadership role in the historic mission to find life there was...…When on Mars last week, aerospace engineer , who is a flight director on the mission, said in an interview with CBS News that it took her some time to process that it had arrived on the red planet. "I was very much on the mindset of 'What's happening?'" she said. Then as from Perseverance started to beam back, it became real."Are we safe? I think that watching the image was when I actually processed that we had actually landed," she added.The landing only marked the beginning of Perseverance's stop on Mars, but playing a leadership role in the historic mission to find life there was...WW…

House passes Equality Act, bolstering legal protections for LGBTQ Americans
Washington — The House passed a bill on Thursday known as the Equality Act, which would enshrine legal protections for LGBTQ Americans by amending existing civil rights laws to prevent businesses and institutions from discriminating against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed by a vote of 224 to 206, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting "yes.""Every American deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. With today's vote, the House has again affirmed that LGBTQ people should enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as all other...…Washington — The House passed a bill on Thursday known as the Equality Act, which would enshrine legal protections for LGBTQ Americans by amending existing civil rights laws to prevent businesses and institutions from discriminating against people based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill passed by a vote of 224 to 206, with three Republicans joining Democrats in voting "yes.""Every American deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. With today's vote, the House has again affirmed that LGBTQ people should enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as all other...WW…

Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed for hanging anti-trans sign outside office in escalation of debate over Equality Act
Two members of Congress have taken the debate over the out of the House chamber and into the hallway outside of their offices. After Rep. Marie Newman placed a transgender pride flag outside of her office, which is across from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Greene put up an anti-trans sign outside of her own, sparking backlash. Newman, a Democrat from Illinois who has a transgender daughter, criticized Georgia Republican Greene on Wednesday for opposing the Equality Act — a sweeping anti-discrimination bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting...…Two members of Congress have taken the debate over the out of the House chamber and into the hallway outside of their offices. After Rep. Marie Newman placed a transgender pride flag outside of her office, which is across from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Greene put up an anti-trans sign outside of her own, sparking backlash. Newman, a Democrat from Illinois who has a transgender daughter, criticized Georgia Republican Greene on Wednesday for opposing the Equality Act — a sweeping anti-discrimination bill that would extend civil rights protections to LGBTQ people by prohibiting...WW…

Biden rescinds Trump's pandemic-era ban on certain immigrant visas
President Biden on Wednesday a Trump-era suspension of certain immigrant visas that had dramatically cut legal immigration to the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic.When enacting them in April 2020, President Trump said the restrictions were necessary to prevent new immigrants from competing with U.S. workers in the labor market during the economic recession caused by the pandemic.Mr. Trump used a broad executive power to prohibit the issuance of certain visas for prospective immigrants hoping to move to the U.S. permanently through petitions filed by their family members or prospective...…President Biden on Wednesday a Trump-era suspension of certain immigrant visas that had dramatically cut legal immigration to the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic.When enacting them in April 2020, President Trump said the restrictions were necessary to prevent new immigrants from competing with U.S. workers in the labor market during the economic recession caused by the pandemic.Mr. Trump used a broad executive power to prohibit the issuance of certain visas for prospective immigrants hoping to move to the U.S. permanently through petitions filed by their family members or prospective...WW…

Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies say gangs targeting "young Latinos" operate within department
A CBS News investigation has uncovered allegations of gangs existing within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, possibly for decades. Current deputies out of the East Los Angeles station say the existence of gangs within law enforcement has been a problem in the area.The deputies, who do not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, claim the most prevalent are called the Banditos — comprised of mostly Latino deputies who serve predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods."They operate as a gang. They commit crimes, they assault people," one deputy told CBS News' Maria...…A CBS News investigation has uncovered allegations of gangs existing within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, possibly for decades. Current deputies out of the East Los Angeles station say the existence of gangs within law enforcement has been a problem in the area.The deputies, who do not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, claim the most prevalent are called the Banditos — comprised of mostly Latino deputies who serve predominantly African American and Latino neighborhoods."They operate as a gang. They commit crimes, they assault people," one deputy told CBS News' Maria...WW…

Business group to fight North Dakota bill that would ban mask mandates
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Federal judge indefinitely blocks Biden administration's 100-day moratorium on most deportations
Houston — A federal judge late Tuesday indefinitely banned President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a . U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton issued a preliminary injunction sought by Texas, which argued the moratorium violated federal law and risked imposing additional costs on the state.Mr. Biden proposed the 100-day pause on deportations during his campaign as part of a larger review of immigration enforcement and an attempt to reverse the priorities of former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden has proposed a that would allow the legalization of an estimated 11 million people living...…Houston — A federal judge late Tuesday indefinitely banned President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a . U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton issued a preliminary injunction sought by Texas, which argued the moratorium violated federal law and risked imposing additional costs on the state.Mr. Biden proposed the 100-day pause on deportations during his campaign as part of a larger review of immigration enforcement and an attempt to reverse the priorities of former President Donald Trump. Mr. Biden has proposed a that would allow the legalization of an estimated 11 million people living...WW…

Biden to sign executive order on supply chains
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Bo Erickson

Zak Hudak

Camilo Montoya-Galvez

Audrey McNamara

Aimee Picchi

Emily Tillett

Jonathan LaPook

Jeff Berardelli

Melissa Quinn
Caitlin O'Kane

Sophie Lewis
