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Should France Ban the Burqa?
The French love their fashion, but when clothes are used to oppress women, the government is not on board.
France has announced that it may soon ban women from wearing the burqa outside the home. A burqa, worn by some Muslim women, is the head-to-toe garment that typically has only a small opening at the eyes.
Kiss of Arrest: Women Say They Were Unfairly Targeted at Mall
After she received a kiss on the cheek from her girlfriend, a Texas woman says a mall security officer and a sheriff deputy began harassing her. Now, Jessica Garcia will argue to a court that the mall unfairly targeted her and her girlfriend when they arrested them on trespassing and other charges.
Garcia has recounted the situation like this: He said, "This is a family mall, y'all can't do this.” We said, "Do what?"
On-Demand Fingerprint Machines Let Police ID in the Street
Mobile fingerprint scanners are hitting the beat in the UK, helping police officers issue identity checks on the street. Right now, police must take a suspect into custody to issue fingerprint checks.
Thanks to the scanner, the size of a cell phone, the time of checking identity would go form from 67 minutes, to five, thus reducing the number of police needed by 366 officers.
Sex Offenders Get Scarlet Pumpkin for Halloween
As part of their parole, Maryland sex offenders must display a pumpkin sign that states "No candy at this residence." Along with posting the warning sign, the violent and child-sex offenders must also stay in their homes on Halloween, keep the lights off, and not answer the door. The state has distributed warnings to families, telling them to stay away from homes with the pumpkins.
Say What? NSA Workers Detail Eavesdropping on Americans
The Bush Administration says it taps conversations of Americans only if they involved al Qaeda. But two ex-NSA interceptors say Bush's assertions are a lie, and they have come forward after feelings that their conduct was immoral and illegal. ABC News shared a look into the details of intercepted phone conversations between overseas Americans and their friends, colleagues, or family back home.
Briefing Book! China Surveillance Spying on Skype Users
- China: Wireless wiretapping? Chats over Skype network are being tracked and recorded by computers located in China. — Shanghaiist
- McCain: Is John McCain a hipster?
UK Debates Holding Terror Suspects For 42 Days: Too Long?
The US isn't the only country with a firm eye on terrorism — and they're certainly not alone walking the tricky line between government abilities to crack down in meaningful ways and civil liberties. The British House of Commons is set to vote on a measure allowing police to detain people for up to 42 days without charge if they're suspected of terrorism-related activities.
Human rights organizations are outraged by the provision.
NE Town Bans Porch Couches: Should Lawmakers Relax?
Perhaps fearing scenes just like this dotting older neighborhoods, the town of Lincoln, NE, just passed a law banning indoor furniture from being used outside. The development could have big ramifications on the chillaxing abilities of the town's large population of college students, traditionally grand proponents of the "porch couch."
The city council voted 5-2 in favor of the new measure, and no one testified against the proposal during the open public hearing.
Michigan Asks: Does Foreclosure Take Away Right to Vote?
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The housing crisis suddenly has a whole new address: voting rights. Yesterday the chairman of the Macomb County Republican Party was quoted in the Michigan Messenger as saying he's set to assign election challengers with "a list of foreclosed homes and [we] will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." The statement voting laws, which require an address and a desire to make sure proper election procedures were followed.
Arresting Hope? Security for Dem Convention Upsets Activists
Denver police worry that Democrats will bring unrest to the city, instead of hope, during next week's national convention. The city has built a secret jail just for the occasion. Officials say they need the extra facility, built in a former warehouse, just in case police make mass arrests during the convention.
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