May 2 top stories

Hello, it is May 2. Here are today’s top stories.

Murder suspect accused of eating victim’s face

Local sources reported that Colin Czech, 29, is accused of killing a man and eating his face at a bus stop in Las Vegas around 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 28.

Police received a 911 call from an employee at a 7-Eleven, reporting a fight in the parking lot and told dispatchers that a male who appeared paranoid – had tackled, punched and banged a victim’s head on the concrete in the parking lot.

Court documents said when police responded to the scene, Czech was kneeling next to the victim with “biological matter in his hair, mouth and on his clothing.” He told officers the victim had attacked him. The victim was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital. The victim was also missing his left eye and left ear.

Czech later told police he was unhoused and was awake for five days straight because something was possessing him. The ‘voices’ told him to kill before biting parts of the victim's eyeballs and ears.

Czech’s public defender told a judge in the case that he believes Czech is incompetent to stand trial and the paperwork is underway to have Czech go through a mental health evaluation by doctors who will make a determination.

House passes bill aimed to combat antisemitism

The House passed a bipartisan bill Wednesday to combat antisemitism as pro-Palestinian protests roil colleges across the U.S.

The measure passed 320-91. Twenty-one Republicans and 70 Democrats voted against it.

The bill, titled the Antisemitism Awareness Act, would mandate that the Education Department adopt the broad definition of anti-semitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, to enforce anti-discrimination laws.

The international group defines antisemitism as a “certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” The group adds that it includes such things as calling for the killing or harming of Jews or holding Jews collectively responsible for actions taken by Israel.

The bill’s prospects in the Senate are unclear.

US accuses Russia of using chemical choking agents in Ukraine

The U.S. has formally accused Russia of using chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops and announced late Wednesday that it is imposing more sanctions on Russian individuals and entities.

The U.S. State Department released a statement Wednesday accusing Russia of violating the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which bans the production and use of chemical weapons, by using the choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian forces.

The Kremlin’s spokesperson Peskov rebuffed the accusations when asked to comment by reporters Thursday.

Experts said: “When inhaled, these agents cause air sacs in the lungs to secrete fluid, essentially drowning those affected.”

In February, Ukraine accused Russia of using chemical weapons in more than 200 attacks on the battlefield in January alone. Russia denied the allegations and, in turn, has accused Ukraine of using chemical weapons. Neither has produced evidence for its claims.

———

[Sponsored Video from Sorenson: www.sorenson.com]

———

[Advertisement from 988 Helpline]

Exciting News! The 988 Lifeline launched new American Sign Language services for callers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It’s a new resource for people to access help when they need it. Visit 988lifeline.org and select “ASL Now.”

———

An exciting announcement by GLAD for our upcoming event on May 11th. All are welcome to come and this event is FREE! More info: GLADinc.org/MentalHealthEvent

What to Expect:

🍽️ Free Food: Enjoy delicious refreshments throughout the day.

🎁 Free Giveaways: Take home special items to remind you of the importance of self-love.

🎉 Free Raffles: Win exciting prizes in our raffle draws.

🎓 Free Workshops: Participate in workshops designed to help you nurture self-love and improve mental well-being.

🎈 Fun Entertainment: Engage in activities for both adults and children, ensuring a day of enjoyment for the whole family.

🗓️ When: May 11, 2024, Saturday

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

📍 Where: 2222 Laverna Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90041

🌐 Website: GLADinc.org/MentalHealthEvent

More info: 📞 Phone: 323-829-2222 or 📧 Email: ccarson@gladinc.org

#TakeActionLA

———

Face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman revealed

A British team of archaeologists at University of Cambridge on Thursday revealed the reconstructed face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman.

Named Shanidar Z, after the cave in Iraqi Kurdistan where her skull was found in 2018. She was estimated to be 40-something years old when she died. Shanidar Z’s skull was smashed into 200 pieces, possibly by a rockfall, and as flat as a pizza. It was meticulously pieced together by scientists over the last six years.

One of scientists said the skulls of Neanderthals and humans look very different. Neanderthal skulls have huge brow ridges and lack chins. And that Shanidar Z is perhaps the best preserved individual to be found this century.

Her face was recreated as part of a documentary, “Secrets of the Neanderthals.” produced by the BBC and released Thursday on Netflix.

See Alex’s report on Williams-Sonoma for making false claims about where some of its products were originally made.

Williams-Sonoma fined for false “Made in the USA” claims

Thanks, Callie.

Williams-Sonoma, the home/kitchen furnishing retailer, will be paying a penalty of over $3 million after a federal agency found that the company falsely claimed that some of its products were “Made in the USA.”

The fine came after a customer ordered a mattress pad that was advertised as “Crafted in America…” When the customer received the item, it had labels that said, “Made in China.” That led to an FTC investigation and the penalty.

The Federal Trade Commission said many of Williams-Sonoma’s products were made in China. The penalty of $3 million is the largest ever in a “Made in the USA” case. It is the second time that Williams-Sonoma was fined by the FTC.

Thanks for that report. That’s all the top stories for today. See you tomorrow and stay with the light!

Murder suspect accused of eating victim’s face

https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/05/01/report-suspect-allegedly-ate-victims-eyeball-ear-violent-attack-near-las-vegas-strip/

https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/murder-suspect-accused-of-eating-victims-face-near-las-vegas-strip/

House passes bill aimed to combat antisemitism

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/05/01/antisemitism-awarness-act-campus-protests/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/house-passes-bill-to-expand-definition-of-antisemitism-amid-growing-campus-protests-over-gaza-war

US accuses Russia of using chemical choking agents in Ukraine

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/2/us-accuses-russia-of-using-chemical-weapons-in-ukraine-war

Face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman revealed

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68922877

Williams-Sonoma fined for false “Made in the USA” claims

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/retail/2024/04/29/williams-sonoma-fined-products-made-in-usa/73497044007/