GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip
At least 7 die, over 1,000 injured by Israeli gunfire
At least seven people were killed by Israeli army gunfire and 1,070 others were injured during protests on Friday, as thousands of Palestinians gathered along the Gaza border, many burning tires and throwing rocks.
Since last Friday, 29 Palestinians have died in connection with tensions along the border while more than 2,500 have been injured.
The demonstrators are staging a six-week protest, dubbed the “Great March of Return,” to call for a return of Palestinian refugees and descendants who fled or were expelled from their homes in Israel in the 1948 war that marked Israel’s creation.
WASHINGTON
Texas lawmaker quits amid allegations
Texas Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold abruptly resigned Friday, four months after announcing he wouldn’t seek re-election amid sexual harassment allegations.
“While I planned on serving out the remainder of my term in Congress, I know in my heart it’s time for me to move along and look for new ways to serve,” Farenthold said in a video statement.
In December, Farenthold had posted another video denying a former aide’s 2014 accusations, including that he’d subjected her to sexually suggestive comments and behavior and then fired her after she complained.
PHOENIX
Federal authorities seize Backpage.com, other sites
Federal law enforcement authorities are seizing online classified site Backpage.com and affiliated websites known for listing adult escort services.
Backpage.com lets users create posts to sell items, seek a roommate, participate in forums, list upcoming events or post job openings. It also known for listings adult escorts and other sexual services, and authorities say related advertising has been extremely lucrative.
State prosecutors in California have said the website’s chief executive Carl Ferrer and founders Michael Lacey and James Larkin illegally funneled money through multiple companies and created various websites to get around banks that refused to process transactions. They have pleaded not guilty.
– From news service reports
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