COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, Israel unleashes more strikes, Apple's new features: 5 things to know Thursday
Biden to sign COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law
President Joe Biden will sign the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law Thursday during a ceremony at the White House, according to his official schedule. The House overwhelmingly passed the bill Tuesday, which sent it to Biden's desk. As reports of hate incidents against Asian Americans have drastically climbed for more than a year, the legislation is meant to combat the attacks and racism. After a mass shooting in Georgia in March that killed eight people – six of whom were women of Asian descent – lawmakers in both chambers of Congress called for quick action on the legislation which will become law in May, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
- Majority of anti-AAPI hate incidents are not a hate crime. How are we dealing with them?
- Opinion: Asian and Pacific Islander heritage helps lift America to what it must be
- 'A historic surge': Anti-Asian American hate incidents skyrocket despite public awareness campaign
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Israel unleashes more airstrikes after vowing to press on in Gaza
Israel unleashed a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Thursday, killing at least one Palestinian and wounding several others. The strikes came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed back against U.S. pressure to wind down the offensive against Gaza's militant Hamas rulers, who have fired thousands of rockets at Israel. Israel's Foreign Ministry says ministers from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will arrive in the country Thursday "to express their solidarity and support" for Israel during its campaign against Hamas. Israel faces mounting international pressure to de-escalate hostilities after 10 days of heavy fighting in Gaza. President Joe Biden, in his most forceful statement yet on the conflict, told Netanyahu on Wednesday that he expects "a significant de-escalation today on the path to a cease-fire," the White House said. Netanyahu, however, said he was "determined to continue this operation until its aim is met."
- Extensive trauma: Gaza children bearing the brunt in Israel-Hamas conflict
- Brief meeting: Rep. Rashida Tlaib presses Biden on Palestinian rights as he faces growing pressure over Mideast
- Pivotal pieces: Key players in the Israel-Palestinian conflict and why peace remains elusive in Gaza
Apple introduces new features for Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Thursday is Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which promotes digital access and inclusion for people living with disabilities. To mark the day, Apple will roll out SignTime, which lets customers communicate with AppleCare and other retail services by using American Sign Language in the United States, British Sign Language in the United Kingdom, and French Sign Language in France through a web browser. Customers visiting Apple Stores in those countries can also use SignTime to remotely access a sign language interpreter without booking one ahead of time. It's one of several new accessibility features on the way for Apple's iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads.
- Is the new iMac right for you? Apple's new colorful computers are here with Magic Keyboard, M1 chip and more
- Make it easy to see, touch and voice control your iPhone: How to make your phone accessible
'That '70s Show,' 'The Ranch' actor Danny Masterson in court facing rape allegations
A judge in Los Angeles will determine whether there is enough evidence for "That '70s Show" and "The Ranch" star Danny Masterson to stand trial accused of raping three women in the early 2000s. Graphic testimony at a preliminary hearing Wednesday saw a woman identified in court only as Christina B., who was five years into a relationship with Masterson, say she awoke one night to find he was raping her. On Tuesday, a different woman identifying herself only as Jen B., testified that she was slipping in and out of consciousness when she found Masterson raping her. "The first thing I recall is grabbing his hair to pull him off," she said. Masterson, 45, has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, has said he would prove his client's innocence.
- Previous coverage:Masterson pleads not guilty to rape charges
- From 2020: Masterson appears in court
PGA Championship tees off in South Carolina
The 103rd PGA Championship begins Thursday from Kiawah Island Golf Resort's Ocean Course in South Carolina. Collin Morikawa won last year's event, which was played in August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will open the tournament alongside 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and 2020 U.S. Open winner Bryson DeChambeau. Tiger Woods, golf's most recognizable player, is still recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident and will not play.
- 'The ultimate test of nerve': Kiawah Island's 17th hole could wreck many scorecards at PGA Championship
- PGA Championship: Collin Morikawa nailed the Champions Dinner he didn't know he got to host and a history lesson
Contributing: The Associated Press