#executive-order

#executive-order

Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation Thursday that further enshrines the right to abortion and gender-affirming care into law and another that bans so-called conversion therapy.The new legislation enhances existing state law that makes access to abortion and gender-affirming care legal and opposes conversion therapy.

The decision comes as governments around the world face accusations of using spyware to target dissidents.United States President Joe Biden has signed an executive order restricting the government's use of commercial spyware technology that has been utilised to target political dissent around the globe.

Florida educational officials have threatened to revoke the teaching license of a publicly elected school superintendent and possibly remove him from office after he encouraged students and teachers to oppose Gov. Ron DeSantis 's (R) infamous Don't Say Gay law.Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. sent a letter to Leon County Superintendent Rocky Hanna earlier this month threatening his license.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed three laws on Wednesday, including one banning conversion therapy, another protecting access to abortion rights, and a third protecting gender-affirming care access.The laws will defend LGBTQ+ people and reproductive rights against attacks on both by Republican legislators nationwide.

Friday is International Transgender Day of Visibility, which is intended to celebrate the contributions of transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) people at home and around the world.This year, the celebratory aspects of Transgender Day of Visibility are being overshadowed by threats to TGE visibility in the form of hundreds of bills attacking TGE adolescents, their families and their providers.

The Biden administration is trying to clamp down on the government's use of any commercial spyware that could also be used by other countries to harm its interests.The president has signed an executive order saying that federal agencies can't use spyware "that poses significant counterintelligence or security risks to the United States Government or significant risks of improper use by a foreign government or foreign person."

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A Los Angeles police sergeant had part of a finger bitten off during a combative arrest at a Metro rail station Thursday, department officials said.Officials said the suspect being detained also sustained minor injuries after officers used force when he resisted.

U.S. Representative Jamal Bowman (D-NY) joins TikTok creators at a news conference to speak out against a possible ban of TikTok at the House Triangle at the United States Capitol in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2023.EVELYN HOCKSTEIN (REUTERS) The state of Arkansas sued TikTok and Facebook parent Meta on Tuesday, claiming the social media companies were misleading consumers about the safety of children on their platforms and protections of users' private data.

President Joe Biden on Monday limited how the federal government can use commercial spyware that officials say poses a growing threat to government workers and information systems.Biden signed an executive order prohibiting intelligence agencies and other departments from using commercial spyware considered a national security risk or that has been used improperly abroad, such as to target activists and journalists.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed a bill last week that bans transgender students from using restrooms and locker rooms associated with their gender identities and requires them to use facilities that align with their sex assigned at birth.The bill says that transgender students who are "unwilling or unable" to use the wrong bathroom can request a reasonable accommodation in writing.