The Daily Populous

Tuesday February 16th, 2021 morning edition

image for 30 Taliban militants killed in explosion during bomb-making class

At least 30 Taliban militants have died in Afghanistan after they blew themselves up during a bomb-making class.

The blast happened on Saturday morning at a mosque in the village of Qultaq in the Dowlatabad district of Balkh province.

The bodies of the six foreigners could not be identified because of the extent of the damage caused by the explosion, the army statement revealed.

The militants had gathered to learn techniques for making bombs and IEDS from the six foreigners, who were reportedly considered experts in the subject.

The Islamic State group's local affiliate has claimed responsibility for some of the attacks, but many go unclaimed, with the government putting the blame on the Taliban.

In eastern Ghazni province, the provincial governor's spokesman, Wahidullah Jumazada, said an airstrike called in during fighting with the Taliban killed at least 22 insurgents, including foreign fighters in the group.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid immediately tweeted a denial, saying Afghan government forces were defeated in the fighting in Ghazni. »

Hundreds of people are volunteering to escort elderly Asian Americans to help keep them safe

Authored by edition.cnn.com
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Exhausted by the violence, Azevedo offered on social media to walk with anyone in Oakland's Chinatown neighborhood to help them feel safe.

He said people from all racial backgrounds and ages reached out to him sharing the same desire to help support the community.

Stop APPI Hate Co-Founder, Cynthia Choi, told CNN that crime and violence is nothing new to the Asian community. »

Pelosi calls for 9/11-style commission on Capitol insurrection

Authored by independent.co.uk

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has called for an independent commission, similar to the months-long probe in the wake of the attacks on 11 September, to investigate the Capitol insurrection on 6 January.

The commission also would investigate the “preparedness and response” of the US Capitol Police and federal, state and local law enforcement in Washington DC.

The letter from congressmen Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes, Rodney Davis and James Comer criticises Speaker Pelosi for firing the House Sergeant at Arms and demanding the resignation of the Capitol Police chief. »

Justice Reform Coalition Urges Biden to Pardon All Non-Violent Marijuana Convictions

Authored by commondreams.org
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A coalition of drug reform advocates on Monday urged President Joe Biden to follow through on his campaign promises and signal the nation is "truly taking a new course" by expunging the records of those with non-violent marijuana convictions.

Lasting harm from such criminal records casts a wide net, affecting areas including job opportunities and housing, they said.

NORML also urging people to sign a petition to Biden expunge all non-violent marijuana records. »

Michigan State Police Officials Are Dodging Public Records Obligations By Using Encrypted Messaging Apps

Authored by techdirt.com

Michigan State Police Officials Are Dodging Public Records Obligations By Using Encrypted Messaging Apps.

Admissions made in a lawsuit brought by a fired Michigan State Police inspector show police officials have been using an encrypted messaging app with a self-destruct feature to engage in official business.

After a motion to compel, the Michigan State Police admitted its officials were using an encrypted app with self-destructing messages that leaves no permanent record on officials' phones or MSP servers. »