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Fear and gloating about U.S. at top democracy gathering

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — President Joe Biden is confident the United States can handle a world on fire. The reaction from dignitaries at a major international democracy forum: It’s too early to call.Diplomats, officials and military leaders gathered at the annual Halifax International Security Forum this weekend to rally the world’s democracies against autocratic forces. This year’s conference centered around the idea that Ukraine’s victory against Russia would make it easier for Israel to defeat Hamas and signal to Beijing that Washington backs its friends.That put American resolve in the spotlight, as questions about the Biden administration’s ability to stay the course swirled in public panel discussions and hallway conversations.Fear persists that Israel’s forceful retaliation, and what comes next in Gaza, will distract the U.S. from Kyiv’s needs. Biden is grappling with a funding fight at home, where Democrats express skepticism at more support for Israel while Republic...

Bruins’ Milan Lucic charged with assault and battery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court early this week facing an assault charge, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.Lucic, 35, is charged with assault and battery on a family or household member with his arraignment taking place on either Monday or Tuesday, officials told the Herald. The Bruins announced that the forward will be taking “an indefinite leave of absence” in a statement where the team offered their aid.“The Boston Bruins are aware of an incident involving Milan Lucic Friday evening. Milan is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team. The organization takes these matters very seriously, and will work with the Lucic family to provide any support and assistance they may need. We will have no further comment at this time.”Lucic had spent eight years on the Bruins before a trade to Los Angeles marked the start of an eight-year departure from the team. He re-signed with the Bruins earlier th...

A look San Diego County's 48-hour rainfall totals following a 'tropical moisture plum'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- It was a wet morning for many across San Diego County Sunday as a "tropical moisture plum," also known as an atmospheric river, lifted northward.Just how much rain has the region seen over the past couple of days?The National Weather Service released its two-day precipitation totals as of 7:32 a.m. Sunday, and here's a look at those results: CSI San Diego: What it takes to be a criminalist in America’s Finest City *Note: Rainfall amounts were collected at NWS stations across the county.North County areasJulian0.31 inchesPoway0.23 inchesOceanside0.08 inchesRamona0.06 inchesEscondido0.06 inchesVista0.04 inchesEncinitas0.04 inchesCarlsbad0.03 inchesEl Camino Del Norte0.03 inchesSan Onofre0.02 inchesSan Marcos0.02 inches(NWS measurements)San Diego areasMiramar0.31 inchesKearney Mesa0.30 inchesFashion Valley0.21 inchesMontgomery Field0.19 inchesChula Vista0.18 inchesPoint Loma0.12 inchesBrown Field0.10 inches(NWS measurements) It’s the first El Niño winter in 5 years. Wh...

Mother of teen killed during a traffic stop in France leads a protest against officer’s release

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

NANTERRE, France (AP) — The mother of a 17-year-old who was killed during a traffic stop in France led a protest Sunday to call for justice after after the police officer suspected in the fatal shooting of her son was released from custody pending further investigation.The death of Nahel Merzouk June touched off rioting around the country that highlighted anger over police violence, poverty and discrimination against people with immigrant backgrounds. Merzouk was of North African origin.A few hundred people rallied Sunday at the site where he was killed, Nelson Mandela Square in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Police vans lined nearby streets. Shouts briefly erupted when objects were thrown at police, but the gathering was overall peaceful.The late teenager’s mother, Mounia, choked with emotion as she described missing her son. She led the group in chants of ‘’Justice for Nahel.”Those in the crowd included people who have experienced police violence, such as music producer...

Rogers, union representing striking workers in Metro Vancouver reach tentative deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

Rogers Communications Inc. has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing nearly 300 striking workers in Metro Vancouver after contract talks broke down and the company issued a lock-out notice earlier this month.A statement from Rogers spokesman Cam Gordon says the company is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement, adding the goal “has always been to achieve a negotiated settlement that meets the needs of our employees and our customers.”Representatives of United Steelworkers Local 1944 Unit 60 have not responded to multiple requests to confirm the tentative deal this weekend.Rogers had issued the lock-out notice shortly after the union announced plans for a series of rotating strikes among former Shaw technicians in B.C.’s Lower Mainland.At the time, the union said it issued the 72-hour strike notice after rejecting a proposal from the company it described as “a shameful attack on our members, their families and the communities Rogers ...

Reports say Russell Brand interviewed by British police over claims of sexual offenses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Comedian Russell Brand has been interviewed by British police over three alleged sexual offenses, U.K. media reported Sunday.The Sunday Times and BBC said Brand, 48, was interviewed last week at a London police station.Without naming Brand, the Metropolitan Police force said that “a man in his 40s attended a police station in south London on Thursday November 16, 2023. He was interviewed under caution by detectives in relation to three non-recent sexual offenses. Inquiries continue.”British police do not name suspects who have not been arrested and charged. “Under caution” means the interview was recorded and can be used in future prosecutions.In September, the Times and Sunday Times newspapers and broadcaster Channel 4 said four women had made allegations of sexual assault against Brand. They dated from the period between 2006 and 2013, when Brand was a major star in Britain with a growing U.S. profile.He denies all the claims, saying his relationships wer...

Investigators probe for motive behind shooting at New Hampshire psychiatric hospital

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Investigators in New Hampshire were probing for answers Sunday as to why a man shot a security guard to death at a New Hampshire psychiatric hospital moments before being killed by a state police trooper.New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said Saturday that 33-year-old John Madore entered New Hampshire Hospital on Friday afternoon and killed Bradley Haas, a state Department of Safety security officer who was working at the front lobby entrance of the facility. Michael Garrity, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, said Sunday that the investigation into the shooting “is active and ongoing.”Autopsies determined that the cause of death for both Haas and Madore was multiple gunshot wounds, according to Formella’s office.In 2016, Madore faced assault charges that were later dismissed, according to a court summary of the case. The summary, without elaborating, indicates that a judge had ordered Madore to be transported from New Hampshire Hospita...

A hat worn by Napoleon fetches $1.6 million at an auction of the French emperor’s belongings

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A faded and cracked felt hat worn by Napoléon Bonaparte fetched $1.6 million at an auction Sunday of the French emperor’s belongingsYes, $1.6 million.The signature broad, black hat — one of a handful still in existence that Napoléon wore when he ruled 19th century France and waged war in Europe — was initially valued at 600,000 to 800,000 euros ($650,000-870,000). It was the centerpiece of Sunday’s auction in Fontainebleau of memorabilia collected by a French industrialist who died last year.But the bidding quickly jumped higher and higher until Jean Pierre Osenat, president of the Osenat auction house, designated the winner.‘’We are at 1.5 million (euros) for Napoleon’s hat … for this major symbol of the Napoleonic epoch,” he said. The name of the winning bidder was not released. While other officers customarily wore their hats with the wings facing front to back, Napoléon wore his with the ends pointing toward his shoulders. The style — known as “en ...

US calls Nicaragua’s decision to leave Organization of American States a ‘step away from democracy’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The U.S. State Department called Nicaragua’s formal withdrawal from the Organization of American States on Sunday “another step away from democracy.” The regional body, known by its initials OAS, has long criticized rights violations under Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. Ortega, who governs alongside his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, has rejected those criticisms and started the two-year process to leave the OAS in November 2021. “The Ortega/Murillo regime’s withdrawal from the OAS is another step away from democracy and further isolates Nicaragua from the international community,” U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.Neither Ortega’s office nor the government commented Sunday. The OAS has said it will continue closely monitoring Nicaragua’s democracy and human rights record even after the country’s exit from the group, which it has belonged to since 1950. According to a re...

Sunday Forecast: Sunny, mid 50s

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:37 GMT

Sunday: Sunny start with increasing afternoon clouds. ENE 5-10 mph. Air quality is moderate for today. High 55Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy & not as cold. E 5-10 mphLow near 40, colder in the suburbs. Monday: Cloudy skies, a bit breezy & chance of afternoon light rain. E 10-20 mph. High 48Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Extended outlook calls for a rainy Monday night and Tue morning commute. High temps Tue still in the mid to upper 40s with clearing skies in the afternoon. Wed/Thu both cooler and sunny with highs in the mid to low 40s. =-=-=