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French far-right figure ends divisive crowdfunding for officer whose shooting of teen set off unrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A French far-right figure behind a divisive, and hugely successful, crowdfunding campaign for the family of a police officer jailed in the killing of a 17-year-old that triggered riots around France announced on Tuesday that he’s closing the account which topped more than 1.5 million euros ($1.63 million).Criticism, and plans for lawsuits, have mounted around Jean Messiha’s Gofundme effort with claims that his real motive was to spread a message of hate and pit the far-right against residents of poor suburbs with a high rate of people of immigrant origin. Even Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has said the collection for the jailed officer’s family did not contribute to calming the situation, just like Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti who warned on France-Inter radio against a possible “instrumentalization.”The unrest was touched off by the shooting last Tuesday of the young man identified as Nahel, who was stopped while driving a Mercedes in suburban Paris. Violence w...

Colombian rebel group says it will stop attacks on military

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s largest rebel group said it will stop attacks on the nation’s military as it prepares for a ceasefire with the government that could bring both sides closer to ending five decades of war.In a statement published Tuesday, the National Liberation Army’s Central Command ordered its units across the country to “cease all offensive actions” against the military on July 6, including espionage.However the group known as the ELN said its fighters will continue to use their weapons to defend themselves from any attack staged by the military or other armed groups that operate in Colombia’s rural areas.In June, the ELN and Colombia’s government agreed to take actions that will lead to a bilateral ceasefire on Aug. 3. The ceasefire is supposed to last six months, and is meant to facilitate peace talks that began at the end of last year, and are expected to last at least until 2025.The ELN has grown significantly since 2017, when it occupied areas of the ...

‘It’s insane’: Months-long Broadview Ave., construction closure already frustrating commuters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

Construction and streetcar track repair began on a busy stretch of Broadview Avenue on Tuesday and commuters were already wincing at the thought of several more months of disruptions, detours and delays.The project, expected to last at least five months, has closed the southbound lanes of Broadview Avenue between Danforth Avenue and Gerrard Street East, leaving just one narrow northbound lane open for vehicles.Victoria Ramsey was one of many in the Riverdale area inconvenienced by the work and numerous TTC route diversions.“We have to get on a bus at Pape station, take a subway two stops to get to my destination. It’s crazy,” she said.“Five months of this. It’s insane.”The work, which the City calls a coordinated project with “the TTC to renew and upgrade important infrastructure” involves sewer rehabilitation work, replacing the TTC 504 and 505 streetcar tracks and repaving the road.“We know it’s a huge inconvenience for p...

Gary Sinise makes a few stops in Chicagoland on 4th of July

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Actor Gary Sinise made his way to the Windy City this Fourth of July to serve up a sweet treat on this warm holiday.Sinise served up Rainbow Cones to veterans at the July 4 celebration at the Edward Hines Jr. Veteran Administration Hospital on Tuesday. 4th of July celebrations across Chicago area for 2023 The event was put on by the Academy Award nominated actor's foundation, The Gary Sinise Foundation, that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military.Sinise and his Lieutenant Dan Band also performed a free concert in Highland Park to celebrate Independence Day and honor those lost in the 2022 shooting.

Golf: Gophers’ alum Flanagan misses out on The Open by one stroke in qualifier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

Gophers’ alum Angus Flanagan missed out on a chance at qualifying for the British Open by one shot Tuesday.Flanagan, 24, competed in the final qualifier at Dundonald Links in Scotland and recorded a 36-hole score of 2-under par, one off the score necessary to reach a playoff for the final two qualifying spots into the final men’s major championship of the year.The former Big Ten champion, who is from England, was leading the qualifier at one point but was 2-over for his final nine holes. The top four overall finishers at the qualifier received invitations into The Open Championship, which will be held from July 20-23 at Royal Liverpool in England.

Weather postpones New York State July 4 fireworks show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The fireworks show scheduled to take place at the Empire State Plaza on Tuesday was canceled due to a thunderstorm. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 5. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The original event was in celebration of Independence Day. Prior to the washout, hundreds gathered at the plaza for food, kids entertainment, live musical performances, and a naturalization ceremony.Traffic leaving downtown Albany was high as revelers left the area. Police were out helping to direct traffic. Madison Avenue and State Street were closed for a brief time but have since reopened.

Video of rough deputy take down in Lancaster released by L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

Officials with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department released body-worn camera footage of a disturbing use of force incident in Lancaster that, according to a late Monday night announcement by the department, is currently under investigation.  The confrontation happened on June 24 when deputies from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station responded to the parking lot of a WinCo Foods store, located at 740 W. Ave. K 4, on reports of an “in-progress robbery.”  “Upon arrival, deputies approached a man and a woman matching the description given by store security personnel in calls placed to 911,” a LASD news release stated. “As deputies attempted to detain the individuals described by store security personnel, the encounter escalated into a use of force incident.”Officials also said that an eyewitness captured cellphone footage of the incident that the department news release referred to as "disturbing" video. In footage from body cameras worn by two separate deputies, a man is ...

Murrieta woman who suffered hundreds of bee stings in attack speaks out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

A Murrieta woman who was captured on video suffering hundreds of bee stings is speaking out after she was hospitalized by the attack.It’s been nearly a week since Linda Briggs, 74, was attacked by a vicious swarm of bees outside of her home on June 28.“People said it was really lucky,” Briggs recalled. “That some people have died from this and that I had a lot of toxin in me. If I were to get stung again, that could be fatal.”Briggs is speaking out for the first time, recalling the terrifying moment she was attacked. The situation unfolded around 2 p.m. in the 23000 block of Spring Branch Court.She was standing in front of her home when suddenly, the bee swarm came around the corner and surrounded her.“I get up to walk towards them because they came closer and I didn’t want to go in my house and open the door and let them in the house and the dogs are usually right there,” Briggs said. “I had that towel and I was kind of smacking it and swinging it around to distract them.”Cell phon...

Drones replacing fireworks at Fourth of July celebrations across Los Angeles area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

About 25,000 people are expected to attend the July 4 fireworks show at Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles, but the show will be noticeably absent of fireworks. Hundreds of lit up, synchronized drones will take to the sky on Tuesday night to replace the colorful explosives amid environmental concerns and increased wildfire risks. The drones will arrange themselves in different 3D texts, logos and shapes to put a new spin on the way Americans celebrate Independence Day.   Where to see fireworks in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties on July 4th Celebrants who spoke with KTLA 5’s Sandra Mitchell said that while it does break tradition, they are not unhappy with the city’s decision to replace the fireworks show with drones. “Fireworks are something that a lot of us grew up with,” said LeAnn Chapman, who was celebrating the Fourth of July in Grand Park. “But [the drones] definitely help us out with our pollution situation.” Fireworks shows i...

Federal judge blocks Biden administration officials from communicating with social media companies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:37:24 GMT

(CNN) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered some Biden administration agencies and top officials not to communicate with social media companies about certain content, handing a win to GOP states in a lawsuit accusing the government of going too far in its effort to combat Covid-19 disinformation. In a preliminary injunction issued by US District Judge Terry Doughty, the judge ordered a slew of federal agencies and more than a dozen top officials not to communicate with social media companies about taking down “content containing protected free speech” that’s posted on the platforms. The injunction notes that the government can still communicate with the companies as part of efforts to curb illegal activity and address national security threats. The order applies to agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Justice Department a...