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It’s joy mixed with sorrow as Ukrainian children go back to school in the midst of war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

BUCHA, Ukraine (AP) — In a small courtyard at a school in Bucha, scene of some of the worst atrocities committed by Russian soldiers during the war, Ukrainian children gathered Friday to celebrate the first day of the new school year.First graders dressed in Ukrainian embroidered costume shirts known as vyshyvankas, with neat hairstyles and holding bouquets of flowers, line up hesitantly along an improvised stage. Parents, many struggling to contain their emotions, smile and wave from the crowd, constantly taking photos.But the festive ambiance quickly shifts as the Ukrainian national anthem is played, followed by a solemn minute of silence in memory of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Onstage, the children stand quietly, and in the audience, some parents quietly wipe away tears.“We are not afraid of war or missiles, because we will overcome everything!” a final year student shouts from the stage.This atmosphere of joy mixed with sorrow sets the tone for the start of the new school year i...

Authorities release bodycam video showing the fatal police shooting of Black woman Ta’Kiya Young

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio authorities on Friday released bodycam video showing the f atal police shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a young pregnant Black woman.Young’s family has seen the video, the family’s lawyer said Friday. The footage shows Young slowly accelerating toward the officer in her path as he yells for her to stop before firing the single bullet that ended her life. Young, a 21-year-old from Columbus, was pronounced dead shortly after the Aug. 24 shooting outside a grocery store in the suburb of Blendon Township. Her unborn daughter did not survive.The footage, which comes more than a week after her death, showed one officer at the driver’s side window, repeatedly demanding that Young “get out of the car.” Sean Walton, an attorney for the Young family, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the family grew frustrated with delays in the police department timeline of releasing body camera footage publicly.He said the community will be outraged. “She was an una...

PWHL names six general managers as teams begin roster construction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

The new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced on Friday the six general managers for its inaugural season.Gina Kingsbury (Toronto), Daniele Sauvageau (Montreal), Michael Hirshfeld (Ottawa), Natalie Darwitz (Minnesota), Danielle Marmer (Boston) and Pascal Daoust (New York).“Securing highly qualified general managers was a priority to help build strong foundations in each of our original six PWHL markets and delivering professional standards for all players,” Jayna Hefford, PWHL senior vice president of hockey operations, said in a statement. “The search process identified a lot of impressive candidates from which we’ve assembled an exceptional group with collective experience across the highest levels of the game, both on and off the ice.”We are proud to announce the six inaugural General Managers of the PWHL!Learn more about our GMshttps://t.co/6qhYZM7WqH pic.twitter.com/JoqYnfqYDY— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) September 1, 2023Kingsbury was promoted to vice-president of ho...

Syrian insurgents kill at least 9 soldiers in attack in the country’s northwest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants attacked an army position in northwest Syria on Friday, killing at least nine government soldiers and wounding others, opposition activists said. There was no immediate word from the government.The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said nine soldiers died as well as one of the attackers, who belong to the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, the strongest insurgent group in northwest Syria. It said 12 soldiers and one HTS member were wounded in the attack.Taher al-Omar, an opposition activist who closely follows HTS, said the attack in the northwestern province of Latakia killed 18 soldiers and several others.The attack came less than a week after insurgents in northwest Syria attacked an army position, killing and wounding more than 30 troops.In another part of north Syria, Turkey-backed opposition gunmen briefly captured the village of Mahsanli, which is controlled by Kurdish fighters. The...

Man arrested after two violent robbery attempts at jewellery stores in North York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

A Toronto man is facing several charges after he allegedly attempted to rob two jewellery stores in North York while brandishing weapons.Police say they responded to a robbery call at a business in the area of Wilson Avenue and Dufferin Street on Aug. 21.It’s alleged a suspect disguised as a construction worker with a toolbox entered the store and pretended he was there to do work.The suspect grabbed an employee and tried to bind their hands with zip-ties before pulling out a hammer and smashing glass display cases and removing jewellery. Police allege the suspect then pulled out a knife and started threatening the store employees.After a struggle, the suspect dropped his toolbox, backpack and knife before fleeing the store without any stolen items.Toronto police responded to a second incident on Thursday at a jewellery store in a mall near Yonge Street and Empress Avenue.It’s alleged the suspect went to the store for a scheduled meeting to buy an expensive watch. While ...

Shooting of a brown bear leaves 2 cubs motherless and sparks outrage in Italy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

ROME (AP) — The slaying of an endangered brown bear near an Italian national park left her two young cubs motherless and sparked outrage in Italy on Friday.Italy’s environment minister and animal rights advocates voiced anger and dismay over the killing of the bear in the mountainous Abruzzo region. Local residents, including families with small children, had often stopped to watch the bear and her cubs during the animal family’s frequent evening excursions through streets near the park.The National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise described the slain animal, nicknamed Amarena — or Black Cherry in Italian — as one of its most prolific brown bears. Residents coined the name because cherries and black cherries were among the bear’s favorite foods, the Corriere della Sera newspaper said.The man who shot the bear with a rifle Thursday night in the town of San Benedetto dei Marsi told police the animal was on his property and he felt in danger, the Italian news agency ...

Shuttle bus driver, 80, critical after crash at O'Hare Airport

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

CHICAGO — An 80-year-old shuttle bus driver is in critical condition after a crash at O'Hare International Airport.The accident happened around 2:15 a.m. Friday in the 0-100 block of West Terminal Street, near Terminal 5.According to police, the man was driving the bus southeast-bound when it struck a light pole and concrete retaining wall. The 80-year-old was ejected through the windshield, police said. Man stabbed while riding on CTA Red Line train: police He was transported to Lutheran General Hospital in critical condition. No passengers were onboard at the time of the crash, according to police.Major Accidents is investigating.

Does the FBI have a file on you? How to find out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — It’s a common joke to refer to the FBI agent that “lives” in your phone, listening to your conversations and observing your phone usage (this is almost certainly not happening to you, as the FBI uses wiretapping “infrequently and only to combat terrorism and the most serious crimes”). But, it is possible the FBI has a “file” on you. Legally, you are allowed to request whatever information the FBI may have on you thanks to FOIPA: the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act. Under FOIPA, Americans are entitled to request records from any federal agency. That agency is, in turn, required to release the information requested, unless it meets one of nine exemptions that protect personal privacy, national security, or law enforcement.  It doesn’t say ‘pickles’ on most pickle jars. Why is that? That also entitles you to request information the FBI has on you. To do so, you’ll need to complete a Privacy Act Request, which can be done online or by se...

Americans on both sides of the aisle want congressional term limits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

(NewsNation) — An overwhelming majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle want term limits for members of Congress.That's the takeaway from a University of Maryland poll earlier this year that found 83% of voters support amending the constitution to establish term limits — including 86% of Republicans and 80% of Democrats.The survey also measured which arguments — both for and against the change — voters found persuasive."I would say the most significant factor here is this perception that Congress is not responsive to the people — that Congress has become too comfortable, too safe," said Steven Kull, a political psychologist and director of the Program for Public Consultation at the University of Maryland. Term limits are back in the spotlight after Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze up for the second time in a little over a month Wednesday. The incident led Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to declare McConnell "not fit for office."McConnell, who turned ...

$1M Powerball ticket sold in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:56:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A Powerball ticket worth $1 million was sold at a Chicago store this week.The winning ticket was sold at UnCork It, located at 393 East Illinois Street, and matched all five numbers.The numbers are: 4-13-35-61-69. Related: Can a Mega Millions jackpot winner remain anonymous in Illinois? As for the shop, Illinois Lottery said is a third-generation family-owned business that’s been in business since 1928.The next Powerball drawing is this Saturday, September 2 at 9:59 p.m (CT). The jackpot is an estimated $420 million.