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Ottawa commits to honouring all-Black battalion that served during First World War

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

CHERRY BROOK, N.S. — The federal government announced today $2.25 million in funding to honour the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s only all-Black unit to serve during the First World War.Defence Minister Bill Blair issued a statement saying the money will be spent over five years on commemorative activities, educational materials and community war memorials.Blair’s announcement follows Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s formal apology to the descendants of battalion members in July 2022.Trudeau said the 600 members of the battalion faced systemic anti-Black racism before, during and long after the war.Today’s announcement was held at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia in Cherry Brook, N.S.The Department of National Defence has said it is taking steps to change the culture in the military, including the eradication of systemic racism and discrimination.“The contributions of No. 2 Construction Battalion members to the First World War effort...

Madagascar’s Rajoelina takes an early lead in polls marked by boycott and low turnout

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Madagascar’s incumbent president, Andry Rajoelina, held a commanding lead Friday as votes were counted in the island nation. The election was boycotted by the majority of candidates and marked by low turnout. Preliminary results released by the country’s elections management body, Céni, showed the 49-year-old former DJ with 71.26% of the votes cast on Thursday, compared with his nearest rival Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko’s 10.67%. Former president Marc Ravalomanana sits third with just under 10.08% of the vote. Ravalomanana is one of the 10 candidates who boycotted the election, alleging that conditions for a legitimate and fair vote hadn’t been met, but their names remained on the ballot. Although less than 9% of polling stations had been counted by Friday midday, some pro-government media outlets in the country have already headlined an overwhelming victory for Rajoelina. “It’s done,” screamed a headline in the Madagascar Express.“Very likely victory ...

Union workers at Stellantis move closer to approving contract that would end lengthy labor dispute

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Members of the United Auto Workers union moved closer to approving a contract agreement with Stellantis on Friday as two large factories in Detroit voted overwhelmingly in favor of the deal.A vote-tracking spreadsheet posted on the union’s website showed that 68.4% were in favor of ratification, and the contract was leading by more than 9,600 votes with only three small facilities yet to cast ballots.Voting at Jeep and Ram vehicle maker Stellantis doesn’t officially end until Tuesday. Workers at crosstown rival Ford, where 66.8% were in favor of the deal with only one large factory uncounted, are to finish early Saturday. If the deals are approved, workers at Ford and Stellatis would join counterparts at General Motors in ratifying the record contracts, ending a contentious labor dispute that brought a punishing series of strikes over six weeks. GM workers narrowly approved their four year and eight month contract on Thursday.At Stellantis, workers at the ...

Russian authorities ask the Supreme Court to declare the LGBTQ ‘movement’ extremist

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Justice Ministry on Friday said it has filed a lawsuit with the nation’s Supreme Court to outlaw the LGBTQ+ “international public movement” as extremist, the latest crippling blow against the already beleaguered LGBTQ+ community in the increasingly conservative country. The ministry said in an online statement announcing the lawsuit that authorities have identified “signs and manifestations of extremist nature” in “the activities of the LGBT movement active” in Russia, including “incitement of social and religious discord.” Russia’s Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing to consider the lawsuit for Nov. 30, the ministry said. It wasn’t immediately clear what exactly the label would entail for LGBTQ+ people in Russia if the Supreme Court sides with the Justice Ministry. But the move in itself represents the latest, and by far the most drastic, step in the decade-long crackdown on gay rights in Russia unleashed under President Vladimir Putin,...

Israeli troops exchange fire with militants in Jenin as aid grinds to a halt in Gaza

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

Israeli troops and Palestinian militants exchanged fire in the town of Jenin in the occupied West Bank during an overnight army raid, which ended at a hospital where the Palestinian Red Crescent said Israeli forces detained and searched paramedic crews Friday.In the Gaza Strip, aid agencies said they had to call off deliveries of basic necessities, warning of the looming possibility of widespread starvation a day after internet and telephone services collapsed in the besieged enclave because of a lack of fuel. They said most people in Gaza were without adequate food and clean water.At least 11,470 Palestinians — two-thirds of them women and minors — have been killed since the war began, according to Palestinian health authorities, who do not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people are reported missing.Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas after the militant group launched its Oct. 7 incursion. Some 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the in...

Dean's Reviews: 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,' Trolls and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

Check out Dean's reviews for the latest films in theaters from the Hunger Games prequel film to the 'Thanksgiving' horror film.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Dean's Weekender: "The Daughter Of The Regiment," Liz Phair and more

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

WATCH LIVE: Funeral, procession for Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore, who died in the line of duty Nov. 11, will be honored in Austin Friday morning.Law enforcement is expected to begin setting up for the funeral procession at 7 a.m., and all vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join. The procession for Pastore’s final patrol will begin at 8 a.m.KXAN will use this story to host the livestream of the procession and funeral. MAP: Funeral procession route for fallen Austin Police officer People were encouraged to line the route to show support.The Austin Police Department said public visitation would be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the Funeral Service was from 11 a.m. to noon at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard.People begin showing up at the funeral home before Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey)People begin showing up at the funeral home before Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession...

APD looking for suspects in robbery on Airport Boulevard

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Austin Police said Wednesday they are looking for two men they say robbed a store on Airport Boulevard earlier this month. According to APD, the two men robbed the Airport Lounge near 12th Street on Nov. 5 between 6:15 and 6:30 a.m. Police said the men "aggressively" entered the store, threatened the employees with handguns, and stole cash. Police did not say how much the men stole. APD described the first suspect as: BlackBetween 20 to 30 years old5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing between 200 and 250 pounds Armed with a black handgunTattoo on handLast seen wearing a black sweatshirt and black jogger pantsAustin looking for help identifying two suspects in an aggravated robbery. (Photos courtesy: Austin Police) APD described the second suspect as: Black Between 20 to 30 years old 5 feet, 8 inches tall with a medium buildArmed with a black handgunLast seen wearing a black surgical mask, a white sweatshirt with a red graphic on the sleeve, black pants and white shoesPoli...

Bianca Virnig wins DFL special primary election for Dakota County House seat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:14 GMT

Bianca Virnig bested three other Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidates in a special primary election Thursday for a vacant state House seat in the south Twin Cities suburbs.Virnig, a member of the Rosemount-Apple Valley Eagan School Board, will go on to face Mendota Heights Republican Cynthia Lonnquist and Eagan Libertarian Charles Kuchlenz in the general election for Dakota County’s House District 52B on Tuesday, Dec. 5.Bianca Ward VirnigVirnig won the primary with nearly 40% of the vote, according to unofficial results. She was followed by Mendota Heights City Council member Jay Miller, who had nearly 37% of the vote. Pro-Choice Minnesota board member Cynthia Callais had 19% and Eagan Planning Commission member Chris Whitfield had around 4%.Voters cast around 2,000 ballots, according to initial results from the Secretary of State.House District 52B includes the south metro suburbs of Eagan and Mendota Heights.The seat opened after Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-Mendota Heights, resi...