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Bridge crossings between Canada-New York closed after vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

The four international bridges between Canada and Western New York have been closed after a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing that connects Niagara Falls, Ontario to Niagara Falls, New York.In a social media post, the FBI Buffalo Field Office confirmed it is investigating a “vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge.”“The FBI is coordinating with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. As this situation is very fluid, that’s all we can say at this time.”#FBI Buffalo statement on investigation at the Rainbow Bridge: pic.twitter.com/jRaGLL8sU8— FBI Buffalo (@FBIBuffalo) November 22, 2023New York State Governor Kathy Hochul posted on social media that she’s been briefed on the incident which is being “closely monitored.”“State agencies are on site and ready to assist,” she wrote.The CEO of the Buffalo & Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority confirms an explosion w...

Conference organizer aims for $100-billion Indigenous economy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

TORONTO — The organizer of an Indigenous business conference in Toronto says her goal is to establish the undeniable economic power of Indigenous peoples.Carol Anne Hilton, founder and chief executive of the Indigenomics Institute, said Wednesday at the first conference the institute has organized on Bay Street, that for too long Canada has had a story of Indigenous economic exclusion, and it’s time for that to be reversed.She has set a goal that the Indigenous economy should grow to at least $100 billion, about double where it is today, so that Indigenous peoples are equally represented in the Canadian economy.Hilton says there’s still an unacceptable tendency to look at Indigenous peoples as a cost on the system, rather than generative and directly aligned to the economic well-being if Canada itself.She says the increasing size of treaty settlements shows a rising financial recognition of historical injustices of that exclusionary system, pointing to the recent $10-bil...

Maryland hate crime commission member suspended for anti-Israel social media posts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland’s attorney general suspended a member of the state’s new commission aimed at addressing hate crimes this week after she posted on social media criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza.Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a news release Tuesday that his office recently learned about the personal social media posts of Zainab Chaudry, director of the Maryland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.The Maryland Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention is required to include a representative of CAIR along with other advocacy organizations. It was created by state lawmakers during the 2023 legislative session and began meeting last month. Brown has the authority to appoint its members as chair of the commission.Brown said Chaudry’s membership has been temporarily suspended after she posted numerous times since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7. He called on other commission members to “exercise great care in their communications and ...

Woman sexually assaulted after meeting up with Markham man from online dating app

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

A man from Markham is facing multiple charges after allegedly confining a woman against her will and sexually assaulting her.York Regional Police said a 45-year-old woman who had recently arrived in Canada reported meeting a man online earlier this month. The woman did not speak English and used an online translation app to communicate with the accused. The man invited her to his apartment in the Markham Road and Denison Street area. Once there, authorities said the victim was confined against her will and sexually assaulted.Police identified a suspect, and on Tuesday, a search warrant was executed at the man’s residence. He was then taken into custody.Ravinder Kumar Shinh, 49, of Markham, was charged with sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement. The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing and appeared in court on Wednesday.Investigators believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward.

Germany and Italy agree on joint ‘action plan’ including energy, technology, climate protection

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Germany and Italy agreed Wednesday to work closer together in the fields of energy, technology, climate protection, security and cultural cooperation among other issues.German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni signed an “action plan” in Berlin after a meeting of top officials from both countries and the two leaders’ participation earlier in the day in a virtual G20 summit.The action plan will lead to new cooperation projects and create new formats for cooperation, Scholz said, specifically mentioning stronger cooperation in the field of energy to ensure long-term security of supply for gas and hydrogen.Scholz also announced the construction of a new pipeline across the Alps.“We agree that we want to expand our energy cooperation in order to strengthen long-term supply, security and transformation,” the chancellor said.“With a new pipeline across the Alps, we want to increase the security of supply of both our countries,” Scholz added...

Susan Sarandon, Melissa Barrera dropped from Hollywood companies after comments on Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar-winning actor Susan Sarandon and “Scream” star Melissa Barrera were each dropped by Hollywood companies after making comments on the Israel-Hamas war that some deemed antisemitic.Spyglass Media Group, the production company behind the upcoming “Scream VII,” acknowledged Barrera’s exit from the horror franchise. “The Mexican-born actress, who starred in “In the Heights” and the two recent “Scream” installments, had posted statements on her Instagram stories calling the war “genocide and ethnic cleansing.” “Gaza,” she wrote, “is currently being treated like a concentration camp.”“Spyglass’ stance is unequivocally clear: We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech,” Spyglass said in a statement.Representatives for Barrera didn’t return messages Wednesday.Jenna Ortega, who p...

Robbery suspect’s colorful underwear helped police arrest him, authorities say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A pair of multicolored briefs peeking out above a robbery suspect’s low-slung trousers helped police arrest him more than a year later, federal authorities in New York said Wednesday.The robbery happened at a tobacco shop in Queens on Sept. 14, 2022. Three masked men got out of a Mazda and entered the store, according to a complaint filed in federal court last week.Two of the men pointed guns at employees and customers while the third emptied the cash register and grabbed merchandise and employees’ cellphones, the complaint said. The robbers fled in the MazdaSurveillance videos that were disseminated through the media showed the third robber wearing brightly colored briefs with a large letter R in white and the year 1990 in yellow.An anonymous tipster passed along the Instagram handle of the suspect with the colorful underwear, the complaint said. The caller also told police that the robbers had tried to sell their stolen merchandise at another Queens loc...

Investigators believe 4 men found dead in suburban Denver home were killed in a murder-suicide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Investigators believe four men found dead inside a suburban Denver home on Tuesday died as the result of a murder-suicide, authorities said Wednesday. The men had all been shot and three of the four are believed to be related, said Sgt. Adam Sherman, a spokesperson for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The man who is suspected of shooting the others is believed to be in his late 40s to 50s. The other men are believed to be in their 70s or 80s, he said.Investigators do not know yet what led up to the shooting, he said.The discovery was made a day after three people were fatally shot in a rural area southwest of Denver, allegedly over a property dispute between neighbors. A suspect in that case was arrested near Albuquerque, New Mexico, authorities announced Tuesday.The Associated Press

SWAT response outside liquor store in Midlothian

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

MIDLOTHIAN, Ill. — SWAT teams are responding to a liquor store in Midlothian Wednesday morning.The incident was reported just before 11 a.m. near 147th Street and Springfield Avenue.The incident remains active outside Emporium Liquors. According to police, residents are being asked to stay clear of the area.Skycam9 captured a large police and SWAT presence outside of the liquor store.No further details have been provided at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Chicago police seek man in attempted sexual assault in Ukrainian Village

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are searching for a man who attempted to sexually assault a woman last week in Ukrainian Village.The attack happened around 5 p.m. on Nov.16 in the 2400 block of West Superior Street.According to police, the man followed the woman from the bus stop at Western Avenue and Chicago Avenue, and forcefully grabbed her into a gangway and pushed her against the stairs. He began to take off his clothes and then attempted to take off the woman's clothing.Police said the woman screamed for help and someone heard her and chased the man away. He was last seen fleeing west on Superior Street and then south on Campbell Avenue. Man accused of attempted murder of wife found with directions to Cal Sag bridge, garbage bags Area Three Detectives are seeking to identify the man pictured below for a Criminal Sexual Assault and Aggravated Battery.Police describe the offender as African American, 5'04-5'07 inches tall and between 120-130 pounds. The man has sh...