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In Trump probe, NYC grand jury hearing from final witnesses

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A grand jury was hearing from final witnesses Monday in the investigation into Donald Trump as law enforcement officials accelerated security preparations in advance of a possible indictment and as fellow Republicans staked out positions in a criminal probe expected to shake up the 2024 presidential race.Robert Costello, a lawyer who had a falling out with the star government witness in the Trump investigation, arrived in court Monday afternoon after being invited to appear before the grand jury in New York. His testimony was expected to give the former president an indirect opportunity to make a case that he shouldn’t face criminal charges over hush money paid during his 2016 campaign. Costello was asked to appear by the Manhattan district attorney’s office after he said he had information raising questions about the credibility of Michael Cohen, a key witness in the investigation, according to a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity ...

‘Ted Lasso’ visits White House, promotes mental health care

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fictional soccer coach Ted Lasso used a White House visit Monday to encourage people, even in politically divided Washington, to make it a point to check in often with friends, family and co-workers to “ask how they’re doing, and listen, sincerely,” Comedian Jason Sudeikis, who plays the title character — an American coaching a soccer team in London — and other cast members were meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden to talk about how mental health contributes to overall well-being. Mental health and looking after one another is a theme of the show, Sudeikis told reporters from behind the lectern as he helped press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre open her daily White House briefing. The Emmy-winning, feel-good show on Apple TV+ just opened its third season.“While it’s easier said than done, we also have to know that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help ourselves,” said Sudeikis. “That does take a lot, especially when it’s ...

Parliamentary committee summons Mark Zuckerberg over Meta’s threat to block news

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

OTTAWA — Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is being summoned by a parliamentary committee for the third time in four years — this time over the tech company’s threat to block news from Canadians on its social-media platforms.The decision comes a week after the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, announced it would block news if the Liberal government’s Online News Act passes in its current form. The legislation, also known as Bill C-18, would require tech giants to pay Canadian media companies for linking to or otherwise repurposing their content online.The House of Commons heritage committee agreed on Monday to summon Zuckerberg, the company’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, and the head of Meta Canada, Chris Saniga, to appear at an upcoming meeting.It also agreed to request internal and external documents from Meta and from Google, which recently blocked news access for some Canadian users to test out a possible response to Bill C-18 — with some critics c...

New York driver charged with stunt driving after going 62km/h over limit

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

A driver from the state of New York has been charged after Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) pulled them over for driving 62 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.A driver from #NewYork discovered too late that they should have paid closer attention to the speed signs as they drove on #Hwy420 this afternoon, doing 62km/hr over the speed limit. Charged #Stunt. ^kw#14dayimpound #30DaySuspension pic.twitter.com/yEqYxmN0eB— OPP Highway Safety Division (@OPP_HSD) March 19, 2023The driver was caught by police driving at 142 kilometres per hour in an 80 kilometres per hour zone.The vehicle has been impounded for 14 days, and the driver has had their license suspended for 30 days.

West Virginia state police superintendent resigns amid probe

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Monday ordered a sweeping investigation of the State Police after he accepted the resignation of the agency’s superintendent and revealed allegations of wrongdoing, including that a video camera was placed inside a women’s locker room.Justice said he has appointed Jack Chambers, the deputy director of the Capitol police, as interim superintendent to replace superintendent Jan Cahill, who had served under Justice since the governor took office in 2017. Justice said Chambers will conduct “an all-out investigation” to replace one that started last month under Cahill and was nearing its completion.One focus of the investigation will be an allegation that a state police employee hid a video camera in the women’s locker room at a State Police facility in Kanawha County.“To me, it is absolutely not to be tolerated in any way,” Justice said.Justice did not specify when it occurred but indicated it was several years ago, ...

Police: Dentist used rush order cyanide to poison wife

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Investigators say a Colorado dentist intent on killing his wife put poison in her protein shakes before finally succeeding with a rush order dose of potassium cyanide powder he said he needed to perform surgery. As Angela Craig languished in the hospital with doctors unable to figure out what was wrong with her, police also allege James Craig was meeting with a woman he planned to start a new life with, according to court documents.Craig, 45, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder Sunday, shortly after his wife died after being taken off life support during her third trip to the hospital this month. According to court records, he is being represented by the public defender’s office, which does not comment on cases. Craig is scheduled to appear in court Thursday to learn whether prosecutors have decided to file charges against him. Police in the Denver suburb of Aurora began investigating Craig after the partner in his dental practice and friend, Ryan Re...

Creators of Black opera ‘Of The Sea’ on inspiring alternatives to Eurocentric works

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

TORONTO — A new Black Canadian opera brings to life a story of resilience, amplified by hopeful arias and performers drawing from their own experiences in facing obstacles. The Tapestry Opera and Obsidian Theatre co-production titled “Of The Sea” is written by Kanika Ambrose and composed by Ian Cusson. It is a story of Black fatherhood and the lengths a parent would go for their child. Ambrose, a Toronto-based librettist, playwright and screenwriter, says prior to writing “Of The Sea” she didn’t know any operas that were in English. “Everything I’d seen at the Canadian Opera Company was in some European language,” she said. She began writing the 90-minute production with Cusson in 2018 as a part of a Tapestry Opera program that pairs composers and librettists to collaborate on projects that can become full commissions of new operas. Ambrose decided to create something based on the mythological narratives she’s heard since childhood about oceanic waters....

Guilbeault wants stronger links with Alberta on issues of oilsands tailings ponds

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

OTTAWA — Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault is emphasizing his call for stronger links between Ottawa and Alberta when it comes to environmental protection in the oilsands. Guilbeault repeated today his plan for a new body with federal and provincial members that would share information, especially on environmental emergencies like the releases from Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine in Alberta.Guilbeault, in a letter last week to his provincial counterpart, Sonya Savage, spelled out what he’s hoping to see.He says he wants the new federal-provincial body to have a say in remediation and containment of the ponds, as well as about notifications for spills or seeps. Guilbeault also wants the body to look at reform of water monitoring in the area. In her public statements, Savage has agreed to the need to look at communication between the two levels of government.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2023. The Canadian Press

B.C. parent launches class-action lawsuit against makers of Fortnite video game

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

VANCOUVER — A Vancouver parent has launched a proposed class-action lawsuit against the makers of Fortnite, saying the popular video game is designed to be “as addictive as possible” for children.In the lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Friday, the plaintiff identified only as A.B. says her son downloaded Fortnite in 2018 and “developed an adverse dependence on the game.”The statement of claim says the game incorporates a number of intentional design choices such as offering rewards for completing challenges and making frequent updates, which encourages players to return repeatedly.The statement says Fortnite creator Epic Games enriches itself by making content and customization options purchasable via an in-game currency, which are purchased with real cash. The class-action lawsuit would still need approval from the court and none of the allegations have been proven in court. The plaintiff is seeking damages alleging the game breaches the B.C. Business ...

Teen driver in crash that killed 5 children had no license

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 20:19:40 GMT

The 16-year-old driver in a crash that killed five young people did not have a driver’s license or permit and may have fallen asleep or become distracted before the SUV veered off a New York highway, officials said Monday.The car continued straight at a curve on the highway and struck a boulder and then a tree at 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer said at a news conference. Speed does not appear to have been a factor, he said.“The crash cost the lives of five young people. And that is a tragedy no matter what the details are,” Latimer said. “It was a horrific accident site.”The victims — three boys and two girls — were identified Monday as Malik Smith, the 16-year-old driver; Anthony Billips Jr., 17; Zahnyiah Cross, 12; Shawnell Cross, 11; and Andrew Billips, 8. They included two sets of siblings, Latimer said. A 9-year-old boy, the sixth person in the SUV, was the only survivor. Police said he apparently was riding in the rear cargo area of t...