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What you need to know about Bill C-53 and the recognition of Métis self-government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

OTTAWA — The committee process for a testy piece of legislation that would recognize Métis governments in three provinces has been extended until at least February.House of Commons committee hearings about Bill C-53 have seen 65 witnesses testify and 274 briefs submitted that argue vigorously either for or against the legislation.Members of Parliament are now arguing over the finer points of the bill during meetings devoted to clause-by-clause deliberation — seven of them so far, featuring hours of debate.Some First Nations groups are opposed to the bill, which would recognize Métis governments in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, urging MPs to vote against it because they say it could erode their own rights.But Métis Nation of Ontario president Margaret Froh says Métis people have been fighting for their rights for generations, and the passage of the bill would help recognize that. The hotly contested legislation also has support from the Métis National Council, which unanimously ...

Puerto Rico comptroller strikes down popular slogan used by governor’s office

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A widely used slogan by the office of Puerto Rico’s governor that sparked heavy criticism across the U.S. territory has been struck down this election year, the electoral comptroller’s office said Wednesday.The phrase “Making things happen” can no longer appear on ads launched by the administration of Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, who is seeking a second term.Walter Vélez, who oversees the office, told reporters that the slogan could allude to goals or achievements and, as a result, should not be used. He noted there’s a limit to using public funds for election-related advertising.A spokeswoman for Pierluisi did not immediately return a message seeking comment.A lawsuit filed last year by the main opposition Popular Democratic Party alleging that more than $3 million in public funds have been used to promote the slogan is pending in court.The Associated Press

Police seek shooter after imam is critically wounded outside mosque in Newark, New Jersey

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey imam was shot and critically wounded Wednesday outside a mosque in the state’s largest city, authorities said as officers worked to identify and arrest the shooter. The cleric was shot after 6 a.m. outside the Masjid-Muhammad-Newark Mosque, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said in an emailed statement. Police didn’t immediately identify the victim, who was taken to nearby University Hospital and is in critical condition, authorities said.Hours later, police had no one in custody. It’s unclear what led to the violence and if the imam was targeted. Fragé said the shooting is under investigation and no other information is available. A message seeking more information was left with the mosque. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said it is gathering information and urged people to contact local police. “We are deeply concerned ...

Coco Jones talks earning Grammy nods, overcoming obstacles after Disney fame, Hollywood’s pay equity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coco Jones was so obsessed with fine tuning her skills as a singer that she tried to mimic Beyoncé’s Olympic-style training of singing while running on a treadmill.Jones didn’t own a treadmill, but her father and former NFL player, Mike Jones, had an elliptical machine she often used as an alternative. Since her Disney child-star days, the singer-actor has been determined to apply the same work ethic as the best in hopes of breaking through on her terms.For Jones, that time is now following several pivotal moments: After she starred on the 2012 Disney Channel musical “Let it Shine,” she struggled to maintain stardom and fell out the spotlight until she created a new buzz through viral TikTok videos before unveiling her reshaped image as Hilary Banks on Peacock’s “Bel-Air.”Jones went on to earn five Grammy nominations through her well-received EP “What I Didn’t Tell You.” It was anchored by her hit ballad “ICU,” which garnered a remix from Justin Timberlake. She’s ...

Multiple state capitols evacuated due to threats, but no dangerous items immediately found

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Multiple state capitols received threats Wednesday morning that led to evacuations or lockdowns as police investigated, but no evidence of dangerous items was immediately found. The warnings came after a spate of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials in recent days.Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi and Montana were among the states that evacuated their capitols. Lawmakers in Kentucky and Mississippi have begun meeting in legislative sessions. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the Capitol was evacuated while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of State’s Office. He said everyone was safe and officials were aware of similar threats made to other offices across the country. The threat was received as Kentucky lawmakers were meeting in the Capitol annex for ethics training.Public safety officials locked down the Mississippi Capitol Wednesday morning following a bo...

Investigation underway after 2 women killed in shooting in Cicero; man found dead in nearby park of self-inflicted gunshot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

CICERO, Ill. — Police are investigating the shooting that left two women dead in Cicero on Tuesday night to see if those deaths and the death of a man in a nearby park are connected.The shooting took place inside a home, Cicero police say, around 7:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 1800 block of South 48th Court. Police say the shooting was domestic-related. Officers found two women, ages 19 and 29, badly injured in the shooting. They were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.The Cook County Medical Examiner has identified one of the victims as Myeshia Newby, 19. The other victim has been identified by neighbors as Jessica Hughes, 29.Later Wednesday morning, Cicero officials say a man was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a nearby park on 16th Street. Officials have not confirmed if he was the suspect in the killing of Newby and Hughes. 2 adults, toddler pulled to safety after crashing car into pond in Naperville Officials did confirm, however, ...

Vigil held outside hearing of landlord accused in murder of 6-year-old in unincorporated Plainfield

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — The man accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and injuring his mother in unincorporated Plainfield appeared in court Wednesday.The family of the boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, held a candlelight vigil outside the Will County courthouse before 71-year-old's Joseph Czuba's hearing.Authorities allege Czuba, targeted Wadea and his mother Hanaan Shahin, on Oct. 14 because of their Muslim faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. "This morning, our community is standing united in pursuit of justice for Wadea and Hanaan, and to shed light on the broader context surrounding Wadea's murder, and the attempted murder of Hanaan, his mother," said Maggie Slavin of CAIR-Chicago.Czuba pleaded not guilty in October to hate crime and murder charges. He was the family's landlord.Czuba is facing hate crime charges along with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder charges.Prosecutors said Czuba stabbed the boy more than...

'Stop coming here': Suburban man pleads guilty after killing wife considering court order

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — A man pleaded guilty Tuesday for murdering his wife who filed for divorce and was considering a court order to remove him from the home.Timothy Gordon, 48, of Montgomery, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder following the incident on Halloween in 2022.During the hearing, Gordon admitted to the murder.Prosecutors outlined the motive during the hearing and said that Gordon's wife, Yajaira Gordon, recently filed for divorce and was possibly seeking a court order to remove him from the home they still shared at the time.Gordon became angry after learning of her considering a court order. At around noon, he returned to the home and went into a room where Yajaira was seated at a computer desk.Her mother, aunt and two young children were also in the room.Prosecutors said Gordon told her he had no where to live and she replied, "stop coming here."Gordon then admitted to shooting her at close range in the head with a .25 caliber Beretta hand gun. Hickory Hills man accu...

Mountain Dew bringing 'fan-favorite' drink back to stores nationwide

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

(WXIN) – Fans of Baja Blast will have an easier time finding the drink in 2024. The Mountain Dew flavor started as a Taco Bell exclusive in 2004. As it grew in popularity over the years, PepsiCo released limited quantities in stores on a seasonal basis.For the most part, though, quenching your thirst for Baja Blast meant making a Taco Bell run.That’s all changed for the new year. As the lime-flavored soft drink marks its 20th anniversary, you’ll find Baja Blast cans and bottles at stores nationwide year-round for the very first time.The brand has also set up a special website where fans can enter a sweepstakes and collect points to redeem for Baja Blast gear. Starbucks allowing customers to use reusable cups for drive-thru, mobile orders “Mountain Dew Baja Blast has cemented its place as a fan-favorite flavor in pop culture and as a staple in countless Taco Bell orders, so we knew we had to celebrate its 20th anniversary in a big way,” said JP Bittencourt, vice president of m...

Florida GOP chairman under video voyeurism investigation amid rape probe

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:42:02 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) - Embattled Florida Republican Party Chairman Christian Ziegler is under investigation over possible video voyeurism amid claims that he raped a woman, according to court documents. Ziegler recorded himself having sex with a woman who has accused him of rape, according to the documents. A search warrant shows that Sarasota Police asked for access to Ziegler's Instagram account and videos on his phone. Ziegler allegedly texted the woman he's accused of raping and told her to check out an Instagram message in which he sent a copy of the video to the woman in "vanish mode." Content sent this way disappears when a user leaves the chat or turns the function off. Former Sarasota student slams Bridget Ziegler at school board meeting in viral clip Ziegler and his attorney showed the video of the sexual encounter to Sarasota police detectives to prove the sex was consensual, according to the court documents. Attorney Bryant Camareno, who is not involved in the case, said...