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UN peacekeepers have departed a rebel stronghold in northern Mali early as violence increases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — United Nations peacekeepers on Tuesday withdrew from a rebel stronghold in northern Mali weeks earlier than planned because of insecurity, leaving the town in the hands of ethnic Tuareg separatists, residents said.An employee with the U.N. mission known as MINUSMA told The Associated Press that the peacekeepers left Kidal in two convoys after Mali’s military junta refused to authorize flights to repatriate U.N. equipment and civilian personnel.The employee, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to journalists, said the former MINUSMA base and the town’s airport were now under rebel control.Earlier this year, Mali’s junta ordered the 15,000-strong U.N. mission to leave the West African country immediately, claiming it had failed in its mission in trying to contain an Islamic extremist insurgency. The junta, which overthrew Mali’s democratically elected president in 2021, has sought to distance the country from internatio...

Ontario to extend gas, fuel tax cuts until June 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

Premier Doug Ford says his government will be proposing legislation to extend the Ontario’s gas and fuel tax cuts until well into next year.If it passes the extension will lower the gasoline tax by 5.7 cents per litre and the fuel tax by 5.3 cents per litre until June 2024.The temporary tax cut of 5.7 cents per litre first went into effect on July 1, 2022 and was originally due to expire on Dec. 31. Ford announced an extension until the end of 2023 last fall.NEW – Premier Ford & Minister @PBethlenfalvy announce an extension to the 5.7 cents a litre provincial gas tax cut. It’s in place until June. pic.twitter.com/K0pFAo6m7H— Richard Southern (@RichardCityNews) October 31, 2023“We know that every dollar helps, and this gas tax cut is another way we’re keeping costs down for Ontario families and businesses,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. “As we continue to deal with lingering inflation, our government is continuing to provide people and businesses relief...

Spain’s bishops apologize for sex abuses but dispute the estimated number of victims in report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s Catholic bishops on Monday apologized again for sex abuses committed by church members following a report by Spain’s Ombudsman that accused the church of widespread negligence. But the bishops dismissed as “a lie” media interpretations of the official report that put the number of victims involving the church in the hundreds of thousands. They said this was misrepresentative given that many more people had been abused outside of the church.“I reiterate the petition for pardon to the victims for this pain,” the president of the Bishops Conference, Cardinal Juan José Omella, told a press briefing. He added that the church would continue working “together on the comprehensive reparation of the victims, on supporting them and deepening the path to their protection and, above all, the prevention of abuse.”The bishops said the church would contribute to any economic reparation program once it included all victims of child sexual abuse, not just those abused within th...

Ex-military couple hit with longer prison time in 4th sentencing in child abuse case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A former U.S. Army major and his wife accused of routinely beating their young foster children and denying them food and water as punishment have been sentenced for a fourth time. Carolyn Jackson was ordered Monday to serve nearly 12 years in prison, while her husband, John, was sentenced to 9 years. The terms were imposed by U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton, who was assigned to the case in April after a federal appeals court found U.S. District Judge Katharine Hayden — who had handled the previous three sentencings — failed to follow its directions to consider the children’s multiple injuries “holistically and in the context of the jury’s findings of guilt” in determining causation.Federal prosecutors had appealed each of the sentences imposed by Hayden, arguing they were too lenient. Noting the repeated sentencings, the appellate panel also concluded that Hayden — who presided over the Jacksons’ 2015 trial — would have “substantial difficulty in putting...

6 arrested in Toronto as pro-Palestinian demonstrators stage sit-ins at MP offices

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

A number of protesters were arrested in Toronto on Monday as pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged sit-ins at federal politicians offices across the country.The Palestinian Youth Movement coordinated the sit-ins at the offices of 17 MPs in a dozen Canadian cities. The staged rallies saw demonstrators calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza as they provided a list of demands for the federal government.In addition to the end of military action in Gaza, Dalia Awwad, a member of the group, says they are demanding “an end of Canadian complicity in the crimes Israel is committing in Palestine.”Toronto police say six people were arrested for trespassing on Monday afternoon at the office of Justice Minister Arif Virani near Bloor and Dundas streets in the High Park area. Police say the people who were arrested were removed from the premises and released with a provincial offence notice for trespassing.The constituency office of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, near Bloor St...

Off the Beaten Path: Saratoga County Homestead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

MIDDLE GROVE, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Haunted Nights, a paranormal event company, hosts haunted tours at the Saratoga County Homestead. The chilling experience allows those brave enough to sign up, to explore the hallways of the historic building. NEWS10’s Cassie Hudson stepped into the shoes of a ghost hunter for this week’s Off the Beaten Path. PHOTOS: A look inside the Saratoga County Homestead Tours at the Saratoga County Homestead during the spooky season sold out as quickly as they were announced. According to Dylan Stevens, an event organizer, they plan to offer more tours this spring.

Colorado Springs man sentenced in hitting police officer during Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

A Colorado Springs man was sentenced Monday to nearly three years in prison for his part during the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot that sought to stop President Joe Biden’s electoral votes from being certified.Jacob Travis Clark, 34, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release after being found guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, and several misdemeanors, including engaging in physical violence in a restricted building, according to a news release from the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.Clark’s criminal conduct on Jan. 6 was captured in his text messages and surveillance videos of him entering and remaining in the Capitol building, the news release stated.Clark stated in one of his text messages he anticipated Jan. 6 to be a “revolt,” and said, “They are going into D.C. and bringing guns. Which isn’t allowed in D.C. They aren’t gonna let Biden win.”He drove to Wa...

Celebrity chef opening first Colorado restaurant in Vail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

Celebrity chef Makoto Okuwa is adding Colorado to his lengthy culinary profile.Okuwa, who has made several appearances on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” with his mentor Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, is opening his first Colorado restaurant, Makoto Vail, at the Grand Hyatt Vail for the upcoming 2023-24 ski season.“Chef Makoto was looking for a place outside of his traditional locations, and the mountain setting was very unique,” said Kevin Shields, the hotel’s general manager. “We happened to throw our name out there, and told him we were looking for a signature chef.”Okuwa, who learned to make sushi in Japan at the age of 15, began his culinary career in the United States 20 years ago, working for Sushi Taro, a former Michelin-star restaurant in Washington, D.C. Now, he owns several acclaimed restaurants around the world, like Love, Makoto, a food hall in D.C., Makoto in Miami and Panama.Vail is one of several cities in Colorado — including Denver, Boulder, Aspen ...

Missing El Paso County girl last seen Monday afternoon

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 13-year-old girl named Brhianna who was last seen in Cimarron Hills east of Colorado Springs.Missing child alert!!!Have you seen 13 yr old Brhianna? She was last seen near Piros Dr. this afternoon. 5'3"-130 lbs- biracial, brown hair & eyes. She is considered at risk- please call 719-390-5555 if you have information or have seen her! pic.twitter.com/0rTHJg0MGD— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) October 31, 2023Brhianna was last seen Monday afternoon near Piros Drive.She is described as a five-foot-three-inch, 130-pound girl with brown hair and brown eyes.Anyone with information is asked to call 719-390-5555.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Four children missing from Centennial since June found safe in Louisiana Crime and Public Safety | 3-year-old boy from Fountain found Crime and Public Safety | Missing Indigenous teen girl found safe Crime and Publ...

Denver weather: Chilly Halloween night expected for trick-or-treaters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:38 GMT

Trick-or-treaters beware.Denver is expected to have another chilly evening Tuesday night, with the low temperature dropping below 30 degrees one last time before a warmup this week.After the weekend of frigid temperatures and Denver’s first snow, Halloween night will be slightly warmer than previous nights, but the low is still expected to be 26 degrees.Today's forecast is not particularly spooky, but the temperatures may bring a little chill in your bones! Stay tuned for a Halloween night forecast! #COwx pic.twitter.com/O2giZXH3AA— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) October 31, 2023The daytime high is 48 degrees.Skies will be sunny and mostly clear throughout the day.After Tuesday, the rest of the week will see warmer highs in the upper 50s and 60s and low temps staying above or right around freezing.Related ArticlesWeather | Keeler: Broncos need to stand pat at NFL trade deadline with Pat Surtain II, defense that made Patrick Mahomes look silly. Weather | ...