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Montreal Pride Parade draws record crowd after abrupt cancellation of 2022 event

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

MONTREAL — There was a festive mood across downtown Montreal on Sunday as the city’s Pride parade drew a record number of participants one year after the 2022 event was abruptly cancelled. Simon Gamache, head of parade organizer Pride Montréal, said around 15,500 people participated in the parade, a record for the event.“Why are we here today? First of all, it’s because we’re proud of who we are and we want to show that we’re proud of who we are,” Gamache said in a speech ahead of the parade. “As well, it’s because we want to commemorate the struggles and the victories of the past, but above all, it’s because there are still too many injustices towards the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, here and elsewhere.” Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante participated in the parade, riding on a float with popular drag queen Barbada. Also in attendance were several provincial cabinet ministers, including Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault, as well as...

Greek authorities order 105 soccer fans to be detained pending trial after fatal clash

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — All 105 soccer fans suspected of being involved in extensive clashes in the Greek capital that ended in the death of a 29-year-old AEK Athens supporter have been ordered to be detained pending their trial, authorities said Sunday.Three examining magistrates and two prosecutors questioned the detained fans in batches — 30 on Friday, 40 on Saturday and 35 on Sunday — and decided each day whether to detain them pending trial. One suspect, who is hospitalized under guard, gave a deposition to a visiting magistrate.The 102 Croat citizens and 3 Greeks have all denied any culpability in the fatal stabbing of Michalis Katsouris. He died from a stab wound and 10 others were injured when scores of Croatian supporters wielding wooden clubs and metal bats attacked bystanders outside AEK’s Opap Arena last Monday, police said.A Champions League qualifier between AEK and Dinamo Zagreb that was due to be held last week was called off by UEFA, soccer’s governing body in Europe,...

Chicago mayor names the police department’s counterterrorism head as new police superintendent

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Sunday stayed within the ranks and named Larry Snelling, the police department’s counterterrorism head, as his choice for police superintendent of the nation’s third-largest city.The announcement comes after a monthslong search led by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. The selection of Snelling, 54, to head the department, is subject to City Council approval.Snelling will succeed David Brown, who in March announced that he would step down the day after Chicago’s mayoral primary election in which crime was a central issue. Then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost that primary and Johnson went on to win the mayoral race in April.“Today, a new chapter begins in our journey to create a better, stronger and safer Chicago,” Johnson said in a news release. “Chief Snelling is a proven leader who has the experience and the respect of his peers to help ensure the safety and well-being of city residents, and address ...

Police face criticism over central Kansas newspaper raid in which computers, phones seized

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

MARION, Kan. (AP) — A small central Kansas police department is facing a firestorm of criticism after it raided the offices of a local newspaper and the home of its publisher and owner — a move deemed by several press freedom watchdogs as a blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution’s protection of a free press. The Marion County Record said in its own published reports that police raided the newspaper’s office on Friday, seizing the newspaper’s computers, phones and file server and the personal cellphones of staff, based on a search warrant. One Record reporter suffered an injury to a finger when Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody wrested her cellphone out of her hand, according to the report.Police simultaneously raided the home of Eric Meyer, the newspaper’s publisher and co-owner, seizing computers, his cellphone and the home’s internet router, Meyer said. Meyer’s 98-year-old mother — Record co-owner Joan Meyer, who lived in the home with her son — collapsed and died Sa...

Tourists are urged to avoid Maui as hotels prepare to take in evacuees and first responders

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii officials urged tourists to avoid traveling to Maui as many hotels prepared to house evacuees and first responders on the island that faces a long recovery from the wildfire that demolished a historic town and killed more than 90 people.About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became clear Wednesday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.“In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses,” the agency said in a statement late Saturday. Tourists are encouraged to visit Hawaii’s other islands.Gov. Josh Green said 500 hotels rooms will be made available for locals who have been displaced. An additional 500 hotel rooms will be set aside for workers from the Federa...

One person minorly injured from two-alarm house fire near Downsview Park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

One person has been minorly injured due to a house fire in the Downsview Park Boulevard and William Duncan Road area on Sunday afternoon.At approximately 2:41 p.m. emergency services arrived at a home in the area where the roof of a townhouse was on fire.One patient was assessed at the scene with very minor injuries. Two dogs were also removed from the house and both are okay.Toronto Fire says it was up to a three-alarm at the height, but there is no major damage to the house other than the roof.Firefighters remain on scene checking for hotspots and advise anyone in the area to use caution.

He's 'just Ken' but will the 'Barbie' movie change that?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — On and off the big screen, it's Barbie's world and Ken is just living in it.As reflected in Greta Gerwig's blockbuster movie that tackles the legacy Mattel's famous doll, Barbie has always been more popular than Ken. For every Ken doll sold today, there’s generally eight to 10 Barbies sold, according to Jim Silver, a toy industry expert and CEO of review site of TTPM.It's unclear if Warner Bros' “Barbie,” which was also co-produced by Mattel, will increase Ken production and sales. But Silver noted that the movie “gave Ken more attention than Ken has received" in decades.Ken was first introduced back in 1961, two years after Barbie hit store shelves. But he hasn't had nearly the same impact on the Barbieverse since.“Barbie’s world is about Barbie. And (to some), Ken may be an accessory of sorts," said Ed Timke, an assistant professor of advertising and public relations at Michigan State University, pointing to years of marketing that has, naturally, put Bar...

1 dead following boat, jet ski crash on Lake Travis Sunday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- One person is dead and several others are hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon.Austin-Travis County EMS initially said in a social media post one adult was transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center with potentially serious injuries. A later update confirmed four additional people were transported from the crash: one via ATCEMS, two by the North Lake Travis Fire Department to St. David's Round Rock Medical Center and one by Travis County Starflight to Dell Seton Medical Center.Officials confirmed an adult died at the scene after resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.One person is dead and a second is hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)One person is dead and a second is hospitalized following a crash on Lake Travis involving a boat and jet ski Sunday afternoon. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)One person is dead and a sec...

SWAT responding to Cedar Park hotel Sunday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) -- The Cedar Park Police Department confirmed officers are working a police incident Sunday afternoon at the Best Western hotel, located at 425 E. Whitestone Blvd.Police said officers and SWAT personnel are on scene "in reference to a high risk warrant service," per a department social media post. People are asked to avoid the area.This is a developing story and will be updated once more information becomes available.

Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill finally takes reps in team drills

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:33 GMT

The plan for the Vikings has always been to bring right tackle Brian O’Neill along slowly. He’s working his way back from a partially torn Achilles tendon, and while O’Neill probably would have gone 100 mph as soon as he was allowed, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted at the start of training camp that the team would be cautious.So, it’s been a gradual ramp up for O’Neill, who started by working off to the side by himself, then progressed into individual drills on a limited basis.The biggest step in the recovery process so far came on Sunday afternoon as O’Neill participated in team drills for the first time.“I’m feeling really good,” he said. “I was really excited. Just trying to follow the plan that they’ve got for me. I’m starting to shake some rust off.”Though it’s still unclear whether O’Neill will participate in joint practices against the Tennessee Titans this week, it appears heR...