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South African government minister and bodyguards robbed at gunpoint on major highway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African police are on a manhunt for suspects who robbed a government minister at gunpoint and disarmed her two bodyguards of their pistols on a busy Johannesburg highway, police said Tuesday.The robbery took place while Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga’s bodyguards were changing a punctured tire in the early hours of Monday morning. Three gunmen allegedly appeared from bushes, ordered the bodyguards to lie on the ground before taking their firearms, and then pointed a gun at Chikunga and robbed her of some personal items.“A manhunt has since been launched following this unprecedented incident,” police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said.The minister told lawmakers during a parliamentary briefing Tuesday that the ordeal had traumatized her.“The whole experience was very traumatizing, devastating, it was bad,” Chikunga said, adding that she tried to make a call when she realized something was amiss. “But just before I could do anything they...

Russian troops shoot and kill a Georgian civilian near the breakaway province of South Ossetia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Russian troops stationed in Georgia’s breakaway province of South Ossetia shot and killed a Georgian civilian near the line of control in what the Georgian authorities denounced as “the most heinous act.”The encounter reflected the continuing tensions in the region after the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, which ended with Moscow recognizing South Ossetia and another Georgian province, Abkhazia, as independent states and beefing up its military presence there. Most nations of the world consider both breakaway regions to be parts of Georgia, a former Soviet republic. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said in a statement that a Russian soldier killed a Georgian citizen Monday while trying to illegally detain him near the village of Kirbali.“This incident reaffirms the dire security situation on the ground and bears witness to the severe consequences of occupation,” he said. He added that “all relevant mechanisms have been set in motion, and internati...

GOP senators are meeting with Sen. Tuberville to urge him to drop blockade on military nominations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican senators are holding a meeting Tuesday to confront Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville about his blockade of almost 400 military nominations, an effort to find a path forward as the senator has dug in on his protest of a Pentagon abortion policy.The unusual meeting called by GOP senators to challenge one of their own comes after a handful of Senate Republicans held the floor for more than four hours last week in frustration, calling up 61 of the military nominations only for Tuberville to stand up and object every time. The Senate has traditionally approved large groups of military nominations by voice vote, but just one senator’s objection can upend that process. Republicans said they will continue to try to negotiate with the Alabama Republican — hoping to persuade him to hold up civilian nominees instead, or maybe even take legal action — and have said they will also try to force more votes on nomination. They are holding the meeting as Democrats are consid...

Alexander Payne on the inspirations of ‘The Holdovers’ and the movies that shaped him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — There are rituals to an Alexander Payne movie. In post-production, he and his longtime editor, Kevin Tent, will gather collaborators for Tie Day Tuesday (women can wear a tie or pearls) and Friday night martinis, during which Payne pulls out his 16mm projector to play old reels he’s collected on eBay.“I kind of overbought,” Payne says, smiling. “If you don’t have the right storage facility, you start getting vinegar syndrome. I had a beautiful print of ‘The Breaking Point’ — it’s one of my favorite films — and within a year it got vinegar syndrome and I had to throw it out.” A deep affection for cinema tends to run alongside the moviemaking. Payne’s latest, the acclaimed “The Holdovers,” started, years ago, with an old film. The 62-year-old, Omaha, Nebraska-based director caught a restoration of the 1935 French comedy “Merlusse.” The plot’s basic framework — a much-disliked teacher stays over Christmas break with a handful of kids ...

Keeping yourself safe: Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago has seen a dramatic rise in car thefts in the past two years. While the victims involved in some of the incidents have gone uninjured, others have found themselves violently attacked.While avoiding a car theft may not always be possible, crime experts say there are some steps that can be taken to avoid serious injury and minimize the impact of a crime. Read More: Tips from Chicago crime experts on how to avoid robberies, minimize harm George McDade, the chairman at Cook County Crime Stoppers and retired Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department Eugene Roy, shared tips about how to avoid a carjacking and any injuries or ongoing issues that may come as a result. (Getty Images)Car theftsAccording to CPD statistics, car thefts across the city have increased by 68% since last year and 200% since 2021.Crime experts say there are several reasons why a criminal may steal a vehicle. Some may use the stolen vehicle to commit more crimes, making it d...

Lou Malnati's, Coca-Cola: Free slice of pizza and pop in exchange for plastic bottles today

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

Renowned Chicago deep dish pizza restaurant chain Lou Malnati's and Coca-Cola are teaming up to give away a free slice of pizza and a Coke to anyone who does their part to recycle today.Taking place at Lou Malnati's West Loop location on West Randolph Street, anyone who brings in an empty plastic bottle (doesn't even have to be a Coca-Cola bottle) for recycling from 12-8 p.m. on Nov. 7 will receive a free slice of deep dish cheese pizza and their choice of a Coke, Diet Coke, Dasani or Coke Zero Sugar in a 100% recycled bottle. Illinois Lottery player wins $1 million on scratch-off The promotion is a part of Coca-Cola's "Toss In, Take Out" campaign where they are introducing their 100% recycled bottles across the country in phases. The international drink company first launched the program in New York, California and Texas before introducing the recycled bottles next in Chicago, Atlanta and the Pacific Northwest.

Keeping yourself safe: Tips from Chicago crime experts on how to avoid robberies, minimize harm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

CHICAGO — An increase in robberies across the city over the past two years may have some wondering what they can do to avoid falling victim. While people involved in some of the incidents have gone uninjured, others have found themselves victims of violent attacks.While avoiding a robbery may not always be possible, Chicago crime experts say some steps can be taken to avoid serious injury and minimize the impact of a crime. Read More: Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harm George McDade, the chairman at Cook County Crime Stoppers and retired Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department Eugene Roy, shared tips about how to avoid a robbery or and any injuries or ongoing issues that may come as a result. (Getty Images)RobberiesAccording to recent statistics from CPD, robberies have increased across the city by 25% since last year and 45% since 2021.Chicago police Area Three Commander Rodney Hill spoke with Lincoln Park residents in l...

Dean Richards gets a sneak peek of the new BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

BOOP! The Betty Boop MusicalStarring: Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty BoopAinsley Anthony Melham, Erich Bergen, Stephen DeRosa, Angelica Hale, Anastacia McCleskey and Faith PrinceWith music by David Foster and lyrics by Susan BirkenheadBook by Bob MartinDirected and choreographed by Jerry MitchellPRE-BROADWAY WORLD PREMIEREBROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S CIBC THEATRE - 18 W. Monroe St.NOVEMBER 19-DECEMBER 24, 2023https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/Splashhttps://boopthemusical.com/

Former Rockdale ISD employee turns herself in for 'inappropriate relationship with a student'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

ROCKDALE, Texas (KXAN) -- A former Rockdale Independent School District employee turned herself into law enforcement on Tuesday for two counts "related to an inappropriate relationship with a student," according to a news release from Rockdale ISD.According to the district, the woman, identified as Shawnee Despain, resigned from her position on Sept. 27.The district became aware of the allegations on Sept. 21 and took "immediate and decisive action." PAST COVERAGE: Rockdale teacher resigns, accused of inappropriate relationship with high school student Rockdale ISD Superintendent Dr. Denise Monzingo said in the release, "The allegations, against Ms. Despain, are a grave violation of our district's policies and code of conduct, and we take them very seriously."The district said it will cooperate with law enforcement's investigation and will not comment further on the details of the case.

Black Tech group launches in Austin after AfroTech 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:55 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The country's largest black tech conference, AfroTech, is moving to Houston next year, after hosting it in Austin for the past two years.Now, there's a brand new tech group that just launched, hoping to keep the momentum going. It's called, "Black in Tech Group." You could consider it a possible solution to AfroTech's relocation, though forming the community has been years in the making. Black Professional Alliance (BPA) launched the Black in Tech group at its Code & Culture event during AfroTech 2023. "These resources are...for the most part, free," said Nic Hollins, director of technology for BPA. "AfroTech does have a charge to it. So, with this being something that's sustainable throughout the year, you will get similar access."Hollins said through Black in Tech Group, people will have access to workshops, mentorship opportunities and other engaging opportunities to those in tech climb the ladder. There's a specific focus on growth opportunities in Austin, Ho...