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New report points to homicide rate declines in U.S. cities after pandemic-era spike

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homicides are declining in a cross-section of American cities, though their numbers remain higher than before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, according to a new report analyzing data from 30 U.S. cities. Homicides on average dropped 9.4% during the first half of 2023 as compared to the same period last year, the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice found in a report released this week.The numbers remained about 24% higher than they were in 2019, and motor vehicle thefts were up sharply in the analyzed cities. “We’re seeing a continuing decline in homicides, but most cities are not back to levels that prevailed prior to the pandemic,” said Richard Rosenfeld, a professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and co-author of the report.The report is based on crime data posed online by police departments in 37 cities of varying sizes around the country. Several of the nation’s largest cities, including New York, Los A...

British balloonists’ transatlantic quest thwarted as troubles force landing in N.L.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Two ballooning Brits have abandoned their quest to fly across the Atlantic after technical issues forced them to land in Newfoundland this morning.U.K. residents Mike and Deborah Scholes lifted off from a New Brunswick field on Thursday morning in a Rozier hot air balloon, bound for the other side of the ocean.They hoped to cross the Atlantic in about six days, with the balloon’s trajectory and landing spot determined by the direction and speed of the winds.But their Facebook page says they had to land unexpectedly in central Newfoundland after just 19 hours of flight because of an unspecified technical problem.The post says it would have been unwise for them to continue their journey but adds that the “setback” has not dampened the couple’s adventurous spirits.If their mission had been successful, Deborah Scholes would have been the first woman to captain a balloon across the Atlantic and her husband the first registered blind person...

Alabama GOP shows little willingness to follow court orders for 2nd Black congressional district

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers faced a deadline Friday to draw a new congressional district that would give a larger voice to Black voters, but they have shown little willingness to create a district with as many Black voters as courts have suggested.The Republican-controlled state House and Senate planned to meet Friday and could reach an agreement on increasing the share of Black voters in southeast Alabama’s 2nd District. Experts say the two current GOP proposals fall short of what the Supreme Court said last month is required by law.Neither plan comes close to creating a second Black majority district in a state that is 27% Black. Both plans preserve the current Black majority of the 7th District.A leading GOP lawmaker said the Senate proposal places heavier emphasis on a district’s shape and keeping communities together than on racial composition.The debate in Alabama is being closely watched across the nation, and could be mirrored in fights in Louisiana, Geor...

Man with nearly 2,000 bullets and a grenade attacked police in ‘absolute ambush.’ What was his plan?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — What started as a routine collision on a busy Fargo street ended in bloody mayhem and tragedy, after a local man armed with 1,800 rounds of ammunition, guns and a grenade opened fire, killing one of the police officers who responded to the crash and wounding two others, as well as a woman who was involved in it.Last week’s attack by 37-year-old Mohamad Barakat has left investigators wondering what further carnage he might have been planning.Zach Robinson, the only officer in the melee who was not wounded, shot and killed Barakat as bystanders crouched nearby. Authorities are expected to release further details of the attack at a news conference later Friday.Barakat, who briefly trained as an emergency responder at a nearby community college, had no criminal record or apparent social media presence.On the day of the attack, July 14, Barakat brought a suitcase stuffed with weapons and ammunition from his apartment to his car and set off on a drive, state Attor...

Blocked from power, 8-party Thai coalition says it will negotiate with conservative opponents

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — A coalition of Thai political parties, struggling to form a government after two failed attempts, announced Friday it would try again next week to persuade conservative parliamentary opponents to back it, and suggested it might consider removing its most progressive member which won May’s election.The eight-party grouping met in Bangkok on Friday for the first time since a combined sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday voted to block Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, from becoming prime minister. Pita was rejected last week in a first vote on whether to name him prime minister, and was knocked out of contention on Wednesday when a procedural vote decided he could not be nominated a second time.Pita was further handicapped by a Constitutional Court decision on Wednesday that suspended him from Parliament while it decides whether he violated the constitution, as the state Election Commission said. The allega...

S&P/TSX composite up more than 100 points, U.S. markets also rise

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in the industry, telecommunications and energy stocks helped Canada’s main stock index gain more than 100 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets also posted gains.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 105.40 points at 20,542.27.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 79.10 points at 35,304.28. The S&P 500 index was up 15.24 points at 4,550.11, while the Nasdaq composite was up 32.78 points at 14,096.09.The Canadian dollar traded for 75.66 cents US compared with 75.92 cents US on Thursday.The September crude oil contract was up 71 cents at US$76.36 per barrel and the August natural gas contract was down three cents at US$2.72 per mmBTU.The August gold contract was down US$9.80 at US$1,961.10 an ounce and the September copper contract was down two cents at US$3.82 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Israeli gunfire kills a 17-year-old boy in the West Bank, Palestinian health officials say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli forces shot and killed a 17-year-old Palestinian boy in the occupied West Bank Friday, Palestinian health officials said, the latest bloodshed in a more than year-long cycle of violence that has gripped the region.The boy — whom Palestinian health officials identified as Muhammad Fouad Atta al-Bayed — was shot in the head by Israeli forces during unrest in the village of Umm Safa, north of Ramallah. The village has been a target of attacks by Jewish settlers in recent weeks.The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces had fired live ammunition, tear gas and stun grenades during confrontations with local residents. The Health Ministry confirmed at least one other person was shot in the chest.The Israeli army said that a member of the paramilitary border police unit opened fire after masked suspects threw stones and rocks at Israeli forces. It confirmed that a person was hit by gunfire, but gave no further details.Earlier in the day, Palestini...

Beyonce's 'Renaissance Tour' arrives to Chicago this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

CHICAGO — Beyoncé is bringing her Renaissance World Tour to Chicago this weekend.The two-day tour stop will take over Soldier Field Saturday and Sunday. According to stadium officials, doors will open at 5 p.m. both days, with the scheduled show time starting at 8 p.m. Heavy traffic delays are expected around the stadium and public transportation is encouraged for anyone attending the concerts.Concertgoers should follow the NFL All-Clear Bag Policy along with Soldier Field’s list of prohibited items.Verified resale tickets are still available to see Beyoncé and start around $200. Dean’s Weekender: Tacos Y Tamales Festival, Southside Summer Fest and more “Renaissance,” the singer’s seventh album, dropped in July of 2022.For more info, go to www.soldierfield.com.

Van carrying over 2K vapes burns on Connecticut highway

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A van carrying over 2,000 vape pens went up in smoke this week in Southington, Connecticut.The car fire, which was initially reported on I-691 Eastbound between Exits 5 and 3 on Tuesday, caused hours of traffic delays. (Southington Fire Department) VIDEO: Car catches fire on Interstate 691 East in Southington Southington-based Environmental Services, Inc., who assisted the Southington Fire Department with the clean-up, said more than 2,000 vapes were determined to be in the van at the time of the fire. They all burned and were destroyed in the blaze.No injuries were reported in the incident. The fire department said all of the waste is being removed and will be disposed of properly.Over 2,000 vaping devices were burned or damaged in the fire. (Southington Fire Department)E-cigarettes, or vapes, can catch on fire or explode, according to the FDA. While these incidents are uncommon, vape fires and explosions are dangerous to the person using the vaping pr...

Florida family convicted of selling fake COVID-19 cure made with industrial bleach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:31:12 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Four members of a Florida family were convicted Wednesday of selling a toxic industrial bleach as a fake COVID-19 cure through their online church.A federal jury in Miami found Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons, 37-year-old Jonathan, 35-year-old Joseph and 29-year-old Jordan, guilty of conspiring to defraud the United States and deliver misbranded drugs, according to court records. That charge carries up to five years in prison. Their sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 6.The Grenons represented themselves but declined to speak during the two-day trial, the Miami Herald reported. After the jury delivered its verdict, Joseph Grenon said they would be appealing.Prosecutors called the Grenons “con men” and “snake-oil salesmen” and said the Bradenton family's Genesis II Church of Health and Healing sold $1 million worth of their so-called Miracle Mineral Solution. In videos, it was pitched as a cure for 95% of known diseases, including COVID-19, Alzheimer’...