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Belarus bans citizens from renewing passports abroad, spreading fear among those who fled repression

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian president on Tuesday banned citizens from renewing their passports while staying abroad, which could force those who fled the country amid growing repression to return to maintain their travel documents.An estimated 200-300,000 Belarusians have left the country in the last three years since massive protests against an election that returned President Alexander Lukashenko to office led to a harsh crackdown on the political opposition. The election results were widely regarded as manipulated.Lukashenko’s decree stated that a Belarusian passport can only be renewed where the holder was a registered resident before leaving the country.Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who fled to Lithuania after challenging Lukashenko in the 2020 election, warned Belarusians, saying, “even if your passport expires, you should not return to your home country if you risk persecution.”Tsikhanouskaya told The Associated Press that Po...

Dangerous rip currents along Atlantic coast spur rescues, at least 8 deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Strong ocean rip currents along the mid-Atlantic coast created hazardous swimming conditions on Tuesday after several deaths were reported and hundreds of other swimmers had to be rescued by lifeguards during the Labor Day holiday weekend.Rip current warnings issued by the National Weather Service remained in effect Tuesday from New York to North Carolina, and that agency also was urging swimmers to use extra caution and only swim in area where lifeguards were present. Swimmers were being kept out of the water in some areas due to very rough conditions or lifeguard shortages, or both.The dangerous currents were spawned by the remnants of hurricanes Franklin and Idalia, officials said. They warned that people caught in a rip current can be swept away from shore very quickly and note the best way to escape is by swimming parallel to the shore instead of towards it.At least three deaths were reported in New Jersey, including a 22-year-old man from the Dominican Rep...

South Korean firm opening copper foil plant in Quebec for use in electric vehicles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

GRANBY, Que. — A new player is entering the Quebec supply chain for electric vehicle batteries.Volta Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Solus Advanced Materials, will produce copper foil for batteries in Granby, Que., southeast of Montreal.The Quebec government is giving the company a $150-million loan, part of which is forgivable, for the $750-million project that is expected to create 260 jobs. The plant is to produce 25,000 tons of copper sheets per year starting 2026.Quebec Premier François Legault made the announcement today in Granby, saying the project confirms that the province is attracting global leaders in the battery and electric transportation industry.Last month, Ford Motor Company announced a $1.2-billion manufacturing plant in Quebec for components of electric car batteries.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2023.The Canadian Press

Political pressure to stop rate hikes now coming from premiers, as BoC decision nears

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

OTTAWA — Two premiers have sent letters to Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem urging against another rate hike, as the provincial leaders attempt to sway the central bank’s interest rate decision slated for Wednesday.Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent a letter on Sunday saying families and businesses cannot afford the “crushing impact of further rate hikes,” echoing a letter British Columbia Premier David Eby sent on Thursday. Associate professor and founding director of McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Christopher Ragan says it’s “unfortunate” that the premiers felt that sending these letters was useful. “It’s pretty easy to find people that will argue that the (central) bank shouldn’t raise interest rates anymore,” Ragan said.But having premiers send letters to the governor “invariably brings in a political element” to the debate, he said. The Bank of Canada is an independent instituti...

EU reshuffles Commission as antitrust chief Vestager vies for bloc’s top banking job

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s Commission is reshuffling more of its top management because antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager of Denmark is seeking to become the president of the European Investment Bank. Vestager is the second Commission vice president in as many months to seek a new professional challenge. EU climate chief Frans Timmermans left his job on the EU’s executive body to lead a united left front in the Dutch November elections in an attempt to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Since there will be wholesale changes in the EU’s Commission after the European Parliament elections in June 2024, several commissioners are leaving ahead of time when an opening that better suits their taste emerges. Vestager said she would take unpaid leave until a decision on the banking job is made, likely later this month. The EIB is the EU’s banking arm and has been increasingly involved in investments in sustainable climate initiatives and financiall...

The films coming to theaters and streaming soon, from ‘Dumb Money’ to ‘The Hunger Games’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

Fall is coming, and so are the movies. OK, not all the movies. Some of them, like “Dune: Part Two,” have been postponed until next year due to the ongoing actors and writers strikes. But most of the film calendar has stayed intact — for now. Just like summer, there are plenty of sequels and prequels on the way. A second “Nun,” a third “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” a fourth “Expendables” and a 10th “Saw.” But many of the most anticipated titles are awards contenders, historical epics and festival hits. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the next three months. MOVIES RELEASING IN SEPTEMBER“Cassandro” (in theaters Sept. 15, streams on Prime Video Sept. 22)Gael García Bernal gives one of his best performances in Roger Ross Williams’ biopic about lucha libre wrestler Saúl Armendáriz. Williams, the veteran documentary filmmaker, makes his narrative debut with this drama about the openly gay wrestler who became a fan favorite in a traditionally homophobic sport. Bad Bunny...

'Want this for my parents': Reward increased in 1979 murders of Niles West students as families want answers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — A reward has been increased to $10,000 to help solve the murders of two 17-year-old girls found shot to death inside a forest preserve in 1979.On Sept. 5, 1979, Susan Ovington, 17, and Eyvonne Bender, 17, both students at Niles West High School, went to go to the E.J. Korvette shopping mall.Later that evening, they were found shot to death in the St. Paul Woods, a forest preserve near the 6600 block of Dempster in Morton Grove.Authorities estimated the time of death to be around 3 p.m. Their bodies were discovered by a search party consisting of a boyfriend and other friends.A former classmate of the girls, who were both described as kind and involved in church, has increased the cash reward from $1,000 to $10,000 through Crime Stoppers.Eyvonne Bender (L) and Sue Ovington (R)While police said they have been actively working the case, families of the victims said they have been getting "the run around" for years.Susan's older brother, Dick Ovington, said authorit...

Bears first regular season depth chart of 2023 is out

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — While some people look at it when first released in the preseason, the depth chart gets a lot more attention before the start of the regular season.That moment came on Tuesday for the Bears, when they announced their initial lineup for their first contest of 2023. Here is the Bears' 2023 Week 1 depth chart ahead of their season opener with the Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/STrbP3nc5l— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) September 5, 2023With the roster now set, the Bears put out their depth chart ahead of their Week 1 game against the Packers at Soldier Field on Sunday at 3:25 p.m.. There were a number of starting positions that were already set, but there were a few questions answered with the release on Tuesday.Lucas Patrick is listed as the team's starting center as he enters his second season with the Bears. Cody Whitehair, who figured to be a candidate for the top spot at center, is the team's left guard, where he spent most...

Comer subpoenas Mayorkas and Secret Service, DHS staffers in Hunter Biden probe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) on Tuesday subpoenaed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas along with three other DHS employees and two Secret Service staffers as the House panel expands its inquiry into whether the Justice Department improperly tipped off the protective agency while investigating Hunter Biden over alleged tax crimes.The six subpoenas serve dual inquiries, seeking information surrounding how the Secret Service as well as the Biden transition team was notified about plans to interview the president's son, along with alleging improper conduct by the agencies as committees aim to get that information.Beyond the details sought about the Secret Service’s discussions with the Justice Department, the subpoena includes demands regarding DHS’s Office of Legislative affairs and includes an allegation that DHS blocked the Secret Service from responding to a previous request for interviews regarding claims from IRS whistleblo...

Man who allegedly exchanged gunfire with deputies, officer in Buda identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:23 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video shows the scene of the investigation into the officer-involved shooting in Buda on Sept. 5.BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating after deputies and officers from the Hays County Sheriff's Office and Buda Police Department were involved in a shooting in Buda Tuesday morning. According to a release from HCSO, a Buda police officer made a traffic stop just before 4 a.m. in the 15000 block of the Interstate 35 service road, near the McDonald's and Chevron at the Main Street crossing.The person in the vehicle got out and allegedly pointed a firearm at the Buda PD officer, who then fired at the person, according to HCSO. The officer called for help and began chasing the person on foot, and more gunfire was exchanged, the release said. HCSO deputies responded to the scene, and they and the Buda officer found the person shortly after. HCSO deputies engaged with him and also discharged their firearms. According to HCSO, the...