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Rights group says security services in Belarus raid apartments and detain election observers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Security services in Belarus are breaking into apartments and detaining people in their workplaces across the country as they carry out hundreds of searches among election observers ahead of next year’s vote, the Belarusian human rights center Viasna said Tuesday.It’s the latest crackdown against human rights and democracy figures ahead of parliamentary and local elections scheduled for February. Activists’ phones are reportedly being checked and they are forced to sign warnings against “promoting extremist activities.” The charge has previously been levelled at democracy activists and carries up to seven years in prison.Representatives from the main intelligence service, the KGB, which has retained its Soviet name, are forcing activists who were observers in the last presidential election to record “repentance videos.”There was no comment from authorities.Belarus was rocked by protests during President Alexander Lukashenko’s disputed re-election ...

Young Thug trial on pause until January after co-defendant is stabbed in jail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

ATLANTA (AP) — The trial for rapper Young Thug and five other people is on pause until early next year after one of the defendants was stabbed in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta.Shannon Stillwell, 31, was stabbed multiple times Sunday evening during a fight with another man housed in the same part of the jail, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said. Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville sent jurors home Monday morning, telling them one of the defendants had a “medical issue” but told them to return the next morning.On Tuesday, he told them the “medical issue still exists” and, given the time that it may take to deal with it, “I’m going to recess you for the holidays today.” He had previously told the jury they would have a break starting at the end of the proceedings this Friday and continuing through the new year.Glanville told the jurors they are to return to court Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. and instructed them not to read anything about the trial or talk to anyone about ...

Rights boss starts inquiry into Vancouver police media restrictions at camp removal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s Human Rights Commissioner has launched an inquiry into police restrictions on media covering the decampment in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside in April.Kasari Govender says in a news release that reports of Vancouver Police denying access to some journalists covering the decampment “raise serious red flags and merit investigation.”Govender says it is crucial for media to be able to gather information on possible human rights violations when police are conducting operations where they may come into contact with marginalized people.She says there were “multiple reports” of journalists encountering blockades or not having access to parts of the Downtown Eastside during the police operation where police were pulling down tents and disposing of campers belongings. Vancouver Police said last month there were no media exclusion zones during the tent-clearing operation, but reporters were gathered at a “muster point̶...

US agency takes first step toward requiring new vehicles to prevent drunk or impaired driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — U.S. auto safety regulators say they have taken the first step toward requiring devices in vehicles that prevent drunk or impaired driving.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on Tuesday that it is starting the process to put a new federal safety standard in place requiring the technology in all new passenger vehicles.Such devices were required in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was passed by Congress in 2021.The agency says an advance notice of proposed rule making will help it gather information about the state of technology to detect impaired driving. The regulation would set standards for the devices once technology is mature, NHTSA said in a statement.It can take years for a regulation to make its way through the process, which includes public comment periods. In 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available, nearly 13,400 people were killed in drunken driving crashes, costing society $280 billion in medical expenses, los...

Jurors deem Soleiman Faqiri’s death a homicide as inquest concludes with 57 recommendations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

Jurors have deemed the death of a mentally ill man at an Ontario jail a homicide and made 57 recommendations, including that the province create a designated “inspectorate” for corrections.The jury examining the circumstances of Soleiman Faqiri’s death began deliberating Friday afternoon after hearing about three weeks of evidence.Their conclusion came just before noon on Tuesday.Faqiri, who was 30, was arrested in early December 2016 after allegedly stabbing a neighbour while experiencing a mental health crisis.The inquest has heard that Faqiri, who had schizophrenia, appeared increasingly unwell during his time at the Central East Correctional Centre in Lindsay, but did not see a psychiatrist, nor was he taken to hospital.He died on Dec. 15, 2016, after a violent struggle with correctional officers that broke out as they were escorting him from the shower to his segregation cell.Coroner’s counsel urged jurors to rule his death a homicide, a proposal that wa...

Maryland judiciary seeks applications to replace slain judge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Maryland’s state judiciary is accepting applications to replace a circuit court judge who was killed earlier this year by a man whose divorce case the judge was presiding over, authorities have said.Judge Andrew Wilkinson was shot to death in his driveway Oct. 19, just hours after granting a divorce to Pedro Argote’s wife and awarding her full custody of their four children. Authorities quickly identified Argote as a suspect and launched a search.Argote, 49, was found dead the following week in a heavily wooded area outside Hagerstown not far from where the shooting unfolded. An autopsy later confirmed he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a spokesperson for Maryland’s chief medical examiner said Tuesday.Wilkinson, 52, was appointed to the bench nearly four years ago, fulfilling his longtime dream of becoming a judge after working as an assistant county attorney and later starting his own law office, according to loved ones.The Maryland Judiciary posted...

Boy, 16, considered 'high risk' missing from Northwest Side: Chicago police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a missing teenager. CPD has classified the situation as high-risk.Juan Huerta, 16, was last seen at approximately 4 p.m. on Nov. 30 at his residence in the 4400 block of West Fullerton Ave on the city's Northwest Side.Police describe Huerta as a Hispanic male of medium complexion, with black hair and brown eyes. He is approximately 5-foot-8, 160 pounds.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Huerta can contact the Chicago Police Department Area 5 SVU at 312-746-6554.

Why are police lights red and blue?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

(WHTM) -- Emergency vehicles have a multitude of ways to get our attention, including flashing lights, horns and sirens. But why do police cars use red and blue lights? Why not red and purple, or any other combination? Red and blue lights are used on U.S. police cars for many reasons, but the main one is that they are highly visible and easily distinguishable from one another.According to LEDequipped.com, it also has to do with color association, among other factors. When most people see the color red, they usually associate it with danger or the inclination to stop and look. But this could create an issue when emergency lights are only red, as they can be confused with brake lights. That is where the color blue comes in. How are movies rated in the United States? Blue normally has a calming effect on many people and is considered a fairly unique color in some respects. LEDequipped mentioned that in one study, blue is only seen in about 15% of our natural habitats. So, this ca...

Austin Water employee charged with possession of child pornography

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Police arrested Austin Water employee Mark Raymond on Nov. 29 for possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony. The arrest happened during Raymond’s shift at a city job site, marking the second felony arrest of an Austin Water employee while on duty since June 2022, according to the city and arrest records.Raymond, 61, is a wastewater pipeline technician associate, according to Austin Water. He is accused of possessing at least seven videos of children engaged in sex acts that were shared through the Kik Messenger app. Police began investigating him in May after receiving a cybercrime tip submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, according to an arrest affidavit.As of Dec. 8, Raymond remained employed and stationed at the utility’s Webberville Service Center – the same location former wastewater employee Corie Cornist worked, the utility confirmed. Cornist, 33, was arrested in June 2022 on charges of sexual assault and robbery. ...

Austin ISD could name lone finalist for superintendent this week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After spending a year and a half under two different interim superintendents, the Austin Independent School District may be ready to name its lone finalist for the permanent role this week. In a notice posted online Monday, AISD wrote it could potentially vote to name a lone finalist for the superintendent position during its meeting Thursday, Dec. 14. PREVIOUS: Austin ISD names new interim superintendent, but search for permanent district leader continues The announcement said if a lone finalist is named, the community will have an opportunity to participate in public forums with the finalist in January 2024. The AISD Board of Trustees anticipates then voting on a contract in late January, the announcement said. Last month, AISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to post the job of superintendent, signaling it was ready to move forward with choosing a new leader for the district. According to the announcement, the board met in executive session at its Dec. 7 me...