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Polish viewers await state TV’s evening newscast for signs of new government’s changes in the media

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Viewers in Poland were waiting Thursday for the main evening newscast on state television TVP to see first signs of changes in the media planned under the country’s new, pro-European Union government. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose Cabinet took office last week, has promised to free the outlet of the former ruling conservatives’ propaganda and divisive policies. Police and security forces erected barriers in front of TVP’s main building in the Polish capital, Warsaw, after leaders of the Law and Justice party that was ousted from power following elections two months ago began a sit-in inside the building on Wednesday to protest the changes. Some remained inside on Thursday, when police only allowed authorized employees into the TVP building.The government on Wednesday said it had fired and replaced the directors of the state television and radio outlets and the government-run news agency. They had been under control of the right-wing Law an...

Oscars shortlists revealed: Here are the films one step closer to a nomination

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

The “Barbie” power ballad “I’m Just Ken” and AP and Frontline’s documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” just got one step closer to an Oscar nomination. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday shortlists in 10 categories, including best original song, documentary feature, international feature, original score, and crafts like hair and makeup, visual effects and sound.Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” was shortlisted in both the documentary and international feature categories, representing Ukraine in the latter.As expected, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” were prominently represented among the finalists in many categories, including score and sound. “Oppenheimer” was not among the 10 finalists in the visual effects category, however. The film’s surprising omission from the list of the original 20 finalists was previously reported. Among the 15 internation...

As Quebec teachers strike drags on, fears rise about children’s welfare

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

MONTREAL — A four-week Quebec teachers strike that has shut schools across the province is spurring concern for students’ education and development.Fédération Autonome de l’Enseignement, which represents about 66,000 teachers, has been on unlimited general strike since Nov. 23.Students at those schools face several more weeks without classes as the holiday vacation approaches with the union and Quebec government still unable to reach a deal.Mélanie Laviolette, president of a group representing Quebec parents, worries the long absence will compound literacy and socialization challenges already aggravated by school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.Dr. Gilles Julien, co-founder of an organization that advocates for vulnerable kids, fears the successive interruptions in learning over the last few years could permanently damage some children’s development.Julien says school closures are also preventing officials from seeing signs of abuse in children and alerting c...

5 suspects arrested in stolen vehicle, gun seized: Peel police

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

Peel Regional Police officers conducting an auto theft enforcement in Brampton say they spotted a stolen vehicle on Wednesday, arresting five occupants and seizing a gun.Officers identified and located the stolen vehicle in the McVean Drive and Cottrelle Boulevard area, near Goreway Drive and Castlemore Road.Investigators say a gun found inside the vehicle was loaded.All five occupants were arrested and face the following charges:Gurgit Dosanjh, 37 of Brampton:• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm• Possession of a Loaded Firearm• Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Knowing There is a Firearm• Careless Storage of a Firearm• Possession of a Controlled SubstanceJasvir Gill, 37 of Quebec:• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm• Possession of a Loaded Firearm• Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Knowing There is a Firearm• Careless Storage of a Firearm• Possession of a Controlled SubstanceXx Jagpal Singh, 27 of Quebec:• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm• Possess...

Man accused of texting death threats to Ramaswamy faces similar charges involving 2 more candidates

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man who was released from jail after he was accused of sending text messages threatening to kill a presidential candidate now faces two more charges that he threatened the lives of different candidates.Tyler Anderson, 30, of Dover, was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on three counts of sending a threat using interstate commerce. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 5. A message seeking comment was sent to his lawyer. Anderson was arrested on Dec. 9 and was released Dec. 14. A federal judge set forth several conditions for his release, including that he avoid contact with any presidential candidate and their political campaigns. Anderson, who is receiving mental health treatment, must also take all of his prescribed medications. Guns in his home, belonging to a roommate, must be removed. The U.S. Attorney’s office did not name the candidates. When Anderson was arrested, a spokesperson for Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said tha...

Ed Burke trial: Verdict is in

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

BREAKING UPDATE: A verdict is in, according to WGN's Mike Lowe. WGN will update this story once it's announced.Original story:CHICAGO — After a quiet Wednesday in the Ed Burke trial, jurors are back at the Dirksen Federal Building to decide the fate of the former powerful alderman.The jury has been deliberating for roughly 21 hours now. They offered few hints to its progress Wednesday — sending no notes or questions to Judge Virginia Kendall.Legal experts said the case is a complex one and could take quite some time for jurors to decide.The most complicated aspect is count one of the indictment, which is the racketeering charge. It allows federal prosecutors to tie together seemingly unrelated acts as a pattern.There are also a number of criteria that must be met to to find someone guilty under those specific charges. Jurors are reviewing evidence in four alleged schemes.Those schemes allegedly tie Burke to a Burger King franchise, the Field Museum, a Binny's Beverage Depot sign and...

Non-emergency road closures to be suspended, where possible, for holiday weekends: IDOT

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, in order to minimize travel disruption.IDOT says non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, and again from 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1.The following lane closures will remain in place for IDOT District 1 during the holiday weekends: City of ChicagoOutbound Bishop Ford Freeway (eastbound Interstate 94) ramp to eastbound 130th Street; closed, detour posted.Southbound Du Sable Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41) along Jackson Park; lane closures continue.Outbound Kennedy Expressway west of Addison Street; right shoulder closed.Cook CountyNational Parkway between Golf Road and American Lane in Schaumburg; closed, detour posted.Franklin Avenue between Runge Street and Mannheim Road (U.S. 12/45) in Franklin Park; lane reduct...

New university in Austin now accepting applicants for inaugural class, offering scholarships

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The University of Austin (UATX) said it was now accepting applicants for its inaugural freshman class.“Students will be fully immersed in a classical college learning experience consisting of the discovery, transmission, and preservation of knowledge, while also learning how to build, create, and innovate for the future,” UATX said.The school said each enrolled member of the incoming Fall 2024 class would be offered a Founders Scholarship, which covers the full cost of undergraduate tuition for four years at the institution. According to UATX, Niall Ferguson, a co-founder of the school, will teach classes in its inaugural year. "As a founder and trustee of the University of Austin, I feel strongly committed to establishing a unique pedagogical culture on our campus,” said Ferguson. “Academic freedom needs to work in practice as well as to exist on paper, as it doe...

Hochul signs bill to establish task force for missing BIPOC females

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Thursday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to establish a task force on missing females who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. According to the FBI, over 115,000 BIPOC females were reported missing in 2022. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "The statistics are alarming: thousands of women and girls who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color go missing every year," Governor Hochul said. "We have a moral obligation to treat these cases with the care and seriousness they deserve, and this new Task Force will be a critical part of that effort."The Task Force will comprise nine members, including representatives of the Office of Family and Children's Services, the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and the New York State Police. Priorities include developing policies to increase education and addressing discrepancies in the care with which these cases are treated. Push to make Child V...

First of DIA’s new concourse train cars pulls into the station, more on the way

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:01:02 GMT

The first of Denver International Airport’s new, upgraded train cars pulled into the station Tuesday afternoon, more than two years behind schedule.Built by international train manufacturer Alstom, this car is one of 26 expected to arrive in Denver throughout next year, both to replace half airport’s current fleet and to add 10 cars to the roster, according to a Tuesday news release from DIA.“Passenger traffic at DEN is expected to reach more than 78 million by the end of this year alone, and 100 million annual passengers are expected within the next three to five years,” DIA’s CEO Phil Washington stated in Tuesday’s release. “We are preparing for the future in a variety of ways, including renovating the Great Hall, adding gates to concourses, and adding capacity to the train to the gates.”Delivery of the 26 new train cars was originally scheduled to begin in early 2021, but was pushed back several times due to global supply-chain issues.The...