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Trial of ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers Tamara Lich, Chris Barber adjourned until 2024

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

OTTAWA — The criminal trial of “Freedom Convoy” leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber has adjourned after more than 30 days of evidence and arguments, and is expected to resume in January.The trial began in September and was originally scheduled to finish on Oct. 13, but it is now anticipated to continue well into the new year. Lich and Barber are both accused of mischief, intimidation and several charges related to counselling others to break the law.They were among prominent organizers who spearheaded the effort to bring massive crowds of protesters and scores of big-rig trucks to Ottawa in a demonstration against COVID-19 public-health restrictions.The protest lasted more than three weeks, as participants blocked downtown streets with their vehicles and camped out next to Parliament Hill.The trial is expected to resume briefly on Jan. 4, and no additional dates have been set.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2023.The Canadian Press

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott reveals the groups that got some of her $2.1 billion in gifts in 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $2.1 billion in the past year, she said in an online post, bringing her total reported giving to more than $16 billion since 2019.While previous announcements have included detailed essays about the reasons for her donations, Scott offered only a three-sentence post titled “(Giving Update)” this year, writing, “Excited to call attention to these 360 outstanding organizations, every one of whom could use more allies.” She added, ”Inspired by all the ways people work together to offer each other goodwill and support.”The gifts include three donations of $25 million to affordable housing nonprofit Mercy Housing, reproductive care organization Upstream USA and youth training group Year Up, according to her Yield Giving website.It’s not known if those are the largest gifts made in the past year as the database of gifts on the website withheld the amount donated to more than 100 of the recipients in 2023, with the explanation, “Disclosure...

Police responding to reports of grenade found in Value Village store in Toronto’s west end

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

A second-hand clothing store in the Toronto’s west end has been evacuated following reports that a grenade was found inside.Toronto police say they were called to a Value Village location on Rogers Road near Keele Street around 10 a.m. Friday.Police confirm a “potential grenade was found in a box” inside the store. The building has been evacuated and explosive experts are on scene investigating.No injuries have been reported.Rogers Road is closed in both directions for the investigation.

Spotify CFO becomes one of thousands departing the streaming service, after selling $9M in shares

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Spotify’s chief financial officer will step down next year, according to the music streaming service, just days after it announced its third round of layoffs for 2023.In a statement announcing CFO Paul Vogel’s departure, CEO Daniel Ek said that the two had “come to the conclusion that Spotify is entering a new phase and needs a CFO with a different mix of experiences.”Spotify said this week that it would be axing 17% of its global workforce, citing the need to slash costs and become profitable. About 1,500 people will lose their jobs, a spokesperson confirmed.Shortly after the layoffs were announced Monday, Spotify’s stock jumped about 8%. On Tuesday, Vogel moved to sell more than $9.3 million worth of shares, according to securities filings. Two other senior executives also cashed in over $1.6 million in shares, The Guardian reported.The Associated Press reached out to Spotify for further comment on Friday. Vogel will leave Spotify on March 31. Ben Kung, who c...

York police release results of extensive campaign to reduce auto theft

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

York police have released the results from the auto-theft prevention campaign that launched in September, detailing which vehicles are most likely to be targeted by thieves and in what neighbourhoods.Dubbed “Operation Auto Guard,” the campaign incorporates what police called “robust crime prevention… which includes data-driven solutions, targeted community engagement and the giveaway of crime prevention tools to help our citizens avoid becoming victims of vehicle theft.”The seven-week initiative resulted in 56 people charged with 294 arrests. 80 vehicles were recovered, worth more than $5 million, along with theft devices used to obtain the vehicles.The campaign’s data concluded that York Regional Police officers had seen an almost 50 per cent increase in vehicle thefts compared to this time last year, and has increased in York Region by more than 200 per cent over the last five years. As of Dec. 4, there have been 4,294 vehicles stolen in York Region, compared to 3,187 in 2022. The...

IDOT: Inbound Kennedy and Edens expected to fully reopen by Sunday morning

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

CHICAGO — The inbound Kennedy and Edens expressways are expected to fully reopen by Sunday morning, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Friday.On Wednesday, IDOT announced that a sequenced reopening to remove the work zone was scheduled to begin on Thursday, with a full reopening expected by next week, likely early Tuesday morning.On Friday, IDOT said that, weather permitting, lane reopening has been rescheduled to the following:Saturday, Dec. 9Starting at 9 a.m., the inbound Kennedy will be reduced to one lane from north of the Edens junction to Irving Park Road.At the same time, the reversible express lanes entrance at Montrose Avenue (Kennedy and Edens) will be closed.Starting at 8 p.m. on the inbound Kennedy, intermittent closures of all ramps between Lawrence Avenue and Irving Park Road.At the same time, inbound Edens ramp closures, Wilson Avenue (entrance and exit), Elston Avenue (entrance).Sunday, Dec. 10By 8 a.m., the inbound Kennedy and Edens expressways, as...

Woman tried to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, police say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

(The Hill) - A woman was arrested Thursday afternoon after attempting to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home in Atlanta, police said.The Atlanta Police Department said the woman poured gasoline over the house’s front porch and bushes before being stopped and detained by two off-duty New York Police Department officers who were visiting the home. “That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters after the arrest.The woman was later arrested by responding Atlanta officers and charged with attempted arson.Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry said the house could have been quickly burned to the ground had the witnesses not intervened.“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry said.The home is a part of a national historic park and is federal property, meaning the woman could face additional federal charges.“Tonight, an unfortunate incid...

Texas DPS appeals final judgment in Uvalde records lawsuit, further delaying release

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (Nexstar) — After a state judge ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to release its videos and records related to the May 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, the department is appealing the final judgment, further delaying the release of information. Last week, a Travis County judge ordered the department to release its records requested by a group of media organizations within 20 days of the final judgment. The appeal means DPS does not have to release the records while the legal matters continue to pend in the courts.More than a dozen media organizations filed a lawsuit in August 2022 after the department denied public information requests seeking 911 records, call logs, body-worn camera video, and other information related to response to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers were massacred by a gunman.The requests were filed under the Texas Public Information Act, which gives citizens the right to access gov...

Man arrested for DWI in crash that killed pedestrian

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video at the top of this story shows KXAN’s morning headlines for Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department said a man was arrested in connection with a southeast Austin crash that killed a pedestrian Saturday.APD officers responded to a crash that involved a vehicle and pedestrian at approximately 2 a.m. in the 5000 block of Burleson Road. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? According to APD, the unidentified pedestrian was crossing the street when the crash occurred. Police said the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.“The driver of the vehicle was not injured and was arrested for DWI,” APD said in a statement.Austin Police did not identify the driver involved in the incident, and as of Thursday, the investigation remained pending.Police said the incident was being investigated as the city’s 82nd fatal crash of 2023.APD asked for anyone with information related to the incident to contact APD's Vehicular...

Lab puppies born during Big 12 title game named after 14 Texas Longhorns legends

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:10:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A former maternity nurse has now had the honor of helping her rescue labrador retriever deliver 14 puppies."She was huge," Lori Ziemann said. "This was the largest litter that I've ever had the honor to help a mama with."The labrador, Lady Longhorn, went into labor during the Big 12 Championship game over the weekend when Texas beat Oklahoma State for the conference title. Ziemann said Lady Longhorn's delivery took awhile.Lady Longhorn gave birth to 14 puppies during the Longhorn game over the weekend | KXAN viewer photoLady Longhorn gave birth to 14 puppies during the Longhorn game over the weekend | KXAN viewer photoLady Longhorn gave birth to 14 puppies during the Longhorn game over the weekend | KXAN viewer photoLady Longhorn gave birth to 14 puppies during the Longhorn game over the weekend | KXAN viewer photo"When she delivered through the day, we put the TV in here," she said. "She is a Longhorn fan now, so we could partially watch the game and cheer the Long...