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UN says more than 1 in 4 people in Gaza are starving because of war

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 GMT

By NAJIB JOBAIN, JACK JEFFERY and COLLEEN BARRY (Associated Press)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than half a million people in Gaza — a quarter of the population — are starving, according to a report Thursday by the U.N. and other agencies that highlights the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s bombardment and siege on the territory in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.The extent of the population’s hunger eclipsed even the near-famines in Afghanistan and Yemen of recent years, according to figures in the report. The report warned that the risk of famine is “increasing each day,” blaming the hunger on insufficient aid entering Gaza.“It doesn’t get any worse,’’ said Arif Husain, chief economist for the U.N.’s World Food Program. “I have never seen something at the scale that is happening in Gaza. And at this speed.”Israel says it is in the final stages of clearing out Hamas from northern Gaza, but that months of fighting lie ahead in the south.The war sparked by Ha...

Movie Review: ‘The Color Purple’ is a stirring big-screen musical powered by its spectacular cast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 GMT

Exuberant performances from a cast led by Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks breathe life into Blitz Bazawule’s stirring “The Color Purple,” adapted from the Tony-winning Broadway production.Alice Walker ’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel, which Steven Spielberg turned into the 1985 film, may be an unlikely book for such bright adaptations. Walker’s novel, told through Celie’s letters penned to God, is harrowingly bleak in its tale of trauma, poverty, abuse and rape. Much of Walker’s “The Color Purple” doesn’t scream song and dance.But the emotional triumphs of Walker’s novel and its soul-stirring tribute to the power of Black women lend themselves to the kind of maximalist spectacle of Bazawule’s razzle-dazzle adaptation. The tragedy found in “The Color Purple” makes its final release all the more rousing.It can still be an awkward mix, and, like Spielberg’s movie, not all of the tonal changes work in this version of “The Color Purple.” But the payoff is immen...

Victims identified in Caledon triple shooting, 1 recovering in hospital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 GMT

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have identified two victims who were fatally shot in Caledon last month as authorities continue to search for multiple suspects.Emergency crews were called to a house on Mayfield Road, east of Airport Road, around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 for reports of a shooting.A man was pronounced dead at the scene, and two other victims were rushed to hospital in critical condition. One person later died from their injuries, while the third victim remains in hospital in stable condition. On Thursday, OPP identified the two victims as 57-year-old Jagtar Sidhu and 57-year-old Harbhajan Sidhu, both of Caledon.Investigators said it is believed that multiple individuals were involved in the shooting. Investigators believe multiple suspects were involved in the shooting incident. One was last seen entering a black pick-up truck, which then travelled westbound on Mayfield Road. Photo: OPP.One was last seen entering a black pick-up truck, which then travelled westbound on M...

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

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:14:52 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...