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German government denies Scholz comments spurred raids on climate activists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — A German government spokesperson on Friday rejected the notion that comments by Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticizing climate activists might have prompted raids against them this week.Police on Wednesday searched more than a dozen properties across Germany linked to the group Last Generation, seizing assets as part of a probe into its finances. Prosecutors in Munich said they are investigating whether the group constitutes a criminal organization after its repeated road blockades and other protests drew numerous complaints from the public.Days before the raids, Scholz said he thought it was “ completely nutty to somehow stick yourself to a painting or on the street.” Members of Last Generation have hit back, describing the raids as a blow to democracy and accusing Scholz of belittling young people’s fears about global warming.Scholz’s spokesperson, Wolfgang Buechner, said he didn’t know whether the chancellor had advance knowledge of the raids but that ...

Pope runs fever, skips meetings, Vatican says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis skipped meetings Friday because he was running a fever, the Vatican said.There were no details about how sick Francis was. The last time he spiked a serious fever, in March, the 86-year-old pontiff was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with acute bronchitis. He received intravenous antibiotics and was released three days later.A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak about the pope’s health, said Francis didn’t receive anyone in audience Friday “because of a feverish state.” There were no formal audiences scheduled Friday, but Francis keeps a separate, private and unofficial agenda of meetings with people he receives at his hotel.Francis has had a busy week, presiding over a meeting of the Italian bishops conference, participating in an afternoon encounter Thursday with his school foundation Scholas Occurentes, as well as meeting with several other prelates and visiting dignitaries.He is...

OPP investigating after missing child found dead north of Cobourg

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

Provincial police are investigating after a child was found dead north of Cobourg.The Ontario Provincial Police in Northumberland County say they received reports of a missing child from an address in Hamilton Township around 5:15 p.m. on Thursday.The child was later found dead at the same address.The OPP continues to investigate along with the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario.Investigators say there is no threat to public safety.

Indiana doctor reprimanded, fined $3,000 for talking publicly about Ohio 10-year-old’s abortion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An Indiana board decided Thursday night to reprimand an Indianapolis doctor after finding that she violated patient privacy laws by talking publicly about providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim from neighboring Ohio.The state Medical Licensing Board voted that Dr. Caitlin Bernard didn’t abide by privacy laws when she told a newspaper reporter about the girl’s treatment in a case that became a flashpoint in the national abortion debate days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.The board, however, rejected accusations from Indiana’s Republican attorney general that Bernard violated state law by not reporting the child abuse to Indiana authorities. Board members chose to fine Bernard $3,000 for the violations, turning down a request from the attorney general’s office to suspend Bernard’s license. The board issued no restrictions on her practice of medicine.Bernard has consistently defended her actions, and she told the board on...

Man, 19, 2 teens, charged in fatal shooting of 18-year-old

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

CHICAGO — A man, 19, and two teens were charged with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Cameron Rayford on April 27. Jordan Parks is charged with six felony counts of first-degree murder, attempted first degree murder, possession of stolen firearm and aggravated battery. A15-year-old boy was charged with the same felonies including a count of unlawful us f weapon under 21. Jordan Parks, 19, Another 16-year-old was also charged with the same felonies including unlawful use of machine gun. The boys were arrested Tuesday in the 2900 block of South Federal Street and the 2900 block of South State Street. They were identified by the CPD as the individuals who participated in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Cameron Rayford on April 27. Man dead following officer-involved shooting in Des Plaines The three individuals were placed in custody and charged accordingly.

Ford EV owners to get access to Tesla Supercharger network starting next spring

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — All of Ford Motor Co.'s current and future electric vehicles will have access to about 12,000 Tesla Supercharger stations in the U.S. and Canada starting next spring.Ford CEO Jim Farley and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the agreement Thursday during a “Twitter Spaces” audio chat.“We think this is a huge move for our industry and for all electric customers,” Farley said.Musk said he didn't want Tesla's network to be a “walled garden” and that he wants to use it to support sustainable transportation.“It is our intent to do everything possible to support Ford and have Ford be on an equal footing at Tesla Superchargers,” Musk said. Say goodbye to AM radio: Why carmakers are removing it from new models Farley said there will be a cost to Ford owners, perhaps a monthly subscription, but he didn't give specifics. Details of any financial arrangement between Ford and Tesla were not announced.At first, Ford's current electric vehicles will need an adapter to hook into the Te...

Dean's Reviews: 'The Little Mermaid'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Check out Dean's reviews on the new live-action film, 'The Little Mermaid,' coming to theaters today. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Dean's Weekender: Blockcon, Janet Jackson and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

CHICAGO — Check out Dean's Weekender for and insight in all the events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend including Janet Jackson. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

WATCH: City councilman, police officer save man from burning home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

EDISON, N.J. (WPIX) -- A man in Edison, New Jersey, is lucky to be alive thanks to a pair of heroes -- one in uniform and the other in a suit."I saw a tower of smoke," said Woodbridge Township Councilman Kyle Anderson.Anderson was driving when he saw a house on fire. He pulled over, and a woman calling 911 told him a man was still inside toward the back."I could see there was a door open, and there was a gentleman who was struggling, so I went in, helped him out, but he couldn't move any further and propped him in a seat on the deck," Anderson said. DeSantis scrambles to right the ship after rocky 2024 launch At that moment, Edison police officer Joseph Elqumos arrived on the scene."When I got out, I saw the fire," said Elqumos. "The house was completely engulfed."The smoke was so thick it was nearly impossible for him to see. In the officer's body camera video, you can hear Anderson telling him where the man was. Then Elqumos went in and put the man on his back."I didn't even tal...

'CUDDLY' Rescue Rover aiding abandoned animals in Austin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Animal shelters across Texas are overcrowded with pets that need homes.According to Austin Pets Alive!, thousands of animals annually are euthanized statewide.To lighten the load on these shelters, the nonprofit has rolled out a tool to transport dozens of dogs and cats to safety.The CUDDLY Rescue Rover recently took a 9-hour trip up from Laredo, Texas to the APA! headquarters.Clare Callison with Austin Pets Alive! says most of the animals being transported were only minutes away from having their lives tragically taken away.“Many of them were literally minutes from euthanasia at the shelters that they came from,” she said. Once they're here at Austin Pets Alive, we make sure that they're safe.”             Euthanasia is a fate hundreds of healthy animals face due to a lack of food, resources and shelter space.When it comes to transferring these pets to no-kill rescue organizations, transportation is of...