Ex-governor general examining allegations of Chinese meddling in Canada steps down

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Ex-governor general examining allegations of Chinese meddling in Canada steps down OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A Canadian government appointee looking into allegations of Chinese interference in Canada announced Friday that he is stepping down from his role, citing the highly partisan atmosphere around his work.Former Governor General David Johnston said in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that his leadership of the government’s probe into purported meddling by China has not helped build trust in democratic institutions because of partisanship.The appointment of Johnston, who said he would release a brief final report, was contentious, with opposition Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre accusing him of being too close to Trudeau’s family.All opposition parties in the House of Commons have called for the government to hold a public inquiry into the allegations of foreign interference, but Johnston recently released a report recommending against that.Johnston said he encourages Trudeau to appoint a “respected person, with national security experience” to ...

Why a DC-area health department is using dating apps to spread sexual health information

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Why a DC-area health department is using dating apps to spread sexual health information This Pride Month, the Maryland Department of Health has launched a “Get Your Pride On” campaign aimed at spreading information about sexual health, and it’s using dating apps to reach LGBTQ users.Peter DeMartino, director of the department’s infectious disease prevention bureau, said it’s the first time the state has launched this type of initiative during Pride Month. The campaign is different, he said, because it’s not only inclusive of the LGBTQIA community, but “it’s also probably the first time that we’ve released an integrated sexual health campaign.”The health department will be at many Pride events across Maryland, but the primary focus of the initiative is promoting mpox vaccinations, testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections and spreading information about pre-exposure prophylaxis prep for HIV prevention.“You want to know what your blood sugar is, you want to know what your cholesterol is,” D...

Astros place slugger Yordan Alvarez on IL with sore oblique

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Astros place slugger Yordan Alvarez on IL with sore oblique CLEVELAND (AP) — Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez, who leads the majors with 55 RBIs, has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right oblique discomfort.Alvarez was removed after one at-bat Thursday in a 3-2 loss at Toronto, telling reporters that he initially felt discomfort during batting practice. It’s his seventh career IL stint.The 25-year-old outfielder returned to Houston for additional evaluation. Alvarez is hitting .272 with 17 homers in 57 games.“It’s not easy to figure it out, but we’ll make adjustments,” manager Dusty Baker said before the Astros’ game against the Cleveland Guardians. “You don’t have a choice, you just have to go forward.”Alvarez ranks second in the AL in homers and slugging percentage behind Aaron Judge of the Yankees. The Cuban National Series veteran was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made his first All-Star team last season, when he hit .306 with 37 homers and 97 RBIs.Mauricio Dubón filled in for Alvarez in left field as Houston opene...

Vegas water agency empowered to limit home water flows in future

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Vegas water agency empowered to limit home water flows in future LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada has taken a dramatic, but not immediate, step toward limiting the amount of Colorado River water used in the most populous part of the nation’s most arid state, after lawmakers gave Las Vegas-area water managers the levers to limit flows to single-family homes.Gov. Joe Lombardo signed a law passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature to let the Southern Nevada Water Authority restrict the amount of water provided to homes — if the federal government further dials back Nevada’s share of water drawn from the river.“This legislation builds on our efforts to protect sustainable growth on the county and state levels,” the Republican governor said in a Tuesday signing statement that cited goals of balancing economic expansion with ensuring “clean and stable water into the future.”In the Las Vegas area, ornamental lawns are already banned, swimming pool sizes are limited, almost all water inside homes is recycled, “water cops” patrol for leaks and fountains on t...

Aurora PD releases video of teen’s death after being shot by officers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Aurora PD releases video of teen’s death after being shot by officers DENVER (KDVR) -- The Aurora Police Department released the body camera video of a deadly police shooting of a 14-year-old boy last week.Jor’Dell Richardson allegedly robbed a convenience store near 8th Avenue and Dayton Street and was caught in an alley behind the small strip mall. Jor’Dell was allegedly armed when an officer shot and killed him last Thursday. Police kill 14-year-old armed robbery suspect in Aurora Police said there was a group of teenagers with hoodies and masks on running from them before the shooting. In a press conference Friday, interim Aurora Police Chief Art Acevedo said he went to the scene of the shooting and gathered information of his own after the shooting involving two of his officers. A stolen Kia minivan allegedly involved in the robbery was later recovered, Acevedo said. The van was found empty. The first names of the officers involved were not released during the news conference You can watch the full bodycam video segments on YouTube, which incl...

Report: Suncor had some of the highest numbers of tail gas and acid flares

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Report: Suncor had some of the highest numbers of tail gas and acid flares DENVER (KDVR) -- The Suncor oil and gas refinery in Commerce City has some of the highest levels of reportable incidents among similar refineries, according to a recent evaluation by ERG.Colorado's sole oil and gas refinery, Suncor has faced some challenges in 2023. In late December, Suncor announced a shutdown after two employees were hurt in a fire at the refinery. Two months later, the refinery responded to a leak and, prompted Gov. Jared Polis, extend the emergency shutdown. The refinery was also flooded after nearly three days of continuous rainfall hit the area.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency directed sustainability firm ERG to analyze the frequency of certain kinds of incidents at refineries under consent decrees. The analysis included 11 other refineries, of which Suncor has the smallest processing capacity. Fewer babies in Colorado? Maybe because Coloradans are having less sex "Compared to eleven other refineries from around the United States during 2016 to 2020...

Mayor-elect Johnston announces transition team

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Mayor-elect Johnston announces transition team DENVER (KDVR) -- The newly elected mayor of Denver, Mike Johnston, announced the transition leadership that he's calling "Vibrant Denver."Johnston said the goal of "Vibrant Denver" is to listen to community leaders across the city to find out what's working, what's not working and how to make Denver better. Rapidly growing Denver picks Mike Johnston as new mayor amid mounting big-city problems Johnston announced that there will be 28 different committees to work on specific issues the city is facing. The committees will include all of the existing departments and agencies, but there will be three major additions. Those committees are homelessness, migrants and a partnership with Denver Public Schools, Johnston said. A few others he mentioned are mental health, employee voice, labor relations and community well-being and safety which will be separate from the Department of Public Safety. Johnston is using a guideline acronym called TICET which stands for transparency, innovation, c...

Burglar caught on video at Boca Raton mall stealing valuables from SUV of man studying to be pastor

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Burglar caught on video at Boca Raton mall stealing valuables from SUV of man studying to be pastor A thief was driven to steal after he was caught on video breaking into a luxury SUV in the parking lot of a South Florida shopping center and stealing several valuables, including his laptop containing extensive data. Now the vehicle’s owner wants his belongings back.The victim, a Deerfield Beach resident, showed 7News on Friday where the bag containing his laptop was located.“My bag was right there,” said the victim, who asked not to be identified, as he opened rear driver’s side door of his Mercedes-Benz SUV.The victim said the bag was taken from his SUV, which was parked at the Town Center at Boca Raton, at around 5:45 p.m. on May 29..Inside the bag, the victim said, were irreplaceable items and data.“I was leaving the mall, and when I left the mall, I came to my car, and when I came to my car, I realized something was wrong,” he said, “and I saw my glove compartment open, and then I realized someone came into my car.The victim soon disco...

Wrongfully convicted man, 1st to be exonerated by Broward SAO, to receive $817K from state

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Wrongfully convicted man, 1st to be exonerated by Broward SAO, to receive $817K from state A Florida man wrongfully convicted is now getting payback. Fifty-three-year-old Leonard Cure will receive a historic compensation of $817,000 from the state.Cure is the first man exonerated by the Broward State Attorney’s office.He was released from prison in 2020 after serving 17 years for a crime that he did not commit.Cure will also receive 120 hours worth of college tuition and fees.

Mother trapped inside SUV with 5 children after rollover wreck in Hillsborough County shares ordeal

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:52:20 GMT

Mother trapped inside SUV with 5 children after rollover wreck in Hillsborough County shares ordeal HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – A Florida mother is speaking out about the terrifying moments when she and her five children were trapped inside their SUV after they were involved in a rollover wreck. Mindy Bosshart said she is grateful to be sharing her story after she and her children survived the crash that took place Tuesday afternoon, an ordeal that she hopes to never experience again.The minivan had overturned after the crash and landed on an incline, on its side, with her children still stuck inside.“I could be sitting here without my kids,” said Bosshart.She said the crash happened in the middle of a busy day.“We had vacation bible school in the morning, and the girls had rehearsal for a dance recital,” she said.Bosshart said the wreck happened during rush hour, while they were heading home.“So, the two lanes closest to me had paused so that I can pass, and I was inching out, and there was no one there, so I pull out, and then someone w...