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Montreal transit special constables poised to receive pepper-gel weapon

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

Montreal’s transit authority is poised to equip its security officers with cayenne pepper gel, a weapon it says is more appropriate than batons to use on people in crisis.The Société de transport de Montréal, or STM, plans to deploy the gel among its special constables this December, pending approval from its board at a meeting Wednesday evening. STM special constables do not carry firearms.“When confronted with people in crisis, the human mentality demands that we try to de-escalate, but if these efforts fail, this approach must continue by seeking to control the person while avoiding causing further injury or being injured despite the aggression suffered,” the STM said in an email statement.“Using cayenne pepper in gel form is … less aggressive and causes fewer injuries than using a telescopic baton.”As well, the gel aerosol is less volatile than tradition sprays, says the STM, and therefore less likely to contaminate areas beyond the target.The measu...

Black, Indigenous advocates reflect on historic elections in Canada

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

Black and Indigenous advocates and leaders are reflecting on the impact two historic elections will have across Canada.On Tuesday, Federal Parliament elected Greg Fergus as Speaker of the House, making him the first Black Canadian in the role.Fergus has been a Liberal MP for Hull-Aylmer since 2015 and has been a Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and to the Minister of Health. He also founded and co-chaired the Parliamentary Black Caucus for six years.Velma Morgan with Black Vote Canada was in Ottawa for the historic announcement along with a cohort of around 20 young people as a part of their civic leadershipand public policy program for Black Canadian youth.“I [said] to them, ‘You’re not going to know or understand the moment right now, but a week from now, a year from now, 10 years from now, you’re going to be [like] ‘I witnessed history, I witnessed the first Black Speaker of the House of Commons for Canada.’ So it ...

Italy identifies 20 foreign tourists who perished in fiery crash from overpass on Venetian mainland

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Venetian mainlanders stopped in dismay Wednesday to pay respects to the 21 people, all but one foreign tourists, who were killed when an all-electric shuttle bus crashed through an overpass guardrail and fence, plunging more than 10 meters (30 feet) to the ground.The raised road opposite a major train station is one of the borough of Mestre’s most frequently traveled, without second thoughts. But they now stopped to inspect the aging guardrail and rusted fence — both of which the bus sliced through in a moment during Tuesday rush-hour traffic. The bus was just a year old, and the 40-year-old driver with an untarnished record had just started his shift shuttling tourists from Piazzale Roma, at the edge of Venice’s famed canals, to a four-star campground on the mainland offering bargain accommodation. The driver, Alberto Rizzotto, was among the dead.A video showed the city-owned bus disappear from the frame, as another larger bus traveling behind it continue...

Movie Review: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ doesn’t desecrate the original but it won’t compel you

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

There may be no holier ground in horror than “The Exorcist.” As endlessly as William Friedkin’s 1973 film has been ripped off and resurrected, its power remains unalloyed, its place in movie history consecrated.Why is it that, after we’ve seen seen so many heads twist around, “The Exorcist” can still turn heads? Much, surely, is owed to its patient, restrained approach, icy atmospheres and and evocative, uncluttered imagery — all conjured in the dawning dread of post-1960s America.But the possession of young Regan MacNeil still haunts, I think, for its absolute belief in good and evil. It’s a supernatural movie that treats the supernatural as straightforwardly natural. The devil is as real and present as all those concrete steps.There were flop sequels that followed and plenty of spinoffs that failed to grip. But now, just two months after the death of Friedkin and a few months shy of the original’s 50th anniversary, comes a sequel from director David G...

Music Review: On ‘Come June,’ Mitch Rowland, collaborator to Harry Styles, makes a pretty folk debut

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — He might not be immediately recognizable to the masses, but multi-instrumentalist Mitch Rowland is a household name to a certain cohort of music obsessives: Harry Styles fans. The Grammy Award-winner (credited for Album of the Year, which Styles took home at the 2023 ceremony for his 2022 record “Harry’s House”; Rowland co-wrote “Music for a Sushi Restaurant” and “Keep Driving”) will release his debut album on Friday, titled “Come June,” via Giant Music/Erskine Records. The former is owned by the Azoff Company, the latter, by Styles. Rowland is Styles’ first signee, but do not expect scatting, or funky bass, or some of the particularities of his boss’ recent oeuvre (though an acoustic Rowland track like “When It All Falls Down,” is easily comparable to Styles’ “Matilda.”) On “Come June,” Rowland demonstrates a deep understanding of a kind of indie folk sound, from the Laurel Canyon-esque opener “Bluebells” to the propulsive “Illusionist,” w...

Brampton man charged with 2nd-degree murder in wife’s death

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

A husband is facing a second-degree murder charge in his wife’s death in Brampton.Peel Regional Police were called to a residence in the Plentywood Drive and Financial Drive area just before 10:30 a.m. on Monday.Officers discovered a deceased woman with apparent signs of trauma. She was identified as 46-year-old Raina Badran of Brampton.On Monday, police arrested the victim’s husband, 37-year-old Basel Mohammad of Brampton, and charged him with second-degree murder.Police said the accused was held for a bail hearing and appeared in court.The investigation into the circumstances of the woman’s death is ongoing.

Canada opens applications for scholarships commemorating victims of Iran flight PS752

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberals have launched a scholarship to commemorate those killed in the downing of Flight PS752 by Iranian officials in 2020.The program will disburse 176 scholarships, one for each of the people who died when a Ukraine International Airlines flight was shot down outside Tehran.The victims included 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, many of whom had significant academic accomplishments in Canada.The scholarship will involve an average of $25,000 for each of the 176 winners, with $4.4 million to be delivered over the course of five years and each scholarship named after an individual victim.The scholarship was first announced in January 2022. Applications for the first round opened on Wednesday and close in just 28 days.Both international and domestic students attending a college or university in Canada can apply, if their study focuses on the prevention of air disasters or the same field of study or work as one of the victims.Global Affairs Canada says it ...

US Coast Guard rescues 12 after cargo ship runs aground in US Virgin Islands

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard said it rescued 12 people who abandoned a large cargo ship that ran aground near the U.S. Virgin Islands early Wednesday.The agency is investigating whether the incident caused any contamination, noting that the vessel was carrying some 13,000 gallons of fuel and 250 gallons of lube oil. The ship, named Bonnie G, also was transporting six cars, a truck, a trailer and two pallets of cargo.“There is still much work ahead of us,” said Capt. José Díaz, commander of the Coast Guard Sector San Juan.Those aboard the 195-foot (59-meter) ship radioed for help after the engine room began taking on water before dawn. They abandoned ship using a lifeboat and two life rafts, the Coast Guard said.The incident occurred near St. Thomas as Tropical Storm Philippe dropped heavy rain and churned waters in the region.The Associated Press

The dates for the 2024 Chicago Street Races have been set

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

CHICAGO — For a second-straight year, drivers in NASCAR will take to the streets of the "Windy City" for a showcase in the summer.This time, it will take place just a little bit later. The @NASCARChicago Street Race Dates Are Officially Set For 2024..Xfinity Race - Saturday, July 6 at 1:30 p.m. central time..Cup Series Race - Sunday, July 7 at 3:30 p.m. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/PnwhVhGBEh— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) October 4, 2023The stock car race company announced on Wednesday that the second Chicago Street Race will be staged on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7. This comes a week later than the inaugural event, which took place on July 1 & 2 this past summer.NASCAR's Xfinity Series race will go off on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. central time with the Cup Series event taking place on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. central time.There was some doubt if the event would return since both NASCAR and the City of Chicago had the ability to opt out of the three-year deal for a cost. The l...

'Multi-generational': Hawthorn Woods preparing for annual stargazing class

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:21:26 GMT

HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. — Anyone curious in learning more about the night sky can attend Hawthorn Woods' stargazing class as they gear up for their fifth season.The program began in 2018 as the village was contemplating trying to obtain a designation as a dark sky community. It was granted in August 2019 after Hawthorn Woods residents "bought in," according to Kim Stewart, who runs the class with her husband Jim.Businesses and homes are required to have their lights on timers or sensors to preserve the night sky. "It actually took two to three years to prepare," Steward told WGN News. "We really hit it hard and promoted the importance of preserving the night sky and migrant patterns for wildlife."Another area community, Westmont, is trying to follow Hawthorn Woods' lead by offering a dark sky grant program.Like many other outdoor activities, COVID-19 created demand for the class, something the Stewarts didn't have in their first couple of years."It went from four families in the first ...