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Ottawa fast-tracks weapon purchase as military commanders warn of numerous other gaps

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

OTTAWA — Defence Minister Anita Anand promised to fast-track the purchase of several weapon systems for Canadian soldiers in Europe on Thursday, even as senior commanders painted a stark picture of the numerous other challenges facing the Canada’s military.That included a frank assessment of the military’s ongoing personnel crisis, calls for more urgency in upgrading North America’s defences and a warning from Canada’s top military commander that the country is falling behind its enemies.“It should be our capabilities keeping adversaries awake at night, but there are capability gaps that I am worried about,” chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre said. “Our lethality vis-à-vis potential adversaries has decreased in recent years.”The comments came during the Conference of Defence Associations Institute annual conference, where hundreds of Canadian military officers, industry representatives, academics and foreign delegates gather to...

5 men from Brampton, including youth, arrested in firearm investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

Peel Regional Police have arrested five men, including one 17-year-old, after the group allegedly stole a vehicle, leading to the discovery of a loaded handgun in Brampton.Police said just after 6 p.m. on March 8, officers attended the Highway 50 and Cottrelle Boulevard area to investigate a suspicious vehicle.It’s alleged that investigators determined the car had been stolen. When responding officers approached the vehicle, the driver attempted to flee, striking several police cruisers. Five suspects were arrested at the scene, and a loaded handgun and ammunition were recovered from the vehicle.“Thanks to the diligence and professionalism of our frontline and investigative teams, our 21 Division officers prevented a violent incident and removed a gun from our community,” said Deputy Chief Marc Andrews.“With these arrests, our officers also prevented the re-victimization of our community by these individuals, three of whom were out on bail for firearms and ot...

NYC man freed after wrong photo led to murder conviction

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A photo of another person with the same name led to the wrongful arrest of a New York City man who was exonerated and freed Thursday after spending more than 18 years behind bars for murder.The prosecution of Sheldon Thomas, now 35, “was compromised from the very start by grave errors and lack of probable cause” to arrest him for the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Anderson Bercy on Dec. 24, 2004, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said as his office moved to vacate Thomas’ conviction.Thomas was one of three people charged with killing Bercy and wounding another teenager in a drive-by shooting.“When I was in my cell, I would think of this moment and replay the conversations I would have with myself, what I would say,” Thomas said in court, where he also offered condolences to the victim’s family. “Right now, I’m speechless.”After arriving for the hearing in handcuffs, he left with an arm around his grandmother and plans for a dinner of oxtail. A...

Colorado Democrats to bolster haven against abortion bans

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Colorado lawmakers are looking to strengthen the state’s role as a safe haven for abortion rights in a region largely dominated by conservative states that have restricted the practice since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Democratic lawmakers announced at a Thursday news conference that three bills will be introduced to expand abortion access. The measures have a strong chance with the Legislature and governor’s office both under Democratic control and reflect how states like Colorado and California are proactively trying to enshrine abortion rights protections as several neighboring red states go the opposite direction.One bill would crack down on anti-abortion centers — which are known to market themselves as abortion clinics but instead attempt to steer people away from terminating a pregnancy — by outlawing “deceptive practices.”Another proposal would legally shield people who seek out abortions, and those who provide them, from investigations...

RCMP watchdog probes B.C. police, as protesters launch lawsuit alleging abuse

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

The RCMP watchdog has launched a systemic investigation of the British Columbia unit that polices anti-logging and pipeline protests, just as a proposed class-action lawsuit is filed in court over the actions of those officers. Michelaine Lahaie, chairperson of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, said in a statement Thursday that the investigation will look into the activities and operations of the RCMP “E” Division Community-Industry Response Group.The lawsuit filed Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court alleges RCMP policies and tactics in enforcing an injunction order at a Vancouver Island old-growth logging protest camp violated the Charter rights of those who had their movements impeded, were arrested, detained or had their property seized.Court documents say more than 1,000 people have been arrested in relation to enforcing the injunction order at the site called Fairy Creek, and approximately 425 have been prosecuted, primarily on criminal contempt charges.The...

Kansas nears ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a ban on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports, and they appear for now to have the votes to override the Democratic governor’s expected veto.The state Senate voted 28-11 to approve the bill, which would impose the ban for K-12, college and club sports, starting July 1. It next goes to Gov. Laura Kelly, as the state House approved it two weeks earlier on an 82-40 vote. Kelly vetoed two previous versions of the ban. Republicans made it a major issue when she ran for reelection last year, focusing multiple television ads on it. While she won a narrow victory, supporters of a ban appeared to pick up just enough legislative seats to have the two-thirds majorities necessary in both chambers to override a veto.If they are successful, Kansas would join at least 18 other states with laws limiting girls’ and women’s sports to athletes who had female anato...

Bears awarded another draft pick in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

LAKE FOREST - Ryan Poles got some more good news on Thursday when it comes to a very important weekend in April.On Thursday, the NFL awarded the Bears a compensatory pick for the upcoming 2023 draft that will take place from April 27-29 in Kansas City. Poles will now have an extra seventh round selection as the Bears will have the 41st pick in that round and the 258th overall. The awarding of the selection is based on the number of compensatory free agents lost compared to the number that were signed by a team the previous year.In order to determine that, the NFL uses a formula that includes average salary per year, snap count, and postseason awards per player.With this added selection, Poles now had nine draft picks to work with this April as he looks to build up the Bears' roster ahead of the 2023 season. Thanks to a 3-14 record in 2022, he holds the No. 1 overall selection, which figures to net a hefty return from a team in need of a quarterback to draft at that position. The odd...

Chicago mayoral candidates prepare for second debate before runoff election

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are going head-to-head in their second forum since February's election.Both candidates will square off again Thursday evening as they build up momentum for their campaigns and hope to sway more voters and endorsements their way.On Thursday morning, Johnson was endorsed by the Illinois Nurses Association. SEE ALSO | Sparks fly in first Chicago mayoral runoff debate as candidates trade barbs"I am so grateful to have you alls support," Johnson said. Coming off the heels of Wednesday night's forum with opponent Paul Vallas, Johnson said he feels confident he's the best fit for the City of Chicago."The next mayor of the City of Chicago is among the working class of Chicago," Johnson said.During the Feb. 28 election, Vallas received 33% of the votes compared to Johnson's near 22%.Vallas has received major endorsements from large business groups, including GOP donor Ken Griffin."I've gotten contributions from individuals ...

Suburban social worker accused of grooming, abusing minors

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

MCHENRY COUNT, Ill. — A Far North suburban case manager for an area nonprofit social service agency is accused of child abuse, according to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.Mohammad Mohsin Khan, 35, of Gilberts, faces charges of grooming, two counts of battery and two counts of disorderly conduct following a five-month investigation that began in September of 2022.SEE ALSO | Suburban man charged in Wisconsin woman’s death 23 years agoKhan allegedly had contact and communication, sexual in nature, with several juvenile victims. Multiple victims corroborated the allegations, deputies added.Khan was taken into custody by deputies without incident. Khan was issued a $10,000 bond in court on Thursday.

Some dead in shooting at Jehovah's Witness hall in Germany

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:40 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah's Witnesses in the northern German city of Hamburg on Thursday evening, and several people were killed or wounded, police said.The shooting took place in the Gross Borstel district, a few kilometers (miles) north of the downtown area of Germany's second-biggest city.“We only know that several people died here; several people are wounded, they were taken to hospitals,” police spokesman Holger Vehren said. He said he had no information on the severity of the injuries suffered by the wounded. Police did not confirm German media reports, which named no sources, of six or seven dead.The scene of the shooting was the Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall, a modern and boxy three-story building next door to an auto repair shop. Vehren said police were alerted to the shooting about 9:15 p.m. and were on the scene quickly. He said that after officers arrived and found people with apparent gunshot wounds on the ground floor, they he...