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Judge in court martial fines anti-vax reservist $4,000, issues severe reprimand

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — A former soldier and reservist who defied the Canadian Armed Forces’ COVID-19 vaccine mandate has been fined $4,000 and received a severe reprimand at the conclusion of a court martial in British Columbia. Warrant Officer James Topp pleaded guilty to two charges of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline in relation to two videos he posted to social media criticizing the military’s vaccine policy. Military judge Cmdr. Julie Deschenes told the court martial that the sentence is fair and fit, noting that Topp took responsibility for his actions and is taking steps to get his life in order. She said she believed Topp was in a state of despair in February 2022 when he made the videos and embarked on public protests.Topp is a 52-year-old reservist and former Armed Forces soldier with more than 30 years of service in multiple deployments to Croatia, Afghanistan and other war zones. He told the court martial this week that he was close to s...

Native American advocates seek clear plan for addressing missing and murdered cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Advocates are calling out New Mexico’s Democratic governor for disbanding a task force that was charged with crafting recommendations to address the high rate of killings and missing person cases in Native American communities. The Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women said in a statement Thursday that dissolving the panel of experts only helps to perpetuate the cycles of violence and intergenerational trauma that have created what many have deemed as a national crisis. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office argues that the task force fulfilled its directives to study the scope of the problem and make recommendations and that the state remains committed to implementing those recommendations.The push by the advocates comes just weeks after a national commission delivered its own recommendations to Congress and the U.S. Justice and Interior departments following hearings across the country and promises by the federal government to funnel more resources...

Dog who survived 72 days in mountains after owner’s death is regaining weight, back on hiking trails

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

A faithful dog who survived after spending more than 10 weeks by her owner who died of hypothermia while hiking in the Colorado mountains has regained most of the weight she lost during her ordeal and is back on the trails, the family said Thursday.Rich Moore, 71, of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, set out with his Jack Russell terrier named Finney to climb Blackhead Peak on Aug. 19, but didn’t return home. A dayslong search between the peak and his vehicle was unsuccessful.A hunter found his body and a very protective Finney in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado on Oct. 30. Finney had lost about half her body weight and her ribs were visible, officials have said.Less than three weeks later, “Finney is doing well,” Moore’s wife, Dana Holby, told The Associated Press on Thursday. “She has gained almost all of her weight back and her strength is almost where it was. She is the miracle dog.”She does have an injury on her snout that might leave a scar, Holby said. “Sh...

Shooting investigation underway in Rogers Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

CHICAGO -- Authorities are searching for suspects involved in an argument that turned deadly in Rogers Park Thursday afternoon.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the 1600 block of West Howard Street in the Rogers Park neighborhood on reports of a shooting just before 2 p.m. on Thursday. Former Buffalo Grove PTO president charged for stealing $10K A 30-year-old man was reportedly involved in a verbal altercation with another individual that turned physical. The individual then produced a handgun and fired shots, striking the man in the torso.The 30-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.No one is in custody at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Shohei Ohtani, baseball's 2-way star, becomes first 2-time unanimous MVP

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani, who has captivated baseball with his unprecedented combination of high-level hitting and premium pitching, became the first two-time unanimous Most Valuable Player when he won the American League honor on Thursday.Ohtani, a free agent after finishing his contract with the Los Angeles Angels, received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He was a unanimous MVP in 2021 and finished second to the Yankees' Aaron Judge in voting last year.Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. won the National League honor, also a unanimous pick. There have been 21 unanimous MVPs, and this year marked the first time since the awards began in 1931 that the winner in each league was unanimous.Corey Seager was second with 24 second--place votes and 264 points, and Texas teammate Marcus Semien was third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Balloting took place before the postseason, when the Rangers won their first World...

Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. unanimous NL Most Valuable Player after 41-homer, 73-steal season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. was a unanimous winner of his first National League Most Valuable Player award on Thursday after becoming the first big leaguer with 40 homers and 70 stolen bases in a season.Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Otani won the American League honor, becoming the first two-time unanimous MVP. There have been 21 unanimous winners, and this year marked the first time two occurred in the same year.Acuña, a right fielder for the Atlanta Braves, received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Mookie Betts received all 30 second-place votes and 270 points, followed by Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Freddie Freeman with 227 points. Betts earned the 2018 AL MVP award with Boston and Freeman was the 2020 NL MVP with the Dodgers.Acuña was second in the NL with a .336 batting average and led the major leagues with 149 runs, 217 hits, 386 total bases and 73 stolen bases while hitting 41 home runs with 106...

Hammock chairs sold at Tractor Supply Co. recalled for fall hazard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

(WHTM) - Thousands of hammock swing chairs sold at Tractor Supply Co. have been recalled due to a fall hazard. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Red Shed Hammock Swing Chairs have a plastic support buckle that can break when in use.There have been 13 reported incidents related to broken buckles, including three instances of customers falling to the ground, Tractor Supply Co. says. ‘The Suite Life on Deck’ 15-year dinner reservation is here About 7,500 chairs sold at Tractor Supply stores and online for about $70 are affected by the recall. The items were sold between April and June 2023.The chairs have blue and silver mesh fabric seats and black nylon straps, according to the recall. A removable hang tag featuring a photo of the chair under a Red Shed logo was also included.(Courtesy USCPSC)Anyone with one of these chairs should immediately stop using it and contact Tractor Supply for a full refund.Tractor Supply can be reached online for recall informa...

Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of rape, years of abuse in lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

(KTLA) — R&B singer Cassie has filed a lawsuit against her ex-partner Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York federal court on Thursday. According to the New York Times, Cassie's lawsuit accuses the Bad Boy Records founder of subjecting her to years of rape and abuse. “After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” Ventura said in a statement obtained by CNN. “With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, said she met Combs in 2005 when she was just 19 years old. Since that meeting, she said Combs was controlling and abusive.Combs ...

Santos won't run for reelection in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) announced Thursday he will no longer run for reelection in 2024, dropping out of the race shortly after the House Ethics Committee released a scathing report detailing “substantial evidence” that the embattled Congressman “violated federal crimes.”Santos, however, said he will continue to serve his district “up until I am allowed,” indicating that he does not plan to resign.“I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time,” Santos wrote on X, formerly called Twitter.The announcement is a reversal for Santos, who told CNN in an interview earlier this month that he would run for his seat next year even if the House voted to expel him.The report from the Ethics Committee, which followed a months-long investigation, said the New York Republican “cannot be trusted,” adding “At n...

House Ethics Committee releases scathing report on George Santos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:39:47 GMT

The House Ethics Committee in a report released Thursday said there is clear evidence that Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) committed serious crimes, though it stopped short of recommending formal sanctions, as some had hoped it would do.The panel referred its findings of “potential violations of federal criminal law” to the Department of Justice, and its report will raise questions about whether the House will expel Santos, who has been a subject of controversy since before he formally became a member of Congress — and has publicly admitted to fabricating aspects of his backstory and resume.“[T]he evidence uncovered by the Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) revealed that Representative George Santos cannot be trusted,” the report reads. “At nearly every opportunity, he placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles.”The report found that Santos “blatantly stole from his campaign” and “deceived donors into providing what th...