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Navajo sheep herding at risk from climate change. Some young people push to maintain the tradition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Whenever Amy Begaye’s extended family butchered a sheep, she was given what she considered easy tasks — holding the legs and catching the blood with a bowl. She was never given the knife.That changed recently.In the pale light of dawn at this year’s Miss Navajo Nation pageant, 25-year-old Begaye and another contestant opened a week of competition with a timed sheep-butchering contest. Begaye says preparing to compete, which also required she practice spoken Navajo and learn more about her culture, brought out another side. It taught her to be confident: that she, as a gentle young woman, could be courageous and independent enough to fulfill such an important responsibility.“We butcher the sheep because it is a way of our life,” said Begaye, who won this year’s pageant and is preparing to speak about the importance of sheep as a cultural ambassador over the next year. “That’s how my ancestors were able to provide food for their families.” T...

Ex-cop who fired into Breonna Taylor’s apartment in flawed, fatal raid goes on trial again

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former Louisville police officer who fired into Breonna Taylor’s apartment the night she was killed is going on trial in federal court this week for violating Taylor’s civil rights during the botched 2020 raid.The trial will mark a second attempt by prosecutors to convict Brett Hankison for his actions on the night Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was shot to death by police after they knocked down the door of her apartment. Hankison was acquitted in a state trial last year. Jury selection in the federal case is set to begin Monday. Taylor was shot to death by officers who knocked down her door while executing a search warrant, which was later found to be flawed. Taylor’s boyfriend fired a shot that hit one of the officers as they came through the door, and they returned fire, striking Taylor in her hallway multiple times. Hankison is one of four officers who were charged by the U.S. Department of Justice last year with violating Taylor’s civil rights. Tay...

More than 70 people are missing after the latest deadly boat accident in Nigeria’s north

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — More than 70 people were missing on Monday after a boat capsized in northern Nigeria, according to authorities who deplored the frequent deadly boat accidents in Africa’s most populous country.The boat was carrying traders returning from a fish market in Taraba state’s Ardo-Kola district late Saturday when it capsized on the Benue River, which is one of Nigeria’s largest, the national emergency services said.More than 100 passengers were on board and 14 were rescued, while 17 bodies have been recovered and 73 people are missing, Ladan Ayuba, head of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, told The Associated Press.Taraba Gov. Agbu Kefas called the accident a “monumental tragedy” and ordered the use of life jackets for boat passengers. “Our body of water, which is one of the longest in the region, should be a veritable source of wealth and not death,” the governor said, according to a statement issued Monday by his office.Boat disasters are common in rem...

3 injured, 1 critically, in multi-vehicle crash on Hwy. 427

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

One person is fighting for their life in hospital following a multi-vehicle crash along the Toronto-Mississauga border on Highway 427 during the Monday morning rush.Emergency crews responded to the collision around 7:20 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the highway near Finch Avenue. Peel paramedics tell CityNews it was three-vehicle crash and three people were injured. One person was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.There is no word what caused the crash.The northbound lanes of the highway were temporarily blocked at Finch. The lanes have since reopened.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki writes about her years in government in ‘Say More’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has a 2-book deal with Scribner, starting with a book in which she will reflect on her years in government and offer advice on both public and private communication. Scribner announced Monday that Psaki’s “Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House, and the World” is scheduled for May 7.“Effective communication is about empathy and explanation. It is about connecting with your audience, whether it is the President, your partner, your colleagues, or even your kids,” Psaki, now an MSNBC host, said in a statement. “This is a book I wish I had at many stages in my career, and my hope is that it will equip anyone with the practical advice and skills to be a more powerful and impactful communicator.”Psaki, 44, was a State Department and White House communications official during the Obama administration and White House press secretary for the first 16 months of the Biden administration. According to Scribner, she will wr...

General Motors reaches tentative agreement with UAW, potentially ending 6-week strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors and the United Auto Workers union reach a tentative contract agreement, according to an AP source. The deal follows the pattern set with Ford last week and Jeep maker Stellantis over the weekend. Those deals will last four years and eight months and include 25% general pay raises and cost of living adjustments. Combined they bring the wage increase to over 30% over the four year and eight month life of the contract. The person briefed on the matter, who didn’t want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly aid the deal, was to be announced early Monday.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.DETROIT (AP) — Pressure is rising on General Motors as the lone holdout in a strike targeting all three big Detroit automakers after a tentative contract agreement with Jeep maker Stellantis was reached with the United Auto Workers union over the weekend. The UAW reached a tentative agreement last week with Ford and...

Woman critically injured when struck by vehicle in Mississauga

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

A woman is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a vehicle in Mississauga on Monday morning.Emergency crews responded to the area of Southdown Road and Truscott Drive, near the QEW and Winston Churchill Boulevard, just before 7 a.m.Paramedics initially said the woman had serious injuries but later said her injuries are life-threatening. Her age is not yet known.Police say the driver involved remained at the scene.The area is closed to traffic as police investigate.No further details are available at this time.UPDATE:-Road Closure: S/B Southdown Rd @ Truscott Rd and N/B Southdown Rd @ Bromsgrove Rd-Please use alternate routes— Peel Regional Police (@PeelPolice) October 30, 2023

Plainfield landlord to appear in court after murder of 6-year-old Palestinian boy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A man accused of murder, attempted murder and a hate crime in an attack on a Palestinian American woman and her young son is scheduled to appear in court on Monday following his indictment by an Illinois grand jury.Joseph Czuba, 71, is expected to enter a plea at an arraignment on eight counts in the indictment filed last week. He is charged in the fatal stabbing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, and the wounding of Hanaan Shahin on Oct. 14. Authorities said the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith.Shahin told police that Czuba, her landlord in Plainfield in Will County, was upset over the Israel-Hamas war and attacked them after she had urged him to “pray for peace.” Chicago Interfaith leaders condemn murder of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoumi Shahin, 32, is recovering from multiple stab wounds. Hundreds of people attended her son's funeral on Oct. 16.The murder charge in the indictment against Czuba describes the boy's death as the result of “exceptionally br...

General Motors and UAW reach tentative agreement, possibly ending strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors and the United Auto Workers union reach a tentative contract agreement, according to an AP source.The deal follows the pattern set with Ford last week and Jeep maker Stellantis over the weekend.Those deals will last four years and eight months and include 25% general pay raises and cost of living adjustments. Combined they bring the wage increase to over 30% over the four-year and eight-month life of the contract.The person briefed on the matter, who didn’t want to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly aid the deal, was to be announced early Monday.

'I don't want to hurt you': Florida man uses extensive note to rob CVS pharmacy of drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:54:30 GMT

ORLANDO, Fla. (WFLA) – A 23-year-old faces several charges after he used a detailed note to rob a Florida CVS pharmacy of various drugs. The incident happened around 6 p.m. on Oct. 20, according to the Orlando Police Department. (Orlando Police Department)Pharmacy employees told police that the suspect, identified as Thomas Mues, 23, handed them a note indicating he had a gun and "would shoot … if he was not provided the pills listed.""THIS IS A ARMED ROBBERY!!!" the note read. "Please cooperate, I don't want to hurt you. You are not to alarm anybody or I will shoot the closest person to me! Please follow these directions or I will shoot the closest person to me!"Mues demanded pharmacy workers give him various amounts of Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Xanax, Adderall, Liquid Codeine and Viagra.(Photo courtesy of the Orlando Police Department)Mues was seen walking out of the store as officers arrived. After a short chase, Mues was arrested while still holding onto the stolen narcotics and h...