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UN forum says people of African descent still face discrimination and attacks, urges reparations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. body formed to promote respect for and protect people of African descent around the world says in its first report that they continue “to be victims of systemic racial discrimination and racialized attacks” and calls for reparations.The report, which was delivered to the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, says reparations are essential to rectify past injustices against people of African descent and are “a cornerstone of justice in the 21st century.”Epsy Campbell Barr, chair of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, said at a news conference Tuesday the report underlines that “the legacies of colonialism, enslavement and apartheid are still alive today.”These legacies still have a real impact on the lives of millions of people of African descent who “are more exposed to violence and death as a result of encounters with law enforcement officials,” she said. “It also makes them more exposed to health disparities” from “the profound impact that r...

Orsted scraps 2 offshore wind power projects in New Jersey, citing supply chain issues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Danish energy developer Orsted said Tuesday night it is scrapping two large offshore wind power projects off the coast of New Jersey, adding uncertainty to the financial viability of a nascent industry the Biden administration and many state governments are counting on to help transition away from the burning of planet-warming fossil fuels.The company said it is scrapping its Ocean Wind I and II projects in southern New Jersey.Mads Nipper, Orsted’s CEO, said in a statement the company was disappointed to be halting the projects because it believes the United States needs wind power to reduce carbon emissions.“However, the significant adverse developments from supply chain challenges, leading to delays in the project schedule, and rising interest rates have led us to this decision,” Nipper said.The company said it would move forward with its Revolution Wind project in Connecticut and Rhode Island.Wayne Parry, The Associated Press

The Day of the Dead in Mexico is a celebration for the 5 senses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Day of the Dead in Mexico smells like cempasuchil flowers and copal incense. It has a sweet taste. Sounds and colors abound. There are photos, candles and music all over. The hands of artisans prepare the altars to honor their ancestors.Although it is an intangible tradition, borne down from pre-Hispanic cultures, Day of the Dead is also a celebration for all the senses —even if one of them is failing you. Gerardo Ramírez, who over the years become almost blind, sums it all up in one line: “You honor people, you connect with the past.”THE SMELL THAT GUIDES YOU FROM THE UNDERWORLDTogether, two smells show dead souls the way out of the underworld: cempasúchil — a type of marigold whose name means “flower of 20 petals in Náhuatl language” — and a tree resin called copal burned at altars.The native species of cempasúchil smells so strong you can almost hear it, said Verenice Arenazas, a young woman who traded her HR job for her family’s traditional flower fi...

Sentencing postponed for Mississippi police officers who tortured 2 Black men

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

JACKSON, MISS. (AP) — A federal judge has postponed sentencing for six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to a long list of federal charges for torturing two Black men in January. Sentencing had been scheduled to begin Nov. 14, but U.S. District Judge Tom Lee wrote in a Friday order that the court would delay it in response to motions from some of the former officers. Their attorneys said they needed more time to evaluate presentencing reports and prepare objections, the judge said. Lee has not yet rescheduled the sentencing hearing, but some of the former officers requested it be delayed until Dec. 15. The men admitted in August to subjecting Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker to numerous acts of racially motivated, violent torture. After a neighbor told one of the former officers that the two were staying at a home in Braxton with a white woman, he assembled a group of five other officers. They burst into the home without a warrant and assau...

Judges rule state takeover of Nashville airport’s board violates Tennessee Constitution

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A panel of judges ruled Tuesday that it was unconstitutional for Tennessee lawmakers to pass a state takeover of Nashville International Airport’s board without approval from city officials or voters, delivering the latest blow in court to state Republicans’ series of attempts to rein in the autonomy of Democratic-leaning Nashville.The three state court judges sided with Nashville officials who sued, ruling that the law targeted Nashville alone and didn’t include the local involvement required under the Tennessee Constitution’s home rule protections. The ruling ousts the new Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board, which awarded six of eight appointments to state officials and two to the mayor. It then reinstates the old board’s setup, in which seven are picked by the mayor and confirmed by the metro council.“Big win for the city obviously,” said Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro, of Nashville. “But the bigger win is...

From Melrose Park to Memphis: Native suburban boy's Halloween costume pays homage to Cubs' Harry Caray

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

CHICAGO — At age 14, Anthony Alfano has already developed quite the reputation just this side of Harry Caray and his 'Holy Cow.'  It's a family tradition rich in Halloween lore for the Alfano's.Anthony has cerebral palsy and is dependent on a wheelchair. For years, Anthony’s dad, Tony, a lover of Halloween, would start designing his son's Halloween costume in July. This year, however, the Alfanos had much less time to get things together after the family moved from Melrose Park to Memphis. Chicagoland’s Halloween Houses: Ausumtism Lair in Dyer, Indiana Their new neighbors noticed, too. “When Tony would be in the garage late at night...our neighbors were used to it," Deanna Alfano told WGN News. "Luckily, we are in a new development where we don't have too many neighbors yet but the ones that are there were definitely like, 'What is happening across the street?'"Naturally, the one who notices it most is Anthony."You can tell the excitement really starts to build," Deanna added. "Th...

City Council approves 'Bring Chicago Home' referendum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

CHICAGO — Celebrations took place after a committee meeting at City Hall Tuesday, where the majority of City Council members approved the submission of the "Bring Chicago Home" campaign for public referendum, which if approved by city voters, would provide a permanent revenue stream to tackle homelessness in Chicago. TSA confiscates record number of firearms at Midway airport this year WGN's Bronagh Tumulty goes further in depth on the story, covering the implications the legislation has for 68,000-plus homeless persons in Chicago, and what can happen next.

'General Hospital' actor Tyler Christopher dead at 50, co-star announces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

SAN DIEGO (KSWB) -- Tyler Christopher, known for his roles in "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," has died from an apparent "cardiac event" in his San Diego apartment on Tuesday. He was 50.The soap star's death was confirmed by "General Hospital" co-star Maurice Bernard in a post on Instagram Tuesday night honoring his late colleague."It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher," Bernard wrote. "Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him.""We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father," he continued.LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 01: Actor Tyler Christopher speaks onstage at the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel on May 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Get...

Enough fentanyl to kill 5 million people seized in Florida drug bust: sheriff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida deputies seized enough fentanyl that could kill 5 million people after a weeks-long investigation, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.The sheriff's office said three people were arrested for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation that transported fentanyl from the Sinaloa Cartel to Compton, California, before making it to Florida."They tried to treat us with fentanyl, and we tricked them with an arrest," Sheriff Grady Judd said during a Tuesday press conference. Meth found in seafood boil at New Orleans airport: TSA According to the sheriff's office, the investigation into the drug trafficking began in September as undercover detectives investigated three men living in Hillsborough County, two of whom were said to be Mexican nationals who entered the country illegally.The three suspects were identified as Juan Manuel Gutierrez Medina, 55; Ruperto Rocha, 65; and Juan Gutierrez Contreras, 25.Detectives said they conducted controlled ...

FBI investigators return to Idaho house where 4 college students were killed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:59:37 GMT

MOSCOW, Idaho (NewsNation) — FBI investigators will return to the Idaho college killings house Tuesday to gather additional evidence and measures as the trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger has been delayed indefinitely, according to a press release. Investigators are returning to the home on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, to "get documentation to construct visual and audio exhibits and a physical model of the home" where four university students were killed. The prosecution explained to the university that the original timeline to create visual displays and models of the home was not enough time. The FBI is using an extended trial timeline to gather additional measurements and images of the home now that all personal items from the building have been removed, the release said. Report: 2 survivors awake, texting during Idaho college killings The house will be resecured once officers complete this step in their investigation.The Goncalves family released the following statement: “As...