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Lawyers ask Amsterdam court to reduce Canadian 13-year cyberbullying sentence to Dutch citizen

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

AMSTERDAM (AP) — A 13-year sentence a Canadian court handed to a Dutch cyber bully in a notorious case involving a young girl who took her own life in 2012 should be reduced to four-and-a-half years in the Netherlands, a prosecutor in Amsterdam said Thursday.Aydin Coban was convicted last year of extortion, harassment and other crimes in a case involving Canadian teenager Amanda Todd who was blackmailed to expose herself in front of a webcam. The 15-year-old died by suicide after detailing her ordeal in a YouTube video watched by millions around the world.Coban was already serving an 11-year sentence in the Netherlands for similar crimes targeting 33 other victims when he was extradited to Canada to face trial in the Todd case. His Canadian sentence is to be served in the Netherlands after he serves out his original prison term in August next year. It must first be converted into a sentence in accordance with Dutch law.Coban was not in court for a hearing Thursday at Amsterdam Distr...

Austrian police seize drugs and vast trove of weapons in a raid on a far-right biker gang

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — Austrian authorities said Thursday they they have seized large amounts of drugs and a vast arsenal of firearms in a raid on a far-right biker gang tied to organized crime.Public broadcaster ORF reported that police searched properties in Upper Austria and detained 10 people on suspicion of breaching firearms, narcotics and extremism laws.Police seized grenade launchers, about 35 rifles, 25 submachine guns, 100 pistols and more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition during Monday’s raids, ORF reported.They also confiscated Nazi paraphernalia such as swastika flags, military uniforms and helmets, as well as 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine and 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of cannabis.Officials said the suspects were members of a branch of the Bandidos biker club that has been trying to gain a foothold in Austria. Tabloid daily Krone reported that the raids were sparked by investigations resulting from the 2022 discovery of firearms and ammunition in a vehicle belonging to a...

Suspect sought after stabbing at Yorkdale Mall that sent victim to hospital

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

Police are searching for a suspect after a stabbing at Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall that sent one person to hospital.Officers responded to reports of someone being stabbed at the mall around 10 p.m. Wednesday.A male victim was located at the scene. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The suspect fled the mall before officers arrived.He is described as a man in his 20s with brown hair and was last seen wearing all black clothing with black and red shoes.Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.STABBING: (UPDATE)Yorkdale Mall10:03pm– victim being transported to hospital with non life threatening injuries– police are o/s investigating – anyone with info call 416-808-2222#GO1499160^se— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 29, 2023

Critics of Tokyo redevelopment plan accuse city government of ignoring residents’ wishes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Critics of the planned redevelopment of a beloved centuries-old Tokyo park and historic sports stadiums accused the government in court on Thursday of ignoring the wishes of residents and catering to commercial interests.A total of 59 plaintiffs, many of them longtime residents, filed a lawsuit in February against the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to stop the project, which would build skyscrapers and new stadiums and bulldoze hundreds of trees in the Jingu Gaien green district. Their lawyer said the project’s impact assessment did not adequately consider its effect on the environment and on health and living conditions.The plan, approved earlier this year by Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, has become increasingly controversial. Followers of baseball and rugby oppose it, as well as conservationists and civic groups who say the project has advanced without transparency or adequate environmental assessment.The Tokyo government has “never sincerely faced our opinions”...

Corus Entertainment reports Q3 loss, revenue down from year ago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

TORONTO — Corus Entertainment Inc. reported a loss in its latest quarter compared with a profit a year ago as it took a non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill, broadcast licences as well as trademark and brand assets totalling $590.0 million.The television and radio broadcaster says its loss attributable to shareholders amounted to $495.1 million or $2.48 loss per diluted share for the quarter ended May 31.The loss compared with a profit of $29.6 million or 14 cents per diluted share in the same quarter last year.Revenue totalled $397.3 million for what was the company’s third quarter, down from $433.5 million a year earlier.On an adjusted basis, Corus says it earned nine cents per share for the quarter, down from an adjusted profit of 15 cents per share in the same quarter last year.Analysts on average had expected an adjusted profit of five cents per share, based on estimates compiled by financial markets data firm Refinitiv.This report by The Canadian Press was firs...

LIST: Major NASCAR street closures in downtown Chicago

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

CHICAGO — A host of major street closures have begun in downtown Chicago for the NASCAR races in early July. Crews are preparing the 2.2-mile course around Grant Park ready for the Chicago Street Races on July 1 and 2. Construction is well underway as crews are putting up suites, grandstands, along with barriers and fencing around the circuit. A guide to the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race Here are the closures that are ahead this week, starting on Jackson Drive on Sunday just after Midnight. Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight closure of westbound Roosevelt Rd between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Dr.  Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 1 a.m. - Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr. and closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. Monday, June 26 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure of Congress Plaza Dr. and lane closures on eastbound Roosevelt Road between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. ...

Madonna postpones upcoming tour, including Chicago stop, due to serious illness, manager says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

(WJW) — Madonna's upcoming tour, which included many sold-out stops, is reportedly in limbo after her manager announced the singer is dealing with health complications. “On Saturday, June 24, Madonna developed a serious bacterial infection which led to a several-day stay in the ICU,” Guy Oseary said on social media. “Her health is improving, however, she is still under medical care. A full recovery is expected. At this time we will need to pause all commitments, which includes the tour."NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 20: Madonna speaks onstage during the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on August 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)In this file photo taken on August 21, 2018 Madonna poses in the press room at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.(Photo credit should read ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 02: Singer Madonna looks on on during a press conference for the Bridgestone S...

Man crashes car into tree after shooting in Garfield Park

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

CHICAGO -- A man is injured after he crashed a car into a tree as a result of a shooting in the city's Garfield Park neighborhood overnight, police said. According to the police, the 27-year-old man was found inside a car that struck a tree. The man sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the body and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Indiana State Police trooper hit, killed by stolen car during pursuit A witness told police that the victim was shot by an unidentified man travelling in a black sedan. The man shot was attempting to flee the scene by quickly accelerating the vehicle but jumped the curb and came to a stop after striking a tree. There is currently no one in custody and police are investigating an incident.

'Monumental change': Texas to overhaul how it pays for foster care

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

AUTIN (KXAN) -- For the first time in decades, Texas will overhaul the way it funds foster care. During the most recent legislative session, lawmakers approved the funding necessary to "modernize" the way it pays the families and providers who care for children in the system. According to the Department of Family and Protective Services, the methodology for calculating the cost of care has remained "largely unchanged" over the years, despite advancements in technology, data collection and other changes to the child welfare system.Historically, the state has paid foster families and treatment providers a set daily rate, per child. The amount depended on one of five service “levels” -- from Basic up to Intense Plus. Katie Olse, CEO of the Alliance of Child and Family Services, explained that while the needs of a child can change over time, the necessary dollars to care for them aren't always as flexible, under the current level system. For example, she explained, "a child may really ...

How to maximize your sprinkler system during drought

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:19:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Now that we're out of our wet season, you're probably using your sprinklers more and seeing your water bill rise.As water from Mother Nature becomes harder to come by, sprinklers become more important to keeping your lawn green.Most lawns in Central Texas need between half an inch and a full inch of water each week in the summer. Knowing how much it rained where you live can help you figure out how long you need to run your sprinklers. CENTRAL TEXAS RAINFALL REPORTS Enter, the smarter sprinkler system...Newer sprinkler controllers have sensors that turn off your system if it's rained recently, and modern sprinkler heads also distribute the water more slowly and efficiently.According to Keith Wimbish, from the Irrigation Department at ABC Home & Commercial Services, "If you apply the water at too fast of a rate, then you might just have a lot of that water run off, so low-flow nozzles are going to distribute the water at a lower rate so that the soil can accept...