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Trump’s comments risk tainting jury pool in federal election subversion case, special counsel says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

By ERIC TUCKER (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith warned Tuesday that former President Donald Trump’s “daily” statements threaten to taint a jury pool in Washington in the criminal case charging him with scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.Trump’s provocative comments about both Smith’s team and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan — who is presiding over the case — have been a central issue since the indictment was filed last month. Prosecutors have repeatedly signaled their concerns about the impact of Trump’s social media posts and Chutkan explicitly cautioned against inflammatory remarks from Trump that could intimidate witnesses or contaminate potential jurors.The posts continued Tuesday both before and after the latest concern flared, with Trump earlier in the day circulating a New York Post story about Chutkan on his Truth Social platform and openly...

Mets’ youth movement on full display in 11-5 win over Washington Nationals

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

WASHINGTON — The future of the Mets was on display Tuesday night in Washington D.C. Together in a big-league lineup for the first time, Brett Baty, Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos and Ronny Mauricio didn’t disappoint as the Mets routed the Washington Nationals, 11-5, win at Nationals Park.The version of Patrick Corbin that pitches for the Nationals (62-77) today isn’t exactly the same one who was a two-time All-Star in Arizona. Still, the Mets (64-74) have played it safe when it comes to Baty and Alvarez facing left-handed pitching at times during the season. It was also a test for the switch-hitting Mauricio. The reigns are off and all of them passed.Alvarez went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer, his 22nd of the season, and three runs scored to come out of his late-summer slump in a big way. Vientos with 1-for-2 with a triple and was hit by two pitches. Baty went 1-for-4 with two RBI and Mauricio went 1-for-4 with one RBI.Brandon Nimmo, Francisco Lindor and Pete Alo...

Column: If the Chicago Cubs make the postseason, who will be the No. 3 starter?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

It’s never too early to start thinking about the postseason rotation, unless of course you’re the one in charge of talking to the media about your October plan.Chicago Cubs manager David Ross doesn’t have to name his three postseason starters for the Wild Card Series until they make it. And it would be crazy for Ross to do otherwise, with 23 games remaining and his team in the thick of both the National League Central race and the wild-card chase.Unless the Cubs clinch a spot before the final week, Ross might need his top starters in the last two series in Atlanta and Milwaukee just to get in.But that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate, so let’s do it.There’s no doubt who Ross’s first two starters would be in the best-of-three series. Justin Steele, a National League Cy Young Award candidate, would be a virtual lock for a Game 1 matchup if the Cubs didn’t need him to get in.Kyle Hendricks, who started Tuesday’s game against th...

Driver arrested in suspected DUI crash in Coronado

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

CORONADO, Calif. -- A woman suspected of driving under the influence was arrested early Tuesday morning after a crash in Coronado, authorities said.The collision occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Orange Ave., where the vehicle landed next to a fountain in Rotary Park, the City of Coronado Police Department posted on Facebook.The 27-year-old driver, who failed the Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), was arrested on suspicion of DUI twice the legal limit, according to police.She and the passenger were not injured during the crash, per law enforcement. Naked homeless man suspected of burglary, meth arrested City crews responded to assess the damage to the fountain and the surrounding area.Over the Labor Day weekend, a total of 15 DUI arrests in CHP’s jurisdiction were reported during the department’s period of maximum enforcement for the holiday.Additional arrests have been made by other local law enforcement agencies during planned DUI checkpoints this past weekend, including two in San...

Only 30% of TDSB schools have functioning air conditioning as heat wave blankets city

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

A heat wave in September means sweaty and uncomfortable classrooms for the return to school, especially when less than a third of Toronto public schools have functioning air conditioning.It wasn’t the most comfortable conditions for learning, but hot or not school is in session, and thousands of staff and students have no choice but to cope.Of the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) 583 schools, only about 30 per cent are fully air-conditioned, while hundreds of others have cooling centres.The TDSB and other school boards across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have hot weather plans in place, and they include measures such as using fans, opening windows, turning down the lights and turning off computers. Outdoor shade is being utilized, and students are being encouraged to hydrate.RELATED: Some Canadian students going back to school face heat wave, post-wildfire landscapeAfter a summer of record-breaking heat and wildfires in some parts of the country, public health ex...

Rogers countersues ex-CEO Joe Natale, demanding repayment of $15M in severance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. has launched a countersuit against former CEO Joe Natale, seeking to have him repay more than $15 million in severance to the company that fired him.In a filing in Ontario Superior Court on Tuesday, the telecommunications giant claims Natale tried to “subvert corporate governance and his fiduciary duties for his personal gain.”“He must now answer for his conduct and the harm he caused to the company. And he must repay the significant severance he has already received beyond what he is entitled to under a with-cause termination,” according to the statement of claim.Rogers said it has no further obligations to the former CEO.The statement of defence and counterclaim comes less than three weeks after Natale filed suit against Rogers for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract, while alleging chairman Edward Rogers carried out “malicious, high-handed, and oppressive conduct.”In court documents filed last month, N...

In the battle against Amazon deforestation, Brazil offers cash rewards to municipalities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In a bid to slow deforestation in the Amazon, Brazil announced Tuesday that it will provide financial support to municipalities that have reduced deforestation rates the most.During the country´s Amazon Day, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also signed the creation of two Indigenous territories that total 207,000 hectares (511,000 acres) — over two times the size of New York City — and of a network of conservation areas next to the Yanonami Indigenous Territory to act as a buffer against invaders, mostly illegal gold miners. “The Amazon is in a hurry to survive the devastation caused by those few people who refuse to see the future, who in a few years cut down, burned, and polluted what nature took millennia to create,” Lula said during a ceremony in Brasilia. “The Amazon is in a hurry to continue doing what it has always done, to be essential for life on Earth.”The new program will invest up to $120 million in technical assistance. The money will be allocat...

What is green hydrogen and why is it touted as a clean fuel?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

BENGALURU, India (AP) — Green hydrogen is being touted around the world as a clean energy solution to take the carbon out of high-emitting sectors like transport and industrial manufacturing.The India-led International Solar Alliance launched the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre earlier this year, and India itself approved $2.3 billion for the production, use and export of green hydrogen. Global cooperation on green hydrogen manufacturing and supply is expected to be discussed by G-20 leaders at this week’s summit in New Delhi.WHAT IS GREEN HYDROGEN? Hydrogen is produced by separating that element from others in molecules where hydrogen occurs. For example, water — well known by its chemical symbol of H20, or two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom — can be split into those component atoms through electrolysis.Hydrogen has been produced and used at scale for over a century, primarily to make fertilizers and plastics and to refine oil. It has mostly been produced using fossil fu...

Bolingbrook 8-year-old dies after ATV catches fire in Pembroke Township

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

KANKAKEE COUNTY, Ill. — A Bolingbrook 8-year-old is dead after an ATV fire broke out in Pembroke Township over the weekend, according to authorities. The Kankakee County Coroner's Office says deputies and fire officials were called to the scene of an ATV fire that broke out in the 12000 block of East Central Street in Pembroke Township just before 2:20 p.m. on Sunday. Joliet man sentenced to 15 months for crash that injured Illinois state trooper Authorities say upon arrival crews determined that two juveniles were riding the ATV when it caught fire. According to the Kankakee County Coroner's Office, one of the children was able to escape the fire, but 8-year-old Dedrich Vazquez, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, was found dead.Officials from the coroner's office were called to the location where the boy's body was found and he was pronounced dead just before 3:50 p.m. City of Chicago sees dramatic rise in car thefts over last year The coroner's office says an autopsy will be performed ...

Panda Express launching new entrée nationwide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:32:10 GMT

(KTLA) — Panda Express is releasing a new limited-time entrée at restaurants across the country: Chili Crisp Shrimp.The new seafood dish will be available beginning Wednesday and will remain on menus through the end of the year.The Rosemead, California-based Chinese fast food chain describes the dish as being comprised of "lightly breaded succulent shrimp mixed with aromatic peppers and onions wok-tossed in a savory chili garlic sauce." Each bite promises to offer a hint of heat and a satisfying crunch, the restaurant chain says.Promotional image of Chili Crisp Shrimp, a new limited-time entree from Panda Express launching nationwide Sept. 6, 2023.The dish was crafted by Panda Express chefs, drawing on inspiration from the "bold flavors" of Sichuan cuisine. The restaurant chain is debuting the dish following "in-depth testing" and thorough guest feedback.“We knew we wanted to offer a bold new menu item with shrimp that marries the traditional flavors of Sichuan cuisine with the fres...