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YCDSB trustees to make decision on flying of Pride flag

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

Security is tight at the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) headquarters, where a decision could be made on flying the rainbow flag this Pride in June.Over the past three months, police needed to be called to YCDSB meetings to deal with hecklers from the gallery — many of them shouting directly at students fighting for the Pride flag to fly over their schools in York Region.In April, security guards removed audience members following the first speaker, but the ruckus spilled out into the hallway, where angry parents could be heard chanting, “Shame!”The school board is taking precautions to help prevent the chaos from past meetings. Those attending will have to sign in and show identification at the door. They’ll also be given a letter outlining the code of conduct.Tristan Coolman with Pflag York Region has stood in solidarity with the students and says the YCDSB has an opportunity to prove its support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.RELATED: ‘Disapp...

Nicaraguan writer Gioconda Belli wins Reina Sofia poetry prize

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Nicaraguan poet and novelist Gioconda Belli, known for her feminist and erotic literature, was awarded the Reina Sofia Ibero-American Poetry prize Monday.Considered among Latin America’s best-known writers, Belli’s work has been translated into more than 20 languages and includes 15 poetry collections, eight novels, and seven books of essays, testimonials and children’s stories. The prize is considered the most important for Spanish and Portuguese poetry.Her first poems were published in the Managua newspaper La Prensa when she was 20 years old. Her first poetry collection, “Sobre la grama,” or On the Grass, was published in 1972.“I couldn’t be happier than to have won this poetry prize,” Belli said via Twitter Monday. “I celebrate the enriching of Nicaragua’s poetry tradition. I dedicate it to my Nicaragua, mother of my inspiration, sorrowful country of my hope. Long live poetry!!!”Belli was stripped of her Nicaraguan citizenship by the government of President Da...

Argentina: Prosecutor calls for trial of suspects in VP assassination attempt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The prosecutor in Argentina who is leading the investigation into the failed assassination attempt against Vice President Cristina Fernández called on Monday for the three detained suspects to face trial and said there is so far no evidence that points to political financing or planning of the alleged crime.Fernández, a former president (2007-2015) who remains politically powerful, harshly criticized the prosecutor, and the justice system as a whole, claiming there didn’t seem to be any interest in investigating who could have been behind the Sept. 1, 2022 assassination attempt.Prosecutor Carlos Alberto Rivolo said the main investigation into the case was over and called for the judge in charge of the case, María Eugenia Capuchetti, to bring the three suspects to trial.The main suspect in the case is Fernando Sabag Montiel, who is accused of attempting to open fire close to Fernández outside her home last year. Television images from the scene showed h...

Blue Jays’ Anthony Bass deletes Twitter after appearing to share anti-LGBTQ video

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass has deleted his Twitter account after he appeared to share an anti-LGBTQ video on Instagram, another social media platform.Various Twitter users published screenshots of the alleged video that Bass shared, depicting a man named Ryan Miller behind the Instagram account “dudewithgoodnews,” instructing the audience to consider boycotting Target on behalf of Christianity.Target, one of America’s largest general-merchandise retailers, offers products promoting Pride Month, often celebrated in June.Target’s website featured hundreds of Pride products, including rainbow shirts for men and a children’s book about pronouns, among other items. The retailer has since removed some of these merchandise due to backlash allegedly involving death threats to its employees.Similarly, Bud Light drew criticism from right-wing commentators after partnering with the transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney on a marketing campaign in April...

Trustee of bankrupt Bolivian bank falls from 15th floor: Suicide or foul play?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A prosecutor in Bolivia launched an investigation Monday into the mysterious death of the trustee of a bankrupt bank who fell from the 15th floor of a building and his family disputed claims he took his own life. Several of Bolivia’s top leaders have demanded an impartial investigation into the death of Carlos Alberto Colodro, 63, who was appointed as trustee of Fassil Bank last month after the government took control of it amid its insolvency and a run on deposits.Colodro, who was tasked with liquidating the bank, was found dead on Saturday, apparently from a fall from a building in the eastern city of Santa Cruz.Although officials said the death initially looked like a suicide, many immediately raised questions because Colodro’s job as the liquidator of the bank had apparently touched powerful interests. Fassil was the country’s fourth largest in terms of deposits.“There are mentions of a fall and various injuries that could have led to the person’s fa...

North Korea says it will launch its first military spy satellite in June

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Tuesday confirmed plans to launch its first military spy satellite in June and described such capacities as crucial for monitoring the United States’ “reckless” military exercises with rival South Korea.The statement came a day after North Korea notified Japanese authorities that it plans to launch the satellite sometime between May 31 and June 11, and that the event may affect waters in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island. Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said he ordered Japan’s Self Defense Forces to shoot down the satellite or debris, if any entered Japanese territory.In comments published on state media, senior North Korean military official Ri Pyong Chol berated the combined U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which Pyongyang has long described as invasion rehearsals. He said North Korea considers space-based reconnaissance as “indispensable” to monitor in real time the “dangerous military ...

Vietnam veteran honors those who served on Memorial Day with own special display

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

ORLAND PARK, Ill. — Every year on Memorial Day, a veteran of the Vietnam War honors those who died serving their country with a display and decorations in the front yard of his South Suburban home.Michael J. Zarembski and his wife moved into what they called 'the perfect home' 22 years ago in Orland Park, and every year since, the Zarembskis have added a little extra flair to their front yard. "I care about my veterans, they’re my veterans," Zarembski said. "They died over there, someone has to remember them."Before the age of 21, Zarembski was drafted into military service and served during the Vietnam War from June 1966, to June 1967. Thousands hit the Lakefront as CPD mans patrols, bag checks for public safety on Memorial Day After serving his country, he returned home and found it hard to adjust to life back in the United States, mostly due to how polarizing the war was viewed by the American public."I’m walking down the street the neighbours come over and they’re spitting on ...

Texas Senate to hold Paxton impeachment trial no later than Aug. 28

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Senate will hold the impeachment trial against Attorney General Ken Paxton no later than Aug. 28, according to a resolution adopted Monday evening by a unanimous vote. This action followed the appointment of 12 House members who will effectively serve as prosecutors during the trial. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also named seven senators Monday evening to serve on a special committee that will outline the rules for the trial to proceed. Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, will serve as the chair, while Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, will be the vice chair. Rounding out that committee is Sens. Brandon Creighton of Conroe, Pete Flores of Pleasanton, Joan Huffman of Houston, Phil King of Weatherford and Royce West of Dallas. Texas House votes to impeach Ken Paxton During a meeting set for June 20, the committee members are tasked with bringing forward the "rules of procedure" they establish at that time on how the Senate will convene as a "court of impeachment...

7 people treated after 'bee swarm attack' near south Austin park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A swarm of bees reportedly attacked and hurt seven people near a south Austin park, according to local paramedics, but no one required a trip to the hospital. Austin-Travis County EMS posted on Twitter Monday evening that this happened at 10001 Burleson Road, which is the address listed for Richard Moya Park south of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. According to a tweet, paramedics "evaluated & treated all patients, none required transport to the hospital." Paramedics initially asked asking people to avoid the area, but they said they would be clearing the scene soon. Firefighters from the Austin Fire Department also responded to this call.

Royce Lewis helps lead Twins to win in dramatic return

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:17 GMT

HOUSTON — Royce Lewis is back.Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers, right, celebrates with third base coach Tommy Watkins after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the 10th inning of a baseball game Monday, May 29, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)And he made sure everyone knows it, too.One year ago, to the day, Lewis crashed into the outfield wall, partially tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. A second knee surgery and a grueling year of rehab followed. Monday, the day he was eligible to come off the injured list, the Twins activated him and inserted him into the lineup, hitting fifth.“The 60-day IL stint being perfectly timed is really special and amazing. It feels so surreal,” Lewis said before Monday’s game. “I think something special is going to happen tonight. I couldn’t tell you what, but it just feels like it’s kind of like that time. I’m just excited.”It turns out, “something special” looks like a three-run home run and a two-out game-t...