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Judge: North Dakota’s redistricting violates federal law for Native American voters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that North Dakota’s Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act in how lawmakers reapportioned legislative districts comprising two tribal nations.U.S. District Chief Judge Peter Welte issued his ruling on Friday, months after a trial held in June in Fargo.He ruled that the 2021 redistricting plan for two districts, one with two House subdistricts, “prevents Native American voters from having an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice in violation” of a major provision of the Voting Rights Act.Welte gave the Republican-controlled Legislature until Dec. 22 “to adopt a plan to remedy the violation.”The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and the Spirit Lake Tribe alleged the 2021 redistricting map violates the Voting Rights Act, the landmark civil rights law from 1965. Their complaint argued that the reapportionment “packs” Turtle Mountain tribal members into one House district and leaves Spirit Lake out of ...

Top UN court orders Azerbaijan to ensure the safety of Nagorno-Karabakh people

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The U.N. top court on Friday issued an order calling on Azerbaijan to ensure the safety of people who leave, return to or remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, following the Azerbaijani military’s retaking of the separatist region in September.Armenia asked the International Court of Justice to order so-called provisional measures, guaranteeing safety and protecting property and identity documents, after Azerbaijan’s army routed ethnic Armenian forces in Nogorno-Karabakh in a 24-hour campaign that began on Sept. 19.The region’s separatist government then agreed to disband itself by the end of the year. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh to neighboring Armenia.Armenia last month urged judges to issue interim orders on Azerbaijan to prevent what the leader of Armenia’s legal team called the “ethnic cleansing” of the Nagorno-Karabakh region from becoming irreversible.Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov denied t...

Toronto police seize nearly $100M in cocaine, crystal meth in ‘staggering’ record drug bust

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

Toronto police announced the results of a major investigation that they say resulted in the largest seizure of illicit drugs in the force’s history.Police say the investigation, dubbed ‘Project Finito,’ saw officers seize nearly one tonne of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $90 million, and resulted in seven people being arrested.“The drugs were destined to the streets of Toronto and beyond and would have inflicted significant damage on our communities,” said Supt. Steve Watts in an update from Toronto police headquarters. “Intercepting the flow of these drugs has prevented many overdose deaths.” Related: Toronto police seize more than $30 million in meth, cocaine, fentanyl in large-scale bust $7M worth of drugs seized, 150 charges laid in months-long drug probe Project Finito saw officers execute a series of nine search warrant of properties and vehicles in October 2023 following a three...

E-40 discusses new album, being an underrated hip-hop legend and cookbook with Snoop Dogg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — E-40 built a three decade-plus career on the foundations of an unorthodox rap flow, schooling listeners with life lessons through his streetwise perspective.With a heavy dose of Bay Area slang, E-40 created a lane for his unique hip-hop vernacular that has made him one of the genre’s most revered artists. As a savvy businessman, he’s leveraged his connections in the rap world to the wine, ice cream and food brand industries, including a Filipino food business inside Oracle Park in San Francisco.Now at 56, there’s no slowing down for E-40, who released his 27th studio album “Rule of Thumb: Rule 1” on Friday. His new project comes more than 30 years after his debut, “Federal.”The new album — which features NBA YoungBoy, Too Short, Larry June, Gucci Mane, B.G. and E-40’s son Droop-E — is the first installment of the “Rule of Thumb” album series. He plans to release the sequel album early next year.In a recent interview, E-40 spoke with The Associated Press abou...

TTC proposes eliminating double fares between GO Transit, other GTA transit agencies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

Commuters who use the TTC and another transit agency to get in and out of the GTA could soon find themselves paying one single fare in the new year.A report going before the TTC board at its meeting next week recommends the transit agency adopt Ontario’s One-Fare program that would eliminate double fares for those transferring between the TTC, GO Transit and other GTA transit groups.Currently, customers on the same trip who use multiple transit agencies pay a double fare – one to use the TTC and another when they transfer onto GO Transit, York Region Transit, MiWay, Brampton Transit or Durham Region Transit. Under the One-Fare program, a customer would be able to transfer between the TTC and another transit agency for free within a two-hour window.Metrolinx currently offers free transit connections between GO Transit and local transit partners in Durham, Oakville, Mississauga and York Region.The TTC says approximately 13 per cent of its customers currently start or end t...

The Titans, Nissan taking naming rights to new stadium under 20-year deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans will be moving to a new stadium for the 2027 season, and they’re taking the current name with them under a new 20-year naming rights deal with Nissan North America. The Titans announced the exclusive deal Friday to keep playing at Nissan Stadium. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Nissan Stadium has been the name of the team’s current stadium since 2015. The new enclosed stadium is scheduled to open for the 2027 NFL season and will be built in the parking lots between Interstate 24 and the current stadium. Nashville already has a group working to land events ranging from a Super Bowl and a Final Four to concerts for the $2.1 billion building.“This partnership is a natural extension of our already longstanding friendship with Nissan,” Titans president and CEO Burke Nihill said. Nissan has two manufacturing facilities in Tennessee, and the company’s North American headquarters is in Franklin, south of Nashville. Nissa...

Man caught driving after 9 lifetime driving bans gets hefty jail time: Peel police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

Peel Regional Police are applauding a hefty jail sentence for a man who was caught driving in Toronto despite being the subject of nine lifetime driving bans, saying he showed a “blatant disregard for the law.”Peel police’s Safer Roads Team (SRT) began investigating Rafael Maia, 36, of Mississauga, in March 2022.Investigators say he was already facing 21 driving-related charges, including operation while prohibited, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, dangerous operation and failing to provide a breath sample, among others.He had also been hit with nine lifetime driving bans, but police say they learned he wasn’t complying with his release orders and began conducting compliance checks.“Through evidence-based and targeted enforcement tactics, Rafael was located in Toronto and found to be operating a motor vehicle despite his driving prohibition orders,” a police release states.Maia was charged with 10 additional offences and was held in cu...

Man killed, another injured in Noble Square shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was killed and another was injured early Friday morning following a double shooting in Noble Square.Just before 3:40 a.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of North Milwaukee.A 23-year-old man was found at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at St. Mary Hospital.Another man, 26, was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. He was transported to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. Man dies after crash involving CTA bus No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

GoFundMe for Chicago firefighter Andrew Price surpasses goal of $35,000

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

CHICAGO — A GoFundMe fundraiser created for the Chicago firefighter killed while battling a blaze in Lincoln Park has surpassed its goal of $35,000.Andrew “Drew” Price, 39, died Monday after responding to a fire at the Lincoln Station Bar and Grill in the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue.According to officials, crews were working to extinguish the fire when Price, who was on the roof, fell through a light shaft. Crews say they had to cut a hole in a wall to get to Price and pull him from the burning building. Fire officials said Price was responsive when he was pulled from the building, before he was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. He joined the department in March 2009 and was assigned to Truck 44 in 2015. Price, who would have turned 40 in January, was known as “Drew” by co-workers who described him as a health nut who loved his job. The GoFundMe was created by Price's sister-in-law with a goal of $35,000. As of Friday morning, t...

Nearly 250K Honda vehicles recalled over issue that could cause engines to stall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:28:26 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is recalling nearly 250,000 vehicles in the U.S. because bearings can fail, causing the engines to stall and increasing the risk of a crash.The recall covers certain 2018 and 2019 Honda Pilot SUVs and Odyssey minivans and some 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline pickup trucks. Also affected are certain 2015 to 2020 Acura TLX cars and some 2016 to 2020 Acura MDX SUVs.Honda says in documents posted Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that connecting rod bearings in the engine can wear and seize due to a manufacturing error, damaging the engines. The engines could run improperly or stall while being driven, increasing the risk of a fire, crash or injury. Eye drops sold at Walmart, Target, CVS and Rite Aid recalled The automaker says in documents that it has 1,450 warranty claims due to the problem but no reports of injuries.Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the engines if needed. Owners will be notified by mail starting Jan. 2.