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Mexican government orders state-funded academics not to post ‘damaging’ criticism of bosses

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government defended Monday an order issued to academics at a state-funded research institute not to post criticism that could “damage the dignity” of their bosses on social media, or share them in emails. The order made public over the weekend was directed to researchers and employees of the Center for Economic Research and Teaching, known by its initials as the CIDE. The independent, state-funded center has been a focal point of resistance to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s drive to make academic institutions more nationalistic, state-oriented and pro-government. Critics said the new rules amounted to little more than a gag order, telling anyone connected with the center “they should not send any messages or comments by electronic means such as social media, email or messaging apps that could damage the dignity or integrity of public officials.”The government’s federal employee regulatory agency said Monday “these orders do not seek to l...

RCMP refutes media reports that it is investigating Trudeau over SNC-Lavalin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

The RCMP is refuting multiple reports that it’s investigating Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations of political interference in the SNC-Lavalin trial.In a statement released on Monday night, the RCMP wrote:“The RCMP is not investigating allegations of political interference in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion to secure a remediation agreement for SNC-Lavalin.”In response to numerous media reports, the RCMP can confirm it is not investigating allegations of political interference in the trial of SNC Lavalin.— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) June 19, 2023“The RCMP’s Sensitive and International Investigations unit conducted as assessment pertaining to these allegations. As part of that review the RCMP spoke with and collected information from a variety of sources, and examined the matter in the most thorough, objective and professional manner.“After a comprehensive and impartial assessment of all available information, the RCMP determined tha...

Injured employees had complained of long commutes prior to bus crash: union

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — The union representing housekeepers at a pipeline camp who were involved in a bus crash near Prince George, B.C., on Friday says they’re awaiting a grievance decision over complaints about the long ride to get to the work site.Unite Here Local 40 spokesperson Michelle Travis says Horizon North, which runs the lodge as part of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, decided in March to move the housekeepers from on-site to Prince George to make room for pipeline workers.That meant a four-hour round-trip ride to and from work each day, which the union argues goes against their current collective agreement. Thirty people were on board the bus that ran off a forestry service road and flipped on Friday, and Travis says the 18 people hurt are recovering from injuries, including concussions and broken bones.The union is calling on the company to go back to providing accommodations for its workers on-siteHorizon North did not immediately respond to a request for co...

Community comes together to support children of man killed in Willowbrook Juneteenth mass shooting

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

WILLOWBROOK, Ill. — As police search for suspects and motive in the Willowbrook Juneteenth mass shooting, the focus shifts from the crime, to those most affected by it — the victims.At the center of it all is Reginald 'Reggie' Meadows, the man identified by the DuPage County Coroner's Office as the victim who was fatally shot in the abdomen early Sunday morning.According to a GoFundMe page set up to help the Meadows family cover his funeral costs, the page also aims to help provide a financial safety net for his two children — RJ and Gabby — who are now tasked with navigating life without their father."They're absolutely devastated," said Robert Fakhouri, an attorney representing the family. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fatality ID’d in shooting at Juneteenth celebration in Willowbrook that left 22 others injured Fakhouri said he is looking into past reports of trouble at the same location over previous Juneteenth celebrations."This was the third time that this Juneteenth celebration was oc...

2 found dead in farm field after rollover crash in Elburn, police say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

ELBURN, Ill. — A crash investigation is underway following an early morning rollover crash that left a man and woman dead.According to police, the fatal crash occurred on North Main St (Rt. 47) north of Walker Drive just before 3 a.m. on Sunday, June 18. Officers initially responded to a report of a small fire near a damaged ComEd power pole. Further investigation revealed the small fire and damaged pole resulted from a vehicle crash. Officers then located a severely damaged 2004 Honda Pilot at a nearby farm field, police said.SEE ALSO: Suburban spa busted for prostitution after undercover sting operationA 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were found lying in different parts field between the crash site and where the vehicle came to rest. Their names will be will released pending next of kin notification. Kane County's Accident Reconstruction Team will oversee the crash investigation.

Suburban spa busted for prostitution after undercover sting operation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

ELBURN, Ill. — A woman from Wisconsin is charged with one count of prostitution after allegedly soliciting an undercover officer at a far west suburban spa.Xia Pingmei (Photo courtesy of Elburn PD)Authorities said Elburn police conducted an undercover operation at the ViVi Spa in the first block of Valley Drive on Tuesday, June 13.The undercover sting resulted from the department being made aware of 'suspicious activity.'Police allege an undercover officer entered the business for a massage and was approached about a sex act. ‘Just heartbreaking:’ Roselle woman charged with more than one dozen counts of animal cruelty As a result, police booked 46-year-old Xia Pingmei of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She was later released on a recognizance bond.The Elburn Building & Zoning Department closed down the ViVi Spa location due to several zoning code violations.

How many times have submarine rescues succeeded?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

(NewsNation) — Crews are searching for a missing submersible on a mission to view the wreck of the Titanic. The Titan lost contact with the crew of the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes after submerging on Sunday morning.It's unclear why the sub lost contact or, if found, what state the vessel and crew may be in. Over the years, few underwater rescues have been completed. Here's how submarine rescues in the past have happened.HMS K13, 1917During World War I, the Royal Navy HMS K13 was on a training mission in Gareloch, Scotland, with 80 people on board. Once in the lake, the vessel failed to level out at 20 feet, and it was pulled underwater.Four ventilators in the engine had not been properly closed, flooding the submarine, according to reports. It was the middle of the night when people on the surface realized something had gone wrong and the rescue mission wasn't able to be launched until the following day. Missing Titanic group: What we ...

Fishing team's massive marlin disqualified over apparent shark bites

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCT) -- Fallout continued Monday after an unexpected finish to a fishing tournament in North Carolina barred the apparent winners from over $2 million in prize money.The buzz after the 65th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament revolves around the blue marlin caught by anglers on the boat Sensation. The fish was hooked up Saturday around 2:15 p.m. and was not boated until just over six hours later. The fish was weighed just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday and was unofficially a 619.4-pound catch. However, tournament officials noticed bite marks on the fish and announced the board would have to meet to determine whether the fish was eligible. International Game Fish Association rules indicate that any "mutilation to the fish, prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, other fish, mammals, or propellers that remove or penetrate the flesh" are grounds for disqualification.“OK guys, let’s talk about the rules here for a second,” said Tommy Bennett, a Big ...

Oncor Electric received highest number of PUC complaints in 2022

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

KXAN (AUSTIN) — Public Utility Commission of Texas data shows it received more than 17,000 consumer complaints about electric providers in 2022. Oncor, which services nearly 13 million customers across the state and is the largest Transmission and Delivery Utility in Texas, accumulated the most complaints to the regulatory agency from 2020 to 2022, according to agency data. Austin Energy: Heat to blame for equipment failure, blackouts for thousands “Oncor is by far the largest TDU in the state,” an Oncor spokesperson said in a statement. “We have continuously prioritized reliability-related improvements and investments across our system, including automation and system hardening projects, particularly in planning for severe weather events.”Texas-New Mexico Power Company, which provides electricity to more than 260,000 Texas homes, and Entergy Texas, which provides electricity to 499,000 customers, had the next highest volumes of complaints sent to the regulatory agency in all of 2...

Paxton impeachment attorneys wrestle over trial rules ahead of Senate decision

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:11:53 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — On Tuesday, a Texas Senate panel is expected to present its proposed rules for how the upcoming impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton will work.The anticipated release of recommendations from the seven-member Senate committee to the entire Senate is scheduled for Tuesday. The panel has broad power in forming how the Senate trial might operate, which could significantly impact Paxton's prospects of keeping his position in an impending trial, which Lt. Governor Dan Patrick vowed to begin by Aug. 28 at the latest. BACKGROUND: Texas House votes to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton While state senators — who will serve as a jury — will vote whether or not to convict or acquit Paxton, no aspect of the trial will include criminal charges. While attorneys have often compared the impeachment process to criminal trials in the judicial system, Texas lawmakers are only weighing Paxton's fitness for office. A Senate vote to impeach would mean immediate...