Canada lawmaker quits Trudeau’s party amid China allegations

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Canada lawmaker quits Trudeau’s party amid China allegations OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — A lawmaker said late Wednesday that he is stepping down from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal party after a media report raised questions about his dealings with China, a claim that comes amid an investigation into allegations of Chinese meddling in Canada’s elections. Member of Parliament Hang Dong said the report quoting anonymous sources was an attack on his reputation and his loyalty to Canada. He said he will leave the Liberals and sit in Parliament as an independent lawmaker to avoid causing problems for the party. Global News, citing unidentified security sources, published a report Wednesday alleging Dong suggested to China’s consul general in Toronto in 2021 that the opposition Conservative party would benefit if Beijing released two Canadians accused of espionage. Global did not give any direct quotes from the purported conversation.Canadians Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, were arrested in China i...

Lillard, Sharpe lead Blazers past Jazz to halt 6-game skid

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Lillard, Sharpe lead Blazers past Jazz to halt 6-game skid SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Damian Lillard scored 30 points, rookie Shaedon Sharpe had a career-high 24 and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 127-115 on Wednesday night to stop a six-game losing streak.Trendon Watford added a season-best 21 points for the Blazers. Portland used a 9-0 run, sparked by Kevin Knox III’s alley-oop layup midway through the fourth quarter, to pull away.Lillard capped the spurt with a layup to make it 113-100 with 5:51 to play, and the Jazz never got it back under single digits.Lauri Markkanen had 40 points and 12 rebounds while Kris Dunn scored 15 off the bench for Utah, which had won four of five.The Trail Blazers (32-40) won three of four against Utah (35-37) this season but are a long shot to make the play-in tournament as they are still three games behind the Jazz for the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference standings.The only thing that could stop Markkanen was a sore left hand that got hit on a foul late in the third quarter. The 7-footer from...

What is a 'safety plan,' and how common are they in Colorado schools?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

What is a 'safety plan,' and how common are they in Colorado schools? DENVER (KDVR) -- A Denver East student who reportedly shot two staff members Wednesday was required to undergo daily searches before entering the school as part of something called a "safety plan." John McDonald is the former executive director of school safety for Jeffco Schools and said the safety plans are more common than you might think."This is not unusual in schools all over the country every day,” he said. “The safety plans are increasing at an alarming rate in schools all over the country because the behavior is escalating.”McDonald said the safety plans sometimes involve weapons, but also sometimes involve searches for things like cell phones.They are routinely done in private areas away from other students. "It’s really a contract between the student, the parents, and the school that the student will engage in certain behavior," he said. "The school will monitor to make sure that student is actually living up to the agreement.”Cherry Creek Schools confirmed that the ...

Denver mayor: Removing school resource officers was a mistake

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Denver mayor: Removing school resource officers was a mistake DENVER (KDVR) -- How to protect students and teachers in the classroom after Wednesday's East High shooting was brought into question, and whether school resource officers would make a difference.Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said the resource officers should be back in schools. During a press conference after the shooting, he said “it's clear now that we need to do more in with our police officers inside the buildings in these types of situations.”Hancock said there will be two armed officers at the school for the rest of the year. Which DPS board members voted to remove school resource officers in 2020? SROs were removed back in 2020 after a unanimous vote by the school board. Part of the decision was the belief that the close proximity of law enforcement to students on school campuses contributes to a school-to-prison pipeline. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said he’s advocating for school resource officers to return as well and is ready to provide those officers for the remain...

Brother of East High School student shot and killed in February speaks

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Brother of East High School student shot and killed in February speaks DENVER (KDVR) -- Wednesday's double shooting at East High School was a month after the deadly shooting of 16-year-old student Luis Garcia.Garcia’s brother Santos returned to the school Wednesday to speak out.“We buried him just four days ago. And, you know, we're back to back to the same place,” Santos said. “I knew it was going to happen again. I, I warned. I mean, I warned as much people as I could that it was going to happen again. And there's no cops.” Hundreds of students gather at Capitol during East High walkout Following his brother's shooting, Santos has pleaded publicly, addressing police and school board members to take action to make students and staff feel safe at East High School. “Once the cops are removed, stuff like this happens and they have to place the cops back,” Santos said. “So, it's just how long is that going to take.”Following the double shooting Wednesday, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero said at least one armed police officer w...

East High shooting victim returns home

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

East High shooting victim returns home DENVER (KDVR) -- The community of Denver East High School continued to post and send well wishes to both shooting victims, Eric Sinclair and Jerald Mason. “I looked up and just saw a ton of officers racing towards the school. I knew something bad had happened,” coach Randy Gallegos, the head wrestling coach at Denver East High School, said. Gallegos said he is good friends with both Mason and Sinclair and when he realized they were the victims he rushed to Denver Health to see them. “You wouldn’t think he just went through the trauma he had gone through," Gallegos said about Mason. Colorado educator groups call for action Gallegos said he wasn't able to see Sinclair because he, at that point, was still in critical condition. "His surgery was successful but I wasn't able to see him because he's sedated. I couldn’t see him but there were teachers and support but hopefully, I can go back tomorrow and see him," Gallegos said. He was excited though that he was able to see and pray wit...

Kensington community calls for change after fatal crash

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Kensington community calls for change after fatal crash SAN DIEGO – The San Diego community of Kensington is reeling from a crash that claimed the life of a 6-year-old boy.“I saw it right away. I was crying, I still am,” Kenneth Valenti said.Police say the crash happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday, as a Jeep was crossing into an intersection from Biona Drive. It was hit by a Hyundai going east on Adams Avenue. The Jeep overturned with a 45-year-old man behind the wheel, his 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son in the back seats. Police say both were in safety seats.The 6-year-old was taken to the hospital, but despite the best efforts of medical staff, he did not survive his injuries.“We wanted to let him and his family know we’re thinking of him,” Brooke Garcia said.Garcia’s daughter goes to dance class right across from where the crash happened and stopped by to leave flowers at the site. Man shot to death in East County identified “My mom told me about what happened and I thought it was really sad because it wasn’t his fault. He didn...

Six migrants rescued from small 'island' near US-Mexico border: CBP

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Six migrants rescued from small 'island' near US-Mexico border: CBP SAN DIEGO -- A group of six migrants were rescued Wednesday after becoming stuck on a small "island" while attempting to cross the Tijuana River channel, authorities said.The incident occurred around 3:36 p.m. at Dairy Mart Road and Camino De La Plaza, located west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, when firefighters were called to the scene, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Is this San Diego’s rainiest ‘water year’ on record? The group of six, identified as Haitian nationals, were stuck on the small piece of land in the middle of the river as first responders worked to get to them, Jason Givens with U.S. Customs and Border Protection told FOX 5. Crews were able to rescue all six people and evaluate them on scene, Givens said. The group was then taken into Border Patrol custody and to a nearby station.

Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial set for family testimony

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial set for family testimony PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Two daughters of a retired optometrist suing Gwyneth Paltrow are expected to testify on Thursday about the lasting effects of their father and Paltrow’s 2016 ski collision as the trial takes on an increasingly personal note on the third day of proceedings.Attorneys are expected to call Polly Grasham and Shae Herath to the stand and question them about the broken ribs and lasting brain damage that their father Terry Sanderson claims he sustained after he and Paltrow crashed at one of North America’s most upscale ski resorts seven years ago.Neurologist Richard Boehme and Paltrow herself could also be called to testify on either Thursday or Friday.Sanderson is suing Paltrow for $300,000, claiming she recklessly crashed into him while the two were skiing on a beginner run at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. In a counterclaim, Paltrow is seeking $1 and attorney fees. The amount of money at stake for both sides pales in comparison to the typical le...

California lawmakers to vote on possible gas price penalties

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:39:11 GMT

California lawmakers to vote on possible gas price penalties SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers on Thursday will vote on whether to allow penalties on oil companies for price gouging at the pump, a first-in-the-country proposal aimed at stopping the kind of spikes last summer that caused some drivers pay up to $8 per gallon as the industry reaped super-sized profits.Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat seen as a possible presidential candidate beyond 2024, has used all of his political muscle to get the bill this far by making in-person pleas with state lawmakers in private ahead of Thursday’s first vote in the state Senate.The oil industry has pushed back, paying for a wave of digital ads that have labeled any potential penalty as a tax — an idea more likely to be scorned by voters. But they have failed to stop the bill, which after months of stagnating in the Democratic-controlled Legislature is now racing through the process with the Senate vote followed by a final vote in the state Assembly likely next week.The bill highlights ...