Top general worries about maintaining Pacific fleet on current budget ‘trajectory’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Top general worries about maintaining Pacific fleet on current budget ‘trajectory’ HALIFAX — Canada’s top soldier says the military’s ability to keep funding a “persistent presence” of warships in the western Pacific is facing challenges on the current budget.Gen. Wayne Eyre was speaking during the Halifax International Security Forum Saturday during a panel discussion focused on China’s emergence as a military superpower. The chief of defence staff said Canada currently has three frigates operating in the region on joint naval exercises with Japan and the United States.He noted, however, that those ships are reaching the end of their 30-year lifespan.Eyre said while Canada is committed to keeping ships operating in the area, sustaining the frigates is “going to be a challenge … as we balance resources around the world.”He added the Halifax-class frigates are in what he called desperate need of maintenance.“If we take a look at the trajectory of our maintenance funding over the next few years, we’re going...

Kansas school forced 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair, ACLU says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Kansas school forced 8-year-old Native American boy to cut his hair, ACLU says MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas grade school forced an 8-year-old Native American boy to cut off his hair after he grew it out for cultural reasons, the American Civil Liberties Union said. In a letter sent Friday, the ACLU demanded that the Girard School District rescind a policy at the elementary school that bars long hair for boys, alleging it violates state and federal laws.The boy, who is member of the Wyandotte Nation, attended an annual tribal gathering geared toward children over the summer. He saw many men with long hair and was inspired to adopt the common cultural practice of cutting hair only when mourning the loss of a loved one, according to the ACLU.But in August, school officials told him that he needed to cut his hair to comply with the dress code, the ACLU said. His mother went to the school in September and explained that he grew out his hair for cultural reasons and offered to show documentation of his tribal affiliation. The ACLU said she was told there were no ex...

Investigators identify ‘person of interest’ in Los Angeles freeway arson fire

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Investigators identify ‘person of interest’ in Los Angeles freeway arson fire LOS ANGELES (AP) — Investigators on Saturday identified a “person of interest” in the Los Angeles arson fire last week that closed a central freeway for days, snarling traffic as repair crews work around the clock to fix it.The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, and the State Fire Marshal released two photos in a “crime alert notification” posted to social media and said it was seeking the public’s help to identify the person. The individual was described as a man 30 to 35 years old, about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and weighing between 170 pounds (77 kilograms) and 190 pounds (86 kilograms). Details about how he was identified were not immediately released.The photographs show him wearing blue shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt, a green scarf and a brace on the right knee. The individual is carrying a backpack and “appears to have visible burn injuries” on the left leg, the bulletin states.Representatives for the mayor, the governor and the stat...

Adam Johnson’s UK team retires his jersey number after the American player’s skate-cut death

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Adam Johnson’s UK team retires his jersey number after the American player’s skate-cut death NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — The English hockey team that Adam Johnson played for retired his No. 47 jersey on Saturday as part of a memorial game honoring the American who died after an opposing player’s skate cut his neck during a game.Nottingham Panthers players appeared to be wearing neck guards, too, though the team would not confirm that.The Panthers made the jersey announcement moments before the start of their game against the Manchester Storm as players from both teams stood in a circle at center ice at Motorpoint Arena.“He will forever be our No. 47,” announcer Stef Litchfield said. “He was not only an outstanding hockey player but also a great teammate. He was an incredible person with his whole life ahead of him. We will miss him dearly.”The Panthers hadn’t played since their Oct. 28 game last month in Sheffield.The death of the 29-year-old former Pittsburgh Penguins player has not only forced the sport to reexamine safety regulations but also sparked a criminal inve...

Chicago man accused of promoting prostitution arrested after allegedly failing to appear for court date

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Chicago man accused of promoting prostitution arrested after allegedly failing to appear for court date CHICAGO — A Chicago man accused of promoting prostitution has been arrested after deputies say he allegedly failed to appear for his initial court date.According to Cook County deputies, Marcus Brewer, an Albany Park resident, was taken into custody on Wednesday after he allegedly failed to appear for his court date on a promoting prostitution charge on Oct. 24. Police search for teen missing from home in Belmont Cragin Authorities say the charges stem from an arrest on Oct. 20, after an investigation by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Vice unit determined that he had allegedly been renting a room for a victim and providing them security during encounters with johns.Deputies say after Brewer allegedly failed to appear for his court date, a no-bond warrant was issued for his arrest. $2M winning scratch-off ticket sold at gas station Chicago The Cook County Sheriff’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the United States Marshals Service-Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Taskforce launche...

$2M winning scratch-off ticket sold at Chicago gas station

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

$2M winning scratch-off ticket sold at Chicago gas station CHICAGO — A lucky Illinois Lottery player is headed to the bank after winning the top prize on a scratch-off ticket picked up at a gas station in Chicago.The recently minted millionaire is now figuring out how to spend their $2 million in winnings after they struck it big on a Stacks of Cash lottery ticket purchased for $20, according to the Illinois Lottery. Illinois Lottery: Stories of millionaires made overnight The big winner claimed one of only three $2 million top prizes available to Stacks of Cash players and the odds of hitting the top prize were one in 1,438,180.The life-changing ticket was sold at a BP gas station located in the 2300 block of West Fullerton Avenue in Bucktown and it isn't the first time they have sold a lucky ticket with a massive payout, the Illinois Lottery said.Back in 2017, a 25X Payout scratch-off ticket was sold to a lucky player who took home a $250,000 prize. Illinois Lottery player in Rochelle wins $1M during Monday drawing The winner of the t...

Police offer warning after man attempts to lure child into car on Southwest Side

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Police offer warning after man attempts to lure child into car on Southwest Side CHICAGO — Police are offering a warning to residents on the Southwest Side after officers say a man attempted to lure a 12-year-old girl into his car on Monday afternoon. Chicago police say the attempted luring happened just before 4 p.m. in the 6100 block of West 62nd Street in the city's Clearing neighborhood.According to police, a 12-year-old girl was walking her dogs in the area when a man in a black SUV called to the girl and asked her if she needed a ride.  Police search for teen missing from home in Belmont Cragin Police say the child saw the man performing lewd acts and continued to walk away. The man then began to curse at the child before driving away. Officers say the person involved is believed to be a slender man, between 20 and 30 years of age, with short-cropped curly hair and full facial hair. Police say at the time of the attempted luring, the man was seen wearing a black T-shirt and driving in a black, newer edition, four-door SUV with tinted windows. P...

Road closure on US 183 in Leander following fatal car crash

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Road closure on US 183 in Leander following fatal car crash LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) – The Leander Police Department said a fatal car crash happened north of Bryson Ridge Trail on US 183 Saturday afternoon.Police told KXAN the crash was between a motorcycle and a vehicle. LPD said northbound US 183 will be closed north of Bryson and advised people to avoid the area. This fatal crash occurred hours after a fatal collision between a pedestrian and a train at the 400 block of South US 183, which is between Sonny Drive and FM 2243. This earlier incident is also causing traffic delays, according to Leander Police.

Despite loss, Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson returns to form in return to homeland

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

Despite loss, Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson returns to form in return to homeland STOCKHOLM — Filip Gustavsson said his legs felt “like spaghetti,” at the beginning of Saturday night’s game, one played in his native country in front of more than 25 loved ones in the crowd.But any jitters he might have had weren’t evident. Instead, the Swedish goalie turned in one of his best performances to date this season in the Wild’s first of two NHL Global Series games, a 2-1 shootout loss to Ottawa on Saturday at Avicii Arena.“It was nerve-wracking at first,” he said. “A lot of people from my family are watching, a lot of Swedish people wanted to see all the NHL players. You take a good pride in that and that makes you want to perform even better.”Gustavsson made 30 stops in the loss. The one goal he gave up in regulation came as the Wild changed lines.It was a mark of progress for Gustavsson, who had given up at least three goals in each of his starts except the first of the season.“Gus was real good, and when he had to be, he was there,” Wild coach Dean Evason said....

RPI researchers 3D-print hair follicles in lab grown skin

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:11:02 GMT

RPI researchers 3D-print hair follicles in lab grown skin TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A team led by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute announced they have successfully 3D-printed hair follicles in human skin tissue cultured in a laboratory. The advancement marks the first time that the technology has been used for hair follicle generation. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the team, their work has potential applications in regenerative medicine and dermatological testing, as hair follicles are integral to skin function and healing, while also being an entry point for topical drugs and cosmetics. The team's finding was published in the journal “Science Advances". “Our work is a proof-of-concept that hair follicle structures can be created in a highly precise, reproducible way using 3D-bioprinting. This kind of automated process is needed to make future biomanufacturing of skin possible,” said Pankaj Karande, Ph.D., an associate professor of chemical and biological e...