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Police raid Moscow gay bars after a Supreme Court ruling labeled LGBTQ+ movement ‘extremist’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Russian security forces raided gay clubs and bars across Moscow Friday night, less than 48 hours after the country’s top court banned what it called the “global LGBTQ+ movement” as an extremist organization.Police searched venues across the Russian capital, including a nightclub, a male sauna, and a bar that hosted LGBTQ+ parties, under the pretext of a drug raid, local media reported.Eyewitnesses told journalists that clubgoers’ documents were checked and photographed by the security services. They also said that managers had been able to warn patrons before police arrived.The raids follow a decision by Russia’s Supreme Court to label the country’s LGBTQ+ “movement” as an extremist organization.The ruling, which was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the Justice Ministry, is the latest step in a decadelong crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights under President Vladimir Putin, who has emphasized “traditional family values” during his 24 years in power.Activists have noted the lawsuit was lo...

Thousands of trees will be felled in Vancouver’s Stanley Park due to moth infestation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

VANCOUVER — The quiet of Stanley Park’s forests has been splintered as chainsaws roar in a multi-year project to remove about one quarter of the trees that make up what’s considered a Vancouver jewel.On the road to Prospect Point a parking lot that in warmer months would be part of a picnic area, is now a work site where heavy machinery brings in large, cut sections of trees and crushes smaller branches.They are among the first of what’s expected to be 160,000 trees removed for public safety reasons after a years-long infestation of western hemlock looper moths.“Removing trees is not something we take lightly, but this work is essential to restarting the forest afresh and giving it the strongest chance at withstanding future threats to its health,” Amit Gandha, director of parks at the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, said in a statement.The juvenile form of the moth, a member of the inchworm family, chews on both the fresh, green needles of trees in the spring a...

Avril Lavigne, Rick Mercer among honourees at Canada’s Walk of Fame anniversary gala

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

TORONTO — Pop-punk icon Avril Lavigne, political satirist Rick Mercer and hockey superstar Connor McDavid are among those set to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame tonight at a special anniversarygala in Toronto.The Walk of Fame, honouring notable Canadians for excellence in fields spanning from entertainment to humanitarianism, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “Killers of the Flower Moon” actress Tantoo Cardinal, the generation-spanning TV franchise “Degrassi” and co-founders of outdoor lifestyle brand Roots Michael Budman and Don Green are also among this year’sinductees.Hip-hop staple Kardinal Offishall is being honoured as this year’s recipient of the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour.Thirteen Canadian rock bands of the 1970s and ’80s — including Glass Tiger and Loverboy — inducted into the Walk of Fame at a special event in September will also be celebrated. The event is being hosted by Drew and Jonathan Scott of “Pr...

Daily horoscope for December 2, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023:You are colorful! People notice you. You are spontaneous, energetic and have a wide range of emotions. This is a pleasant, fun-loving year for you. Take time to nurture the happiness and beauty that you have within yourself. Expect to be in the public eye for some reason.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★You are clever with arts and crafts, and today you will enjoy expressing your creative talents. This is also a fabulous day to schmooze with others and enjoy social outings, sports events and fun activities with kids. Many of you will make long-range future plans. Tonight: Socialize!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Family events and discussions will go well today. This is also an excellent day to make long-range travel plans, or plans about future education, or issues related to publishing and the media, or something to do with medicine or the law. Toni...

Miss Manners: Both teens are uncomfortable with the other mom’s comparisons

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am the mother of a terrific 15-year-old girl. She’s a joy to be around, has lovely friends, does fine in school, is both interesting and interested, etc.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I want Florida woman to stop sending these texts Advice | Miss Manners: Our little boy’s striking hair prompts questions we’d rather not answer Advice | Miss Manners: Did they really think it was OK to say this in an obituary? Advice | Miss Manners: I get tactless comments about my literary name Advice | Miss Manners: How do I tell these people I don’t want their prayers? I may be prejudiced, so I’ll name some flaws, as well: She frequently needs to be reminded about chores; she’ll sleep late, and can be forgetful; and now and then there’s drama and arguments over rules.But I’m not writing for help with those. I need advice about the mother of one ...

Fairfax Co. police make arrest in connection with 2021 robbery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Fairfax County police said they’ve arrested a man accused of robbing a Falls Church, Virginia, massage business in 2021, and they’re urging any other victims to contact them.Mohamed Tahir, 33, was arrested and charged earlier this year, after a robbery at Deep Blue Massage in Seven Corners this September, police said. Officials said a man with a handgun and Taser entered, allegedly assaulting two employees and taking money.The victims were treated at the scene for injuries police described as minor.Tahir was taken into custody the same night as the incident, police said, and was charged with strangulation, robbery and two counts of abduction by force.Detectives, according to Lt. James Curry, noticed the Sept. 9 incident had similar characteristics to a robbery in 2021, including the style of the robberies and how the suspect entered the businesses. In that case, police said, a suspect armed with a handgun allegedly assaulted and robbed two victims at Blue Therapy Massage...

Santa Clara visits Cal after Tyson’s 23-point showing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Santa Clara Broncos (7-1) at California Golden Bears (2-5)Berkeley, California; Saturday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Bears -1; over/under is 145.5BOTTOM LINE: Cal hosts the Santa Clara Broncos after Jaylon Tyson scored 23 points in Cal’s 76-67 overtime loss to the San Diego State Aztecs.The Golden Bears are 2-2 on their home court. Cal is 2-0 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 13.3 turnovers per game.The Broncos are 1-0 on the road. Santa Clara is third in the WCC with 26.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Carlos Marshall Jr. averaging 4.4.Cal scores 73.3 points, 5.3 more per game than the 68.0 Santa Clara allows. Santa Clara averages 8.6 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.5 more made shots on average than the 7.1 per game Cal allows.TOP PERFORMERS: Tyson is shooting 44.4% and averaging 20.3 points for the Golden Bears. Jalen Cole is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers for Cal.Marshall is scoring 15.6 points per game and averaging 6.5 rebounds for t...

Vermont hosts Yale after Townsend’s 22-point showing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Yale Bulldogs (5-3) at Vermont Catamounts (6-2)Burlington, Vermont; Saturday, 7 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Catamounts -1.5; over/under is 135.5BOTTOM LINE: Yale visits the Vermont Catamounts after Nick Townsend scored 22 points in Yale’s 79-71 victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves.The Catamounts are 4-0 in home games. Vermont averages 15.0 assists per game to lead the America East, paced by Shamir Bogues with 3.0.The Bulldogs have gone 1-2 away from home. Yale is sixth in the Ivy League with 32.3 rebounds per game led by Danny Wolf averaging 8.1.Vermont averages 10.5 made 3-pointers per game, 3.0 more made shots than the 7.5 per game Yale gives up. Yale averages 15.4 more points per game (76.4) than Vermont gives up to opponents (61.0).TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Veretto is scoring 14.0 points per game with 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Catamounts. Bogues is averaging 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 60.9% for Vermont.John Poulakidas averages 2.1 made 3-point...

Georgia State visits Kennesaw State following Cottle’s 20-point game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Georgia State Panthers (3-3) at Kennesaw State Owls (4-3)Kennesaw, Georgia; Saturday, 1 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Owls -2; over/under is 164.5BOTTOM LINE: Kennesaw State takes on the Georgia State Panthers after Simeon Cottle scored 20 points in Kennesaw State’s 91-84 loss to the Florida International Panthers.The Owls have gone 2-0 at home. Kennesaw State is second in the ASUN with 39.1 points per game in the paint led by Terrell Burden averaging 10.0.The Panthers are 2-2 on the road. Georgia State is 1-0 in games decided by 10 points or more.Kennesaw State averages 9.6 made 3-pointers per game, 4.6 more made shots than the 5.0 per game Georgia State allows. Georgia State averages 6.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.2 fewer makes per game than Kennesaw State gives up.TOP PERFORMERS: Cottle is scoring 16.3 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Owls. Burden is averaging 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 37.2% for Kennesaw State.Luca...

Wisconsin takes on No. 3 Marquette, seeks 5th straight win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:14 GMT

Marquette Golden Eagles (6-1) at Wisconsin Badgers (5-2)Madison, Wisconsin; Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ESTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Eagles -3; over/under is 139.5BOTTOM LINE: Wisconsin heads into a matchup with No. 3 Marquette as winners of four straight games.The Badgers are 3-1 on their home court. Wisconsin averages 73.9 points while outscoring opponents by 10.0 points per game.The Golden Eagles are 1-0 on the road. Marquette has a 5-1 record against opponents over .500.Wisconsin makes 46.4% of its shots from the field this season, which is 5.1 percentage points higher than Marquette has allowed to its opponents (41.3%). Marquette has shot at a 49.0% clip from the field this season, 4.4 percentage points greater than the 44.6% shooting opponents of Wisconsin have averaged.TOP PERFORMERS: AJ Storr is scoring 13.3 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists for the Badgers. Tyler Wahl is averaging 11.0 points and 5.4 rebounds while shooting 55.6% for Wisconsin.Kam Jones is a...