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The politics of the French riots

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

John Lichfield is a former foreign editor of the Independent and was the newspaper’s Paris correspondent for 20 years.Beware of those who offer a simple explanation of the riots that have exploded in multi-racial suburbs across France.These are not, for the most part, political riots — although they are influenced by, and will dangerously inflame, the poisonously divided politics of France.They are not religious riots. Many of the very young rioters may have a sense of besieged Muslim identity, but they are driven by  anger rather than their religion. This is an insurrection, not an intifada. They are not, properly speaking, truly race riots. The great majority of the many millions of hard-working residents of the racially mixed suburbs which surround French cities are not involved.Rather, they are the main victims of the destruction of cars, buses, trams, schools, libraries, shops and social centers which began after a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by a traffic cop in Nan...

Security for Ukraine — but how?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

In its sixteenth month, the war rages on in Ukraine with no end in sight, making the question of longer-term security guarantees ever more urgent. And at the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania, the issue of Ukraine’s membership will be on the agenda. Since Russia’s attack, the once popular idea of seeing Ukraine as a bridge between East and West has been buried — buried for good. And with Ukraine abandoning its earlier goal of neutrality some years ago, the country has made joining NATO a constitutional objective. In 2008, Ukraine, along with Georgia, received a promise from the alliance that it would become a member — a promise made without a clear roadmap or timetable. But while almost everyone agrees that simply a mantra-like repetition of the 2008 promise won’t do justice to the current situation, the question remains, how can and should Ukraine’s security be strengthened? And what exactly should the NATO summit communique in Vilnius say? By now, there is con...

Northeastern University helping to design revolutionary new robot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

Northeastern University researchers are helping to develop a revolutionary robot design that could someday help astronauts explore space.The researchers are teaming up with Cal Tech to design a robot called M4 in a project that is funded by NASA.The M4 is a new shapeshifting robot that can drive, flip, fly, and may someday end up in space. It has 8 different ways of moving, from crawling to taking flight.Northeastern Assistant Professor Alireza Ramwzani said the project was partly inspired by studying the way animals move and that the M4 can be useful both here on Earth and in outer space. Researchers are working on a way to equip the M4 with the latest AI tech.“We can find many robotic applications from space to package delivery,” he said.

Multi-acre brush fire burns in Tijuana River Valley

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A multi-acre brush fire broke out in a hard-to-reach part of the Tijuana River Valley Sunday afternoon, San Diego Fire-Rescue said.Around 1:30 p.m., crews were alerted to the fire near the intersection of Monument Road and Saturn Boulevard. SDFD personnel arrived on scene at approximately 1:42 p.m.By the time fire crews arrived, the fire had burned about one acre of land. Around 7 p.m., the fire spread to about four acres. SDFD officials described the area as having difficult terrain, with dense fuel. Oceanside resident killed in suspected DUI crash "Forward progress of the fire has been slowed by firefighters on the ground and crews in the air," the department said in a tweet.Two strike teams were dispatched to the site of the first-alarm fire, as well as three helicopters and four engines. Cal Fire is assisting, according to SDFD.As of 6 p.m., firefighters were still on site working to extinguish the blaze. The department is anticipating crews to remain on scene thr...

Maple Leafs to sign forward Max Domi to one-year contract

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to sign veteran forward Max Domi to a one-year contract, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has learned.The deal will be in the $3 million range, according to Friedman.Max Domi is overseas, so this might be finalized tomorrow, but he is signing with Toronto. 1x$3M-ish— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 3, 2023Prior to the 2022-23 season, Domi signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks, who then dealt him to the Dallas Stars before the trade deadline.The 28-year-old Domi had 20 goals and 36 assists for 56 points in 80 combined games with the Blackhawks and Stars this past season. He added three goals and 10 assists in 19 playoff games as the Stars advanced to the Western Conference Final.Domi has bounced around the NHL since breaking into the league with the Arizona Coyotes in 2015. He has 121 goals and 249 assists for 370 points in 581 career games with the Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jacket...

New law allows police to fly drones over public gatherings

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

There will be new eyes in the skies over Fourth of July gatherings this year.A new state law is in effect that allows police to fly drones over some public gatherings.Perched on a rooftop overlooking Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade last year, a shooter had a clear line of sight – but officers below likely couldn’t see him.Sgt. Ari Briskman is with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.“It’s hard to say what could’ve or would’ve been done but certainly a drone in the sky for that event would have given Highland Park police and other agencies a better view of that area,” Briskman said. “Especially given the shooter was on a rooftop.” That’s where police drones come in. These are the new laws starting July 1 in Illinois A change in a decade-old surveillance law means police will now be able to patrol many public gatherings from the air, providing a broader view of potential threats below.Detective Kyle Brasewicz is one of several drone operators for the Lake County Sheriff’s De...

Flash Flooding causes havoc as torrential rains hit Chicago

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

Torrential rain caused major issues across the Chicago area Sunday. A Flash Flood Warning has been extended to 6:30 p.m. for Northeastern Cook County. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here The National Weather Service says between 1 and 2 inches of ran have already fallen and total amount of 1 to 3 inches are possible.Latest warnings and watches from the National Weather Service.Below are real time updates on the weather and it's impact in the Chicago area. 3:22 p.m. — NWS reports combined sewer overflow event in progress, causing the Chicago River to climb rapidly. River levels are about one foot below the lowest parts of the Chicago Riverwalk and climbing.2:38 p.m. — Flash flood warning extended to 6:30 p.m. for Chicago, Cicero and Evanston.1:05 p.m. — The start of the Chicago Cubs game has been moved to 4:05 p.m. 12:50 p.m. — NASCAR in Chicago officials have canceled the Xfinity Series race due to weather....

Three named MLB All-Stars for Chicago Cubs

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

CHICAGO — Three players for the Chicago Cubs have been named to the National League All-Star Team, team officials announced Sunday.Starting pitchers Justin Steele and Marcus Stroman got nods to join the NL All-Stars on the mound, while shortstop Dansby Swanson got a nod in the field.For Steele, it's his first all-star selection, while it's the second selection for both Stroman and Swanson. Outfielder named MLB All-Star for White Sox Steele and Stroman have been two of the best pitchers in the National League over the first half of the MLB season.Steele owns the lowest earned-run-average in all of baseball (2.43), to go with a 9-2 record across 15 starts and 85.1 innings pitched so far this season.Meanwhile — in 18 starts of his own — Stroman owns a 9-6 record on the mound with a 2.76 ERA (good for eighth in MLB and fourth in the NL) and 92 strikeouts over 107.2 innings pitched. Swanson has been steady at the plate, and even steadier in the field for the Cubs this year.The North Si...

Vigil held Sunday to honor Cedar Park woman killed in June

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Community members hosted a vigil Sunday evening to commemorate the life of Akira Ross, a Black queer woman shot and killed in Cedar Park last month.Attendees gathered at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church in Cedar Park Sunday evening to honor and celebrate her life and legacy. Equality Texas described Ross, 24, as "a joyful, funning, caring young woman" who enjoyed videogames, reading books and spending time in the water. Community members hosted a vigil Sunday evening to commemorate the life of Akira Ross, a Black, queer woman shot and killed in Cedar Park last month. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Community members hosted a vigil Sunday evening to commemorate the life of Akira Ross, a Black, queer woman shot and killed in Cedar Park last month. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Community members hosted a vigil Sunday evening to commemorate the life of Akira Ross, a Black, queer woman shot and killed in Cedar Park last month. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Commu...

San Marcos campsite sees slow business in summer because of intoxicated tubers

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:41 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — This Fourth of July weekend, thousands of people were out on the water across Central Texas, including at the San Marcos River. But, one campsite near the water said business has been slow in the summer for years now because of intoxicated tubers. 'It's pretty much closed me down all summer long'Tom Goynes and his wife own the San Marcos River Retreat, a campsite that sits along the water. He said the summer used to be their busiest time, but over the years that's changed because of all the tubers. "It's pretty much closed me down all summer long. I deal with youth groups and church groups," Goynes said. "They just can't come anymore. The amount of trash on the bottom is crazy. The noise is crazy."Goynes said there's been times where children have witnessed inappropriate situations with intoxicated tubers. "A girl was pulling down her bikini in exchange for a beer," he said. Goynes said scout troops and youth groups have now started to come to his campsite...