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Early Kentucky Derby favorite Forte scratched from race

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The early favorite for the Kentucky Derby has been scratched hours before the race.Forte was declared out of the 149th Derby on Saturday, according to Churchill Downs spokesman Darren Rogers. No immediate reason was announced.It was the fifth scratch this week from the race.The colt had stumbled on the track during a workout Thursday, although trainer Todd Pletcher had downplayed it.Five horses have died at Churchill Downs in recent days, including two trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. He was suspended by the track and had his Derby horse, Lord Miles, scratched.Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians were at Pletcher’s barn early Saturday to observe and examine Forte, who galloped on the track and then jogged outside the barn. Co-owner Mike Repole was on hand, too.Forte had a five-race winning streak and was the early 3-1 favorite. That leaves 18 horses to run in the 1 1/4-mile Derby.It was another pre-Derby disappointment for Repole.He owned Uncle Mo,...

Pickering airport opponents hope the proposal will be abandoned after 50 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

After decades of protests against a long-standing proposal to build an airport in Pickering, opponents of the project are optimistic it will soon be abandoned for good.Those hopes hinge on two recent developments: a Pickering council vote declaring a lack of support for an airport and a suggestion from the federal government that a newly-announced study could ultimately conclude that an airport on the Pickering Lands “is not required in the long term.”Those who support the airport argue, however, that it would provide a “rare opportunity” to boost the region’s economy and attract investments.The federal government’s final decision on the proposal will follow results of a Transport Canada study on airport capacity needs in southern Ontario, announced in April.The Pickering Lands span 18,600 acres of land in Pickering, Markham, Ont., and Uxbridge, Ont., located 56 kilometres east of downtown Toronto, that the federal government acquired in 1972 for ...

Hospitalized Berlusconi makes first public statements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

MILAN (AP) — Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has made his first public statements since being hospitalized a month ago, delivering a video address to his Forza Italia political party on Saturday.Berlusconi, who appeared in the video sitting at a desk set up inside the hospital and flanked by Italian and EU flags, received a standing ovation from the floor of the party congress in Milan. The 86-year-old three-time former premier and media mogul noted that it was the first time since he was hospitalized that he has worn a coat and jacket. Berlusconi told party members that Forza Italia is “an essential and loyal pillar” of the governing majority led by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy, and said he was proud of the government’s accomplishments so far, including a reduction in payroll taxes. Berlusconi was hospitalized at Milan’s San Raffaele hospital with a lung infection on April 5, and doctors later revealed he also has chronic leukemia. His party is ...

Attackers kill Pakistani Sikh in drive-by shooting in Lahore

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani Sikh was killed by unknown assailants in a drive-by shooting in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday, police said.The man, identified as Sardar Singh, was shot by gunmen riding on a motorcycle in Lahore’s residential neighborhood of Nawab Town. He was on a morning walk accompanied by his bodyguard when the attack happened, police said. Singh received a fatal gunshot to the head. Officer Asad Abbas said the bodyguard was wounded in the attack. The police declined to explain why Singh had a bodyguard or provide further details. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.Religious minorities often face violence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, even though the country’s Constitution guarantees them equal rights and the freedom to practice their faith.Last month, a Pakistani Sikh businessman and a Christian cleaner were shot and killed by gunmen in separate incidents in the northwestern city of Peshawar. A day earlier, a prominent Hindu d...

176 dead, many more missing after Congo floods

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The death toll from flash floods and landslides in eastern Congo has risen to 176, with some 100 people still missing, according to a provisional assessment given by the governor and authorities in the country’s South Kivu province.Rivers broke their banks in villages in the territory of Kalehe close to the shores of Lake Kivu. Authorities also reported scores of people injured.South Kivu Gov. Théo Ngwabidje visited the area to see the destruction for himself, and posted on his Twitter account that the provincial government had dispatched medical, shelter and food supplies. Several main roads to the affected area have been been made impassable by the rains, hampering the relief efforts. President Felix Tshisekedi has declared a national day of mourning on Monday to honor the victims, and the central government is sending a crisis management team to South Kivu to support the provincial government.Heavy rains in recent days have brought misery to thousands...

Abortion pill legal challenge threatens miscarriage care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

Less than a year after losing her daughter Emilia at five days old, Jillian Phillips suffered a miscarriage.It was Halloween weekend in 2016, and her doctor said she could wait for it to end naturally, have a surgical procedure or take medication. She chose the medicine, passed the remains of her nine-week pregnancy at home and buried them in a memorial garden, near some of Emilia’s ashes.“Once I found out that the baby inside me was no longer viable, I didn’t want to just walk around carrying the emotional trauma of that,” said Phillips, a 41-year-old single mother of three from North Brookfield, Mass. “You just kind of want it finished. And the medication works pretty quickly.”But the future of this common miscarriage treatment is in peril. The pill, mifepristone, is used in abortions, making it a target.Last month, a federal judge in Texas ruled to block mifepristone’s approval by the Food and Drug Administration. The Supreme Court later preserved access to the drug while t...

Canadian politicians offer congratulations to King Charles on Coronation Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

The coronation of King Charles III took place early Saturday morning in London’s historic Westminster Abbey, prompting well-wishes from across Canada. Here’s what people had to say:“Today, we ring in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III and reaffirm Canada’s enduring commitment to the Commonwealth. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, let us be reminded of our shared values of inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights as we work together to build a better future for all members of the Commonwealth.”– Prime Minister Justin Trudeau___“It is my great honour and pleasure to congratulate His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada, on the historic occasion of his Coronation.Seventy years have passed since the last Coronation, offering us an opportunity to reflect on all that has changed in our country, the Commonwealth and the world around us. And so much has changed. The evolution of technology, society and economics is happening at a quickening pace. An...

ELECTION DAY LIVE BLOG: Central Texans vote on bonds, propositions, city council races 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Today is Election Day. Central Texas voters will decide on a number of school bonds, local propositions and elected officials. In Austin, voters will decide on two different measures related to police oversight. There are also multimillion-dollar school district bonds on the ballot in Hutto, Leander, San Marcos, Eanes, Dripping Springs and other districts. Latest updates on local elections Election Day resourcesAustin Police oversight propositionsDripping Springs ISD bondEanes ISD bondHays CISD bondHutto ISD bondLeander ISD bondElection resultsTurnout trackerThis live blog will be updated with new Election Day information. Continue to check back with KXAN.com for results.Election Day live blog8:30 a.m.Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. During early voting, about 6.7% of Travis County and Williamson County voters went to the polls. In Hays County, turnout was less than 5%.

$763M Leander ISD bond package on the ballot for voters

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

Editor's Note: The above video is of KXAN's previous coverage of the Leander ISD bond election.LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — An almost $763 million bond package will go before Leander ISD voters. The three propositions named in the district’s proposal lay out upgrades to campus security measures, renovations to school facilities and technology improvements. Voter Guide: What you need to know ahead of the May 2023 local elections Prop A is the most expensive proposition listed in the proposal, at the cost of $698.33 million. It would allow the district to build two new elementary schools, buy land for future facilities and improve safety and security projects at every campus in LISD.See election results after polls close at 7 p.m.Some of the improvements listed in the proposal include digital mapping systems, forced-entry-resistant film and lockdown button upgrades.This proposition, if passed, would also allow the district to buy new buses and other district vehicles.Prop B costs $50.82 ...

Letters: Readily available firearms devastated this family — we can do better

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:00 GMT

Readily available firearms devastated this familyRe: “4 gun bills prompt lawsuit vow,” April 29 news storyI am an 86-year-old independent voter. My husband and I raised four children. I am also, thoughtfully, pro-life, as I see the extreme hypocrisy inherent in party affiliations and positions. Following Gov. Jared Polis’ recent signing of sensible gun safety laws, a gun shop was shown on the evening news. The display of hundreds of high-capacity firearms was frightening. There they were — hundreds of deaths on the wall and in the display cases!Republicans tout pro-life while promoting killing machines, while Democrats tout pro-life through freedom of abortion. Make no mistake; abortion ends a life and guns kill. Little innocent children, families and the general public are at risk of tempers and growing, deadly, conspiracy theories. Deep, life-long sadness, shock, and despair follow these sudden and unexpected violent deaths.As a young camper, I enjoyed targ...