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Director of migration drama denounced by right-wing leaders as film opens in Poland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Right-wing Polish leaders amplified their denunciations of a new feature film by director Agnieszka Holland before its scheduled premiere in the country Friday, accusing the work of defaming Poland with its exploration of a migration crisis along the border with Belarus.“Green Border” won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. Government officials in Poland have harshly criticized the film for weeks, although most of them acknowledge not having seen it. Holland was born in Poland and worked on films there but lives in France. “Green Border” is a harrowing exploration of human suffering in the border zone of forests and swamps between Belarus and Poland, and its fictional characters include depictions of Polish security officials mistreating migrants from the Middle East.In an unusual move, Poland’s most powerful politician, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, called a press conference Friday devoted to denouncing the film. He said he believed th...

Energy Department announces $325M for batteries that can store clean electricity longer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

The Energy Department has announced a $325 million investment in new battery types that can help turn solar and wind energy into 24-hour power. The funds will be distributed among 15 projects in 17 states and the Red Lake Nation, a Native American tribe based in Minnesota. Batteries are increasingly being used to store surplus renewable energy so that it can be used later, during times when there is no sunlight or wind. The department says the projects will protect more communities from blackouts and make energy more reliable and affordable.“Everywhere in the U.S. has issues with intermittent renewable energy … every day the sun sets and you have to be able to take the energy that you produced during the day and use that at nighttime,” said Christopher Rahn, professor of mechanical engineering at Pennsylvania State University.The new funding is for “long-term” storage, meaning options that can last for longer than the four hours typical of lithium ion batteries. Storage that c...

Canada-India tensions spell trouble for trade growth, investment: business leaders

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

TORONTO — Business leaders say the escalating tension between Canada and India is jeopardizing delicate trade and investment relationships that the two sides have been have been working for years to advance. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the killing of a man wanted by the country who was gunned down in June outside a B.C. temple. As the situation heats up, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat and India kicked out a Canadian representative. India has also temporarily halted all visa services for Canadian citizens. Victor Thomas, president and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council, said this country has been trying to grow its trade relationships with India, which is the world’s biggest country by population and the world’s fastest-growing large economy. Now, trade talks are being postponed as the two countries face off, with Canada’s trade minister postponing a planned October mission to India.This report by The Canadian Press was first ...

Brazil’s top court opens vote on decriminalizing abortion up to 12th week of pregnancy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s top court opened a session Friday that will decide whether abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy will be decriminalized nationwide. The South American nation currently allows abortions only in cases of rape, an evident risk to the mother’s health or if the fetus has no functioning brain. The Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Rosa Weber put the issue forward in an online session Friday and cast her vote in favor of the action. She will retire in October after she turns 75, the age limit for members of the court. Ten more justices are yet to vote, but there is no set date for when the hearing will continue.Weber said in her decision that Brazil’s standing on abortions does not consider “equal protection of women’s fundamental rights by giving absolute prevalence of the guardianship of the potential life” — the fetus.“Criminalizing the conduct of voluntarily interrupting the pregnancy, without restrictions,” Weber wrote, “hits the core ...

ABC eyes postponing 'Dancing With the Stars' as actor drops out amid writers strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – The 32nd season of "Dancing with the Stars" is set to air in just one week, but ABC has announced the network is putting plans in place to postpone the premiere after actor Matt Walsh announced he would be "taking a pause" from the show "until an agreement is made" with the Writers Guild of America (WGA), which is currently on strike."I was excited to join the show and did so under the impression that it was not a WGA show and fell under a different agreement," the "Veep" actor said in a statement shared with ABC News. "This morning when I was informed by my union, the WGA, that it is considered struck work I walked out of my rehearsal. I have been and will always stand with my union members of the WGA, SAG and DGA."Matt Walsh speaks onstage during the 2023 Writers Guild Awards West Coast Ceremony at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 05, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for WGAW)Walsh, a founding member of the Upright Citizen'...

Floor & Decor sets opening date in Colonie Center

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Floor & Decor, a retailer specializing in hard surface flooring, tools and accessories, has set its grand opening date for Colonie Center. The retailer is opening in the former Sears space on Thursday, October 12. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The grand opening celebration includes a ribbon-cutting at 2:30 p.m. On October 14 starting at 10 a.m., the first 200 people in the store over 18 years old will be able to roll six dice for the chance to win up to $1 million dollars. You also have the chance to win a $5,000 makeover with Floor & Decor tickets and two tickets to the New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles on January 7. You can enter on the Floor & Decor website through December 1. Restaurant lineup for inaugural Taste of Toga festival The new Floor & Decor is over 56,000 square feet and includes both a warehouse and design center. The store will employ about 50 full-time and p...

Comedian Jim Breuer to perform at The Egg

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Egg announced they will be hosting a performance by comedian and actor Jim Breuer. The event is scheduled for November 4 at 8 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! In addition to his standup work, Breuer is best known for his time as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" and for his role as Brian in the film "Half Baked", acting alongside Dave Chapelle. The performance is a stop on the comedian's "Survival with Laughter" tour. The show will be held in The Egg's Hart Theatre. You can buy Jim Breuer tickets by visiting the venue's website.

Police investigate shooting at Homewood Suites

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was arrested early Friday morning after a shots fired incident at Homewood Suites Hotel by Crossgates Mall. Chandler McCray, 33, faces several charges including first-degree attempted murder. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Guilderland Police responded to Homewood Suites around 6:26 a.m. Friday for reports of shots fired. Police entered the building and evacuated the surrounding rooms on the fifth floor. Police say on arrival, they found evidence consistent with shots fired.In a press conference held at 11 a.m., Guilderland Police say McCray was arrested an hour and a half to two hours after arrival. At first, he was asked to leave his room but did not. He eventually left his room and was taken into custody without incident. Ulster County man sentenced for 2022 attempted murder No injuries were reported from the incident. This shooting is still under investigation. Police are worki...

Results for 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race, announced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- The balloon race results from last week show that the winners are as follows: Kurt Vitense with 1st place, followed by Walt Rudy in 2nd place, and Aaron Gebhart claimed 3rd place.The 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race took place at Emerson Central Fields in Forest Park on September 15 for the glow event and September 16 for the race. The weekend attracted over 130,000 spectators for two days of outdoor entertainment. Police chase ends in Dupo, Illinois area, officers investigating Kurt Vitense flew the Raising Cane's banner, Walt Rudy flew the STL Made banner, and Aaron Gebhart flew the Purina banner.About the race:In the race, 30 out of the 50 balloons took flight, while 20 remained tethered at Emerson Central Fields. Some balloons drifted towards Illinois or The Hill, while others performed low-altitude launches, with three balloons even landing back in the same field from which they had launched.The Great Forest Park Balloon Race follows a Hare and Hound-style for...

Monarch butterfly migration in St. Louis sparks urgent conservation efforts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:17:56 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Monarch butterflies, a species on the endangered list, are currently migrating across the St. Louis metro area on their way to Central Mexico. Habitat destruction due to extreme weather and human interference poses a significant threat to their survival. Climate change and habitat loss have led to a decline in their numbers, prompting concerns about their future.Tad Yankoski, a senior entomologist at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House, emphasizes the urgency of preserving monarch habitats. Monarchs travel a vast distance, from the United States to Central Mexico, where they hibernate during the winter. Not every monarch makes this journey, as migration happens only every third or fourth generation, yet preserving their habitat is crucial. Police chase ends in Dupo, Illinois area, officers investigating Efforts to protect monarch habitats benefit not only these butterflies but also numerous other plant and animal species facing similar challenges.The Missouri ...