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Report finds Hamline University violated professor’s academic freedom in Islamic art controversy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

Hamline University’s response to a Muslim student’s art class complaint last fall violated the professor’s academic freedom, according to a new report by the American Association of University Professors.The faculty membership organization visited the St. Paul private school campus in February and interviewed numerous school administrators, faculty and others following widespread news coverage about the use of ancient art depicting the Prophet Muhammad.Aware that some Muslims take offense to visual depictions of the Prophet, adjunct professor Erika Lopez Prater warned students about the content on her world art class syllabus and again before showing the art during an online lesson in October.Still, a student who viewed the art complained to Hamline administrators, who went on to criticize Lopez Prater’s decision in multiple statements and withdrew an offer to have her teach again in the spring.“The committee can only speculate about the reason for the decision not to reappoint Prof...

Military dad surprises children with reunion at school

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Sgt. William Rhodes surprised his four children, triplets in kindergarten and a third-grader, at Bradt Primary School. “I used to look at their baby pictures every day starting from the day they were born up until the most current picture and when I did have opportunities," Rhodes said. "I would talk to them but it feels so great to be home.”Their mother, Carmelissa, starring as a mystery reader for students during the assembly before the big moment, introducing students to the hero in her family.  Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “I feel amazing, it’s so good to have him home," Rhodes said. "The past 9 months has been ridiculous for all of us so it’s a nice breath, a nice relief that he’s back.” “It’s as of late I’ve had a family to come home to," Rhodes said. "I’d say the first time when Jaymon was born, the first two weeks of training I went away I realized how much more difficult it is to be...

VSP: Vermonter threatens to behead campers with axe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

KILLINGTON, Vt. (NEWS10) -- A Mendon, Vermont, man was arrested on Saturday after threatening to behead people at a campsite with an axe, according to Vermont State Police. Ralph Schneider, 61, faces four counts of aggravated assault and four counts of criminal threatening. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Police say an investigation found Schneider was armed with a deadly weapon and threatened to use it against four others, giving them reasonable fear of death or serious injury. Police say Schneider also hit a car with the axe.Schnieder was put in custody and taken to the Rutland Barracks for processing. A judicial official was contacted and conditions of release were issued, along with Schneider being lodged at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility.He is held on $5,000 bail.

Free movies, music and yoga returning to downtown Albany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the return of State Street Yoga, Bites Camera Action, and Tunesday. These free outdoor series' will take place throughout the summer in downtown Albany. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We couldn't be more excited to once again kick off these popular, free event series in downtown Albany," said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID. "We love seeing residents, families, workers, and visitors from all over the region come out and discover even more reasons to spend time in Albany's Central Social District. All members of the community are invited to enjoy and benefit from the recreational opportunities, socializing, and memorable experiences these events provide."The free movie series Bites Camera Action will be at the SUNY Plaza at State Street and Broadway with the movies premiering at dusk around 8:30....

Opinion: The crisis on the Southern border is an issue of humanity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

“Where are all the migrants?” we asked as we toured Juárez, Anapra, El Paso and Sunland Park on May 10 and 11.Our first stop was the Sacred Heart church on Oregon Street in El Paso where there were far fewer people on the streets than when I had last visited on April 28.Then we crossed into Juárez to the site of the deadly fire that killed 40 migrants on March 27 where we spoke to a 16 year old girl named Ana who had made the arduous journey from Venezuela with her father and her younger sister,  Fatima, age 12. They left Venezuela eight months ago, crossed the very dangerous Darien Gap, traveled with a small group instead of hiring a “coyote” because that would have been too expensive. They had spent two months in the Mexican government’s Kiki Romero shelter in Juárez, a former gymnasium converted to shelter up to 200 people but said it was so horrible that they decided to live on the street in a tent. Their hope is for an asylum hearing soon and they certainly deserve it.We then t...

The UK and Angola: Who’s advising who?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

Delegates at the United Nations were astonished at the end of last year when Angola proffered economic guidance to the UK.Indeed, impoverished Angola advising the formidable UK, ranked the fifth or sixth largest economy globally depending on the measurement, appeared quite audacious. Observers were left bewildered, questioning whether this indicated the state of Rishi Sunak's nation or exhibited overconfidence on Angola's part.Nonetheless, Angola recommended the UK adopt an urgent poverty alleviation strategy and implement new measures to shield its citizens from the escalating cost-of-living crisis. As per the World Bank, this suggestion came from a country where roughly one-third of the populace lives in poverty (earning below $2.15 per day). In Angola, unemployment is rising, and the nation grapples with its soaring household bills.It is uncommon for an African, southern nation to suggest economic policy changes to a global northern state. Critics of the Conservative government, ...

'More than half of the violence in the world comes from mental health challenges' Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tells European Parliament

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

Photo credit: Aris SetyaThe world is facing an unprecedented rise of depression, suicide and mental health issues.According to the WHO World Mental Health report published in June 2022, depression and anxiety rose by 25% in the first year of the pandemic, bringing the number of people living with a mental disorder to nearly one billion people.To address some of the current challenges related to mental health, a Think Tank took place at the European Parliament in Brussels on 22 May, hosted by MEP Ryszard Czarnecki and chaired by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (pictured). The Think Tank addressed and discussed innovative solutions to improve mental health that can be scaled up for global impact, the interconnection between mental health and peacebuilding, the latest research on mental health and mental health efforts as a competitive advantage in the workspace."Mental health is one of the greatest challenges the world is facing today. Whether it is in developing or developed countries, ...

Southbound 405 Freeway partially reopens after fatal multi-car crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

All southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway were closed for hours in the Westwood area Monday morning due to a multi-vehicle crash that left at least one person dead.Officials said the crash occurred around 3:30 a.m. near Sunset Boulevard and involved four to five cars. One person was pronounced dead at the scene.The crash near Sunset Boulevard closed all southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway. May 22, 2023. (LLN)California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert around 4 a.m., blocking all southbound lanes of travel. Video from the crash scene showed car parts and debris scattered across the freeway.Traffic backups extended into the Sepulveda Pass, and though the HOV, No. 1 and No. 2 lanes were reopened at about 7 a.m., the No. 3 and No. 4 lanes will "remain closed until further notice," according to the CHP.Cars were being diverted at Skirball Center Drive.California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert around 4 a.m., blocking all lanes of travel on the southbound 405. May 22, 2023. (KTLA)The cause...

Video: Plenty Brings Greens With Attitude Straight Outta Compton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

Vertical farming company Plenty has brought the world’s largest and most technologically advanced indoor vertical farm to the streets of Compton, growing more than 250 field acres worth of produce within one block of 90220. The massive facility expects to produce about 4.5 million pounds of leafy greens annually with a fraction of the land and water used by traditional farms.The farm has more than 80 full time employees, staffing with more than 30% local hires. The farm’s spinach, arugula, baby kale and crispy lettuce will be available at local retailers and throughout California at Walmart, Whole Foods and Bristol Farms. Seedlings at Plenty in Compton (Michele Stueven)“Having Plenty in this city means a lot to this community and its residents,” Compton Mayor Emma Sharif told L.A. Weekly at the farm’s grand opening last week. “The city of Compton is evolving and we’re doing innovative things with a whole new technology system here and want to keep moving forward.”Agriculture is noth...

California woman left comatose during pregnancy treatment awarded $17.4 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:36 GMT

A Riverside County jury on Friday, May 19, awarded more than $17.4 million to a San Jacinto woman who was left comatose after treatment for a high-risk pregnancy at Riverside Community Hospital, her attorney said.After deliberating for two days, jurors at the Historic Courthouse in Riverside found the obstetrician, Aruna Gupta, the anesthesiologist and a nurse liable for the condition of Adria Snover, attorneys for Snover and Gupta said. Jurors awarded Snover, now 32, $17,458,474 in damages, including $2.2 million for her past suffering and $5.25 million for her future medical care. The rest of the judgment was for non-economic damages, said her attorney, Bruce Fagel.Riverside Community Hospital and the anesthesiologist had previously settled out of court for undisclosed sums, Fagel said.A spokesman for the hospital could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.Fagel said Snover entered the hospital on Dec. 4, 2018, suffering from pre-eclampsia, an obstetrical condition that p...