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Chinese government sentences famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — A prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in prison, according to a U.S.-based foundation that works on human rights cases in China.Rahile Dawut was convicted on charges of endangering state security in December 2018 in a secret trial, the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation said in a statement Thursday. Dawut appealed but her conviction was upheld, the foundation said.“The sentencing of Professor Rahile Dawut to life in prison is a cruel tragedy, a great loss for the Uyghur people, and for all who treasure academic freedom,” John Kamm, executive director of the Dui Hua Foundation, said in a statement.Dawut was a professor at Xinjiang University and founder of the school’s Ethnic Minorities Folklore Research Center. She disappeared in late 2017 amid a brutal government crackdown aimed at the Uyghurs, a Turkic, predominately Muslim ethnicity native to China’s northwest Xinjiang regio...

India-Canada tensions shine light on complexities of Sikh activism in the diaspora

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

The shocking accusation this week by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that India may have been behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia has raised several complex questions about the nature of Sikh activism in the North American diaspora.Canada is home to the largest Sikh population outside India. There are about 800,000 Sikhs in Canada — roughly 2% of the population. The United States is home to about 500,000 Sikhs. While some Sikhs argue there is widespread support in the diaspora for an independent Sikh state in the subcontinent called Khalistan, others say there is no such consensus.The debate over support for Khalistan and what activism looks like in the Sikh diaspora has intensified after Trudeau’s accusation that India may have had a hand in the assassination of 45-year-old Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen shot dead outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18. That information is based on Canadian intelligence as wel...

‘Spirit of MuchMusic’ still alive at doc premiere with former VJs in attendance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

TORONTO — While the party died years ago at MuchMusic’s broadcast centre on the corner of Queen and John streets in Toronto, the screening of a new documentary on Friday proved nostalgia for the nation’s music station is still very much alive.Thousands of people filed into Roy Thomson Hall, only a few blocks away from Much’s former headquarters, to catch the Canadian premiere of “299 Queen Street West,” a feature-length look at the legacy of the TV channel.Joining the crowd were some of Much’s most famous video jockeys, better known as VJs, including Rick Campanelli, Erica Ehm, Sook-Yin Lee and “Electric Circus” host Monika Deol. Many of them were stunned by the enthusiasm around their reunion.“This is surreal,” said Campanelli, known to viewers as “Rick the Temp,” from the red carpet as he surveyed the crowd outside the venue.“I didn’t expect it to be like this — but in the back of my mind, I sort of was ...

Suspect arrested in deadly stabbing of young Hemet mother

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

A suspect was arrested Friday after a young mother of three was found stabbed to death in Hemet earlier this week.The suspect was identified as Autumn Goodwin, 27, according to the Hemet Police Department.Following a search warrant at a residence on the 600 block of Vista Del Monte, Goodwin was taken into custody.On Sept. 18, officers responded to a domestic disturbance call on the 1000 block of South Gilbert Avenue around 12:35 a.m.Arriving officers found the victim, Shawna Weems, 28, suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was transported to a local hospital where she died from her injuries, police said.Loved ones called the incident a “senseless homicide,” and said Weems had “her whole life ahead of her.”Shawna Weems is seen in an undated photo posted on a GoFundMe page. Suspect Autumn Goodwin, 27, in a photo from the Hemet Police Department.Weems leaves behind three young children and her husband. Details remain limited and it’s unclear what led up to the deadly incident.“Her c...

Chance The Rapper Celebrates 10 Years Of ‘Acid Rap’ At The Forum

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

It’s been 10 years since Chance the Rapper dropped his underground hit mixtape, Acid Rap and he chose the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood as one of three destinations to celebrate the anniversary Thursday, September 21.The Chicago rapper had just turned 20 when Acid Rap made its way to free digital streaming platforms such as SoundCloud and DatPiff. The album served as a key piece of what was known as the “blog era” of music and built a cult following before the term “SoundCloud rapper” became a derogatory term.Joined by fellow Chicagoan Vic Mensa, who was also celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his Innanetape, a sold-out Forum was treated to what can only be described as an aggressively 2013 night.From the moment you parked your car, you could hear early Drake and Ty Dolla Sign hits blaring from the outdoor speakers. Upon entering the famous Inglewood arena, the DJ pumped out more music from the early 2010s, setting the tone for the night.Chance seemin...

High school football: San Ramon Valley’s massive first quarter leads to big win over Liberty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

DANVILLE – Liberty’s game plan heading into Friday’s matchup against San Ramon Valley was simple on paper.Maintain control of the ball, minimize turnovers and get first downs. In short, the Lions wanted to keep their offense on the field and, in turn, keep the Wolves’ dynamic offense, led by quarterback Luke Baker, off of it.“I knew that [Baker] was going to come out, they were gonna do things, make players, they were gonna score points and it was gonna be an offensive shootout,” Liberty coach Mike Cable said.But Friday ended up being a one-sided fight after a wild first quarter, dominated by San Ramon Valley’s opportunistic defense and lethal offense, leading to a 66-12 rout of Liberty.Baker did exactly as Cable predicted, wasting no time getting the Wolves on the board. On the fourth play of the opening drive, he connected with receiver Owen Scott, who ran it in for a 41-yard touchdown.Meanwhile, Liberty’s offense looked out of sorts from the st...

Back to old school: De La Salle grinds out physical victory over Folsom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

FOLSOM — It was a throwback to another era for De La Salle on Friday night, a physical display of relentless grit for a team that clearly has put a 0-2 start in the rearview mirror.The Concord powerhouse ran, ran and kept on running behind junior tailbacks Derrick Blanche and Dominic Kelley and their convoy of blockers.On defense, the Spartans were aggressive and mostly dominant against an opponent known for keeping scoreboard operators busy.When it ended, De La Salle had beaten Folsom 14-7, the Spartans’ third consecutive victory after opening the season with losses to Orange Lutheran and Serra.Blanche rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries. Kelley had 102 yards in 25 carries. De La Salle finished with 293 yards on the ground and 16 through the air.De La Salle quarterback Toa Fa’avae (13) congratulates teammate Derrick Blanche (22) after scoring on a three-yard touchdown against Folsom in the first quarter of their game at Folsom High School in Folsom,...

Redwood City police seek public’s help in identifying assault suspects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

REDWOOD CITY — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a couple who reportedly assaulted a man Thursday night at a gas station in Redwood City.Officers were initially called to the intersection of Veterans Boulevard and Whipple Avenue around 11:10 p.m. for a report of an intoxicated man who was walking in and out of traffic, the Redwood City Police Department said in a news release.Police said officers found the man unconscious on the ground at an Arco gas station in the 500 block of Whipple Avenue. He was taken to a hospital with head injuries.Witnesses told police the victim was involved in an altercation with a couple driving a blue Kia Sol at the gas station. The male suspect knocked the victim out and the female suspect attacked the victim while he was on the ground, police said.Police described the suspects as Latinx and in their 20s. The man had short curly hair and was last seen wearing a sweatshirt with “cookies” lettering. The woman had brown shoulder-l...

A's fans redirect money from season tickets to NV teachers group against Las Vegas ballpark funding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland A’s continue their final homestand of the season this weekend against the Detroit Tigers at the Oakland Coliseum. Fans say this weekend is bittersweet now that A’s owner John Fisher has chosen to move the team to Las Vegas. But diehard fans are still holding out hope and taking action in hopes the move will not happen. A’s roasted for giving Miguel Cabrera $80 bottle of wine We’ve seen the "Sell" shirts and the "Doris get your kid" billboards, and the reverse boycott games that filled the Coliseum. Now those trying to keep the A’s in Oakland are trying something else"From my standpoint, I think that there's sort of only one way that we could keep the A's. And that's if the Nevada falls through," said Hal Gordon, a former A's vendor known as "Hal the hot dog guy." Gordon proposes A’s fans redirect some of the money they would spend on A’s games and send it to Schools over Stadiums. That‘s the Nevada Teachers Union group now gathering signatures to get an init...

Manaea pitches 7 scoreless innings to end skid against Dodgers as Giants beat LA 5-1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:58 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean Manaea exorcised his Dodger Stadium demons with every pitch he threw. He scattered three hits over seven shutout innings to beat the Dodgers for the first time in his career, and Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada and Tyler Fitzgerald homered as the San Francisco Giants defeated Los Angeles 5-1 on Friday night.“I have nightmares about coming to this place and facing these guys,” Manaea said. “Obviously, they’re very good and it’s been like that for a long time. I haven’t had much success, if any, here. So to do that, dreams do come true.”Manaea (7-6) has earned the only two wins on the Giants’ road trip. The left-hander struck out two, walked none and improved to 1-5 in 10 career appearances against the Dodgers. He came in with a career 9.00 ERA against LA.“You come here five times in a row and have a combined 13 innings with 30 runs or whatever it is, it can wear down a guy,” Manaea said. “Just keep going up there, go through the embarrassment and go through a...