Students allowed to opt out of exam with image of controversial Charlie Hebdo cover
Some Grade 12 French-immersion students in Manitoba will be allowed to opt out of a take-home provincial exam that included a section showing a controversial image from the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo, which printed an offensive caricature of the Prophet Muhammad in 2011.
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Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
The Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for June 28
Well, that's just about a wrap on June. But before you set your sights on the upcoming holiday weekend, let's catch up on what happened this week. On Saturday, President Donald Trump made the controversial decision to bomb three key nuclear sites in Iran. Days later, Israel and Iran, who were engaged in an armed conflict since June 13, agreed upon a ceasefire, and Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials will talk next week. As fears of the conflict evolving into a broader war appeared to subside, the stock market made significant gains, closing out the week at all-time highs. In other news from around the globe, U.S. officials attended the NATO summit this week where member nations agreed to increase their defense spending, democratic socialist and state lawmaker Zohran Mamdami declared victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary race and the Supreme Court issued a slew of opinions, covering everything from immigration and education to pornography and injunction powers. Locally, Gov. JB Pritzker officially announced his bid for reelection this week, amid speculation that he may run for president in 2028. Universal unveiled its plans for a horror-themed attraction in Chicago, a 'year-round immersive horror experience' that is slated to open in 2027. And the Chicago Police Department honored one of their own this week. Officers, loved ones and city leaders gathered for the funeral of Krystal Rivera, the Chicago police officer mistakenly shot and killed by her partner earlier this month. On Thursday, new Chicago Public Schools Interim CEO Macquline King addressed her first school board meeting, citing the district's $730 million deficit as her top priority. By Friday, CPS laid off 161 employees and eliminated another 209 open positions in a cost-cutting move to plug that shortfall. The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the finals Sunday night to win the NBA championship. Three days later, the NBA draft opened. Cooper Flagg was picked first overall and the Bulls drafted two new players: Noa Essengue, a 6-foot-10 French teenager, and Australian forward Lachlan Olbrich. Plus, the first round of the NHL draft took place Friday, with the Chicago Blackhawks selecting the top-ranked international player with the No. 3 pick. Meanwhile, in the world of baseball, both of Chicago's MLB teams reached the halfway point of their seasons — though the Cubs boast the significantly better record of the two. Also this week, a White Sox fan was ejected from Rate Field and banned from all major-league ballparks after heckling Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte. Still figuring out your weekend plans? Chicago's 54th annual Pride Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday in the Lakeview neighborhood. Or if you're staying in, catch up on 'The Bear' — Season 4 of the beloved Chicago-based TV show dropped Wednesday. With the Fourth of July holiday next weekend, the quotes team will be taking a week off. But don't fear! We'll be back July 12 with your weekly news roundup and quotes quiz. Until then, take care and stay cool out there, Chicago! Here's the Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for June 22 to 28. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
U.N. sounds alarm over worsening human rights crisis in Venezuela
Civil and political freedoms in Venezuela have sharply deteriorated over the past year, according to the United Nations' top human rights official, who cited a wave of arbitrary arrests, disappearances and alleged torture amid growing political unrest. In a presentation before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Friday that the Venezuelan government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, using vague anti-terrorism laws to detain opposition figures, activists and foreign nationals ahead of the country's contentious 2024 elections. Türk also criticized the United States, expressing concern over the deportation of Venezuelans back to what he described as unsafe conditions. 'I repeat my call on the U.S. government to ensure compliance with due process … and to stop the removal of any person to any country where there is a risk of irreparable harm,' he said. Deportation flights resumed this year as part of U.S. efforts to curb irregular migration. Rights groups warn that many deportees face retaliation or mistreatment upon return to Venezuela. Türk's report details at least 70 politically motivated arrests in the lead-up to recent regional and parliamentary elections, including 17 foreign nationals. Following the vote, authorities announced the dismantling of a so-called terrorist network allegedly tied to humanitarian and rights organizations — claims Türk dismissed as a misuse of counterterrorism legislation. The U.N. rights chief called for the 'immediate and unconditional' release of all individuals arbitrarily detained, naming several high-profile human rights defenders, including Rocío San Miguel, Javier Tarazona, Carlos Julio Rojas and Eduardo Torres. According to the report, some detainees have disappeared without a trace, while others face legal proceedings without basic safeguards. At least 28 enforced disappearances were documented after Venezuela's July 2024 presidential election, including 12 foreign nationals who were reportedly denied access to consular support. Since the election, more than 2,000 people have been arrested, including minors. Dozens of political opponents and protesters have been killed or have vanished. Victims include not only Venezuelan citizens but also foreign nationals, such as Colombian aid worker Manuel Tique and French-American tourist Lucas Hunter, both missing since late 2024. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by Venezuela's crumbling infrastructure. Power outages and water shortages are frequent, and inflation has made basic goods inaccessible to much of the population. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, more than five million Venezuelans are facing hunger. Preventable diseases like malaria and measles are spreading amid a collapsed healthcare system. Public services have disintegrated, and violent crime — including kidnappings, armed robberies, and extortion — is widespread. 'My office documented 32 cases of torture and ill-treatment in detention,' Türk said, noting that nearly half involved minors. Inmates were allegedly held incommunicado and denied medical care, food and water — particularly after protesting prison conditions. Türk also warned of increasing restrictions on civil society. A law passed in November regulating non-governmental organizations has made it nearly impossible for many advocacy groups to operate. Organizations now face unlawful registration demands, arbitrary fees and administrative barriers not clearly defined in the legislation. Several non-governmental organizations 'have felt compelled to end their operations in Venezuela because of legal obstacles,' he said. His report describes an atmosphere of fear that disproportionately affects women, marginalized communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Women remain underrepresented in public life, and victims of gender-based violence continue to face systemic barriers to justice. Abortion remains criminalized in all cases, including rape and incest. LGBTQ+ individuals, Türk added, often face abuse while in custody, and many hate crimes go unprosecuted. While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela's deepening economic collapse. With inflation worsening, the monthly minimum wage remains at just 130 bolívares — less than $1 — which has remained unchanged since March 2022. That's barely enough to buy half a carton of eggs, according to the report. Public services have all but collapsed. School attendance plummeted in 2024 amid widespread teacher shortages and class suspensions. Hospitals are chronically under-resourced, with 91% of patients surveyed between January and July asked to bring their own supplies for surgery. 'The authorities' ability to fund essential public services is severely limited,' Türk said. He urged Venezuelan authorities to end enforced disappearances and incommunicado detentions, to provide consular access to foreign detainees, and to repeal laws restricting civic and political participation. Türk said he remains open to reengagement with the Maduro government — but only if U.N. human rights staff are granted full access to the country, a condition Caracas has resisted in recent years. 'I believe in engagement, and I am committed to it,' he said. 'But I do hope the authorities will fulfill the necessary conditions to ensure the full return of all my staff and the implementation of our mandate.'
Hamilton Spectator
14 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada's national anthem is 45 years old today
OTTAWA - While the country will celebrate it's birthday next week, O Canada got a head start on Friday, celebrating its 45th year as the official national anthem. While it was often used as the de facto national anthem for years, O Canada was officially adopted through the National Anthem Act on June 27, 1980. A few days later, on Canada Day, the Act was proclaimed by Gov. Gen. Edward Schreyer at a public ceremony on Parliament Hill in front of thousands of Canadians, making O Canada an official national symbol. The song actually has existed for more than a century, though its lyrics have changed several times over the decades. Commissioned to mark Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations in Québec on June 24, 1880, O Canada's music was composed by Calixa Lavallée and its French lyrics were written by Adolphe-Basile Routhier. While many different English versions of the song emerged as it grew in popularity across the country, the most well-known English lyrics were written in 1908 by Robert Stanley Weir, a lawyer and judge. The Government of Canada website says the lyrics of the official French version have remained unchanged since 1880. Weir's English lyrics underwent several modifications over the decades on their way to becoming the official English version. Previous versions of the song included closing lines like 'Defend our rights, forfend this nation's thrall' and 'Bless our dear land this day and evermore.' Some lines were changed more than once. In 1913 the original line 'True patriot love thou dost in us command' became 'True patriot love in all thy sons command.' In 2018 that line changed again to 'in all of us command.' The Canadian Encyclopedia says discussions about discriminatory aspects of the anthem, including the gender-exclusive use of the word 'sons,' began in the 1950s. Former Liberal member of Parliament Mauril Bélanger, who pushed to drop 'sons' from the lyrics for years while battling ALS, introduced a private member's bill in 2016 to change the line. It was approved in the House of Commons as Bill C-210 a month later by a vote of 225 to 74. It wasn't until 2018 — after several debates in the Senate and after Bélanger had passed away — that the change became official when the bill became law. The new gender-neutral lyric received mixed reviews and Conservative senators abstained from the final vote in 2018. While the original manuscript of 'O Canada' no longer exists, there are two copies of the first edition. One is held in the archives of the Séminaire de Québec and the other is at the Université de Montréal. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
