Chicago Bears stay focused on city’s lakefront for new stadium, team president says

Montreal police arrested three people, including two teenagers, after gunshots were fired Tuesday night at a building owned by a man with two properties targeted by deadly fires.

Police say gunfire hit the building in Old Montreal owned by Emile Benamor, the man who owns two other buildings in the district that were targeted since 2023 by alleged arson, leading to the deaths of nine people.

Benamor owns the Notre-Dame Street East building that went up in flames last Friday, claiming the lives of a mother and daughter from France.

And he is the owner of a heritage property on nearby Place D’Youville that was allegedly set on fire in March 2023, leading to the deaths of seven people.

After the building on Berri Street was hit by gunfire, police arrested three suspects — aged 17, 19 and 20 — in a small white truck that was spotted by witnesses leaving the scene. A firearm was found inside the truck.

A lawyer who represents Benamor did not return a message today, and police wouldn’t say if there are any links between the arrests and the two fires.

There were no injuries stemming from the shooting, which occurred just before midnight and left shell casings scattered on the ground.

Two suspects are expected to appear in Quebec court today and the minor will appear in youth court. Charges recommended by police include discharging a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, conspiracy and breach of probation and conditions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

OTTAWA – Canada is adding another $15 million to its humanitarian aid package for Lebanon after an escalation in the conflict between Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says the new money will help Canadian and international aid groups provide food, water, emergency health care and other assistance in Lebanon, though the exact allocations are yet to be determined.

The funding comes on top of $10 million in aid announced by Hussen at the end of September.

He says $6 million of the total will be split between the Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition to match up to $3 million each in donations made to their individual Lebanon aid campaigns.

As well, $4 million will be split between the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees and the World Food Program.

Global Affairs Canada says more than 1,150 Canadians, permanent residents and their immediate family members have now left Lebanon on flights chartered by the government.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

LONDON (AP) — Wimbledon is replacing line judges with electronic line-calling, the latest step into the modern age by the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament.

The All England Club announced Wednesday that technology will be used to give the “out” and “fault” calls at the championships from 2025, eliminating the need for human officials to make them.

Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”

“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”

The move makes the French Open the only Grand Slam tournament without some form of electronic line-calling. The Australian Open and U.S. Open already had eliminated line judges and only have chair umpires on court.

Line judges at Wimbledon were dressed in famously elegant uniforms and, for traditionalists, were part of the furniture at the All England Club.

Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation.”

“Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, “and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”

Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out.

At the U.S. Open, there has been no line judges — and only chair umpires — since 2021, with Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling used for all courts.

The All England Club also said Wednesday that the women’s and men’s singles finals will be scheduled to take place at the later time of 4 p.m. local time on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively — and after doubles finals on those days.

Bolton said the moves have been made to ensure the day of the finals “builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”

___

AP tennis:

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.