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Sarah Jama reopens office, vows to fight censure after statements on Israel-Hamas war

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

Sarah Jama, the rookie Hamilton Centre MPP who was censured by the Ontario legislature last month after a controversial social media post about the Israel-Hamas war, says her lawyers are launching a judicial review into the move.The Ford government passed a motion to censure Jama on October 23rd in response to her posts, which some considered controversial.On Oct. 10, Jama posted a two-paragraph statement under Ontario NDP letterhead that made no mention of the surprise attack by Hamas, instead focusing on the decades-long struggle of Palestinians under Israeli occupation, which she referred to as “apartheid.”Her post included the hashtag “FreePalestine.”She later posted an apology online but did not retract the original statement and was later kicked out of the NDP caucus.On Tuesday, Jama reopened her Hamilton office and announced she was launching a fight against the censure, which essentially bans her from speaking in the legislature.“We are not of the mindset that the cens...

Oklahoma Supreme Court keeps anti-abortion laws on hold while challenge is pending

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court reiterated its position on Tuesday in a 5-4 opinion that the state constitution guarantees a woman’s right to an abortion when necessary to preserve her life, although the procedure remains illegal in virtually all other cases.In a case involving a legal challenge to five separate anti-abortion bills passed by the Legislature in 2021, the court ordered a lower court to keep in place a temporary ban on three of those laws while the merits of the case are considered. Two of the laws were already put on hold by a district court judge.The three laws addressed by the court include: requiring physicians performing an abortion to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology; requiring physicians administering abortion drugs to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital; and requiring an ultrasound 72 hours before administering abortion drugs.“We are grateful that the Oklahoma Supreme Court recognized how these laws are medically ...

Senate panel takes a step toward ending Sen. Tuberville’s blockade of military nominations

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats pushed ahead Tuesday with a resolution that would allow for the quick confirmation of hundreds of military nominees, an attempt to maneuver around a blockade from Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville over a Pentagon abortion policy. The Senate Rules Committee voted 9-7 to approve a resolution that would allow the Senate to confirm groups of the military nominees at once for the remainder of the congressional term. The Senate has traditionally confirmed large batches of military officers together, but that process can be upended by just one senator who objects. The resolution will now head to the Senate floor for a vote, where Democrats will need at least nine Republican votes for passage. While Republicans on the rules panel opposed the measure, arguing that the move could erode the powers of the minority in the Senate, some have signaled they might change their minds if Tuberville does not drop the holds before then.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConne...

Suspected serial killer faces life in prison after being convicted of 2 murders by Delaware jury

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A suspected serial killer accused in the deaths of six people in Delaware and Pennsylvania in 2021 was convicted of murder and other crimes by a Delaware jury on Tuesday.The jury deliberated for about six hours over two days before finding Keith Gibson of Philadelphia guilty of murder and robbery in the killings of Elsmere cellphone store clerk Leslie Ruiz-Basilio, 28, and Wilmington drug dealer Ronald Wright, 42.Gibson, 41, also was convicted of attempted murder and robbery in the shooting of Wilmington store clerk Belal Almansoori, armed robbery of a drug store, assault, conspiracy, and gun crimes.Gibson faces mandatory sentences of life in prison for the murder convictions. The judge did not immediately set a sentencing date.The Philadelphia district attorney, meanwhile, has approved murder charges against Gibson in the killings of his mother and a Philadelphia doughnut shop manager, as well as the deaths of two men found shot in the head at a store in Philade...

Manulife cuts 250 jobs in investment management division

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

TORONTO — Manulife Financial Corp. says it has cut 250 jobs globally in its investment management division.The cuts, first reported by trade publication Ignites, include employees in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Asia. The company, which had about 40,000 at the end of 2022, did not provide details as to how many Canadian employees were affected.Manulife is just the latest financial firm to trim staff with several Canadian banks also reporting job cuts this year as economic uncertainty weighs.Scotiabank said in October it was trimming about three per cent of its roughly 91,000 staff as part of its streamlining efforts. RBC said in August it had trimmed one per cent of its workforce of about 94,000 and planned to cut one to two per cent more ahead of an expected economic slowdown.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:MFC)The Canadian Press

Illinois Lottery player in Rochelle wins $1M during Monday drawing

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

ROCHELLE, Ill. — A $225 million Powerball jackpot is up for grabs on Wednesday, but one lucky lotto player in Rochelle, Ill., is already a millionaire after they matched five numbers in Monday's drawing.According to the Illinois Lottery, the million-dollar ticket was sold at a Love's Travel Stop, at 400 Steward Road in Rochelle.The recently minted millionaire turned their $2 ticket purchase into a major payday after matching the numbers 24, 33, 35, 37 and 42. Long-stalled Navy Pier marina gets green light Wade Embree, who has managed the store since it opened around five years ago, said he was excited to learn about the big win and hopes the lotto player who picked up the ticket is one of the store's regular customers.“Oh wow, how exciting!” Embree said. “While I don’t know who the winner is, it would be so nice if it’s one of our regular customers who lives in town. Any day now, I’m hoping one of them will walk through the door and tell us ‘I’m a millionaire!’”The million-dollar ...

Shake Shack is giving out free chicken sandwiches this week

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

(KTLA) – This week, you can add a free chicken sandwich to your Shake Shack order.Until Nov. 19, customers can redeem a free chicken sandwich by using the code CHICKENDANCE at checkout, a Shake Shack kiosk, or when ordering online.Customers can get the free sandwich with a $10 minimum order, a news release said. McDonald’s and Crocs releasing shoes inspired by Grimace, Hamburglar Initially, the deal was supposed to be redeemable only if an NFL player celebrated a touchdown by doing the chicken dance.However, when that didn’t happen during Nov. 12 football games, the chain still made the freebie available.Shake Shack’s chicken sandwich, known as Chicken Shack, includes crispy chicken, lettuce, pickles and herb mayo on a potato bun. Arby’s releases meal inspired by ‘Good Burger’ movie The restaurant recently made recipe adjustments to a few of its menu items, including the Chicken Shack and fan-favorite crinkle-cut fries.In September, the company announced that it would be testin...

Among Big Ten’s first-year coaches, Northwestern’s David Braun looks like biggest winner

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

David Braun had no clue how much his life was about to change when Northwestern hired him as defensive coordinator in January.The idea that he would be leading the program and overseeing a Wildcats renaissance? No one had any reason to see that coming.Braun appears to be the biggest winner among the Big Ten’s first-year coaches. Afterall, Northwestern is in a position few would have envisioned when he was elevated to interim coach in the wake of a hazing and abuse scandal that cost Pat Fitzgerald his job in July. Evanston city council tables vote on Northwestern University stadium project Braun seemed like a placeholder at the time. Now, he’s looking like the long-term answer.He’s making a case to lead the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) beyond this season, and his players are making their feelings clear. They even had #RemoveTheTag circulating on social media after Northwestern’s win at Wisconsin that has them one win from bowl game eligibility.“He’s never wavered,” said quarterback ...

Dog found alive with missing hiker's body after 72 days in Colorado mountains

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Rich Moore had been missing for 72 days when members of the Taos Search and Rescue team recovered his body in Colorado's San Juan Mountains. His dog, a Jack Russell terrier, was alive and still by his side. Moore was reported missing on August 19 after making plans to summit Blackhead Peak, just east of Pagosa Springs. According to missing posters posted in the area, his dog, Finney, was with him.Rescuers found Finney and Moore's body on Oct. 30. A cause of death for Moore hasn't been released. Colorado hiker wearing hoodie rescued after getting stuck in snowstorm Finney has since been reunited with family. It's unclear how he was able to survive for so long. A member of the Taos team, Delinda Vanne-Brightyn, told CNN that Finney appeared to have lost about half his body weight but was otherwise in good shape. Vanne-Brightyn was part of the initial search along with her certified search K-9, AkioYodasan. Vanne-Brighten said the team searched from just under the pe...

Pilot forced to make emergency landing in farm field in Lowell

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:24 GMT

LOWELL, Ind. — A pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in a farm field Tuesday afternoon in Lowell, Indiana, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.The pilot had engine trouble after he left the Lansing Municipal Airport and was forced to make the landing around 2:15 p.m. near 241st Street and Whitcomb Street. Northwest Indiana man allegedly led police on drunken pursuit to get to girlfriend’s house According to the sheriff's office, the plane flipped over upon impact. No flames were reported.The pilot was able to walk away and was taken to a local hospital for observation, the sheriff's office said. He was heading home to Bainbridge, Indiana.The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.