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Carolyn Bennett stepping down as Liberal MP for Toronto-St. Paul’s after 26 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

OTTAWA — Longtime Liberal Carolyn Bennett says she is retiring as the MP for Toronto-St. Paul’s after 26 years.The former family doctor delivered her final speech in the House of Commons just a week before her 73rd birthday, saying she made a tough decision in 1997 to leave medicine for a career in politics but has never regretted it.Bennett served under three prime ministers and spent a little over 10 years in cabinet, more than half that as the Crown-Indigenous relations minister between 2015 and 2021.Bennett was shuffled out of cabinet this past summer following her announcement that she would not be seeking re-election.She now says she will be leaving her seat right away, rather than waiting for the next election to retire.Longtime Liberal staffer Leslie Church, who most recently served as chief of staff to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, has already been nominated to run for the party in Bennett’s riding.Toronto-St. Paul’s used to be considered a bellwethe...

Kate Cox sought an abortion in Texas. A court said no because she didn’t show her life was in danger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kate Cox, whose fetus had a fatal condition, did not qualify for an abortion in Texas: Not after four emergency room visits, elevated vital signs, risks of a uterine rupture and with her ability to have more children in jeopardy.The Texas Supreme Court’s rejection of the mother of two’s request for an exception under the state’s restrictive ban has laid bare the high threshold women in many states must meet to get the procedure: Pregnancy complications that pose life-threatening danger to the mother. “These laws reflect the policy choice that the Legislature has made, and the courts must respect that choice,” the court’s nine Republican justices said in their ruling late Monday.The state’s Republican attorney general had for a week argued that Cox did not meet the standard for an exception, despite appeals from her attorneys that her health was deteriorating. Hours before the order came down, Cox’s attorney said she could no longer ...

Canada votes in favour of UN resolution as members overwhelmingly call for Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to demand a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war.Canada was among 153 nations voting in favour of the non-binding UN resolution. There were 23 abstentions and 10 votes against the resolution.Canada’s vote represents a major shift in its long-standing position of voting with Israel on major resolutions at the international body. In addition to a humanitarian ceasefire, Tuesday’s vote at the UN General Assembly demands the “protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages, and humanitarian access.”In favour: 153Against: 10Abstentions: 23UN General Assembly adopts resolution on the Middle East demanding a humanitarian ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages and humanitarian access. pic.twitter.com/0szWbQQJVb— United Nations (@UN) December 1...

Heavy police presence spotted on West Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

CHICAGO — A heavy police presence was spotted on the city's West Side on Tuesday afternoon.At least six police vehicles were seen near West Arthington Street and South Cicero Avenue around 4:20 p.m. when SkyCam9 flew over the scene.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Police tape could be seen strung across Arthington as officers walked around the area.In a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) investigators said they were responding to a "police-involved incident" in the area and asked anyone with information on the incident, please to call the COPA office at 312-746-3609.Authorities have not yet provided details on what led to the heavy police presence. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates. 

An alert for travelers about a deadly tick-borne disease — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

For Wednesday, Dec. 12, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch CDC warns of tick-borne illnessAn alert for travelers going to Mexico about a deadly tick-borne disease. Three out of five patients died from infection with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, also called RMSF, after returning from Baja in late July. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says all five patients had been in the Baja city of Tecate, near the Mexico border. RMSF is transmitted by brown dog ticks and can be fatal, especially for children. Four of the five patients were younger than 18. The CDC says early intervention is vital to survival. American Diabetes Association's new recommendations for screeningsObesity management is among the new screenings recommended by the American Diabetes Association. The group is updating its guidelines for diabetes patients and those at risk. The new recommendations include looking for heart failure, peripheral arte...

Lawmakers discuss surge in retail theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Investigators with the FBI, Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security are welcoming federal legislation to help them clamp down on organized retail theft."Partnerships between law enforcement and the private sector are essential,” said Special Agent in Charge, Jason Kane, of the U.S. Secret Service.At a Tuesday hearing focused on preventing these types of thefts, agents told lawmakers they have ramped up efforts to track down more sophisticated criminals."It is not uncommon for organized theft to be involved in or affiliated with those networks who perpetrate financial fraud, identity theft, human smuggling and trafficking illicit trade money laundering,” said Michael Krol, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security.They also say increased data sharing and resources to help trace money beyond traditional banking systems could make these efforts more effective."The more information we have, the better prepared we are,” said Kr...

Man carjacked at gunpoint in Gage Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

CHICAGO — An investigation is underway after a man had his car stolen a gunpoint on the city's Southwest Side on Tuesday morning. According to Chicago police, the carjacking happened in the 5800 block of South Albany Avenue, in Gage Park, at around 10 a.m.Officers say a 33-year-old man was sitting in his vehicle in the area when another man walked up, opened the victim's door and displayed a gun before demanding that the victim exit his vehicle.  Chicago crime experts offer tips on how to avoid carjackings, minimize harm The man then fled the scene in the victim's car, heading southbound.Officers say no one was injured in the carjacking and an investigation is now underway. Anyone with information that could help authorities is asked to call CPD Area One detectives at 312-747-8380Tips for police can also be filed at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

Wu-Tang Clan announces Las Vegas residency starting in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Legendary hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan will take over The Theater at Virgin Hotels in 2024 for a residency, according to a Tuesday news release.“Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues ... The Las Vegas Residency” will first bow at The Theater on Feb. 9, with two performances scheduled for the days before Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Other concerts are set for March, coinciding with the end of the first and beginning of the second round of March Madness 2024."This residency is more than a concert – it serves as a tribute to their prolific careers as individuals and as the most storied group in hip-hop history," the news release said, going on to promise exclusive merchandise only available at the Vegas residency, including custom tables "in the iconic black and yellow."The Staten Island hip-hop group founded in the early 90s included members RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, and...

Austin police give update on deadly shooting spree case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department is planning to give an update Tuesday afternoon on last week's shooting spree that left six people dead and others injured. KXAN will live stream the press conference in the video player at the top of this story and on Facebook. Central Texas shooting spree suspect faces 10 charges, including 4 for capital murder APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson, APD Homicide Unit, APD Aggravated Assault Unit, and Austin ISD PD Chief Wayne Sneed were at the conference. Dec. 5 was the day several shootings happened in Austin. Shane James, 34, is accused of being responsible for each one. James is accused of killing six people and injuring three others during a string of violent incidents in Bexar County and Austin Dec. 4 and Dec. 5. He faces 10 charges, including multiple capital murder and aggravated assault charges, court records state.The Austin Police Department identified four homicide victims who they believe are c...

Chilly and damp Wednesday, then heavier rain coming Friday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:11:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Chilly, light rain showers now appear more likely at times on Wednesday. The main rain event of the week comes Friday when periods of heavier rain are likely.Clouds have increased ahead of a powerful, strengthening storm system diving southward toward Texas from the Rockies. As clouds lower and the atmosphere moistens, light rain showers develop before sunrise Wednesday with periods of light rain likely through early afternoon. Rain is expected to taper off late Wednesday, with mainly dry weather on Thursday as drier air temporarily returns.Stormy Friday morningThe main round of rain comes with the storm system's passage through the state on Friday. While severe storms and flooding are not currently expected, periods of heavy rain with lightning and thunder are likely -- especially early in the day Friday.Forecast early Friday with widespread, heavy rainThis is expected to be our heaviest, most widespread rain event since October with 1 to 2 inches of beneficial rai...