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Blinken says WSJ reporter ‘wrongfully detained’ by Russia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he has “no doubt” that Russia has wrongfully detained an American reporter for The Wall Street Journal who was arrested last week on spying allegations.However, Blinken said a formal determination of Evan Gershkovich’s wrongful detention has not yet been made, something that would elevate the priority of his case within the U.S. government. Blinken said the legal process for such a determination would be completed soon.“In Evan’s case we are working through the determination on wrongful detention. There is a process to do that,” he said. “I’ll let that process play out.“In my mind, there is no doubt that he is being wrongfully detained by Russia,” Blinken told reporters.Blinken’s comments at NATO headquarters in Brussels came just days after he directly urged his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, to immediately release Gershkovich as well as another imprisoned American, Paul Whelan, who h...

Ontario to beef up tenant protections, housing minister says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

Ontario says it will make changes to protect renters against so-called ‘renovictions’ as well as boost the number of adjudicators who deal with tenant and landlord disputes.Housing Minister Steve Clark says the province will help renters whose landlords who kick them out in order to renovate then rent the unit at a much higher price.Clark says they are proposing changes to double the maximum fines for offences to individuals and corporations who do not follow the law.Critics have long called for rent control in the province, but the government has not said it will do so.Related: Rent prices grew at record pace in 2022 as Canada saw lowest vacancy rate in decadesAttorney General Doug Downey says the province will spend $6.5 million to appoint 40 additional adjudicators to the Landlord and Tenant Board.“Residents and rental housing providers deserve fast results, and government bureaucracy should not stand in the way,” Downey said in a release.Downey says the h...

Indigenous child-welfare settlement heading back to Canadian Human Rights Tribunal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

OTTAWA — A multibillion-dollar settlement for children and families harmed by Ottawa’s underfunding of on-reserve services will be presented to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal for approval after being endorsed by First Nations chiefs.Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu says the revised $23-billion compensation package is the largest settlement in Canadian history, and represents an important piece of healing for those harmed by past government policies.This latest settlement comes after years of threatened lawsuits by the Assembly of First Nations and human rights tribunal rulings that rejected several offers by the federal government, including one last year.The latest deal includes an additional $3 billion that includes compensation for 13,000 more children and other amendments that both sides are hoping will satisfy the tribunal’s concerns.Cindy Woodhouse, a regional chief from Manitoba who led the file for the assembly, gave thanks to Prime Minister Justin Tr...

Major flight cancelations, delays as severe weather moves through Chicago area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Severe weather moved through the area Wednesday prompting warnings and watches that caused major flight cancelations and delays at Chicago airports.As of 9:30 a.m., a total of nearly 180 flights were canceled at O'Hare with average delays of at least 46 minutes, and close to 55 flights were canceled at Midway with average delays of at least 20 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the Chicago area until 11 a.m.Winds could gust up to 70-75 mph, hail could reach 2” in diameter or greater and there is the threat of a few tornadoes as well. Non-thunderstorm winds could gust up to 45-50 mph. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A Wind Advisory is also in effect between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the highlighted counties in the map below. Southwest winds 20-30 mph with gusts 45-50 mph are expected. Winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could snap, resulting in a few power outages. Str...

Eloy Jimenez dealing with another early season injury in 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

CHICAGO — Once again, a key player in the White Sox lineup is dealing with an early season injury that will keep him out for some time.The White Sox have placed outfielder Eloy Jimenez on the 10-day IL with a low grade left hamstring strain. .Jake Burger has been called up from Triple-A Charlotte. .@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/NjCBpbU38E— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) April 5, 2023Ahead of their game against the Giants on Wednesday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field, the team places outfielder Eloy Jimenez on the 10-day IL with a low-grade left hamstring strain, retroactive to Tuesday.Infielder Jake Burger has been called up from Triple-A Charlotte to take his place on the roster.Jimenez has played in the White Sox first five games of the season, going 4-for-19 (.211) with two doubles and three RBI.This continues an unfortunate trend for the outfielder over the last few seasons as early injuries have limited his time on the field. In 2021, Jimenez tore his left pectoral tendon goi...

Protein bars sold at Costco recalled from stores in 8 states over undeclared allergen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A recall has been issued for protein bars sold at Costco locations in eight states and Washington, D.C.Wellness Natural USA Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, issued a voluntary recall for a single lot of its SimplyProtein® Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bar, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall was issued as people with severe sensitivity to cashew are at risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if the recalled product is consumed. The bars were distributed to a "limited" number of Costco locations in Kansas, Arkansas, California, Maryland, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and D.C., according to a company notice published on the FDA website.The recalled items were sold at these locations between Feb. 27, 2023, and March 31, 2023, per a separate notice provided to Costco members. Don’t use the front passenger seat in these 140K recalled vehicles, Volkswagen says The product comes in 15-count variety packs that include ...

Cash App founder killed in San Francisco stabbing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The founder of the mobile payment service Cash App died after an apparent stabbing near downtown San Francisco early Tuesday morning, and police are asking the public to come forward with any information. Bob Lee, 43, was an executive at cryptocurrency firm MobileCoin. Judy Blume tears into Florida, DeSantis: ‘Teachers are under fire, librarians are threatened’ Around 2:35 a.m., officers were called to the 400 block of Main Street after receiving a report of a stabbing in the area. Officers found Lee suffering from what appeared to be stab wounds. Lee was given first aid by officers and emergency medical responders before he was taken to a local hospital. He later died of his injuries. New cars have become luxury items No arrests have been made and no description of a suspect has been released.Police are investigating this incident as a homicide.

Southwest is letting a friend fly free, but you better hurry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Don’t want to fly alone? No problem. You can bring a friend – for free.Southwest Airlines is again offering its popular Companion Pass, letting Rapid Rewards members choose one person to fly with them free of charge."Now more than ever, Customers are looking to get the most loyalty value from their purchases," Jonathan Clarkson, Vice President Marketing at Southwest Airlines, said in a statement. "We're continuously looking for opportunities to appreciate our Rapid Rewards Members, especially with this unique way to earn the coveted Companion Pass."To qualify, Southwest’s frequent flyer program members must first register for the promotion, then buy a ticket for a flight scheduled before May 24.There’s one catch: Travelers have to book their flights by Wednesday night.Once purchased, the buddy pass will be added to the member’s account.The free ticket does not include taxes and fees of $5.60 each way for most domestic flights, and the promotion cannot be applie...

Dean shares his recipe for chocolate toffee matzo crack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards shares his recipe for chocolate toffee matzo crack.Ingredients:4-5 lightly salted matzos (see below)2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli)1 heaping cup chopped pecans (toasted if desired, for maximum flavor - see note below)½ teaspoon sea salt flakes or kosher salt Dean cooks easy orange-chocolate mousse and beef stew with a taste of chocolate DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil, making sure the foil goes up and over the edges, and top with a sheet of parchment paper.Cover the baking sheet with the matzos, cutting and piecing them together as necessary to fill the entire pan.Make the toffee: Combine butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture comes to a boil. (If it looks like it’s s...

Could Trump face jail time if convicted? Experts weigh in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:21:02 GMT

NEW YORK (WPIX) — Even though former President Donald Trump has been indicted for his alleged role in a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, it’s not guaranteed the fiery politician would serve time in jail or prison if he’s convicted, experts said.Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records during his arraignment in a Manhattan court Tuesday. Falsifying business records would normally be charged as misdemeanors, charges that would not usually result in prison time. But they were bumped up to felonies because they were done in an effort to commit or conceal other crimes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Each felony count corresponds to one of the 34 documents the grand jury said contained a false statement about the payments, according to Politifact. As felony charges, each count carries a maximum of four years in prison, the New York Post reports, meaning the former president is technically facing a maximum 136-year sentence ...