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The Islamic State group says its leader was killed by militants in Syria and names his successor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic State group announced on Thursday the death in Syria of its little-known leader, Abu al-Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurayshi, who headed the extremist organization since November, and named his successor.The group did not say when al-Qurayshi was killed but added that he died in fighting with an al-Qaida-linked group. IS spokesman Abu Huthaifa al-Ansari said that Abu Hafs al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi was named as the group’s new leader.Al-Qurayshi was the fourth IS leader to be killed since the group was founded by Iraqi militant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and declared a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq in June 2014 before its defeat years later.The spokesman, al-Ansari, said in an audio message that al-Qurayshi “was martyred” in rebel-held northwestern Syria by members of Syria’s al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham when they tried to detain him in the province of Idlib. “He fought them until he succumbed to his wounds,” al-Ansari said of al-Qurayshi, addin...

Citing spike in hate, Pride groups call for safety plan from Ontario government

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

TORONTO — A coalition of Ontario Pride organizations called on the province Thursday to urgently work with them to develop a proactive safety plan to beat back a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ hate.Leaders from five Pride organizations, from Thunder Bay to Ottawa, said that in the absence of consistent funding and provincial support, Pride festivals are struggling against what some called unprecedented levels of hate. “We can’t keep up this amount of hate,” North Bay Pride’s Jason Maclennan said at a news conference Thursday. “We are out of options and our government needs to step up.” An “alarming surge in hostility” led the group to treat a Pride event set for next month as a protest, not a parade, echoing the festival’s historical roots, Maclennan said. “The decision reflects the severity of the challenges we face.”The groups, joined by NDP MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, called on the province to meet with LGBTQ representatives to develop a proactive s...

Alberta announces six-month pause on renewable energy, citing rural concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s United Conservative government is pausing all approvals of large renewable energy projects in response to what it says are rural and environmental concerns.In a statement Thursday, the government said the Alberta Utilities Commission is to institute a six-month moratorium on approving all wind and solar power projects greater than one megawatt over issues of development on agricultural land, effect on scenery, reclamation security and system reliability.“We are proud of our leadership in responsible renewable energy development and we are committed to its continued growth,” said a statement from Nathan Neudorf, minister of affordability and utilities.“This approach will provide future renewable investments with the certainty and clarity required for long-term development.”With few regulatory barriers to entry and abundant wind and sunshine, Alberta has been a leader in renewable energy development in Canada. In 2022, 17 per cent of ...

Systemic fair access violations found in Ontario auto insurance: regulator

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

TORONTO — Ontario auto insurers have been involved in intentional, industry-wide violations of rules around fair access to coverage, the sector’s regulator said Thursday.The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) says in a report that it uncovered practices that made it harder for certain types of consumers — those who had prior claims, who weren’t also buying property coverage, who lived in some municipalities, and who had less than a year of previous auto insurance coverage in Canada — to get insurance quotes.It found insurers at times slowed quotes, refused to offer coverage for those who met their approved underwriting rules, or simply didn’t respond to consumers.“Insurers chose to engage in non-transparent and illegal practices that made it more difficult for certain types of consumers to get auto insurance quotes,” it said in the report.The FSRA says the practices led to “consumer harms, unfair competition, and diminished ...

Union vote begins on B.C. port deal that could end months-long dispute

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

VANCOUVER — A union vote among British Columbia port workers is underway to determine the fate of a deal with employers that could bring their long-running industrial dispute to an end.The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada is holding its vote from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow to decide whether to ratify the agreement recommended by negotiators.Rejection would raise the prospect of more federal involvement in the case, with the Canada Industrial Relations Board directed to impose a deal or binding arbitration on both sides if a negotiated resolution can’t be reached.The dispute shut down more than 30 port terminals and other sites for 13 days in July.Labour lawyer Don Eady says workers in Canada across multiple sectors are facing the dual threat of wage increases not keeping up with inflation, as well as the erosion of jobs caused by automation and the use of contractors.Eady, who is a partner at Toronto-based firm Paliare Roland, says port workers have ...

A Tim Hortons ‘boat-thru’ is coming to Ontario’s cottage country

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Sure, you’ve experienced a Tim Hortons drive-thru but a boat-thru?Ontario residents, specifically those from Durham Region’s Scugog Township, will have the opportunity to experience just that, as guests enjoying the waters of Lake Scugog can visit the first-ever “Tims Boat-Thru.”A Tim Hortons spokesperson said the Tims Boat-Thru will be open this weekend, on August 5 and August 6, at the Beacon Marina near Port Perry, Ont., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.The boat-thru will feature a collection of complimentary cold beverages, including Caramel Toffee Cold Brew, Vanilla Iced Latte, Blackberry Yuzu and Orange Ginger Sparkling Quenchers.Various watercraft are welcome to pull up to the Tims Boat-Thru, including motorized boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.“The summertime’ Tims Run’ is an iconic Canadian tradition that’s a must-do when gathering with family and friends. Our summers fly by so quickly, and Canadians savour every moment of their lo...

Mississippi ex-law enforcement charged with civil rights offenses against 2 Black men during raid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Six former law enforcement officers in Mississippi have been charged with federal civil rights offenses against two Black men who were brutalized for more than an hour during a home raid, before an officer allegedly shot one of the men in the mouth.The charges were unsealed Thursday as the former officers, all of whom are white, appeared in federal court. The Justice Department in February launched a civil rights probe into allegations levied by Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. The two men said six law enforcement officers burst into a home without a warrant on Jan. 24 and subjected them to brutality. Jenkins and Parker filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Rankin County in June, seeking $400 million in damages.The men said five Rankin County sheriff’s deputies and another officer beat them, assaulted them with a sex object and shocked them repeatedly with Tasers over a roughly 90-minute period. The episode culminated with one deputy placi...

Brazilian president’s former lawyer takes seat as Supreme Court justice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The former personal lawyer of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took a seat on the country’s Supreme Court on Thursday amid criticism that their relationship poses a conflict of interest.Lula appointed Cristiano Zanin in June, drawing accusations from the opposition that he is jeopardizing the impartiality of Brazil’s highest court by making a friend one of its justices. The president denies having a friendship with the lawyer. Zanin, who holds a law degree from Sao Paulo’s Pontifical Catholic University, specializes in procedural and business law and has been involved in more than 100 cases before the Supreme Court, according to the Chamber of Deputies.He helped Lula overturn a graft conviction stemming from Brazil’s sprawling “Car Wash” corruption investigation, getting him freed after 580 days of incarceration. The Supreme Court annulled all convictions of Lula, and ruled in 2021 that the judge overseeing the case had been biased. Tha...

Trump leaves Bedminster club to travel to Washington for his court appearance. Follow live updates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

Follow along for live updates as Donald Trump is due to appear in federal court Thursday after being indicted by the Justice Department for his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. It’s the third criminal case brought against the former president as he seeks to reclaim the White House. ___WHAT TO KNOW— Here’s a breakdown of the sprawling election indictment— Trump lawyer hints at a First Amendment defense in the Jan. 6 case— Republicans are remaining silent about the latest charges against Trump— The judge assigned to Trump’s case is a tough punisher of Capitol rioters— Here’s where the various cases involving Trump stand___DEPARTS BEDMINSTER Trump has left his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, to head to Washington, where he will face a judge on federal conspiracy charges alleging the former president conspired to subvert the 2020 election.Trump will fly by private plane to Washington, where he is expected to surrender to authorities and make his f...

Man killed in shooting at Lansing gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:57 GMT

LANSING, Ill. — A man was shot and killed at a gas station in Lansing Thursday morning.The shooting happened around 4:39 a.m. at the QuikTrip gas station near the intersection of 173rd and Torrence.According to police, it appears an attempted robbery of a customer led to several shots fired at the gas station.When officers arrived to the scene, they found a man, in his 50s, fatally shot. At this time, police cannot confirm how many people fired shots. Woman killed, toddler son among 3 others shot on South Side An active investigation into the shooting is underway with the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force assisting. Lansing Police Chief Al Phillips told WGN the gas station had just opened a few weeks ago. Police said officers are working with QuikTrip to review surveillance video of the shooting.