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Ottawa fast-tracks purchase of weapons for troops in Europe amid long-term challenges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

OTTAWA — Defence Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa will fast-track the purchase of anti-tank, anti-aircraft and anti-drone weapons for the Canadian military with a mechanism last used during the war in Afghanistan.Anand announced the plan Thursday at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, one of Canada’s largest defence conferences, saying the new weapons are needed now for Canadian troops in Latvia and other parts of Europe.“Canada’s largest foreign military deployment … is on NATO’s eastern flank in Latvia,” she said. “And our troops there must have the equipment that they need to protect themselves and to do their jobs, especially at this crucial time.”The defence minister also emphasized the need to update Canada’s long-term plan for the military, as she launched public consultations to inform the government while it revisits its previous strategy.The Liberal government released a defence policy in 2017, promising b...

Ex-Goldman Sachs banker gets 10 year sentence in 1MDB fraud

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A former Goldman Sachs banker was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for his role in looting a Malaysian development fund of billions of dollars used to finance lavish parties, a superyacht, premium real estate and even the 2013 film “The Wolf of Wall Street.”Roger Ng was convicted last April by a U.S. District Court jury in Brooklyn, but he continues to deny charges that he conspired to launder money and violated two anti-bribery laws.Prosecutors said Ng and his co-conspirators helped the Malaysian fund, known as 1MDB, raise $6.5 billion through bond sales — only to participate in a scheme that siphoned off more than two-thirds of the money, some of which went to pay bribes and kickbacks.Reading from a prepared statement, Ng pleaded for mercy from U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie.“I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed,” he told the judge. “I don’t want to live in resentment,” he said. “I want to redeem myself.”The judge admonished Ng: “The only explan...

Belarus passes law to execute officials convicted of treason

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian president on Thursday signed a bill introducing capital punishment for state officials and military personnel convicted of high treason.The amendments to the country’s criminal code endorsed by President Alexander Lukashenko envisage death sentences for officials and servicemen who caused “irreparable damage” to Belarus’ national security through acts of treason.Belarus is the only country in Europe that hasn’t banned capital punishment, which has been applied to those convicted of murder or terrorism. Executions are carried out with a shot to the back of the head.Lukashenko has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for nearly three decades, brutally suppressing dissent. Belarusian authorities unleashed a brutal crackdown against demonstrators who protested his re-election in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West denounced as rigged, detaining more than 35,000 and beating thousands.On Monday, a Belarusia...

Purolator commits $1B to electrify Canadian delivery vehicle fleet by 2030

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

TORONTO — Purolator plans to electrify its Canadian fleet network by 2030 through a $1 billion commitment to purchase more than 3,500 electric delivery vehicles.In what the courier is calling the largest investment in its 63-year history, it says the plan will contribute to its goal of electrifying 60 per cent of its overall fleet over the next seven years.More than 60 terminals across Canada will also go green by 2030 as it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalentThe company says it will begin the rollout by deploying 25 Ford e-transit vans in London, Ont., Richmond, B.C., and Quebec City this month, with plans to add 100 green vehicles by the end of this year.President and CEO John Ferguson says Purolator wants to be “the greenest courier company in Canada.”The company says it is on a path to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2023.The Canadian Press

Transat CEO says travel demand nearly on par with 2019 despite higher prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

MONTREAL — The head of Transat AT Inc. says travel demand is poised to reach heights comparable with 2019, even as higher airfares and the threat of recession risk dampening customers’ enthusiasm.“Transat is moving towards a gradual return to profitability,” CEO Annick Guérard told a conference call Thursday to discuss the company’s latest results.“Overall, we’re still seeing a strong momentum in sales both for the rest of the winter and for summer.”The travel company, which owns Air Transat, said the pace of bookings is similar to pre-pandemic levels as strong demand fuels fare hikes and helps cover higher costs.Prices have gone up so much that the airline expects a 25 per cent growth in yield — a key per-passenger revenue metric — in the current quarter comparable with a year earlier.Transat said in its investor presentation that despite concerns of a recession, the North American airline sector is benefiting from a counter-cyclical recove...

CPD search for person in connection to double homicide on South Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Department is looking for a person in connection to a shooting that left two men dead inside of a South Side apartment February 28.According to police, 36-year-old Cordero Gladney and 25-year-old Dartanyon Wheeler were found dead inside of the East Chatham apartment with gunshot wounds to the head. Illinois woman leads police on 120 mph chase Police say the person in connection to the incident was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with gray sweatpants and white gym shoes. If any information is recovered on the incident, contact Area 2 detectives at (312)-747-8271.

2 teen boys charged with battery, attempted robbery of 84-year-old in Chatham

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Two teen boys were charged in a beating and attempted robbery of an elderly man Wednesday in Chatham.Officers responded to the 400 block of East 81st Street on the report of a battery.A 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old boy were arrested nearby in the 7900 and 8000 blocks of South Eberhart. Around 30 minutes earlier, they were accused of beating and attempting to rob an 84-year-old man. Man accused of battering CTA employee, damaging attendant booth Both teens were charged with aggravated battery and two counts of attempted robbery. Additionally, the 15-year-old faces a count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Bears establish a flag football league for girls overseas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

LONDON - On International Women's Day in 2023, the Bears along with another NFL team helped to bring a version of their game to some athletes overseas.On Wednesday, the team announced that they've partnered with the New York Jets to establish the first girl's flag football league in the United Kingdom that will begin play in April. (Courtesy: Chicago Bears)The announcement was made in Ealing, a district in West London, on Wednesday with Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool, an NFL Global Flag Ambassador, along with Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah. They spoke along with a few others to the 100 girls that will take part in the league.Both teams along with the NFL have established this league in England to help "overcome barriers in activity and to increase access to sport for young girls." It's the first league of its kind for flag football in the country and is part of a continued effort by the league to promote this non-contact version of the sport.(Courtesy: Chicago Bears)“As part of our ...

Don't expect to see a red carpet at the Oscars this year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

(KTLA) - When Hollywood's biggest names head to the Oscars on Sunday, they'll notice something a little different. The normal red carpet has done a color swap and it's now a Champagne color. On Wednesday, crews rolled out the new path, but it will be still referred to as the red carpet. Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel was on hand to assist with the rollout. He joked that the switch from red to Champagne showed how confident producers are that no blood will be shed this year, an edgy joke considering the slap involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last year's awards. This year's ceremony will be the third time Kimmel will have hosted. Days ago he revealed that he is "ready" if another slap were to occur but was choosy as to when he'd intervene. Everything you need to know about the 2023 Academy Awards “If somebody comes up on the stage and slaps me? Well, I size them up, and, if I’m bigger than they are, I beat the s— out of them on television. And if it’s the Rock, I run,” he said.The t...

95th Academy Awards: Printable Oscar Ballot

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:10:48 GMT

The 95th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 12 at 7 p.m. (CST) Dean’s Oscar 2023 predictions Who do you think will win? Print out our Oscars ballot and play along at home:Click here to download a printable Oscar ballotFull list of Oscar nominations hereJoin WGN Entertainment Reporter Dean Richards Monday from 4 a.m. – 10 a.m. for all the highlights from this year's Oscars.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!