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Michael Mantha removed from Ontario NDP caucus amid workplace investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

The leader of Ontario’s new democrats says she’s removed long-time party member Michael Mantha from caucus amid an independent investigation into alleged workplace misconduct.Marit Stiles announced the move in a release issued Saturday, but said she could not share further details in order to protect the privacy of the complainant.A high-ranking NDP source who was not able to discuss the matter publicly says that when Stiles took over as leader and was briefed on the situation, she asked Mantha to take a leave.The source says the investigation is ongoing, but based on the information gathered so far, Stiles informed Mantha on Friday that she was removing him from caucus.Mantha has served as an NDP MPP since first being elected in 2011 to represent the northern Ontario riding of Algoma-Manitoulin.He most recently served as the party’s mining and natural resources critic until March 29, when his critic portfolio was reduced to mining alone, a position he no longer ho...

Protestors across Canada demonstrate against RBC’s fossil-fuel funding

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

Demonstrators will gather in 40 locations across Canada to protest against the Royal Bank of Canada on Saturday for funding fossil fuel projects. The protests, part of a nation-wide effort dubbed Fossil Fools Day, will take place in cities including Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax and Vancouver.RBC has outlined plans to reduce its financed emissions by 2030 with an end goal of net zero by 2050.But critics say its targets fall far short of what’s needed, accusing the bank of “greenwashing” last fall when it announced its targets for this decade. The bank has also faced criticism from Indigenous leaders including from the Wet’suwet’en, who have criticized the bank’s climate record and its funding of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline. The bank, for its part, has long stressed the importance of an orderly transition to net-zero.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:RY)The Canadian Press

Pedestrian struck in Mossbank Drive and Lawrence Avenue East area

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

A pedestrian has been struck by a vehicle in the Mossbank Drive and Lawrence Avenue East area on Saturday morning.COLLISION:Mossbank Dr + Lawrence Av East11:09 a.m.– Pedestrian struck by a vehicle– Unknown injuries– Police are on scene– E/B lanes on Lawrence are blocked @TTCnotices#GO715851^lb— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) April 1, 2023Police responded to a call just after 11 a.m. of an adult male that was struck by a vehicle.The male has been transported to hospital and his injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening.Eastbound lanes on Lawrence Avenue are blocked and delays are expected in the area.

Biden and his 2024 campaign: Waiting for some big decisions

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has all but announced he’s running for reelection, but key questions about the 2024 campaign are unresolved: Who will manage it? Where will it be based? When will he finally make it official?Advisers have long said he planned to wait until after March, when the year’s first fundraising period wraps up. That was an effort to help manage expectations because many donors who gave generously to Democratic causes during last fall’s elections were looking for a break. But an announcement isn’t imminent even now, aides insist, and probably won’t come until at least after Biden returns from an expected trip to Ireland in mid-April.Working on his own timeline could counter Biden’s low approval ratings and questions about his age — the 80-year-old would turn 86 before the end of a second term. It also means Biden won’t be hurried by pressure from former President Donald Trump, who’s already announced his 2024 campaign, ...

Sikh, Christian die in targeted killings in Pakistan’s NW

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani Sikh businessman and a Christian cleaner were shot dead by unknown assailants in separate incidents in the northwestern city of Peshawar, police said Saturday.Gunmen on a motorbike opened fire on Sikh shop owner Dayal Singh when he was in his grocery store and fled the scene, said police officer Haroon Rasheed. He said an investigation was underway.Rasheed said police have found evidence from surveillance camera footage and will soon be able to identify the gunmen.Ranveer Singh, a representative of Pakistan’s minority Sikh community, said the businessman had no problems with anyone. He said Sikhs are feeling insecure as 11 members of their community have been killed in recent years.The minister for information and religious minorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Peshawar is located, assured Sikhs the culprits will be arrested and there will be steps to protect minorities. Feroze Jamal Shah Kakakhel also announced compensation of 500,00...

Shipbuilder Austal executives accused of inflating earnings

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Three current and former former executives of a shipbuilder that constructs vessels for the U.S. Navy have been indicted on accounting fraud charges accusing them of falsely inflating the company’s reported earnings, federal prosecutors said.Craig Perciavalle, 52, Joseph Runkel, 54, and William Adams, 63, all of Mobile, Alabama, where Austal USA LLC is based, are accused of misleading shareholders and investors. They are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud affecting a financial institution, five counts of wire fraud, and two counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Friday. Court records were not immediately available to show if the men had attorneys to comment on their behalf. Austal USA LLC is a subsidiary of Australia-based Austal Limited and builds littoral combat ships for the Navy. The ships are designed to operate in shallow coastal water...

Pakistani army says 4 troops killed by Iran-based militants

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A militant attack from across the border with Iran left four Pakistani soldiers dead Saturday in southwestern Baluchistan province, the army said.The soldiers were part of a routine border patrol operating along the Pakistan-Iran border when the militants struck in the Jalgai sector of Kech district, the military said in a statement. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.The army said necessary contact was being established with Iranian officials for “effective action against terrorists” to prevent such incidents in the future. It identified the casualties as Sher Ahmed, Muhammad Asghar, Muhammad Irfan and Abdur Rasheed.On Friday, a Pakistani soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with militants in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the army said. There was no immediate of responsibility for that attack, either.In January, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the killing of four security officials along the border ...

1 dead, 28 injured after roof collapses at Belvidere theater amid strong storms

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

BELVIEVERE Ill. — One person is dead and 28 people were injured after the Appollo Theater collapsed during a concert amid the violent storm and winds that tore through the Midwest. Belvidere Fire Chief Shawn Schadle said there were 260 people inside during the Apollo Theater around 7:55 p.m. when the roof collapsed. Police say five people suffered severe injuries, 18 suffered moderate injuries and five others with minor injuries. Police say Whiteland took ‘direct hit’ during severe weather and tornadoes; middle school set up as shelter Police say others were transported to hospitals by personal vehicles. Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker tweeted: “My administration is closely monitoring the roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere tonight. I’ve been in touch with officials for updates and to direct any available resources we can. As we learn more, please follow the guidance of all local authorities.”Secondary investigations are underway and no res...

Police say Whiteland took 'direct hit' during severe weather and tornadoes; middle school set up as shelter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

UPDATE: The new relief area is Greenwood Middle School. The location has moved from Whiteland High School. ------------------------------------------------------------------WHITELAND, Ind. -- Police say the town of Whiteland took a "direct hit" as severe weather and tornadoes swept through central Indiana late Friday night into early Saturday morning.The Whiteland Police Department said the southern part of the town sustained significant damage. As a result, power and communication were limited. "If you need help and can not get out via voice, please utilize the text to 911," the department said on Twitter.Johnson County Emergency Management confirmed a tornado touched down east of Whiteland Road. Some businesses and homes were flattened, the agency said.Photo via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhoto via Megan MoorePhotos and videos show...

Pope Francis leaves hospital; 'Still alive,' he quips

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:55 GMT

ROME (AP) — A chipper-sounding Pope Francis was discharged Saturday from the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists before being driven away that he's “still alive.” Francis, 86, was hospitalized at Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday following his weekly public audience in St. Peter's Square after reportedly experiencing breathing difficulties. The pontiff received antibiotics administered intravenously during his stay, the Vatican said. In a sign of his improved health, the Vatican released details of Francis' Holy Week schedule. It said he would preside at this weekend's Palm Sunday Mass and at Easter Mass on April 9, both held in St. Peter's Square and expected to draw tens of thousands of faithful. A Vatican cardinal will be at the altar to celebrate both Masses, a recent practice due to the pontiff having a troublesome knee issue. But Francis is scheduled to celebrate Holy Thursday Mass, which this year will be held in a juvenile prison in Rome....