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UN agency in Gaza says urgent cease-fire is `matter of life and death’ for millions of Palestinians

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The head of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees told a U.N. emergency meeting Monday “an immediate humanitarian cease-fire has become a matter of life and death for millions,” accusing Israel of “collective punishment” of Palestinians and the forced displacement of civilians.Philippe Lazzarini warned that a further breakdown of civil order following the looting of the agency’s warehouses by Palestinians searching for food and other aid “will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the largest U.N. agency in Gaza to continue operating.”Briefings to the Security Council by Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF and a senior U.N. humanitarian official painted a dire picture of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza 23 days after Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and its ongoing retaliatory military action aimed at “obliterating” the militant group, which controls Gaza.According to the latest figures from Gaza’s M...

Eby says B.C. deserves heating bill relief, too, after federal tax on fuel oil paused

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier David Eby says it’s unfair that Atlantic Canada is being targeted for federal relief on heating bills that won’t apply to B.C., after Ottawa announced a three-year pause on carbon pricing for home fuel oil. The pause announced last week applies to the 10 provinces and territories where the federal fuel charge applies, although home fuel oil usage is more prevalent in Atlantic Canada.British Columbia, Quebec and the Northwest Territories are excluded because they collect their own fuel tax.Eby, who is facing calls from Opposition politicians to cut the province’s carbon taxes, said people in Atlantic Canada are struggling to make ends meet, but so are residents of B.C.He told an unrelated news conference in Victoria on Monday that a proposed heat-pump rebate that is being piloted in Atlantic Canada should also be made available in B.C.“At a minimum, fairness demands equal treatment of British Columbians,” said Eby. &#...

Teen boy killed in shooting in Avalon Park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A teen boy has died after a shooting on the city's South Side on Monday night. According to Chicago police, the 16-year-old boy was critically injured after he suffered gunshot wounds to his back and right leg while in a parking lot in Avalon Park. Police say the boy was taken to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Officers say the shooting happened in the 1900 block of East 87th Street just before 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and officers say no arrests have been made. An investigation into the deadly shooting is currently underway.Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Area Two Detectives by calling the CPD non-emergency number at (312) 746-6000. Tips for police can also be filed at CPDtip.com. Tips can be left anonymously.

'Skip the Line' service issues draw ire of Illinois seniors: 'Very frustrating'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

CHICAGO — When he took over for the retiring Jesse White, Alexi Giannoulias promised to bring sweeping changes and modernization to the office.  For people like Sandy, who did not wish to give her last name when speaking with WGN News outside the Secretary of State-Chicago facility at Elston Street, it was an all-thumbs-up experience. “Getting a sticker for my car and my son's car but I'm too early and they helped me with everything I needed and did it all for me while I sat in a chair,” she said.  But for others not so much, like Helen McQuaid, who needed to take a field driver's test when she renewed her driver's license.  Secretary of State’s office launches updated website Until this year, she could drive to her hometown of Naperville Secretary of State facility and take the test. But now, an appointment is required. McQuaid said she tried unsuccessfully for weeks to get an appointment to no avail. Locations that still accept walk-in services, in Bridgeview and Evanston, ...

THC gummies found in candy stash at California elementary school event

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

ALAMEDA, Calif. (KRON) -- Gummies infused with cannabis were found in a candy stash at a Halloween event held at a California elementary school over the weekend, school district officials said Monday.One student ate a fruit chew containing THC before anyone realized what was in it. The child became sick and sought medical attention, the Alameda Police Department said. The fruit chews were included in a stash of candy collected by students at a PTA-sponsored "Trunk-or-Treat" event at Amelia Earhart Elementary School, according to Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) officials. "Three families found the fruit chews in their children’s candy," AUSD spokesperson Susan Davis told KRON4.The candy stash also contained chocolate and other popular Halloween candy. The 'most hated' Halloween candy, according to study The cannabis fruit chews were made by Kiva Lost Farm and packaged in square blue wrappers, according to school district officials. Kiva Lost Farm's website states that its T...

Time running short to approve Texas school voucher plan

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The end of the third special legislative session is approaching quickly, and still it appears Texas lawmakers are no closer to reaching a deal on a plan that would allow families to use public dollars to pay for their children's private education.The Texas House of Representatives gaveled in Monday afternoon and adjourned after six minutes, leaving its version of the school choice plan on the table. The Senate approved its plan more than two weeks ago that would create an education savings account program, carrying out one of Gov. Greg Abbott's main priorities. However, the House held no debate so far on its version of the legislation. State of Texas: Tension, questions of legality shape immigration bill debate Sherri Greenberg, a former lawmaker and a professor of practice at UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs, noted the special session wraps next week on Tuesday. "I think this bill, the chances at this point are probably slim to none [of it] passing in this speci...

Dane Mizutani: If this is the end, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins deserved better

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

Kirk Cousins showed tremendous strength when everybody would have forgiven him had he shown tremendous weakness instead.After getting helped onto the cart on Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field, more than likely knowing at that point that he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon, Cousins provided a heartwarming moment that has since gone viral on social media.The cameras caught him putting on a beanie, looking up at the big screen and taking a few seconds to cheer on his teammates.It was the personification of leadership, continuing to lift everybody else around him, even in his darkest hour.That’s who Kirk Cousins is. That’s who Kirk Cousins has always been.It’s hard to believe he might have played his final snap with the Vikings after tearing his Achilles tendon on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.If this is the end, Cousins deserved better. He was a punchline for far too long. He has proven to be much more than that throughout his tenure in Minnesota.As soon as ...

New Kids On The Block to perform in Upstate New York August 2024

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- After five years, New Kids On The Block are coming back to Upstate New York, making a stop near Buffalo and Saratoga Springs for their Magic Summer Tour in Summer 2024.NKOTB will take you back to the 80s and 90s at Six Flags Darien Lake in Corfu, NY, and at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The first stop in New York is at SPAC on Aug. 11, 2024, and then the band will travel to Pennsylvania, Maryland, Canada and back to New York at Darien Lake on Aug. 22, 2024.Special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff are included in the lineup and will perform at both concerts.Tickets for both concerts go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for the Block Nation Presale and VIP. Ticket sales to the general public starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3. Tickets for both the Darien Lake concert and SPAC concert can be purchased online at Live Nation.

Investors file lawsuit against DocGo

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

NEW YORK (NEWS10) -- DocGo, the company hired to care for asylum seekers in New York, is facing a new lawsuit. The company's own investors are behind the legal action.They claim DocGo made misleading statements about the business to artificially inflate the value of the company, which ultimately damaged its reputation and caused stocks to fall. The investors are seeking to recoup their losses. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! A DocGo spokesperson responded to the lawsuit with the following statement:“We reject the accusations of the recently filed securities lawsuit, which follows a pattern of litigation filed reflexively after stock-price declines.  We look forward to refuting the claims in court.  In the meantime, we remain focused on our mission of delivering high quality, highly accessible care to all.”Shareholders who invested after November 2022 may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit.

Cohoes receives grant to conduct roof restoration on city hall

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:22 GMT

COHOES, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A project to restore the roof of Cohoes City Hall has been finished. City leaders said crews removed the scaffolding about a week ago.New York State provided a $500,000 grant on Monday to cover the cost of the project. Cohoes City Hall is more than 120 years old and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The roof leaked for many years. City officials were concerned about the building's safety, but they said it will now continue to serve the community for generations."Although it may not be sexy to have a roof replaced, it's critical, it's important, and quite frankly, no burden to the taxpayers of the city," Assemblyman John McDonald said.The project cost just under $2 million. It was funded through grants from the state parks department as well as energy savings through the city's LED Streetlight program.