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U.S. imposes more Russian oil price cap sanctions and issues new compliance rules for shippers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed new sanctions on alleged violators of a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil and tightened compliance rules for insurance firms and shippers, Wednesday.Firms across the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong were identified for economic sanctions, including UAE-based Sun Ship Management D Ltd., which Russian state-owned fleet operator Joint Stock Company Sovcomflot owns. Also sanctioned were Hong Kong-based Covart Energy, which has increased its share of the trade of Russian oil since the price cap policy was implemented, and Hong Kong-based Bellatrix Energy.Firm administrators were not available for comment to The Associated Press. The sanctions, which follow others imposed this year on shippers of Russian oil priced above the cap, block their access to their U.S.-owned property and prevent U.S. individuals and firms from doing business with the groups.The price cap coalition also announced Wednesday that it will soon require service providers, inc...

Quebec labour unions threaten unlimited strike in new year if no deal is reac

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

MONTREAL — Four Quebec public sector unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers say they will launch an unlimited strike early in the new year if they don’t reach a deal with the government.The four unions, which are negotiating together and calling themselves the “common front,” say it’s still possible to settle before the end of 2023 but add that negotiations need to intensify for that to happen.Common front leaders told reporters today they have not set a date for an unlimited general strike in 2024.The unions, which represent 420,000 public sector workers, including teachers, education support staff and lab technicians, have held three strikes, most recently from Dec. 8 through Dec. 14.A teachers union with the common front dismissed a government offer presented Tuesday, while an unaffiliated teachers union that has been on unlimited general strike for four weeks said it was studying the offer.The provincial government has said it hopes to reach...

Italian prosecutor acknowledges stalking threat against murdered woman may have been underestimated

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

MILAN (AP) — An Italian prosecutor on Wednesday acknowledged that a stalking threat to a 26-year-old pregnant woman found stabbed to death in her home may have been underestimated by authorities who failed to take action against a former lover now suspected of killing her.Prosecutor Marco Martani told reporters that the victim, Vanessa Ballan, had filed a complaint against the suspect, Bujar Fandaj, on Oct. 26, after he had climbed a gate attempting to get into the home she shares with her companion and 4-year-old son, as well as a series of other aggressions.Authorities searched the man’s house the next day, after which “there were no longer episodes of harassment, of getting close, of threats,” Martani was quoted by Corriere della Sera as saying. “The case was labeled not urgent, which unfortunately has turned out to be unfounded.”He said that authorities lacked the necessary indications to take further action. “The only measure that could have stopped the aggression would have be...

Live updates | Talks on Gaza cease-fire and freeing more hostages as Hamas leader is in Egypt

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

The top leader of Hamas was in Egypt for talks Wednesday on halting the war in Gaza and securing the release of at least some of the estimated 129 Israeli captives held by Palestinian militants.At the U.N. Security Council, diplomats are negotiating for the third day on a resolution to pause the fighting and allow desperately needed humanitarian aid deliveries.In Yemen, rebels backed by Iran have threatened to target American warships operating near its waters, a day after Washington announced a new international coalition to protect commercial vessels sailing through the Red Sea. The Houthi rebels have threatened to prevent any ship heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea until food and medicine can enter Gaza freely.Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Thousands more lie buried under the rubble of...

Brampton man caught with over 50 kg of cocaine at Ontario border crossing

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

A man from Brampton is facing drug-related charges after he allegedly attempted to transport over 50 kilograms of suspected cocaine through Ontario’s Blue Water Bridge port of entry.In a joint news release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), officers said on Dec. 4, a commercial truck entered Canada at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ont., and was referred for a secondary examination.It’s alleged that during the inspection, CBSA officers discovered boxes containing 52 kg of suspected cocaine. Those narcotics were seized at the border crossing.On Wednesday, the CBSA and RCMP identified 27-year-old Manpreet Singh of Brampton as the accused. He’s facing several charges, including the importation of cocaine under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Related: $7M worth of drugs seized, 150 charges laid in months-long d...

Indiana underestimated Medicaid cost by nearly $1 billion, new report says

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s initial estimate for Medicaid expenses is nearly $1 billion short of its now-predicted need, state lawmakers learned in a report that ignited concern over the state’s budget and access to the low-income healthcare program.A December outlook found that Medicaid is predicted to need $984 million more than what was thought in April, when the state’s biennium budget was finalized.State budget director Zachary Jackson told The Associated Press the forecast used to develop the budget allowed Indiana to move $525 million from Medicaid to the state’s general fund in July. The state has directed that $271 million of that money be moved back to Medicaid to address the shortfall of the last year, he said.According to the predictions presented to lawmakers on Tuesday, the state will need to appropriate $255.2 million more for the program before July 2024 and $457.9 million more for the following year.The flawed April forecast was based on da...

CRA fires 185 employees to date for ‘inappropriately’ claiming CERB benefits

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it.That’s an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which current employees received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit — or CERB — during the COVID-19 pandemic.The benefit was worth $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions. Related: CRA fires 20 employees, investigating hundreds for taking CERB payments CRA fires 120 employees for claiming CERB benefits while working The CRA says that just because someone was employed by the agency, that does not necessarily mean they were ineligible for the benefit, given some have temporary or student contracts. Of the cases reviewed, 116 employees who received CERB were found to be eligible for the benefit...

Parents sue Michigan school district over pronouns

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — Two parents have filed a lawsuit against a Michigan school district for using male pronouns for their child without their knowledge.According to court documents, Dan and Jennifer Mead's child, who was assigned female at birth and identifies as male, attended Rockford Public School District starting in kindergarten.In middle school, the student started meeting with a school counselor. The school counselor was in regular contact with the parents about the child, discussing things like their mental health, school work and recent autism diagnosis. 4 embarrassing mistakes to avoid at your company’s holiday party, according to an expert In May 2022, the student asked the counselor to tell teachers to use he/him pronouns and a masculine name when referring to the student. That fall, as the then-13-year-old entered 8th grade, teachers referred to the student with he/him pronouns and used the student's preferred masculine name, but the school did not notify the par...

Senate recesses without funding bill

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Lawmakers in Washington say a deal to address the border crisis and provide money to Ukraine and Israel won’t happen until next year.Lawmakers are heading home for the holiday leaving the border crisis to fester at least another month, and Israel and Ukraine waiting longer for help.“I think it's pretty safe to say we've made some significant progress, but we obviously aren't there,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Senate negotiators say they are working in good faith.“We worked 24-7 all throughout the weekend and we are closer than ever before to an agreement,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn).The goal is to produce a single bill that addresses republican concerns about the border and approves money to help Israel and Ukraine fight their respective wars. “Our goal is as soon as we get back to get something done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)Republicans say they won’t approve anything that doesn’t seriously add...

New Census figures show tens of thousands leaving Illinois

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:51:03 GMT

ST. LOUIS - New Census estimates released Tuesday indicate that Missouri noticed small growth in its population this year while Illinois lost tens of thousands of residents. The U.S. Census Bureau released new Vintage 2023 population estimates on Tuesday. According to the estimates, Missouri gained roughly 19,000 residents from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023. Illinois reportedly lost around 33,000 residents during that same time frame. Illinois' estimated total population loss was larger than every other state besides California (-75,000) and New York (-102,000), per Census. Earlier this year, FOX 2 analyzed how population trends within Missouri and Illinois impacted demographics for the St. Louis region. We found there to be very small growth in the Metro East (Illinois), significant growth in St. Charles County (Missouri) and considerable losses in the City of St. Louis (Missouri) over the last several decades. As for the new Census figures, it's estimated that the Midwest region, c...