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UK Treasury chief signals tax cuts and a squeeze on welfare benefits are on the way

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt says the government can afford to lower some taxes now that inflation is falling, but that any cuts will come along with a squeeze on welfare benefits.British media have reported that there will be relief for businesses and wealthy property-owners in Hunt’s autumn budget statement on Wednesday.Hunt told Saturday’s Daily Telegraph newspaper that the British economy had “turned the corner.” He said that “there is a path to reducing the tax burden, and a Conservative government will take that path.”“Without preempting the decisions that the prime minister and I make, this is an autumn statement for growth. It’s a turning point for the economy,” Hunt said.But he cautioned to broadcasters on Saturday that “there’s no easy way to reduce the tax burden. What we need to do is take difficult decisions to reform the welfare state.”Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government has struggled for the past year to bolster an economy burde...

Man dead after late-night shooting in Richmond Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

A man is dead following an overnight shooting in Richmond Hill.York region police say they were called to the area of York Boulevard and East Beaver Creek Road just north of Highway 7 for reports of a shooting just before 11:30 p.m Friday.When they arrived they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds in the parking lot of a restaurant which is part of the entertainment complex.The victim was taken to a trauma centre in life-threatening condition where he was later pronounced dead. Police say they believe this to be a targeted shooting and they were searching for at least two suspects but did not have any immediate descriptions.

First group of wounded Palestinian children from Israel-Hamas war arrives in United Arab Emirates

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The first planeload of Palestinian children wounded in the Israel-Hamas war raging in the Gaza Strip reached the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, part of a pledged relief effort by the country to aid 1,000 children. The group of 15 people, including children and their family members, made it across the Gaza Strip’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Friday. They then took a flight from the Egyptian city of El-Arish to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.Young children lay asleep on their moms’ laps as the plane finally landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Some of the seats of the plane were removed to make room for the most critically wounded children, who needed to lie on stretchers. Some of the young had bandaged arms and legs. Others sat quietly next to their parents or relatives. Some traveled alone. The mood was somber and quiet inside the plane. Many of the mothers said they were exhausted.Twelve-year-old Amr Jandieh, hi...

Man seriously injured in late-night crash in Brampton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

A man has been seriously injured following a single-vehicle crash in Brampton.Peel police say they were called to the crash in the area of McLaughlin Road and Denison Avenue just before midnight. The driver was taken to a trauma centre in serious condition. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. There was no other indication as to what may have led up to the crash.

Day 2 of Halifax International Security Forum to discuss Gaza war, tension with China

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

HALIFAX — The conflict in the Middle East and tensions between western nations and China are on the agenda today at the Halifax International Security Forum.The former prime minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, is scheduled to speak in the morning, as the Gaza war continues in response to the Oct. 7 attacks on his nation by Hamas.Later in the day, Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of defence staff, will be participating in a panel discussion about the Indo-Pacific region, where China has recently had tense encounters with a Canadian naval helicopter, firing flares near the aircraft as it participated in naval exercises.Defence Minister Bill Blair said Friday evening the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East are the result of a breakdown in international law in an increasingly dangerous and violent world. About 300 delegates from around the world are attending the three-day Halifax International Security Forum, an annual event dedicated to strengthening co-operation among d...

Unclear when Canadians still in Gaza can cross into Egypt after 9 more made it out Friday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

Canadians still stuck in the war-torn Gaza Strip continue to wait for their chance to cross into Egypt.Saturday’s list from the General Authority for Crossings and Borders in Gaza contained no Canadians, further stalling a chance to leave through the Rafah border crossing.As of Friday, Global Affairs Canada said 376 Canadians, permanent residents and their relatives have been able to leave the Palestinian territory via Rafah. The department had said on Wednesday that it was in touch with 386 people still in Gaza.The United Nations was forced on Friday to stop deliveries of food and other necessities in Gaza and warned of the growing risk of widespread starvation after internet and telephone services collapsed because of a lack of fuel.Israel announced it will allow two tanker trucks of fuel into Gaza each day for the United Nations and communications, though that is half of what the United Nations said it needs for life-saving functions such as powering water systems, hos...

Toddler accidentally shot, killed by 3-year-old brother in Gary: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

GARY Ind. -- An investigation is underway after a toddler was accidentally shot and killed by his three-year-old brother in Northwest Indiana Friday night, police said. According to Gary police, officers dispatched to Northlake Methodist Hospital after calls of a two-year-old shot around 7:21 p.m.Police said the mother told officers that her older son found the gun in her purse when she left the bedroom. Additional officers secured a home in the 2100 block of Georgia Street for investigation. WGN is actively following this incident and will update as more information is recovered.

Wisconsin’s split personality with deer: more south, fewer north

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

Wisconsin has a split personality of sorts when it comes to deer populations and deer hunter success across the state, with more to the south and fewer to the north, and the chasm is getting wider.That’s the report from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife experts who say southern Wisconsin faces problems of too many deer — including crop damage, vehicle accidents and faster spread of chronic wasting disease — at the same time many hunters in far northern Wisconsin are complaining there aren’t enough deer.Deer hunters in Wisconsin will go afield Nov. 18 for the start of the firearms deer hunting season. The DNR says there may be fewer deer compared to last year in the far north due to the deep snow winter, but that record or near-record deer populations continue in the southern part of the state. (Wisconsin DNR)It’s a pretty big state, north to south, and little differences in geography and topography make a huge difference for deer.“Deer are very unevenly distributed ...

Nelly's Black and White Ball Returns this December

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

St. Louis, MO—The Black and White Ball, St. Louis' premier celebrity gala, is set to make a return in 2023. For over a decade, Grammy Award-winning rapper, actor, and entrepreneur Nelly has annually hosted this black-tie affair with the purpose of giving back to his hometown.The 11th edition of the Black and White Ball will channel its glitz and glamour towards a noble cause: raising funds for Make-A-Wish Missouri. This organization is fervently committed to fulfilling the wishes of children grappling with life-threatening medical conditions, aiming to infuse their human experience with hope, strength, and joy.After a brief hiatus, the ball is making its comeback on Sunday, December 3, at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. Nelly is set to host a diverse array of invited guests from the entertainment, sports, and business communities.During the event, Nelly will take a moment to honor Ozzie Smith, a St. Louis Cardinal, 15-time MLB All-Star, and Baseball Hall-of-Famer.The funds generat...

Crisp and clear weekend, but stormy Monday looms in the forecast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:44:47 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A quiet weekend has begun. Cold mornings and cool afternoons both Saturday and Sunday. Highs in the 50s both days. Sunshine Saturday, but increasing clouds Sunday.  Our next storm system arrives late Sunday into Monday. Scattered light rain showers will build in overnight and continue through Monday. Highs are only in the low 50s. Waves of showers continue Monday night and Tuesday. Gusty winds Tuesday will usher in even cooler temps for the middle of the week.  Wednesday and Thanksgiving Thursday look sunny and quiet, but colder. Highs are only in the low 40s.