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Tunisian leader calls meeting with Syria’s Assad ‘historic,’ buries memories of Arab Spring

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Smiles, a handshake and what Tunisian President Kais Saied called a “historic meeting” with the long-ostracized Syrian leader Bashar Assad.The talks between the two presidents, held before the start on Friday of the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia, buried memories, and perhaps the legacy, of the Arab Spring which started in Tunisia 12 years ago. That series of uprising gave the North African country its first taste of democracy as protests rolled across the region, including in Syria. “Today, I am absolutely convinced of Tunisian support for Syria,” a statement from Saied’s office said after what it called the “historic” meeting. Tunisia, reborn after its 2011 revolution which toppled autocratic ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, was among the fiercest critics of Assad. But Saied has largely trampled the gains of Tunisia’s revolution since his 2019 election, notably by assuming near full powers after suspending the legislature in 2021 then dissolving...

Energy, telecom and technology stocks help lead S&P/TSX composite higher

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in the energy, telecommunications and technology sectors helped lead Canada’s main stock index higher in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were down.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 57.22 points at 20,354.31.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 93.05 points at 33,442.86. The S&P 500 index was down 6.70 points at 4,191.35, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.31 points at 12,659.53.The Canadian dollar traded for 74.05 cents US compared with 74.07 cents USon Thursday.The July crude contract was up six cents at US$72.00 per barrel and the June natural gas contract was up seven cents at US$2.66 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was up US$3.60 at US$1,963.40 an ounce and the July copper contract was up four cents at US$3.73 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Top House negotiator on debt limit says it’s time to ‘press pause’ as talks come to standstill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A top debt ceiling negotiator for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Friday it’s time to “press pause” on talks as negotiations with the White House came to an abrupt standstill at the Capitol.Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., tapped by McCarthy, R-Calif., to lead the talks, emerged from an hourlong session and said gaps remained between House Republicans and the Democratic administration.“It’s time to press pause because it’s just not productive,” Graves told reporters.Graves said the negotiations are “just unreasonable” and that it was unclear when talks would resume. President Joe Biden’s administration is racing to strike a deal with Republicans led by McCarthy as the nation careens toward a potentially catastrophic debt default if the government fails to increase the borrowing limit to keep paying the nation’s bills.Negotiators met for a third day behind closed doors at the Capitol with hopes of settling on an agreement this weekend before possible H...

Hundreds evacuated as suspected intentional wildfire hits western Spain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

MADRID (AP) — Some 700 people were evacuated from four small towns in western Spain owing to a wildfire fanned by strong winds that has razed some 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres), officials said Friday. More than 400 firefighters, including 50 agents from the army’s Military Emergency Unit, are battling to bring the fire under control in Las Hurdes, a hilly area west of Madrid. Officials suspect the fire, which began Wednesday night, was started intentionally as they say two separate blazes erupted almost simultaneously. The president of the surrounding region of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández Vara, said the person responsible “knew very well what they were doing” to cause the most damage by starting the blaze at night, making it more difficult to extinguish. Many wildfires in Spain are believed by police and officials to be started intentionally. The reasons why are said to vary.Fernández Vara said the problem Friday was not a lack of means to fight the blaze, but the winds.“With 6...

Ontario offering more money to Stellantis, Ford says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province is offering more money in a bid to keep automaker Stellantis from pulling out of building an electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ont.Stellantis and LG Energy Solution announced last year that they were building the $5-billion plant, but have in recent days stopped construction and warned they were implementing contingency plans because the federal government hasn’t lived up to an agreement. The CEOs of the two companies wrote last month to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, saying Ottawa had confirmed in writing five times that it would match production incentives under the United States’ Inflation Reduction Act, but has not delivered on those commitments.But the federal government has been pressuring Ontario to pitch in as well, saying the province also has to pay its “fair share.”Ford has previously said he is disappointed with how the federal government has handled the issue since the pr...

Justin Fields discusses a few topics on WGN Morning News

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

NORTHBROOK — It's going to be a busy spring and summer of training for the Bears' top quarterback ahead of the 2023 NFL season. But Justin Fields took a few minutes out for charity with his father on Friday morning.Along with his father Pablo, a retired Atlanta police officer, the quarterback attended the Northbrook "Cop on a Rooftop" event at Dunkin Donuts.It's a fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois that is being supported by the Northbrook Police Department and others around the state. Fields' foundation presented a $10,000 check to aid in that effort on Friday morning. WGN Morning News sports anchor Pat Tomasulo was there to talk to the quarterback about the donation along with a few other topics - including his memories of growing up as his father worked for the Atlanta Police. Fields also discussed how he's feeling about the upcoming season, his third with the Bears, along with the acquisition of wide receiver D.J. Moore along with a few draft picks that can aid the offense...

Chicago Police host gun turn-ins, gift cards for all guns including BB and air guns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago's police department is hosting a series of "no questions asked" gun turn-ins this Saturday.The turn-ins will take place in all five of the city's police areas. According to a department press release, all guns turned in will receive a $100 gift card per item. The department will also be accepting BB guns, air guns, and replica guns though those will only be worth a $10 gift card. Man charged in shooting that injured 2 boys outside Chicago library One of the locations will be the People's Church of the Harvest at 3570 W. 5th Ave. where a Friday morning press conference discussing the events was held.

Census Bureau: Texas continues to top the charts with fastest-growing cities

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Six of the 15 fastest-growing cities in the United States were in Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.Georgetown, Texas topped the list with a population increase of 14.4%.“Georgetown, Texas, remained the fastest-growing city by percent change in 2022, with the highest rate of growth among all U.S. cities and towns with at least 50,000 people,” said Crystal Delbé, a statistician in the Census Bureau’s Population Division. Following Santa Cruz, California, the next three fastest-growing cities were also in Texas — Kyle, Leander and Little Elm. According to the Census Bureau, Texas was the only state to have more than three cities on both the 15 fastest-growing large cities and towns by numeric change and by percent change lists.Most populous Texas cities:Houston at No. 4 in the U.S. with 2.3 millionSan Antonio at No. 7 in the U.S. with 1.5 millionDallas at No. 9 in the U.S. with 1.3 millionAustin at No. 10 in the U.S. with 1 millionFort Worth at No. 1...

Sports car racing returns to COTA

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A major race returns to Circuit of the Americas this weekend, as the Fanatec GT World Challenge America will take place on the track.Along with sports car racing, the three-day festival of speed is offering engaging activities for fans of all ages.Kids age 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Thus far, over 10,000 tickets have been sold.Throughout this weekend, over 140 cars will race around the track, representing brands such as Aston Martin, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota and Nissan to name a few.Unlike other racing events at COTA, this event is relatively open and accessible for those that attend.“With a general admission ticket, you’re able to enter into the paddock,” COTA vice president of motorsports Reid Atherton said. “You’re able to see the drivers, cars and all the team members up close.”The venue will also host a sensory-friendly pit lane walk.One of the race car drivers, Kyle Loh — who’s overcome the challenges of autism — will host a de...

Schenectady eatery offering childcare for Thursday date nights

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:47:48 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Cornells in Little Italy, located at 39 North Jay Street in Schenectady, offers a date night special each Thursday. Now, they've added something new: complimentary childcare. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Each Thursday, Cornells in Little Italy offers a six course, pre-fixe menu for two for $75. Seatings are from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can view the date night menu on the Cornells Facebook page.In case you can't get a babysitter or don't want to spend a lot of money on childcare for the night, Cornells in Little Italy will watch your children for you. While you enjoy date night, your children will be in a separate, supervised activity room, said the Cornells Facebook page. Chick-fil-A giving away sandwiches at ValleyCats game in Troy Children's meals will also be available for them at an additional cost. If your children feels uncomfortable for any reason, Cornells will let them visit your tab...