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Timeline: the prime minister’s evolving statements on the war in the Gaza Strip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was rebuked Tuesday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a strongly worded statement calling for an end to violence in the Gaza Strip. Here is a look at how the prime minister’s position has evolved as the conflict has unfolded:Oct. 7Hamas militants stormed from the blockaded Gaza Strip into nearby Israeli towns, killing dozens and abducting others in an unprecedented surprise attack during a major Jewish holiday. Trudeau released a statement within hours condemning the attack. “These acts of violence are completely unacceptable. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to defend itself,” Trudeau wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.Backed by rockets, Hamas gunned down civilians and soldiers as Israel’s military scrambled to muster a response.Israel would later estimate the death toll at 1,200 people, including hundreds of civilians.Hamas fighters took 242 civilians and soldiers captive into Gaza...

Pennsylvania House passes ‘shield law’ to protect providers, out-of-staters seeking abortions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A bill seeking to protect those who travel to Pennsylvania to get abortions by barring public officials from cooperating with authorities in other states that criminalize the practice advanced Wednesday through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.The legislation passed 117-86. It now goes to the GOP-controlled state Senate, where it faces a chilly reception.The measure seeks to prevent public officials in Pennsylvania, where abortion is legal up to 24 weeks, from cooperating with authorities in other states who try to block their residents from coming to Pennsylvania to get an abortion.All but one Democrat voted for the bill, while 16 Republicans joined them.At least 16 states — the majority of Democrat-controlled states — have adopted laws seeking to protect abortion access since last year. Many of those laws have provisions that protect providers and the people who come from other states seeking an abortion. Though anti-abortion ad...

Blake Snell wins NL Cy Young Award, 7th pitcher to take home prize in both leagues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Blake Snell won the National League Cy Young Award on Wednesday after leading the majors in ERA for the San Diego Padres, becoming the seventh pitcher to earn baseball’s top pitching prize in both leagues.The free-agent lefty received 28 of 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb finished second and Zac Gallen of the NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks was third.Snell, the American League Cy Young Award recipient in 2018 with Tampa Bay, joined Gaylord Perry, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Roy Halladay and Max Scherzer as pitchers to win in both leagues.Shaking off a dreadful start to the season, Snell went 14-9 with a 2.25 ERA and 234 strikeouts in 180 innings over 32 outings for a disappointing Padres team that finished 82-80 despite baseball’s third-highest payroll.He was 1-6 with a 5.40 ERA after losing to Boston on May 19, then dominated the rest ...

Atlantic City Boardwalk fire damages entrance to casino, but Resorts remains open

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., (AP) — A fire broke out under the wooden Atlantic City Boardwalk on Wednesday right in front of the entrance to Resorts casino, melting part of its facade and burning the doors. But no one was injured and the facility was able to remain open, authorities said. Two restaurants near the fire were temporarily closed and hoped to reopen later Wednesday, Fire Chief Scott Evans and Resorts President Mark Giannantonio said.The fire burst through the boardwalk’s slats at around 4 p.m. and was driven by strong winds, Evans said. Black smoke boiled into the air as orange flames leapt beneath the Resorts sign. The casino was accessible through a secondary Boardwalk entrance as well as side entrances near parking areas, Giannantonio said. Aris Matos and his wife Michelle of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, were having dinner at a restaurant in the casino when he looked outside and saw clouds of smoke.“We ate some more and then I saw the smoke was getting thicker and thicker,...

Karl Tremblay, singer with Quebec’s Les Cowboys Fringants, dies from cancer at 47

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

MONTREAL — Karl Tremblay, the lead singer with one of Quebec’s most beloved bands, has died at the age of 47. His group, Les Cowboys Fringants, shared the news of his death in a social media post this afternoon. Tremblay announced in July 2022 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.He continued to perform with the folk-rock band while undergoing chemotherapy, including a historic performance before 90,000 people at the Festival d’été in Quebec City in July.The band later postponed all of its performances scheduled for this fall.Les Cowboys Fringants wrote on social media that Tremblay was a role model and an “exemplary warrior” in the face of illness.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2023.The Canadian Press<!– Photo: 20231115171132-655547b0508fe9e08414e6e5jpeg.jpg, Caption: Quebec singer Karl Tremblay has died at the age of 47. His band, Les Cowboys Fringants, shared the news of his death in a social media post t...

Sen. Joe Manchin says Donald Trump would destroy US democracy if he wins second term as president

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, days removed from announcing he won’t seek reelection, said Wednesday that if the nation’s voters give former President Donald Trump another term in the White House, “he will destroy democracy in America.”Manchin, whose home state voters overwhelmingly backed Trump in the last two presidential elections, made the comment on a press call with West Virginia-based reporters amid speculation that Manchin himself might be weighing a third-party run for president.The moderate West Virginia Democrat said Wednesday that he would never want to be a “spoiler” who contributed to getting any other candidate elected. But he said he would do what he had to in order to save the country.“If they said, ‘You’re the only person to do it,’ I’ll do whatever I can to save this nation,” he said.Manchin had harsh words for how the two-party system is currently functioning.“These parties have taken over to where they weaponized us ag...

What the jury didn’t hear at the trial of the man accused in the London, Ont., attack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

From alternate attack targets and extreme views on many populations to a near-resignation from a defence lawyer, there was plenty jurors at the trial of Nathaniel Veltman were barred from hearing as they considered the case of the man accused of killing four members of a Muslim family in what prosecutors have alleged was an act of terrorism. As the jury now weighs the fate of the 22-year-old – who has pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder – here is some of what they did not know.Veltman considered attacking abortion clinics and a women’s hospital in TorontoAfter Veltman took to the witness stand to testify in his own defence, the Crown suggested – when the jury was not present – that it might bring evidence related to a trip the accused took to Toronto a day before the attack in London, Ont. That evidence would include a screenshot from his phone of a map with directions to the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. Pros...

New protests in Greece over Roma youth’s fatal shooting by police following car chase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — New protests broke out Wednesday in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, over the fatal shooting of a Roma youth during a weekend altercation with police following a car chase.A main highway in the Greek capital was briefly closed to traffic after Roma youths lit fires and threw stones at police. Similar violence broke out in a Roma-majority area on the outskirts of Athens. In Thessaloniki, youths clashed with police after a protest march organized by far-left groups.No arrests or injuries were reported. Similar protests broke out over previous days.A police officer has been charged with the intentional homicide of the 17-year-old Roma boy late Saturday. Police said the shooting occurred after a lengthy, high-speed car chase when a vehicle with four Roma youths refused to stop for a police check and sped away. When the car finally came to a stop near Thebes, northwest of Athens, the 17-year-old driver was fatally shot under unclear circumstanc...

'I feel good': Justin Fields says he's ready to go against Detroit Lions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Justin Fields took to the podium after practice Wednesday to answer questions ahead of the Chicago Bears' matchup against the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions this weekend."It feels pretty good," Fields said about his throwing grip. "It feels good to throw, arm feels fresh, I feel good. Taped it up today at practice, we'll see how its feeling on Sunday and whether I need tape or not."Fields was a full participant at practice Wednesday and could be seen throwing the football with tape around the thumb on his throwing hand. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus also said he will start Sunday in Detroit against the Lions.Justin Fields a FULL participant in practice Wednesday. Set to start Sunday in Detroit. #Bears pic.twitter.com/AuMQazb1BJ— Kaitlin Sharkey (@KRoseSharkey) November 15, 2023Fields also said he tried testing his grip with a glove on, but wasn't comfortable in that situation, so he decided to go no glove with tape during practice. "I'm really excited to ...

Big drop in temps on the way with eventful weather week for Thanksgiving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:15:28 GMT

Another gorgeous day with temps which soared into the mid 60s across the area amid gusty SSW winds.It marked the 4th consecutive day Chicagoans enjoyed 100% of their possible sun.  A four day 100% sunny streak last occurred at this time of year 22 years ago in 2001.  To date for the opening 15 days of November 2023, the area has received an average of 71% of its possible sun----158% (i.e. more than one and a half times) the normal amount of sun for the period.ANOTHER WARM DAY is on the way Thursday—from all indications the WARMEST DAY of the current mild spell and quite possibly the  2nd warmest OR WARMEST day of November 2023 to date with a high reaching 68 amid powerful SSW winds ahead of an incoming cold front---winds which are to gust to 35 mph at times.Clouds will be increasing Thursday—but rains with the incoming front are to hold off until after dark.  Those showers may linger into early Friday—but gusty NW winds are to clear skies with high temp...