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Ontario to have $22.6B in ‘excess funds’ to be used on programs or debt, FAO says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

TORONTO — Ontario’s budget watchdog says a look at the province’s spending plan shows there will be $22.6 billion in “excess funds” over the next few years.The Financial Accountability Office says through to 2025-26 the government’s spending plan is $5.6 billion higher each year on average than the FAO’s projections.The $22.6 billion represents money that isn’t needed to fund existing or announced programs, so it could go toward new programs, enhancing existing programs, offset any new financial pressures that materialize or pay down the province’s net debt.If the government goes entirely for the latter option, the FAO says Ontario’s debt burden would decline for an “unprecedented” seven consecutive years and result in a net debt-to-GDP ratio of 31.8 per cent by 2027-28, the lowest since 2008-09.The FAO estimates that the health sector represents about $4.4 billion in excess funds, but most of the rest are likely cont...

Putin says he might try to seize nearby territory in Ukraine to prevent cross-border strikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested Tuesday that he could order his troops to try to seize more land in Ukraine to protect bordering Russian territory and asserted that Ukrainian forces had suffered “catastrophic” losses in a new counteroffensive.In some of his most detailed remarks about the war in months, the Russian leader also said he was not contemplating a new troop mobilization, as many Russians have feared, but did not rule it out. And he reiterated Russia’s claim that Ukraine was responsible for blowing up a Dnieper River dam that caused vast flooding on both sides of the front line last week in the country’s south.Putin’s comments at an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers followed Kyiv’s claims that Ukrainian troops had captured a handful of villages in the early stages of the counteroffensive. The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, came after Russian missile strikes in central Ukraine killed at least 11...

York police looking for suspect in sexual assault investigation in Richmond Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

York police’s Special Victims Unit Sexual Assault Section is asking the public’s help to identify a suspect following a sexual assault in Richmond Hill.On June 10 at approximately 3:45 p.m. a 10-year-old female victim was inside a mall in the area of Yonge Street and Carville Road.While inside a store, an unknown man approached her, engaged in conversation and touched her in a sexual manner.The victim got away from the man and reported the incident to police.The suspect is described as a male with a tan complexion, approximately 40-55 years old, approximately 5’5” with a medium build, has short black hair, glasses, a strong accent and was wearing a black V-neck short sleeve shirt, dark pants, and white shoes.A vehicle description that the suspect left in was also described: a newer model Hyundai Kona that is dark grey with a sunroof.

Fox News shouldn’t air in Canada despite Tucker Carlson ouster, LGBTQ group argues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

TORONTO — An advocacy group that wants the CRTC to ban Fox News says the network’s “abusive content” extends beyond its divisive personalities such as recently fired host Tucker Carlson.Fox News should be banned from Canadian airwaves because it has “repeatedly and regularly” violated broadcasting standards with content that subjects many groups to hate, Egale Canada is arguing in its formal submission to Canada’s broadcasting regulator. The LGBTQ rights group is dismissing Fox’s argument that the application to remove its news network from Canadian cable TV packages is “moot” in the wake of prime-time host Tucker Carlson’s ousting in late April. Egale’s reply submission to the CRTC this week follows thousands of comments, including those from Fox News, that the commission received after seeking public input on the matter.Egale wrote an open letter to the regulator in early April, asking it to consult the public on the removal of Fox News from the list of non-Canad...

France accuses Russia of faking websites to sow confusion and disinformation about Ukraine war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

France’s government accused Russia on Tuesday of operating a long-running online manipulation campaign, including impersonating the websites of leading French media and the French Foreign Ministry, aimed at spreading confusion and false information about the war in Ukraine.The French agency responsible for fighting foreign digital interference, VIGINUM, said it has monitored the alleged operation since soon after Russia invaded its neighbor and that France was one of several European countries targeted. It said it traced the campaign to Russian individuals, companies and “state entities or entities affiliated to the Russian state.” Last month, the agency detected a mirror website mimicking the French Foreign Ministry’s and intervened with “protective and preventive measures,” VIGINUM said in a report published Tuesday.“France condemns these actions, which are unworthy of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. No attempt at manipulation will distract France ...

Nottingham police say man fatally stabbed 3, stole van and ran down 3 more in English city

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A knife-wielding assailant stabbed two college students to death in the streets of the English city of Nottingham and then fatally stabbed a middle-aged man, stole his van and ran down three pedestrians in a shocking rampage early Tuesday morning, police said. Police arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder. The Nottinghamshire Police force said investigators believe the perpetrator acted alone and detectives were working with counterterrorism officers to try to establish a motive. “This is a horrific and tragic incident which has claimed the lives of three people,” Chief Constable Kate Meynell said.A man who was among the people struck in the hit-and-run was hospitalized in critical condition. The dead included two 19-year-old students from the University of Nottingham. “We are shocked and devastated by the news,” the school said in an announcement. A graduation ball scheduled for Tuesday evening was canceled.The knife attack on the students occurred around d...

Israeli military raid kills 1 Palestinian, 4 people wounded in separate West Bank shooting attack

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — A raid by Israeli security forces into the northern West Bank set off a gunfight with militants that killed a young Palestinian man on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said. Elsewhere in the occupied territory, Israeli medics said that an assailant opened fire, wounding at least four people. The Israeli military stormed into the dense Balata refugee camp near the city of Nablus and surrounded a concrete apartment building, Palestinian residents said. Palestinian militants opened fire and threw explosive devices and stones at the troops. A 19-year-old, Faris al-Hashash, was killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Israeli security forces withdrew from Balata two hours later without making any arrests. Spontaneous celebrations erupted in the neighborhood as Israeli military jeeps and bulldozers rumbled away. Wanted Palestinian militant Issam al-Salaj, the presumed target of the raid, crowd-surfed among scores of gunmen, who chanted “God is great!” an...

11 people shot in Denver after Nuggets win NBA Finals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Multiple shootings sent 11 people to the hospital early Tuesday morning after thousands flocked downtown in celebration of the Denver Nuggets' historic NBA Finals win, celebrating into the early morning hours.Just before 1 a.m., the Denver Police Department tweeted that they were investigating a shooting in the 2000 block of Market Street. DPD said nine gunshot victims were located and that they identified a suspect who also had a gunshot wound. Three victims were in critical condition at a local hospital, and the other victims appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries, according to DPD. Photos: Denver Nuggets celebrate championship win At around 1:11 a.m., DPD said they were investigating a shooting in an area where one person was shot. However, officers provided an update that the victim was actually shot in a different location and self-transported to the hospital.In total, 10 people were injured in the 2000 block of Market Street, which is next to Coors F...

Chicago police find missing woman last seen going to work in River North

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police have located a missing woman who was last seen Sunday leaving her home and going to work in River North.Chicago police said on Tuesday she was located.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAdditional details haven't been released.

Austin Police investigating overnight shooting involving off-duty Travis County deputy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:58 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating an overnight shooting that involved an off-duty Travis County Sheriff's Office deputy. According to APD, officers responded to a call for service to assist TCSO shortly after midnight in the 6200 block of the south I-35 frontage road. APD's initial investigation showed an off-duty deputy was "involved in an altercation in his personal vehicle with another driver" while driving on I-35. During the incident, a weapon or weapons were discharged, APD said. No injuries were reported. APD’s Special Investigation Unit will conduct a criminal investigation into the incident with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.A public information officer with TCSO confirmed early Tuesday morning a deputy was involved but was not injured. APD said the other person involved drove away from the scene. The Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating and identifying anyone with knowledge concerning this incide...