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University of Toronto study finds ‘forever chemicals’ in several fast food packaging items

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

A new study out of the University of Toronto has found so-called ‘forever chemicals’ in several fast food packaging items for the first time in Canada, prompting calls for action and greater oversight.“We as scientists can’t keep up with the proliferation with a large number of new chemicals that are being introduced and used,” Miriam L. Diamond, an earth sciences professor and one of the study leads, told CityNews.“We should not be conducting an experiment in real-time with our population and our ecosystem to figure out what the toxicity and adverse effects would be of these ‘forever chemicals.'”Diamond said she and the team of scientists collected packaging items (paper wrappers and bags as well as compostable bowls) from 42 different fast-food establishments. She said around half of the items contained PFAS (per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), which are used to help stop food and fluids from leaking through the packaging. Diamond ...

Freeland says budget lacked housing measures because 2022 funds still being spent

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

SURREY, B.C. — Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has dismissed criticism that this week’s federal budget lacks measures to address Canada’s housing crisis, saying last year’s budget featured a $10-billion plan that is still being spent.Freeland said Thursday that last year’s budget allocated funds for a $4 billion housing accelerator program that was launched only this month by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.She said the previous housing funding “hasn’t been spent yet,” and it’s up to municipalities across the country to apply for it through a recently opened portal for the accelerator fund.“This was a multi-year plan,” Freeland said at a news conference in Surrey, east of Vancouver. “You don’t deploy $10 billion in one month or in one year.”B.C. Premier David Eby, who attended the news conference with Freeland, said he recognized there are “significant parcels” of funding from the last budget that have not yet been deployed in the pro...

‘Significant step towards reconciliation:’ N.W.T. introduces bill to implement UNDRIP

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories government has introduced a bill to guide implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which it says will advance reconciliation in the territory.The proposed legislation, which was co-developed by the territorial government with Indigenous governments and organizations over three years, aims to ensure all future and existing laws, regulations and policies in the N.W.T. are consistent with Indigenous rights. “I was proud to introduce this bill,” Premier Caroline Cochrane told reporters Wednesday. “(It’s a) truly significant step towards reconciliation.” The N.W.T. Council of Leaders, which includes officials from the territorial and Indigenous governments, has also reached a memorandum of understanding to implement the declaration.“This is a very important day for Indigenous communities and Indigenous governments,” said Danny Gaudet, chief of the Deline Got̵...

Joint Base Andrews lifts lockdown; no armed suspect found

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joint Base Andrews, one of the nation’s most sensitive military bases and home to Air Force One, emerged from a lockdown Thursday evening after officials were unable to confirm reports of a man carrying an “assault-style” rifle on the base, authorities said.No shots were fired and no suspect was found after hours of searching, according to a statement from the Maryland base. The person was reportedly seen near the base’s housing area around 2:30 p.m. Officials allowed a limited release from lockdown at 5 p.m., and the full lockdown was lifted an hour later.Joint Base Andrews, a few miles outside Washington, houses the fleet of blue and white presidential aircraft, including Air Force One.The base has faced security issues previously, including when an intruder reached the housing complex last month. A resident opened fire on the trespasser. Two years ago, a man breached several spots on the base — including a military checkpoint — and climbed into a C-40, a transpo...

Sports betting bill wins final OK from Kentucky lawmakers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

FRANKFORT,, Ky. (AP) — A bill to legalize sports betting in Kentucky won final legislative approval Thursday, clearing the last hurdle in the Senate after days of uncertainty over whether backers could muster enough support.With only hours left in this year’s legislative session, the Republican-dominated Senate passed the measure 25-12, sending it to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who has supported the issue. “We love our sports in the commonwealth,” Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer said in promoting the bill during debate. “And people want to be able to make the choice — of their own free will — to make a wager on a sports event, like almost all of our surrounding states.”The bill’s fate had loomed as one of the biggest uncertainties heading toward the conclusion of the 30-day legislative session. Supporters needed a minimum of 23 votes to pass it because it’s a revenue-producing bill in a non-budget year. The Senate ultimately decided to allow residents in the state ...

Judicial council takes next step in review of complaint against Supreme Court’s Brown

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

OTTAWA — The Canadian Judicial Council is taking the next step in its review of a complaint against Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown concerning alleged events at an Arizona resort.Christopher Hinkson, chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia and chairperson of the council’s judicial conduct committee, has decided to refer the matter to a judicial conduct review panel. In turn, the five-member panel can decide that an inquiry committee should be established if it determines the matter might be serious enough to warrant the removal of the judge.Brown insists he did nothing wrong prior to an alleged altercation at a Scottsdale resort lounge in late January.In a police report, Jon Crump accuses Brown of being intoxicated and hitting on Crump’s female companions. Crump told police he punched the judge “a few times.”Brown, who has described Crump’s version of their encounter as “demonstrably false,” has been on leave fro...

U.K. to join Pacific trade bloc after Canadian help, clearing path for bilateral deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

OTTAWA — Britain is set to join a massive trade bloc that will likely speed up negotiations on a bilateral deal between Ottawa and London.The countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership are expected to give the U.K. a green light to become the 12th country in the trading bloc, and the only one outside the Pacific Rim.International Trade Minister Mary Ng says the move will help Canada partner with Britain on clean-energy projects.Ng says Canada was the first member of the bloc to push for Britain to be included, though Japan has been facilitating the U.K.’s accession process, and London and Ottawa have sparred over allowing more beef exports to Britain.British and Canadian officials say the move should speed up negotiations for a bilateral deal between the two countries, since they’ve already established common ground on issues such as labour rights and supporting small businesses through the Pacific deal. Ottawa and London have been o...

DeSantis: Florida won't cooperate with Trump extradition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Thursday called the indictment of former President Trump “un-American” and said the state would not assist in any extradition request."The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American,” DeSantis, who is seen as Trump’s top rival in a potential 2024 GOP primary, tweeted after news of the indictment broke.“The Soros-backed Manhattan District Attorney has consistently bent the law to downgrade felonies and to excuse criminal misconduct. Yet, now he is stretching the law to target a political opponent,” DeSantis continued, adding that Florida would not assist in an extradition request “given the questionable circumstances at issue.”A Manhattan grand jury on Thursday voted to indict Trump on criminal charges for his role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign.Trump, who is a Florida resident, is expected to be arraigned next week.DeSantis...

More information released after small plane crashes in central Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

LINCOLN, Ill. (WMBD) -- More information has been released by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Thursday after a small plane crashed in Lincoln Wednesday.According to the FAA, two people on board the plane were sent to a hospital in Springfield with non-life-threatening injuries. FAA: Two people on board small plane crash in Lincoln The fixed-wing single-engine aircraft crashed southwest of Logan County airport next to Open Arms Christian Fellowship at approximately 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.The two people in the airplane were completing proficiency training through touch and go's. That's when they take off and land the plane multiple times. On their final touch and go, the plane crashed less than a half mile away from the airport which was its destination.The pilot of the plane was certified and the passenger was a flight instructor. Illinois announces online auction for unclaimed property The lead pastor at the church, Larry Crawford, saw the incident and said it was a mirac...

Here's what 2024 Republicans have said about Trump's indictment

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:31 GMT

The field of declared and prospective 2024 Republican presidential candidates on Thursday decried the indictment of former President Donald Trump on criminal charges for his alleged role in organizing hush money payments made to an adult film star during his 2016 campaign.Trump is one of a handful of declared GOP candidates running for the White House in 2024, with several others mulling a bid of their own.Here’s what those other Republicans had to say about Trump’s indictment.Ron DeSantisFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis, perhaps Trump’s most formidable possible challenger in the 2024 race, called Trump’s indictment “un-American” and said the state would not assist in any extradition request. He did not mention Trump by name.The weaponization of the legal system to advance a political agenda turns the rule of law on its head. It is un-American,” DeSantis, who is seen as Trump’s top rival in a potential 2024 GOP primary, tweeted after news of the indictment broke.“The Soros-backed Manhattan...