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Live updates | Talks on Gaza cease-fire and freeing more hostages as Hamas leader is in Egypt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

The top leader of Hamas was in Egypt for talks Wednesday on halting the war in Gaza and securing the release of at least some of the estimated 129 Israeli captives held by Palestinian militants.At the U.N. Security Council, diplomats are negotiating for the third day on a resolution to pause the fighting and allow desperately needed humanitarian aid deliveries.In Yemen, rebels backed by Iran have threatened to target American warships operating near its waters, a day after Washington announced a new international coalition to protect commercial vessels sailing through the Red Sea. The Houthi rebels have threatened to prevent any ship heading to Israeli ports from passing through the Red Sea and Arabian Sea until food and medicine can enter Gaza freely.Nearly 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel declared war on Hamas, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths. Thousands more lie buried under the rubble of...

Brampton man caught with over 50 kg of cocaine at Ontario border crossing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

A man from Brampton is facing drug-related charges after he allegedly attempted to transport over 50 kilograms of suspected cocaine through Ontario’s Blue Water Bridge port of entry.In a joint news release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), officers said on Dec. 4, a commercial truck entered Canada at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ont., and was referred for a secondary examination.It’s alleged that during the inspection, CBSA officers discovered boxes containing 52 kg of suspected cocaine. Those narcotics were seized at the border crossing.On Wednesday, the CBSA and RCMP identified 27-year-old Manpreet Singh of Brampton as the accused. He’s facing several charges, including the importation of cocaine under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Related: $7M worth of drugs seized, 150 charges laid in months-long d...

Indiana underestimated Medicaid cost by nearly $1 billion, new report says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s initial estimate for Medicaid expenses is nearly $1 billion short of its now-predicted need, state lawmakers learned in a report that ignited concern over the state’s budget and access to the low-income healthcare program.A December outlook found that Medicaid is predicted to need $984 million more than what was thought in April, when the state’s biennium budget was finalized.State budget director Zachary Jackson told The Associated Press the forecast used to develop the budget allowed Indiana to move $525 million from Medicaid to the state’s general fund in July. The state has directed that $271 million of that money be moved back to Medicaid to address the shortfall of the last year, he said.According to the predictions presented to lawmakers on Tuesday, the state will need to appropriate $255.2 million more for the program before July 2024 and $457.9 million more for the following year.The flawed April forecast was based on da...

CRA fires 185 employees to date for ‘inappropriately’ claiming CERB benefits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it.That’s an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which current employees received the Canada Emergency Response Benefit — or CERB — during the COVID-19 pandemic.The benefit was worth $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions. Related: CRA fires 20 employees, investigating hundreds for taking CERB payments CRA fires 120 employees for claiming CERB benefits while working The CRA says that just because someone was employed by the agency, that does not necessarily mean they were ineligible for the benefit, given some have temporary or student contracts. Of the cases reviewed, 116 employees who received CERB were found to be eligible for the benefit...

Parents sue Michigan school district over pronouns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — Two parents have filed a lawsuit against a Michigan school district for using male pronouns for their child without their knowledge.According to court documents, Dan and Jennifer Mead's child, who was assigned female at birth and identifies as male, attended Rockford Public School District starting in kindergarten.In middle school, the student started meeting with a school counselor. The school counselor was in regular contact with the parents about the child, discussing things like their mental health, school work and recent autism diagnosis. 4 embarrassing mistakes to avoid at your company’s holiday party, according to an expert In May 2022, the student asked the counselor to tell teachers to use he/him pronouns and a masculine name when referring to the student. That fall, as the then-13-year-old entered 8th grade, teachers referred to the student with he/him pronouns and used the student's preferred masculine name, but the school did not notify the par...

Senate recesses without funding bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Lawmakers in Washington say a deal to address the border crisis and provide money to Ukraine and Israel won’t happen until next year.Lawmakers are heading home for the holiday leaving the border crisis to fester at least another month, and Israel and Ukraine waiting longer for help.“I think it's pretty safe to say we've made some significant progress, but we obviously aren't there,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) Senate negotiators say they are working in good faith.“We worked 24-7 all throughout the weekend and we are closer than ever before to an agreement,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn).The goal is to produce a single bill that addresses republican concerns about the border and approves money to help Israel and Ukraine fight their respective wars. “Our goal is as soon as we get back to get something done,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)Republicans say they won’t approve anything that doesn’t seriously add...

New Census figures show tens of thousands leaving Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

ST. LOUIS - New Census estimates released Tuesday indicate that Missouri noticed small growth in its population this year while Illinois lost tens of thousands of residents. The U.S. Census Bureau released new Vintage 2023 population estimates on Tuesday. According to the estimates, Missouri gained roughly 19,000 residents from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023. Illinois reportedly lost around 33,000 residents during that same time frame. Illinois' estimated total population loss was larger than every other state besides California (-75,000) and New York (-102,000), per Census. Earlier this year, FOX 2 analyzed how population trends within Missouri and Illinois impacted demographics for the St. Louis region. We found there to be very small growth in the Metro East (Illinois), significant growth in St. Charles County (Missouri) and considerable losses in the City of St. Louis (Missouri) over the last several decades. As for the new Census figures, it's estimated that the Midwest region, c...

Around Town checks out The Shops at Church 103 for last-minute holiday shopping

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

Haven 18902501 W. 103rd St.Chicago, IL 60655www.haven1890.com

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made an unannounced visit to service members onboard the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier on Wednesday. Austin has ordered sailors on board to remain at sea to prevent the Israel-Hamas war from spilling over into a deadlier regional conflict.“It’s great to be here and I’m here today with a simple message and that’s just to say thank you. Thanks for your service and for your skill,” Secretary Austin said over the aircraft carrier’s intercom system.Austin was in the region to meet with Israeli leaders to discuss several pressing topics, including to pressure Israel to scale back its military campaign in Gaza.The U.S. has been concerned that Israel will launch a similar military operation along its northern border with Lebanon to expel Hezbollah militants there, which could potentially widen the war.Austin ordered the crew on board the USS Gerald R Ford to the Eastern Mediterranean to be closer to Israel the day after Hamas m...

UPDATES: Local football players make college commitments official during early signing period

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Wednesday marks a day that many high school football players dream about, the day they can sign a letter of intent to play college football.The early signing period for Division I football programs begins Wednesday and runs through Friday, giving athletes who are ready to officially pledge allegiance to a college program. Athletes will have another chance to sign letters in February 2024, but the early period is now the main event for most. Texas Longhorns flip nation’s No. 2 safety recruit Xavier Filsaime from Florida Gators Local athletes from all over the viewing area will sign their letters throughout the day. As of Tuesday afternoon, the schools who have confirmed signing ceremonies with KXAN are:Westlake, 8 a.m.Weiss, 8:30 a.m. Vandegrift, 11:25 a.m.Crockett, 2 p.m.If your school is having a ceremony, send an email to [email protected] to let us know.Vandegrift has two athletes in the 247Sports Texas recruiting rankings set to sign with Power 5 colleges, offens...