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National employment numbers for March from Statistics Canada, at a glance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

OTTAWA — A quick look at Canada’s March employment (numbers from the previous month in brackets):Unemployment rate: 5.0 per cent (5.0)Employment rate: 62.4 per cent (62.4)Participation rate: 65.6 per cent (65.7)Number unemployed: 1,053,000 (1,066,400)Number working: 20,088,800 (20,054,100)Youth (15-24 years) unemployment rate: 9.2 per cent (9.9)Men (25 plus) unemployment rate: 4.4 per cent (4.3)Women (25 plus) unemployment rate: 4.1 per cent (4.2)This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2023.The Canadian Press

UK criticized for failures in Windrush immigration scandal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A civil rights group urged U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday to follow through on promises made to thousands of people of Caribbean descent who were wrongly targeted as illegal migrants in the so-called Windrush scandal that emerged five years ago.The Black Equity Organisation submitted a petition signed by more than 50,000 people that criticized the “painfully slow” response by the government and the decision by Home Secretary Suella Braverman to scrap several recommendations for immigration agency improvements that her predecessor accepted. “We urge your government to stick to the promises made — there is still an opportunity to show that you and your ministers are serious about righting past wrongs,” a letter to Sunak said. “To do anything less sends a clear message that the suffering of the Windrush generation was in vain and the hostile environment still exists.”The group is named for the Empire Windrush, the ship that brought the first 500 Caribbe...

OpenAI to offer remedies to resolve Italy’s ChatGPT ban

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

LONDON (AP) — The company behind ChatGPT will propose measures to resolve data privacy concerns that sparked a temporary Italian ban on the artificial intelligence chatbot, regulators said Thursday. The Italian data protection authority, known as Garante, last week blocked San Francisco-based OpenAI’s popular chatbot, ordering it to temporarily stop processing Italian users’ personal information while it investigates a possible breach of European Union data privacy rules. Experts said it was the first such case of a democracy imposing a nationwide ban on a mainstream AI platform. In a video call late Wednesday between the watchdog’s commissioners and OpenAI executives including CEO Sam Altman, the company promised to set out measures to address the concerns. Those remedies have not been detailed.The Italian watchdog said it didn’t want to hamper AI’s development but stressed to OpenAI the importance of complying with the 27-nation EU’s stringent privacy...

Mayor-elect Johnson to meet Mayor Lightfoot ahead of inauguration

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson has been busy since election day with local and national leaders reaching out to him amid the win. Johnson is expected to meet with Mayor Lori Lightfoot Thursday ahead of his inauguration next month. The 47-year-old teacher and former Cook County commissioner will inherit a city that seven in ten voters say is on the wrong track. Johnson will now have to build relationships with City Council and implement his public safety plans -- the top concern for voters across the city. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson details plan heading into inauguration "The people of Chicago, no one disagrees with youth employment, no one disagrees with mental health support, no one disagrees with training and promoting 200 more detectives, no one disagrees with addressing the housing crisis," Johnson said.Johnson said his first plan of action is to meet with the newly created police district council. He is also set to meet with Mayor Lightfoot at Town Hall around 1:30 p...

Semi driver critical following road rage shooting in Posen

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

POSEN, Ill. — A semi-truck driver was critically wounded early Thursday morning during an apparent road rage shooting in Posen.At around 2:30 a.m., police responded to a report of a shooting at 147th and the intersection of southbound I-57.Police said a semi-truck driver sustained at least one gunshot wound following an isolated road rage incident. He was transported in critical condition and has underwent surgery, but still remains critical.Police are waiting to confirm witness statements before issuing vehicle information of the suspected shooter. At least 6 wanted after back-to-back carjackings in Logan Square No one is in custody.

Woman's dog stolen at gunpoint on Chicago's South Side

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A woman had her dog stolen at gunpoint in the Grand Crossing on the city's South Side.According to police, the 39-year-old woman told officers she was outside when a gray SUV approached and three men exited the vehicle. The men displayed firearms and grabbed the woman's dog, a gray Cane Corso. Man critical after being shot in the face on North Side Police said the men then got back into the SUV and fled westbound. The woman was not injured.No one is in custody. Area Two detectives are investigating.

Israeli police storm Jerusalem mosque amid Ramadan and Passover

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police stormed into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City early Wednesday, firing stun grenades at Palestinian youths who hurled firecrackers at them in a burst of violence during a sensitive holiday season. Gaza militants responded with rocket fire on southern Israel, prompting an Israeli airstrike.The fighting, coming as Muslims mark the holiday month of Ramadan and Jews prepare to begin the Passover festival on Wednesday evening, drew Palestinian condemnations and raised fears of a wider conflagration. Similar clashes two years ago erupted into an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military said one soldier was shot in a separate incident in the occupied West Bank.The mosque sits on a sensitive hilltop compound holy to both Jews and Muslims. Al-Aqsa is the third-holiest site in Islam and is typically packed with worshippers during Ramadan. The spot, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is also the holiest site in Judaism, who revere it as...

LIVE: Widespread rain over the next 48 hours

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Grab the rain gear - widespread showers and storms are a good bet across most of Central Texas today (and it's about time!)Live radarLive traffic conditionsPeriodic showers and storms can be expected through the day with coverage leaning slightly heavier east of I-35. Rain could be heavy at times, but no major flooding issues are anticipated at this time. Nuisance flooding is certainly possible, and by that we mean ponding on highway shoulders, standing water in low-lying spots, etc.THURSDAY: 2 out of 4 risk (yellow) of flash flooding from Highway 281 eastwardThere is a low risk of hail and damaging winds today, but most storms are expected to stay sub-severe. THURSDAY: 1 out of 5 risk (dark green) for severe storms | concerns: hail & windAdditional showers and storms are expected again Friday leading to widespread totals of 1"-3" by the end of the event (early Saturday morning). Isolated areas could end up in the 3-5" rain, probab...

$1M scratch-off ticket sold in Schenectady

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A lottery scratch-off ticket worth $1 million has been sold in Schenectady. According to Stewart's Shops, the winning "Strike It Rich" ticket was sold on April 3 at the 4240 Consaul Road shop. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! In 2022, Stewart’s had over $150 million in lottery winners. Winning tickets sold at Stewart's in 2023 so far include:Mega Millions $1 million winner on January 6 in TroyTake 5 $45,713 winner on January 13 in West MiltonTake 5 $34,245 winner on January 16 in MechanicvillePowerball $50,000 winner on March 25 in Rotterdam Schenectady’s La Gioia Italian Deli sets reopening date The New York Lottery contributed $3.6 million in fiscal year 2021-2022 to help support education in the state. If you are struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, you can find help by calling the HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or by texting HOPENY.

Several kids in Orange injured from hot gum distributed by student

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:42:00 GMT

ORANGE, Mass. (WWLP) - At least 10 kids were taken to the hospital after an incident in Dexter Park school where gum with "pepper" was handed out to students during recess, causing burning in the mouth and esophagus. According to the Superintendent, a student purchased the gum online and offered it to several students. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The product contained products that when students ingest it, cause digestive issues and burning in the mouth. Students that just touched the gum were also reporting skin reactions such as eye irritation. "I've been a bus driver for over 20 years and have never seen anything like this," said Kelly Graves, a bus driver for the Orange School District. "More of the bus drivers talking about it because when they pulled up to the school to see all the emergency vehicles it was quite alarming."The Orange Fire Department said six students were taken to the hospital along with multiple...