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UK Labour leader Keir Starmer says he’ll seek closer ties with the EU if he wins the next election

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British opposition leader Keir Starmer says he will seek a closer relationship with the European Union, but won’t reverse Brexit, if his Labour Party wins a national election that’s due by the end of next year.Opinion polls put the left-of-center party as much as 20 points ahead of the governing Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010.Starmer told the Financial Times in an interview that the U.K.-EU trade and cooperation agreement negotiated by the Conservatives is “far too thin.”“We will attempt to get a much better deal for the U.K.,” he said, adding that the two sides “can have a closer trading relationship as well.”Britain’s departure from the EU in 2020 remains a divisive political issue. Starmer campaigned to remain in the bloc during the 2016 referendum campaign that was won narrowly by the “leave” side.Since becoming Labour leader in 2020 he has confirmed that the party will not seek to rejoin the 27-nation EU or try to re-enter the bloc’s single marke...

Ottawa looks to understand why grocery prices are so high

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

The fall session of parliament is underway, and with a big focus on making the lives of Canadians more affordable, Ottawa is starting with grocery prices.The CEOs of Canada’s biggest chains are in the nation’s capital as ministers try to nail down why prices are still so high, despite the rate of food inflation slowing in recent months.What everyone wants to know is when will prices actually drop.“We have no timeline from the federal government of when we’ll actually see prices go down,” CityNews’s Parliament Hill Reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney said. This meeting comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered chains a Thanksgiving threat — come up with a new price plan or face the consequences, which could potentially include taxing the profits of the big chains.Mac Sweeney says if the federal government does that, it could backfire.“In the end, it’s not going to help prices. You can tax the companies more but...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts ahead of Fed meeting as oil prices keep rising

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is drifting Monday, while oil prices keep rising to raise the pressure on inflation.The S&P 500 was 0.1% lower in early trading, coming off its second straight losing week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 22 points, or 0.1%, at 34,640, as of 9:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% lower.Stocks have been see-sawing since early August on uncertainty about whether the Federal Reserve is finally done with its drastic hikes to interest rates. Higher rates have helped cool inflation from its peak last summer, but they also hurt prices for stocks and other investments while slowing the economy.Traders almost universally expect the Fed to keep rates steady at its meeting this week, which ends Wednesday. More attention will be on the forecasts Fed officials will publish about where they expect interest rates, the economy and the job market to head in upcoming years.One of the first the market will fixate on is how high officials at th...

Marilyn Manson pleads no contest to blowing nose on videographer, gets fine, community service

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Marilyn Manson was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and a fine on Monday after pleading no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire. The shock rocker, 54, wanted to appear via video for his hearing on the misdemeanor charge, but the judge required him to be in the courtroom in Laconia, about 30 miles north of Concord, the state capital. Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter with the videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019. Manson pleaded no contest to just the nose-blowing charge in a fully negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors. The prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charge, which alleged that he spit on the videographer. A no contest plea means Manson is not contesting the charge and does not admit guilt. Manson was fined a little more than $1,400 as part of the deal, with $2...

Two teen girls charged following stabbing in Vaughan

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

York police have charged two 13- year-old girls with assault with a weapon and are seeking witnesses after another 13-year-old girl was stabbed numerous times in a plaza parking lot in Vaughan.On Sept. 16 at approximately 8:00 p.m., police responded to a call for a large gathering of youths causing a disturbance at a fast food restaurant on Rutherford Road, east of Highway 400.A fight broke out in the parking lot and a 13-year-old girl was stabbed. Officers located her suffering from multiple injuries and she was transported to hospital in non-life-threatening condition.Officers also located two 13-year-old female suspects and took them into custody. A knife was recovered at the scene.The two 13-year-old girls, one from the Richmond Hill and one from Vaughan, have each been charged with assault with a weapon. They cannot be identified due to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.The girl from Richmond Hill was held for a bail hearing. The girl from Vaughan was released fr...

Chicago man charged after woman shot in Lower West Side home: CPD

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

CHICAGO -- A Chicago man is facing a felony after a woman was shot inside a Lower West Side home Sunday evening, police said. According to police, 45-year-old Kiel Stock is facing a felony charge of aggravated battery and discharge of firearm. 4 people, including 2 children, found fatally shot in Romeoville Police said Stock was identified as the man who discharged a firearm inside a residence in the 1400 block of West 21st Street, striking a 37-year-old woman causing her minor injuries. Stock was placed into custody and charged accordingly.

Marilyn Manson enters plea in nose-blowing case, gets sentenced

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Marilyn Manson was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and a fine on Monday after pleading no contest to blowing his nose on a videographer at a 2019 concert in New Hampshire.The shock rocker, 54, wanted to appear via video for his hearing on the misdemeanor charge, but the judge required him to be in the courtroom in Laconia, about 30 miles north of Concord, the state capital.Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple assault stemming from the encounter with the videographer at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford on Aug. 19, 2019.Manson pleaded no contest to just the nose-blowing charge in a fully negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors. The prosecutors agreed to dismiss the other charge, which alleged that he spit on the videographer. A no contest plea means Manson is not contesting the charge and does not admit guilt.Manson was fined a little more than $1,400 as part of the deal, w...

White House announces prisoner exchange with Iran

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

(The Hill) -- Five Americans who have been detained in Iran were released Monday in exchange for the Biden administration granting clemency to five Iranians and moving $6 billion in a restricted Iranian account, the White House announced.Five American citizens wrongfully imprisoned and two family members who have been banned from traveling from Iran boarded a Qatari plane en route for Doha early Monday, according to a senior administration official. They will then travel to Washington to reunite with their families.The citizens include Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, Emad Shargi and two unidentified Americans who have wished to remain private. Additionally, the mother of Namazi and the wife of Tahbaz, both of whom have not been able to leave Iran, will be on the plane.Five Iranians who were convicted of nonviolent crimes will be freed in the exchange, the official said. Two of the Iranians who do not have legal status in the U.S. will return to Doha. These prisoners are Kaveh Lotfolah ...

The Beach Boys to perform in Schenectady

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Beach Boys are coming to Schenectady. The band is set to perform at Proctors Theatre on November 19 at 3 p.m. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Beach Boys have been making music for more than six decades. The band had a slew of hits including "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "Good Vibrations," "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Kokomo," "I Get Around," and more.Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 22 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets on the Proctors website.

North Greenbush domestic dispute leads to police chase, crash

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:13:38 GMT

NORTH GREENBUSH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A domestic dispute that led to a car chase and eventually a crash resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man on Sunday. Logan Swedick faces several charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! North Greenbush Police responded to 52 Troy Avenue for reports of a domestic assault in progress. Once they arrived, they found Swedick fleeing in a car.Police say Swedick crashed into a patrol car and fled at a high speed. He eventually lost control while driving down Troy Avenue onto Lakeshore Drive. Swedick crashed into a utility pole, breaking it in half. Police say the crash knocked the power out in the area for several hours.Image of crash via North Greenbush Police Capital Region students aiding in healthcare worker shortage Police say Swedick tried to run from his car after the crash but stopped him a short time after. Responding officers at the original address found two women who were assaulted ...