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MNP consumer debt index improves, but consumer outlook worsens

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

CALGARY — A report by insolvency firm MNP Ltd. says its consumer debt index improved slightly in its latest quarter as Canadians felt marginally better about their ability to pay their debts. The quarterly index rose to 86 points, up from 83 points in July.However, the report noted that when asked to look into the future, Canadians’ debt outlook worsened.The report says 18 per cent said they believe their debt situation will be worse a year from now, up from 15 per cent in the previous quarter. Looking five years out, 16 per cent said they believed their debt situation will be worse, up from 14 per cent.Meanwhile, the report said 51 per cent of Canadians reported that they were $200 away or less from not being able to meet all their financial obligations, down from 52 per cent in the July report.It also said 31 per cent of those questioned said they already don’t make enough to cover their bills and debt payments, down from 35 per cent in the previous report.This report by The...

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice fights order to appear in court over impeachment advice

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice is fighting a subpoena ordering her to appear in court in a lawsuit related to advice she gave about possible impeachment of a current liberal justice, calling it “unreasonable and oppressive.”Republican lawmakers have threatened possible impeachment of current Justice Janet Protasiewicz related to comments she made during the campaign calling GOP-drawn legislative maps “rigged” and “unfair.” She joined with the liberal majority of the court in agreeing to hear a lawsuit supported by Democrats that seeks to overturn the GOP maps and enact new ones.Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos asked three former conservative Supreme Court justices for advice on impeachment. Two of the three told him that impeaching Protasiewicz was not warranted. The third, former Chief Justice Patience Roggensack, has not said what her advice was and Vos has repeatedly refused to disclose it.The liberal watchdog group American Oversight...

National Business Book Award finalists include top Bay Street names, ex-BoC governor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

TORONTO — The former governor of the Bank of Canada and several top Bay Street names are among the three finalists for the National Business Book Award 2023.Stephen Poloz, who served as a governor of the central bank from 2013 to 2020, has been nominated for a book called “The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future,” which talks about how the Bank of Canada works and why it does what it does.A compilation of first-person essays on leadership during the pandemic also garnered a position among the finalists. The book, “Unprecedented — Canada’s Top CEOs on Leadership During COVID-19,” was edited by Globe and Mail columnist Andrew Willis and Greenhill Canada investment banker Steve Mayer. A memoir by Wes Hall, who is the founder of BlackNorth Initiative, is also among the top three contenders for the prize. The winner of the annual literary award, which is scheduled to be announced on Nov. 8, will receive a $30,000 prize for Ca...

Biden’s pick to be ambassador to Israel tells senators he’ll ensure the US ally ‘has what it needs’

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel told senators Wednesday that he would “ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself” and would work with the U.S. ally to end the attacks by Hamas if he were confirmed. Jacob Lew, a treasury secretary under President Barack Obama, promised to coordinate with the international community and address the humanitarian crisis facing civilians in Gaza amid Israeli military strikes. His hearing came as Biden visited Israel to reinforce U.S. support and try to ease tensions in the latest war with Hamas. “At this moment, there is no greater mission than to be asked to strengthen the ties between the United States and the State of Israel and to work toward peace in a region that has known so much war and destruction,” Lew said in his opening statement. The Senate is moving quickly to confirm Lew, who was nominated by Biden last month after Tom Nides left as ambassador in July. Democrats say Lew’s wealth of go...

To speed up boarding, United Airlines starts seating passengers with window seats first in economy

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

United Airlines says that it will start boarding passengers in economy class with window seats first starting next week, a move that will speed up boarding times for flights.The airline said in an internal memo that it will implement the plan on Oct. 26. The plan, known as WILMA, for window, middle and aisle, was tested at four domestic locations and one hub. United said that it’s shown to save up to two minutes of boarding time. The change will begin with passengers in Group 4. Those with window seats will board first, followed by those with middle seats and then those with aisle seats. United said that multiple customers on the same economy reservation, such as families, will be allowed to board their flight together. The plan will be implemented on domestic flights and some international flights. Individuals in first class and business class will see no change in their boarding process. There’s also no change for the pre-boarding group that includes travelers with disabilit...

Corrupt ex-Baltimore police officer asks for compassionate prison release, citing cancer diagnosis

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — A former Baltimore police officer convicted in 2018 as part of the department’s Gun Trace Task Force corruption scandal is asking a federal judge for compassionate release from prison, saying he’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer.Daniel Hersl, the oldest member of the deeply corrupt and now-disbanded Baltimore police unit, was sentenced to 18 years behind bars after a jury found him guilty of racketeering and robbery.In a court filing Tuesday, the 53-year-old ex-detective said he was recently diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer that has spread to his lymph nodes, liver, lungs and more. He said a prison doctor concluded he has less than 18 months to live and asked for home detention.A ruling has not yet been issued on his request.Hersl was one of eight indicted members of the once-lauded Gun Trace Task Force, which was created to get illegal guns off the streets of a city plagued by violent crime. But instead, members robbed drug dealers, planted narcotics a...

S&P/TSX composite down 150 points, U.S. stock markets also lower

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down 150 points in late-morning trading as losses in the base metal stocks helped lead the way lower, while U.S. stock markets also fell. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 150.94 points at 19,541.86.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 165.61 points at 33,832.04. The S&P 500 index was down 29.96 points at 4,343.24, while the Nasdaq composite was down 110.70 points at 13,423.05.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.03 cents US compared with 73.28 cents US on Tuesday.The December crude contract was up US$1.74 at US$87.18 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up five cents at US$3.13 per mmBTU.The December gold contract was up US$24.00 at US$1,959.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up less than a penny at US$3.58 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 18, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) The Canadian Press

Suspect arrested in Kensington Market stabbing

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

Toronto police say a suspect is in custody following a stabbing in Kensington Market on Wednesday morning.Officers responded to the area of College Street and Bellevue Avenue just before 11 a.m. for reports a person had been stabbed.When police arrived, they found a man in his 30s with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Paramedics transported him to a local hospital.Police say a 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene. There is no word on charges at this time.It is not yet known what led to the stabbing.Toronto police at the scene of a stabbing near College Street and Bellevue Avenue on Oct. 18, 2023. CITYNEWS/Sean Toussaint

$5 million in grants awarded to 8 Cook County domestic violence organizations

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. — Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced Wednesday that nearly $5 million in grant money has been awarded to eight domestic violence support organizations throughout the county beginning next year.The grants range from $132,000 to $1.5 million and are supporting services from the beginning of 2024 through September 2025.The organizations that received grant funding are American Indian Health Services of Chicago, ANEW: Building Beyond Violence and Abuse, The Crisis Center for South Suburbia, KAN-WIN, Mujeres Latinas En Acción, The Network Advocating Against Domestic Violence, Sarah's Inn and WINGS Program, Inc."Forms of gender-based violence including domestic violence have silently impacted our communities for generations,” said Preckwinkle. “This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are making an important investment in programs and services for survivors and their families. We are committed to supporting and empowering our residents impacted by g...

Chicago police investigate brawl captured on video at Soldier Field

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:07:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police have confirmed they are investigating after a viral video of a Sunday game-day brawl at Soldier Field.The video captures an unidentified man wearing a Justin Fields jersey and a Chicago Bears cap punching another man from behind, knocking him to the ground.According to police, a 50-year-old and 27-year-old man were involved in a verbal altercation with three other men when the offenders battered the victims. The 50 and 27-year-old man suffered multiple injuries and self-transported themselves to a local hospital in stable condition. 2 University of Chicago students robbed at knifepoint on campus It is unclear what caused the altercation to happen. No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are Investigating.