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Japan, Canada pledge more co-operation on battery supply chains, AI technology

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

A new battery supply-chain agreement between Ottawa and Tokyo comes as Canada wants to expand its position in the battery industry and Japan seeks to secure access to lucrative American EV subsidies for its automakers.Japan’s industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said today that the move also comes as the two countries seek out like-minded allies in a world with increasing geopolitical tension.He only specifically mentioned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but both Canada and Japan seek to counter China’s economic and political dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as in the global battery industry.For Canada, the deal is well-timed, allowing it to show growing ties with a key Indo-Pacific ally even as its relationship with India barrels towards rock bottom.Japan brings technology in mineral processing as well as battery and auto companies to the table, while Canada brings access to critical minerals and emerging battery manufacturing capacity.Natural Resource...

Family appeals to driver sought in Mississauga fatal hit-and-run to turn themselves in

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

The father of a 58-year-old man killed in a hit-and-run in Mississauga in August is appealing to the driver to come forward.Police said around 11 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 18, the man was crossing mid-block on Dundas Street east of The Credit Woodlands when he was struck by a dark-coloured 2014-2016 four-door Toyota Corolla, which was travelling westbound on Dundas.Investigators say he was then struck by a second vehicle.“The driver of the Corolla stopped for a brief period of time and then fled westbound on Dundas,” Det. Const. Taylor Halfyard said at a press conference on Thursday.The 58-year-old man, who police have identified as Jim White of Mississauga, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he died on Sept. 4.A man was struck by a vehicle on Dundas Street near The Credit Woodlands in Mississauga on Aug. 18, 2023. Police say the driver fled the scene. CITYNEWS/Ryan ValleeHalfyard said investigators have identified and spoken with the driver of the s...

Lizzo hit with second lawsuit alleging hostile work environment on tour

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

(The Hill) -- Lizzo is facing another lawsuit from one of her former employees, accusing the “Special” singer of condoning an “unsafe, sexually charged workplace culture” while on tour.Asha Daniels, a wardrobe designer for Lizzo’s dancers, accused the entertainer, along with Lizzo's production company and members of her management team, of creating an environment that allowed for “shocking and racist behavior” while on tour beginning last February.The lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court said that Daniels experienced “degradation, forced physical labor, denial of medical care, sexual harassment, and racial harassment” while on tour with Lizzo, who was born Melissa Jefferson, earlier this year.“Almost immediately, Plaintiff was introduced to the culture of racism and bullying on Lizzo’s tour,” the lawsuit alleged, saying dancers were “forced to change in and out of their clothing in small, tight, changing areas during all the shows with little to no privacy wha...

DeSantis vows to revoke funding for COVID vaccines if elected in 2024

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

(The Hill) – GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he will revoke funding for COVID-19 vaccines if elected to the White House next year.“Certainly, we're not going to fund them,” he said in an interview with ABC. “I think that the Biden is spending billions and billions of dollars on these. So they've done studies. They have not demonstrated the benefit of the boosters.”DeSantis, who remains a strong opponent of mandating COVID-19 vaccines and other pandemic measures, claimed that there isn't enough research to show whether the benefits of the new boosters outweigh the potential risks.  What are the side effects of the new COVID booster? President Biden said last month that he plans to ask for more funding from Congress for the development of a new coronavirus vaccine — a move that could face hurdles as a similar request to combat the virus was blocked by Congress last year. “I signed off this morning on a proposal we have...

Where the UAW strike stands one week in

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The week after United Auto Workers members walked off the job, their protest could expand.Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said the workers "have sacrificed" and are due a fair share of automakers' record profits."Particularly when senior executives and the CEO continue to get huge increases in their pay, workers believe they should have their fair share as well," Peters said.Ford, General Motors and Stellantis say they want to strike a deal by Friday to avoid an even larger strike. All three companies have offered better pay and benefits, but rejected the union's demands to increase pay by 40%, citing the high cost of making electric vehicles."Ford alone lost $4.5 billion on their EV line last year," Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said.He blamed Democrats' clean energy policies for putting autoworkers in a bind."This is a direct result of this radical climate agenda that the Biden administration has been pushing," Schmitt said. "And now it's having a real-life impact on...

San Antonio's first ever nonstop flight to Europe taking off in May

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — San Antonio International Airport just got a little more international. The airport is welcoming its first-ever nonstop flight to Europe beginning in May.German airline Condor will launch flights to Frankfurt, Germany, on May 17. The seasonal route will operate through Sept. 6."This a spectacular win for San Antonio," Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. "This is the first time people in San Antonio will be able to fly from SAT to Europe nonstop and vice-versa. Germany is where San Antonio has the most demand for travel in Europe because of the cultural, historic, tourism, military and business ties."Nirenberg said the flight is expected to have an annual $34 million economic impact on the region.Tickets are already on sale. Flights will run three days a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.The airline previously operated nonstop flights to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, beginning in June 2016, but the route was canceled several years ago. LIST: Here are all the new...

Austin's Louis Shanks Furniture closing its stores after 78 years

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — After 78 years, a family-run Central Texas furniture store is closing its doors for good. Louis Shanks Furniture announced on social media Wednesday it's going out of business, thanking its customers who have been around since 1945. The company's inventory must be liquidated as a result. A Furniture Today article confirmed the business will be closing both of its locations in Austin and San Antonio. ‘Oldest brewery in North Austin’ announces closure after nearly 15 years operating Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)Louis Shanks Furniture is closing after 78 years. (KXAN Photo)The company has been in the same family for four generations, according to its website, and it all started with Louis Shanks, who went to work for the Kroehler Company after graduating high school. After spending time in West Texas, Shanks moved his family to Austin to try out retail, the website said. Yo...

Letran-Garcia is named new CEO for Interfaith Action

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

Liliana Letran-Garcia is the new CEO of Interfaith Action, a nonprofit made up of diverse faith communities working to support those seeking to achieve economic stability and mobility.Letran-Garcia will begin on Oct. 2.“Liliana has a strong commitment to social justice and community development combined with a deep understanding of the role the interfaith community can play in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality,” said Interfaith Action Board Chair Cyndi Lesher, in a statement. “She has proven leadership skills and incredible energy. We look forward to what she will bring to Interfaith Action.”She was chosen after a search by a committee of community leaders, board members, and staff — assisted by the firm ofBallinger Leafblad. There were dozens of applicants, according to Interfaith Action officials.Letran-Garcia previously served as vice president of Programs for Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES). In that role she oversaw development and impleme...

High school football: Week 4 predictions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

Here are some of Friday’s top high school football games involving East Metro teams:St. Thomas Academy (2-1) at Mahtomedi (2-1), 7 p.m.The rivalry game that could very well determine the Northstar-East-Maroon (got all that?) subdistrict championship, though Robbinsdale Armstrong could have something to say about that. Early-season losses leave questions about whether either program is “as good as it usually is.” For the winner, those queries will fade. For the loser, they’ll likely only intensify. OUR PICK: St. Thomas Academy 23, Mahtomedi 20Woodbury (2-1) at East Ridge (1-2), 7 p.m.An intracity rivalry game again expected to draw a packed house, the duel also always carries massive section implications. Coming off back-to-back losses, East Ridge can ill afford another loss to a contending team if it hopes to host a playoff game later this fall. On the fun side, it’s a thrill to watch East Ridge’s Tanner Zolnosky and Woodbury’s George Bjellos sling the football around the fiel...

Local artist — and former Army bassoonist — named executive director of Franconia Sculpture Park

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:10:43 GMT

Alex Legeros, the new executive director at Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, Minn., photographed on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, on benches created in 1994-1995 by Fuller Cowles and Connee Mayeron in collaboration with inmates at the Minnesota Correctional Facility — Shakopee. (Courtesy of Franconia Sculpture Park)Alex Legeros spent part of 2016 at Franconia Sculpture Park creating a sculpture called “Sugar Shack.”He’s now spending time at the park near Taylors Falls in a new role: executive director.“Sugar Shack,” by Alex Legeros and Thomas Putzier. (Courtesy of Franconia Sculpture Park)He succeeds Ginger Shulick Porcella, who left in January to become executive director of Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, Calif.Getting the job was the “chance of a lifetime,” Legeros said.“When people would tell me they had found their calling, I was always, like, ‘Huh. Really?’ But now I’ve found mine,” he said. “In the world that we live in, things feel like they can be too...