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3 healthy kittens born to mountain lion tracked by biologists in wilderness near Los Angeles

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A mountain lion studied by biologists in wilderness areas near Los Angeles has given birth to three healthy kittens, the National Park Service said Thursday. The three females estimated to be a month old were found May 18 nestled in a patch of poison oak in the Simi Hills area about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of downtown LA, the park service said in a statement.They were born to a 5-year-old cougar dubbed P-77 that has been tracked since November 2019. Scientists are calling the babies P-113, P-114 and P-115. The father isn’t immediately known. Biologists aren’t currently following any male cougars in P-77’s habitat, so they suspect the father might have come from nearby mountains and then went back. P-77 makes her home in an area between the 101 and 118 freeways overlapping the Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountain ranges.It’s the third mountain lion litter found in the Simi Hills in recent years. P-62 gave birth in 2018 and P-67 delivere...

Portland, Oregon, to clear sidewalk tents to settle suit with people with disabilities

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland will remove tents blocking sidewalks under a tentative settlement announced Thursday in a lawsuit brought by people with disabilities who said sprawling homeless encampments prevent them from navigating Oregon’s most populous city.The federal class action lawsuit, filed in September, alleged that the city violated the American with Disabilities Act by allowing tents to obstruct sidewalks. The plaintiffs included a caretaker and nine people with disabilities who use wheelchairs, scooters, canes and walkers to get around. The settlement still requires approval from the City Council and the U.S. District Court in Portland.The settlement comes after City Council members voted in November to create at least three large, designated campsites where homeless people will be allowed to camp and ban the rest of the roughly 700 encampments scattered across the city. That ban won’t take effect until the sanctioned campsites are opened.Under the tentativ...

Singh asks Trudeau for certain conditions before getting security clearance

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is asking the prime minister to allow more members of his party to be briefed on foreign interference attempts, after the leaders of the Conservatives and Bloc Québécois declined to obtain the required security clearance.In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, Singh said he wants those two spots given to members of his team who would accompany him in the briefings. Singh also asked Trudeau for a briefing on how much he can and cannot say after reviewing the intelligence.“I expect that I would be able to speak … freely about my conclusions based on the intelligence I am allowed to view and that my ability to be critical of the government’s actions will not be constrained,” Singh said in his letter to Trudeau. “I will be seeking assurances on this point in writing,” The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre and Bloc Lead...

Police lay no charges against former Unifor head Jerry Dias in alleged bribery case

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

TORONTO — Former Unifor president Jerry Dias was not charged as the result of an investigation launched last year into allegations that the longtime union leader accepted a bribe, Toronto Police said Thursday. The police’s financial crimes unit began investigating the former president of Canada’s largest private sector union last spring after the union handed over money Dias allegedly accepted from a supplier of COVID-19 rapid test kits he promoted to members. Police said Thursday that the investigation has been concluded. Unifor at the time charged Dias with violating the code of ethics and democratic practices of the union’s constitution, and said a hearing would be held before the national executive board.Unifor’s director of legal and constitutional matters Anthony Dale said in a statement Thursday that the union’s own matters relating to Dias have been concluded to its satisfaction and he will no longer be subject to a hearing process under the union’s constitution....

Prince Edward Island government forecasts $98-million deficit in annual budget

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

CHARLOTTETOWN — The Prince Edward Island government tabled a $3.09-billion budget Thursday that forecasts a $97.6-million deficit and a promise to spend money for a new medical school to help the frail health-care sector.Finance Minister Jill Burridge said the operating budget includes $3.09 billion in spending with $2.99 billion in revenues for the 2023-24 fiscal year.“Over the last four years P.E.I. has weathered some of the most challenging economic times in our province’s history,” she told the legislature. “It will not surprise anyone in this chamber that the budget I present today has three key areas of focus: health care, housing and affordability.” Last year’s budget had forecast $2.7 billion in spending, $2.6 billion in revenues and a deficit of about $92 million with about $910 million in health spending. The government said it has set aside about $22 million this fiscal year to establish a medical school at the University of Prince Edwa...

S&P/TSX composite weighed down by losses in energy and telecom; U.S. markets mixed

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s main stock index was down more than 150 points Thursday, weighed down by losses in energy and telecom, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.The S&P/TSX composite index was down 153.61 points at 19,774.08.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 35.27 points at 32,764.65. The S&P 500 index was up 36.04 points at 4,151.28, while the Nasdaq composite was up 213.93 points at 12,698.09.The Canadian dollar traded for 73.38 cents UScompared with 73.63 cents US on Wednesday.The July crude contract was down US$2.51 at US$71.83 per barrel and the July natural gas contract was down nine cents at US$2.48 per mmBTU.The June gold contract was down US$20.90 at US$1,943.70 an ounceand the July copper contract was up three cents at US$3.59 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Alex Murdaugh’s longtime friend admits helping to steal $4 million wrongful death settlement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A longtime friend of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh admitted Thursday he helped his old college roommate steal more than $4 million meant for a wrongful death settlement after Murdaugh’s housekeeper died in a fall.Cory Fleming, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced at a later date.After Murdaugh’s maid, Gloria Satterfield, died following a fall at the family’s home, Murdaugh convinced Satterfield’s sons to hire Fleming as their lawyer, saying they could help get the family money for a wrongful death settlement.Fleming got $4.3 million from Murdaugh’s insurers, according to an indictment.But Fleming and Murdaugh never sent any money to Satterfield’s sons, instead splitting it among themselves, prosecutors said.Satterfield’s sons later hired different attorneys who have managed to get millions for them. Flemi...

Mother of slain CPD officer raising money for community center in daughter's honor

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

CHICAGO — The mother of fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston is heading a community center effort in her honor. Preston's mother, Dionne Mhoon, has started a GoFundMe page to build a community center.   ‘She lived her life fearlessly’: Fallen Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston laid to rest Mhoon is hoping to raise $150,000 to provide programs for Chicago's youth."It is now with heavy hearts that we seek support to uphold the legacy of Aréanah Preston by establishing a community center that will provide a safe place and support for Chicago's youth," a message from Mhoon's GoFundMe page stated. "Your support will fund Mental Health consultations, promote careers in Law Enforcement, GED courses, Gun Violence Prevention activities, College Tours, Scholarships and Mentorship Programs for underserved youth." Mhoon promised to keep her daughter’s warm spirit and contagious smile alive.  Fallen CPD Officer Aréanah Preston honored at Loyola graduation Preston’s life was cut ...

Brawl at Chicago's O'Hare airport caught on camera

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

CHICAGO — Cell phone video captured a massive brawl on Monday night at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.It all started with an argument on a flight and carried over to the baggage claim area. FAA: Memorial Day air travel to peak Thursday. Here’s what you can do to prepare. One woman was treated for minor injuries.Police said two people were arrested and will face misdemeanor battery charges.

Former Cubs prospect wanted in connection to shooting death in the Dominican Republic

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:57:38 GMT

A prospect who was once a member of the Chicago Cubs organization in the Dominican Republic is wanted in connection to a shooting death in that country.Per numerous local media reports, including MLB inside Hector Gomez and newspaper Diaro Libre in Santo Domingo, 18-year-old Josefrailin Alcántara is being sought by the Dominican National Police. Law enforcement there say Alcántara shot and killed 26-year-old Darwin Díaz Valerio in a car in Santiago Oeste on May 18.According to the reports, Alcántara allegedly shot Valerio twice inside a Hyundai Sonata in an argument over money. His cousin, Diego Aníbal Rodríguez Martínez, was in the car when the shooting happened and has been arrested by police. Per the report from Diaro Libre, Alcántara received treatment after being shot in the hand during the argument at a medical center and then fled. “We were made aware of a death investigation involving one of our former Minor League players who was away from the team due to a suspension and h...