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Ukrainian officials say Russian shelling killed a 91-year-old woman in a ‘terrifying night’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian shells struck residential areas of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, killing a 91-year-old woman in what a local official described Monday as a “terrifying night” in the 20-month war that shows no signs of ending.The overnight shelling set fire to a high-rise apartment building, blew out windows and reduced some apartments to rubble, according to video footage posted by Kherson Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin.The woman died when an apartment wall fell on her, according to her daughter, who lived with her on the ninth floor.The victim was one of three Ukrainian civilians killed in the east and south of the country over the previous 24 hours, with at least five people injured, Ukraine’s presidential office reported Monday.Apart from reportedly fierce fighting at some points along the front line, which Ukrainian officials say stretches for more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles), the conflict appears largely deadlocked and focused on long-range fire.The daughter of...

Air Canada reports $1.25B Q3 profit, operating revenue up 19% from year ago

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

MONTREAL — Air Canada reported a profit of $1.25 billion in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $508 million in the same quarter last year.The airline says the profit amounted to $3.08 per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with a loss of $1.42 per diluted share a year earlier.Operating revenue totalled $6.34 billion in the company’s third quarter, up from $5.32 billion in the same quarter last year, boosted by higher passenger revenues.On an adjusted basis, Air Canada says it earned $3.41 per diluted share in its latest quarter compared with an adjusted profit of $1.07 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.Analysts on average had expected an adjusted profit of $2.15 per share for the quarter, according to estimates compiled by financial markets data firm Refinitiv.In its outlook, Air Canada says its adjusted cost per available seat mile for 2023 is expected to be about 1.5 per cent to 2.25 per cent above 2022 levels compared with earlier ex...

Halloween’s frigid forecast could bring frightening flurries to GTA

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Just one more sleep until Halloween and the spookiest thing trick-or-treaters come face to face with this year might be the forecast.It’s going to be a chilly week with below seasonal temperatures in Toronto and the GTA and there could even be some flurries on Tuesday night when it’s time to head door-to-door for candy. The frigid forecast means parents will want to ensure they incorporate some extra layers into their children’s costumes.The work week will kick off with a guaranteed high of 7 C on Monday with some morning showers ending around noon and making way for partly cloudy skies. A similar daytime high of 7 C with partly cloudy skies is expected on Tuesday before we get an evening cooldown.CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor says the Halloween evening forecast will see temperatures hovering around 2 C with the wind making it feel more like -5.“Dress warm,” Taylor says. “It’s just a very light wind, but enough to give us that raw k...

Liz Weston: Does a 401(k) employer match tempt you to cash out?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Many companies try to help their workers to save for retirement. Employers often offer 401(k)s, company matches and automatic enrollment to encourage saving.Much of that effort goes to waste, though, when employees leave. A study published last year in Marketing Science, a peer-reviewed research journal, found more than 40% of departing workers cashed out at least part of their 401(k)s, and most of those drained every dime.What’s more, employers may bear at least some of the blame, according to researchers Yanwen Wang of the University of British Columbia, Muxin Zhai of Texas State University and John Lynch Jr. of the University of Colorado.The study, titled “Cashing Out Retirement Savings at Job Separation,” suggests generous company matches can make cashing out more tempting.CASH-OUTS DRAIN FUTURE RETIREMENT SECURITYThe researchers examined records of 162,360 employees who left jobs at 28 employers between 2014 and 2016. Of the 41.4% who cashed out retirement savings, about 64% to...

At least 3 workers are dead after scaffolding fell down a shaft at a building site in Germany

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — At least three construction workers died when scaffolding fell down an elevator shaft inside a building site in Hamburg on Monday, German authorities said. Several others were believed to be missing under the wreckage.The fire service in Germany’s second-biggest city said that the building site was evacuated following the accident, German news agency dpa reported. Between 1,300 and 1,500 workers were on site at the time.The scaffolding appeared to have been eight floors above the ground before the collapse, and firefighters said the rescue effort was difficult. Officials initially reported that five people died. They said later Monday that they were sure of three deaths.The accident happened in the Ueberseequartier, part of the port city’s HafenCity district on the Elbe river that is being redeveloped with office and residential buildings, hotels and shops.The Associated Press

Monday Forecast: Sunny, freeze warning, low 40s

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Monday: Mainly sunny, freeze warning until 9am, NW 10-15 G25. High: 41Monday Night: Mainly clear, hard freeze, SSW 0-5. Low: 29Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, snow showers, cold, WNW 10-15 G25. 38

Candy prices called 'outrageous' as Halloween looms

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Spooked by the high price of Halloween candy? There’s not much relief in sight.For the second year in a row, U.S. shoppers are seeing double-digit inflation in the candy aisle. Candy and gum prices are up an average of 13% this month compared to last October, more than double the 6% increase in all grocery prices, according to Datasembly, a retail price tracker. That’s on top of a 14% increase in candy and gum prices in October 2022.“The price of candy has gotten to be outrageous,” said Jessica Weathers, a small business owner in Shiloh, Illinois. “It doesn’t make sense to me to spend $100 on candy.”Weathers said she usually buys plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters and events at school and church. But this year, she only bought two bags and plans to turn off her porch light on Halloween when she runs out.Other consumers are changing what they buy. Numerator, a market research firm, said its surveys show about one-third of U.S. consumers plan to trade down to value or store brands ...

City announces plan to keep asylum seekers warm as temps drop

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

CHICAGO -- As cold weather approaches, the city has announced a plan to keep asylum seekers warm. Over the weekend Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the plan which includes the deployment of warming buses at designated locations -- on top of providing essential items like coats and blankets. The city will also partner with faith-based leaders to establish emergency staging areas and shelters. Since August 2022, more than 19,000 asylum seekers have arrived in the city. With shelters at capacity, the overflow of new arrivals can be seen at area police stations where many are currently located and relying on tents for shelter. Herbert throws for 3 touchdowns, Chargers get back on track with 30-13 victory over Bears The city will collaborate with external partners, volunteers and mutual aid grounds to provide blankets, coats and other neccesities. Warming buses will be provided by the CTA at the landing location and 16 police district locations.In the announcement, the mayor said they a...

Local organization aims to decrease opioid overdoses in Austin

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin entered into an agreement with Communities for Recovery, a local recovery community organization, to provide some funding to increase outreach and lower the amount of opioid overdoses in the city. On Oct. 19, the council voted to provide $250,000 to Communities for Recovery for a one-year contract, with an option to extend the contract by one year for another $250,000. That money will be used to hire more peer coaches at the center, according to Darrin Acker, the executive director of Communities for Recovery. "It's very important," district 6 council member Mackenzie Kelly said after the vote. "It's going to be providing much needed peer recovery counseling services for community intervention."Communities for Recovery Communities for Recovery started in 2004 and was strictly volunteer-based. In 2012, the organization switched to peer recovery coaching and now has 36 people working at the center.It uses what is called "assertive outreach" to meet ...

Sahan Journal founder Mukhtar Ibrahim to step down

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:48:50 GMT

Mukhtar Ibrahim, a Somali immigrant who moved to Minnesota at age 17 and later reported for Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune, will step down from his leadership roles at the Sahan Journal, the online news journal he launched to widespread acclaim less than five years ago.Ibrahim, in a written announcement from Sahan, attributed the decision to exit the nonprofit news organization in part to the recent birth of his fourth child. He said that Sahan, which operates without a paywall or subscription requirement, had achieved strong financial stability and a healthy organizational culture.Mukhtar Ibrahim (Courtesy photo)“My family situation has changed since founding Sahan in 2019,” wrote Ibrahim, 35, a former Bush Foundation fellow who has served as the digital news journal’s founder, publisher, chief executive officer and chief fundraiser.“I have four young kids, and I’ve been presenting on nonprofit journalism in other places across the country,” sai...