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Hamas frees first batch of hostages under truce, including 13 Israelis, officials and reports say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

By WAFAA SHURAFA, BASSEM MROUE and DAVID RISING (Associated Press)DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released the first batch of hostages under a cease-fire deal that began Friday, including 13 Israelis who have been held in the Gaza Strip since the militant group staged a raid on Israel nearly seven weeks ago, according to officials and media reports.Twelve Thai nationals were also released, according to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Dozens of Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be freed by Israel.The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas began Friday, setting the stage for the exchange and allowing sorely needed aid to start flowing into Gaza. There were no reports of fighting after the truce began. The deal offered some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment and dwindling supplies of basic necessities, as well as for families in Israel worried about loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack...

Hundreds of migrants sleep each night at the San Diego airport before flights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Over the last year, overnight stays by migrants at airports before a flight have become increasingly more common. But advocates say they have seen quite a few more people sheltering in the airport in last few weeks.On Thursday, FOX 5 captured the moment a bus dropped off dozens of migrants at Terminal 2 at the San Diego International Airport. Local organizations say hundreds of migrants have slept there each night over the past week after being processed by border patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border.Roni Elias, a volunteer with the mutual-aid group, We All We Got, frequently visits the airport to help deliver meals, water and hygiene kits to asylum-seekers."We would initially make just about 50 sandwiches, 50 meal packs for people. But then, we realized that was not enough," Elias explained. "Last week, I counted 308 people sleeping over." Sage Fire burns in Jamul, prompting evacuations on Thanksgiving Most of those staying at the airport overnight are there to con...

Rogers Sugar asks for mediation to help bring end to refinery strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

VANCOUVER — Rogers Sugar Inc. says it has asked for mediation to help bring an end to an eight-week long strike at its Vancouver refinery.The company says it has applied to the British Columbia Labour Relations Board for mediation to help it reach a new collective agreement with the 138 workers who have been off the job since Sept. 28.The company says the union, the Public and Private Workers of Canada Local 8, has accepted mediation.The Rogers Sugar refinery in Vancouver is one of only three large sugar refineries in the country that processes imported cane sugar.The strike at the Vancouver facility has led to supply disruptions on grocery store shelves across Western Canada and caused difficulties for bakers and other small businesses that rely on sugar.Rogers Sugar has apologized for the supply shortages and says it is using other facilities to help supply its Western Canadian customers.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2023.Companies in this story: (...

Germany’s economy shrank, and it’s facing a spending crisis that’s spreading more gloom

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany’s economy shrank in recent months and business confidence is still in the dumps, according to figures released Friday, while the government is struggling to overcome a budget crisis that threatens to exacerbate problems in what was already the world’s worst-performing major developed economy.Europe’s largest economy shrank 0.1% in the July-to-September quarter as inflation eroded people’s willingness to spend, Germany’s statistics office confirmed Friday. Meanwhile, the closely watched Ifo institute survey of business optimism showed a tiny uptick to 87.3 for November from 86.9 in October but remained well below its July level. The downbeat figures come as the country’s budget crisis raises the possibility of deep spending cuts next year. A court ruled last week that previous spending violated constitutional limits on deficits, forcing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government to put off a final vote on next year’...

Mastermind Toys obtains creditor protection; wants permission to close some Canadian stores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

Mastermind Toys, the largest independent specialty toy and children’s book retailer in Canada, announced on Friday it obtained a creditor protection order, citing competition challenges and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.Mastermind LP said all 66 stores across Canada will remain open, and the current sales and holiday promotions will continue in stores and online.A company spokesperson said the decision to seek and obtain creditor protection was made “following careful evaluation of available alternatives and in consultation with legal and financial advisors.”“Over the past several years, Mastermind Toys has faced a range of challenges, including increasing competition, disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, and, more recently, a deteriorating macro-economic environment,” a Mastermind Toys spokesperson wrote in a news release.“Despite implementing a series of operational improvements and cost reductions, and undertaking an extensive ...

Putin to boost AI work in Russia to fight a Western monopoly he says is ‘unacceptable and dangerous’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday announced a plan to endorse a national strategy for the development of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that it’s essential to prevent a Western monopoly.Speaking at an AI conference in Moscow, Putin noted that “it’s imperative to use Russian solutions in the field of creating reliable and transparent artificial intelligence systems that are also safe for humans.”“Monopolistic dominance of such foreign technology in Russia is unacceptable, dangerous and inadmissible,” Putin said. He noted that “many modern systems, trained on Western data are intended for the Western market” and “reflect that part of Western ethics, norms of behavior, public policy to which we object.”During his more than two decades in power, Putin has overseen a multi-pronged crackdown on the opposition and civil society groups, and promoted “traditional values” to counter purported Western influence — policies that have become even more oppressive...

Oil and gas well drilling to pick up in 2024: Forecast

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

CALGARY — Canada’s oil and gas well drilling sector says it expects modest growth in 2024.The Canadian Association of Energy Contractors (CAOEC) says it expects 6,229 wells to be drilled in Western Canada next year.That’s an 8.3 per cent increase from the 5,748 wells drilled in 2023.The industry group says most of this growth is expected to happen in the second half of 2024 as the market rebounds from what was a softer third quarter in 2023.CAOEC says the drilling sector will need more than 39,000 workers this year.It says finding experienced workers has been challenging and the industry is marketing itself to prospective workers across the country, including in Central and Eastern Canada.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 24, 2023.The Canadian Press

Aerospace firms push back against Bombardier, tout upsides of a Boeing military deal

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

MONTREAL — Canadian aerospace companies are pushing back against the idea that a Bombardier Inc. contract win to replace aging military patrol planes would be best for the sector, saying that a deal between Ottawa and front-runner Boeing Co. could be at least as lucrative.Bombardier has been demanding the federal government allow for open competition on the successor to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s half-century-old CP-140 Aurora aircraft.The Montreal-based business jet maker argues that its surveillance planes will, once they start rolling off the line early next decade, offer a cheaper and more high-tech product that will be manufactured in Canada.So far the government has not said whether it will go with a sole-source contract or an open bid, but its procurement department has stated that Boeing’s off-the-shelf P-8A Poseidon is the only reconnaissance aircraft currently available that meets the military’s needs.Martin Brassard, CEO of Quebec-based landing gear maker Héroux-Devte...

1 dead, 3 injured in East Gwillimbury crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

A 65-year-old woman is dead and three other people are injured following a two-vehicle crash in East Gwillimbury.York Regional Police officers were called to the intersection of Green Lane East and 2nd Concession for a collision involving a Volkswagen Tiguan and a BMW just before 2 p.m. on Thursday.The woman, who was a passenger in the Volkswagen, was airlifted to hospital where she later died.A 26-year-old woman, a passenger in the BMW, was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.The drivers in both vehicles suffered minor injuries.Police say no charges have been laid at this time.Investigators are looking to speak with witnesses who have yet to come forward and are appealing to anyone with dashcam footage or video surveillance of the area at the time of the crash to contact them.

Paris Hilton announces the arrival of a baby daughter, London

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:13:48 GMT

Paris Hilton had a Thanksgiving surprise to share: a daughter named London.Hilton on Friday shared an Instagram photo of a pink baby outfit with “London” printed on the top.“Thankful for my baby girl,” read the caption.She followed with several Thanksgiving TikToks that further demystified the new arrival, including one in which she and husband Carter Reum chant “big brother” to their baby son Phoenix. London was welcomed via surrogate, Hilton’s representative confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday.Hilton has been open about her journey to motherhood, freezing eggs and surrogacy. On her podcast earlier this year, Hilton had said that she was excited for Phoenix to have a baby sister named London.“It’s my favorite city and I’ve always wanted to name my daughter London,” Hilton said at the time. “I had actually picked that name for a long time now, probably over 10 years. I always wanted London. I love that name for my daughter.”Hilton and Reum announced the arrival of Phoenix, a...