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US imposes new sanctions over Russian oil price cap violations, Kremlin influence in the Balkans

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on firms and ships that used American service providers to carry Russian crude oil in violation of the multinational price cap — and imposed another set of sanctions on a group of Balkan people and firms tied to Kremlin influence in the region. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on three United Arab Emirates-based firms and blocked three ships that used U.S. service providers to carry Russian crude oil above the $60 price cap. The sanctions block access to U.S. property and bank accounts and prevent the targeted people and companies from doing business with Americans. The actions on the ships blacklist them from transporting goods with U.S. service providers.The U.S., along with the EU, countries in the Group of Seven and Australia, imposed a $60 a barrel limit last year on what Russia could charge for its oil. The cap is designed to deprive the Kremlin of revenue to fund its ...

Quebec premier offers national funeral for Les Cowboys Fringants singer Karl Tremblay

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec Premier François Legault is offering the family of Karl Tremblay a national funeral to pay tribute to the renowned singer, who died on Wednesday at the age of 47.Legault says a “wave of love and sadness” has washed across the province since news broke that the lead singer of folk-rock band Les Cowboys Fringants had died.Tremblay disclosed his diagnosis with prostate cancer in July 2022 and continued to perform with his band while undergoing chemotherapy this year.Unofficial gatherings to honour Tremblay are planned across Quebec today, including a 7 p.m. gathering on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City, where Tremblay led a memorable performance by the group in July.Other tributes to Tremblay are pouring in on social media.Flags are at half-mast in several cities, including Montreal, Quebec City and Repentigny, Que., where the band’ was formed.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2023.The Canadian Press

FlightHub CEO sees early warnings signs of softening travel demand

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

MONTREAL — The CEO of online travel agency FlightHub says demand for air travel may be levelling off after soaring to pre-pandemic levels over the summer.Christopher Cave says airline ticket sales dropped from September to October, when they typically rise ahead of the holiday season.Cave says consumer anxiety over travel costs and the broader economy account for the softer sales, as higher interest rates and inflation weigh on Canadians’ budgets.Data from the Airlines Reporting Corp. shows sales at U.S. travel agencies last month fell below levels from September as well as a year earlier.However, Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau said last month that demand remains stable, with advance ticket sales in its third quarter up by 55 per cent year-over-year.TD Cowen analyst Helane Becker says bookings are up for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s but worse than expected for off-peak periods as travel plans adapt to strained purse strings.This report by The Canadian Press wa...

Montreal-area mayor receives death threats over plan to cull deer in local park

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

LONGUEUIL, Que. — The mayor of a Montreal-area city has allegedly been targeted by death threats in connection with a plan to cull most of the white-tailed deer living in a local park. A spokesman for the City of Longueuil confirmed today that Mayor Catherine Fournier has been threatened in recent days and weeks by a single individual.Longueuil police Insp. Gino Iannone says the mayor was placed under intermittent police protection in September due to her high-profile position and to concerning events that occurred even before the recent threats.  Last month, Quebec’s highest court upheld a decision authorizing a controlled crossbow hunt to reduce the deer population at Michel-Chartrand Park to about 20 from more than 100.For years animal rights organizations and activists have tried to block the cull, arguing that the methods chosen to protect the park should favour keeping the animals alive.Fournier’s predecessor, mayor Sylvie Parent, received threats in 2020 over the ...

Building partially collapses in southern Russia, sparking search for any trapped survivors

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

Part of a residential building collapsed Thursday in southern Russia, killing one woman and sparking a search for any residents who might be trapped in the rubble, Russian state news agency Tass said.Most residents in the southern city of Astrakhan already had evacuated because of what was described as a grinding sound in building, Tass said. The emergency ministry said it had received information about cracks appearing just before the structure collapsed.More than 200 people, including more than 35 children, were evacuated, the news agency said. The Astrakhan region deputy governor, Oleg Knyazev, said authorities had ruled out a gas explosion, and said the building’s structure was to blame. The residential block was built in 1962, Tass said. Photos and video shared online by Russian state news agencies showed the partially collapsed building and rescuers searching through rubble. In one video. rescuers called for silence as they tried to hear whether any trapped person was ma...

Indian manufacturer recalls eyedrops previously cited in FDA warning

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Indian manufacturer of more than two dozen varieties of eyedrops subject to a U.S. safety warning has officially recalled the products, which were sold by CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid and other national retailers.Kilitch Healthcare India issued the recall on Monday and the Food and Drug Administration published the notice Wednesday. The recall is something of a formality, since the FDA had already alerted U.S. stores last month to stop selling the over-the-counter drops. Consumers should not use the products due to the risk of vision loss or blindness, the FDA said. FDA officials don’t have the legal authority to force manufacturers to recall their products, and instead rely on companies to “voluntarily” do so. The FDA previously stated it recommended the manufacturer recall the eyedrops on Oct. 25. Mumbai-based Kilitch Healthcare said it has not received “any reports of adverse events” related to its products. The lubricating drops were distributed in th...

WWE collaborating with Big 12 Conference during championship game next month

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

The WWE is collaborating with the Big 12 Conference for their championship game next month as the sports entertainment company further strengthens ties with outside sports organizations.The Dr. Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will be held on Dec. 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.As part of the partnership, the game’s most outstanding player will receive a custom-made WWE championship title belt and a co-branded WWE X Big 12 logo will appear throughout the stadium and on the field. The Big 12 Conference and WWE will also collaborate on a Big 12 Championship merchandise line, which will be available online and at the stadium’s team stores.“WWE is a global brand that connects with a wide array of audiences,” Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said Thursday. “With this partnership, we will integrate WWE and its brand power into one of the Conference’s biggest moments, further strengthening the bridge between sports and entertainment throughout the Big 12.” WWE, w...

At least 12 injured after CTA train crash on North Side: CFD

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

CHICAGO -- At least 12 people are reported injured after a CTA trail crash on the North Side, CFD said. The CTA says at around 10:39 a.m. in the 7500 block of North Paulina Street, a yellow line train crashed into rail equipment in the Howard Rail Yard on the North Side. CFD reported at least ten people are in fair condition and two are in critical condition. Yellow and purple lines have been temporarily suspended. WGN is following the incident and will update as more information is provided.

CFD battle massive warehouse fire in Back of the Yards

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Fire Department battled a massive warehouse fire in the city's Back of the Yards neighborhood.The fire started just before 9 a.m. Thursday at Evans Food Group, located in the 4100 block of South Halsted, and quickly escalted to a three-alarm blaze and tore through multiple structures.SkyCam9 over the scene showed massive flames and dark smoke billowing from the building.CFD said at around 9 a.m. that multiple buildings are involved and they have a positive water source. No injuries have been reported at this time.

4 injured, 1 critically, after crash involving CTA bus in South Loop

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:45 GMT

CHICAGO — Four people were injured, one critically, after a crash involving a CTA bus in the city's South Loop.According to CFD, the crash happened around 9 a.m. Thursday near Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive. Four people were injured, three of them are listed in fair condition and one person in critical condition.It is not clear if any of the injured were passengers on the bus.No further details have been provided at this time.