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What a weaker loonie means for Canadians

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

TORONTO — The Canadian dollar has dipped against its U.S. counterpart following the Bank of Canada’s decision to hold its key interest rate at five per cent. Here’s what it means for Canadians. How is the loonie doing? As of midday, it was trading at 72.55 cents to the U.S. dollar, compared with 72.83 cents on Tuesday. It was trading above 75 cents US as recently as July, while the current level is approaching a brief low of 72.43 cents US hit in March. It also traded in the 72-cent range last October, and dipped below 69 cents US in March 2020 in the early days of the pandemic. It traded above 82 cents US in May 2021. Who does it help?A lower Canadian dollar can boost industries like tourism, where the weaker dollar increases visitors from abroad, especially from the U.S., as their money goes further here.It can also mean bigger profits for Canadian businesses that export, like the oil and gas industry, forestry and manufacturing. Where does it hurt? A lower loonie mean...

‘It’s grim:’ Community devastated by shooting deaths in Sault Ste. Marie

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — Halloween decorations still fluttered from the front porch of a home in Sault Ste. Marie where three children were found shot dead this week, the youngest victims of a rampage in the northern Ontario city that ended with five people killed.In the front windows, more decorations hung in anticipation of the upcoming celebration, while outside, yellow police tape surrounded the bungalow as neighbours could occasionally be seen weeping nearby. The entire neighbourhood, one resident said, was feeling the weight of what police have described as a tragic case of intimate partner violence. “You can feel it in the air outside, like it’s grim,” said Aarika Bonin, who lives down the street from the home where the children – aged six, seven and 12 – were killed. “I stand outside to put my son on the bus and it’s sad … it’s just a sad day for the whole community and the families involved. It’s going to be sad for a while.&#...

Jury selection continues in trial of boat captain in 2019 fire that killed 34 passengers

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jury selection continued Wednesday in the federal trial of the captain of a scuba dive boat that caught fire in 2019, killing 34 people on board and becoming the deadliest maritime disaster in recent U.S. history. Captain Jerry Boylan is charged with one count of misconduct or neglect of ship officer, a pre-Civil War statute colloquially known as “seaman’s manslaughter” that was designed to hold steamboat captains and crew responsible for maritime disasters. He faces 10 years behind bars if convicted.He has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. His federal public defenders did not return The Associated Press’ repeated requests for comment, and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment.The National Transportation Safety Board blamed Boylan for the tragedy, saying his failure to post a roving night watchman allowed the fire to quickly spread undetected, trapping the 33 passengers and one crew member below.U.S. District Court Judge Geo...

1,000-plus cars recovered, over 200 arrested in stolen vehicle investigation across Toronto

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

Toronto police announced that over 1,000 cars had been recovered, and more than 200 people were arrested and charged as part of a stolen vehicle investigation across the city.Police Chief Myron Demkiw was present to unveil the results of Project Stallion, an initiative that focused on vehicle and catalytic converter thefts that began in November 2022.Project Stallion concluded in September 2023, resulting in the recovery of more than 1,000 stolen vehicles worth almost $60 million and more than 500 charges laid against 228 people. Demkiw said there have been just under 1,000 vehicles stolen in Toronto to date in 2023, and during Project Stallion, more than 3,500 vehicles were stolen across two police divisions. Related: ‘Trust your instincts’: Police warn public of 3 carjackings within week in Markham Investigators believe thieves are stealing vehicles and using a variety of cars to carry out other violent crimes or are shipping them overseas, where they ...

Health-care standards not met at Alberta correctional centre, report finds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

EDMONTON — Alberta’s public interest commissioner has found what he calls “serious lapses” in medical care at a provincial correctional centre.Kevin Brezinski’s investigation, responding to a whistleblower, says Alberta Correctional Health Services failed in five cases to provide adequate medical care at the Edmonton Remand Centre. In two of those cases, the patients died, while the other three were hospitalized.A nursing consultant who reviewed patient records concludes the agency provided poor pain management, inadequate help with drug withdrawal and didn’t monitor or record vital signs adequately.Brezinski says Alberta Correctional Health Services has responded to his concerns and he’s satisfied with the changes.The public interest commissioner is an agent of the Alberta legislature to whom public-sector employees or members of the public can bring concerns about government officials.This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Oct....

UAW appears to be moving toward a potential deal with Ford that could end strike

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union appears to be edging closer to a tentative contract agreement with Ford that would be critical to ending the union’s 6-week-old strikes against the three major Detroit automakers, two people with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday.The people said the union made a counter-offer to Ford that proposes a 25% general wage increase over the life of a new four-year contract and said that negotiations on Tuesday extended well into Wednesday morning. Previously Ford, Stellantis and General Motors had all offered 23% pay increases.A Ford deal would include cost-of-living pay increases that could lift the total pay raises above 30%, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the talks. In addition, workers would still receive annual profit-sharing checks.It’s still possible that the negotiations, despite the meaningful progress being made, could unravel. But if the UAW can r...

A teacher was shot by her 6-year-old student. Is workers’ compensation enough?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A heated debate has emerged about the once-unimaginable shooting of a teacher by her 6-year-old student: How should the school district take care of the teacher?Should she only get workers’ compensation for her serious physical injuries? Or does she deserve the chance to sue the school system for millions of dollars over claims that it failed to protect her?Attorneys are likely to argue over those questions Friday in the Virginia city of Newport News, where Abby Zwerner is suing the public schools for $40 million. The former first-grade teacher was hospitalized for nearly two weeks and endured multiple surgeries after a bullet struck her hand and chest.Zwerner’s lawyers are expected to ask a judge to allow her lawsuit to proceed with allegations of gross negligence against school administrators. The school board will argue for workers’ compensation, which provides up to more than 9 years of pay and a lifetime of medical care for Zwerner’s injuries.She ...

Apple raise prices for Arcade gaming subscription service, AppleTV+ streaming

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple Inc. is raising the prices for its AppleTV+ streaming and Arcade gaming plans as well as its bundled Apple One service that includes streaming, music and other subscriptions. Arcade will now cost $6.99, up from $4.99. AppleTV+ is now $9.99, up from $6.99. Apple News+ will be $12.99, up from $9.99 and Apple One will increase to $19.95 from $16.95 per month for the individual plan and to $25.95 from $22.95 for the family plan. Apple One includes subscriptions for Apple Music, TV, Arcade and 200 gigabytes of iCloud storage. Apple said the price increases will affect the U.S. and “select international markets.”“Existing subscribers will see these price increases 30 days later, on their next renewal date. We are focused on delivering the best experiences possible for our customers by consistently adding high-quality entertainment, content, and innovative features to our services,” Apple said. Other streaming services have also been raising their prices, esp...

Illinois man who pepper-sprayed pro-Palestinian protesters charged with hate crimes, authorities say

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — A 33-year-old man accused of pepper spraying pro-Palestinian protesters who gathered near an Israel solidarity rally over the weekend has been charged with hate crimes and aggravated battery, prosecutors said Wednesday.The Skokie, Illinois, man who authorities say used the pepper spray, which can irritate the eyes and cause a burning sensation and difficulty breathing, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and two felony hate crime charges, according to Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office. He’s expected to appear in court Wednesday. The confrontation broke out as about 1,000 people were gathered Sunday evening at a banquet hall in a northern Chicago suburb to show solidarity with Israel, and several hundred pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside, according to police and event organizers.The pro-Palestinian protest was wrapping up when the sound of a gunshot cracked through the air, and then a few minutes later, a man pepper sp...

Pope’s big synod on church future produces first document, but differences remain over role of women

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 11:53:43 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis’ big meeting on the future of the Catholic Church headed into its final stretch Wednesday, with differences over the role of women still dividing the assembly even as it produced its first document after a month of debate.The Vatican released a letter from the 364-member synod, or meeting, to rank-and-file faithful, updating them in general terms on where things stand in their deliberations. It was approved 336-12 by the voting members of the assembly, which for the first time has included 54 women voting alongside bishops.Francis called the meeting back in 2021 as part of his efforts to reform the church and make it more welcoming and responsive to the needs of the faithful today. During two years of preliminary consultations among Catholics around the world, there was a near-universal call for the church to open up greater opportunities for women to take on decision-making roles and have their voices heard.The whole process has generated tremendous hope fo...