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Federal Reserve minutes: Officials saw inflation cooling but were cautious about timing of rate cuts

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s policymakers concluded last month that inflationary pressures were easing and that the job market was cooling. In response, the officials chose to leave their key interest rate unchanged for the third straight time and signaled that they expected to cut rates three times in 2024.According to the minutes of their Dec. 12-13 meeting released Wednesday, Fed officials indicated in their own interest-rate forecasts that a lower benchmark rate “would be appropriate by the end of 2024” given the steady progress toward taming inflation. But they ”stressed the importance” of remaining vigilant and keeping rates high “until inflation was clearly moving down sustainably” toward their 2% target. And though Chair Jerome Powell suggested at a news conference after the meeting that the Fed was likely done raising rates, the minutes show that uncertainty about the economy’s outlook meant that further hikes were still possible.The...

An apparent Israeli strike killed a top Hamas commander. How might it impact the Gaza conflict?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The killing of a top Hamas commander in an apparent Israeli airstrike on a Beirut apartment has given Israel an important symbolic achievement in its 3-month-old war against the Islamic militant group.But history has shown the benefits of such dramatic operations are often short-lived, bringing on further violence and equally formidable replacements as leaders of militant groups.The drone strike on Saleh Arouri, the deputy political head of Hamas and a founder of the group’s military wing, follows a long line of suspected Israeli killings of senior militant leaders over the years. While Israel did not claim responsibility for Tuesday’s blast, it had all the hallmarks of an Israeli attack. Both Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group immediately blamed Israel and could soon respond.Here is a look at the strike and Israel’s history of suspected killings of militants abroad:WHAT HAPPENED?A mysterious blast shook a Beirut neighborhood. Hama...

Toronto ranked Canada’s safest city in new ranking

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

Toronto media, ahem, crafts its share of hyperbolic crime headlines that could leave you convinced you’ll be shot, carjacked and cannabilized the second you step foot in the Big Smoke.But according to new data compiled by Money.ca, Toronto is actually the safest city in all of Canada.Money.ca says it used data from the Canadian Crime Index to create its ranking.The Top 10 list calculated the number of criminal offences per 100,000 people.Toronto tallied the lowest number at 286.9 and was also found to be the least likely city for arson, with the lowest chance of break-and-enters.Quebec City (301) and Ottawa-Gatineau (391.8) came second and third respectively.Hamilton came in 10th place, with 420.6 offences per 100,000 people.Top Ten safest places to live in Canada: (Source: Money.ca)TorontoQuebecOttawa-Gatineau, QCSherbrookeOttawa-Gatineau, ONMontrealBarrieTrois-RivièresSaguenayHamilton

Officials investigating fire at Jewish-owned deli in North York; councillors calling it hate-motivated

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

Fire officials remain at the scene of a fire at a deli in North York that two Toronto councillors are calling a hate crime.Toronto fire responded to a call around 6 a.m. Wednesday for a commercial fire at International Deli Foods in the area of Steeles Avenue and Keele Street.Fire officials tell CityNews crews arrived to find smoke coming from the rear of the building. The fire was put out and no injuries were reported.Investigators are working with police to determine the cause of the fire and say they have not ruled out that it may have been set deliberately. Toronto police confirm they remain at the scene.Graffiti could be seen scrawled on the back of the building that reads “free Palestine.”A nearby business owner tells CityNews the deli is owned by a Russian Jewish family.Coun. Mike Colle is calling the incident a “firebombing” and a “disgusting criminal act.”“This is an attack on people because they may not be of your religion or your ...

Tennessee judge denies release of more records in sexual harassment complaint against ex-lawmaker

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge has squashed an attempt to release more records involving a sexual harassment complaint against a former state lawmaker, including information about how tax dollars may have been spent as part of the investigation.Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins’ ruling, handed down Tuesday, is the latest development in the monthslong speculation over how Tennessee’s GOP-dominated House handled a complaint lodged by a legislative intern against former Rep. Scotty Campbell.Campbell resigned last April after it was revealed that an ethics panel found that he violated the Legislature’s workplace discrimination and harassment policy. The resignation came just two weeks after the Republican joined his fellow GOP members in expelling two Black Democratic legislators for protesting in support of gun control on the state House floor.Critics cried foul over Campbell’s ability to weigh in on the expulsions while his sexual harassment compl...

Israel’s peers warn against displacing Palestinians in Gaza to places like Canada

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

OTTAWA — Countries traditionally aligned with Israel are warning its right-wing government against contemplating a displacement of people who live in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli officials repeatedly suggest Canada could take in Palestinians.This week, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said his country should “encourage migration” of Palestinians from Gaza and re-establish Israeli settlements there, echoing similar comments from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller is condemning remarks from both politicians as “inflammatory and irresponsible,” while French President Emmanuel Macron calls them “unacceptable” comments.Last month, members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party reportedly discussed countries willing to accept Palestinians in Gaza as refugees.The report by the Israel Hayom newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying a member of the Knesset had...

US again renews protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and top aide over Iran threats

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has once again renewed taxpayer-funded protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and one of his top aides, who have been the target of persistent threats from Iran.The State Department notified Congress late last month that the threats against Pompeo and Trump administration Iran envoy Brian Hook remain “serious and credible” and continue to warrant government-provided security details.The notifications are dated Dec. 19 but were not transmitted to Congress until Dec. 22. They were obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.Tensions in the Middle East have soared since the outbreak of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and escalated further Wednesday after dozens of people were killed in blasts in Iran at a memorial service for Iran Revolutionary Guard commander Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020. Pompeo and Hook were the public faces of the U.S. “maximum pressure” campaign ag...

Gov. Pritzker announces next director of DCFS

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Gov. Pritzker announced Wednesday the next director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).He is appointing Heidi Mueller, who currently serves as the director of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).“The work Director Mueller has done at the Department of Juvenile Justice over the last several years has been transformative for the juvenile justice system in Illinois, and I am thrilled that she will bring her unique experience and talents to DCFS,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Heidi’s care and compassion for the most at-risk young people in our state and her exceptional leadership are hallmarks of her career, and I know that her passion and expertise will be a significant asset as we continue to improve our state’s child welfare system.”Mueller has served as director of DJJ since 2016. In 2020, she helped launch the 21st Century Illinois Transformation Plan."As someone who has devoted my career to supporting children and families, I a...

Opioid overdose deaths in Cook County remain steady in 2023, homicides down

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

CHICAGO — A preliminary, year-end report shows opioid deaths in Cook County remained steady while homicides were slightly down in 2023. The Cook County Medical Examiners report shows 1,540 people died of an opioid overdose last year. While the figure is less than the 2,001 deaths in 2022, the report suggests the 2023 number will likely rise, pending final toxicology test results, pitting last year's numbers on par with 2022. A missing person with no memory: How local investigators solved the cold case of Seven Doe Of the 1,540 confirmed opioid deaths, 90% involved fentanyl, slightly down from the 91% reported in 2022. Last year, men made up 80% of overdose deaths, of which 56% were African American males. Caucasian males made up 27% and Latinos were 15%. The age group most impacted is 50- to 59-year-olds, accounting for 27% of the overdose deaths. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cook County sees record 2,000 opioid deaths in 2022; 91% fentanyl-relatedThe youngest death involved...

Ground beef distributed to 4 Midwest states recalled over E. coli concerns

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:51 GMT

(NewsNation) — More than 6,000 pounds of raw ground beef products distributed in the Midwest have been recalled over possible contamination with E. coli.Valley Meats, LLC, based out of Illinois, has recalled 6,768 pounds of raw ground beef products after a third-party test confirmed the presence of E. coli in samples of the meat. The ground beef was originally shipped to distributor locations in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan for further sale. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) suggested the beef, which was sold in large packages, was distributed largely to restaurants and institutions, and not sold directly to consumers. Outlets that may have purchased the beef are being urged to throw away or return the beef. COVID, flu and RSV cases likely to peak post-holidays: CDC The recalled packages can be identified by an establishment number reading “EST. 5712” inside the USDA mark of inspection.The full list of recalled products, as post...