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Canadian man in Gaza says Ottawa has asked him to be prepared to leave with family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

A Canadian man trying to get out of Gaza with his family says Global Affairs Canada has asked him to gather his documents and be prepared to leave at any moment through the enclave’s border crossing with Egypt. Mahmoud Nasser says his wife, who has a Brazilian passport, got a call from Global Affairs today during which an official confirmed that Nasser, his wife, his Canadian father and brother and his Palestinian sister-in-law were all registered with Ottawa to evacuate. Nasser, who is sheltering at a refugee camp that’s a 20-minute drive away from the Rafah border crossing, says the official told them to be ready to leave and that a bus would be waiting for Canadians and their families on the Egyptian side once they were allowed to cross. Nasser says Global Affairs did not provide a date or time for a potential evacuation but told his family to watch a list being published online by the General Authority for Border Crossings in Gaza that has been detaili...

Canadian prisons ‘disturbingly and unconscionably Indigenized’: corrections watchdog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

The federal prison watchdog says there are still too many Indigenous people behind bars in Canada.In fact, correctional investigator Ivan Zinger says the problem has gotten significantly worse since he originally flagged it a decade ago.Zinger’s latest annual report says 32 per cent of all federal inmates in Canada — and 50 per cent of the women — are Indigenous, compared to 25 per cent in 2013.The report describes the country’s penitentiary system as “disturbingly and unconscionably Indigenized,” with many lingering hallmarks of colonialism.That, Zinger says, contributes to the ongoing marginalization, criminalization and over-imprisonment of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.The new report urges the transfer of federally run healing lodges to local authorities, calls for a national Indigenous “decarceration” strategy and better supports for Indigenous elders who work in corrections.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 2, 2023.Th...

UN plans to cut number of refugees receiving cash aid in Lebanon by a third, citing funding cuts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Faced with an increasing funding crunch, the United Nations will cut the number of refugee families receiving cash assistance in Lebanon by nearly a third next year, a spokesperson for the U.N. refugee agency said Thursday.Due to “significant funding reductions,” UNHCR and the World Food Program will give monthly cash aid to 88,000 fewer families in 2024 than in 2023, UNHCR spokeswoman Lisa Abou Khaled said.About 190,000 families will continue receiving the assistance, which is capped at a monthly maximum of $125 per household, she said. In the past, some families received extra assistance in the winter months for heating fuel expenses, but this year that program will also be halted, Abou Khaled said. That aid “was critical for vulnerable families to survive the winter season,” she said.Lebanon, which has been in the throes of a severe financial crisis since 2019, hosts some 790,000 registered Syrian refugees and potentially hundreds of thousands more who are unregiste...

Job fair held for refugees at Misericordia Home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Refugees who are looking for employment are checking out a job fair Thursday at Misericordia Home.Nearly 500 refugees from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Ukraine have registered and showed up for the fair that puts them face to face with potential opportunities.With the help of interpreters, refugees will meet with representatives in healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, logistics and many more.More than 400 vacancies are available. These companies are committed to hiring them and providing needed support to succeed in the workplace.This event is not just about finding them a job, but also assisting them to get their degrees accredited, financial advising, providing information on government benefits and language classes. Cedar Fair and Six Flags will merge to create a playtime powerhouse in North America One of the organizers is a refugee from Afghanistan who understands the struggle of settling in a new country and the importance of these resources.The job fair...

Students evacuated after partial ceiling collapse at Lockport Township HS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

LOCKPORT, Ill. -- Students were evacuated after a plaster ceiling collapsed at Lockport High School overnight, according to a statement released by the school. Quantum capital of the world: Emerging field that could solve ‘unsolvable’ problems The collapse happened at the school's central campus on the third floor. No students or staff members were injured. In a statement, the school said they are working with fire officials and the city Building Inspector to assess causes. The school is working with the Regional Office of Education to determine when the school can be reoccupied. There was no additional information provided.

2 wanted for allegedly pickpocketing CTA Blue Line rider, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Police are seeking the whereabouts of two men suspected of stealing a rider's wallet on the CTA Blue Line platform. According to police, the Oct. 26 incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. in the first block of N. Dearborn St. The victim told police that someone fell into him and later realized he had been pickpocketed. Mass Transit Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the above suspects responsible for a theft that occurred in the 0-100 block of N. Dearborn St. (Photo: CPD) Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Anyone with information is asked to call (312) 745-4706.

Durbin calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire tied to hostage release

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the second-highest ranking Democrat in the Senate, backed a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war Thursday but stipulated that it must start with the release of all hostages. Asked by CNN's Poppy Harlow whether it's time for a cease-fire, Durbin said: “I think it is." “At least in the context of both sides agreeing. For example, the release of those kidnapped should be part of this — immediate release. That should be the beginning of it,” Durbin said. “An effort should be made to engage in conversation between the Israelis and Palestinians.”Durbin’s use of the term “cease-fire” is notable in its departure from language used by both President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).Biden on Wednesday suggested a "pause" in fighting was needed to "get the prisoners out," in response to a heckler who asked him to call for a cease-fire. Asked about his use of the term cease-fire and the fact that the president has purposefully not used t...

UPS announces 'hiring blitz' across Chicago area this Friday and Saturday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

CHICAGO — The United States Parcel Service is launching its "Brown Friday" efforts to attract thousands of workers nationwide. Locally, the delivery service looks to hire more than 2,300 people across the Chicago area. Search for jobs on our job board Jobs in demand include warehouse workers, seasonal driver helpers, package delivery drivers, CDL drivers and seasonal support drivers. Hiring events will take place Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4 at the following locations:3740 S Morgan Street (Chicago)1400 S Jefferson Street (Chicago) 6700 W 73rd Street (Bedford Park) 2050 N Hicks Road, (Palatine)2525 Shermer Road (Northbrook)16328 John Lane Crossing (Lockport) Inaugural Southwest Job Fair set for January Virtual interviews are available Friday for stores in Northwest Indiana:3147 169th Place (Hammond, Indiana)860 W Main Street (Westville, Indiana)Click here for more information. UPS said most applicants will have a job offer in less than 20 minutes.  

New TDCJ webpage tracks A/C projects at state prison facilities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new page on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) website now tracks air conditioning construction projects at state jail facilities.According to the TDCJ, the mission of the projects was to help protect the public, its employees and the inmates in its custody. RELATED: Texas inmates ‘being cooked alive’ in heatwave with no air conditioning “During the 88th Texas Legislative session, TDCJ received a historic infusion of funding for major repair and improvement projects at facilities,” the TDCJ said.According to the TDCJ, as a part of the funding, it received $85 million to install additional air conditioning.The TDCJ said it currently had 31 units fully air-conditioned while 55 units were partially air-conditioned.

Choosing to relocate an old house rather than demolishing just got easier in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:50 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin City Council approved on consent Thursday a resolution that will reduce barriers to relocating homes, increasing the potential for historical preservation and reducing waste associated with demolitions. District 5 Council Member Ryan Alter was behind the item, saying it will “promote preservation, affordability and sustainability throughout Austin,” Alter said at the council meeting Thursday. The resolution will raise awareness about the option to relocate a structure when a property owner might otherwise consider demolition, streamline the process by making it cheaper and faster, and create a market for those who are interested in buying and selling these types of homes, Alter said. “With the concerns that increased density will result in the demolition of older, smaller homes, house relocation provides an opportunity to preserve existing housing,” Alter said. “Relocation helps divert waste to lands fills… 25% of the waste in our landfills is a ...