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B.C. to spend billions on plan to build more homes to ease housing crisis

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government has introduced a multibillion-dollar plan to construct more homes as quickly as possible in an attempt to build its way out of the housing crisis. The so-called Homes for People plan starts with a $4-billion investment over three years and commits to $12 billion over a decade with incentives to build, laws to curb speculation and financial help for renters and homeowners. “This crisis is touching people in every corner of our province. It’s impacting quality of life in our communities and it’s holding back our entire economy,” Premier David Eby said.“Businesses are struggling to attract workers who can’t afford to live in the communities where the jobs are.”As part of the plan, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said the government will introduce provincial legislation this fall to allow three to four units on a traditional single-family detached lot with additional density permitted in areas well served ...

Indian police identify family who died crossing illegally into U.S. from Akwesasne

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

The four Indian nationals whose bodies were among eight pulled from the St. Lawrence River last week had been travelling in Canada on a tourist visa, a police official from their home state said Monday. Eight people — four from India and four of Romanian descent — died trying to cross illegally into the United States from Canada through Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, which straddles provincial and international boundaries and includes regions of Quebec, Ontario and New York state.Achal Tyagi, superintendent of police for the city of Mehsana, in the western state of Gujarat, told The Canadian Press that the four deceased Indians were members of the Chaudhari family. They included the father, Praveenbhai Chaudhari, 50; mother, Dakshaben, 45; son, Meet, 20; and 23-year-old daughter, Vidhi.Praveenbhai was a farmer, Tyagi said, adding that the family was from the Mehsana district, which has a population of about 1.8 million people. Indian police have opened an investigation and met with Cha...

No legal justification for use of Emergencies Act, civil liberties group tells court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

OTTAWA — A national civil liberties group told a federal judge Monday the federal government has not clearly spelled out proper legal justification for its use of the Emergencies Act early last year in response to protests in the national capital and at key border points.The Canadian Civil Liberties Association was among the groups and individuals in Federal Court to argue Ottawa lacked sound statutory grounds to invoke the emergency measures The government contends the measures taken to deal with the pan-Canadian emergency situation were targeted, proportional, time-limited and compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.The Public Order Emergency Commission, a mandatory review that takes place after invocation of the Emergencies Act, found the government met the very high threshold for using the law.Now the legal arguments for and against the decision are being heard in a court of law.The three-day hearing began Monday with the federal government’s reasons why...

What’s happening with Twitter blue check marks?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

Elon Musk had promised to take away all of Twitter’s blue check marks doled out to Hollywood stars, professional athletes, business leaders, authors and journalists unless they start buying a monthly subscription to the social media service.Musk’s goal was to shove the advertising-dependent platform he bought for $44 billion last year into a pay-to-play model — and maybe antagonize some enemies and fellow elites in the process.But the Saturday deadline passed and the blue checks are still there, many with a new disclaimer explaining they might have been paid for or they might not have been paid for — nobody but Twitter really knows. The company didn’t return a request to clarify its changing policies Monday.DOES A BLUE CHECK MATTER?Matt Darling has been on Twitter for about 15 years and never cared about not having a blue check, though he’d get a kick out of whenever a verified account of “some real-world importance” started following him. “People on Tw...

Sex abuse trial delayed for ‘Dances With Wolves’ actor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada judge postponed on Monday the trial for a former “Dances With Wolves” actor indicted in state court on charges that he sexually abused Indigenous women and girls for a decade in the Las Vegas area.Clark County District Judge Carli Kierny said the trial in the case of Nathan Chasing Horse will begin May 1 in Las Vegas to give prosecutors and Chasing Horse’s public defenders more time to iron out pending motions in the case. His trial had previously been scheduled for April 17.A Clark County grand jury indicted Chasing Horse, 46, in late February on 19 counts that include charges of sexual assault of a child younger than 16, kidnapping, lewdness and child abuse. Chasing Horse, who is widely known for his portrayal of Smiles a Lot in Kevin Costner’s 1990 Oscar-winning film, has pleaded not guilty and invoked his right to a trial within 60 days of his indictment.The former actor, who has been in custody since his Jan. 31 arrest, is due back in court...

Giants' power sends White Sox to home opener loss

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

CHICAGO — While their first overall game of the 2023 Major League Baseball season was a success, the same could not be said for their first home game of the campaign. Their opponent's power made sure of that at Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday.Powered by seven home runs, including four in one inning, the Giants blasted their way past the White Sox 12-3 in the home opener. It snaps a two-game winning streak that the club had in their first game at Guaranteed Rate Field, having won Game 1 on the south side in 2021 and 2022. Per the television broadcast, it tied the record for most home runs by an opponent in a game at Guaranteed Rate Field since the ballpark opened in 1991. Both teams have the day off before resuming their three-game series on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. with another matinee on Thursday.White Sox starter Michael Kopech had problems keeping the ball in the ballpark in his outing of 2023, surrendering five of the seven San Francisco homers on the day. Joc Pederson had the fir...

Energy Dept. to ban sale of some light bulbs: Here's why

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Starting in August, Americans will only be able to purchase LED lights from retailers across the nation as an official ban on incandescent lightbulbs will be in full effect.Incandescent lightbulbs have been providing light in American homes since the 1800s, when Thomas Edison patented the bulbs. But now, the nation has evolved into a more energy-efficient society and LED lights have become the new norm.Rules finalized by the Energy Department last year require manufacturers to sell energy-efficient light bulbs, accelerating a longtime industry practice to use compact fluorescent and LED bulbs that last 25 to 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs. The Trump administration had slowed an earlier phaseout of incandescents, saying it was targeting rules that burden businesses.Officials say the move will help Americans save money and benefit the environment.The DOE claims that discontinuing inefficient incandescent lights will save Americans nearly $3 b...

Zach LaVine breaks a Bulls single-season record Sunday - and it was his own

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

CHICAGO — No matter what happens in the final games of the regular season or how long the team remains in the postseason, at least one player will make history in 2022-2023.That's guard Zach LaVine, who has set a new Bulls record in one category over the course of this seasonThe two-time All-Star has hit 201 three-pointers this season after knocking down three of them against the Grizzlies in a win Sunday at the United Center. That is the new record for the franchise - and he beat his own record to do it. LaVine currently holds the top four totals in a season in Bulls history in that category, with his previous high coming in the 72-game, pandemic-shortened 2020-2021 season when he had 200. In that year, the guard was elected to his first NBA All-Star Game. In 2021-2022, LaVine hit 185 three-pointers, which is third in Bulls' history, with his 184 in the 2019-2020 season ranking fourth.Ben Gordon is the other player in the Top 5 as he hit 173 three-pointers during the 2008-2009 seas...

NHTSA: Distraction, speeding, alcohol drive up 2021 traffic deaths

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — Nearly 43,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes in 2021, the highest number in 16 years with deaths due to speeding and impaired or distracted driving on the rise.The 2021 final numbers, released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, confirmed earlier estimates by the agency showing a 10.5% increase in deaths over 2020. That’s the highest number since 2005 and the largest percentage increase since 1975.Data shows a 12% rise in fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver, with 3,522 people killed. That prompted the agency to kick off a $5 million advertising campaign in an effort to keep drivers focused on the road. Agency officials said such cases likely are under-reported by police. North DuSable Lake Shore Drive resurfacing project to begin in April The number of pedestrians killed rose 13%, and cyclist fatalities were up 2% for the year. The number of unbelted passengers killed rose 8.1%, while fatalities involving alcohol-imp...

New federal rules make fewer EVs eligible for tax credit

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:12:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Drivers considering an electric car may need to put the pedal to the metal to get to the dealership. The Biden administration just announced new rules likely to slash the number of electric vehicles eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit."The list (of eligible cars) … may be shorter but it's going to be worth it,” said Bharat Ramamurti, deputy director of the National Economic Council.He said the new rules, which mandate eligible cars include more American-made parts, are part of a long-term strategy."Over time, we're going to develop this industry domestically, increase jobs and at the end of the day, there will be more cars eligible for that tax credit,” said Ramamurti.The administration insists it will only be a matter of years before U.S. automakers can bridge the supply chain gap. It claims the delay will not hinder the U.S.'s ability to drastically slash carbon emissions by 2050."I think the targets are very achievable,” said Albert Gore, son of...