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Toronto exploring municipal sales tax to fill $1.5 billion budget gap. What else is on the table?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

The City of Toronto has passed a few new revenue tools to raise some money it needs right now, but it’s going to require a much bigger toolbox to help make ends meet.After a marathon session last night, Toronto’s city council is now embracing revenue tools, such as taxes and fees. Among them are increases to the municipal land transfer tax on luxury homes worth $3 million or more and the removal of a $5-per-hour cap for street parking.It’s one of a number of revenue tools passed and to be explored with more tough budget decisions on the horizon.“I was very encouraged that there was a vigorous discussion. It was a unanimous agreement that we as a city need revenue tools to grow the economy,” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said on Thursday.The city manager’s report was put before councillors Wednesday at a special meeting where they were set to discuss how to manage Toronto’s beleaguered financial outlook, with the city set to open its 2024 budget discus...

Italy’s government approves crackdown on juvenile crime after a spate of rapes and youth criminality

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

ROME (AP) — Italy’s right-wing government Thursday approved a decree to crack down on juvenile delinquency, allowing children as young as 6 to be arrested, following a spate of high-profile “baby gang” crimes that gained attention this summer.The decree was adopted by the Cabinet a week after Premier Giorgia Meloni visited a crime-infested Naples suburb, where two girls were allegedly raped repeatedly by local youths. During the visit, Meloni promised to improve safety in the town of Caivano and to rehabilitate an abandoned, rundown sports complex where some of the alleged rapes occurred.The decree includes funding for rehabilitation as well as a provision to name a special safety commissioner for Caivano, a Naples suburb rife with drug dealers and organized crime.Meloni’s government, which came to power last year, has sought to show it is tough on crime, making one of its first acts in office a decree to ban rave parties.The Associated Press

Immigrant girl on Chicago-bound bus from Texas died from infection, other factors, coroner says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

MARION, Ill. (AP) — An autopsy shows a bacterial infection and other factors caused the death of a 3-year-old girl on a bus carrying immigrants from Texas to Chicago last month, an Illinois coroner said Thursday.The bacterial infection and aspiration pneumonia along with diarrhea and vomiting led to electrolyte problems, swelling of the brain and eventually the Aug. 10 death of Jismary Alejandra Barboza González, Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon said. Her extremely low weight and length for her age were contributing factors in her death, he said.The child reportedly began experiencing mild symptoms and feeling ill as the family boarded the bus in Brownsville, Texas, Cannon said. At that point, she had only a low-grade fever and was allowed to board the bus. During the trip, her symptoms worsened and developed into vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of appetite and dehydration, Cannon said. She was given electrolyte drinks and registered a temperature of 100.1 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degre...

UN goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible because of biases against women, UN says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. goal of achieving gender equality by 2030 is impossible to attain because of deeply rooted biases against women around the world in heath, education, employment and the halls of power, the United Nations said in a report Thursday.“The world is failing women and girls,” UN Women, the agency promoting gender equality, and the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs said in “The Gender Snapshot 2023” report.According to the U.N.’s findings, “ active resistance to gender equality and chronic under-investment are key factors in slow progress and, in some cases, reversals of gains already made.” It said “unequal access to sexual and reproductive health, unequal political representation, economic disparities and a lack of legal protection, among other issues, prevent tangible progress.”Assistant Secretary-General Maria-Francesca Spatolisano told a news conference launching the report that gender equality is becoming “an ever increasingly distant goal.&...

Wynn Resorts to settle sexual harassment inaction claim from 9 female salon workers

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Wynn Resorts and nine unnamed women are settling a lawsuit alleging the casino company failed to investigate allegations that female employees were sexually harassed by former company CEO Steve Wynn, according to a court document. Attorneys for Wynn Resorts and the women who worked as manicurists and makeup artists filed the document Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.The women accused company officials of being aware and failing to act on allegations of misconduct before Steve Wynn resigned in February 2018. He was not a named a defendant in the case. Wynn, now 81 and living in Florida, has paid record monetary fines to gambling regulators but consistently has denied sexual misconduct allegations in multiple courts. The plaintiffs are identified in the lawsuit only as Judy Doe No. 1 through Judy Doe No. 9. Their attorneys, led by Kathleen England and Jason Maier, did not respond Thursday to emails from The Associa...

Attacks by Islamic insurgents in Mali kill 49 civilians and 15 soldiers, military says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Two attacks by Islamic insurgents in the restive north of Mali on Thursday killed 49 civilians and 15 government soldiers, according to a provisional death toll given by the country’s military junta.A passenger boat near the city of Timbuktu on the Niger River and a Malian military position in Bamba further downstream in the Gao region were targeted, according to a statement from the military junta read on state television. It said the attacks have been claimed by Islamic extremist insurgent group JNIM, an umbrella coalition of armed groups aligned with al-Qaida. The Malian government announcement said its forces, in responding to the attacks, killed some 50 assailants. Three days of national mourning to honor the civilians and troops killed begin Friday.Timbuktu has been blockaded by armed groups since late August, when the Malian army deployed reinforcements to the region. The insurgents are preventing the desert city from being supplied with basic goods....

Woman sexually assaulted while shopping near Dufferin Mall

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

Toronto police are searching for an unidentified man after a woman was sexually assaulted while shopping at a department store.Authorities say the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. on August 14 in the Dufferin Street and Bloor Street West area.The woman was allegedly shopping, and the suspect walked up behind her. He then sexually assaulted the victim.The man then fled toward Dufferin Street on foot.He’s described as 25-30 years old, five-foot-ten, with an average build and black braided hair.He was last seen wearing black shorts, a black shirt, and a black jacket with pink interior lining.Photo: Toronto police.

IDOT announces more construction closures on the inbound Kennedy Expressway

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

CHICAGO — New closures due to construction are coming to the inbound Kennedy Expressway starting on Monday.The Illinois Department of Transportation said the closures are needed for bridge rehab work and ramp repairs. Kennedy Expressway construction: What you should know about adjusting to the delays The inbound Addison Street and Diversey Avenue ramps will be closed for about two weeks.On Tuesday, the Sacramento Avenue and California Avenue ramps will reopen.

New food options coming to the State Fair of Texas

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, the State Fair of Texas announced brand new vendors, soft spaces and food stands would be joining the 2023 State Fair food lineup.“Fair prides itself on its hand-picked selection of vendors and concessionaires who bring in droves of fairgoers each year and keep them coming back for more with their delicious foods. Enjoy some of the best eats the Lonestar state has to offer at the 2023 State Fair of Texas, themed ‘Explore the Midway,’” organizers said.Here’s a look at the new concessions:New VendorsEATALY, Located in Cotton Bowl PlazaPound Cake Experts, Located in Tower BuildingSandoitchi, Located in Tower BuildingStay Cheesy, Located in Tower BuildingNew Soft SpacesCanosaur’s Cantina, Located at Leonhardt LagoonJuicy’s Texas Tailgate, Located near the Texas Star Ferris WheelDickel’s Smokehouse, Located in Cotton Bowl Plaza near the Children’s AquariumNew Food StandsBorracho Nacho Bar, Located in Cotton Bowl PlazaThe Cajun Cowboy, Located on First Ave.Eas...

Nearly $1.5M awarded to creative spaces in Austin

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:25:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin Economic Development Department said nearly $1.5 million in funds was awarded to 65 local arts non-profit organizations through the Creative Space Assistance Program.According to a release, the program awarded grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to creative organizations and independent artists with commercial studio spaces facing displacement or new commercial leases at higher and unaffordable rates.“Austin’s creative organizations and independent artists are a cornerstone of our city’s identity,” states Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of the Economic Development Department. “These grants represent an investment in local creative organizations and professionals, who are susceptible to the increasing operational expenses within the city. Our team takes pride in providing essential funding to ensure that creatives can persist in their creative efforts that contribute to the well-being of our entire community.According to the city, 43% of grantees identif...