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Scottish National Party’s Humza Yousaf inherits ‘tremendous mess’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

LONDON — Good luck to Humza Yousaf — Scotland’s next first minister is going to need it. Narrowly elected as the new leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party Monday (SNP), Yousaf faces the monumental task of bringing together a party that has been driven apart by a bitter leadership contest. And he must now step into the shoes of Nicola Sturgeon, who took the SNP to new heights but left her successor with a formidable in-tray, including major strategic questions about the future of Scotland’s fight for independence from the United Kingdom.“Where there are divisions to heal, we must do so quickly,” Yousaf said Monday. His slim margin of victory over his nearest rival, Kate Forbes, lays bare the scale of that task.“I think it’s been a lot more robust than people anticipated at first,” one former Scottish government adviser said of the contest, with some understatement. Others have been more forthright.“There is a tremendous mess and we have to clear it up,” th...

Worcester police make arrest after interrupting apparent house break

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

A 43-year-old man is facing a number of burglary and firearms-related charges after Worcester police found him at the scene of a reported house break, according to authorities.The Worcester Police Department said Devondre Cooper was arrested on Friday, March 24, after officers were called to an address on Everard Street around 5:30 p.m. for a break in progress.A detailed description of the suspect was given, according to the department, including word that the suspect was seen forcing his way through a door with a crowbar.Officials said the first officer to arrive at the scene saw a male, later identified as Cooper, who matched the suspect’s description and was apparently still holding a crowbar at the time.Cooper then allegedly fled from police when asked to speak with officers, leading to a brief foot chase that involved the 43 year old running through several backyards.Police said Cooper was later taken into custody and that officers also found a backpack he allegedly dropp...

Pet pig abandoned at Boston residence finds new home in New Hampshire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

A pet pig that was ditched by its owner in Boston last year and became a staff favorite at an animal rescue facility has found a new home in New Hampshire.According to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, Clarendon the pig was originally brought to Boston by her former owner in October 2022. Brining the 1-year-old sow to the residence of a relative, the ARL said the owner then abandoned the pig there, leading to a resident reaching out to Boston Animal Control.Image provided by The Animal Rescue League of BostonRELATED: Animal Rescue League seeks home for pig abandoned in BostonClarendon was eventually brought to the ARL, where she stayed for six months and “immediately became a favorite among staff and volunteers with her sparkling personality and playfulness,” ARL Media Relations Manager Mike DeFina said in a statement.It was in February when DeFina said local media reports highlighting Clarendon led to a family in New Hampshire reaching out with immediate interest in a...

Netanyahu ally: Plan to overhaul Israeli judiciary delayed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

JERUSALEM — A powerful partner in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government says the country’s proposed judicial overhaul has been delayed for at least several weeks.National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says he agreed to a delay in the legislation until parliament reconvenes for its summer session on April 30.There was no immediate confirmation from Netanyahu.In a statement, Ben-Gvir said the interim period would give time for a compromise agreement to be reached with the political opposition.But he said if a deal is not reached, the package would be approved in the summer session.Ben-Gvir has been a leading proponent of the overhaul, and his statement could pave the way for Netanyahu to announce a delay.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.JERUSALEM (AP) — Tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside parliament and workers launched a nationwide strike Monday in a dramatic escalation of the mass protest movement aimed at halting P...

Mets DFA struggling outfielder Darin Ruf

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets have made a decision about struggling DH Darin Ruf, designating him for assignment.The 36-year-old right-handed hitter will not be included on the club’s Opening Day roster. Instead, the Mets will select outfielder Tim Locastro, a speedy base-stealing specialist. The Mets can take advantage of the new rules that encourage more action on the basepaths with Locastro, a speedy base-stealing specialist.Ruf was acquired at the trade deadline last season from the San Francisco Giants. The Mets sent four players, including third baseman J.D. Davis, to the Giants in exchange for Ruf, who was acquired to hit left-handed pitching. But Ruf found the change of scenery to be difficult and he found it especially difficult to struggle in New York. He hit just .152 with a .413 OPS and no home runs with the Mets.He came into camp with tendinitis in his wrist and received a cortisone injection, which cleared up the pain. Still, Ruf struggled to hit going 5-...

All Heat’s Kevin Love wanted was a chance; what he doesn’t want is a return to the play-in

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

Kevin Love is more than familiar with the perils of the NBA’s play-in round.Last season, while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was a 115-108 road loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the play-in, with Love closing with 14 points and 13 rebounds in reserve. That was followed by a season-ending 107-101 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Love limited to 10 minutes.And yet, when given the choice at the All-Star break of continuing on with the Cavaliers, who have comfortably been in playoff position for months, Love dared tempt the fates with the Miami Heat, a team very much facing the realities of the play-in, then and now.Why? Love’s love for the game, and playing the game.“I’m very grateful for this opportunity, the opportunity to play,” Love told the Sun Sentinel. “Because in Cleveland I don’t know if that would have been the case.”Now there is a degree of question of whether that will continue. A starter since he joined the...

Centre Block construction within cost, but Ottawa needs to make faster decisions: AG

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

OTTAWA — The modernization of Parliament’s Centre Block is within budget so far, but the federal government needs to do a better job at making up their minds before major construction begins, the federal auditor general says in a new report. Karen Hogan warns in a report released Monday that if decision-making remains fragmented, it could lead to construction delays — and more costs for taxpayers.The rehabilitation of Centre Block already comes with a price tag of up to $5 billion, and is set to be completed by 2031. “Given the size and complexity of this undertaking, a streamlined decision-making process will be required to continue effectively managing the costs and timelines of the rehabilitation program, as construction work accelerates between now and the planned completion date,” reads the report, which covers the period from January 2010 until July 2022. The government is responsible for deciding how it wants Centre Block to look, including how many office s...

Zelenskyy, atomic agency chief discuss nuclear plant fears

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — The U.N.’s atomic energy chief warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting Monday that the perilous situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant “isn’t getting any better” as relentless fighting in the area keeps the facility at risk of a disaster.The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s six reactors are in shutdown and it is receiving the electricity it needs to prevent a reactor meltdown through just one remaining power line. It has on occasion had to switch to emergency diesel generators to power its essential cooling systems.International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi plans to visit the Russian-held plant this week. The Vienna-based agency has staff permanently deployed at the plant following Russia’s invasion 13 months ago.In his meeting with Zelenskyy, covered exclusively by The Associated Press, Grossi said the situation at the plant remains tense because of the heavy military presence around it and a...

Turkey calls French envoy, protests hosting of Syria Kurds

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign ministry summoned the French ambassador to “strongly condemn” the French senate’s decision to host Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara considers to be terrorists, the Turkish state-run news agency reported Monday. Pierre Laurent, vice-president of the French Senate, announced on Twitter Saturday that he hosted a delegation from northeast Syria last week to discuss the situation in the region. Media reports said the senate awarded medals to members of the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, and its women’s branch, the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units, in recognition of their fight against the extremist Islamic State group in Syria.Anadolu Agency reported that Turkish officials protested to French Ambassador Herve Magro and reiterated Ankara’s expectations of solidarity from its NATO allies in its fight against terrorism. They also asked France not to support alleged efforts by Kurdish militants to “gain international credence,” ac...

S&P/TSX composite up in late-morning trading, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:49:43 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in the financial and utility sectors helped Canada’s main stock index move higher in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were mixed to start the trading week.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 27.30 points at 19,528.79.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 141.88 points at 32,379.41. The S&P 500 index was up 6.04 points at 3,977.03, while the Nasdaq composite was down 23.87 points at 11,800.09.The Canadian dollar traded for 72.96 cents US compared with 72.66 cents US on Friday.The May crude contract was up US$1.36 at US$70.62 per barrel and the May natural gas contract was down 13 cents at US$2.23 per mmBTU.The April gold contract was down US$27.50 at US$1,956.30 an ounce and the May copper contract was down a penny at US$4.06 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press