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Biden announces 5 federal judicial nominees and stresses their varied professional backgrounds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced five nominees to federal judgeships, including the first Muslim-American on any circuit court, looking to add to more than 150 of his judicial selections who have already been confirmed to the bench. The announcements by the Democratic president are part of the White House’s push to nominate diverse judges, especially those from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, and to do so even in states with Republican senators. Biden nominated Nicole Berner, the general counsel of the Service Employees International Union, for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. If confirmed by the Senate, Berner would be that court’s first openly LGBTQ judge. Adeel Mangi, Biden’s nominee for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, would be the first Muslim-American circuit court judge, if confirmed. Biden nominated Judge Cristal Brisco, who would be the first Black woman and the first woman of color to serve as U.S. District C...

Metro reports $222.2M Q4 profit, up from $168.7M a year ago, sales up 14%

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

MONTREAL — Metro Inc. reported a fourth-quarter profit of $222.2 million, up from $168.7 million in the same quarter last year as its sales rose 14 per cent.The grocer says the profit amounted to 96 cents per diluted share for the 13-week period ended Sept. 30, up from 70 cents per diluted share a year earlier when the quarter included 12 weeks.Metro says a five-week strike at 27 stores in the Greater Toronto Area during the quarter had a negative impact on its bottom line of about $27 million after taxes or 12 cents per share, while the extra week in the period had a favourable impact of $27 million net of tax or 12 cents per share.Sales in the quarter totalled $5.07 billion, up from $4.43 billion a year earlier.The increase came as food same-store sales rose 6.8 per cent and pharmacy same-store sales gained 5.5 per cent.On an adjusted basis, Metro says it earned 99 cents per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 92 cents per diluted share a year earlier.This r...

France issues arrest warrants for Syrian president, 3 generals alleging involvement in war crimes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French judicial authorities on Wednesday issued international arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother and two army generals for their alleged involvement in war crimes and crimes against humanity, including a 2013 chemical attack on rebel-held Damascus suburbs, lawyers for Syrian victims said. In addition to President Assad, the arrest warrants were issued for his brother, Maher Assad, the commander of the 4th Armored Division, and two Syrian army generals, Ghassan Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan. Jeanne Sulzer and Clemence Witt, lawyers at the Paris Bar who represent the plaintiffs, and NGOs behind the complaint, hailed the decision. “It marks a crucial milestone in the battle against impunity,” Sulzer told The Associated Press on the phone. “It signifies a positive evolution in case law recognizing the grave nature of the crimes committed.” The Paris prosecutor’s office has not publicly commented on the arrest warrants that remain secret under French...

Edmunds: How to make the most of falling used car prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

The past few years have been rough for used-vehicle buyers due to higher prices, less inventory and rising interest rates. Compared to what people normally expect to pay from buying used, it’s fair to say the market has been discouraging. But there seems to be at least a dim light at the end of the tunnel according to Edmunds’ latest Used Vehicle Report. Edmunds found the average transaction price for a used vehicle was $28,935 in the third quarter. While that’s still way above the average of $20,085 from about five years ago, it has dropped from last year’s record high. In addition, new vehicle prices continue to rise, making used vehicles more appealing for shoppers on a smaller budget. Broadly, the difference in average price between new and used is back to how it was in 2019. Even so, it’s still wise for prospective used vehicle buyers to make sure they’re getting the best value for their money. The experts at Edmunds have compiled six important tips to help you with your next p...

Heavy police activity in Johnsburg, residents asked to shelter in place; Dist. 12 schools closed Wednesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

MCHENRY COUNTY, Ill. — Residents in the town of Johnsburg have been advised to shelter in place Wednesday morning, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.Officials said there is a heavy police presence in the area of Hamlin Drive and Fillmore Road.Skycam9 captured SWAT units and several police vehicles on the scene.The sheriff's office has advised residents in the area to shelter in place until advised differently, and to avoid the area until the situation has been made safe. Johnsburg School District 12 will be closed Wednesday due to the ongoing police situation.No further details have been provided by authorities at this time.This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Southwest Airlines hikes on-board alcohol prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Southwest Airlines will increase the price of on-board alcohol offerings starting Wednesday, the airline confirmed to Nexstar's WFLA.The airline said it would implement a "modest change" to alcohol prices. Southwest didn't disclose how much the prices would increase, but the Dallas Morning News reported the price of liquor will increase from $7 to $9, while the price of beer will increase from $6 to $7.Wines will increase in price from $6 to $8, according to the outlet."Southwest last adjusted pricing for onboard beverages in 2018 and recently reviewed our position as we work to keep fares low while offering our Customers unmatched flexibility," the airline said in a statement. Non-alcoholic drinks will still be offered for free on flights longer than 175 miles, according to the airline's website. On shorter flights, passengers will be offered water. The price increase comes just days before a busy holiday travel period is expected to begin. Florida-bound fli...

This gene-editing therapy could cure sickle cell disease, and it's close to FDA approval

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

(The Hill) -- A breakthrough treatment for sickle cell patients could soon become the first gene-editing treatment to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder that affects roughly 100,000 Americans, most of whom are Black. The disease causes red blood cells to become sickle or c-shaped, clumping together and clogging blood vessels, causing pain and other complications. There is only one approved treatment that can cure sickle cell disease: a bone marrow transplant in which a healthy donor offers stem cells that create red blood cells in the sick patient. In the vast majority of cases, the best donor is the patient’s fully related sibling, but even then, a sibling only has a 1 in 4 chance of being a match. “Only about 18 percent, or less than 1 in 5 individuals, will have a suitable match. And the best match possible is a sib...

Decorating contest starts in Austin area for trees, homes, gingerbread houses

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Ready to deck the halls ahead of the holiday season? A contest is aiming to bring Central Texans together with lights and a little friendly competition. Braden Gilbert, the founder of Texas Christmas Light Decorators Contest, said his goal is to bring the community together through Christmas lights. RELATED: Austin takes No. 1 festive city honors, home improvement company says "Being here in Austin...in Central Texas, knowing that there are so many different neighborhoods and subsets that have beautiful Christmas lights displays, I figured that it would be a good opportunity to try and bring everyone together with a little bit of Christmas spirit," Gilbert said.The contest has three parts: house decorating, Christmas tree and gingerbread house. The house decorating contest costs $25 to enter with categories of standard decorations and decorations timed with music. A map of houses will be available Dec. 8 for the public to view.Contest detailsHomes will be judged i...

Dell Diamond getting new clubhouse for visiting teams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- Dell Diamond, the home of the Round Rock Express for 23 years, is getting a new clubhouse for visiting teams in order to meet new requirements put in place by Major League Baseball. In 2021, the MLB created new standards for facilities that all baseball clubs across America have to follow. Dell Diamond meets a majority of these standards, but fell short in a few elements. Most notably, the stadium does not have big enough clubhouses for its visiting teams. "They're just way too small," Tim Jackson, the general manager for the Express, explained. He said the team has been making improvements to its stadium the past couple of years, but now the big project is building a whole new clubhouse. Not enough space The MLB now requires that all clubhouses be at least 1,000 square feet. The current clubhouse is 901 square feet at Dell Diamond and is also lacking an office for opposing managers, another requirement put in place by the MLB. This comes as the game itse...

Organization to hold Thanksgiving celebration for current and former foster children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A local organization told KXAN Tuesday it is planning a celebration Nov. 19 for area children in foster care as well as young adults who were formerly in the system. Change 1 said its 10th Annual Thanksgiving Celebration will be 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock.You can register to assist with the event here as well as RSVP. Change 1's founder, Cortney Jones, told KXAN the event will feature music, face painting and the kids will get to play games at Tom Foolerys Adventure Park in the resort. Jones told KXAN she spent 10 years in the foster care system and was moved 25 times. She said her transition out of the foster system was difficult but "college is what saved me." "It gave me a place to lay my head at and a meal plan," she said. Jones said she wanted to become the social worker, "I didn't have", and she founded Change 1 to help children and young adults with their own moves out of foster care. She said, in addition to the Thanksgiving...