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Ford government signals support for NDP motion for free birth control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

The Ford government has signaled it will support a motion put forth by the opposition NDP party that would see all birth control covered by OHIP.The motion, which was first introduced by the NDP on International Women’s Day in March, would see the provincial health plan expanded to cover prescription contraception such as oral hormone pills, contraceptive injections, IUDs, and Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill.Currently, OHIP covers contraception for individuals under the age of 25, as long as they aren’t also covered by a private plan.“There is a projected significant savings, but you what it’s also just the right thing to do,” said NDP leader Marit Stiles. “It’s 2023 and it’s time that we treated contraception as a health care need and as a human right that it is.”The motion is set to be debated at Queen’s Park next week and the government has previously indicated it was looking closely at a similar plan introd...

Edmonton paramedic believed killed in Ukraine was caring, humble: family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

An Edmonton man was killed earlier this month while serving as a medic with the Ukrainian military, say family members who describe him as a caring and humble son, brother and husband. Joshua Mayers, 34, went to Ukraine in September to offer his help during Russia’s nearly two-year long invasion. He had previously worked as a paramedic in Alberta, including nearly 10 years with Alberta Health Services. “He was his own person. He never bragged about anything he ever did,” his mother, Janet Penner Epp, said in a phone interview. “A lot of his heroic stories I heard from other people that were in his life.”The family was told Mayers had been sent out with a group of soldiers to protect a tree line two weeks ago near the eastern city of Bakhmut. Six military members, including Mayers, headed out into a drizzly and dark night when it is believed a drone discovered the crew, said Penner Epp. The Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa said Mayers was reported missing....

ODSP advocates fear province might claw back payments with introduction of federal benefit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

Advocates for Ontario Disability Support Payments (ODSP) are speaking out over fears that a new federal benefit for those on disability will lead to a claw back of funds by the Ontario government.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government introduced the Canada Disability Benefit back in June of 2022 and it received Royal Assent this past June.Currently, the federal government is asking for feedback to inform the development of the regulations for the benefit. CityNews has obtained a copy of the Ministry of Social Services transition binder from when MPP Michael Parsa took over from Merilee Fullerton in early 2023. It states that the Canada Disability Benefit “could help mitigate costs.”“Some announced federal programs and initiatives could help to mitigate costs, depending on how they are implemented… Introducing a Canadian Disability Benefit, intended to help reduce poverty for persons with disabilities aged 18-64,” re...

Brazilian police bust international drug mule ring in Sao Paulo

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Police in Sao Paulo on Thursday detained more than 30 individuals belonging to what appeared to be a drug mule ring in the city’s western area, authorities said.Officers arrested a 24 year-old man and detained 33 other individuals who were transporting ingested drugs to Europe, the state’s public security secretary said in a statement.Police acted on a tip received through a hotline about a property in the Vila Sonia neighborhood, in western Sao Paulo, where dozens of people lived and — allegedly — worked as drug mules.During the operation, police seized about 20 passports, work documents and dozens of tightly packed, oval shaped cocaine capsules.Many of the suspects confessed to having already taken one or more trips abroad.Local media, citing the federal police, reported the mules received training to ingest the drug capsules. ____Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-americaThe Associated Press

Fake police ad for sex with minors viewed nearly 7,000 times in 4 days: Durham police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

An online advertisement purporting to offer sex with minors was viewed a disturbing 6,678 times in just four days, with over 600 responses from potential clients, Durham Regional Police said in a release on Thursday.Police said Project Firebird is “an on-going initiative that focuses on individuals interested in purchasing sexual services from persons under 18 years of age, as well as providing education and support to victims or potential victims.”The Human Trafficking Unit published the ad “to create the illusion that individuals can purchase sexual services from minors.”Investigators arrested five people and laid 15 charges in connection to the probe.

6th street bar hosts food distribution for unhoused community in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – As you can imagine, Downtown Austin is quiet because of Thanksgiving, but one Sixth Street bar decided to stay open for the holiday. Along with serving up drinks, Friends Bar distributed food to Austin's unhoused community. It's the third year the bar has hosted its "Friends-giving" event.'Give a little bit back'Along with giving out 200 plates of hot food, the bar distributed blankets as well. The idea came to the bar's Kitchen Manager Jorge Trejo. "We're lucky we have a meal and everything," Trejo said. "There's people out there that don't, so we try to give a little bit back."Trejo said he wants people to feel loved and supported. "They're not alone," Trejo said. "There's people actually that care for them."'You feel that support'Michael Moon said he's excited for the turkey and rolls. "I opened it," Moon said. "It smells so good."But ultimately, Moon said this food means more to him than just a warm meal. "You feel that support. So it's great. It's nice to have,"...

St. Paul police investigating person found dead in a cave

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

Urban explorers found the remains of a person in a cave in St. Paul this week, fire officials said.About 6 p.m. Wednesday night, firefighters responded to a 911 call from urban explorers near Eagle Parkway and Exchange Street South. The explorers had found the remains of a person in a confined space, according to the St. Paul Fire Department.The department’s Advanced Technical Rescue Team recovered the body from the space by securing it and hoisting it out, officials said. Crews were on scene for more than two and a half hours. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner then retrieved the remains of the unidentified individual from the scene.Police responded with the fire department and they are investigating the circumstances of the death. They’ll work with the Ramsey County medical examiner’s office to identify the person and their cause of death, said Sgt. Mike Ernster, a St. Paul police spokesman.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Readers share why ...

Man convicted of carjackings, including case connected to puppy thrown from window, gets 18 year federal prison term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

A man convicted of two carjackings, including one following a police pursuit in Little Canada when a suspect threw a puppy from a moving vehicle, received a federal sentence of nearly 18 years this week.Donovan Alan Goodman, 34, “brazenly carjacked strangers and risked countless lives during his erratic efforts to flee police all while illegally possessing and threatening others with a firearm,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Minnesota wrote in a court document.Donovan Alan Goodman. (Courtesy of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)On Jan. 30, Goodman was speeding in a stolen vehicle near Rice Street and U.S. 694 in Little Canada when a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy tried to pull him over. He drove in the wrong lanes of traffic, went around stop sticks and someone in the vehicle threw a puppy onto the freeway “to further forestall law enforcement,” a prosecutor wrote in the document.After Goodman lost control of the vehicle, he and another m...

Woman shot in leg in St. Paul early Thursday morning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

St. Paul police are investigating the shooting of a woman in her late 20s early Thursday morning.According to St. Paul police spokesman Mike Ernster, about 2 a.m. officers responded to reports of a woman shot in the 300 block of Erie Street. When they arrived they found a woman in her late 20s with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to her lower leg.The suspect, believed to be the woman’s husband, was taken into custody on the 1300 block of Van Buren Avenue by officers and booked into the Ramsey County jail on suspicion of aggravated assault.The shooting remains under investigation. Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Dru Sjodin’s mom reflects on 20 years without her child — and about her life as an advocate Crime & Public Safety | Rochester woman given 10 days behind bars for role in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol Crime & Public Safety | Harding High School fatal stabbing: 17-year-old pleads guilty to man...

These fast food restaurants are open on Thanksgiving 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:29 GMT

Are you traveling this Thanksgiving? Or maybe someone burned the turkey (or forgot to take it out in time to thaw). Either way, if you’re looking for a restaurant serving food during the holiday, you’re in luck.  Raunchy, alcohol-fueled Taco Bell party included open sex, lawsuit claims Here’s a look at the national restaurant chains that are open for Thanksgiving this year. Hours may vary by location, so be sure to check online or call ahead to make sure your spot is open. Applebee'sSome Applebee’s locations will be open for Thanksgiving but may be operating under limited hours. You can check your location’s hours online. Arby'sMany Arby’s locations will be open for the holiday, a representative tells Nexstar. You can check your restaurant’s hours here. Burger KingBecause Burger King restaurants are individually owned, hours may vary by location, a spokesperson tells Nexstar. Hours can be found on the BK app or online. Dairy QueenLike Burger King, because ...