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Scotiabank increasing North American focus, could exit some foreign markets

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

TORONTO — Scotiabank chief executive Scott Thomson says the bank is increasing its focus on North America and wealth management as part of its new growth strategy.Thomson says the bank will be either exiting Central America and Colombia, or turning the businesses around without the use of more capital, while overall it will direct 90 per cent of incremental capital to priority businesses in North America. The pullback is part of a longer-term trend at the bank, which has already left 25 higher risk regions over the past decade. To boost its returns in Canada, he says the bank will work harder to build more “primary relationships” where customers use Scotiabank for day-to-day banking and other products as part of a shift from volume to value.He says the bank, which has already confirmed some branch closures, lags its peers on deposits and clients per branch.The updated plan is the result of a review Thomson launched as part of coming on as CEO of the bank In February. Thi...

Hunter Biden defies Republican subpoena in visit to the Capitol, risking contempt of Congress charge

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden on Wednesday defied a congressional subpoena to appear privately for a deposition before Republican investigators who have been digging into his business dealings, insisting outside the U.S. Capitol that he will only testify in public.In a rare public statement, the Democratic president’s son slammed a GOP subpoena requesting closed-door testimony, saying it could be manipulated. “Republicans do not want an open process where Americans can see their tactics, expose their baseless inquiry, or hear what I have to say,” Biden said outside the Capitol. “What are they afraid of? I am here.” Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has said Republicans expect “full cooperation” with the private deposition. He has indicated that the House would swiftly charge Biden with a contempt of Congress charge if he did not cooperate. For months, Republicans have been pursuing an impeachment inquiry seeking to tie President Joe Biden ...

Geminids meteor shower peaks this week under dark skies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The year’s best meteor shower, the Geminids, peaks this week. Skygazers may see as many as one or even two a minute streaking across dark skies. The meteors will reach their frenzy Thursday. But Wednesday night should provide a cosmic spectacle as well.The moon is waning so that will make for prime viewing anywhere in the world where skies are clear and in spots without light pollution. NASA urged observers to look everywhere in the sky since meteors don’t come from any particular direction. Between 60 and 120 meteors are expected every hour at peak time, weather permitting. NASA meteoroid expert Bill Cooke said he loves that the Geminids have a greenish hue as they speed across the sky and burn up. Most meteors appear to be colorless or white depending on their chemical makeup. Green usually comes from oxygen, magnesium and nickel.Most meteor showers originate from comets. But the Geminids come from the sun-orbiting asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Either way, wh...

Man shot inside vehicle in Brampton; suspects sought

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

A man is injured in hospital after he was shot while inside a vehicle near the Brampton-Caledon border on Wednesday morning.Peel police were called to the area of Torbram and Mayfield roads around 8:20 a.m. for reports of a shooting.Officers found a man who had been shot inside his vehicle. He was rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Police say the shooters fled the area in a vehicle. No suspect information has been made available.Mayfield is closed in both directions from Torbram to Airport Road and northbound Torbram is closed at Countryside Drive for the investigation.Police expect the road closures to remain in place for several hours.More to come.

News outlets and NGOs condemn Hungary’s new ‘sovereignty protection’ law as a way to silence critics

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Independent media outlets and rights groups on Wednesday condemned legislation passed by Hungary’s right-wing populist government that would allow authorities to investigate and prosecute people accused of undermining the country’s sovereignty. The coalition government made up of the Fidesz and KDNP parties approved the “sovereignty protection act” on Tuesday. It calls for the creation of a new government authority that will have the power to gather information on any groups or individuals that benefit from foreign funding and that influence public debate.The measure requires Hungary’s secret services to assist the authority in its investigations and allows prison terms of up to three years for anyone convicted of violated the new law. Opponents of the legislation have compared it to Russia’s “foreign agent” law and say its broad language can be used to arbitrarily target government critics. The country’s right-wing prime minister, Vi...

Man accused of strangling pregnant Chicago woman, dumping body in north suburbs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — A man has been arrested and accused of strangling a pregnant Chicago woman and then dumping her body in rural Lake County last month.Juan Vega-Montoya, 37, of Chicago, was taken into custody Monday after sheriff's detectives conducted surveillance around his home.Police believe Megan Lewis, 39, also of Chicago, was picked up by Vega-Montoya on Nov. 26 near Cicero and Belden in Chicago.Lewis was allegedly strangled to death by Vega-Montoya in the vehicle, according to police. She was 16-weeks pregnant at the time.Police allege he then drove home and left her body in his vehicle for two days. On Nov. 28, he's accused of dumping her body on the side of Hunt Club Road, near Route 173, in the overnight hours.In Lake County, Vega-Montoya has been charged with concealing a homicidal death. Police said physical evidence of the homicide was located in his vehicle."As the actual homicide of Lewis took place in the City of Chicago, sheriff’s detectives have tendered all inv...

16-year-old shot during Blue Line attempted robbery

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A 16-year-old boy was shot Wednesday morning at the Western Blue Line station near the Medical District during an attempted robbery.At around 6:55 a.m., police believe the boy was approached by an unknown gunman at the station, located in the 400 block of South Western Avenue. The gunman demanded his property, but CPD said he refused.Shots were then fired at the boy, striking him in the left arm. He was transported to Stroger in fair condition.Trains are bypassing the station at the time.

Closing arguments in Ed Burke trial Wednesday

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — The corruption case against former Alderman Ed Burke heads to closing arguments Wednesday as a judge weighs a defense motion for immediate acquittal.The motion was filed late Tuesday as the defense rested its case after just three hours. The prosecution spent 16 days laying out evidence, much of it secretly recorded video that, it says, proves Burke pressured contractors to hire his private law firm, as the price of helping them get city permits.The defense presented a single argument that Burke's actions were nothing more than old-time politics. Ed Burke Trial: Solis, ‘Undercover Alderman,’ takes the stand Burke is the longest serving alderman in Chicago history, for much of that tenure he held powerful position of finance committee chairman.

Dean makes chocolate bark

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

To celebrate the new Willy Wonka movie, Dean is making Chocolate Bark — both orange and peppermint flavored.Chocolate Peppermint Bark INGREDIENTS:12 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped1 teaspoon peppermint extract (or 1 tsp. peppermint schnapps)1 cup crushed candy canes, for toppingDIRECTIONS:Line a large baking tray with parchment paper, and set aside.Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave at 20 second intervals, stirring between each interval until fully melted.Mix peppermint extract (or schnapps) into the melted chocolate.Pour onto the prepared baking tray, and spread out into a large rectangle.Top with crushed candy canes.Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the fridge.Once set, break into pieces. More recipes from Dean here! Chocolate-Orange BarkINGREDIENTS:12 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped1 teaspoon orange extract (or 1 tsp. Orange liqueur such as Cointreau)Zest from 1 large orange, for toppingDIRECTIONS:Line a large baking tray with parchment paper, a...

House vote on Biden impeachment expected today

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - A House vote to officially authorize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is expected to happen later today.Republicans say it's an important step to allow them to dig deeper into hotly contested allegations of corruption.Republicans are already investigating allegations against President Biden but this vote to formalize their impeachment inquiry, could give them more legal power to take it further.House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said, "We have no choice. To fufill our constitutional responsibility we have to take the next step."Johnson says that next step is a vote on a resolution to formalize their impeachment inquiry into President Biden."We're not making a political decision, we're not. It's a legal decision,” he added.Since September, House leaders have been looking into allegations that President Biden improperly used his political power for financial gain.Now they say formalizing their inquiry will give them more legal power to talk...