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Mice with that? Man arrested after rodents released into McDonald’s in pro-Palestinian protest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

LONDON — A man has been arrested in Birmingham, England, for allegedly releasing live mice into a number of McDonald’s restaurants in what is said be a pro-Palestinian protest. The 32-year-old suspect was arrested Wednesday night after videos of the stunt went viral on social media. Footage released on TikTok shows boxes full of mice painted red, green, black, and white being released into a branch of the fast-food outlet, to the clear alarm of customers. The video included a graphic calling for a “targeted boycott” of McDonald’s, which along fellow large corporations including Starbucks and Disney+ has donated meals and other items to the Israeli military during its operations in Gaza.In the clip, the person behind the prank then runs out of the restaurant and can be heard saying “Free Palestine,” “Boycott Israel,” and “F*** Israel.”The original video is no longer available on TikTok, but has been widely shared elsewhere on the internet.West Midlands Police said Wednesday...

German antisemitism: Robert Habeck jabs Muslim groups, threatens deportations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

Germany’s Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck criticized Muslim groups while expressing concern over rising antisemitism in Germany and calling for tough consequences for people committing antisemitic acts.“Antisemitism is not to be tolerated in any form,” Habeck said Wednesday evening in a speech posted on X. “The extent of the Islamist demonstrations in Berlin and other cities in Germany is unacceptable and requires a tough political response.”Antisemitic acts — such as burning the Israeli flag — are a crime, Habeck said, and those committing them will have to face the consequences. “Anyone who is German will have to answer for it in court. If you’re not German, you also risk your residency status,” Habeck said in the video, which by Thursday morning had racked up more than 4.2 million views. “Anyone who doesn’t have a residence permit provides a reason to be deported.”Habeck, from Germany’s Green party, also called out German Muslim associations for failing...

Frosty Start

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

In what’s the coldest start of the season for many of us, we wake to subfreezing temps that are fairly widespread across the region. That help a heavy frost develop overnight on some of those car windshields, so allow for a few extra minutes to warm up the car/scrape the windshield before heading off to work or school this morning. After the chilly start, the recovery this afternoon is modest, but nice, as highs head for the mid to upper 40s with sunny skies winning out. The breeze is fairly light too, 5-15mph. We’ll catch another frosty start early tomorrow, although not quite as cold, with temps near freezing for many. Tomorrow, the bounce back in temps is more pronounced with highs in the mid to upper 50s. More clouds mix in and the breeze does get gusty, pushing to 20-30mph out of the southwest. Temps nudge toward 60 over the weekend with partly to mostly cloudy skies and a mainly dry forecast. Clocks go back 1hr on Sunday too.

Lexus LC500 is ready for a “L”uxury “C”onvertible refresh

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

Although sales continue to improve in the convertible market, Lexus has seen some ups and downs with the LC500 since existence. As goodcarbadcar.net outlines, since July 2017 to June 2023, or 72 months worth of data, Lexus has delivered 11,216 convertibles to consumers; or roughly 156 per month on average… This puts Lexus on notice for sure as a fork in the road is present; Has the time come to refresh the LC or eliminate it?For Toyota’s upscale brand, Lexus is known for delivering luxury and plush vehicles to the market, but sometimes fleet vehicles go too long without a refresh; and in this case, the LC500 is ready for just that. Although a potent 5.0 Liter V8 engine with 471 horsepower is present and fun to drive, the interior could use some updating as we notice similarities to our 2020 LC500 tester. Similar to a Lexus NX350 F-sport that I owned in 2016, the interior infotainment is dated and still has the center console touchpad. This confirms Lexus is either ready to eliminate...

Can the Patriots’ young receivers finally help the offense open up?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

FOXBORO — Over the past two weeks, Mac Jones has attempted the fewest number of deep passes in the NFL.One.The Patriots, amid flashes of offensive progress, have boxed themselves into a dink-and-dunk operation that lives entirely within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage. Of late, it’s been more dink-and-dink.The Pats are averaging 14.8 points per game, second-fewest in the league. Jones has completed three passes that carried 20-plus yards in the air over the past five weeks combined. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien confirmed this week defenses are playing downhill against their preferred quick passing plays, unafraid of receivers getting behind them for explosive gains.“Yeah, absolutely,” O’Brien said. “We have to continue to try to get the ball down the field, and we did do that in Miami. Even though the ball wasn’t thrown down the field, there were plays that were called that had elements of downfield throws, and something else happene...

Charity says migrant testimonies point to a recurring practice of illegal deportations from Greece

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A leading international medical charity says it has received 50 testimonies over the past two years from migrants that point to a “recurring practice” of alleged secret, illegal and often brutal deportations back to Turkey from two eastern Greek islands.Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, said in a report released Thursday that the forced returns were said to have been carried out by uniformed Greek officers or unknown masked individuals.The report follows charges by charities, activists and Turkish authorities, who alleged similar actions in the Aegean Sea and at the northeastern land border with Turkey. Athens has strongly denied such so-called “pushbacks,” and argues that its coast guard has saved hundreds of thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa crossing in small boats from Turkey. Greece says it needs to protect its borders, which are also those of the European Union, from mass illegal immigration. In March 2020, Turkey opened its borders into...

Maple Leaf Foods reports $4.3M Q3 loss, sales edge higher from year ago mark

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

TORONTO — Maple Leaf Foods Inc. reported a loss of $4.3 million in its latest quarter compared with a loss of $229.5 million a year earlier when the company took a large one-time, non-cash impairment charge related to its plant protein business.The company says the loss amounted to four cents per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with a loss of $1.86 per share in the same quarter last year.Sales in the company’s third quarter totalled $1.25 billion, up from $1.23 billion a year earlier.On an adjusted basis, Maple Leaf says it earned 13 cents per share for the quarter compared with an adjusted loss of a penny per share a year ago.Analysts on average had expected an adjusted profit of 21 cents per share and $1.30 billion in revenue, according to estimates compiled by financial markets data firm Refinitiv.In its outlook, Maple Leaf says its capital expenditures for 2023 are expected to be about $200 million, down from its earlier guidance of less than $250 million.Thi...

Putin signs bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban treaty

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban, a move that Moscow said was needed to establish parity with the United States.Putin has said that rescinding the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, also known as the CTBT, would “mirror” the stand taken by the U.S., which has signed but not ratified the nuclear test ban.Both houses of the Russian parliament voted last month to revoke Moscow’s ratification of the bill.The CTBT, adopted in 1996, bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, but the treaty was never fully implemented. In addition to the U.S., it has yet to be ratified by China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, Iran and Egypt.There are widespread concerns that Russia may resume nuclear tests to try to discourage the West from continuing to offer military support to Ukraine. Many Russian hawks have spoken in favor of a resumption of the tests.Putin has...

Double shooting inside Scarborough bar sends patrons diving for cover

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

Two young men are in hospital after gunfire erupted inside a busy bar in Scarborough overnight.Emergency crews were called to Oxford Pub and Restaurant on Eglinton Avenue East near Brimley Road around 1 a.m. Thursday after getting reports of a shooting.Police tell CityNews two men were shot multiple times inside the pub and a third person was grazed by a bullet. Paramedics say the two men were rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The third person who was grazed was not transported to hospital.Several people were inside the bar at the time of the shooting. Witnesses say patrons dove under pool tables to take cover when the gunmen opened fire.The shooter fled before police arrived. No suspect information has been made available.The investigation is ongoing.With files from CityNews reporter Carl Hanstke

Aid agencies warn of chaotic and desperate scenes among Afghans returning from Pakistan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:51:39 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Major international aid agencies on Thursday warned of chaotic and desperate scenes among Afghans who have returned from Pakistan, where security forces are detaining and deporting undocumented or unregistered foreigners.The crackdown on illegal migration mostly affects Afghans because they are the majority of foreigners living in Pakistan, although the government says it is targeting all who are in the country illegally. Three aid organizations — the Norwegian Refugee Council, Danish Refugee Council and the International Rescue Committee — said many people fleeing the Pakistani crackdown arrived in Afghanistan in poor condition. “The conditions in which they arrive in Afghanistan are dire, with many having endured arduous journeys spanning several days, exposed to the elements, and often forced to part with their possessions in exchange for transportation,” the agencies said in a statement.Between 9,000 and 10,000 Afghans are now crossing the border every day from ...