Ottawa gives final approval, with conditions, for Rogers’ $26B purchase of Shaw

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Ottawa gives final approval, with conditions, for Rogers’ $26B purchase of Shaw TORONTO — The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.’s $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa on Friday.The green light means the deal has cleared its final regulatory hurdle just over two years after it was first announced. But Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne took a stern tone on Friday, vowing to “be like a hawk on behalf of Canadians” to ensure compliance with the conditions he outlined, aimed at bolstering competition and lowering phone and internet costs.Champagne approved the transfer of Shaw-owned Freedom Mobile’s wireless licences to Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, which operates in Quebec and some border regions of Ontario. Rogers and Shaw agreed in June 2022 to sell Freedom Mobile to Videotron for $2.85 billion in an attempt to ease competition concerns raised by the original proposal.Rogers announced its deal to buy Shaw in March 202...

WestJet pilots to launch strike authorization vote as negotiations fizzle

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

WestJet pilots to launch strike authorization vote as negotiations fizzle The union representing WestJet pilots says it will launch a strike authorization vote Monday as contract talks with management drag on.Bernard Lewall, who heads the Air Line Pilots Association’s WestJet contingent, says its 1,600-person membership is “frustrated” after six months of bargaining with a company he claims has failed to seriously engage with it.Lewall says the issues revolve around wages, scheduling and work conditions at WestJet and its discount subsidiary Swoop, with 39 pilots opting to leave for other airlines in the past month alone.If successful, the 15-day authorization vote would set the stage for the bargaining team to call a strike following a three-week “cooling-off period,” which in turn would begin after the ongoing federal conciliation process wraps up April 24.That means the union could go on strike or lockout by the May long weekend, which traditionally kicks off the summer travel season.The strike mandate vote, announced toda...

Powerful, fast-moving storms to bring strong winds, severe weather to Chicago area

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Powerful, fast-moving storms to bring strong winds, severe weather to Chicago area The Chicago area is under a moderate risk for severe weather for Friday.Two rounds of storms are forecasted between the hours of 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. The first round set to move into the Chicago area around 4 p.m. as super cell thunderstorms. These storms pose a tornado threat and a golf-ball sized hail threat. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here A cold front then moves through around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. bring another round of very quickly moving severe weather. These storms also pose the threat of tornadoes. The storms are likely to move through at a rate of 50-60 mph so any tornado warnings will be quick and offer not much time. It's advised that residents be prepared in advanced and stay tuned to WGNTV and the weather app for alerts and updates.Tom Skilling also suggests anyone with any porch furniture or outdoor items susceptible to strong wings should bring them inside. These storms are set to bring potentially dangerous and destructive winds with gusts up to and possib...

Bears bring back a quarterback for a second year

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Bears bring back a quarterback for a second year LAKE FOREST - During the month of March, the Bears showed faith in their starting quarterback and brought in their new backup. Now they've brought back the person that will be third on the depth chart at that position for a second year in a row.The Bears have have officially announced that they’ve re-signed quarterback Nathan Peterman to a one-year deal as he returns for a second season. @WGNNews pic.twitter.com/xdObPShdMR— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 31, 2023Nathan Peterman is returning to the team on a one-year deal as he is expected to back up starter Justin Fields and second-string quarterback P.J. Walker, who was signed by the team this offseason. Trevor Siemian, who was the backup quarterback last season, was released at the beginning of the new NFL year.Peterman appeared in three games in the 2022 season with the Bears and started the season finale against the Vikings at Soldier Field on January 8. He was 11-for-19 with a touchdown in a 29-13 loss to Minnesota. A...

'Brightest of all time' light burst blinds Earth's satellites

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

'Brightest of all time' light burst blinds Earth's satellites (KXAN) – The brightest gamma-ray burst in human history was recently detected, scientists with the American Astronomical Society (AAS) announced Tuesday. Nicknamed the BOAT, for the Brightest of All Time, it temporarily blinded Earth's satellites, NASA said in a press release.The burst was initially detected on Oct. 8th, 2022, by Voyager 1.According to a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the gamma-ray swept through our solar system 19 hours after it was initially detected. NASA said the burst was so bright that satellites were unable to "directly record the real intensity of the emission."Scientists used data collected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to study the burst. Eric Burns with Louisiana State University said in the paper that gamma-ray bursts this bright pass Earth "roughly every 10,000 years." Planet Palooza! When 5 planets will be visible in the night sky Gamma-ray bursts, which are high-energy explosions, are considered to be the most energ...

Here's what Gwyneth Paltrow whispered to Terry Sanderson after the verdict was read

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Here's what Gwyneth Paltrow whispered to Terry Sanderson after the verdict was read (NEXSTAR) – A jury unanimously decided that Gwyneth Paltrow was not to blame for an alleged skiing accident that occurred in 2016, but that it was rather the fault of Terry Sanderson, the doctor who took the Academy Award-winning actor to court.The jury also awarded Paltrow $1 — the amount she sought in a countersuit against Sanderson, whom she alleged had crashed into her on the day of the 2016 accident at a Utah ski resort. Jurors: Gwyneth Paltrow not responsible for 2016 ski crash, awarded $1 The two remained silent during the jury’s decision, though Paltrow, while leaving the courtroom, could be seen leaning over Sanderson’s shoulder and saying something into his ear.“I wish you well,” she whispered, Sanderson later told reporters outside the courthouse, the Associated Press reported.He said he responded back, “Thank you, dear."Gwyneth Paltrow whispers to Terry Sanderson while leaving the courtroom on Thursday, March 30, in Park City, Utah. He later told reporters she said, "I...

2025, Canadian Dental Care Plan To Be Fully Implemented

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

2025, Canadian Dental Care Plan To Be Fully Implemented

Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face hush money indictment

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face hush money indictment By MICHAEL R. SISAK (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.While Trump and his lawyers prepared for his defense, the prosecutor in his hush money case defended the grand jury investigation that propelled him toward trial, as congressional Republicans painted it all as politically motivated.In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told three Republican House committee chairs Friday that such claims are “misleading and meritless” and rebuffed congressional probing into the grand jury process — by law, a confidential one.“We urge you to refrain from these inflammatory accusations, withdraw your demand for information, and let the criminal justice process proceed without unlawful political...

Easter Bunny to visit SONIC Drive-Ins in Albany and Latham

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Easter Bunny to visit SONIC Drive-Ins in Albany and Latham ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- This weekend, the Easter Bunny is paying a visit to Sonic Drive-In locations in Albany and Latham! The Easter Bunny will hand out candy throughout the day and be available for photographs. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On April 1, the Easter Bunny will be at Sonic Drive-In Albany at 351 Southern Blvd. from noon to 5 p.m. The Easter Bunny will be at the Sonic Drive-In Latham at 701 Troy Schenectady Road from noon to 5 p.m. on April 2.

Halfmoon launches community survey for all residents

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:12:51 GMT

Halfmoon launches community survey for all residents HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Town of Halfmoon launched a new community survey as part of its ongoing Comprehensive Plan Update. The survey will allow residents an opportunity to share their thoughts about the Town and to help shape Halfmoon's future. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Halfmoon explains the survey gathers information about the Town from a broad group of community members, residents, business owners, and other stakeholders. Responses will provide valuable guidance and direction for the Comprehensive Plan Update effort and all survey responses are kept anonymous. Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen comments, “Halfmoon is a fantastic place to live with an incredible quality of life, but it didn’t happen by accident. It took hard work, leadership, careful planning, and listening to residents’ concerns. Our new Community Survey will use resident feedback to strengthen our Comprehensive Plan Update. I encourage...