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B.C. announces minimum wage and other labour protections for app-based gig workers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — The B.C. government says it’s introducing new protections for ride-hailing and food delivery app workers including a minimum wage, compensation for expenses and other standards.A minimum hourly wage of $20.10 — which is $3.35 more than the current minimum wage — would apply for a gig worker’s “engaged time,” beginning when they accept an assignment to the time of completion.The Ministry of Labour says the new pay standard, which doesn’t include tips, put a 20 per cent premium on top of the general minimum wage to account for the time gig workers spend waiting for assignments.The protections would also provide workers with compensation coverage under WorkSafeBC, prohibit platform companies from withholding tips and establish compensation standards for costs such as using a personal vehicle.The Ministry of Labour says the rules, which will require new legislation to implement, are the result of consultation with app-based workers, ...

Movie Review: ‘Fallen Leaves’ is deadpan nirvana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

In a movie year rife with grand, three-hour opuses from auteur filmmakers comes a slender 81-minute gem that outclasses them all. Aki Kaurismäki’s “Fallen Leaves,” short, sweet and utterly delightful, is the kind of movie that’s so charming, you want to run it back the moment it’s over.Kaurismäki, the writer-director Finnish master of the deadpan, has for nearly four decades been making minimalist, clear-eyed fables about mostly working-class characters in harsh economic realities. Bleak as his films are, they’re also funny, compassionate and profound. They put up a tough, droll front that never quite hides the heart underneath.The same could be said for one of the main characters in the plaintive and tender “Fallen Leaves.” When Holappa (Jussi Vatanen), a construction worker, is invited by his friend Houtari (Kaurismäki veteran Janne Hyytiäinen) to karaoke, he replies: “Tough guys don’t sing.”“You’re not a tough guy,” Houtari responds.“Fallen Leaves,” Kaurismäki’s first...

Leak of B.C. police document on gang murders prompts investigations, warning

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — British Columbia’s gang squad and the Abbotsford Police Department say a sensitive law enforcement intelligence document was posted on an online media site. A statement from police and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says the document was part of a response to the ongoing gang war that has killed numerous people in the last several years. Abbotsford police say in the statement that the naming of people in the document doesn’t necessarily mean they are related to the shootings or that they are involved in illegal activity. The statement says police have identified how the information was compromised and the document has since been removed from the unnamed media site. Police say they are “actively connecting” with those who have been affected by the release of information. The statement says the RCMP has also been called in to investigate, while notifications have been issued to both the privacy commissioner and the police oversi...

Former Buffalo Grove PTO president charged for stealing $10K

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. -- The former PTO president of a Buffalo Grove elementary school has been charged for stealing over $10,000 from the organization.Megan Robin, 43, allegedly used over $10,000 of PTO funds for personal use while serving as Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) President for Prairie Elementary School in Buffalo Grove.Officials discovered over $10,000 of PTO funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year were improperly used. During that time, Robin oversaw the management of the PTO's funds. Man dies after being attacked near House of Blues Further investigation showed that Robin failed to make appropriate deposits of funds earned from fundraising sales and auctions. Police also discovered that Robin made several unauthorized withdrawals from the organization’s bank account and used the organization’s debit card for personal uses.District 96 PTO executive board members contacted the Buffalo Grove Police Department in September after discovering the improper uses of the organizat...

Diddy sued by ex-girlfriend Cassie over sexual abuse, drugging allegations: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

NEW YORK — Music and entertainment mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is being sued by his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie, over years of sexual and physical abuse, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday. The New York Times reports that the lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court in Manhattan, alleges that Combs began a pattern of abusive behavior with Cassie shortly after the two met when she was just 19. The pair dated on and off for years before breaking up in 2018. Among the bombshell allegations, Combs purportedly filmed forced sexual encounters of Cassie with male prostitutes for his pleasure. He also allegedly drugged and beat the model on multiple occasions, allegedly resulting in memory loss, lawyers for Cassie said. The suit also alleges that Cassie was a victim of sex trafficking.In another instance, the suit says that Diddy forced his way into the home of Cassie towards the end of their relationship and raped her. According to Cassie's lawyers, Combs allegedly offered millions to pre...

A possible new treatment for one of the most challenging cancers — and more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

For Thursday, Nov. 16, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch New drug may kill pancreatic cancer cells Pancreatic cancer migrates rapidly and easily to other organs and the tumors have a unique biology resistant to many current therapies. University of Rochester Medical Center doctors say they are thrilled to be launching a clinical trial for a drug their studies show kills pancreatic cancer cells and stops them from spreading.  The drug NP137 will be given to patients in the new year to test its safety and efficacy. It targets an essential gene involved in pancreatic, breast and colon cancers.  The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is just 12%.1 in 10 kids taken by ambulance experienced a behavioral health emergency Suicidal thoughts are a true teenage emergency. Lurie Children's Hospital researchers revealed more than one in 10 kids brought to the hospital by ambulance were suffering a behavioral health e...

A special ring, lost for decades, makes remarkable journey back to owner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

VALPARAISO, Ind. —A couple in Valparaiso, Indiana say they still can't believe their luck...after a special token of love is returned to them nearly 55 years later.The story begins with Kyle Tobias, a firefighter from Fontana, Wisconsin with a knack for finding what once was lost."I was contacted by a gentleman who lost his ring back in 1976 and wanted to know if there was any chance it could be found," he said.Which brought him from Wisconsin to Bangs Lake in Wauconda, Illinois.He scanned the water where the old J slide at Phil’s Neach once stood.He heard the tell-tale beep of something under the sand."I dug down about 6-7 inches, pulled up my scoop and found the class ring in my scoop,” he said. More from Erin: Suburban PD’s first therapy dog warming hearts wherever he’s needed It wasn't the ring he was looking for, but boy, did that ring ever have a story — one that might have never surfaced, if Tobias and Wauconda Park District’s Debbie Yakimisky hadn't done a little more digg...

Jury finds Kaitlin Armstrong guilty of murdering professional cyclist Anna Moriah 'Mo' Wilson

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A Texas jury returned a guilty verdict Thursday in the trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, who was accused of killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson.Police issued an arrest warrant for Armstrong on May 17, 2022, six days after she shot and killed Wilson at an east Austin apartment. Wilson was staying with a friend in town ahead of a nearby gravel race.You can view details on what both sides addressed during closing arguments of Armstrong's trial here. Throughout the trial, the State’s witnesses presented a series of electronic and DNA evidence that placed Armstrong at the murder scene. Defense attorneys addressed what they suggested were issues or discrepancies in the investigation process and asked questions suggesting the possibility of the involvement of Colin Strickland — Armstrong’s then-boyfriend and a friend of Wilson’s.Strickland testified early on in the trial that he and Wilson were briefly romantic in the fall of 2021 during a time where he and Armst...

NWS Austin to start issuing 'Ice Storm Warnings'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office announced on Wednesday that an alternative warning may be issued in the event a significant ice storm is being forecast. Previously, that office had chosen not to issue Ice Storm Warnings in favor of Winter Weather Advisories or Winter Storm Warnings for impactful or disruptive winter weather, including ice caused by freezing rain.Late January into early February 2023 saw a crippling ice storm impact Central Texas. By Monday morning, Jan. 30, 2023, Winter Storm Warnings were in effect for most of the 15 counties KXAN covers, with significant icing specifically mentioned as the primary threat.Winter Storm Warning in effect from January 30-Feb 1, 2023Avoiding "Ice Storm Warning"NWS Austin/San Antonio had avoided the use of "Ice Storm Warnings" in the past with the belief that "Winter Storm Warnings" are sufficient to warn ahead of multiple types of wintry precipitation and getting *only* ice (not sleet or snow) is...

Austin ISD says expect traffic delays due to APD funeral procession

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:33 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Independent School District said to expect traffic delays, as the Austin Police Department will hold its funeral procession for fallen APD Officer Jorge "George" Pastore on Friday."This event will severely impact traffic flow and we anticipate significant delays to our bus routes and morning commutes," the district said in a letter to parents on Thursday.The district said bus routes for elementary schools are completed by 7:15 a.m., so those schools will not "be largely unaffected." Furthermore, AISD said "middle school routes are completed by 8 a.m. and high school routes by 8:45 a.m."AISD strongly encourages families dropping off secondary students to leave early, as well as plan for delays.Although student tardiness related to the procession won't be counted against students, AISD said absences are not excused."Secondary campus leadership have been asked to arrive on campus by 7:30 a.m. to ensure they are prepared to receive students. All staff should...