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Transcript of statement by CSIS director Vigneault during town hall meeting for staff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

OTTAWA — The director of Canada’s spy agency, David Vigneault, says the officer at the centre of an investigation by The Canadian Press into allegations of rape and harassment no longer works for the agency, and an ombudsperson will be put in place to monitor workplace-related issues. He apologized to CSIS employees at a town hall event on Tuesday for his response to last week’s report about what officers called a “toxic workplace” in the British Columbia office. Here is the transcript of Vigneault’s remarks in English: I just want to start by saying: this is an extraordinary moment. As an organization, we have been through a lot. It is very challenging to be an employee of the service. I want you to know that I understand that and I also feel that. It is also a very emotional moment. We are talking to the entire organization and what is happening to one of us is affecting all of us. And so, I want to be very clear about that.For many, this can be trigg...

Maine man dies while checking thickness of lake ice, wardens say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

A man who was checking the thickness of ice on a lake in the Maine wilderness crashed into the icy water and drowned on Friday, game wardens said.Walter Demmons, 62 of Milford, was drilling holes with a friend to check the ice thickness while preparing to fish in Quakish Lake when they heard the ice crack, wardens said. Both men ended up in the frigid water, about 75 yards (66 meters) from shore on the lake in T3 Indian Township Purchase, which is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) southwest of Millinocket, wardens said.The two ice fishermen were communicating with each other as they tried to get back on the ice before Demmons told his friend he wasn’t going to make it and slid under the surface, wardens said.The friend, who eventually got back onto the ice and dialed 911, was treated for hypothermia while Demmons’ body was recovered an hour later with an ice rescue raft brought to the scene by the Brownville Fire Department, wardens said.Game wardens warned people to be especially...

Some facts about Canada’s spy agency, as director apologizes for rape claim response

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s spy chief David Vigneault has apologized to staff for his response to rape and harassment claims in the British Columbia office of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. He’s also pledging the creation of an ombudsperson’s office to deal with workplace problems. Here’s a look at Canada’s spy agency:— The duties of CSIS are to investigate threats to Canada’s security, report them to government, and take measures to reduce any risk they pose. It also briefs officials, collects foreign intelligence and does security assessments for immigration and other purposes, including when someone requires access to classified information.— The agency had more than 3,200 employees in 2020, according to its website. Last year, it said 48 per cent of staff were women and 20 per cent were members of racialized groups.— It says in its 2022 public report that it created more than 2,500 “intelligence products” and received about 500,...

CosMc's: McDonald's reveals menu for new restaurant concept, first test location opens in Bolingbrook

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Correction: This story has been updated with an accurate link to the source of McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski's comments.CHICAGO (KTVI/NEXSTAR) – CosMc’s, the new restaurant concept from McDonald’s, is aiming to attract coffee-drinkers and beverage enthusiasts who might otherwise spend their money at Starbucks or Dunkin’.On Wednesday, McDonald’s formally announced the menu at its CosMc’s test locations. The first CosMc's location opened Friday in Bolingbrook, near the intersection of Boughton and Weber roads, with approximately 10 CosMc's pilot locations set to open by the end of 2024. Based off an obscure McDonald's character from the 1980s, CosMc's will feature offerings ranging from coffee and tea drinks to frappes and slushies, with names such as the "S'mores Cold Brew," "Popping Pear Slush" and "Sour Tango Lemonade." There’s also a line of “Signature Galactic Boosts,” fruity drinks that appear to feature either a caffeinated element, kombucha powder or a vitamin “shot,” amon...

21st annual WGN Morning News drive-thru toy drive, presented by AARP Chicago, held Friday, December 8

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

The WGN Morning News Drive-Thru Toy Drive celebrated its 21st year!  On Friday, December 8, viewers were invited to drive up and drop off new, unwrapped toys at the WGN-TV Studios, located at 2501 W. Bradley Place in Chicago (near Addison & Western). Toy donations will be accepted December 7-10th at participating Jewel-Osco locations.  This year’s toy drive will benefit Christmas in the Wards and Off the Street Club.MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO WELCOME! Via WGN-TV Family Charities, a McCormick Foundation fund, all donations will be matched at 50 cents on the dollar.  With WGN-TV and the Foundation paying all campaign and administrative expenses, 100% of all donations, plus the match, are granted to qualified nonprofit organizations.  WGN-TV will accept financial donations through December 31, 2023.TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION - Viewers are encouraged to donate at:https://www.mccormickfoundation.org/partnerships/wgn-toy-drive/Text TOY to 97999 (message and data rates may...

Actor Ryan O'Neal, star of 'Love Story,' 'Paper Moon' and 'Barry Lyndon,' dies at 82

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan O'Neal, the heartthrob actor who went from a TV soap opera to an Oscar-nominated role in "Love Story" and delivered a wry performance opposite his charismatic 9-year-old daughter Tatum in "Paper Moon," died Friday, his son said.“My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us,” Patrick O'Neal, a Los Angeles sportscaster, posted on Instagram.Attempts to reach O'Neal representatives were not immediately successful.He did not give a cause. Ryan O'Neal was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2012, a decade after he was first diagnosed with chronic leukemia. He was 82. “My father, Ryan O’Neal, has always been my hero,” Patrick O’Neal wrote, adding, “He is a Hollywood legend. Full stop.”O'Neal was among the biggest movie stars in the world in the 1970s, who worked with many of the era's most celebrated directors including Peter Bogdanovich on “Paper Moon” and Stanley Kubrick on "Barry Lyndon. He often...

SmileDirectClub ends operations 'effective immediately,' but what about the customers?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – After a bid to resurrect SmileDirectClub – the mail-based orthodontics services company – failed to find willing investors, the company announced Friday it was winding down its global operations "effective immediately."It's likely unwelcome news for many customers, especially those who will still have to make payments despite no longer being able to receive aligners or customer care."For new customers interested in SmileDirectClub services, thank you for your interest, but aligner treatment is no longer available through our telehealth platform," the company said in a statement on its website. "For existing customers, we apologize for the inconvenience, but customer care support is no longer available." Are you owed money from the $3 million Credit Karma settlement? The company referred anyone seeking care to consult with a local doctor or dentist.SmileDirectClub said it has cancelled it's lifetime guarantee, along with all outstanding orders for aligners, but anyone o...

'Love Story' actor Ryan O'Neal dead at 82

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

(KTLA) — Actor Ryan O'Neal famous for his Oscar-nominated role in "Love Story" and starring in "What's Up Doc?" has died. He was 82.He passed away on Friday, according to a lengthy three-post tribute on Instagram from his son, Patrick O'Neal.In this March 19, 2011 photo, actor Ryan O'Neal arrives at The Genesis Awards benefiting the The Humane Society in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)"So this is the toughest thing I’ve ever had to say but here we go. My dad passed away peacefully today, with his loving team by his side supporting him and loving him as he would us," Patrick wrote on Friday to the social media platform. "This is very difficult for my wife Summer and I, but I will share some feelings to give you an idea of how great a man he is."The actor was diagnosed with chronic leukemia in 2001 and prostate cancer in 2012, according to The Hollywood Reporter.He's the father of actress Tatum O'Neal, whom he starred alongside in the 1973 film "Paper Moon." The actor was ...

More Americans say Hamas bears brunt of responsibility for war in Gaza: Survey

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

(The Hill) — More Americans say they believe Hamas is mostly responsible for the war in Gaza compared to the Israeli government, according to a new survey.The Pew Research Center poll results, released Friday, show that a majority of respondents across the political spectrum — 65 percent — agree that Hamas shares more responsibility for the conflict. However, Democrats (50 percent) are more than twice as likely as Republicans (21 percent) to say the Israeli government also bears a lot of responsibility.Roughly 20 percent of Americans said Palestinians are responsible for the war and 13 percent said Israel is at fault. Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley sentenced to life without parole The war in Gaza, now two months old, has sparked fears over a new large-scale war in the Middle East and has split the opinions of many Americans, especially Democrats. The Biden administration has strongly backed Israel in the conflict. While most Americans approve of the decision, fewer su...

Man indicted on murder, several charges for deadly November 2021 shooting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:30:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — A man was indicted this week on multiple charges, including murder, in connection to a November 2021 shooting, according to court records.A Travis County grand jury indicted William Morin on charges of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, manslaughter, unlawful possession by a felon and deadly conduct discharging a firearm, court documents said.Francisco Chavez, 41, was shot and killed after a family gathering in southeast Austin on Nov. 28, 2021, in the 4700 block of Cypress Road. That's near Nuckols Crossing Road in southeast Austin. Morin allegedly shot at Chavez and other people when a disturbance happened after the family gathering, according to the Austin Police Department. Chavez later died from his injuries on the scene.KXAN has reached out to Morin's attorney and will update this article if we receive a statement.William Morin had prior convictionsMorin was also previously convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault with a ...