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National Bank to buy the Canadian branch of SVB’s commercial loan portfolio

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

MONTREAL — National Bank of Canada says it will acquire the Canadian branch of Silicon Valley Bank’s commercial loan portfolio.The Montreal-based bank says the portfolio it will nab is made up of about $1 billion in loan commitments, of which $325 million are outstanding.Much of the portfolio is focused on the technology, life science and global fund banking sectors and will be integrated into National Bank’s technology and innovation banking group.The bank says the deal is subject to closing conditions and must be approved by the Ontario Superior Court, which is supervising the wind up of Silicon Valley Bank in Canada.National Bank says the deal will likely close in the coming weeks and is not expected to have a material impact on its results.Silicon Valley Bank, a U.S. financial firm favoured by startups, failed earlier this year, when its clients rushed to withdraw billions of dollars as they feared for the organization’s solvency.This report by The Canadian Press was...

Palestinian opens fire in Israeli settlement near Jerusalem, wounding 4 before being killed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

MAALE ADUMIM, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian gunman opened fire in an Israeli settlement east of Jerusalem on Tuesday, wounding at least four people before being shot and killed, Israeli police said. The shooting outside a shopping mall in the sprawling Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim, in the occupied West Bank, was the latest in the most violent stretch of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the territory in nearly two decades. The Palestinian assailant, dressed as a security guard, was shot and killed by an off-duty Israeli police officer who had heard gunshots and rushed to the scene. The Israeli police said the attacker wounded four civilians, who were in light to moderate condition.Fighting between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank intensified early last year when Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas in the West Bank in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis.The violence has spiked this year, with more than 150 Palestinians...

Jury begins weighing death penalty or life in prison for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A jury is deliberating whether the man who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue should receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. Robert Bowers perpetrated the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history when he stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018 and opened fire, killing members of three congregations who had gathered for Sabbath worship and study. The same jury that convicted Bowers in June on 63 criminal counts began deliberating his sentence Tuesday morning. In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors said the 50-year-old truck driver was clearly motivated by religious hatred, reminding jurors that Bowers had spread antisemitic content online before the attack and has since expressed pride in the killings. They urged jurors to impose a death sentence.Bowers’ lawyers asked jurors to spare his life, asserting that he acted out of a delusional belief that Jewish people were helping to bring about a genocide of white people. They said he...

$50K reward offered after armed robbery of USPS carrier in River Grove

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

RIVER GROVE, Ill. — The United States Postal Service is offering a $50,000 reward after a letter carrier was robbed at gunpoint last month in River Grove.The armed robbery happened July 18 at around 9:30 a.m. in the 8700 block of West Richard.Authorities said a group of four attacked the carrier. The carrier was not injured.On Tuesday morning, USPS released a surveillance image of one of the four suspects.Authorities said the man is 5'6", has a thin build, wore a light grey hooded sweatshirt and a black facial covering.The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.Anyone with information can contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.

Helicopter crashes into cornfield in southern Illinois, killing pilot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

OAKDALE, Ill. (AP) — A helicopter crashed Monday afternoon in southern Illinois, killing its pilot, authorities said.A Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter crashed in a field in Oakdale, Illinois, around 1:45 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said.Only the pilot was on board, the FAA said.The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the FAA said.The pilot was declared dead at the scene of the crash, Illinois State Police said.Investigators believed the helicopter hit power lines, causing it to lose control and crash into a cornfield, police said.Oakdale is about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis, Missouri.

Shedd Aquarium transformation plans unveiled

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

CHICAGO — Shedd Aquarium leaders plan to unveil "never-before-seen renderings and new details about construction plans" for their Centennial Commitment.2030 will mark the Shedd's 100th anniversary. Last year the organization announced a $500 million investment to modernize the aquarium by that centennial anniversary. Is tonight your lucky night? Mega Millions $1.05 billion jackpot up for grabs again Shedd leaders will be joined by Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson Tuesday to reveal plans for new exhibits, learning spaces, and amenities to be installed over the next few years, according to a press release.WGN plans to livestream the event in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 10 a.m.According to the Shedd's Centennial Commitment website, the vision for the aquarium includes:Deeper community investments and partnerships that not only bring the aquarium further into Chicago neighborhoods, but also bring neighborhood-level environmental discussions and ...

St. Louis rappers honored in NPR's 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Several artists from St. Louis were honored in celebration of Hip-Hop's 50th anniversary. To pay tribute to black creatives in the 'Gateway City,' an article from NPR went into detail about several rappers' contributions to the music genre and the legacies they've built sonically.They also shared a list of St. Louis rappers who've changed radio over the years:Chingy, 'Holidae Inn' (2003)Jibbs, 'King Kong' (2006)Lil Whit, 'Put Em In Check' (1994)Nelly, 'Ride with Me' (2000)Nelly, 'Dilemma' (2002)Raw Society, 'How Deep is Your Love' (1996)Smino, 'KLINK' (2018)Smino, 'No L's' (2022)St. Lunatics, 'Midwest Swing' (2001)Sylk Smoov, 'Something For Your System' (1991)Before being recognized globally, rapper Nelly shared that he was a microcosm of the music in the city - detailing the singularity of 'St. Louis Blues,' in its melodies and thoughtful sadness."I'm basically representing for everybody [in the] Midwest, South - everybody with that slur on their English," Nelly express...

Denver weather: Flash flood watch, heavy rain likely with booming lightning storms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch covering metro Denver and most of Colorado’s Front Range as thunderstorms develop over the mountains, and forecasters warned that storms hitting Tuesday afternoon and evening likely will drop heavy rain.Sunshine may appear Tuesday morning before clouds thicken and storms hit, mostly after 3 p.m., weather service forecasters said. The rainfall in spots could exceed 2 inches in 45 minutes, forecasters said, estimating the likelihood of precipitation at 70%.The high temperature in Denver will be 86 degrees, decreasing to 62 degrees at night, forecasters said. On Wednesday, the high temperature is expected to be 85 degrees. More storms are likely on Wednesday.Intense rain may lead to flooding along waterways, across low-lying areas, and in cities where landscapes cannot easily absorb water. Weather service officials warned drivers to avoid flooded streets, calculating that one foot of water is enough to sweep away a small...

Whittier police officer in ‘good spirits’ after being shot

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

An officer with the Whittier Police Department was rushed to the hospital Monday night after being shot. Details about the incident are limited, but the shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. in the area of Pickering Avenue and Mar Vista Street and may have started with a police pursuit. Aerial footage from Sky5 showed authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assisting Whittier police with a perimeter. Officers had cordoned off an area between Mar Vista Street and Pickering Avenue while the investigation into the incident continued.A suspect involved in the incident who was also shot has been taken into custody. They were transported to the hospital in unknown condition. The officer, a female, was possibly shot in the leg. She was taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center where she was said to be "in good spirits," according to a social media post by Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri.A Whittier police officer was shot and a suspect is in custody on July 31, 2023. (KeyNe...

LADWP eases watering restrictions after rainy winter season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:25:47 GMT

After three years of drought, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has decided to ease its water restrictions thanks to a winter of consistent rain that helped to replenish reservoirs.Customers will be allowed to water three days a week instead of just two, according to the LADWP website.Water flies from a sprinkler on a lawn in Sacramento on July 8, 2021. (Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press)Those with odd-numbered street addresses can now water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Watering days for those with even-numbered street addresses will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. All watering must be done before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., according to the LADWP. Summer showers fall in Claremont; T-storms could be next for Southern California The change, which went into effect on July 27, ends one of the strictest water restriction orders Los Angeles had ever seen.The LADWP serves about 4 million customers.