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Awkward lie: Rory McIlroy’s ball lodges in the lap of a spectator at World Tour Championship

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — It was the most awkward lie of the day for Rory McIlroy.The four-time major winner’s tee shot on the par-3 13th hole at the World Tour Championship on Thursday somehow landed in the lap of a female spectator as she lay on grass to the right of the green.Amid much laughter, the rest of the spectators retreated but the woman remained lying down, with her feet crossed and the ball lodged between her legs.McIlroy went up to her, scratched his head, then feigned a shot — to the amusement of the gallery. McIlroy stood back and said: “Right, ermm. Referee!”The match referee arrived and gave McIlroy a drop, saying: “Basically, it’s the spot underneath her.”“You can get up,” a laughing McIlroy said to the woman, who handed him the ball, stood up, picked up her bag and returned to the gallery to cheers.McIlroy chipped onto the green and wound up making bogey.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfThe Associated Press

Workers at 17 No Frills stores in Ontario set Monday strike deadline

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

TORONTO — The union representing more than 1,200 workers at 17 No Frills grocery stores in Ontario has set a strike deadline of 12:01 a.m. on Monday.Unifor says contract talks are ongoing, but that workers are prepared to strike to back their demands.No Frills is the discount grocery banner owned by Loblaw Cos. Ltd.Unifor national president Lana Payne says Loblaw must come to the table prepared to raise wages and improve working conditions. On Wednesday, Loblaw reported a third-quarter profit of $621 million, up from $556 million during the same quarter last year. Workers represented by Unifor at the Metro grocery store chain in the Toronto area went on strike for five weeks earlier this year before a deal was reached.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:L)The Canadian Press

Driver who intentionally ran down 3 people in North York was family member of victims: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

A driver accused of killing one person and injuring two others after intentionally running them down at a North York apartment was related to the victims, police say.“We understand there is a familial relation with the four people involved in this,” said Toronto police Det.-Sgt. Brandon Price in an update on Wednesday evening. Investigators have not revealed the exact family relationship between the group.Toronto police were called to the apartment complex on Cassandra Boulevard near Victoria Park Avenue around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday for reports of pedestrians being struck by a vehicle.Three injured victims were found in the parking lot and rushed to a local hospital. Police say a woman in her 60s was pronounced dead and the other two victims — a man and an elderly woman — suffered serious injuries but are expected to survive.The driver, an elderly man, was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody. The homicide unit is investigating and police say th...

Man dies after being attacked near House of Blues

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A man has died after he was attacked in an attempted robbery near the House of Blues in the River North neighborhood.The fatal attack happened around 11:27 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of North Dearborn.Police said the 47-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk when he was approached by two men who asked for money. The victim was struck on the head by one of the men with a closed fist and he fell to the ground.According to police, officers discovered the victim unresponsive on the sidewalk. He was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, and was pronounced dead a short time later. Block Club Chicago journalist dead, father critical after house fire in Brighton Park No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating.

Police and protesters clash outside Democratic HQ during demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict. Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying “Cease Fire Now.”However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were “illegally and violently protesting” in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning. “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and mem...

Thursday Forecast: Temps in mid 60s with increasing clouds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Temperatures in the mid 60s Thursday with increasing clouds and breezy conditions. Winds: SSW 10-20 G30. High: 66. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Cloudy tonight with showers possible. Winds: NNW 15-20 G30. Low: 45.Friday Forecast: Morning 20% shower chance, decreasing clouds. Winds: NNW 10-15 G25. High: 49 (afternoon temp)Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Women bear the brunt of financial stress in the US economy, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

(The Hill) - The economy looks a lot better than it did last year, but persistent inflation, ballooning debt and dwindling savings have hit women especially hard.Nearly 6 in 10 women are living paycheck to paycheck, compared to 41 percent of men, according to a recent study by Varo Bank, Morning Consult and THRIVE Financial Empowerment Services of 1,004 Americans who regularly spend most or all of their income.This economic strain is felt across the political spectrum, and Americans living paycheck to paycheck — regardless of party — cited the cost of living as their greatest financial concern.Eroding savings and increasing debt round out the top three concerns for people living paycheck to paycheck, the study found.“It's impacting everyone,” Colin Walsh, founder and CEO of Varo Bank, told The Hill. “Sometimes you see political headlines and other things that would maybe lead you to believe there's concentrations, but [financial stress] was pretty widespread.”Making less than men af...

Burnet County judge allows Ken Paxton whistleblower lawsuit to proceed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

BURNET, Texas (The Texas Tribune) -- A Burnet County district judge ruled Tuesday that the Ken Paxton whistleblowers’ case can proceed in Travis County, while Paxton’s recently launched legal challenge to the revived lawsuit remains pending.The ruling by Judge Evan Stubbs could allow the whistleblowers’ attorneys to subpoena Paxton and his top aides.The ruling came a week after Stubbs temporarily halted the whistleblower lawsuit at the request of Paxton’s office. The office argued the whistleblowers were violating a tentative settlement they reached earlier this year by restarting work on it after Paxton’s acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial. Whistleblower lawsuit against Ken Paxton can move forward in real court, Supreme Court rules Neither Paxton nor the whistleblowers attended the hearing, which featured extensive debate over whether the terms of the settlement had been met even though the Legislature still has not approved its $3.3 million payout. Stubbs e...

Mild, sunny weather cut short by strong cold front

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Soak in the 70s today as the mild fall weather comes to an end by next week.Patchy dense fog will be an obstacle for many during the morning commute, but it won't last all day. In fact, a good amount of sunshine is expected this afternoon.Following another warm, sunny day Friday, the first of two cold fronts blows through the area rain-free Friday evening. Temperature impacts will be minimal with this front, but a stronger cold front arriving early next week brings cold, windy weather for at least a portion of Thanksgiving week.Two cold fronts over the next 7 days, the second bringing in much cooler airRain totals from this storm system are looking quite meager, with under 0.25" expected areawide at this time. Chillier than normal weather may continue through Thanksgiving Day.Generally light and limited rainfall Sunday and Monday BLOG: Peak fall foliage in Central Texas coming soon Winter Weather Outlook: What a strong El Niño could mean for rainfall and ice ri...

Other voices: Our federal spending is unsustainable. We have to fix that

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:48 GMT

It’s time to start talking again about the deficit and not dismiss those fretting about the mounting federal debt, now approaching $34 trillion, as Chicken Littles.The yearly deficit has topped $1 trillion — once a nearly unimaginable figure — now for several years running. It was $1.7 trillion in the fiscal year just concluded, and the financial world barely cocked an eyebrow. The federal government has no problem floating debt; the dollar remains strong.This won’t last. Even America, as economically powerful as it is, can’t run on a credit card forever.Without action, U.S. debt eventually will become unappealing to investors. The feds then will need to offer investors ever higher yields, exacerbating the situation.Interest on the federal debt now accounts for about 10% of the budget. To put that in context, expenditures for all nondefense discretionary programs make up 15% of the budget.On the present course, according to the U.S. Government Accountab...