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HSBC expects deal with RBC to close in early 2024 following federal approval

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

HSBC says it expects the sale of its Canadian operations to RBC to officially close in the first quarter of 2024 after the transaction passed its final hurdle on Thursday with the approval of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.The green light from Freeland came after the Competition Bureau approved the $13.5-billion takeover in September and carries conditions on RBC, including that none of HSBC Canada’s 4,000 employees be fired within six months of the closing date, or two years for front-line staff.Banking services must also continue to be provided at a minimum of 33 HSBC branches for four years.HSBC said in a brief update Friday that it and RBC continue to make progress on implementation of the transaction following the federal approval.Many had called for RBC’s takeover of HSBC Canada to be blocked, arguing it would decrease competition in what is already a heavily concentrated banking sector.RBC chief executive Dave McKay said in an interview Thursday that there is ...

Pakistan’s top court orders Imran Khan released on bail in a corruption case. He won’t be freed yet

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered in a surprise ruling Friday the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and one of his party deputies on bail in a case involving alleged corruption.Khan — currently serving a three-year sentence in jail in a graft case — won’t be presently freed as he still faces two other corruption cases. Friday’s ruling, which Khan’s defense team viewed as a legal victory and a political boost, was issued over charges of the former premier revealing state secrets when he waved an allegedly confidential document, dubbed Cipher, last year at a rally following his ouster from power. The document has not been made public.“The court’s order is proof enough that the charges against Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were fabricated,” said Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar. Qureshi is a senior vice president at Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.Pakistan’s government said the Cipher document was diplomatic correspondence betwee...

Tesla moves forward with a plan to build an energy-storage battery factory in China

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — American electric automaker Tesla’s plans to produce energy-storage batteries in China moved forward on Friday with a signing ceremony for the land acquisition for a new factory in Shanghai, China’s state media said.Construction is scheduled to start early next year with production to come on line by the end of the year, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The factory won’t build batteries for cars but for electric utilities and other companies to store power. Such storage units have become increasingly important with the growth in solar power and wind energy, which only generate electricity when weather conditions are favorable and need to store it for when residential and commercial users need it.The new factory will initially produce 10,000 of Tesla’s Megapack units annually for sale worldwide, Xinhua said. The Tesla project is a rare piece of good news for the Chinese economy, which has seen a sharp drop in foreign investment this year. T...

What stores are open and closed on Christmas Eve? See hours for Walmart, CVS, Costco and more

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Christmas Eve is almost here. But before running out the door for some last-minute gifts or final tree trimmings ahead of Santa’s visit, you might want to double-check the hours of the stores you’re headed to.Business closings on Christmas Eve are less common than those on Christmas Day, but many large chains still cut back hours or close up shop early for the coming holiday. Operations can also vary by location. When in doubt, call ahead or look up more specific schedules for your neighborhood spots online.Here’s a rundown of Christmas Eve hours for major stores across the U.S. in 2023.WALMART CHRISTMAS EVE HOURSWalmart will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.TARGET CHRISTMAS EVE HOURSMost Target stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Double-check local hours here.COSTCO CHRISTMAS EVE HOURSCostco’s warehouses will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, although hours may vary between locations. You can check loc...

Russian official says US is hampering a prisoner exchange with unequal demands

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian deputy foreign minister said that talks with the United States on a potential prisoner exchange that would free Americans held in Russia are hampered by publicity and an alleged disparity in the U.S. negotiating stance.The U.S. State Department said last week that Russia rejected several proposals for freeing Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage, and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in March and is facing espionage charges. “Here, as in many other areas, we observe the American traditional desire to get more for ourselves and give the minimum, as they say,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with the Interfax news agency that was published Friday. The United States has declared both Whelan and Gershkovich to be wrongly detained, and their cases have attracted substantial media attention.“The American media, in general, at the instigation of the current administration, are actuall...

3 people injured, 1 critically, in Caledon crash involving transport truck

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

Three people have been rushed to hospital, one with critical injuries, following an early morning crash in Caledon.Emergency crews responded to a collision at Highway 10 and Boston Mills Road, between Olde Base Line Road and King Street, around 4:10 a.m. Friday.Footage from the scene show a damaged transport truck and SUV.Paramedics tell CityNews three people were taken to hospital. One person has critical injuries while the two others have minor injuries.The investigation is ongoing.Highway 10 is closed in both direction between Olde Base Line Road and King Street.

Recordings reportedly show Trump pressuring Michigan canvassers to not certify 2020 vote: Detroit News

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

(The Hill) - Former President Trump pushed Michigan canvassers to not certify the results of the 2020 during a phone call, according to recordings obtained by The Detroit News."We've got to fight for our country," Trump said on the recordings, per the Detroit newspaper. "We can't let these people take our country away from us." The call, in which Trump pressured Republican Wayne County Canvassers Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, occurred on Nov. 17, 2020, according to The News. It also involved Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel."If you can go home tonight, do not sign it. ... We will get you attorneys,” McDaniel said on the recording, per the newspaper.McDaniel said she stood by a letter she and Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox wrote that urged the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to conduct an audit prior to the election results being certified, according to The News.“What I said publicly and repeatedly at the time, as referenced in my lette...

Need a last-minute gift? Candidates offer ornaments, gift wrap — and Trump mug shot merch

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The field of 2024 presidential candidates may have some options for shoppers scrambling for a last-minute holiday gift.As the campaign for the White House kicks into full gear, the contenders are offering an onslaught of holiday-themed merchandise, many of which capture some of the surreal aspects of the 2024 race. Donald Trump, for instance, is embracing his status as the first former president to face criminal charges by emblazoning his mug shot on Christmas sweaters, gift wrap and stockings.Christmas gifts are seen on the stage during a former President Donald Trump commit to caucus rally, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Waterloo, Iowa. The field of 2024 presidential candidates may have some options for shoppers scrambling for a last-minute holiday gift. As the campaign for the White House kicks into full gear, the contenders are offering an onslaught of holiday-themed merchandise, many of which capture some of the surreal aspects of the 2024 race. (AP Photo/Char...

Dreaming of a white Christmas? It's more likely to be brown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

For most Americans dreaming of a white Christmas, this year's prospects aren't good.Although parts of the Rockies and Midwest already have snow or could get a fresh dusting by Monday, other parts of the country that are normally coated in white this time of year are still sporting their drab late-fall look.“Some people will get their dream, their wish, and get a white Christmas right at the last minute,” said Judah Cohen, the director of seasonal forecasting at Verisk Atmospheric and Environmental Research. “But most of the country will have a brown Christmas.”A trail sign for a snowshoeing route is seen on a snowless field at Pineland Farms, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in New Gloucester, Maine. Unseasonably warm weather, including rain storms in the northeast, is washing away snow at ski areas and reducing the chances that many people in the U.S. will experience a white Christmas this year. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)Among the areas more accustomed to snowy Decembers is the Northeast,...

LBJ Library to offer free cookies in celebration of Lady Bird Johnson's 111th birthday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:50:05 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A First Lady of the United States born, raised, and buried in Texas would have been 111 years old on Friday, and the library dedicated to her husband's presidency is honoring her with a sweet treat. The LBJ Presidential Library said it will give visitors with paid admission free cookies in celebration of Lady Bird Johnson’s birthday on Friday.The library at 2313 Red River St. is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last visitor is admitted at 4 p.m., the library said. Projects featuring Lady Bird Johnson’s voice offer new looks at the late first lady Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor was born Dec. 22, 1912 in Karnack near Marshall in East Texas.According to a biography provided by the library, shortly after she received two degrees from The University of Texas, Lady Bird met Lyndon Baines Johnson, then a congressional aide.  The Johnsons married on November 17, 1934, at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio, the library said. They had two daughters, Lynda Bird...