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Criminal use of cryptocurrency expected to grow, Canada’s financial intel agency says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s financial intelligence agency says it expects to see criminals increase their use of cryptocurrency to raise, move and hide funds outside the traditional banking system.In its newly released annual report, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada notes it has been developing strategic intelligence on the role virtual assets play in money laundering and terrorist financing.The agency, known as Fintrac, says the most prevalent form of money laundering involving virtual currencies is the movement of proceeds of fraud and ransomware attacks.Fintrac identifies money linked to illicit activities by electronically sifting millions of pieces of information each year from banks, insurance companies, money services businesses, securities dealers, real estate brokers, casinos and others.In turn, it discloses intelligence to police and other law-enforcement agencies about the suspected cases.Fintrac’s report warns that the use of unregistere...

A small plane makes an emergency landing in the southern Paris suburbs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A small twin-engine plane was forced to make an emergency landing Monday in the southern Paris suburbs, France’s civil aviation safety agency said. French media said the aircraft landed near a populated area in the town of Villejuif. Sebastien Barthe, the communications director for the safety agency known as BEA for short, said the cause of the unplanned landing was a “technical problem” and that four people were on board the plane, including the pilot.Barthe could not confirm French media reports saying that three passengers sustained injuries but said his agency was investigating what led up to the emergency landing.“We will examine all aspects, including the pilot’s health and the aircraft’s mechanical condition,” he said.Emergency services were on the scene quickly. Photos and videos widely shared on social media showed the plane against a wall and emergency personnel at work.The Associated Press

NDP calls for Canada to bring extended family of Canadians safely out of Gaza

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

OTTAWA — The New Democrats are calling for Ottawa to create special immigration measures to help get Canadians’ extended family members out of the Gaza Strip, as it has during other crises in recent years.Several Canadians whose relatives are struggling to survive in Gaza say they’re losing faith that the federal government will step into to save the lives of their loved ones. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan says Canada has created special rules for Syrian refugees, Afghans and Ukrainians in recent years, and she is calling on the government to do the same for Palestinians.Canada has brought approximately 600 people through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, as of the last update from Global Affairs.The only people who qualify are Canadians, Canadian permanent residents and people who meet the government’s strict definition of an eligible family member, though there have been exceptions. That strict definition does not include parents, siblings, or...

Bitcoin has surpassed $41,000 for the first time since April 2022. What’s behind the price surge?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is once again having a moment. On Monday, the world’s largest cryptocurrency soared past $41,000 for the first time in over a year and a half — and marking a 150% rise so far this year.Volatile bitcoin rocketed from just over $5,000 at the start of the pandemic to nearly $68,000 in November 2021, according to FactSet, a period marked by a surge in demand for technology products. Prices fell back to earth during an aggressive series of Federal Reserve rate hikes aimed at taming inflation and then the collapse of FTX, one of the biggest companies in crypto.When 2023 began, a single bitcoin could be had for less than $17,000 after losing more than 75% of its value. Investors, however, began returning in large numbers as inflation started to cool. And the collapse of prominent tech-focused banks actually led more investors to turn to crypto as they bailed out of positions in Silicon Valley start-ups and other risky bets. But fueling this latest rally are pr...

'That was to get us out': New details revealed after arson fire at historic Swift Mansion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

CHICAGO — More details have been revealed in the fire that started inside the iconic Swift Mansion, including a battle between the owner and tenants.Officials say the blaze started around 11:30 a.m. Sunday in the 4500 block of South Michigan in the Bronzeville neighborhood. The fire rekindled three times at the historic mansion.At least 10 people were living in the building — and one of those tenants is claiming the mansion was set on fire to get them out.Chicago police have confirmed the incident is being investigated as an arson.The Swift Mansion was once the home of the Chicago Urban League and is currently the location for the Inner City Youth and Adult Foundation.The organization is believed to help youth in the community, as well as house ex-convicts who are seeking a better future through finding employment.WGN News spoke with one of the tenants Monday, who said he believes the fire is suspicious in nature.“Somebody set it. For sure. For sure. That was to get us out of there....

Gabby Petito lawsuit: Brian Laundrie's parents finally admit what their son told them, attorney says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) -- The attorney for Gabby Petito's family says Brian Laundrie's parents have admitted what their son told them in the days after killing his 22-year-old fiancé in August 2021. During depositions for the upcoming civil trial between the two families, Chris and Roberta Laundrie said in a "frantic" phone call on Aug. 29, 2021, two days after Petito was believed to have been murdered, that their son informed them that Petito was "gone" and that he needed a lawyer, according to Petito attorney Pat Reilly.Reilly said Chris and Roberta Laundrie did not admit to knowing Petito had been killed, only that they were told by Brian Laundrie that she was "gone." ‘Gabby Petito Act’ aims to strengthen police response to domestic violence in Florida According to court documents and the depositions, Chris and Roberta Laundrie then informed their longtime lawyer Steven Bertolino that Petito was "gone" and that Brian Laundrie was in need of an attorney. A retainer was sent to him ...

Chicago named one of the most fun cities in America: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — When you think of the most fun cities in America, what comes to mind? WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 65 pertinent metrics. The three key dimensions were entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and overall costs."WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state," WalletHub stated.Las Vegas, Nevada, topped the list as the most fun city in America, with a score of 71.38. WalletHub gave the city the top spots in the entertainment and recreation rank and the nightlife and parties categories.Coming in at No. 2 and No. 3 were two Florida cities: Orlando and Miami.The report said Orlando's nation-leading theme parks helped the city rank toward the top of the list. 2 new massive cruise ships start sailing from Florida The city has one of the lowest nightly rates for a 3-star hotel room and relatively low average prices for staple foods such as p...

The grocery prices in 'Home Alone' are freaking people out on TikTok: 'Insane'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Of all the outlandish occurrences that take place in “Home Alone” — a movie about a family forgetting to bring their child on an international trip, and that child later outsmarting and nearly killing two grown men — the most unrealistic aspect, at least according to many of today's viewers, is perhaps the cost of groceries circa 1990.About halfway through the movie, 8-year-old Kevin McCallister purchases the following items at a suburban Chicago supermarket:a half-gallon of milkWrappit! plastic wrapa Stouffer’s frozen turkey dinnerSnuggle dryer sheetsWonder Breada four-pack of Quilted Northern toilet paperKraft Macaroni and Cheesea baggie of plastic Army figurinesTide liquid laundry detergenta half-gallon of Tropicana orange juiceThe total cost of Kevin’s items comes to just $19.83, after accounting for the $1-off coupon Kevin redeems for juice. He then pays with a $20 bill, fends off the suspicions of a nosy cashier, and leaves with his purchases.Granted, “Home Alone” ...

The most festive time of year may also be the unhealthiest — and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

For Monday, Dec. 4, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Infertility autism riskChildren born to parents with infertility have a slightly higher risk for autism spectrum disorder. Researchers say that link is party mediated by obstetric and neonatal factors and is probably not the result of fertility treatments. According to the study published in JAMA Open Network, the increased risk for autism is likely the result of the underlying infertility itself. Of the 1.4 million children studied, the risk for autism in offspring was 20% greater in patients with infertility who did not receive fertility treatments. Health suffers through the holidays A new study finds the most festive time of the year may also be the unhealthiest. According to a new Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center survey, diet, exercise and sleep routines suffer during the busy holiday season. Sixty-six percent of Americans surveyed say they ...

Dallas murder suspect dies of self-inflicted gunshot after running from DPS in Austin, crashing car

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:21 GMT

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News Today's top headlines for Monday, Dec. 4. AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Dallas murder suspect died from a self-inflicted wound in Austin Sunday evening after attempting to get away from a Department of Public Safety trooper then crashing the car he was driving. DPS information officer Sgt. Deon Cockrell told KXAN troopers received information of a murder suspect, identified as Byron Carrillo, 21, driving south on Interstate 35 in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and tried to stop the vehicle around 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Carrillo continued driving away from DPS, struck a concrete barrier, then crashed after taking exit 238, which is near U.S. Highway 290. According to DPS, he then ran on foot and stopped in a parking area where he fired one round from a firearm, hitting himself. He died from his injuries. Carrillo was suspected of a homicide that happened in the 9700 block of Royce Drive in Dallas around 4:20 p.m., according to a release from Dallas police. NBC 5...