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Emergency manager’s testimony to continue at ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer’s trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

OTTAWA — The testimony of Ottawa’s emergency services manager is expected to continue today in the criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers.Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are on trial for alleged mischief and counselling others to commit mischief, intimidation and other offences during the protest.Kim Ayotte oversaw the city’s bylaw enforcement, fire and paramedic services during last year’s demonstration, as well as the department that oversees special events.  He stepped into the witness box Tuesday afternoon, but his testimony was stalled as he struggled to answer specific questions without access to his text messages and other communications with his staff.Ayotte also provided daily situation updates to then-mayor Jim Watson and the rest of city council during the demonstration.The trial has been running behind schedule, and the judge announced Tuesday that she is looking for more dates to hear evidence and legal arguments in October and Nove...

GardaWorld employees arrested by Libyan militia held for nearly two months

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

MONTREAL — Seven employees of Montreal-based security giant GardaWorld languished in detention for nearly two months after their arrest earlier this year by a powerful Libyan militia.The workers’ ordeal underscores the ongoing risks of operating in a volatile region as well as the financial toll on foreign companies exacted by armed groups and state actors amid a fluid power struggle in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.GardaWorld, one of the largest foreign security firms operating in Libya, offers services ranging from armoured cars to security reports for diplomats and multinational corporations. But its role there came to a jarring halt on April 11, when the Rada militia at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport seized GardaWorld’s contractors, who were providing security for the EU Border Assistance Mission in the country.The company cited an “administrative imbroglio” as the reason for the arrest of the seven men, who were working under its partnership with another security firm, France-bas...

Most Canadians view about Online News Act is news should be free, survey suggests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

OTTAWA — A new survey suggests that most Canadians feel news should be free and accessible for anyone, while also believing that media will find other ways to make money.Leger conducted a national online survey of 1,564 people over the weekend to seek opinions about the Liberal government’s Online News Act.The law, which comes into effect later this year, will force digital giants such as Google to compensate media outlets for content that is shared or otherwise repurposed on their platforms.About three out of every four respondents said they were aware of the Online News Act, formerly known as Bill C-18, with 34 per cent of respondents saying the law is a good thing to help media outlets that compete for advertising dollars with tech giants.  In response to the bill, Meta removed news from its social platforms Facebook and Instagram, irking respondents of the survey. Overall, 59 per cent of respondents agreed the company should restore access to news, and only 12 per cent agr...

Daily horoscope for September 20, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT today (3 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Scorpio into Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023:You are charming, friendly and comfortable in a leadership role. You are also organized, resourceful and effective. This year is the last year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means it’s time to let go of anyone or anything that is holding you back. Cut your losses.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You might study and research matters because you see how to improve your job and perhaps improve your health. You might even improve the way you take care of a pet. You have many opportunities to do things in a better way today. Avoid controversial topics. Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Today you might practice to improve a skill, perhaps a skill related to the arts like musical talent, painting or acting. Likewise, you might practice or hone a skill related to spo...

Creating a more stable, affordable and sustainable electricity market 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Parliament has given the green light to start negotiations with Council to reform the EU’s electricity market, Plenary session, ITRE.The decision to open talks with member states, as proposed by the Industry, Research and Energy committee in July 2023, was taken with 366 votes to 186, with 18 abstentions.MEPs want to strengthen consumer protection against volatile electricity prices, and want to make sure consumers have the right to fixed-price contracts or dynamic price contracts. Information on the options people sign up to, and banning suppliers from being able to unilaterally change the terms of a contract, should also be part of this reform. All consumers, as well as small businesses, should benefit through this reform from long-term, affordable and stable prices and the mitigation of the impact of sudden price shocks.MEPs also demand EU countries prohibit suppliers from cutting the electricity supply of vulnerable customers, including during disputes between suppliers and cust...

Kashmiris’ express gratitude to President Erdogan for his consistent stand

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Today the nation of Kashmir is facing an existential threat due to the various draconian laws adopted by Government of India (GoI) which gives total impunity to the roughly 900,000 Indian armed forces in Kashmir. They can shoot anybody, anywhere at will and will not be held accountable under law. “We believe that the Indian government’s actions in Kashmir have been an extreme case of persecution and could very well lead to genocide,” says Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, Founding President, Genocide Watch.To this date, foreign media is still barred from reporting from Kashmir since August 2019. Kashmiri leadership, human rights activists and journalists continue to languish in jails, hundreds of miles away from their homeland. The Indian government consolidated its grip during the COVID lockdown which continues until today. The Indian media is completely compromised under the Modi administration and there is barely any news coming out of Kashmir due to the draconian measures adopted by the G...

Miss Manners: My friend claims not to have heard these insulting comments

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I were invited to my best friend’s house to have dinner with her and her cousin. We had been there only a short time when the cousin began berating a church for allowing gay marriage.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: We’d go to the wedding but we’re obviously on the bride’s B-list Advice | Miss Manners: I unintentionally insulted a stranger in the store Advice | Miss Manners: I was berated by the mothers of the rude sing-along girls Advice | Miss Manners: It was awkward to see her after this emotional episode Advice | Miss Manners: This newbie player is always holding up our game I waited for my friend to say something, but she did not. I said, “We disagree about this subject, so let’s not discuss religion or politics.” I began a conversation about other topics, but the cousin continued to make comments about undocumented pe...

Braves and Phillies play to decide series winner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Philadelphia Phillies (82-69, second in the NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (97-54, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Wednesday, 12:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Phillies: Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 186 strikeouts); Braves: Bryce Elder (12-4, 3.50 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 126 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -145, Phillies +123; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies meet on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series.Atlanta is 48-26 at home and 97-54 overall. Braves hitters have a collective .343 on-base percentage, the best percentage in MLB play.Philadelphia is 82-69 overall and 39-38 on the road. The Phillies have the third-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.06.The teams meet Wednesday for the 13th time this season. The Braves lead the season series 8-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. has a .338 batting average to lead the Braves, and has 33 doubles, three triples and 39 home runs. Ozzie Albies is 14-for-45 with two...

St. Louis Cardinals take on the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (85-66, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (67-84, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Adrian Houser (6-4, 4.53 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 82 strikeouts); Cardinals: Zack Thompson (5-6, 4.34 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 63 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -115, Brewers -105; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday.St. Louis has a 33-43 record in home games and a 67-84 record overall. Cardinals hitters are batting a collective .252, which ranks sixth in the NL.Milwaukee has an 85-66 record overall and a 40-36 record in road games. The Brewers have gone 54-19 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Wednesday for the ninth time this season. The season series is tied 4-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Nolan Arenado has 26 doubles, two triples and 26 home runs while hitting .269 for the Cardinals. Willson Contreras is 13-for-32 with a double and ...

Rockies try to end 6-game road skid, play the Padres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:47 GMT

Colorado Rockies (56-95, fifth in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (74-78, fourth in the NL West)San Diego; Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Chase Anderson (0-5, 6.00 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 57 strikeouts); Padres: Seth Lugo (7-7, 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 126 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -278, Rockies +225; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies will aim to break their six-game road losing streak in a matchup against the San Diego Padres.San Diego is 41-36 at home and 74-78 overall. The Padres are 58-13 in games when they scored at least five runs.Colorado is 22-55 in road games and 56-95 overall. The Rockies have a 26-11 record in games when they did not allow a home run.The teams meet Wednesday for the 13th time this season. The Padres lead the season series 8-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Juan Soto leads the Padres with 32 home runs while slugging .506. Xander Bogaerts is 16-for-42 with four doubles, a triple, three home runs and five RBI over the la...