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‘A perfect example of what not to do’: ex-U. S. envoy on PM’s reported NATO comments

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

CLEVELAND — A former U.S. envoy to Ottawa says he’s concerned about what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly said about Canadian defence spending. David Jacobson, who served as Barack Obama’s ambassador from 2009 to 2013, says a recent Washington Post report could prove to be a setback for future U.S.-Canada relations. The Post says Trudeau privately told NATO officials that Canada would never meet the military alliance’s spending target of two per cent of GDP. Jacobson says the comments, if true, risk making it harder for the two countries to resolve future bilateral irritants. And they could also undermine the faith of the American public in NATO by fuelling the perception that the U.S. shoulders the bulk of the military burden around the world. Jacobson, who says he doesn’t know if the story is accurate, was speaking at the annual conference of the Canada-U. S. Law Institute. “It’s one of those things that causes governments to lose confi...

Canada pledges $39M in sniper rifles, non-lethal aid for Ukraine

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada is committing another $39 million in weapons and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine.Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the latest contribution during a meeting with counterparts from the U.S. and other allies in Germany.The donation includes almost $35 million in cash to help Ukraine buy fuel, first-aid kits and other non-lethal provisions through a special NATO fund.The remaining money will be used to buy 40 sniper rifles and ammunition from a Winnipeg company, and new radio sets for the eight Leopard 2 tanks that Canada has donated to Ukraine.Canada has committed more than $8 billion in financial, military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country in February 2022.While the conflict has become a war of attrition over the past few months, Ukraine is expected to launch a counteroffensive with the aid of Western weapons in the coming weeks.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2023.The Canadian Press

Cost of VW battery plant subsidy raises questions on necessity of securing it

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

SAINT THOMAS, Ont. — There’s nothing small about the $13 billion in subsidies that Canada has promised Volkswagen to secure the automaker’s first battery plant outside of Europe, but it remains to be seen whether the deal is enough to kick start the manufacturing sector’s future. The rising sticker shock of establishing a manufacturing base for electric vehicles is, depending on who you ask, either a worthy investment to secure the next generation of auto assembly or a sign that Canada should consider giving up the subsidy race and not worry so much about the sector in general.Securing Volkswagen is a “massive win,” said Flavio Volpe at the Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association, adding that people should focus more on the $200 billion in output the company will have to meet to secure the full payout.Because the deal is based on output rather than just an upfront cash payment from government, it looks much bigger than past deals with automakers but ...

Canada’s premiers, police chiefs to talk bail reform as Ottawa faces calls for change

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

OTTAWA — The association representing Canada’s chiefs of police is expected to meet with provincial and territorial premiers today to talk about reforming Canada’s criminal justice system.Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who chairs the Council of the Federation, says premiers aim to hear chiefs’ public-safety concerns and their perspectives on how Ottawa should amend federal law, including on bail reform.Premiers have been calling on the federal government to renew and enhance its Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund, which supports provincial and territorial public-safety initiatives.That request follows previous calls for Ottawa to create “reverse onus” measures for certain offences that would require a person seeking bail to prove why they should not stay behind bars.Justice Minister David Lametti committed to move forward quickly on “targeted reforms” to the Criminal Code that would update Canada’s bail system after meeting with h...

Outdoor store MEC commits to cutting carbon emissions from products, supply chain

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

VANCOUVER — Canadian outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Co. has set sweeping new emissions targets for its supply chain, part of what the company is calling a stronger, science-based plan to help address the climate crisis. MEC said its goal is to slash emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 and 90 per cent by 2050. The targets apply to both direct operations, like MEC stores and buildings, and its supply chain, from the manufacturing of its in-house brand products to the vendor gear and clothing it carries, the company said.“It’s easy in the environmental movement to have jazz hands,” said Adam Ketcheson, MEC’s chief commercial officer, referring to actions that may help the environment but don’t significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint. “What we are really trying to focus on right now is doing things that are measured and have the greatest impact.”MEC has deep roots in Canada’s environmental movement. The outdoor recreation...

Daily horoscope for April 21, 2023

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions after 11:30 p.m. EDT today (8:30 p.m. PDT). The Moon is in Taurus.Happy Birthday for Friday, April 21, 2023:Even though you are hardworking and persevering, you are always gracious. This makes people like you. Personally, you are independent and always frank. Stay light on your feet. It’s a year of change. Be flexible and ready to act fast, but trust your intuition. You might also travel.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Checks in the mail might be late; plus, various financial transactions will suffer from delays and confusion in the next several weeks. This is because today Mercury goes retrograde in your Money House, and it will stay retrograde until May 15. Until then, double-check all financial transactions, including restaurant bills. Tonight: Be generous.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Today Mercury goes retrograde in your sign, which means you will hear from or encounter partners and ex-spouses in the next several weeks (if this ...

Fit for 55: Parliament adopts key laws to reach 2030 climate target

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

The European Parliament has approved on Tuesday (18 April) the agreements reached with EU member states in late 2022 regarding several key pieces legislation that form part of the "Fit for55 in 2030 package".. The EU has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 55% compared to 1990 by 2030, in accordance with and the European Climate Law.Emissions trading system reformThe Emissions Trading System reform was passed with 413 votes for, 167 against, and 57 abstentions. The ETS is more ambitious, since GHG emissions must be reduced by 62% in ETS sectors by 2030 as compared to 2005 levels. The free allowances for companies will be phased out from 2026 to 2034. A new ETS II is created for fuel for road transportation and buildings, which will price GHG emissions in these sectors by 2027. (Or 2028 if the energy prices are extremely high.)Read the Press Release after the agreement with EU countries for more information on the ETS Reform.The Parliament voted for the first-time...

Miss Manners: Is it rude to turn off the light while the cat is eating?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son is currently ill, and I visit his house to help with his dog and cat.The cat’s food dish is in the basement, kept separate from the dog’s dish in the kitchen. The cat often wants more food after dark, so I turn on the light in the basement to go fill her bowl.My son asks me to turn off the light when I come back upstairs, even though the cat is still eating. He says she can see in the dark because there’s a little bit of light from the open door to the stairs.I feel it is rude to turn off the light while she is eating. What do you think?GENTLE READER: That you sent Miss Manners down a rabbit hole of research on cats’ ability to see in the dark. What she found is that it is limited, but still better than that of humans.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: People say unpleasant things when we bring our kids to adult parties Advice | Miss Manners: Am I a bad friend to ignore his bizarre dining practice? ...

Silicon Valley Proptech and Real Estate Trends Conference 2023: A Resounding Success

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

Sponsored ContentThe 2023 Silicon Valley Proptech and Real Estate Trends Conference (PRET 2023), hosted by AlphaX RE Capital, recently concluded in Santa Clara, drawing nearly 500 attendees and marking the first large-scale in-person real estate event in Silicon Valley since the pandemic. The conference featured an exceptional lineup of 35 speakers, including real estate professionals, government representatives, financial experts, and proptech pioneers, who discussed current trends and future predictions in the industry.The main panel addressed eight topics, featuring noteworthy panelists such as Lydia Kou, the mayor of Palo Alto; Greg Lin Tanaka, city council member; Melanie Griswold, former San Jose city real estate planning commissioner; and Andrew Pollock, CEO of Anchor Loan. The panelists engaged in discussions on the 2023 real estate market, current interest rates, inflation trends, California’s housing policies, and the state’s housing shortage. Additionally, the...

Dear Abby: We’re getting pressure about our wedding reception. What should we say?

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:50:16 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee and I are about to get married in another state.I have lived in multiple states over the years and have friends and family in some of them. Some of these people aren’t able to attend the wedding. We understand their reasons and have offered a livestream as an alternative.We are now being asked to host additional wedding receptions in other states, and we’re getting a lot of pressure about it. We have no desire to have additional wedding receptions with all the planning and expense that goes along with them.What’s a polite way to respond to these friends and family members?NOT INTERESTED IN FLORIDADEAR NOT INTERESTED: Thank these friends and relatives for the suggestion and explain that although it’s a nice idea, it isn’t within your budget. That’s the truth. Then encourage them to come and visit when time permits.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Should I let her know that my ex-husband will never marry her? ...