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In the news today: Israel increases strikes on Gaza ahead of expected ground invasion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Israel increases strikes on Gaza, as two more hostages are freedIsrael has escalated its bombardment of targets in the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground invasion against Hamas militants. The stepped-up attacks, and the rapidly rising death toll in Gaza, came as Hamas released two elderly Israeli women who were among the hundreds of hostages it captured during its devastating attacks on towns in southern Israel earlier this month.The fighting started when Hamas militants rampaged through Israeli towns on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and taking hundreds hostage. The Hamas-run Health Ministry says since then, more than 5,000 Palestinians, including some 2,000 minors and around 1,100 women, have been killed. —Here’s what else we’re watching …Grocers called back to Parliament over pricesA House of Commons committee is asking the heads of...

Inquiry into New Zealand’s worst mass shooting will examine response times of police and medics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — An inquiry that began Tuesday into New Zealand’s worst mass-shooting will examine — among other issues — the response times of police and medics and whether any of the 51 people who were killed could have been saved.The coroner-led inquiry comes more than four years after a white supremacist opened fire at two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers.The inquiry represents the first time authorities will outline the details of how they responded to the March 2019 shooting. Dozens of survivors and family members attended court on Tuesday, and many wept as they watched a video tribute to those who died.After the attack, New Zealand lawmakers moved quickly to change gun laws, banning assault weapons and buying back more than 50,000 guns. The Australian gunman, Brenton Tarrant, in 2020 pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Cor...

Grocers called back to Parliament to testify about plans to stabilize prices

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

OTTAWA — A House of Commons committee is asking the heads of Canada’s major grocery chains to explain their plans to stabilize food prices.  The committee passed an NDP motion on Thursday to invite the grocery executives, and summon them if necessary, to testify about the measures their companies are taking to address food inflation.This comes after Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne announced the companies have presented plans to the government to tackle rising prices, which he says include discounts, price freezes and price-matching campaigns. However, most grocers have not confirmed details of these plans and Champagne recently said he wished they would be more forthcoming with the public on their commitments. The parliamentary committee is asking the grocers to submit their plans by Nov. 2.It is also inviting Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to appear before committee to answer questions.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. ...

Unifor set to bargain for more than 2,800 workers at Loblaw-owned stores

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

TORONTO — Unifor is set to bargain on behalf of more than 2,800 grocery store workers at Loblaw-owned stores in Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, testing whether the union can bring the gains it made for Toronto Metro workers to other grocery chains. More than 3,700 Metro workers in Greater Toronto went on strike this summer after rejecting their first tentative deal. They accepted an agreement more than a month later that the union called historic. Unifor has made it clear it intends to try and replicate those wins for other grocery workers it represents.A pair of agreements representing around 2,850 workers at multiple Ontario No Frills stores and multiple Newfoundland and Labrador Dominion stores expire this month. York University associate professor of labour geography Steven Tufts says it can be difficult to establish a bargaining pattern in the grocery sector, which is fragmented and includes many different chains from discount to high-end. Despite the challenges, he thin...

Macklem warned premiers about dangers of putting BoC’s independence at risk

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

OTTAWA — Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned premiers who publicly asked the central bank to not raise interest rates last month that their requests could undermine the institution’s independence. The premiers of Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador wrote to Macklem ahead of the Bank of Canada’s Sept. 6 rate decision, outlining concerns about the effects of higher rates on their residents and asking the central bank not to raise its key rate further.In a Sept. 13 letter, Macklem warned that instructions or requests from elected officials could give the impression that the Bank of Canada’s independence is at risk.The response was dated one week after the central bank governing council opted to hold its rate steady. Though Macklem acknowledged that higher interest rates are making life challenging for Canadians, he also noted that inflation, which higher interest rates are intended to combat, hurts the most vulnerable people in society. The...

Cyprus police say they have dismantled the third people smuggling ring in as many months

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Police in Cyprus said Tuesday they had arrested 10 Syrian men in an operation that has dismantled the third people smuggling ring bringing migrants to the east Mediterranean island nation in as many months.The operation centered in the southwestern district of Paphos, where a combined force of 130 officers carried out 17 search warrants, arresting 10 suspects while five more are being sought, police spokesman Christos Andreou told The Associated Press. Some 160,000 euros ($170,897) were found in the possession of one of the suspects.Police said the ring operated since June 2019. The suspects face charges including conspiracy, participation in a criminal organization and people smuggling.The latest arrests brings to 22 the number of people suspected of being part of smuggling rings.According to police, 7,914 migrants illegally reached Cyprus from the beginning of the year until mid-October, while 8,694 where either deported, voluntarily left or relocated to oth...

Daily horoscope for October 24, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

Moon Alert: After 4:45 a.m. EDT today (1:45 a.m. PDT), there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023:You are dramatic, hardworking and intense. Because you take whatever you do seriously, you shine in your profession. This year is about exciting changes and increased personal freedom. Stay flexible so you can suddenly explore new directions. Seek out new opportunities. Travel is likely.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★This is a fabulous day to schmooze with others. Enjoy time with friends and organizations. It’s also an excellent day for financial discussions regarding wills, inheritances and the wealth of your partner. You might see ways to boost your own earnings or get richer! Tonight: Solitude.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★★This is one of the best days of the month for you, which is why you look fabulous in the eyes of others. In fact, some people will know personal details about your private life. Nev...

Podcast: How to promote statistical literacy?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

In the latest episode of the Eurostat podcast series Stats in a Wrap, we explore statistical literacy, unravelling what it takes to truly understand data. Join our host, Jonathan Elliott, as he sits down with an array of experts: Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck from the media literacy organization Lie Detectors and Konstantina Michalopoulou and Romina Brondino from Eurostat’s Dissemination and User Support Unit. Additionally, representatives from three national statistical institutes - Gundega Kuzmina from Latvia, Jukka Hoffren from Finland, and Ana Beljan Ščuric from Croatia - share their insights.In this episode, we will explore the vital importance of statistical literacy in understanding official statistics and examine how to effectively communicate statistical concepts to a wide range of audiences. Our guests will share innovative approaches to empower students and teachers to critically analyse news and engage with statistics.Listen to the other episodes on the Eurostat website, ...

Harriette Cole: I’ve been extremely on edge, and I need a quiet solution

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I have been extremely stressed out, and I do not know what is causing it. However, I do know that accelerated schoolwork and a busy schedule tend to make me feel more anxious than I already do.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: My best friend asked to date my crush, and I don’t know what to say Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m not cut out for this class, and the professor isn’t making it any easier Advice | Harriette Cole: She came to my photoshoot, and I’m sure she made a bad impression Advice | Harriette Cole: My boyfriend freaked out in the haunted house. Am I dating a coward? Advice | Harriette Cole: I asked my sister to watch my teen, and she broke my trust I am trying to find simple grounding techniques to help calm me down when I feel really on edge. I tried counting and deep breathing, but they do not always help me.I have read that you practice...

Miss Manners: I want to abandon this ‘Mom’ business after my mother-in-law’s bad behavior

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:37 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My in-laws are socially conservative and very traditional. For the five years my now-husband and I dated, I was expected to refer to them as “Mr. and Mrs. Lastname,” a formality that made me feel distant and unwelcome, especially when my parents asked my husband to call them by their first names nearly immediately.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: The bride’s dress code for wedding guests strikes me as pretentious Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to take the edge off her short-notice cancellation, and she blew up at me Advice | Miss Manners: A stranger sent a letter blasting me. Must I respond? Advice | Miss Manners: How do I bring up the problem of the neighbor’s cats? Advice | Miss Manners: The bride hung up on me, and her mother was rude, too. Was I in the wrong? However, near the wedding, my in-laws began to switch their correspondence sign-offs to “...