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MPs set to debate Ukraine trade deal, as Liberals chide Tories for vote against bill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

OTTAWA — A committee of MPs is expected to begin clause-by-clause study today of a bill that implements an update to the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, following a decision by the federal Tories to vote against the legislation. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has defended his party’s move as mounting opposition to language that promotes carbon pricing, rather than rejecting a trade deal with Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since early last year.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have rejected Poilievre’s explanation and instead accused the Tories of following in the footsteps of some U.S. Republicans, who are signalling less support for assisting the Ukrainian war effort.The negotiated text of the agreement, signed by Ukraine’s president during his September visit to Ottawa, says both countries will “promote carbon pricing” — a provision Canadian officials have said is not binding. Ukraine has had a carbon price...

The 41 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in India for 17 days will soon be rescued, official says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Officials in India said Tuesday they were on the verge of rescuing the 41 construction workers trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel for over two weeks in the country’s north, after rescuers drilled their way through debris to reach them. The workers are to be pulled out through a passageway made of welded pipes which rescuers pushed through dirt and rocks.“Soon all the laborers brothers will be taken out,” Pushkar Singh Dhami, top official in Uttarakhand state, where the accident occurred, posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Kirti Panwar, a state government spokesperson, said about a dozen men had worked overnight to manually dig through rocks and debris, taking turns to drill using hand-held drilling tools and clearing out the muck in what he said was the final stretch of the rescue operation.Rescuers resorted to manual digging after the drilling machine broke down irreparably on Friday while drilling horizontally from the front be...

Stock market today: World shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares opened lower in Europe after a mixed day in Asia on Tuesday as investors waited for updates on inflation and how American consumers are feeling about the economy. Germany’s DAX lost 0.1% to 15,946.07 ahead of a speech by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to parliament where he plans to lay out how he and his fractious governing coalition plan to improve the struggling economy and find their way out of a budget crisis. The CAC 40 in Paris gave up 0.5% to 7,229.88, while Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.4% to 7,430.26. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.1%. The Conference Board was due Tuesday to issue an update on consumer confidence, which has remained solid throughout the year. Economists polled by FactSet said they expect another solid reading for the October report.On Thursday, Wall Street will be closely watching the government’s October data on the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation. Economists expe...

Daily horoscope for November 28, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions after 8 p.m. EST today (5 p.m. to 11 p.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023:You are constantly curious, and sometimes you overextend yourself. You work hard once you embrace something. This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes in your life. Keep your eyes open for new opportunities. Don’t hesitate to take action and initiate new directions.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is another day where your thinking might be cloudy, especially when talking to daily contacts, siblings, relatives or neighbors. You might confuse them, or they might confuse you. Listen to that little voice on your shoulder. Don’t be naive. Tonight: Cocoon.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★This is a poor day for important financial decisions, because things are a bit fuzzy. This means you can’t really trust your judgment. This will especially apply to cash flow or...

European Parliament organizes its first Disability Rights Week  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

From 27 November to 4 December, the Week aims to raise awareness and enhance the public debate to ensure all people with disabilities can exercise their rights.Organised around the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, the Disability Rights Week will see several parliamentary committees voting, debating and holding events regarding disability policies.Among the many events, the Development Committee will discuss access to education and training in developing countries on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Petitions Committee will hold its annual workshop on the rights of persons of disabilities. On Thursday, the Transport Committee will discuss barriers in the fields of transport and tourism, while the Human Rights Subcommittee will debate the rights of persons with disabilities in conflict and post-conflict situations.The Employment and Social Affairs Committee will hold several events, including an exchange of views on the European Disability Card and European Park...

SPECA countries transform Karabakh into a platform for economic cooperation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

Having paid attention to the processes that are taking place now in our renewing globe, we can see that the world's countries primarily require economic and political stability and peace. States and governments that organize these types of discussions through international platforms understand that healthy dialogue and increased cooperation are the primary mechanisms for achieving sustainable development and better, more effective organization of the emerging new political architecture.Today, Azerbaijan continues its commitment to partnership and cooperation on all international platforms based on mutual respect and trust, successfully proving to the entire community the path to sustainable development. The multi-vector economic policies executed under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership during the previous 20 years, as well as the excellent management model used, have had a considerable impact on the development of not just the South Caucasus but also the Central Asian region.In ge...

Harriette Cole: My old friend is back in my life, and she has brought a lot of drama

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently reconnected with a childhood friend, and unfortunately it seems that she hasn’t changed her pattern of constantly being involved in hostile situations and drama.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I’m on the brink of unloading on my husband about the car crash Advice | Harriette Cole: I can no longer be silent about this messed-up family Advice | Harriette Cole: She’s the restaurant patron from hell, and she needs to hear that Advice | Harriette Cole: How to reboot when Thanksgiving stress sets in Advice | Harriette Cole: What do I do about an ex-friend who’s trying to undermine my work? While I cherish our past memories, I’ve moved away from that environment and want to distance myself from negativity.How can I gracefully maintain a respectful distance from her without causing friction or hurting her feelings? I value our history, but I want ...

Miss Manners: I get tactless comments about my literary name

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 54-year-old woman whose given name is Brett (a name typically given to boys).Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: How do I tell these people I don’t want their prayers? Advice | Miss Manners: My mother-in-law tried to ban me from wearing bright colors on vacation Advice | Miss Manners: Is this lowering of office chairs a common practice? Advice | Miss Manners: How can I rein in a greedy co-worker? Advice | Miss Manners: How should I have responded to a loud comment about my makeup? My mother loved the name after reading Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises,” and decided, long before I was born, to give that name to her child. I believe she was ahead of her time, and I admire her for that.To be honest, I did not enjoy having this name while growing up; I wanted a flowery, feminine name like my sister’s. But once I became an adult, I loved its uni...

Germany’s leader vows fixes for a budget crisis as the economy struggles. But he offers few details

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed Tuesday that his government will work “as fast as possible” to lay out how to solve a budget crisis, but he offered few details on how he would achieve his goals of promoting clean energy after a court decision struck down billions in funding. With its economy struggling, Germany now is wrestling to fill the gaps in spending set aside for renewable energy projects and relief for companies and consumers facing high utility bills because of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Cuts could further slow what is already the world’s worst-performing major economy. Germans “need clarity in unsettled times,” Scholz said in a speech to parliament, adding that the government would not abandon any of its goals, which also include promoting investment in computer chip and battery factories for electric cars to modernize the economy. He said it would be “a serious, an unforgivable mistake … to neglect the modernization of our country.” A cap...

How to find local charities to give back to this Giving Tuesday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:20 GMT

On this Giving Tuesday, one local nonprofit is hoping to help you give back locally, with a website set up specially for this day of giving. On GiveLocalTogether.org, users can learn about 230 D.C.-area charities and give to multiple charities all at once.“If you want to volunteer, donate, advocate, it’s a one-stop shop,” said Matt Gayer, executive director of Spur Local.The 230 charities on the Giving Tuesday website are among 500 local organizations that have been community reviewed and entered into Spur Local’s charity catalog. From that catalog, you can donate to charities all year long.In 2022, Gayer said Spur Local brought in $1 million for local charities. The goal, he said, is to raise awareness about smaller D.C.-area charities with budgets ranging from $100,000 to $4 million.“There’s many kinds of unsung organizations out there doing incredible work, that don’t have the marketing dollars, budget, staff, etc. to necessarily rise to ...