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NDP convention a chance for ‘new direction,’ but grassroots could take up old debates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

HAMILTON — New Democrats are gathering for a three-day convention to focus on how to convince voters looking for change they are a better choice than Conservatives, despite having helped to keep the minority Liberal government in power.“We see a Liberal government that is out of gas, out of steam and no ideas,” said Brad Lavigne, who was national director of the NDP under former leader Jack Layton.“The New Democrats are positioning themselves as the chief alternative or the lead alternative to Conservatives. This convention will be an opportunity to take stock, and set that new direction.”It could also end up giving new life to older debates within the party, such as an emergency resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has the potential to distract from the agenda.NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who has been in the role since 2017, will also face a mandatory leadership review — his first since the 2021 election. At the last convention held in April of t...

OC Transpo worker, store owner to testify in ‘Freedom Convoy’ trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

OTTAWA — The criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers is expected today to delve into how public transit was affected by the three-week protest that clogged downtown Ottawa streets last year.Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are facing charges of mischief and counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation.The court expects to hear from Natalie Huneault, an employee of the public transit operator, OC Transpo.Several witnesses have already spoken about how buses were rerouted during the protest as a result of the crowds and parked big-rig trucks.  The owner of several downtown businesses, Chantal Biro, is also expected to testify.The Crown plans to ask how the protest interfered with the daily lives of local Ottawa residents and businesses as part of its case against Lich and Barber. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2023.The Canadian Press

Canadian doctor trapped in Gaza volunteers at hospital, urges entry of medical aid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

Dr. Ehab Bader had travelled from London, Ont., to Gaza for a family visit, to see his aging parents.  Now trapped in the besieged Palestinian territory, he is volunteering at Gaza’s largest hospital, which is overwhelmed by people in urgent need of life-saving care as medical supplies run short.“People are waiting outside, severely injured and sometimes you have to choose unfortunately, who do you serve,” the neonatologist told The Canadian Press, speaking from his parents’ home in Gaza City. “It’s a difficult choice for those who work at the emergency room. The situation will be better described as catastrophic.”Bader, 47, arrived in Gaza less than two weeks before Hamas militants crossed through Israel’s highly fortified separation fence and killed over 1,200 Israelis in a brutal rampage. Israel has retaliated with a massive bombardment of Gaza, which is home to some 2.3 million Palestinians. The war, which has claimed at least 2,600 live...

New Zealand political candidates dance and hug on the final day of election campaign

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Prime Minister Chris Hipkins looked to be about a half-beat behind when, with a grin, he joined in a Zumba dance class Friday on the last day of campaigning before New Zealand’s general election. “I’m sure you’ll choose the best shots, when I’m at my most coordinated,” Hipkins joked with reporters after the event at an Auckland market. If there was a little extra spring in his dance step, it’s because the polling numbers for Hipkins, 45, and his liberal Labour Party have started to trend upward in recent days from a low ebb. But the numbers indicate his conservative rival, Christopher Luxon, 53, remains in the best position to become the nation’s next prime minister after polls close Saturday night.Luxon, meanwhile, hugged supporters in Auckland on his final campaign stop as they chanted his slogan to get New Zealand “back on track.”Luxon has promised tax cuts for middle-income earners and a crackdown on crime. Hipkins...

Daily horoscope for October 13, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Libra.Happy Birthday for Friday, Oct. 13, 2023:You are determined, hardworking and serious about your ambitions. You have an excellent sense of humor. This year is your turn to socialize and have fun! Explore your creative talents. Nurture the happiness and beauty within yourself. Let your guard down and loosen up a bit!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You will hold your own and toe the line in discussions about inheritances, shared property, debt, mortgages or dealing with banks. You know what you want to achieve; you know your limits; you know your strengths. You are on point! Tonight: Listen.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★If you meet with opposition today with partners, spouses or close friends, you’ll be in control, calm and steady about how to handle this situation. Patience will be the key, and you have patience, that’s for sure. You might make little headway, but you won’t ...

Time spent on work-related communication: An EU overview

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

Data by economic activity (NACE Rev. 2) at the EU level show that around 55% or slightly more people employed in the ‘financial and insurance activities’, ‘education’, and ‘accommodation and food service activities’ spend at least half their working time interacting with others. On the other hand, over 40% of people employed in ‘mining and quarrying’, ‘activities of households as employers’, and ‘agriculture, forestry and fishing’ declared that they spent little or none of their working time on social interactions.This information comes from the data release based on the 2022 EU-LFS module on job skills published by Eurostat. This article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on employment statistics – focus on communication skills.Communication can be internal, within the business or organisation, involving colleagues or managers, and external, to outside customers, suppliers, patients, or pupils. In the EU, 33.6% of employed people aged...

Miss Manners: One guest ignored my buffet and raided the refrigerator

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As someone whose goal is to provide a great experience for guests in her home, I make sure I set up, on tables and buffets, items that I’m offering for guests to eat and drink.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: What should I do when my co-workers glare at me? Advice | Miss Manners: What’s a polite way of saying ‘you weren’t our first pick’? Advice | Miss Manners: A virtual stranger hijacked our lunch date. What could we have done? Advice | Miss Manners: I wasn’t going to let a runty lobster ruin my carefully planned dinner Advice | Miss Manners: What could I have said to this blithe line-jumper? I always have a ton of food left over after get-togethers, as I never want to run out.We have a family member who comes over two or three times per year. He constantly opens our fridge, surveys the contents and then helps himself to other snacks and drink...

Dear Abby: I took in her cat and it was a big mistake. How do I get out of this?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My mother-in-law, “Irma,” is a peach — she’s the sweetest person in the world. She will do anything for anyone to lend a helping hand.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Am I overreacting to my dinner guest’s unseemly request? Advice | Dear Abby: I suspect this girl is not really my fiance’s niece. Should I demand the truth? Advice | Dear Abby: I’m afraid she’ll get us kicked out of the restaurant. Any advice? Advice | Dear Abby: All these years later, I freak out when I hear her name Advice | Dear Abby: My wife now ‘doesn’t remember’ our crucial conversation Two weeks ago, she fell and broke her femur, which resulted in a significant hospital stay and needed rehabilitation.My wife and I have been taking care of her house and managing all her other daily tasks while she recovers, but one of these has become an issue.Irma has an ...

Hamas says Israel’s heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed 13 hostages, including foreigners, held by the group

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas says Israel’s heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed 13 hostages, including foreigners, held by the group.Source

MLB playoffs 2023: Phillies knock out Braves again to reach NLCS vs Diamondbacks

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:12 GMT

Four teams left fighting for that World Series trophy. Now everybody can take a break for a couple of days before the playoffs resume Sunday night.Nick Castellanos became the first player to hit multiple homers in consecutive postseason games, and the Philadelphia Phillies eliminated the Atlanta Braves for the second straight year with a 3-1 victory Thursday night in Game 4 of their NL Division Series.Trea Turner singled twice, doubled and hit a solo homer in the fifth inning for a 2-1 lead as the defending NL champions make another run at their first World Series title since 2008.They advance to an all-wild card NL Championship Series and will play the Arizona Diamondbacks, making their first trip since 2007 after a surprising sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 1 is Monday night in Philadelphia.“We feel good, there’s no question about it,” Castellanos said.The best-of-seven ALCS starts first, when Houston hosts rival Texas on Sunday night in a Lone Star State showdown. Three-ti...