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A fire at a wedding hall in northern Iraq has killed around 100 people and injured 150

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

MOSUL, Iraq (AP) — A raging fire seemingly caused by fireworks set off to celebrate a Christian wedding consumed a hall packed with guests in northern Iraq, killing around 100 people and injuring 150 others as authorities warned Wednesday the death toll could still rise.Authorities said that flammable building materials also contributed to the latest disaster to hit Iraq’s dwindling Christian minority. In the fire’s chaotic aftermath, officials offered conflicting death tolls and security officials said they detained staff at the wedding hall as part of their investigation.The fire happened in the Hamdaniya area of Iraq’s Nineveh province, authorities said. That’s a predominantly Christian area just outside of the city of Mosul, some 335 kilometers (205 miles) northwest of Baghdad. There was no official word on the cause of the blaze, but the Kurdish television news channel Rudaw aired footage showing pyrotechnics shooting flames up from the floor of the event and settin...

Britain approves new North Sea oil drilling, delighting the industry but angering critics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

LONDON (AP) — British regulators on Wednesday approved new oil and gas drilling at a site in the North Sea, a move environmentalists say will hurt the country’s attempt to meet its climate goals.The U.K.’s North Sea Transition Authority said it had approved the Rosebank Field Development Plan, “which allows the owners to proceed with their project.”Britain’s Conservative government argues that drilling in the Rosebank field, northwest of the Shetland Islands, will create jobs and bolster the U.K.’s energy security.One of the largest untapped deposits in U.K. waters, Rosebank holds an estimated 350 million barrels of oil.The field is operated by Norway’s Equinor and the U.K. firm Ithaca Energy, which say they plan to invest $3.8 billion in the first phase of the project. The field is expected to start producing in 2026-2027.Green Party lawmaker Caroline Lucas called the decision to approve drilling “morally obscene.”“Energy security and cheaper bills aren’t delivered by allowin...

In the news today: Speaker resignation effective today, potential gravesites in Yukon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 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…Speaker’s resignation to take effectThe resignation of House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota is set to take effect this evening. Rota resigned on Tuesday amid international controversy after he invited a man who fought for the Nazis to attend a speech by the Ukrainian president last Friday. He said he profoundly regrets calling attention to 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a veteran of a Ukrainian voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis in the Second World War.15 “potential” gravesites found near former Yukon residential schoolThe former Chooutla Residential School in Carcross, Yukon Territory, is now the site of 15 “potential” gravesites at or near the school.Researchers say a ground-penetrating radar scan of the grounds has detected anomalies that are consistent with former student accounts.They’ve also used archi...

France’s withdrawal from Niger could jeopardize counterterrorism operations in the Sahel

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The French troops withdrawing from Niger were seen as a key line of defense for about a decade in Western efforts against jihadi violence in Africa’s Sahel region, the vast arid expanse south of the Sahara Desert.As the U.S. keeps pushing for a diplomatic solution to resolve Niger’s political crisis, analysts say the country’s junta might struggle to sustain its relative peace with no external support.French President Emmanuel Macron has agreed to withdraw France’s ambassador and troops from Niger after the July coup that deposed its elected president and triggered anti-French sentiment in the former colony. In response, the junta welcomed the end of “imperialist and neo-colonialist forces” and said Monday that the withdrawal must follow a “negotiated framework and mutual agreement.”U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in Kenya on Monday that Washington’s desire is for Niger’s political crisis to be resolved through diplo...

Jury at Peter Nygard’s Toronto sexual-assault trial set to hear more evidence today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

TORONTO — Jurors at the Toronto sexual-assault trial of former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard are set to hear more evidence today.Nygard, the founder of a now-defunct international women’s clothing company, has been accused of using his position in the fashion industry to lure women and girls.The 82-year-old has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault and one count of forcible confinement in alleged incidents ranging from the ’80s to mid-2000s.Crown lawyers began their arguments on Tuesday, alleging all five complainants in the case were invited for tours or job interviews to Nygard’s office building in Toronto, where he forced himself on them at his top-floor bedroom suite that featured a jacuzzi, bar and doors with no handles and keypad-operated locks.Nygard founded Nygard International in Winnipeg in 1967, and stepped down as chairman of the clothing company in February 2020 before it filed for bankruptcy.The trial is expected to last approximat...

House of Commons to elect new Speaker as Rota’s resignation takes effect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

OTTAWA — The resignation of House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota is set to take effect this evening. Rota resigned on Tuesday amid international controversy after he invited a man who fought for the Nazis to attend a speech by the Ukrainian president last Friday. He said he profoundly regrets calling attention to 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a veteran of a Ukrainian voluntary unit that was under the command of the Nazis in the Second World War.Parliamentarians and dignitaries, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, gave two standing ovations to the man without knowing about his background. Rota stepped down after pressure from all sides of the House, including from the governing Liberals, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying the incident was deeply embarrassing for Canada.House of Commons procedure dictates that as soon as Rota steps down, MPs must go through the process of electing a new Speaker before they can continue with their normal business.This report by The...

Poilievre’s Tories maintain summer lead over Trudeau’s Liberals in September poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

OTTAWA — The Conservatives have maintained their summer lead in the polls, according to fresh numbers from Leger.Leger has released the findings of an online survey conducted over the weekend with more than 1,600 Canadian respondents.Among decided voters, Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre’s party has the support of 39 per cent of respondents, which is 12 points ahead of the federal Liberals.The poll suggests a shift of just a few points toward the Tories from a month before, while the Bloc Québécois has fallen seven points to tie the Liberals at 29 per cent support among Quebec voters.The polling took place in the days following a bombshell announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging that the Indian government could be behind the killing of a Sikh leader near Vancouver.Results were weighted for demographics, language and region, and cannot be assigned a margin of error because online surveys are not considered truly random samples.The online polling was conducted Sept. 2...

Daily horoscope for September 27, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023:You are deep and complex. Your range of feelings and distinct personality make a strong impression on others. This year is about learning and teaching. Take time to explore your spiritual or religious beliefs. Use some solitude to get closer to the true meaning of your life.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You feel hopeful today. It might be a private feeling you have; nevertheless, it’s there. It’s really a matter of having faith in your own future, isn’t it? Today you feel concerned for the welfare of others, especially those who are less fortunate than you. Tonight: Patience.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Today you’ll enjoy being with others, especially old friends you know well. You feel a genuine concern for their welfare. Meanwhile, it’s a great day to deal with clubs and organizations, because you will find th...

Parents: Four essential tips for back-to-school success

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

As the back-to-school season arrives, parents across the countryknow they must ready up for emergency shopping sprees, uniformmishaps and the looming cold and flu outbreaks at schools.In all the hustle, is crucial that parents do not to overlook theirchildren's mental state.This transition can be daunting for both kids and parents, oftenleading to anxiety and stress. Especially in the aftermath of covid-19,when many of our kids lost out on important early socialisation, it’simportant to recognise the signs of stress, and know how to addressthem early to prevent them from developing into more seriousconditions.Beyond that, our kids need to be put in the ‘zone’ where they canfocus and perform to their very best. These essential back-to-school mental health tips for parents to ensure a smooth and stable start to the school year.Look for the signs of anxiety or distractionsThe biggest red flag to look out for are unexplained changes inbehaviour. If your child is displaying signs of mood...

Miss Manners: They stormed off and forgot the cooler. How long do I have to keep it?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:41 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: How long does one need to keep something that is left behind at your house and ensure it’s in the same condition when returned?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: What am I allowed to say about a stranger’s hair? Advice | Miss Manners: My husband doesn’t understand why I was so mad at his friend Advice | Miss Manners: Did I deserve this treatment for being a few minutes late? Advice | Miss Manners: If I’m in the aisle seat, do I have any say over the window blind? Advice | Miss Manners: She claimed she was just kidding. How do I make her see it wasn’t funny? For example, a cooler, which its owner forgot when they left dinner in a huff because they got mad at their brother (whole other story there).I’ve made repeated attempts to get them to come get it, as I cannot drive due to medical conditions.I do not have a garage, so I kept it inside my home ...