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Canada a beacon for others but must keep its promises: UN human-rights chief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

OTTAWA — The United Nations human-rights chief says Canada can boost its chances of joining the council that monitors freedom around the world by better following up on the pledges it makes at home and abroad.“When you think of Canada, you think of human rights,” said Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a Tuesday interview.Türk visited Ottawa this week to touch base on human-rights issues in general, including how they are handled in Canada and how Ottawa can best address issues abroad.His visit comes as Canada campaigns to join the UN Human Rights Council for a term spanning from 2028 to 2030. That body will undertake an in-depth review of the human-rights situation in Canada next month, as part of an exercise applied to most countries every four years.Türk said the Canadian government should consider not relying on the four-year review, and instead do its own annual or biannual exercises to take stock of how Canada is doing.“It is important...

Ottawa antisemitism conference draws PM, party leaders and protesters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

OTTAWA — As the Israel-Hamas war continues to roil, Canada’s political leaders spoke at a conference in Ottawa aimed at combating antisemitism, organized by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the crowd that Canada will remain a “friend” to Israel, adding that all Canadians stand with Israel in its grief. He also acknowledged a recent uptick in antisemitism aimed at Jewish communities across Canada since the war broke out.Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, N-D-P Leader Jagmeet Singh and Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet also spoke. Poilievre cautioned against applying a “moral equivalence” between the October 7th Hamas attack and Israel’s efforts to protect its civilians. Meanwhile, Singh addressed the rising tensions experienced by the Jewish community, as well as anti-Palestinian sentiments.Outside the conference, a group of protesters gathered. The “X” social media account for t...

Criminal trial of convoy organizers moves from resident to police testimony

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

OTTAWA — A police liaison officer who communicated directly with “Freedom Convoy” protesters during the winter 2022 demonstrations is expected to testify today in the criminal trial of two of its organizers.Const. Isabelle Cyr had been expected to address the court on Tuesday, but defence lawyers said they needed time to review notes and emails between Cyr and her colleagues during the protests.The court wrapped up the testimony of five Ottawa residents on Tuesday.Civilian witnesses in the trial have described a scene of overwhelming noise from truck horns and engines, and the persistent smell of diesel fumes during the protest in their testimony. The two defendants, Chris Barber and Tamara Lich, are facing charges that include mischief and counselling others to commit mischief. Crown prosecutors are trying to prove that Lich and Barber influenced and encouraged protesters while fundraising for the demonstrations.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct....

Most Canadians think lasting peace between Israel, Palestinians is not possible: poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

OTTAWA — A majority of Canadians don’t think lasting peace is possible between Israelis and Palestinians, a new poll suggests.Slightly more than half of the people responding to the Leger poll said lasting peace isn’t possible, while less than one-fifth said a peaceful solution can be reached. The number who said peace is not possible hit 62 per cent among the people who also claimed to have a good understanding of the ongoing conflict.The questions in the poll were designed by Leger in collaboration with the Association for Canadian Studies, and were asked online of 1,548 people in Canada between Oct. 13 and Oct. 15. Pollsters began gathering responses almost a week after hundreds of Hamas militants launched a multi-pronged attack, with rocket fire and a rampage across the border from Gaza that killed more than 1,400 Israelis and saw some 200 others, including children, taken hostage.In the days since, Israel has retaliated with its own airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, and...

Russian President Putin and Chinese leader Xi meet in Beijing and call for close policy coordination

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The leaders of Russia and China met Wednesday in Beijing and called for close foreign policy coordination, as concerns grow about possible conflicts with the West over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and Beijing’s rising threats against Taiwan. At their morning meeting, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin discussed trade and the 10th anniversary of Xi’s trademark Belt and Road Initiative that has built highways, ports and power plants across Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere. The policy has left many states deep in debt to Chinese banks, and the attempt to pump new life into it comes at a time when China’s own economy has slowed considerably due to huge overinvestment in real estate. “In the current difficult conditions, close foreign policy coordination is especially required,” Putin said in his opening remarks. “So, in terms of bilateral relations, we are moving forward very confidently,” he said, noting that bilateral trade was on track to surpass...

Daily horoscope for October 18, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023:You are talented, imaginative and have a regal air about you. It’s important to believe in your potential. This year is your turn to be acknowledge for your past efforts. Expect a raise, praise, accolades, awards and kudos to come your way. You have earned this. Bravo!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★If you can travel or do something different, this will please you today. Basically, you want a change of scenery. Therefore, do what you can to break free from routine. Give yourself a break. Shake things up a little. Tonight: Rest.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Although you feel like you should be working, it’s hard to get into it today. Fear not, because tomorrow you will have more energy and drive to accomplish what you want to do. In the meantime, coast today if possible. Take a long lunch. Tonight: Work.GEMINI(May 21-June 20) ★★...

Countering irregular migration: Better EU border management  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

The influx of migrants and the security of external borders is a challenge for Europe. Learn more about how Parliament is addressing the situation, Society.To counter irregular migration, the EU is strengthening border controls, improving the management of new arrivals and making returns of illegal migrants more efficient. It is also working to bolster legal labour migration and deal more efficiently with asylum applications.Read more about the EU response to migration.What is irregular migration?Irregular migration is the movement of people from non-EU countries across EU borders without complying with the legal requirements for entry, stay, or residence in one or more EU countries.Number of illegal border crossings into EuropeIn 2015, there was a significant increase in the number of illegal border crossings into the EU. According to data from Frontex, the EU's border agency, there were more than 1.8 million illegal border crossings, the highest number ever recorded. Since then, t...

Harriette Cole: I asked my sister to watch my teen, and she broke my trust

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently found out that my sister let my 17-year-old daughter drink alcohol while she was staying with her.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I finally told my parents I’ll be leaving the U.S. next week, and they’re livid Advice | Harriette Cole: My co-worker cornered me about my son, and I was very uncomfortable Advice | Harriette Cole: I worry I’ll lose my friend because of this workplace issue Advice | Harriette Cole: Is it OK for me to hide my health concerns from my husband? Advice | Harriette Cole: It bothers me that there was so little reaction to my social media purge I am upset that my underage daughter was drinking, but I’m even more upset that it was done behind my back.I told my sister to clue me in on absolutely everything that happens with my daughter, and the fact that she didn’t even ask me about it is hurtful.I haven’t figured o...

Miss Manners: The bride hung up on me, and her mother was rude, too. Was I in the wrong?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My long-distance niece, whom I only see every few years, hung up on me when I called to give my regrets that I could not make it to her wedding.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: This lady at church got stuck, and I accidentally laughed out loud Advice | Miss Manners: This well-off bride’s wedding shower has me baffled Advice | Miss Manners: I’m plagued by how I mishandled this neighborly interaction Advice | Miss Manners: One guest ignored my buffet and raided the refrigerator Advice | Miss Manners: What should I do when my co-workers glare at me? I explained that we had a prepaid, nonrefundable vacation planned, and that we would like to make it up to her by taking the newlyweds out to dinner the next time we traveled there.She said, “That’s not good enough,” and hung up the phone. I haven’t spoken to her since.Is this acceptable bridal behavio...

Dear Abby: She stages these embarrassing displays, and I can’t deal with it anymore

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:00 GMT

DEAR ABBY: A family friend, “Simone,” makes the time we spend together unbearable.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: He’s just a little boy, but he’s already on the wrong path. What can I do? Advice | Dear Abby: I have a wedding dress and a man I love, but I’m ready to scrap everything Advice | Dear Abby: The family letter is meant to be upbeat but I can’t bring myself to read it Advice | Dear Abby: Do I need to make a formal goodbye to an unwanted friend? Advice | Dear Abby: I took in her cat and it was a big mistake. How do I get out of this? She’s married to my husband’s best friend, “Earl.” We see them often and spend many holidays together.Before Earl married Simone, we thought she was a pretty normal person and a great match for him. Over time, we have come to realize that she’s anything but.Simone is loud and dramatic, and she love...