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Zelenskyy barred from addressing ‘nonpolitical’ Eurovision Song Contest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — This weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest will have Ukrainian flags, Ukrainian musicians and Ukrainian fans — but not the country’s wartime leader.Organizers rejected a request from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make a video address to the final of the pan-continental music competition on Saturday. He was expected to urge the world continue its support for Ukraine’s fight to repel Russian invasion.The European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, said that letting Zelenskyy participate would breach “the nonpolitical nature of the event.”Zelenskyy’s request “to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted by the European Broadcasting Union management as it would be against the rules of the event,” the organization said.Founded in 1956 to help heal a continent shattered by war, Eurovision strives to keep pop and politics separate. Overtly political lyrics, signs and ...

Ambush in Bourget, Ont., leaves one OPP officer dead and two injured

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

BOURGET, Ont. — One Ontario Provincial Police officer remains in hospital as the investigation continues into an ambush that left one officer dead and two injured.Officials say Sgt. Eric Mueller was fatally shot Thursday when he and the two other officers responded to a disturbance call at a home in Bourget, Ont., east of Ottawa.OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said the three officers had called for backup before they approached the house, and all were shot upon arrival.One officer was seriously injured and is in hospital while the other injured officer has since been released and is recovering at home.Mueller is the fifth police officer to be fatally shot in Ontario since September. Alain Bellefeuille, a 39-year-old Bourget resident, is charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2023.The Canadian Press

Military to help with Alberta wildfire response as heat wave approaches

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed to Alberta as hot and dry conditions in the forecast threaten to worsen an already intense wildfire season.Temperatures in the high 20s and low-to-mid-30s are expected in some areas over the coming days, with daytime highs soaring up to 15 degrees above normal.The Alberta government has announced it will join the federal government in a donation-matching program with the Canadian Red Cross that would see every $1 donated become $3.The dire situation has even caught the attention of King Charles, who sent thoughts and prayers to the people of Alberta in a written statement released through the Governor General’s office.A provincial state of emergency has been in place since last Saturday.There were 74 active wildfires in the province as of early Friday morning, including 21 out of control. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2023.The Canadian Press

‘BlackBerry’ pockets rave reviews as tech leaders say phone story doesn’t ring true

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

TORONTO — “BlackBerry” director Matt Johnson is enjoying the controversy simmering around his latest film.Over the past month, some of the most influential people in Canada’s technology and business circles settled into sneak preview screenings of his darkly comedic spin on the rise and fall of the beloved Waterloo, Ont.-created smartphone.And many emerged deeply confounded by what they saw.After one Toronto screening a week ago, a group of former employees at BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion gathered over drinks to discuss a mixture of Canadian pride and confusion they were feeling about the film’s revisionist history of the company. As “BlackBerry” heads to theatres nationwide this weekend, amid heaps of buzz and critical raves, the film faces its share of sour notes from those unhappy with how freely — some say even carelessly — it plays with the truth.Earlier this week, RIM’s former chief financial officer Dennis Kavelman published an opinion piece in the Na...

Study finds search for women’s remains at landfill could take years, cost up to $184M

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

WINNIPEG — A search for the remains of two First Nations women at a Winnipeg-area landfill could take up to three years and cost $184 million, says a study examining whether a successful search is possible. The study, obtained by The Canadian Press, looked at the various scenarios and challenges that come with searching a landfill and concluded a canvass of the Prairie Green Landfill is feasible.It warns there are “considerable risks” due to exposure to toxic chemicals and asbestos. But it says forgoing a search could be more harmful for the families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran. “Not conducting the search could cause considerable distress to victim family members,” the report says. “The impact of not conducting a search and humanitarian recovery for remains of Morgan and Marcedes, when it is possible that they are in the Prairie Green Landfill, could have long-lasting repercussions on the families, friends, loved ones and First Nations and Indig...

Daily horoscope for May 12, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions after 11 p.m. EDT today (8 p.m. to 10 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Aquarius into Pisces.Happy Birthday for Friday, May 12, 2023:You’re a straight shooter. You tell it like it is. You like to steer your own ship. Service to others, especially family, is a theme for you this year. Therefore, take care of yourself first so you can be of help. Is it time for a makeover?ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★You will enjoy shopping for beautiful things today for yourself and for loved ones. It will give you pleasure. You also might have some excellent moneymaking ideas. You might actually attract money, gifts and goodies to you. Tonight: Solitude.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★This is a lovely day, and you’re happy. This is why you’ll find it easy to express your affection for others. Your words will be positive and upbeat, which is why others will seek out your company. (Everybody likes to be around somebody who is ha...

Dutch PM says in Brazil his country will back Ukraine as long as necessary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (pictured) discussed the war in Ukraine on Tuesday (9 May) with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and said there should be no concessions that affect Ukrainian sovereignty.Lula has been advocating the creation of a group of nations not involved in the war that can broker peace talks to end the conflict and has suggested concessions from both side.Rutte, on a three-day visit to Brazil, laid out the European position regarding the need to defend Ukraine from Russian aggression."Netherlands will support Ukraine as long as necessary," the prime minister said at a news conference after meeting with Lula.The Brazilian leader insisted that peace talks were needed to stop the fighting, noting that Brazil voted for the United Nations resolution condemning the Russian invasion.Lula said his foreign policy advisor Celso Amorim, who visited Moscow last month and met Russian leader Vladimir Putin, arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday to meet Ukrainian Preside...

Harriette Cole: Years ago, he threw dirt on my name. I haven’t forgotten.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: A few years ago, a guy I went to college with said some really hurtful things about me and then blocked me on all social media platforms.Unfortunately, he’s a well-known creative in my city, and his opinion carries weight among our peers. I’m a less popular creative. Needless to say, the fact that he threw dirt on my name really stung.Now it seems fate has brought us together once again. We’ll both be attending the same event this weekend. I never expected to see him again, but here we are. I feel like I should address the things he said about me and clear the air.However, I’m not sure how to approach the situation. I’m worried that because I’ve kept all of this anger toward him bottled up for so long, I don’t know how it will come out when I see him.How do I express my hurt and anger without stooping to his level? I want to handle this in a way that reflects well on me and doesn’t make the situation worse. Speaking My ...

5.5 magnitude Northern California earthquake knocks out CHP 911 dispatch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

CHESTER — A 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit the east shore of Lake Almanor on Thursday and its impact was felt in Butte County and beyond.The U.S. Geological Survey reported on its earthquake site that the earthquake was 5.9 km deep and shook at 4:19 p.m. The epicenter was located about 2 kilometers south-southwest of East Shore on the lake.Following the first earthquake, nine aftershocks were reported between 2.5 and 3 magnitude by 7:18 p.m.The USGS data can be found at https://on.doi.gov/3LTnuUB.CHP Yuba-Sutter said the earthquake caused a disruption in CHP Chico Dispatch. Cell phone 911 lines were reported down at 4:38 p.m.Residents unable to get through 911 with their cell phone may call 530-332-1200.The 5.5 magnitude earthquake in Plumas County has caused a disruption in CHP Chico Dispatch cell phone 911 lines and are currently ARE DOWN. If you are unable to get through to 911 via cell, call 530-332-1200. They are working to fix the issue.— CHP Yuba-Sutter (@ChpYuba) May 11...

Miss Manners: I don’t know how to navigate my rom-com life

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:27 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been friends with this certain man for 10 years. One day, almost a year ago, he texted me asking if I would be willing to be intimate with him — no labels, just benefits.I liked him, so I accepted his offer.Almost a year into it, we are texting from morning to night, and I find myself catching feelings. If I tell him, I know it would ruin everything and end the friendship.Should I be honest or keep silent? What to do?GENTLE READER: Catch some feelings for another.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Apparently I’m ‘unfriendly’ to street harassers and men who tell me to smile Advice | Miss Manners: This aggressive swimmer ruined my hotel pool time Advice | Miss Manners: When we older folks make a pronoun slip, there’s crying and shouting Advice | Miss Manners: Apparently my life is a reality show. Do I have to put up with this? Advice | Miss Manners: I ...