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Battle looms between Canadian defence officials, decision-makers after federal budget

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

OTTAWA — A battle is brewing between Canadian defence officials and federal decision-makers as the Trudeau government looks for ways to save billions of dollars over the next few years.Experts say last week’s budget and the delays in a planned update to the defence policy are signs of this pending conflict, with ramifications for Canada’s military and its international reputation.The budget contains virtually no new defence funding, but does include several cost-cutting measures, notably an order for departments and agencies to identify ways to cut spending by three per cent over the next few years.And while the government says the Canadian Armed Forces will be excluded from such cuts, it remains unclear the degree to which the exemption will extend to the Department of National Defence, which controls the military’s budget.“Regarding the reduction in eligible spending by departments and agencies, as indicated in Budget 2023, the reduction will not impact the...

Federal Court to hear further arguments against government’s use of Emergencies Act

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

OTTAWA — The Federal Court is slated to hear more concerns today about the Liberal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to quell “Freedom Convoy” protests early last year.Counsel for the Canadian Constitution Foundation and other parties are expected to appear in Ottawa before Justice Richard Mosley on the second day of the three-day hearing.On Monday, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said the government did not clearly spell out proper legal justification for its use of the emergency measures last February.The government contends the extraordinary steps taken to deal with the emergency situation were targeted, proportional, time limited and compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.The Public Order Emergency Commission, a mandatory inquiry held last fall, found the government met the very high threshold for using the law.Now the legal arguments for and against the decision are being heard in a court of law.This report by The Canadian Pr...

Daily horoscope for April 4, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or major decisions from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT today (6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Virgo into Libra.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, April 4, 2023:You are daring and charismatic. When inspired, you generate amazing energy for organization, activity and inducing others to leap on your bandwagon. This year service to others is a theme, which is why you need to take care of yourself. Perhaps a makeover? Others will turn to you for guidance.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is another day with confusion and possible deception, especially related to your work, your health or a pet. This means you might be kidding yourself about a health issue. Think about that. Meanwhile, if you think a co-worker isn’t on the level with you, look into it. Tonight: Cooperate.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Some kind of confusion and misunderstanding related to your kids, a romantic partner or a social situation continues to blur things for you. T...

Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday service, bounces back from illness

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

Pope Francis led a Palm Sunday Service the day after he was discharged hospitalized following a bout with bronchitis. He urged the world's leaders to better care for the sick, lonely, and the poor.As Francis, a white open-topped vehicle with a white roof, was driven to St. Peter's Square, thousands of people waved palms and olive branches."I want to thank you for your participation, and for your prayers which have intensified over the past days. Thank you," he stated at the conclusion of the service, referring to his recent illness. He received loud applause from the crowd.After experiencing breathing problems, the pope, who is now 86, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital. He was quickly treated and then returned to his Vatican residence.To allay any concerns regarding his health, the Vatican announced that he would participate in an array of Easter events this week. This is the busiest period on the Roman Catholic Church calendar. It will begin with an open-air Palm Sunday servi...

Miss Manners: I was embarrassed when everyone in the post office focused on me

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The other day, I took a package to the local post office. It was early, the line was very short, and I noticed the woman in front of me couldn’t get a handle on the three packages she was trying to take out to her car.Not being in a hurry, I offered to help, and took one package out for her. She thanked me, I said something about being happy to help, and went back in.The man who had been in line right behind me thanked me four or five times, while also apologizing profusely for being waited on while I was gone. I certainly didn’t expect the whole place to pause while I went outside!The woman behind him insisted I cut in front of her and thanked me several times, as did two other people.I found it quite embarrassing and really didn’t know how to respond. I think I muttered something about needing all the brownie points in heaven I could get, and tried to just shrug it off.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I’m embarrassed to b...

Free-market ex-UK Treasury chief Nigel Lawson dies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Nigel Lawson, the tax-cutting U.K. Treasury chief under the late Margaret Thatcher and a lion of Conservative politics in the late 20th century has died. He was 91.Lawson, who led the Treasury from 1983 to 1989, spearheaded the drive to place key public sector companies into private control. He also modernized financial markets in what became known as the Big Bang of deregulation, which strengthened London’s position as a global financial hub.Conservative Party politicians rushed to offer tributes, a reflection of the fact that his policies remain revered. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described him as a “fearless and original flame of free-market Conservatism.”“He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams…he was a giant,” Johnson said.Lawson, who also worked on the Financial Times and the Sunday Telegraph, had six children, including celebrity food writer Nig...

Kevin McCarthy se reunirá con la presidente de Taiwán en California este miércoles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(CNN) — El presidente de la Cámara de Representantes, Kevin McCarthy, se reunirá este miércoles con la presidenta de Taiwán, Tsai Ing-wen, un evento histórico que se produce en medio de advertencias de China.La oficina de McCarthy compartió detalles de la reunión en un comunicado este lunes por la mañana, indicando que el republicano de California organizará una reunión bipartidista con Tsai en la Biblioteca Presidencial Ronald Reagan en California. El grupo bipartidista incluirá al representante Pete Aguilar de California, quien es miembro del liderazgo demócrata, y los líderes del comité selecto sobre China, entre otros, según una copia de la lista de invitados obtenida por CNN.La Agencia Central de Noticias oficial de Taiwán también informó este lunes que Tsai se reuniría con McCarthy, citando a la oficina presidencial de la isla.La reunión se esperaba desde hace mucho tiempo y está casi garantizado que sacudirá la tensa relación entre EE.UU. y China, que se volvió aún más ...

U.S. women’s national soccer team unveils World Cup uniforms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

Watch Video: Soccer star Ali Krieger announces retirement from professional soccerThe FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to take place this summer in Australia and New Zealand, which means it is once again time for the debut of new uniforms. U.S. Soccer and Nike debuted the new looks on Wednesday, showing off designs meant for “highlighting the energy” of the four-time Women’s World Cup champions.The two new designs are for both home and away jerseys. The former is a white base with shades of blue splattered all over like paint, and will first be seen in the upcoming match against Ireland on April 8 in Austin, Texas. Unlike previous years that saw a clean white variation, U.S. soccer said that year’s design “reflects an unexpected take on tradition.”USWNT Forward Alex Morgan, 13, shows off the team’s new home jersey ahead of the women’s World Cup. (U.S. Soccer)“Highlighting the energy of the USWNT and how they are diverse playe...

The Artemis II crew will become the first to fly to the moon in over 50 years

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

Monday’s announcement by NASA and its Administrator Bill Nelson of the four moon-bound crew members of the Artemis II mission had all the trappings one would expect for such a momentous and historic event.The astronaut corps — besides the two currently on the International Space Station — a signature blue and white NASA T-38 jet trainer used by the astronauts, a press-media-NASA audience and a very impressive array of backdrop pictures with inspirational music set the remarkable scene.More Science NewsThe Space PlaceThe event reminded me of the famous scene in the 1983 Academy Award winning movie, “The Right Stuff,” when the seven Mercury astronauts are first introduced to the world but with a 21st Century update to the visuals and sounds, as well as a much larger and more diverse Astronaut Corps.This will be the first crewed mission to the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972.The Artemis II crew, consisting of pilot Victor Glover, commander Reid Wiseman, mission ...

ANÁLISIS | Trump está perdiendo su capacidad de controlar su destino con amenazas legales

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:36:53 GMT

(CNN) — Un expresidente que siempre está al ataque ya no será el único orquestador de su destino.Cuando Donald Trump se convierta oficialmente en acusado penal este martes, estará sujeto a un sistema legal que no puede controlar.Durante mucho tiempo, Trump ha conjurado tormentas políticas, realidades alternativas, embrollos legales y espectáculos mediáticos para desdibujar la verdad o desacreditar a las instituciones que han limitado su comportamiento antirreglamentario. Pero perderá esa habilidad cuando comparezca ante el tribunal en su lectura de cargos en un caso relacionado con un presunto pago de dinero por silencio a una actriz de cine para adultos.Y hay cada vez más señales de que esta nueva realidad, que vendrá con fuertes compromisos financieros en honorarios legales y bloqueos en el calendario de Trump, podría multiplicarse en un momento en que ya enfrenta las intensas demandas de otra candidatura a la Casa Blanca.Eso se debe a que el expresidente, el primero en enfr...