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Sweden’s Nobel reverses invitation policy. Russia, Belarus, Iran and far-right leader are welcome

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

STOCKHOLM (AP) — The Nobel Foundation that administers the prestigious awards, has reversed its invitation policy and invited Russia, Belarus and Iran, as well as the leader of a far-right Swedish party, who had previously been banned.Vidar Helgesen, the executive director of the private foundation said in a statement that there was a global trend in which “dialogue between those with differing views is being reduced.”To counter that, he said, “we are now broadening our invitations to celebrate and understand the Nobel Prize and the importance of free science, free culture and free, peaceful societies.” The foundation said that invitation for the 2023 events was extended to all countries with diplomatic missions in Sweden and Norway and parties “that have parliamentary representation via democratic elections,” adding that “this common approach promotes opportunities to convey the important messages of the Nobel Prize to everyone, and in future this practice will be...

In the news today: Statistics Canada to release GDP figures today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 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…Statistics Canada to release June and Q2 GDP figures todayStatistics Canada will release its latest reading on how the overall economy is faring this morning.The agency is expected to release its figures for gross domestic product for June and for the second quarter as a whole.An early estimate by Statistics Canada pointed to a contraction of 0.2 per cent in real GDP for June, while growth in the second quarter was estimated at an annualized rate of one per cent.The decrease in June was attributed to the wholesale trade and manufacturing sectors, though the agency cautioned the numbers were preliminary and said they would be updated.—Here’s what else we’re watching …Heat and wind expected to worsen Hay River fireA wildfire official says the town of Hay River will be at risk over the next few days with strong winds and high temperatures m...

A closer look at 5 Canadian titles ahead of the Toronto International Film Festival

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

TORONTO — From age-old terrors to high school queer angst, Canadian films and series showcased at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival offer a wide array of options even without the usual draw of A-listers.Although the Hollywood actors’ strike has cast a shadow over the fest, it hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of both seasoned and emerging Canadian filmmakers as they promote their latest projects. The Canadian Press spoke with five directors who are set to participate in the festival taking place from Sept. 7 to 17.“In Flames” — Pakistani-Canadian director Zarrar Kahn’s Urdu-language film follows the death of a family patriarch whose loss upends the lives of a mother and daughter now haunted by ghosts. To overcome the malicious influences that loom over them, they must draw upon each other for strength and resilience.Kahn, based in Canada but originally from Karachi, shaped his feature debut as an extension of his 2018 24-minute short &#...

First Nation reflects on grief and healing one year after stabbing rampage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

JAMES SMITH CREE NATION — Eddie Head felt a deep pull toward his Saskatchewan First Nation as it was enveloped in devastation. He had been a community leader for decades for James Smith Cree Nation and served a term as chief. But as he learned about the horrors of a stabbing rampage over the Labour Day weekend last year, an even more difficult connection became clear — the killer was his nephew. “I felt obligated to come back home,” Head says from the band office in the community northeast of Saskatoon.Chaos descended on the tight-knit community almost a year ago as Myles Sanderson, 32, moved from home to home, busting down doors and attacking people. Death and injury followed Sanderson as he stole vehicles or fled on foot, with no one knowing exactly where he would head next. Eleven people were killed and 17 were injured on the First Nation and in the nearby village of Weldon.Sanderson died in police custody a few days later.The killer may be gone but the loss and fear ...

What happens when you give 50 homeless people $7,500 each? A B.C. study found out

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

VANCOUVER — There’s a stark contrast between public perception and the reality of how homeless people spend money, says a researcher who gave 50 homeless people in British Columbia $7,500 each to do with as they wished.Instead of blowing the windfall on “temptation goods”, such as alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, they spent it on rent, clothing and food, the study led by University of British Columbia researcher Jiaying Zhao found.The handout even generated a net saving of almost $800 per recipient, taking into account the costs that would have been involved in providing shelter accommodation.“The goal is to do something about the homelessness crisis here in Canada, and specifically Vancouver because the current approaches are failing,” said Zhao, who is working with policymakers on the problem. “I think this study provides very strong evidence in favour of a basic-income policy.”Researchers tracked the spending of the recipients for a year aft...

Almost half of Canadians living paycheque to paycheque as Tory support grows: poll

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

OTTAWA — A new poll suggests nearly half of Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque as the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze household budgets, and young people are more likely to say their finances are in poor shape. It also suggests the Conservatives, who are hammering home a message about affordability, are gaining popularity, with 38 per cent of respondents saying they’d vote for the Tories if an election were held today.And support for the Liberals, who focused their recent cabinet retreat on the housing crisis, is slipping. The poll by Leger shows that 47 per cent of respondents say they’re living paycheque to paycheque, including 53 per cent of those aged 18 to 35 and 57 per cent of people between the ages of 35 and 54. The poll suggests high prices are hitting people in Atlantic Canada, Manitoba and Saskatchewan the hardest — more than half the respondents in those regions say they’re just getting by on each paycheque, compared to 38 per cent o...

Statistics Canada to release June and Q2 GDP figures today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada will release its latest reading on how the overall economy is faring this morning.The agency is expected to release its figures for gross domestic product for June and for the second quarter as a whole.An early estimate by Statistics Canada pointed to a contraction of 0.2 per cent in real GDP for June, while growth in the second quarter was estimated at an annualized rate of one per cent.The decrease in June was attributed to the wholesale trade and manufacturing sectors, though the agency cautioned the numbers were preliminary and said they would be updated.The economic report comes ahead of the Bank of Canada’s interest rate decision set for next week.The central bank raised its key interest rate target by a quarter of a percentage point to five per cent in July as it said it remained concerned that progress toward its two per cent inflation target could stall.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 1, 2023.The Canadian Press

Almost half of Canadians say workers’ right to strike outweighs economic hit: report

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

A new survey from the Angus Reid Institute found that for almost half of Canadians the right to strike outweighs the risk of economic consequences. The report on how Canadians perceive unions comes after several high-profile labour disputes have made headlines across the country this year, from a month-long strike by Toronto-area Metro workers to the B.C. port strike earlier in the summer. The Angus Reid Institute says three in five Canadians believe that unions have had a positive impact on the workers they represent.Around three in five unionized workers say they’re satisfied with how they are represented by their unions. Women were somewhat more likely than men to say they didn’t feel supported when they went to a union representative for assistance. Non-unionized workers were divided on whether they would support or oppose their own workplace unionizing, with young people far more likely to welcome it. It has been a busy, and at times challenging, year for unionized ...

Daily horoscope for September 1, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. EDT today (3:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Pisces into Aries.Happy Birthday for Friday, Sept. 1, 2023:You are practical, down-to-earth and focused. You like to feel that you’re doing the best job possible. This year you will reap the benefits of all your hard work. Seize opportunities in business dealings and act on them! People notice your professional strengths. Expect to be in the spotlight!ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★Tread carefully today. The Moon is in your sign, which makes you more emotional about whatever issue you encounter, including the people you talk to. Furthermore, today the Moon in your sign is opposing your ruler Mars. Oy! This will create conflict with others. Be cool. Tonight: You win!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★You might be doing a slow boil today about something related to your job or your health, or perhaps it has something to do with a pet. Whatever t...

Mergers: Commission authorizes the acquisition of joint control of RNS Enerji by TotalEnergies and RNS Holding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:31:08 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Rönesans Enerji Üretim ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (“RNS Enerji”), based in Turkey, by TotalEnergies SE, based in France, and Rönesans Holding A.Ş., based in Turkey. RNS Enerji is active in the development and sale of power plants, production and sale of electricity as well as the construction of charging stations in Turkey. TotalEnergies is present in the energy sector, particularly in (i) the oil and gas industry; (ii) renewable energies; (iii) electricity production; and (iv) carbon neutral activities. RNS Holding is active in construction, real estate, health, energy and petrochemicals. The Commission concluded that the planned acquisition would not raise competition concerns, given its very limited impact on the European Economic Area. The transaction was reviewed under the simplified merger control procedure.