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15 killed in attack on Myanmar village; military says pro-democracy fighters hit civilians

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military-controlled government is accusing pro-democracy fighters of killing 15 civilians in a nighttime mortar attack in a restive central area of the country, charges denied by the guerrilla group.A report Thursday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper said so-called People’s Defense Forces attacked the village of Ngwe Twin in the southern part of the Sagaing region at 4 a.m. Wednesday with handmade mortars, killing 15 people and injuring seven others, including three monks. Loosely organized armed PDF groups have sprung up around the country since the military seized power from democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021. The groups support the pro-democracy National Unity Government, a shadow civilian administration opposed to military rule, though they operate autonomously from it. The NUG did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment on the attack. Since the military’s seizure of power, widespread peaceful ...

In the news today: Heat relief for parts of Canada, latest StatCan job numbers

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 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…Cold front to bring some relief after heat wave…A cold front passing through Ontario and Quebec is expected to offer relief today after a multi-day heat wave.Parts of Ontario, from Uxbridge to Renfrew, and Quebec, from Upper Gatineau to Chibougamau, were under severe thunderstorm watches Thursday, with the weather agency warning of scattered thunderstorms and the possibility of strong winds.Areas further east will have to wait for relief as parts of Atlantic Canada from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia remain under heat warnings set to continue today and last into the weekend in some areas.The heat could last longer in British Columbia, where heat warnings remain for inland sections from the north to central coast and in the Fraser Canyon area east of Vancouver, where daytime highs between 30 and 35 C are expected through Sunday.Cooling is a human right in ex...

Thousands take part in first running of the bulls in Spain’s San Fermin festival

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — Thousands of thrill seekers took part Friday in the first running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.Several runners took knocks and hard falls in the 8 a.m. event but no one was gored by the beasts, a frequent feature of the spectacle.The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists. Nearly 1.7 million people visited Pamplona for the celebrations in 2022, and forecasts are higher for this year with all COVID-19 constraints ended.In the run, six bulls guided by six tame oxen charged along a route through Pamplona’s streets for around two minutes and 30 seconds before reaching the bull ring.The festival was made famous by Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.” This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hemingway’s first visit to the festival.Friday’s run was the first of eight scheduled. The rest of day usually includes massive sessions of drinking, eating and attending cultural events.Four runners...

‘Don’t fall off the horse’: Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen leading Stampede parade

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

CALGARY — Col. Jeremy Hansen is preparing to become the first Canadian to travel to the moon as part of the Artemis II mission, but in the meantime he’s tasked with cowboying up to become the second astronaut to be marshal of the Calgary Stampede parade.The 10-day Artemis II mission could launch as early as November of next year and involves slingshotting into deep space for a figure-8 manoeuvre around the far side of the moon. It would mark the first time any human has ventured so far from Earth. But on Friday morning, Hansen’s task is to ride on horseback for more than two hours through Calgary’s downtown before hundreds of thousands of cheering fans. He’s excited, but expects going into outer space might be a bit more challenging.“Going to the moon has to be. If the parade marshal ends up being more daunting, that would be a bad surprise I think,” he said with a laugh. “I’m super excited to be here. I feel kind of like Christmas-mor...

Cold front to bring relief in Central Canada but heat wave continues on coasts

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

TORONTO — A cold front passing through Ontario and Quebec is expected to offer relief today after a multi-day heat wave.Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder says the cold front is expected to cause a return to near normal temperatures in the coming days.Parts of Ontario, from Uxbridge to Renfrew, and Quebec, from Upper Gatineau to Chibougamau, were under severe thunderstorm watches Thursday, with the weather agency warning of scattered thunderstorms and the possibility of strong winds.Areas further east will have to wait for relief as parts of Atlantic Canada from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia remain under heat warnings set to continue today and last into the weekend in some areas.The heat could last longer in British Columbia, where heat warnings remain for inland sections from the north to central coast and in the Fraser Canyon area east of Vancouver, where daytime highs between 30 and 35 C are expected through Sunday.Special air quality statements are in effect in nor...

Pleas for help as Montreal’s LGBTQ Village falls victim to addiction, homelessness

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

MONTREAL — The Village, Montreal’s historical LGBTQ neighbourhood, has become the scene of homelessness, addiction and crime, with locals suggesting that its social problems are being imported because of the district’s history of being an inclusive space for marginalized people.Richard Fitzgerald, who has lived in the Village for 46 years, says he has witnessed a slow decline.“Twenty years ago it was a really lively place and it was known around the world.” Now, he said, “you come here at night and it’s scary. There’s violence. There’s a whole problem of people who have drug problems, mental health problems.”In response, the city has boosted police presence in the neighbourhood just east of downtown and assigned a two-person psychosocial intervention team to direct vulnerable people to resources. In June, it released a plan to revitalize the neighbourhood and deal with homelessness and mental health.But residents and business own...

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau set to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

CALGARY — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to meet with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith today in Calgary, among other stops in the city as Stampede season gets underway.Trudeau and Smith are expected to discuss a number of issues including emission reductions and the federal government’s goal of having a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.Smith said in June prior to a meeting with the federal ministers of natural resources and intergovernmental affairs that Ottawa’s 2035 target wasn’t realistic for Alberta without a massive cost to the economy and jobs.Both Canada and Alberta are aiming to be net zero by 2050, but the federal government has multiple earlier targets along the way.Another target would see emissions from the oil and gas sector cut by more than 40 per cent by 2030.Smith says she remains hopeful that a “breakthrough” will take place between the province and Ottawa. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2023.Th...

Statistics Canada to release June employment numbers today

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada is set to release employment figures for June this morning.The job report will be the last major economic data release before the Bank of Canada announces its interest rate decision on Wednesday.In May, the unemployment rate ticked up for the first time in nine months, rising to 5.2 per cent. The Bank of Canada is hoping to see more softening in the labour market as it stays focused on bringing inflation down. RBC says it expects the economy added 20,000 jobs in June. But with population growth surging, it’s also forecasting the unemployment rate rose to 5.3 per cent.This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2023.The Canadian Press

Daily horoscope for July 7, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Friday, July 7, 2023:In many ways, you’re an imaginative dreamer. You are creative, open and honest. You are sometimes shy. This is a wonderful, fun-loving and social year for you. Let your guard down and loosen up a bit. Have fun but remember your goals. Old friends might reappear.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★What a difference a day makes! You’re happy because you have a warm feeling in your tummy. Everything is improving at home; plus, romance and your social life look promising. Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes deals might make you richer! Keep an open mind and don’t hesitate. Tonight: Restless feelings.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★This is a completely feel-good day for you. This is a marvelous day to socialize with others, especially female companions. Group activities will appeal to you. Everyone’s happy to see your face. What’s not ...

Moscow's Vnukovo airport temporarily restricts landings and takeoffs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 12:04:01 GMT

Landings and takeoffs at Moscow's Vnukovo airport were restricted on Tuesday (4 July) morning "for technical reasons beyond the control of the airport", Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency, or Rosaviatsiya, said on the Telegram messaging app.Restrictions were in place until 8am local time (0500 GMT), the agency said. It added that a number of flights were diverted to other airports.It also said that other Moscow airports were functioning normally.It was not immediately known whether the changes were related to a number of drones being intercepted early on Tuesday near Moscow.