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Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

NEW YORK — The federal government is hoping Canada’s devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the big draw at a UN event Wednesday aimed at encouraging countries to put a price on pollution. But two of the heroes from a fearsome summer of wildfires ended up stealing the show. West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund’s harrowing story of a 36-hour battle to keep the flames out of his B.C. city earned a partial standing ovation. And assistant Halifax fire Chief Sherry Dean described how some of her crew members pulled people to safety as their homes went up in flames. Trudeau used the moment to promote carbon pricing as a way for the leaders of UN member countries to stand by their first responders. It was “36 hours that felt like 100 years,” Brolund said as he described his marathon shift in mid-August fighting the blazes that were threatening his community in the B.C. Interior. A fell...

Alberta set to release report on benefits, drawbacks of quitting Canada Pension Plan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

CALGARY — Premier Danielle Smith is set to release a report that could lead to a vote on whether Alberta should ditch the Canada Pension Plan.Smith, along with Finance Minister Nate Horner and panel chair Jim Dinning, are to release the report at a news conference in Calgary.Both the United Conservative premier and her predecessor, Jason Kenney, have expressed support for the potential of a go-it-alone program, given Alberta’s wealth and comparatively young population.The Opposition NDP says it has received leaked details of what is coming in the report and says Albertans should prepare for some flawed estimates on the benefits of quitting CPP.Economist Trevor Tombe says he’s interested in how the province plans to balance the potential short-term benefits versus the long-term volatility.Smith has said regardless of the report’s conclusions, Albertans would have the final say on whether to abandon CPP in a referendum.This report by The Canadian Press was first publ...

Daily horoscope for September 21, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023:You’re curious about everything because you have a strong sense of adventure and lust for life. You probe deeply. You are in the first year of a nine-year cycle, which means be open to everything. Be courageous and ready to explore new directions. It’s time for a major change.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★This is a strong, happy day for you! Relations with others will flow smoothly and be affectionate. In fact, romance is favored! You will also put a lot of energy into doing something to expand your world, especially through travel or making travel reservations. (It’s nice to have something to look forward to.) Tonight: Explore!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Issues related to work, your health or dealing with a pet are favored today. Discussions related to home and real estate, especially about finances or responsibilit...

NextGenerationEU: Commission receives Slovenia's second payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

The second and the third grant instalments and the first loan instalment, which have been combined into one payment request, relate to 41 milestones and 3 targets. They cover important investments in the digital transformation of businesses and their innovative ecosystems, but also in railways, sustainable buildings, electricity networks, drinking and wastewater infrastructure, energy efficiency in the tourism and culture sectors, and investments in new IT infrastructure for public authorities.The payment request also includes a set of transformative reforms, covering e-government, higher education, water management and the promotion of renewable energy and of alternative fuels in the transport sector. These will complement the already achieved milestones and contribute to make Slovenia greener and a more efficient place for doing business.The Commission will now assess Slovenia's payment request and will then send its preliminary assessment to the Council's Economic and Financial C...

Miss Manners: She claimed she was just kidding. How do I express my displeasure?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is there a proper reaction to people who brutally insult or criticize you but immediately follow it up with “just kidding”?Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My friend claims not to have heard these insulting comments Advice | Miss Manners: We’d go to the wedding but we’re obviously on the bride’s B-list Advice | Miss Manners: I unintentionally insulted a stranger in the store Advice | Miss Manners: I was berated by the mothers of the rude sing-along girls Advice | Miss Manners: It was awkward to see her after this emotional episode My wife’s sister uses the phrase constantly. On a recent visit, she disapproved of the meal, noted my recent 10-pound weight gain and disliked our new sofa — she wasn’t asked for her opinion on any of these things — and then said she was joking. I don’t find it funny.GENTLE READER: Justifying r...

Dear Abby: I shouldn’t have to compete with my son’s clingy girlfriends

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My son’s former wife was difficult — manipulative, spoiled and possessive. I tried to get along with her, but no matter what I did, she gave me no respect and turned my son against me. They have been divorced for six years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Everyone heard him call his co-worker baby, and I was humiliated Advice | Dear Abby: He never wants to see me again, but we may be thrown together Advice | Dear Abby: How can I break my wife of her rude obsession? Advice | Dear Abby: I take all these tests, and I still don’t know what I’m good at Advice | Dear Abby: She was offended that I called her son’s behavior creepy He began dating a few years ago, and each woman is a carbon copy of the ex-wife. He falls right back into the same pattern of ignoring me and letting his girlfriends “possess” him.I’m deeply hurt. I don’t understand wh...

Loudoun Co. parents meet and greet new school superintendent, hope to ‘restore the trust’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

Loudoun County Public School parents in Virginia got the chance Wednesday night to meet and greet the new school Superintendent Aaron Spence, who has been on the job for three weeks.Spence launched his countywide “listening tour,” with a visit to Broad Run High School, the first of 18 planned sessions over the next few weeks, in which he plans to meet with both staff and public members.Spence landed in Loudoun after a lengthy stewardship of the Virginia Beach Public School system and he arrives to lead a school district that has been roiled by controversy, including issues of LGBTQ+ students’ rights and the role of critical race theory in curriculum. The school system was also harshly criticized over its response to multiple sexual assaults, failing to notify the community and transferring the student responsible to another high school where they sexually assaulted a second student.“Loudon County is coming back from a place where trusts were broken. So I̵...

Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals meet in game 4 of series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (86-66, first in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (67-85, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Thursday, 1:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Wade Miley (8-4, 3.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 70 strikeouts); Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (7-12, 4.84 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 118 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -114, Brewers -106; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers play the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 series lead.St. Louis has a 67-85 record overall and a 33-44 record in home games. The Cardinals are 40-15 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Milwaukee has gone 41-36 on the road and 86-66 overall. The Brewers have a 55-19 record in games when they record eight or more hits.The teams match up Thursday for the 10th time this season. The Brewers lead the season series 5-4.TOP PERFORMERS: Lars Nootbaar has 23 doubles, a triple and 13 home runs for the Cardinals. Willson Contreras is 13-for-34 with a double and four home runs...

Giants visit the Dodgers to start 4-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

San Francisco Giants (76-76, third in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (93-58, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Thursday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Kyle Harrison (1-1, 5.18 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 29 strikeouts); Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 5.44 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 45 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -185, Giants +156; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants to open a four-game series.Los Angeles is 50-27 in home games and 93-58 overall. The Dodgers are 75-20 in games when they scored at least five runs.San Francisco has a 76-76 record overall and a 33-44 record on the road. The Giants are 57-23 in games when they record at least eight hits.Thursday’s game is the seventh time these teams square off this season. The Giants are ahead 4-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Mookie Betts is second on the Dodgers with 78 extra base hits (38 doubles, a triple and 39 home runs). Max Muncy is 12-for-40 with a dou...

Phillies host the Mets to open 4-game series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:04:32 GMT

New York Mets (71-81, fourth in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (83-69, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Thursday, 7:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Mets: David Peterson (3-8, 5.22 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 113 strikeouts); Phillies: Ranger Suarez (3-6, 3.80 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 109 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -173, Mets +146; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the New York Mets on Thursday to begin a four-game series.Philadelphia is 83-69 overall and 43-31 in home games. The Phillies have a 29-11 record in games when they did not give up a home run.New York is 71-81 overall and 32-45 in road games. Mets hitters have a collective .318 on-base percentage, the ninth-ranked percentage in the NL.The matchup Thursday is the seventh meeting between these teams this season. The Mets have a 4-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 17 doubles, a triple, 45 home runs and 99 RBI for the Phillies. Nicholas Castellanos is 1...