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A Japan court orders Okinawa to approve a modified plan to build runways for US Marine Corps

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese court on Wednesday ordered the governor of Okinawa to approve the central government’s modified plan for landfill work at the planned relocation site of a key U.S. military base on the southern island despite persistent opposition and protests by residents. The decision will move forward the suspended construction at a time Okinawa’s strategic importance is seen increasingly important for the Japan-U.S. military alliance in the face of growing tensions with China as Japan rapidly seeks to buildup its military in the southwestern region. The ruling by the Fukuoka High Court Naha branch allows the Land and Transport Ministry to order the modification work designed to reinforce extremely soft ground at the designated relocation site for U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, overriding Gov. Denny Tamaki’s disapproval. The ruling ordered Tamaki to issue the approval within three working days.If completed, the new site will serve a key Marine Corps fac...

The French parliament approves a divisive immigration bill, prompting a heated debate

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

PARIS (AP) — The French parliament approved a divisive immigration bill intended to strengthen France’s ability to deport foreigners considered undesirable, prompting a heated debate after the far-right decided to back the measure. The bill passed the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, with a 349-186 vote late Tuesday. It had previously been voted by the Senate.Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said the text of the bill includes “useful, efficient provisions that were expected by our citizens.” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who championed the bill, said the government wants “greater firmness against foreign offenders.”“Who here can say that we must allow criminals, people on our land, who attacks us, attack our professors and who attack our police forces and who attack the youth on the cafe terraces, without reacting?” he said in a speech at the National Assembly.The bill still needs to be officially enacted into law.The vote comes after parliament members from Fren...

In the news today: Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed tobring you up to speed on what you need to know today…Pharmacare not a top health priority for most CanadiansAs Liberals and New Democrats negotiate what a future national drug plan should look like, a new survey suggests pharmacare is not at the top of the priority list for most Canadians.The survey shows that when asked to name their top two health-care priorities, only 18 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize creating a new, universal, single-payer drug plan.More funding toward surgical wait times, building more long-term care homes and expanding mental-health services all garnered significantly more support, at 36 per cent, 32 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.The Liberals promised to pass pharmacare legislation that would serve as the foundation of a national drug plan by the end of 2023, as part of their political pact with the NDP.Outages persist in parts of Atlantic CanadaA li...

Pharmacare not the top health priority for most Canadians: survey

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

OTTAWA — As Liberals and New Democrats negotiate what a future national drug plan should look like, a new survey suggests pharmacare is not at the top of the priority list for most Canadians.The survey shows that when asked to name their top two health-care priorities, only 18 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize creating a new, universal, single-payer drug plan.More funding toward surgical wait times, building more long-term care homes and expanding mental-health services all garnered significantly more support, at 36 per cent, 32 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. “All of that comes before having a universal single-payer drug plan,” said Christian Bourque, Leger’s executive vice-president.“It’s not at the top of Canadians’ priority list.”The Leger polling firm conducted the web survey of 1,622 Canadians from Friday to Sunday. Online surveys cannot be assigned a margin of error because they are not considered...

‘A front row to our funeral’: Canadian local news coverage erodes in 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

Jessica Wallace stood in Ottawa’s Rideau Hall in June as she and her co-workers at the British Columbia newspaper Kamloops This Week were recognized as finalists for the Michener Award, a top journalism prize in Canada.On a short list with the likes of the Globe and Mail and Global News, the newspaper’s stories uncovered questionable spending at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, including a $500,000 retirement payout for a chief administrative officer and lavish spending at steak houses and champagne rooms.The work was praised by the judges as “an outstanding example of the bedrock of journalism.”The newsroom was closed less than six months later, leaving the community of about 100,000 people in B.C.’s Interior without a newspaper for the first time since 1884. Wallace is left with an ever-expanding list of ideas for stories she keeps on her phone, with nowhere else to put them. She has a deeply rooted concern for the future of local news and the r...

Canadian with parents in Gaza fears illness might kill them amid terrible conditions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

Ahmed Abudaya worries that even if near-constant airstrikes don’t kill his parents, the respiratory and bacterial infections spreading rapidly among displaced civilians in Gaza just might.  The Alberta resident said his 78-year-old father and his 68-year-old mother, who is diabetic and has run out of medication, were forced from their home when the Israel-Hamas war began. Their terrible living conditions now have Abudaya fearing every call he has with them could be their last. “I’m not just worried about them being bombed anymore,” the 45-year-old said in a phone interview from his home in Airdrie, Alta.“People are getting now a severe bacterial infection because of their water, like some sort of (food) poisoning or infection. If my parents catch that, there is a high chance that they won’t make it … They’re older people. It can kill them.”This week, Doctors Without Borders said “every other patient” is now arriving a...

Beware costs and logistics of at-home chargers before buying an electric car

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

TORONTO — It’s a simple yet important routine for so many Canadians — plugging in their cellphones and smartwatches before bed to ensure they’re fully charged in the morning. Increasingly, there’s another item to add to the list: the car.Electric vehicles have been gaining in popularity, accounting for three per cent of light vehicle sales in 2022, up from 2.3 per cent a year earlier, according to Statistics Canada. That number is poised to jump, with the federal government phasing out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. Still, experts say potential buyers often overlook the cost and logistical challenge ofsetting up at-home charging infrastructure before driving their brand-new car home.The problem, according to Daniel Breton, head of the industry association Electric Mobility Canada, is people have limited knowledge and understanding of electric vehicle chargers.An Electric Mobility Canada survey found 88 per cent of respondents said they would like their next ...

Top Hamas leader arrives in Cairo for talks on the war in Gaza in another sign of group’s resilience

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas’ top leader arrived in Cairo on Wednesday for talks on the war in Gaza, where the militant group is putting up stiff resistance after more than 10 weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment and fierce urban combat that has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians.The visit by Ismail Haniyeh came a day after Hamas fired rockets that set off air raid sirens in central Israel, a show of strength during a war that has devastated much of northern Gaza and driven some 1.9 million Palestinians — nearly 85% of the population — from their homes.Israel has called on the rest of the world to blacklist Hamas as a terrorist organization, saying it must be eradicated in the wake of its Oct. 7 rampage across southern Israel that triggered the war. But the sides have recently relaunched indirect talks, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at instituting another cease-fire and freeing more hostages captured in that attack in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel....

Daily horoscope for December 20, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023:You are hardworking and a gifted problem-solver. You are a born leader who wants to make the world a better place. This year has been about socializing and enjoying your life. In 2024, it’s time to work and get productive. Keep things simple. Stay grounded and levelheaded.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Something unexpected could impact banking situations or something to do with an inheritance or anything that you are sharing or divide with someone else. It might be a sudden gift or a favor. Unfortunately, it also might be a cancellation of something. Tonight: Check your finances.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★A partnership or close friendship will experience an upset today. It could be pleasant. (“For me? How thoughtful!”) Or it might be unpleasant. (“Whaaat? Are you kidding me?”) Be ready for anything. Some of you w...

Commission calls on member states to improve their National Energy and Climate Plans to ensure collective achievement of the EU´s 2030 targets

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:52 GMT

The Commission has published its assessment of EU member states' draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and issued recommendations to assist Member States in raising their ambitions in line with EU targets for 2030. The draft updated NECPs bring us closer to meeting the EU's 2030 targets and to implementing recently agreed legislation. However, there is a clear need for extra efforts, also in light of the COP28 outcome and the global call to accelerate action this decade.In today's assessment, the Commission calls on member states to enhance their efforts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and set out clearer plans on how they intend to adapt to climate change. It also invites them to better prepare for an increased uptake of renewables and enhance energy efficiency measures. Additional measures are also needed to empower consumers, improve energy security, and support European companies in strengthening their competitiveness. Greater efforts will be necessary to ...