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Russia’s foreign minister will visit North Korea amid claims of weapons supplied to Moscow

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister will visit North Korea this week, the Foreign Ministry said Monday, days after the United States claimed Pyongyang had delivered munitions and military equipment to Russia for use in the fighting in Ukraine.Sergey Lavrov will be in North Korea on Wednesday and Thursday, the ministry said in a brief statement that did not specify whom he would meet or the aims of the trip.The White House said Friday that more than 1,000 containers of equipment and ammunition have been sent to Russia from North Korea.North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Russia last month to meet President Vladimir Putin and visit key military sites, triggering speculation about a possible North Korean plan to refill Russia’s munition stores that have been drained by the protracted conflict with Ukraine. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the U.S. believes Kim is seeking sophisticated Russian weapons technologies in return for the mu...

Government review of Cannabis Act drags despite ‘sense of urgency’ from pot industry

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

TORONTO — When Canada legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, there were still many unknown implications for healthcare, industry and the country at large. So the government made a promise: after three years, it would review the law to ensure its policies worked. But by the time the three-year mark arrived, the COVID-19 pandemic had diverted attention to more pressing public health concerns and a wave of cannabis companies desperate for changes to the legislation had already cut staff, consolidated or folded.The government review was finally launched in September 2022, and an initial report was released last week that summarizes what the panel heard from industry, health care and community groups. It did not offer any recommendations and the deadline for the final report is not until March.Passing legislation based on its suggestions could take even longer, say cannabis stakeholders. They are preparing to mark the fifth anniversary of recreational pot legalization Tuesday and worry...

Suncor CEO appearing today at Commons committee to explain comments on sustainability

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada’s ongoing political battle between climate action and the economic benefits of the oil and gas industry will be on full display today as the CEO of oilsands giant Suncor appears at a House of Commons committee.Rich Kruger was invited to the natural resources committee after he spoke to shareholders in August about refocusing the company on its oil business and reducing the emphasis on the transition to lower-emitting energy sources.Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Kruger’s comments prove why Ottawa needed to regulate climate action and set emissions caps for oil and gas production since companies like Suncor weren’t going to do it on their own. Kruger said in an op-ed published in the Calgary Herald in September that his comments were taken out of context and that the company was still committed to decarbonizing its core oil business.Suncor is part of the Pathways Alliance, a consortium of oilsands companies investing in carbon capture an...

Homeowners on the brink face tough choice of selling home as mortgage payments climb

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

TORONTO — As more and more homeowners face mortgage renewals at surprisingly higher interest rates, some are facing the dreaded prospect of having to sell a home they can no longer afford. But experts say while that option may be on the table, there are steps financially stretched homeowners can take before putting a “For Sale” sign on their front lawn. “We need to acknowledge at the start that selling the house might end up being the only option for some homeowners,” said Becky Western-Macfadyen,a financial coaching manager with Credit Canada.However, homeowners should begin with reworking their family spending, she said, by looking at the money coming in and going out, including frequent expenses on household maintenance, car repairs and medical bills. The next step would be to gather all potential ideas on paper to find ways of diversifying their income sources. That might mean a second job, asking for a raise at work or renting a room in the house, Wester...

Zexi Li, lead plaintiff in proposed class-action, testifies in ‘Freedom Convoy’ trial

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

OTTAWA — The woman who went to court to get an injunction against the “Freedom Convoy” last year is set to testify today in the criminal trial of two of the protest’s organizers.Zexi Li is expected to take the stand in the trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, who are accused mischief and counselling others to commit mischief, among other charges.Li is also the lead plaintiff in a proposed class-action lawsuit against convoy organizers on behalf of downtown Ottawa residents, workers and business owners. The suit alleges people downtown suffered as thousands of protesters took over city streets with trucks and big-rigs for three weeks. Li’s lawyer Paul Champ said last week that she would have preferred not to testify, but she would do her civic duty if asked. He says she has suffered harassment since she initially went to court against the convoy and again after she testified in a federal inquiry into the government’s use of the Emergencies Act during t...

A chance for lake effect showers Monday; temps to reach upper 60s mid-week.

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

Here's a look at when our region sees its first freeze (32º or lower) compared to other parts of the country.  This week is when we see the first freeze on Average at O'Hare - official date Oct. 19For the outlying counties, (north, west or south/southeast) the average freeze is somewhere between Oct. 11-20. Notice in the map below, the city's heat island and lakeside locations which helps keep that first average freeze at bay until October 27-November 5.So far this year, the lowest we've dropped to at O'Hare is 42º on both Oct. 10 and Oct. 11.  There's nothing in the 7-day forecast that signals a drop to freezing at O'Hare either.The record for Chicago's earliest autumn freeze is Sept. 22, 1995 (32º) and the record latest fall freeze is Nov. 24, 1931 (30º). Last year our first freeze occurred on Nov. 11, 2022  (32º)Those leaf bags will get a lot heavier after the leaves soak up the moisture. This may encourage people to rake their leaves when they are dry, even if that mea...

Daily horoscope for October 16, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Monday, Oct. 16, 2023:You’re sharp, because you have an analytical, discerning mind. You are also energetic, independent and spontaneous. This is a year of service for you, especially to family. Therefore, take care of yourself. Perhaps it’s time for a makeover. Do something to personalize your home.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★★You might receive news about a windfall today, or you might receive an unexpected gift, a boon or a perk from someone — perhaps your partner or spouse. It could be money back from the government. If you have to decide how to divide or share something, don’t impulsively give away the farm. Tonight: Pay attention.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★★Almost certainly, partners and close friends will be a source of surprise for you today. They might spontaneously do a favor for you. Or, vice versa, they might ask for a favor. ...

Commission authorizes three genetically modified maize varieties as food and animal feed but not for cultivation, and renews the authorization of another

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

The Commission has authorized three genetically modified maize and renewed the authorization for another genetically modified maize. The authorisation decisions are only for their use as food or animal feed and do not allow for their cultivation in the EU. These genetically modified maize varieties have gone through a comprehensive and stringent authorisation procedure, which ensures a high level of protection of human and animal health, and of the environment. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a favourable scientific assessment concluding that these genetically modified maize are as safe as their conventional counterparts.Member states did not reach a qualified majority either in favour or against the authorisation at the Standing Committee and at the subsequent Appeal Committee. The responsibility to adopt the authorisation decision therefore fell to the Commission, in line with the official procedure. The authorisations are valid for 10 years and any product produc...

Harriette Cole: My co-worker cornered me about my son, and I was very uncomfortable

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a female co-worker in her 30s with whom I’ve developed a great friendship over the past few months.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I worry I’ll lose my friend because of this workplace issue Advice | Harriette Cole: Is it OK for me to hide my health concerns from my husband? Advice | Harriette Cole: It bothers me that there was so little reaction to my social media purge Advice | Harriette Cole: Should I tell my friend I’m worried about her boy? Advice | Harriette Cole: My husband berates me because he forgets what I tell him A few days ago, she came over for a family gathering I was having. While she was at my house, she met my son (also in his 30s), and the two of them seemed to hit it off very well. They were very close and cuddly all night. I honestly didn’t mind since they are both consenting adults.However, at work today, she kind of cornered ...

Miss Manners: I like her a lot, but her wedding shower has me baffled

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:18:50 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My sister and I got shower invitations that we don’t understand. It’s for a close friend of ours from high school who just got engaged, and the hostess is a friend of hers we don’t know very well.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I’m plagued by how I mishandled this neighborly interaction Advice | Miss Manners: One guest ignored my buffet and raided the refrigerator Advice | Miss Manners: What should I do when my co-workers glare at me? Advice | Miss Manners: What’s a polite way of saying ‘you weren’t our first pick’? Advice | Miss Manners: A virtual stranger hijacked our lunch date. What could we have done? It says, “Gift-free shower!” We’ve never heard of such a thing.Does this mean she only wants cash? The couple are very well-off, much more than either of us.We like our friend very much and want to celebrate her...