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American imprisoned in Russia faces espionage charges, reports say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian-born U.S. citizen already in prison on a bribery conviction now faces charges of espionage, according to Russian news agencies.The reports said a Moscow court on Thursday authorized holding Gene Spector on the charges, but did not give details of the case against him.Spector, formerly an executive at a medical equipment company in Russia, was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison last September for enabling bribes to an aide to former Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. The aide, Anastasia Alekseyeva, was sentenced to 12 years in April for taking bribes of two expensive overseas vacation trips. Dvorkovich was a deputy prime minister under Dmitry Medvedev in 2012-2018. He is also board chairman of Russia’s state railways and head of the international chess federation FIDE. There was no immediate comment from the United States about the report.The Associated Press

In the news today: Wildfires prompt evacuation orders for thousands in N.W.T., B.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 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 …Thousands left in Yellowknife urged to get outOfficials in the Northwest Territories are urging thousands of residents remaining in its capital to leave by noon today before a nearby wildfire could cut off access.The evacuation of Yellowknife was ordered late Wednesday and sprinklers, water cannons and fire guards are being set up to protect the city of 20,000 people.Convoys of vehicles have steadily been leaving for hotels and evacuation centres in Alberta.On Thursday, in additional to commercial planes, about 1,500 people left on evacuation flights, more flights scheduled for today that could take about 1,800 people out of the city.Here’s what else we’re watching …Fire rages for third day near West Kelowna, B.C.A fast-burning wildfire threatening West Kelowna, B.C., is challenging fire crews as they brace for what the operations director with BC Wildfi...

Is it coming home? England looks to bring Women’s World Cup trophy back to the birthplace of soccer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — The rallying cry “It’s Coming Home” is one game away from reality and the end of England’s 57-year drought in global soccer.The World Cup trophy can return this Sunday to the birthplace of soccer for the first time since 1966. But if it happens, the journey back to England will be with the women’s national team and not the men’s. The Lionesses have roared their way into their first Women’s World Cup title game, Sunday against Spain. It is the first all-European final since 2003, when Germany beat Sweden. It has been a magical ride for both teams: England has been on top of the global game since winning the European Championship last summer, and Spain is in its first final less than a year since 15 players quit the team in protest.But England was expected to be here, and all around the world, in pubs and at viewing parties, England supporters have been singing “It’s Coming Home,” the unintentional reminder that the soccer team hasn’t ...

Northwest Territories under threat by wildfires — and lack of local news

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

Residents of the Northwest Territories are feeling the effect of the news vacuum on Facebook as they flee communities that are under threat by wildfires.But industry observers say the regional media landscape was barren long before Meta — Facebook’s parent company — pulled news content from its platforms in Canada, and that the current situation highlights a long-standing dearth of local news coverage.Up to 50 per cent of Canadians use Facebook to find out what’s happening in cities and towns across the country, Dwayne Winseck, professor of communication and media studies at Carleton University, said Thursday in an interview. Meta’s decision to block news in Canada is irresponsible, especially in times of crisis, he said. “It’s reprehensible.”An emergency situation such as the fires in the Northwest Territories underscores the importance of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in disseminating news, Winseck said. “...

Remaining residents in Yellowknife urged to get out as sprinklers, fire guards set up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — Officials in the Northwest Territories are urging thousands of residents remaining in its capital to leave by noon today before a nearby wildfire could cut off access.The evacuation of Yellowknife was ordered late Wednesday and sprinklers, water cannons and fire guards are being set up to protect the city of 20,000 people.Convoys of vehicles have steadily been leaving for hotels and evacuation centres in Alberta.On Thursday, in additional to commercial planes, about 1,500 people left on evacuation flights.Officials say more flights are scheduled for today that could take about 1,800 people out of the city.They say inmates have already been sent to jails in Alberta and Yukon and there will be a full evacuation of the hospital.Several other communities in the territory, including the town of Hay River, ordered residents out earlier this week.Shane Thompson, the N.W.T.’s environment and communities minister, told a news conference late Thursday that the fire situati...

Feds could spur rental construction with tax incentives, financing: experts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

OTTAWA — High housing prices have forced many Canadians to accept that they may never be able to afford buying their own home.But what if they can’t afford to rent one?Strong demand for rentals and a shortage of homes are both contributing to soaring rental costs. And that’s making it even more difficult for people to save money for down payment on a home.The asking rent across Canada hit an average of $2,078 in July, up nearly nine per cent on an annual basis, according to data from Rentals.ca and research firm Urbanation released last week.For the first time ever, average asking rents for purpose-built condominiums and apartments rose above $2,000 in July. One-bedroom apartments alone saw a 13 per cent annual increase in the average rent and a monthly rise of 2.5 per cent, bringing July’s figure to $1,850.For most minimum-wage workers, affording these rents with their earnings is impossible. A recent analysis by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives found t...

Daily horoscope for August 18, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Virgo.Happy Birthday for Friday, Aug. 18, 2023:You are deep, passionate, creative and tolerant. You see the positive in situations and have a strong sense of responsibility. This is a year of service. Protect your health and well-being so you can help others. Explore the arts, which you have put off for a long time.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You are fast acting and direct, and sometimes you have a short fuse. (You know who you are.) Be careful about overreacting today, especially at work, if something suddenly unexpected occurs, especially computer problems or equipment breakdowns. Possibly people will surprise you. Stay chill. Tonight: Health questions?TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Parents should be extra vigilant today, because this could be an accident-prone day for their kids. Meanwhile, social events are unpredictable. They might be canceled or, in turn, you might receive a surprise in...

Commission clears the acquisition of Syneos Health by Veritas, EIM and Patient Square

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Syneos Health, Inc. by Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C (‘Veritas'), Elliott Investment Management L.P. (‘EIM') and Patient Square Capital L.P. (‘Patient Square'), all of the US.Syneos Health isa global contract research and outsourced commercialization organization providing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Veritas is a private equity fund investing in companies that provide critical products, software and services to government as well as to commercial customers worldwide. EIM is an investment manager company. Patient Square is a dedicated health care investment firm.The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the absence of horizontal overlaps and limited vertical links between the companies' activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review p...

Harriette Cole: We went on one date, and he’s so gross every time I see him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: The other day I ran into a guy with whom I had gone out on a date once, more than 30 years ago. Every time I see him, he acts like a lascivious lech. He is horrible. I do my best to keep my distance.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: I learned that my new friend used to badmouth me. What should I do? Advice | Harriette Cole: Was it rash to choose this job over my boyfriend’s objections? Advice | Harriette Cole: What does it mean that my boyfriend’s sister called me by this name? Advice | Harriette Cole: Our guest walked through a closed screen door. Is it our problem? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m ashamed to tell people I forgave my childhood friend Years ago, when he met my husband, he told him that I was almost his. That is not the case.This time I saw him when I was picking up my daughter and her friends from the train. I was friendly but distant. Apparently, the...

Miss Manners: The bride told me to lie to her fiance about why I can’t be ‘best woman’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:56 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My best friend since childhood is getting married in about six months’ time. We were a couple from the ages of 14 to 21, and now we are in our mid-20s.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: How do I tell them I won’t serve the fancy dessert they brought? Advice | Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog Advice | Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong. Advice | Miss Manners: She’s so rich, but she never gives us anything Advice | Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend It was an amicable breakup: I joined the Navy, and he wanted to settle down. No romantic feelings remain on either side.He asked me to attend his wedding as his “best woman.” I, of course, accepted. I bear no ill will toward him or his future bride and only wish to see him happy...