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Hong Kong court rejects government-requested ban on protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong court rejected a ban on broadcasting or distributing the protest song “Glory to Hong Kong,” in a landmark decision that rejected a challenge to freedom of expression in the city.The song was written during mass protests against the government in the Chinese territory in 2019 and its lyrics call for democracy and liberty. The song has since been mistakenly played at several international sporting events instead of China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers.”Judge Anthony Chan on Friday refused to grant the ban, which would have targeted anyone who uses the song to advocate for the separation of Hong Kong from China. In seeking the court order, the government also sought to ban actions that use the song to incite others to commit secession and to insult the national anthem, including such acts carried out online. Critics earlier voiced worries that the ban the government asked for would have a far-reaching impact on the city’s freedoms o...

In the news today: Statistics Canada to release latest GDP numbers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 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…Statistics Canada to release GDP figures for MayStatistics Canada is set to release its latest reading on how the economy fared in May, as well as a preliminary glimpse for the second quarter.The federal agency’s early estimate suggests real gross domestic product grew 0.4 per cent in May, driven in part by the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors.That compares with an April reading that showed the economy was virtually unchanged, while it grew a slight 0.1 per cent in March.The Bank of Canada has been working to slow the economy by raising interest rates in an effort to bring inflation back within its target range.—Here’s what else we’re watching …MP wants Calgary Stampede funding pulledA Liberal member of Parliament says he’s calling on the federal government to halt funding to the Calgary Stampede, saying it has lost ...

Statistics Canada to release GDP figures for May, preliminary Q2 figure

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada is set to release today its latest reading on how the economy fared in May, as well as a preliminary glimpse for the second quarter.The federal agency’s early estimate suggests real gross domestic product grew 0.4 per cent in May, driven in part by the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors.That compares with an April reading that showed the economy was virtually unchanged, while it grew a slight 0.1 per cent in March.The Bank of Canada has been working to slow the economy by raising interest rates in an effort to bring inflation back within its target range.It most recently raised its key rate on July 12 by a quarter of a percentage point to five per cent, the highest it’s been since 2001. The Bank of Canada has said that future rate decisions, including its next one on Sept. 6, will be dependent on what economic data shows.   This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

Montreal’s new, for-profit light-rail system: national model or cautionary tale?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

Montreal’s new light-rail train network stands out among major transit projects in Canada: it opened within a relatively short time frame and government didn’t get in the way. Eight years after its conception, the first branch of what will become a 67-kilometre electric rail system — called the Réseau express métropolitain, or REM — is entering service this weekend, bucking a trend of faltering transit projects in several Canadian cities. Its proponents point to the REM as a national model, but it’s unclear whether the three main factors that helped push the project forward are palatable elsewhere in the country: the network was built for profit; the province passed a law restricting lawsuits linked to land expropriations; and the train’s path follows existing commuter rail tracks and extends through low-density corridors in the metro area — a route critics say may fail to meet mobility needs.“The REM model is really one of a kind in Canada,” says Matti Siemiatycki...

Daily horoscope for July 28, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Sagittarius.Happy Birthday for Friday, July 28, 2023:You are independent, competitive and adventurous! You want to prove that you’ve got what it takes. This is a year of service for you, which means you will make a difference in the lives of others. This also means it’s important to take care of yourself. Is it time for a makeover?ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★This is a challenging day. The Moon is at odds with your ruler Mars, which means you have a short fuse today. People will seem to be irritating. (Probably because they are.) Think of it as an opportunity for you to practice patience, which is a great virtue. Tonight: Cancellations?TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Parents need to be patient with their kids today, because everyone is a bit short-tempered. Likewise, romantic partners might experience a bit of strife. Arguments about how to handle a social occasion or something to do w...

Building a Climate-Resilient Future: New guidelines to help EU countries update their climate adaptation strategies

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

The European Commission today adopted a new set of guidelines to assist Member States in updating and implementing comprehensive national adaptation strategies, plans and policies, in line with the European Climate Law and the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change.From extreme heatwaves and devastating droughts, to deadly forest fires and rising sea levels eroding coastlines, the inevitable impacts of unchecked climate change are well known and starting to manifest themselves. The latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report underlined the urgency to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Today's guidelines aim to help member states upgrade their preparations for this emerging reality of rapidly intensifying impacts.European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, said: “The weather events many Europeans are experiencing these days will become more extreme and more frequent if climate change continue...

Miss Manners: Am I the only one bothered by how the kids say no?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am puzzled by an answer I get from my young adult children when I ask them a question.Q: “Would you like some coffee?”A: “I’m OK.”Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: It was a bad time for me, and I can’t believe my friend was so heartless Advice | Miss Manners: In a moment of forgetfulness, I made a mortifying offer to a friend Advice | Miss Manners: This shopper was rude to the cashier. Should I have scolded her? Advice | Miss Manners: Must I tip a server who irritates me? Advice | Miss Manners: Should I reveal my suspicions about how my ex died? Q: “I’m going for a walk, would you like to join me?”A: “I’m OK.”I’ve surmised that it means “no, thank you.” When asked the other day if I needed the trash taken out, I replied, “I’m not OK,” thinking that it meant “yes, ple...

Dear Abby: I wasted five years on a man, and I want to start dating efficiently

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I’m an attractive, fit and emotionally intelligent 43-year-old woman who has been divorced for almost eight years. I have dated during that time and even had a five-year relationship with someone I thought would be my future spouse, but who turned out to be a waste of time.Related ArticlesAdvice | Ask Amy: My dad’s humiliating tell-all book could affect my job hunt Advice | Dear Abby: The insufferable neighbor is trying to claim my boyfriend Advice | Dear Abby: My fiance left me, and now I’m pregnant. That’s just the start of it. Advice | Dear Abby: This painting hurts me, and I don’t know what to do about it Advice | Dear Abby: How honest should I be with my married pickleball partner? I ended the relationship three months ago, and I’m ready to date again.My problem is I have an aversion to online dating. Most of my relationships have been with men I’...

China demands US invite Hong Kong leader to economic meeting, adding to strains over crackdown

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

HONG KONG (AP) — The Chinese government on Friday demanded the United States invite Hong Kong’s leader to an economic conference following a news report that Chief Executive John Lee would be barred due to his role in crushing the city’s pro-democracy movement.The conflict threatens to complicate Washington’s efforts to revive relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes about security, technology, human rights and other irritants.The Washington Post, citing unidentified U.S. officials, said Lee would be barred from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco in November due to sanctions imposed on him in 2020. Lee oversaw the crackdown as Hong Kong’s top police official before he was named chief executive last year.The United States and other governments have accused Beijing of violating promises of autonomy and Western-style civil liberties after the former British colony returned to China in 1997.The foreign minist...

‘Starting to normalize’: Fewer teachers resigned from most DC-area school systems this year

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:23:00 GMT

A job fair for prospective teachers drew large crowds Wednesday at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia.(WTOP/Nick Iannelli) A job fair for prospective teachers drew large crowds Wednesday at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church, Virginia.(WTOP/Nick Iannelli) Fewer teachers in most school systems across the D.C. region resigned this year compared to last year, according to an analysis of school system data obtained by WTOP.In the aftermath of the pandemic, many teachers expressed frustration with student behaviors and dependence on technology. As a result, hundreds resigned, citing burnout and students who became distressed if they were unable to check their phones often.Many of those str...