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Centre Block construction within cost, but Ottawa needs to make faster decisions: AG

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

OTTAWA — The modernization of Parliament’s Centre Block is within budget so far, but the federal government needs to do a better job at making up their minds before major construction begins, the federal auditor general says in a new report. Karen Hogan warns in a report released Monday that if decision-making remains fragmented, it could lead to construction delays — and more costs for taxpayers.The rehabilitation of Centre Block already comes with a price tag of up to $5 billion, and is set to be completed by 2031. “Given the size and complexity of this undertaking, a streamlined decision-making process will be required to continue effectively managing the costs and timelines of the rehabilitation program, as construction work accelerates between now and the planned completion date,” reads the report, which covers the period from January 2010 until July 2022. The government is responsible for deciding how it wants Centre Block to look, including how many office s...

Zelenskyy, atomic agency chief discuss nuclear plant fears

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — The U.N.’s atomic energy chief warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting Monday that the perilous situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant “isn’t getting any better” as relentless fighting in the area keeps the facility at risk of a disaster.The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s six reactors are in shutdown and it is receiving the electricity it needs to prevent a reactor meltdown through just one remaining power line. It has on occasion had to switch to emergency diesel generators to power its essential cooling systems.International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi plans to visit the Russian-held plant this week. The Vienna-based agency has staff permanently deployed at the plant following Russia’s invasion 13 months ago.In his meeting with Zelenskyy, covered exclusively by The Associated Press, Grossi said the situation at the plant remains tense because of the heavy military presence around it and a...

Turkey calls French envoy, protests hosting of Syria Kurds

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s foreign ministry summoned the French ambassador to “strongly condemn” the French senate’s decision to host Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara considers to be terrorists, the Turkish state-run news agency reported Monday. Pierre Laurent, vice-president of the French Senate, announced on Twitter Saturday that he hosted a delegation from northeast Syria last week to discuss the situation in the region. Media reports said the senate awarded medals to members of the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, and its women’s branch, the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units, in recognition of their fight against the extremist Islamic State group in Syria.Anadolu Agency reported that Turkish officials protested to French Ambassador Herve Magro and reiterated Ankara’s expectations of solidarity from its NATO allies in its fight against terrorism. They also asked France not to support alleged efforts by Kurdish militants to “gain international credence,” ac...

S&P/TSX composite up in late-morning trading, U.S. stock markets mixed

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

TORONTO — Strength in the financial and utility sectors helped Canada’s main stock index move higher in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were mixed to start the trading week.The S&P/TSX composite index was up 27.30 points at 19,528.79.In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 141.88 points at 32,379.41. The S&P 500 index was up 6.04 points at 3,977.03, while the Nasdaq composite was down 23.87 points at 11,800.09.The Canadian dollar traded for 72.96 cents US compared with 72.66 cents US on Friday.The May crude contract was up US$1.36 at US$70.62 per barrel and the May natural gas contract was down 13 cents at US$2.23 per mmBTU.The April gold contract was down US$27.50 at US$1,956.30 an ounce and the May copper contract was down a penny at US$4.06 a pound.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD=X)The Canadian Press

Pardon sought for Black man executed in 1908 in Illinois

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Joe James, a Black man, was asleep under a tree when he was grabbed, beaten and then arrested for the murder of a white man in Springfield, Illinois.Before he was put on trial and later executed, a white mob seeking vengeance for the crime James was accused of committing took out its hate and anger on other Black people in the state capital.The 1908 race riot left Black-owned businesses and homes looted and burned. At least two other Black men were lynched weeks before an all-white jury convened in the aftermath of the violence found James guilty, according to legal teams petitioning for a pardon 114 years after the fact. Their argument: The jury was racially prejudiced and James did not receive a fair trial.The riot and its aftermath fueled the formation a year later of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. “James’ factual innocence is not the focus of this petition, because the passage of time and the destruction of evidence have ...

At least 16 death in landslide in Ecuador’s Andean community

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — At least 16 people died and 16 others were injured when a massive landslide buried dozens of homes in an Andean community in central Ecuador, the country’s emergency response agency reported Monday.Ecuador’s Risk Management Secretariat said seven people remain missing hours after the landslide Sunday in Alausí, about 137 miles (220 kilometers) south of the capital, Quito. The disaster also destroyed a portion of the Pan-American Highway.The governor of Chimborazo, Ivan Vinueza, told The Associated Press that some of the injured have been taken to area hospitals. He added that people have been ordered to evacuate the area due to the imminent risk of new landslides. The Associated Press

Teenager fatally stabs teacher, wounds five others in Brazil

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

A 13-year-old student in Brazil’s biggest city Sao Paulo fatally stabbed a 71-year-old teacher and wounded three teachers and two fellow students Monday in a knife attack at a public school, state officials said.The five wounded victims from the Thomazia Montoro school were in hospital in stable condition. The suspected attacker was detained and under investigation by the military police, Gov. Tarcisio Freitas wrote on social media. “Our efforts are concentrated on helping the wounded and comforting the family members,” Gov. Tarcísio de Freitas wrote on social media. Associated Press, The Associated Press

Dye & Durham considering possible spin out of TM Group in addition to sale option

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

TORONTO — Dye & Durham Ltd. says it is considering spinning out its TM Group business in addition to a possible sale after agreeing with the United Kingdom’s competition regulator last year that it would dispose of the business.The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ordered the sale of the software company’s July 2021 acquisition after it found it would “substantially” lessen competition in property search reports in England and Wales.Dye & Durham says a sale of TM Group remains its first and preferred option, but that it is also looking at a spin out as an alternative.The company says it has engaged with multiple bidders as part of an auction process.However, it says it believes having two options helps ensure the disposition generates maximum shareholder value. Both plans are subject to CMA approval, among other conditions.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2023.Companies in this story: (TSX:DND)The Canad...

No atmosphere found at faraway Earth-sized world, study says

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Webb Space Telescope has found no evidence of an atmosphere at one of the seven rocky, Earth-sized planets orbiting a nearby star. Scientists said Monday that doesn’t bode well for the rest of the planets in this solar system, some of which are in the sweet spot for harboring water and potentially life. The NASA-led team reported little if no atmosphere exists at the innermost planet in the Trappist system, 40 light-years away. The researchers used a special technique geared toward a warm planet like this one. Results were published Monday in the journal Nature. The lack of an atmosphere would mean no water and no protection from cosmic rays, said NASA’s Thomas Greene, the lead researcher. As for the other planets orbiting the small, feeble Trappist star, “I would have been more optimistic about the others” having atmospheres if this one had, Greene said in an email.Because this innermost planet is bombarded by solar radiation — four times as mu...

Poland, EU seek to boost munitions production

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:15 GMT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Officials from Poland and the European Union on Monday discussed artillery munitions manufacturing as part of a new, 2 billion euro ($2.2 billion) program to supply Ukraine in its war against invading Russian forces and to replenish Europe’s dwindling stocks. EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton visited DEZAMET S.A. munition plant in Nowa Deba, in southeast Poland, accompanied by Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. The visit came just days after Brussels announced a program to reimburse countries offering artillery ammunition to Ukraine from a 1 billion euro ($1.1 billion) fund. The program also aims to spend an equal amount on increasing production in 11 countries with such manufacturing capacity.Breton said the EU is “determined” to quickly do what is needed in light of a conflict that’s expected to drag on. He also encouraged other EU countries to transfer ammunition to Ukraine as soon as possible....