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‘Freedom Convoy’ lawyers attempt to block Ottawa residents from testifying at trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

OTTAWA — The lawyers defending two of the most prominent organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” protests are expected to make their case today to block nine Ottawa residents and business representatives from taking the stand.Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are on trial for criminal charges related to their role in the demonstration, which blockaded Ottawa city streets for weeks last year as protestors railed against COVID-19 public health measures.The Crown plans to call five Ottawa residents as witnesses in the case, including Zexi Li, who filed a class-action lawsuit against the organizers on behalf of people who live and work in downtown Ottawa.The Crown also intends to call the owner of a women’s clothing boutique, and employees from the National Arts Centre, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier hotel, and the local public transit operator.Lich’s lawyer Lawrence Greenspon says he will argue on Monday afternoon that those witnesses should not be allowed to testify.Lich a...

Transgender Tory candidate says vote against gender-affirming care could cost lives

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

The first openly transgender person to run for the federal Conservatives warns that a policy adopted by the party over the weekend could harm gender-diverse children if it ever becomes law.However, Hannah Hodson said she feels it’s unlikely the contentious policy would be a top priority for the Conservatives if the party is voted into power.“If these policies (are) passed, people are going to die, children are going to die in this country without access to any gender-affirming care,” said Hodson, who ran for the party in the 2021 federal election in Victoria, B.C. Party delegates voted in favour of a future Conservative government prohibiting “medicinal or surgical interventions” for gender-diverse and transgender children on Saturday. The vote came during a three-day policy convention in Quebec City. The proposal, which passed with assent from 69 per cent of the voting members, came from a riding in British Columbia.However, like past leaders, Conserva...

B.C. Premier David Eby set to visit Kamloops, Salmon Arm amid devastating wildfires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are set to visit the province’s southern Interior today to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. The provincial government says Eby and Ma will meet with residents, local authorities, volunteers, and members of the BC Wildfire Service. There are more than 400 wildfires currently burning in the province and more than 22,500 square kilometres of land have burned so far in a record-breaking fire season.In the Kamloops Fire Centre where provincial officials are visiting, more than 1,900 square kilometres have burned this season after lightening sparked blazes across the region.Officials in the Okanagan said Sunday that they don’t are expecting to lift any evacuation orders or alerts related to the out-of-control McDougall Creek wildfire. In an update Sunday, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said hundreds of properties remain evacuated, including 122 in the hard-hit city o...

Daily horoscope for September 11, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Monday, Sept. 11, 2023:You are compassionate, opinionated and have a deep desire to help others. You can be unconventional and rebellious. This year is the final year of a nine-year cycle, which means it’s important to let go of people and things that are holding you back from becoming who you want to be.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★★It’s Monday, and it’s a great day to socialize! Meet friends for a power breakfast, a fun lunch or happy hour at the end of the day. Anything related to sports as well as fun activities with kids will appeal to you. It’s also a romantic day and great for a friendly date. Tonight: Socialize!TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★This is an excellent day to explore real estate discussions. Do your homework and get your facts, because you don’t want to initiate anything during the shadow of Mercury retrograde, which lasts u...

European Commission proposes steps to make it easier for Europeans to live, work and travel abroad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

The European Commission has proposed concrete steps to further digitalize the c-ordination of social security systems in Europe. In a Communication presented this week, the Commission takes stock of the progress achieved so far in digitalizing the coordination of social security, presents the ongoing initiatives in this area, and proposes future actions to make full use of the benefits that digitalization can provide. EU Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit said: "Millions of people from the EU live, work or study in another EU country. Today’s Communication contributes to simplifying their lives by facilitating their interactions with national authorities and giving them speedier access to their eligible social benefits from abroad such as pensions or healthcare."

Miss Manners: Was I wrong to wear black to the wedding?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband passed very suddenly and totally unexpectedly. Two months later, my cousin had a wedding.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: She took my keepsake T-shirts but never made me the quilt Advice | Miss Manners: Is it OK to trick them into diving with great white sharks? Advice | Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you Advice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway Advice | Miss Manners: My husband was upset by my request at the restaurant As I was still in mourning, I wore black. Was it improper for me to wear black to the wedding? I was not involved in any aspect of the wedding other than attending.GENTLE READER: Even under the strictest dress codes, Miss Manners assures you, wearing black at an otherwise festive occasion is permitted during mourning. And nowadays you might find the bridesmaids ...

Everything is ‘wonderful’ as Everclear rocks The Fillmore in Silver Spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

(new Image()).src = "https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384&cid=c2ffed0c-3624-46c0-b10f-97c976d290a3";cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "9be9c680-c459-4acb-af21-654a2ccca384",mediaId: "7fb9d45b-0bd3-4ba9-938c-b5db2cc0a80f"}).render("7755e58261cc456299cd7957cb749faf"); });Hear our full chat on my podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews Everclear at The Fillmore (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga...

Rojas leads Dodgers against the Padres after 4-hit outing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

San Diego Padres (67-77, fourth in the NL West) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (87-55, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Monday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Pedro Avila (1-2, 2.19 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 38 strikeouts); Dodgers: Gavin Stone (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -170, Padres +144; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers play the San Diego Padres after Miguel Rojas had four hits against the Nationals on Sunday.Los Angeles has gone 47-24 in home games and 87-55 overall. Dodgers hitters have a collective .460 slugging percentage to rank second in the majors.San Diego has gone 28-41 on the road and 67-77 overall. The Padres have a 35-12 record in games when they did not give up a home run.Monday’s game is the 11th time these teams match up this season. The Dodgers are up 8-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Mookie Betts ranks second on the Dodgers with 75 extra base hits (36 doubles, a triple and 38 home runs). Jason Heyward is 14-for-31...

Rockies host the Cubs in first of 3-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

Chicago Cubs (77-67, second in the NL Central) vs. Colorado Rockies (51-91, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jordan Wicks (3-0, 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Rockies: Kyle Freeland (6-14, 5.09 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 91 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -178, Rockies +150; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies host the Chicago Cubs to open a three-game series.Colorado has gone 29-38 at home and 51-91 overall. The Rockies have a 28-80 record in games when they have given up a home run.Chicago is 77-67 overall and 36-33 in road games. The Cubs have a 37-17 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.Monday’s game is the first meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan McMahon has 29 doubles, three triples and 22 home runs for the Rockies. Nolan Jones is 13-for-38 with four doubles, two triples, two home runs and nine RBI over the last 10 games.Ian Happ has 30 doubles, three triple...

Nationals visit the Pirates to begin 4-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:03:52 GMT

Washington Nationals (64-79, fifth in the NL East) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (66-77, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Monday, 6:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Patrick Corbin (0-0); Pirates: TBDFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Pirates -125, Nationals +105; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Washington Nationals on Monday to start a four-game series.Pittsburgh has a 66-77 record overall and a 34-37 record at home. The Pirates are 42-10 in games when they scored five or more runs.Washington has a 64-79 record overall and a 33-36 record on the road. The Nationals are 46-15 in games when they out-hit their opponents.The teams meet Monday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Suwinski has 19 doubles, a triple and 24 home runs for the Pirates. Ke’Bryan Hayes is 10-for-41 with two doubles, a triple and three home runs over the last 10 games.Lane Thomas leads Washington with 24 home runs while slugging .484. C.J. Abrams is 10-for...