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A rights group says it can’t get access to detained officials in Niger

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Human rights activists in Niger say they have been unable to gain access to top political officials detained after mutinous soldiers ousted the democratically elected president nearly three weeks ago.After soldiers ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, they also arrested several former ministers and other political leaders, but requests to see them and check on their wellbeing have gone unanswered, Ali Idrissa, executive secretary of a local human rights group, the Network of Organizations for Transparency and Analysis of Budgets, told The Associated Press. The junta has also been holding Bazoum, his wife and son under house arrest in their compound in the capital. Those close to Bazoum say his electricity and water have been cut off and he’s running out of food. The junta says it plans to prosecute Bazoum for “high treason” and undermining state security. If convicted, he could face the death penalty, according to Niger’s penal code.In a television ...

Quebecers no longer seeing doctor-assisted deaths as exceptional, says oversight body

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

MONTREAL — As the frequency of medical aid in dying continues to rise in Quebec, the head of the independent body that monitors the practice in the province says he worries doctor-assisted deaths are no longer being seen as a last resort.Quebecers have stopped appreciating MAID as an exceptional procedure for people with incurable illnesses whose suffering is unbearable, Dr. Michel Bureau said in a recent interview. “We’re now no longer dealing with an exceptional treatment, but a treatment that is very frequent,” said Bureau, head of Commission sur les soins de fin de vie, which reports to the legislature. Quebec is on track to finish the year with seven per cent of all deaths recorded as doctor-assisted, Bureau said. “That’s more than anywhere else in the world: 4.5 times more than Switzerland, three times more than Belgium, more than the Netherlands. It’s two times more than Ontario.”Earlier this month, Bureau’s commission sent a me...

StatCan to release July inflation report this morning

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada is set to release its July consumer price index report this morning.Forecasters expect inflation ticked up last month, as gasoline prices rose.Canada’s annual inflation rate tumbled to 2.8 per cent in June, falling back to the Bank of Canada’s target range for the first time since March 2021.But economists say the challenge ahead for the central bank is getting inflation back to the two per cent target.The Bank of Canada’s latest projections show it expects inflation to hover around three per cent for the next year, before gradually falling back to two per cent by mid-2025.Today’s release will be the last inflation report ahead of the central bank’s interest rate decision, slated for Sept. 6. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2023.The Canadian Press

How the feds could push cities to build more homes — with a carrot or stick

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

OTTAWA — From local zoning to community consultations, there are plenty of ways cities are hitting the brakes on residential construction, even as Canada faces a significant housing shortage.According to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, average municipal approval timelines for housing projects in 2022 spanned from three months to nearly three years, depending on the city.That’s why encouraging municipalities to build more homes, more quickly, is becoming a major focus of federal housing policy, as well as the politics around it.The $4-billion Housing Accelerator Fund launched in June is a prime example of how the federal government plans to influence change at the municipal level.Through the program, which runs through to 2026-27, municipalities territories and Indigenous governments can apply for extra funding to help boost housing supply. The Liberal government has said it would expedite the building of 100,000 new homes across the country. “Although we m...

Daily horoscope for August 15, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023:You are courageous, confident and a natural leader. You are also generous to others. Enjoy socializing with others this year. Get in touch with your creative activity and zest for life. Nurture the happiness and beauty that you have within yourself. You might reconnect with old friends.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Be extra vigilant today, because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Meanwhile, all of you might encounter canceled social situations or, alternatively, a surprise invitation somewhere. Guard against sports accidents as well. Expect surprises, especially if you work in the hospitality industry or the entertainment world. (No coffee?!) Tonight: Be alert.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★Conversations with parents might be touchy today because you feel rebellious. Meanwhile, your home routine will change. A minor appliance might break do...

EU ice cream production grew by 5% in 2022

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

In 2022, the EU produced 3.2 billion litres of ice cream, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.Among the EU countries, Germany was the main producer of ice cream in 2022, producing 620 million litres of ice cream, followed by France (591 million litres) and Italy (571 million litres). As well as being the largest ice cream producer in 2022, Germany produced on average the cheapest ice cream at €1.5 per litre. France reported an average price of €1.9 per litre of ice cream, while Italy reported an average price of €2.3 per litre of ice cream.The most expensive ice cream was produced in Austria, with an average price of €7.0 per litre of ice cream, followed by Denmark (€4.4 per litre), and Finland (€2.8 per litre).Source dataset: DS-066341France accounted for a fifth of the total extra-EU ice cream exportsIn 2022, the EU countries exported 250 million kilograms (kg) of ice cream to non-EU countries, worth a total of €930 million. On the other hand, imports of ice cream fr...

Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: Regardless of anyone’s feelings on the matter, the popularity of giving children unique or unusual names is continuing. So what is a reasonable person to do when the name as written is pronounced differently than phonetics would allow?Related ArticlesAdvice | 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 Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third Advice | Miss Manners: She became irate when I corrected her statement about the moon Advice | Miss Manners: I complimented this celebrity, and his reply was insulting For example, I recently came across a “Courtneigh.” I thought it would be pronounced “Court-nay,” but when I did that, I was corrected and told it should be “Court-nee.”I met one little ...

Brewers try to extend road win streak in matchup with the Dodgers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

Milwaukee Brewers (65-54, first in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (71-46, first in the NL West)Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Adrian Houser (4-3, 4.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 62 strikeouts); Dodgers: Bobby Miller (6-2, 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 66 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -207, Brewers +173; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers visit the Los Angeles Dodgers trying to prolong a three-game road winning streak.Los Angeles is 71-46 overall and 38-20 in home games. The Dodgers are 31-10 in games when they did not allow a home run.Milwaukee is 65-54 overall and 32-27 on the road. The Brewers have gone 25-11 in games when they did not allow a home run.The teams play Tuesday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Freddie Freeman has 23 home runs, 55 walks and 83 RBI while hitting .341 for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts is 14-for-41 with four doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI over the last 10 games.Carlos Santana has ...

DC nonprofit Food & Friends hosts 30th ‘Chef’s Best’ fundraiser to bring free meals to AIDS, cancer patients

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews 'Chef's Best' by Food & Friends (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); For the past three decades, it’s raised $18 million for folks in the D.C. area who are battling AIDS, HIV, cancer and other illnesses.Next week, the D.C. nonprofit Food & Friends will host the 30th anniversary of its signature dinner and auction fundraiser Chef’s Best at the Marriott Marquis on...

Mets face the Pirates leading series 1-0

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:14 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (53-66, fourth in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (54-65, fourth in the NL East)New York; Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Bailey Falter (0-7, 5.21 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 33 strikeouts); Mets: David Peterson (3-7, 5.61 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 74 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -138, Pirates +117; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets lead 1-0 in a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.New York is 30-27 at home and 54-65 overall. The Mets have a 40-7 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Pittsburgh has a 24-34 record in road games and a 53-66 record overall. The Pirates are 39-5 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Tuesday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo leads the Mets with a .261 batting average, and has 19 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 58 walks and 48 RBI. Francisco Lindor is 13-f...