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Israel and Hamas extend their truce, but it seems only a matter of time before the war resumes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — A truce between Israel and Hamas entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with the militant group promising to release more civilian hostages to delay the expected resumption of the war and Israel under growing pressure to spare Palestinian civilians when the fighting resumes.The sides agreed to extend their truce through Wednesday, with another two planned exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. But Israel has repeatedly vowed to resume the war with “full force” to destroy Hamas once it’s clear that no more hostages will be freed under the current agreement’s terms.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the region later this week for the third time since the start of the war, and is expected to press for an extension of the truce and the release of more hostages.The State Department said he would also discuss efforts to “protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza” and accelerate the delive...

In the news today: Truce extended in Gaza, raising hopes for further extensions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 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…Israel and Hamas extend truce, agree to free more hostages and prisonersMore humanitarian aid is expected to flow into Gaza over the next two days after Israel and Hamas extended a four-day ceasefire that was set to expire last night.The original truce allowed hundreds of trucks to deliver desperately needed food, water and medical supplies to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who have endured weeks of Israeli siege and bombardment.During that time, Hamas freed 50 Israeli hostages from the roughly 240 hostages captured in the militant group’s October 7th attack in southern Israel.And so far, 150 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons in exchange.Defence continues its case in convoy trialDefence lawyers representing two high-profile “Freedom Convoy” organizers are expected to present more new evidence today as they lay out the...

Here’s what you need to know about Canada’s priorities and challenges ahead of COP28

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

TORONTO — Canada’s image at the world’s signature climate negotiations could be complicated by infighting, some observers fear, as two of the federal government’s ardent critics at the provincial level look to capture attention at the United Nations climate summit known as COP28.But others say tensions between the federal government and the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, two provincial leaders who have confirmed their attendance at the conference, could take a back seat at the summit.After a summer of record-breaking heat and unprecedented wildfires, world leaders will gather Thursday for two weeks of climate change negotiations in Dubai. From talk of fossil fuel phaseouts to climate finance, here’s what you need to know ahead of COP28. WHAT IS COP28? In name, it’s the 28th Conference of the Parties – COP28 – who have signed the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.In practice, it’s an often contentious summit of the 197 signatory...

Defence lawyers for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers to continue laying out their case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

OTTAWA — Defence lawyers representing two high-profile “Freedom Convoy” organizers are expected to present more new evidence today as they lay out their case.Eric Granger, a lawyer for Tamara Lich, shared a chronological summary of her public statements and communication with co-accused Chris Barber on Monday in court. Granger says there is no direct evidence linking his client to any unlawful activities that took place during the protest that gridlocked downtown Ottawa for three weeks early last year.The two are co-accused of mischief and intimidation, among other charges. The Crown is arguing that they exerted influence over protesters who acted unlawfully during the demonstrations.The defence filed a motion last week arguing that evidence in the case that applies only to Lich or Barber should not be used against the other, and the judge has not yet ruled on the matter.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 28, 2023. The Canadian Press

MPs set to debate Ukraine trade deal, as Liberals chide Tories for vote against bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

OTTAWA — A committee of MPs is expected to begin clause-by-clause study today of a bill that implements an update to the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, following a decision by the federal Tories to vote against the legislation. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has defended his party’s move as mounting opposition to language that promotes carbon pricing, rather than rejecting a trade deal with Ukraine, which has been fighting a Russian invasion since early last year.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet have rejected Poilievre’s explanation and instead accused the Tories of following in the footsteps of some U.S. Republicans, who are signalling less support for assisting the Ukrainian war effort.The negotiated text of the agreement, signed by Ukraine’s president during his September visit to Ottawa, says both countries will “promote carbon pricing” — a provision Canadian officials have said is not binding. Ukraine has had a carbon price...

The 41 workers trapped in collapsed tunnel in India for 17 days will soon be rescued, official says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Officials in India said Tuesday they were on the verge of rescuing the 41 construction workers trapped in a collapsed mountain tunnel for over two weeks in the country’s north, after rescuers drilled their way through debris to reach them. The workers are to be pulled out through a passageway made of welded pipes which rescuers pushed through dirt and rocks.“Soon all the laborers brothers will be taken out,” Pushkar Singh Dhami, top official in Uttarakhand state, where the accident occurred, posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Kirti Panwar, a state government spokesperson, said about a dozen men had worked overnight to manually dig through rocks and debris, taking turns to drill using hand-held drilling tools and clearing out the muck in what he said was the final stretch of the rescue operation.Rescuers resorted to manual digging after the drilling machine broke down irreparably on Friday while drilling horizontally from the front be...

Stock market today: World shares mixed ahead of US consumer confidence and price data

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — Shares opened lower in Europe after a mixed day in Asia on Tuesday as investors waited for updates on inflation and how American consumers are feeling about the economy. Germany’s DAX lost 0.1% to 15,946.07 ahead of a speech by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to parliament where he plans to lay out how he and his fractious governing coalition plan to improve the struggling economy and find their way out of a budget crisis. The CAC 40 in Paris gave up 0.5% to 7,229.88, while Britain’s FTSE 100 declined 0.4% to 7,430.26. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down 0.1%. The Conference Board was due Tuesday to issue an update on consumer confidence, which has remained solid throughout the year. Economists polled by FactSet said they expect another solid reading for the October report.On Thursday, Wall Street will be closely watching the government’s October data on the Federal Reserve’s preferred measure of inflation. Economists expe...

Daily horoscope for November 28, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions after 8 p.m. EST today (5 p.m. to 11 p.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Gemini into Cancer.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023:You are constantly curious, and sometimes you overextend yourself. You work hard once you embrace something. This is a year of new beginnings, adventures and major changes in your life. Keep your eyes open for new opportunities. Don’t hesitate to take action and initiate new directions.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is another day where your thinking might be cloudy, especially when talking to daily contacts, siblings, relatives or neighbors. You might confuse them, or they might confuse you. Listen to that little voice on your shoulder. Don’t be naive. Tonight: Cocoon.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★This is a poor day for important financial decisions, because things are a bit fuzzy. This means you can’t really trust your judgment. This will especially apply to cash flow or...

European Parliament organizes its first Disability Rights Week  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

From 27 November to 4 December, the Week aims to raise awareness and enhance the public debate to ensure all people with disabilities can exercise their rights.Organised around the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, the Disability Rights Week will see several parliamentary committees voting, debating and holding events regarding disability policies.Among the many events, the Development Committee will discuss access to education and training in developing countries on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Petitions Committee will hold its annual workshop on the rights of persons of disabilities. On Thursday, the Transport Committee will discuss barriers in the fields of transport and tourism, while the Human Rights Subcommittee will debate the rights of persons with disabilities in conflict and post-conflict situations.The Employment and Social Affairs Committee will hold several events, including an exchange of views on the European Disability Card and European Park...

SPECA countries transform Karabakh into a platform for economic cooperation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:32:46 GMT

Having paid attention to the processes that are taking place now in our renewing globe, we can see that the world's countries primarily require economic and political stability and peace. States and governments that organize these types of discussions through international platforms understand that healthy dialogue and increased cooperation are the primary mechanisms for achieving sustainable development and better, more effective organization of the emerging new political architecture.Today, Azerbaijan continues its commitment to partnership and cooperation on all international platforms based on mutual respect and trust, successfully proving to the entire community the path to sustainable development. The multi-vector economic policies executed under President Ilham Aliyev's leadership during the previous 20 years, as well as the excellent management model used, have had a considerable impact on the development of not just the South Caucasus but also the Central Asian region.In ge...