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‘A beautiful community:’ Universities open lounges for Black students

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

TORONTO — Spaces designated for students from marginalized backgrounds are spreading across Canadian universities, as officials say they are a necessary and overdue response to decades of racism on campus. Toronto Metropolitan University officially opened a space late last month for students who self-identify as Black.Cheryl Thompson, an associate professor at the university, said the need for such lounges became increasingly clear following the death of George Floyd, whose 2020 killing by a white Minneapolis Police Department officer sparked protests worldwide. “Something did shift in 2020 institutionally … when the world witnessed the inhumanity in that George Floyd video,” Thompson said about the Black man who was seen in a video using his last few breaths telling the officer kneeling on his neck, “I can’t breathe.”“The demands Black students have been making for decades have finally been heard.”Eboni Morgan, a spokesperson for TMU&...

Head of Canadian Museum of History looks to move past a tumultuous few years

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

GATINEAU, Que. — Caroline Dromaguet first started working at the Canadian Museum of History as a summer guide, where as a student she fell in love with the world of museums. Over the years she saw the exhibits change, with her life experience changing, too. The museum is where she got her first “grown-up job,” and 25 years later, she has climbed to the top.In December she was appointed president and CEO of the Canadian Museum of History Corp., a federal Crown corporation responsible for both the history museum in Gatineau, Que., and the Canadian War Museum on the Ottawa side of the river, after serving as interim CEO for two years.“I just feel extremely lucky,” Dromaguet said in a recent interview with The Canadian Press, describing her appointment as “quite unexpected.”Her predecessor, Mark O’Neill, resigned in 2021 following allegations of workplace harassment. He had been on medical leave since the summer of 2020, when an independent inve...

Battle looms between Canadian defence officials, decision-makers after federal budget

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

OTTAWA — A battle is brewing between Canadian defence officials and federal decision-makers as the Trudeau government looks for ways to save billions of dollars over the next few years.Experts say last week’s budget and the delays in a planned update to the defence policy are signs of this pending conflict, with ramifications for Canada’s military and its international reputation.The budget contains virtually no new defence funding, but does include several cost-cutting measures, notably an order for departments and agencies to identify ways to cut spending by three per cent over the next few years.And while the government says the Canadian Armed Forces will be excluded from such cuts, it remains unclear the degree to which the exemption will extend to the Department of National Defence, which controls the military’s budget.“Regarding the reduction in eligible spending by departments and agencies, as indicated in Budget 2023, the reduction will not impact the...

Federal Court to hear further arguments against government’s use of Emergencies Act

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

OTTAWA — The Federal Court is slated to hear more concerns today about the Liberal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to quell “Freedom Convoy” protests early last year.Counsel for the Canadian Constitution Foundation and other parties are expected to appear in Ottawa before Justice Richard Mosley on the second day of the three-day hearing.On Monday, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said the government did not clearly spell out proper legal justification for its use of the emergency measures last February.The government contends the extraordinary steps taken to deal with the emergency situation were targeted, proportional, time limited and compliant with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.The Public Order Emergency Commission, a mandatory inquiry held last fall, found the government met the very high threshold for using the law.Now the legal arguments for and against the decision are being heard in a court of law.This report by The Canadian Pr...

Daily horoscope for April 4, 2023

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or major decisions from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT today (6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Virgo into Libra.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, April 4, 2023:You are daring and charismatic. When inspired, you generate amazing energy for organization, activity and inducing others to leap on your bandwagon. This year service to others is a theme, which is why you need to take care of yourself. Perhaps a makeover? Others will turn to you for guidance.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is another day with confusion and possible deception, especially related to your work, your health or a pet. This means you might be kidding yourself about a health issue. Think about that. Meanwhile, if you think a co-worker isn’t on the level with you, look into it. Tonight: Cooperate.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★Some kind of confusion and misunderstanding related to your kids, a romantic partner or a social situation continues to blur things for you. T...

Pope Francis leads Palm Sunday service, bounces back from illness

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

Pope Francis led a Palm Sunday Service the day after he was discharged hospitalized following a bout with bronchitis. He urged the world's leaders to better care for the sick, lonely, and the poor.As Francis, a white open-topped vehicle with a white roof, was driven to St. Peter's Square, thousands of people waved palms and olive branches."I want to thank you for your participation, and for your prayers which have intensified over the past days. Thank you," he stated at the conclusion of the service, referring to his recent illness. He received loud applause from the crowd.After experiencing breathing problems, the pope, who is now 86, was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital. He was quickly treated and then returned to his Vatican residence.To allay any concerns regarding his health, the Vatican announced that he would participate in an array of Easter events this week. This is the busiest period on the Roman Catholic Church calendar. It will begin with an open-air Palm Sunday servi...

Miss Manners: I was embarrassed when everyone in the post office focused on me

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The other day, I took a package to the local post office. It was early, the line was very short, and I noticed the woman in front of me couldn’t get a handle on the three packages she was trying to take out to her car.Not being in a hurry, I offered to help, and took one package out for her. She thanked me, I said something about being happy to help, and went back in.The man who had been in line right behind me thanked me four or five times, while also apologizing profusely for being waited on while I was gone. I certainly didn’t expect the whole place to pause while I went outside!The woman behind him insisted I cut in front of her and thanked me several times, as did two other people.I found it quite embarrassing and really didn’t know how to respond. I think I muttered something about needing all the brownie points in heaven I could get, and tried to just shrug it off.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I’m embarrassed to b...

Free-market ex-UK Treasury chief Nigel Lawson dies

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Nigel Lawson, the tax-cutting U.K. Treasury chief under the late Margaret Thatcher and a lion of Conservative politics in the late 20th century has died. He was 91.Lawson, who led the Treasury from 1983 to 1989, spearheaded the drive to place key public sector companies into private control. He also modernized financial markets in what became known as the Big Bang of deregulation, which strengthened London’s position as a global financial hub.Conservative Party politicians rushed to offer tributes, a reflection of the fact that his policies remain revered. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described him as a “fearless and original flame of free-market Conservatism.”“He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams…he was a giant,” Johnson said.Lawson, who also worked on the Financial Times and the Sunday Telegraph, had six children, including celebrity food writer Nig...

Kevin McCarthy se reunirá con la presidente de Taiwán en California este miércoles

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

(CNN) — El presidente de la Cámara de Representantes, Kevin McCarthy, se reunirá este miércoles con la presidenta de Taiwán, Tsai Ing-wen, un evento histórico que se produce en medio de advertencias de China.La oficina de McCarthy compartió detalles de la reunión en un comunicado este lunes por la mañana, indicando que el republicano de California organizará una reunión bipartidista con Tsai en la Biblioteca Presidencial Ronald Reagan en California. El grupo bipartidista incluirá al representante Pete Aguilar de California, quien es miembro del liderazgo demócrata, y los líderes del comité selecto sobre China, entre otros, según una copia de la lista de invitados obtenida por CNN.La Agencia Central de Noticias oficial de Taiwán también informó este lunes que Tsai se reuniría con McCarthy, citando a la oficina presidencial de la isla.La reunión se esperaba desde hace mucho tiempo y está casi garantizado que sacudirá la tensa relación entre EE.UU. y China, que se volvió aún más ...

U.S. women’s national soccer team unveils World Cup uniforms

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:07:40 GMT

Watch Video: Soccer star Ali Krieger announces retirement from professional soccerThe FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to take place this summer in Australia and New Zealand, which means it is once again time for the debut of new uniforms. U.S. Soccer and Nike debuted the new looks on Wednesday, showing off designs meant for “highlighting the energy” of the four-time Women’s World Cup champions.The two new designs are for both home and away jerseys. The former is a white base with shades of blue splattered all over like paint, and will first be seen in the upcoming match against Ireland on April 8 in Austin, Texas. Unlike previous years that saw a clean white variation, U.S. soccer said that year’s design “reflects an unexpected take on tradition.”USWNT Forward Alex Morgan, 13, shows off the team’s new home jersey ahead of the women’s World Cup. (U.S. Soccer)“Highlighting the energy of the USWNT and how they are diverse playe...