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The UAE and Qatar reopen embassies as Gulf Arab relations improve after a yearslong rift

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates and Qatar have announced the reopening of their embassies on Monday following a yearslong rift over Qatar’s support of Islamist groups.The two countries issued statements saying the Qatari Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a Qatari Consulate in Dubai, as well as an Emirati Embassy in Qatar’s capital, Doha, had resumed operations. The statements did not say if ambassadors were in place or if the missions were open to the public.The two countries’ foreign ministers spoke by phone to congratulate one another on the reopening of the diplomatic missions, Qatar said.The UAE joined Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt in imposing a boycott and blockade of Qatar in 2017 over its support for Islamist groups across the Middle East that gained power immediately after the Arab Spring protests. The other Arab countries in the Persian Gulf view such groups as terrorists — including Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, which won free and fair ...

UN complains Russia won’t let aid workers into areas hit by dam collapse in southern Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United Nations has rebuked Moscow for allegedly denying its aid workers access to Russian-occupied areas affected by the recent Kakhova dam collapse in southern Ukraine, which stranded residents, threatened power supplies and caused an environmental calamity as the war approaches 16 months.The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown, said in a statement late Sunday that the organization has engaged with Moscow and Kyiv, each of which occupies parts of the southern Kherson region where the dam and reservoir are located, to address the “devastating destruction” caused by the breach.The Russian government “has so far declined our request to access the areas under its temporary military control,” Brown said.“We urge the Russian authorities to act in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law,” her statement added.Exclusive drone photos and information obtained by The Associated Press indicate Russia had the means...

Elliot Page on balancing trans joy and harsh realities of anti-LGBTQ sentiment

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

TORONTO — Elliot Page is in a bit of an odd position, he says, being one of the most visible transgender men in the world. He’s in a better place than ever before. The Halifax-born actor is able to be his full self without reservation. But at the same time, he has publicly declared himself part of a group that is under attack. “The visibility is complicated,” he told The Canadian Press in a recent interview. “No doubt we need to see ourselves and our joy reflected, and I know how much that’s helped me on my journey. But of course, that can also lead to backlash, and does lead to the most vulnerable members of our community being affected the most in that way.” That dissonanceplays out in his memoir “Pageboy,” published by HarperCollins Canada earlier this month.“I’m just trying to achieve a balance in my own life.” The book gives readers a non-linear look at his life, exploring his childhood in Halifax and early entry...

Here’s what observers are watching for in Monday’s four federal byelections

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

OTTAWA — Four new MPs are set to be elected to the House of Commons Monday in a handful of byelections that political watchers say could expose rifts within the Conservative party and bring a new Liberal cabinet hopeful into the fold.The Liberals are expected to hold onto seats in Winnipeg and Montreal, said Philippe J. Fournier, the polling analyst behind the 338Canada polling aggregator website.The Tories, meanwhile, are poised to hang on in rural Ontario and Manitoba seats, he said — but their margins of victory in both ridings could be insightful for those looking to read the political tea leaves. The closest thing to a nail-biter will likely occur in Oxford, a mostly rural riding in southern Ontario that has been a Conservative stronghold for nearly 20 years.Party infighting has led to “the nastiest campaign that we’ve ever seen in our riding,” said Dave MacKenzie, who announced he was stepping down from the seat in December. “It’s divided our part...

‘A bit of help’: Canadian Red Cross funding medical clinics for displaced in Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

KORSUN-SHEVCHENKIVSKYI — Medical intern Alina Manko sits at a desk and speaks with a woman as other patients wait for their turn.Wearing a red vest and cap, Manko is part of a group staffing mobile units funded by the Canadian Red Cross that provide health care in central Ukraine for thousands of citizens displaced by the war with Russia.“It is part of my job to help people if they are broken,” Manko says in halting English from the makeshift clinic inside a community centre in Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, two hours south of Kyiv.The clinic moves every few days to another community and sets up in different buildings.It’s always busy, Manko adds. Most patients seeking help are elderly or young children.“It’s a very important job for us and our team help these old people every day. We are trying to help with their problems, to provide medicine.”Dozens of boxes of clothing and medical supplies are stacked in rows in the entrance to the clinic.Three retire...

Premier, RCMP and health official to hold news conference about Manitoba bus crash

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson will speak with reporters today about last week’s bus crash that killed 15 people and left 10 others seriously injured.The news conference will take place at RCMP D Division headquarters in Winnipeg at noon local time, and Stefanson will be joined by Supt. Rob Lasson, officer in charge of major crime services with Manitoba RCMP.Lanette Siragusa, CEO of Shared Health, the co-ordinator of many of the province’s health services, will also be present.A minibus was carrying a group of seniors from Dauphin, Man., and surrounding area to a casino last Thursday when it went into the path of an oncoming semi-trailer truck near the town of Carberry, some 190 kilometres away.Shared Health said in a statement Sunday that six of the 10 injured remain in critical condition.No names of those who died have officially been released.RCMP continue to investigate the crash. Mounties have said the truck was travelling east on the Trans-Canada Hig...

MPs call for reform of Canada’s extradition system to avoid ‘further injustices’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

OTTAWA — The Liberal government should undertake a “comprehensive reform” of Canada’s extradition law as soon as possible to prevent “further injustices” due to shortcomings, a House of Commons committee recommends.In addition to calling for an overhaul of the Extradition Act, a report from the justice and human rights committee urges the government to make administrative changes to the process for sending people to face prosecution and incarceration abroad.During hearings earlier this year, MPs heard about cases “cited as evidence of real harms resulting from flaws in our existing legislation and process and as examples of injustices that will likely continue to occur in the absence of reform,” the committee’s recent report says.Dalhousie University law professor Rob Currie, one of the longtime critics of the extradition system who appeared before the committee, welcomed the committee’s findings. “They really heard us,R...

Daily horoscope for June 19, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Monday, June 19, 2023:You are courageous, outgoing and passionate. You don’t hesitate to speak your mind, which is why you know how to inspire and uplift others. Expect exciting changes and increased personal freedom this year. Learn to be more flexible. Seek out new opportunities and be ready to act fast.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Your home routine might be interrupted today. Perhaps a small appliance will break down or someone unexpected will suddenly appear at your door. Or you might learn about surprising family news. Whatever the case, be smart and prepared. Get dressed and have some food and drink on hand. Tonight: Relax.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★This is an upbeat, energetic day! However, because you’re a bit impulsive today, it’s also a mildly accident-prone day. Therefore, pay attention to everything you say and do. Meanwhile, you might h...

Britain's Rishi Sunak to ask businesses to back Ukraine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will ask entrepreneurs and businesses to step up investment in Ukraine at a conference next week to help it rebuild after Russia's invasion.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will make a virtual appearance at the two-day event which starts in London on Wednesday (21 June), organizers said."Ukraine's bravery on the battlefield must be matched by the vision of the private sector to help the country rebuild and recover," Sunak will say, according to the text of his speech released by his office on Saturday."A financially stronger, technologically advanced Ukraine will bolster its ability to drive Russia back behind its borders," Sunak will tell dignitaries and company bosses at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, according to the statement.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also due to speak, as is European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen.Britain and other Western allies have given the Kyiv government billions of dollars of assistan...

Miss Manners: My party guest criticized my hosting to my face

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 16:52:05 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I recently gave a jazz and dinner party in our NYC apartment. His five-piece band performed a concert, then we served a buffet dinner for people to serve themselves and then return to their chairs and tables.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Should I announce my tipping intentions upfront? Advice | Miss Manners: I was hurt that her caffeine fix was more important than my child’s party Advice | Miss Manners: A neighbor was inexcusably rude to our new acquaintance Advice | Miss Manners: Am I wrong to reply sarcastically to their terse texts? Advice | Miss Manners: The way this man sits bothers me no end After dinner, an older guest (a friend of 50 years) dressed me down in front of another guest (a younger friend of 25 years) about my working too hard when I had “all those women” there to help me.I had two women whose main duty was to pick up dishes ...