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meta-looks-to-target-twitter-with-a-rival-app-called-threads
WorldJul 04, 2023

Meta looks to target Twitter with a rival app called Threads

Meta is poised to launch a new app that appears to mimic Twitter, marking a direct challenge to the social media platform owned by billionaire Elon Musk.A listing for the app called Threads, appeared on Apple's App Store, indicating it would debut as early as Thursday.It's billed as a 'text-based conversation app' that's linked to Instagram.The listing teases a Twitter-like microblogging experience.Instagram users will be able to keep their user names and follow the same accounts on the new app.Threads could be the latest headache for Musk, who has faced backlash over new daily limits on the n
police-nashville-school-shooting-suspect-was-former-student
WorldMar 27, 2023

Police: Nashville school shooting suspect was former student

Authorities say they believe the 28-year-old female shooter who killed three children and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville was a former student.The female suspect was killed by police during a confrontation.The shooting occurred on Monday at The Covenant School.Police said the shooter was armed with two 'assault-type' rifles and a pistol.The Covenant School has had an enrollment of about 200 students from preschool to sixth grade in recent years.The killings come as communities around the nation are reeling from a spate of school violence.
trudeau-government-mum-on-japans-invitation-to-rejoin-global-timber-treaty
CanadaFeb 21, 2023

Trudeau government mum on Japan's invitation to rejoin global timber treaty

The federal Liberal government has yet to respond to a months-old invitation from Tokyo to have Canada rejoin a global environmental organization that regulates the timber trade.A July 2022 briefing note obtained through an access-to-information request shows that Japan has asked Ottawa to be part of the International Tropical Timber Organization.The group works with producer and consumer countries to share knowledge about conservation practices and to promote the sale of sustainable timber.The organization currently includes 37 exporters of timber and 38 countries that import it, including al
ukraine-appeals-to-canadas-rail-manufacturers-to-repair-war-damaged-lifeline
CanadaFeb 21, 2023

Ukraine appeals to Canada's rail manufacturers to repair war-damaged lifeline

Ukraine wants Canada to lend its expertise and donate crucial railway parts to keep its embattled passenger and cargo rail system running as landmines and missile strikes threaten to stall the country's lifeline.The rail system is vital to the war effort, and has been since the first days of the invasion that began one year ago this week.Millions of people used trains to escape occupied cities and flee to neighbouring countries.Thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians were also transported by rail to hospitals in safer parts of the country.The railway is also how Ukraine moves aid and soldi
chinese-balloon-flew-through-radar-gaps-during-journey-over-canada-norad
CanadaFeb 17, 2023

Chinese balloon flew through 'radar gaps' during journey over Canada: Norad

The deputy commander of Norad says a suspected Chinese spy balloon passed through "radar gaps" during its flight over Canada.Lt.-Gen. Alain Pelletier says that it affected the military's ability to track its flight path as it flew over central British Columbia.Pelletier and Maj.-Gen. Paul Prevost of the Canadian Armed Forces strategic joint staff are appearing before a parliamentary committee this morning.The two say the Chinese balloon passed near several Canadian military bases during its journey through Canada on January 30-31.But they say the balloon did not pass over anything of particula
CanadaFeb 16, 2023

Downed objects most likely benign, Biden says, vowing new rules for U.S. skies

President Joe Biden says the three unknown flying objects he ordered shot down over the U.S. and Canada earlier this month were likely no danger to national security.Biden says the objects were downed expressly because they did pose a potential risk to commercial air traffic.Biden, who spoke out after members of Congress had urged him to do so, says the U.S. and Canada worked closely together to monitor the objects before acting out of an abundance of caution.He says there's nothing to suggest they were surveillance devices, and were more likely linked to private research or recreational activ
wake-up-call-flying-objects-raise-concerns-about-arctic-security
CanadaFeb 16, 2023

'Wake-up call:' Flying objects raise concerns about Arctic security

Some politicians and researchers say four flying objects that were discovered, tracked and shot down over U.S. and Canadian airspace in recent weeks highlight the need to improve security in Canada's Arctic."It should be a wake-up call for Canadians in general of the woefully inadequate capacity we have in the North in terms of our military capacity," said Opposition Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon."The fact that we rely on the American military to a huge degree is simply a fact of life in the North and that's something I don't think a lot of other Canadians would find acceptable."A high-altit
joly-ends-ukraine-visit-pledging-support-for-war-crime-tribunal-cash-to-local-groups
CanadaFeb 16, 2023

Joly ends Ukraine visit pledging support for war-crime tribunal, cash to local groups

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has ended a two-day visit to Ukraine where she met with senior officials to assess Canada's response to Russia's invasion.Ottawa tried to keep the visit under wraps for security reasons, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video Tuesday of his meeting with Joly.Joly met with her Ukrainian counterpart, as well as the country's prime minister, top prosecutor and internal affairs minister to discuss Canada's military support and attempts to bring Russia to international tribunals for war crimes.She also spoke with Ukraine's first lady Olena
canada-faces-fresh-pressure-on-military-spending-as-nato-chief-eyes-hard-target
CanadaFeb 15, 2023

Canada faces fresh pressure on military spending as NATO chief eyes hard target

The head of NATO is raising the prospect of hard targets for military spending which could put more pressure on Canada to invest billions more on defence.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg today urged the military alliance's 30 members to recommit to spending at least two per cent of their GDP on defence.He said they should set firm requirements and timelines for meeting the target, unlike when it was first set in 2014.Canada has long lagged most of its allies on spending as a share of GDP, and refused to fully commit to the target.Successive Canadian governments have instead insisted tha

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charges-approved-after-alleged-sexual-assault-in-downtown-vancouver
BCMar 27, 2026

Charges approved after alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual
bolsonaro-moved-to-house-arrest-after-hospital-discharge-in-brazil
WorldMar 27, 2026

Bolsonaro moved to house arrest after hospital discharge in Brazil

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-cross-examination-in-majithia-defamation-case
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders fresh cross-examination in Majithia defamation case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia against Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, reviving proceedings in a matter dating back to 2016. According to court proceedings, the High Court allowed a petition filed by Sanjay Singh and directed that the case be revisited for cross-examination. The defamation complaint was originally filed by Majithia in a Ludhiana court in January 2016. The case relates to allegations made during a political rally in Moga, where Singh is accused of referring t
abbotsford-police-issue-public-safety-notice-ahead-of-offenders-release
BCMar 27, 2026

Abbotsford police issue public safety notice ahead of offender’s release

The Abbotsford Police Department says a 46-year-old man with a history of violent sexual offences is scheduled to be released into the community later this month under strict conditions. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, Stephen Bradley Ewing is set to be released from William Head Institution on March 30 and is expected to reside in the Abbotsford area. Police say Ewing has prior convictions from 2021 and 2023, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and overcoming resistance by choking. The release also states that at least one offence involved
AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in