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Biden will visit Hanoi next month as he seeks to strengthen US-Vietnam relations

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is heading to Vietnam next month to meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders, the White House announced on Monday.The president will arrive in Hanoi on Sept. 10, tacking on the one-day visit to the Vietnamese capital after attending the annual Group of 20 leaders’ summit in India.“The leaders will explore opportunities to promote the growth of a technology-focused and innovation-driven Vietnamese economy, expand our people-to-people ties through education exchanges and workforce development programs, combat climate change, and increase peace, prosperity, and stability in the region,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.The White House also announced on Monday that Biden will stop in Alaska on his way home from Vietnam to mark the the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. He will take part in a memorial ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson...

Arrest warrants issued in Lebanon for 2 Russians suspected of spying for Israel

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Two Russian citizens who were recently detained in Beirut on suspicion of spying for Israel have been referred to an investigative military judge who issued arrest warrants for them, two judicial officials said Monday.The two Russians were detained “several weeks ago” in Beirut as they were leaving the country through the capital’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, the officials said. The two judicial officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.The head of Lebanon’s General Security Directorate Maj. Gen. Elias Baisari announced Friday that two foreigners were detained while leaving Lebanon through the airport, describing them as “part of a network spying for Israel.” He did not give their identities or say when they were detained.Russia’s Sputnik News on Saturday quoted “a Russian embassy source” as saying that the Russian consulate is trying to contact the detainees to know why they are being held. The Russian Embassy in Beirut refused to comm...

TTC looking into system-wide PRESTO vending machine outage

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is working to fix a system-wide PRESTO fare vending machine outage.The incident was reported just before 6:30 a.m. on Monday, and the TTC says it’s investigating the cause.A spokesperson said customers cannot use the credit/debit card option to add value to their PRESTO cards or purchase fare media on vending machines. All other functions are operational.The TTC noted that customers can continue to use cash for purchasing tickets and other fare media and that the option to check card balances is also working.“While we work to resolve the issue, customers can load funds and check balances via the PRESTO app,” the TTC wrote on the social media platform “X,” formerly known as Twitter. “Adult customers can also pay their fares via cash, credit, or debit.”Customers are unable to use credit / debit card to add value to their PRESTO cards or purchase fare media on Fare Vending Machines. All other functions are ...

‘Gran Turismo’ takes weekend box office crown over ‘Barbie’ after all

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

The box office results are in and Sony’s racing movie “Gran Turismo” won the weekend over “Barbie,” after all. On Sunday, “ Gran Turismo” appeared to be neck-and-neck with Warner Bros.’ “Barbie,” now in its sixth weekend, with both hovering just over $17 million. But Monday actuals reported by the studios provided a clear winner: “Gran Turismo” ended up with $17.4 million from North American theaters against “Barbie’s” $15.1 million.As is usually the case with new wide releases, “Gran Turismo’s” total also included earnings from Thursday night pre-shows ($1.4 million). More unconventionally, however, Sony also factored in $3.9 million from other preview screenings (or “sneaks”) held before Thursday.“Gran Turismo” was originally set for a wide release on Aug. 11, but with actors unable to help promote the film as the actors strike stretches on, Sony pivoted and instead opted for limited preview screenings and fan events for two weeks, leading up to a national rollout this past ...

ACLU sues over Indiana law blocking gender-affirming surgery for inmates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Civil rights advocates are suing Indiana’s Department of Corrections over the state’s law prohibiting gender-affirming surgery for inmates.The American Civil Liberties Union filed the lawsuit against the department in federal court in Evansville on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that the law enacted in April violates the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment and the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. The ACLU maintains that transgender surgery can be lifesaving. Health experts have found that gender dysphoria, or a sense of unease about one’s gender identity, can lead to depression, anxiety and an increased risk of suicide. A spokesperson for the corrections department declined to comment on the lawsuit.Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb also signed a bill in April prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming care such as transgender surgeries or medication. The ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit challenging that law, ...

Hawaii power utility takes responsibility for first fire on Maui, but faults county firefighters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

Hawaii’s electric utility acknowledged its power lines started a wildfire on Maui but faulted county firefighters for declaring the blaze contained and leaving the scene, only to have a second wildfire break out nearby and become the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century.Hawaiian Electric Company released a statement Sunday night in response to Maui County’s lawsuit blaming the utility for failing to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. Hawaiian Electric called that complaint “factually and legally irresponsible,” and said its power lines in West Maui had been de-energized for more than six hours before the second blaze started.In its statement, the utility addressed the cause for the first time. It said the fire on the morning of Aug. 8 “appears to have been caused by power lines that fell in high winds.” The Associated Press reported Saturday that bare electrical wire that could spark on contact and leaning poles on Maui were the possibl...

B.C.’s agriculture industry at forefront of climate change reality

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

CALGARY — B.C. farmers say they’re increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province.Because of its warm climate, B.C. has a unique agriculture industry.The province’s farmers can grow fruit and vegetables that won’t grow in other parts of Canada, and B.C. also boasts Western Canada’s only major winery regions.But in the last three years, B.C. farmers have suffered through drought, extreme heat, flooding and fires.These disasters have resulted in crop failures, livestock losses and widespread damage to farmland and infrastructure. Some farmers say they’re worried about what the coming years will bring, and add their industry will need increased government support to prepare for future natural disasters.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

France’s education minister bans long robes in classrooms worn mainly by Muslims

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

PARIS (AP) — France’s education minister announced Monday a ban on long robes in classrooms starting with the new school year, saying the garments worn mainly by Muslims are testing secularism in the nation’s schools.Critics say that abayas, worn by women, and khamis, the male garb, are no more than a fashion statement. They say the garments do not constitute an ostentatious sign of religion and should not be banned from classrooms under a 2004 law. For Gabriel Attal, the recently appointed education chief, the garments are “an infringement on secularism,” a foundational principle for France, and, in some cases, a bid to destabilize schools.The 34-year-old Attal, appointed in July, was potentially moving into a minefield with his ban on long robes to “protect” secularism, prompted by growing reports of the garments in some classrooms around the country. Previous statements and laws on secularism have seeded acrimonious debate.“Our schools are continually tested. We know that,” Attal...

Used cars market faces supply crunch in aftermath of supply chain woes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

TORONTO — The used car market is still experiencing a shortage of vehicles even as the automotive sector recovers from supply chain woes that have plagued the industry since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Used vehicles became an alternative to consumers when the supply of new vehicles was severely limited during the pandemic, says Daniel Ross of automotive insights company Canadian Black Book, and prices for used cars started to rise. “But after the increase of interest rates and inflation as a whole, affordability has become the main concern,” he says of the latest moves by the Bank of Canada to clamp down on rising costs. Ross, who is the senior manager of automotive industry insights at CBB, says that’s driving buyers toward smaller, used vehicles rather than previously popular SUVs, pickup trucks or new vehicles with higher market prices — a trend expected to continue for the next 12 to 18 months.But there are not enough used cars in the market to meet the...

EU official proposes 2030 as enlargement deadline for states that have long been waiting in line

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:31:24 GMT

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Faced with the Russian aggression against Ukraine and fears of Moscow’s increasing influence in parts of the Balkans, the European Union should make a “bold move” and accept new members by 2030, the European Council president said Monday.Speaking at an international strategic forum at the Slovenian lakeside resort of Bled attended by Western Balkan leaders, Charles Michel said that it was time for those states that have been waiting in an EU membership line for more than 20 years to be given “a clear goal.”“We must talk about timing, we must talk about our homework and I have a suggestion as we prepare next EU strategic agenda,” Michel said. “We must set ourselves a clear goal: I believe we must be ready on both sides by 2030 to enlarge,” he said, to a big round of applause. He said that the war in Ukraine “has shown that peace and democracy cannot be taken for granted.””This war is not just devastating Ukraine: this war has a profound impact on the fut...