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UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

ROME (AP) — The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation.The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history and marks the first time the Rome-based agency has seen contributions decline while needs rise.As a result, the WFP has been forced to cut rations in almost half its operations, including in hard-hit places like Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and Haiti. In a statement, WFP warned that 24 million more people could slip into emergency hunger over the next year as a result.WFP’s executive director, Cindy McCain, said with starvation at record levels, governments should be increasing assistance, not decreasing it. “If we don’t receive the support we need to avert further catastrophe, the world will undoubtedly see more conflict, mo...

Taiwan says it spotted 22 Chinese warplanes and 20 warships near the island after US sailed through

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan said Tuesday it spotted 22 Chinese military aircraft and 20 vessels near the island over the previous 24 hours, as Beijing steps up its military activities in the area. Over the weekend, the United States and Canada sailed warships through the Taiwan Strait in a challenge to China’s sweeping territorial claims. On Monday, China sailed a naval formation led by its aircraft carrier Shandong, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) to Taiwan’s southeast. The vessel was expected to conduct drills simulating aircraft, submarine, warship and land attacks, according to Chinese state media.Thirteen of the Chinese military aircraft reported on Tuesday had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between China and Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry.China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, as part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary. Over the past year, Beijing has stepped up military activities ar...

In the news today: “Freedom Convoy” trial, Trudeau heads home from India after delays

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 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…‘Freedom Convoy’ Facebook page to be focus TuesdayThe Facebook page of the “Freedom Convoy” protest is expected to be at the centre of the evidence and legal arguments today as the trial of two prominent organizers enters its sixth day.The Crown’s case against Tamara Lich and Chris Barber for their role in the protest has been mired in complaints from the defence that have slowed the process.Crown prosecutor Tim Radcliffe is expected to take the court through several posts and videos from the “Freedom Convoy 2022” Facebook page today.Trudeau departs India after delayed by plane issuePrime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally left India after technical issues with a government aircraft delayed his departure by two days.Trudeau and the Canadian delegation that had attended the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi was set...

Delayed by plane troubles, Canada’s PM Trudeau finally heading home from India

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has finally left India after technical issues with a government aircraft delayed his departure by two days.Trudeau and the Canadian delegation that had attended the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi was set to depart for Ottawa on Sunday, but the plane was grounded over an issue discovered during pre-flight checks.The CC-150 Polaris plane, part of a fleet that was commissioned in the early 1990s, has been plagued with problems in recent years and is set to be replaced later this fall.After the issue was discovered, the Royal Canadian Air Force sent a technician to India with replacement parts and sent a backup plane in case it was needed.  The technician was able to fix the issue on the original plane.The prime minister does not fly commercial for security reasons.The Liberal caucus is holding a three-day retreat in London, Ont., beginning later today, and Trudeau was expected to attend.This report by The Canadian Press was first published...

‘Freedom Convoy’ Facebook page to be focal point of criminal trial Tuesday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

OTTAWA — The Facebook page of the “Freedom Convoy” protest is expected to be at the centre of the evidence and legal arguments today as the trial of two prominent organizers enters its sixth day.The Crown’s case against Tamara Lich and Chris Barber for their role in the protest has been mired in complaints from the defence that have slowed the process.Crown prosecutor Tim Radcliffe is expected to take the court through several posts and videos from the “Freedom Convoy 2022” Facebook page today.The videos and posts shown so far in court have not yet been accepted as evidence, as defence lawyers demand more information about how the Crown plans to use them to prove their case against the accused. Some of the videos show life in Ottawa during the protest, when thousands of big-rig trucks blockaded city streets and people set up encampments throughout the downtown core.Others feature messages to supporters from Lich, Barber and other organizers during the d...

MP Michael Chong in D.C. to tell U.S. lawmakers about being a foreign meddling target

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Conservative MP at the centre of Canada’s foreign interference saga is telling his story today to U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  Michael Chong, whose tale of Chinese meddling has been a political headache for the federal Liberal government, is testifying before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.The commission, established in 2000 to keep tabs on Beijing’s human rights record, is a bipartisan committee of U.S. senators, House members and administration officials. Chong says one of his main goals is to make clear just how widespread Chinese foreign interference is, both in North America and around the world. He says he’ll be calling for closer U.S.-Canada alignment on presenting a united front to China. Chong says he remains undaunted by the risk that his testimony ends up making him an even more prominent target for Beijing, particularly in the U.S.“They’re targeting me because I’m being effective, and so I feel an ...

AIMCo opens first Asia office in Singapore, remains leery of China

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

CALGARY — Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo) is opening its first Asian office, but the Edmonton-based fund manager says it will steer well clear of China to focus instead on markets with less geopolitical risk.The official opening Tuesday of AIMCo’s new Singapore office marks the first foray into the Asia-Pacific region for what is one of Canada’s largest institutional investors, with $158 billion of assets under management as of 2022.CEO Evan Siddall said AIMCo, which invests on behalf of 17 pension, endowment and government fund clients in Alberta and manages more than 30 pools of capital, has up until recently been missing out on some of the investment opportunities that exist within the large, fast-growing economies of the Asian continent.“We really are very under-represented in Asia. You know, we have less (investment) in Asia than we do in Alberta,” Siddall said in an interview.“I don’t want to look in the rear-view mirror, but we&...

Daily horoscope for September 12, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution: Avoid shopping or important decisions after 11 a.m. EDT today (8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Leo into Virgo.Happy Birthday for Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023:You are energetic and idealistic. You want to help and educate others. Be careful of being overwhelmed. This year is the beginning of a new nine-year cycle for you. It’s time for action and initiative. What you do now will benefit your future. Prepare for leadership.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★You are a creative sign, which is why you have so many hobbies. Although this is a poor day for shopping (except for food and gas) and important decisions, it’s an excellent day to pursue the arts and express your creative talents. Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★This is the perfect day to take it easy. Enjoy schmoozing with others. Explore picnics, barbecues, art galleries, museums and relaxing with friends. Don’t shop (except for food and gas). Likewise, postpone imp...

Preventing groundwater and surface waters pollution in the EU  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

Clean water is essential for humans and healthy ecosystems. Find out what the EU and European Parliament are doing to safeguard it, Society.According to the European Environment Agency, water pollution in the EU decreased between the 1990s and 2010s. However, progress has slowed with pollution in 58% of surface water since 2016. In addition, only 42% of surface water bodies and 77% of groundwater are rated as having "good chemical status".In its 2020 resolution on the implementation of EU water legislation, the European Parliament called on the European Commission to take all necessary measures to ensure good chemical status can be achieved more widely and to take decisive EU-wide action when EU countries fail to meet environmental quality standards. The resolution stressed that substances affecting drinking water, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and some pharmaceuticals, should be a priority for monitoring.In line with the European Green Deal's zero pollution ambition, ...

Miss Manners: Is it OK to point a knife at someone? What about a piece of cake?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:30:19 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I was growing up, I was taught that under no circumstances did one point a blade, or any other sharp object, at another person.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Was I wrong to wear black to the wedding? Advice | Miss Manners: She took my keepsake T-shirts but never made me the quilt Advice | Miss Manners: Is it OK to trick them into diving with great white sharks? Advice | Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you Advice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway When handing a knife or a pair of scissors to someone else, one handed the article with the handle toward the recipient and the blade tip pointed toward oneself.Similarly, when setting the table, the knife blade always pointed toward one’s own plate, never toward that of another, and when resting the knife on the plate after cutting on...