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Niger’s neighbors running out of options as defense chiefs meet to discuss potential military force

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Regional countries are facing a crisis of legitimacy as they run out of options and time to restore democratic rule in Niger after soldiers ousted the president last month, say analysts. Defense chiefs from the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, are meeting in Ghana Thursday to discuss Niger’s crisis after a deadline passed for mutinous soldiers to release and reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum or face military intervention. Bazoum was overthrown in July and remains under house arrest with his wife and son in the capital, Niamey. This is the first meeting since ECOWAS ordered the deployment of a “standby force” last week to restore constitutional rule in the country. It’s unclear if or when troops would intervene. A force would likely consist of several thousands soldiers from Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Benin and could take weeks or months to prepare, say conflict experts. ECOWAS has a poor track record in stemming the region’s rampant coups: neigh...

Oceanographers say warming waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence affecting animal life

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

MONTREAL — From great white sharks around Quebec’s Îles-de-la-Madeleine to lobsters conquering new territory, oceanographers say the warming of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is having an impact on the creatures that live in its unique ecosystem.Data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada show that deepwater temperatures have been increasing overall in the gulf since 2009. In 2022, gulf-wide average temperatures hit new record highs at depths of 150 to 300 metres, and passed the threshold of 7 C at 300 metres for the first time. Average monthly temperatures at the sea surface also set new records in August and September, the data showed.The news is worrisome to oceanographers, who say they’re already seeing the impact of the warming water on different species in the gulf, which touches five provinces at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.Philippe Archambault, a professor of oceanography at Université Laval, says that while ecosystem changes are a normal part of nature, the speed of...

First person: The quest for an ancient colossus, in the wild rainforest of B.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

Trees of breathtaking size surround us, draped with moss and lichen, as droplets of water sparkle on the tips of endless foliage.Decaying fallen trees have created a multi-layered understory that ensnares our group, until a fern-lined stream bed offers a clearer path toward our goal — a mass of silvery wood that vanishes, then reappears, fleeting in the kaleidoscope of green.Self-described “big-tree nerd” Colin Spratt, 28, has a knack for spotting the shadowy grey bark indicating an ancient western red cedar.He points out a promising shape.“That could be it, right? It’s giving me that timeless, silver wall,” he says. “These little pinholes of light are painting the picture of something incredible.”Ahead of us stands a red cedar of mythic proportions and longevity. Estimated by core sampling to be 2,100 years old, it is rumoured to be six metres in diameter — potentially the widest of its kind on record, and perhaps the biggest tree in Canada...

Is it sexual assault to secretly record intimate encounter? Ottawa case sparks debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

OTTAWA — Secretly filming and sharing footage of consensual sex constitutes a sexual assault, according to an Ottawa judge’s recent ruling, sparking a debate over how courts view consent in cases involving technology. Views on the issue have been evolving in recent years, spurred by high-profile cases, particularly involving teenagers, of revenge porn and “sextortion,” which involves threatening to share evidence of sexual activity unless demands are met.The federal government added a Criminal Code charge for the non-consensual sharing of intimate images online, and some provincial legislatures have changed laws in the hopes of offering victims more recourse through civil claims. But the recent case out of Ottawa raises a new question.“This is a really unique case because this is not something we’ve seen before,” said Moira Aikenhead, a law professor at the University of Victoria who specializes in technology-based gender violence.“When you ...

Yellowknife residents ordered to leave as wildfire burns nearby

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

YELLOWKNIFE — Residents of the capital of the Northwest Territories and two neighbouring First Nation communities have been ordered to evacuate by Friday because of an encroaching wildfire.The evacuation order issued late Wednesday applies to Yellowknife, which has a population of about 20,000 people, as well as the nearby communities of Ndilo and Dettah.The territorial government says residents living along Ingraham Trail and in Dettah, Kam Lake, Grace Lake and the Engle Business District are at highest risk and should leave as soon as possible.It says other residents have until noon on Friday to leave.The government says it is safe for people to leave Yellowknife by road, while air evacuations for people at higher risk, such as those who are immunocompromised, are set to begin this afternoon.In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Premier Caroline Cochrane asked residents leaving by road to obey all warning signs, emergency management officials, traffic control devices and post...

BC Wildfire Service warns of ‘extreme’ fire behaviour due to heat wave and dry winds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The British Columbia Wildfire Service says hot and dry weather is contributing to “extreme fire behaviour” in the southern Interior as a ridge of high pressure settled over the province this week, sending temperatures soaring and further drying fuel in the forests. Neal McLoughlin, with the predictive services unit of the wildfire service, says the ridge of high pressure bringing the heat is expected to break down in a few days in the Interior. But he says once the unseasonable heat is over, the breakdown of the high-pressure ridge could bring strong winds, a cold front and dry lightning. He says the lightning could start more fires that would spread quickly with shifting winds and has the service “very concerned.” McLoughlin says wildfire crews are continuing to do controlled burn work and urged people to report any wildfire activity as early as possible to give firefighters a leg up to deal with new ignitions. There are about 370 wildfires ...

Canada’s social housing stock lags peer countries. Liberals called on to bridge gap

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

OTTAWA — If a single mother with a newborn baby starts looking for city-subsidized housing in Canada’s largest urban centre today, she might see her child enter high school before they find a new home. Average wait times for subsidized housing in Toronto span from eight to 15 years depending on the unit, according to 2022 data from the city. The shortage of homes is so severe that the city has been encouraging people to consider subsidized housing “as a long-term housing plan, not an immediate solution to housing needs.”Toronto is far from the only city facing such a shortage. The long wait times are a symptom of the disconnect between supply and demand right across the country.Non-profit and social housing is usually administered by charities and municipalities that aim to offer affordable rent for low-income earners struggling to pay market prices. Housing expert Carolyn Whitzman said the shortage of non-profit housing can be traced back to the 1990s, when the fe...

Daily horoscope for August 17, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Virgo.Happy Birthday for Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023:You like the good things in life. You generally present a calm exterior to your world, even though you have intense feelings within. You are independent, creative, imaginative and determined. Exciting changes and increased personal freedom are happening this year. Stay flexible so you can explore new directions.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★★As this day wears on, it gets better and better! Work-related travel might be a factor for many of you. You will achieve more today by working with groups. Personally, your health feels vigorous and revitalized today. You want to get stuff done! Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★★★This is a marvelous day to entertain at home or to enjoy social outings with others, especially children and romantic partners. You have enthusiasm and energy to burn! It’s also a winning day for those of you involved ...

Reducing car emissions: New CO2 targets for cars and vans explained 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

The EU is banning the sale of new cars and vans with combustion engines as of 2035 in order to make the road transport sector climate neutral.In an effort to deliver on its ambitious climate goals, the EU is revising legislation in sectors that have a direct impact under the Fit for 55 package. This includes transport, the only sector in which greenhouse gas emissions remain higher than in 1990, having increased more than 25%. Transport accounts for a fifth of total EU emissions.Road transport accounts for the largest percentage of transport emissions and in 2021 was responsible for 72% of all EU domestic and international transport greenhouse gas emissions.Why cars and vans?Passenger cars and vans (light commercial vehicles) produce about 15% of the EU’s total CO2 emissionsToughening car emissions standards would help to achieve the EU's climate targets for 2030.Current situationAverage CO2 emissions from new cars was 122.3 g CO2/km in 2019, better than the EU target of 130 g CO2/k...

Harriette Cole: I learned that my new friend used to badmouth me. What should I do?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:24:59 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I bumped into a college friend with whom I shared a close bond in the past. While catching up, I mentioned my relatively newfound friendship with a woman we both knew from college — and that’s when things turned awkward.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: Was it rash to choose this job over my boyfriend’s objections? Advice | Harriette Cole: What does it mean that my boyfriend’s sister called me by this name? Advice | Harriette Cole: Our guest walked through a closed screen door. Is it our problem? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m ashamed to tell people I forgave my childhood friend Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve worked hard, and my poor siblings resent my success My college friend was taken aback and expressed surprise about my new friendship with this woman. According to her, my new friend used to badmouth me.This revelation left me feeling ...