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Myanmar’s military chief says a major offensive by ethnic groups was funded by the drug trade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar’s military government has charged that a major offensive in the country’s northeast by an alliance of armed ethnic minority organizations was funded in part by profits earned by one of the groups from the region’s lucrative drug trade, state-controlled media reported Thursday.The allegation made by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing came after his government was caught off guard by fierce fighting in several towns in the country’s northeastern border region. On Oct. 27, the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, branding themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive in northern Shan state.The military has acknowledged losing control of three towns in northern Shan state, including a major border crossing point for trade with China, but not explained why the army failed to put up an effective defense. “Today’s problem in Shan state (North) was triggered by narc...

Back in China 50 years after historic trip, a Philadelphia Orchestra violist hopes to build ties

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Fifty years after the Philadelphia Orchestra’s history-making visit to China in 1973 that helped build then-fledgling U.S.-China ties, Davyd Booth hopes for a repeat performance. The 73-year-old violinist returned to China this week with 13 fellow orchestra members to mark the 50th anniversary of the trip and carry on the ensemble’s decadeslong effort to bring the United States and China closer together despite current political disagreements.“People all over the world are absolutely the same,” Booth said Thursday in Beijing, on the eve of their performance with the China National Symphony Orchestra at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. The orchestra’s return in itself is a sign of improving ties ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.There may be differences in governments and religion but people’s reaction to music is the same, Booth said after playing piano at a hospital with a violinist a...

Student is suspected of injuring another student with a weapon at a German school

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

BERLIN (AP) — German police said Thursday that a student with a weapon is suspected of having injured another student at a school in the country’s southwest, German news agency dpa reported.The suspect, a teenager, was detained as part of a large-scale police operation in the town of Offenburg.The injured student was treated by emergency services, dpa reported.“The police are on site with strong forces,” local authorities said in a statement. “There is no further danger.”Police said it appeared that there was only one suspect and one victim.The school was initially cordoned off and students were asked to stay in their classrooms for their safety, dpa reported. Later Thursday, around 180 students were led out of the school to another location where they were being counseled by special staff. After that, they would be able to return to their parents, dpa reported.No further details were immediately available on the suspect, the victim or the weapon.School shootings are unu...

Should Trudeau step down? Who would take his place?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

In today’s Big Story Podcast, for months now, recent polls have been terrible for the federal Liberals — and specifically so when it comes to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. A recent survey found that a majority of Canadians want him to step down before the next election in favour of a new Liberal leader, a and a long-time Liberal senator recently called for him to do the same.Surveys and suggestions are a long way from reality, though, and there’s no clear idea if Trudeau will walk away, or if he does if any member of his cabinet would perform any better. There are rumours, though, about an outside who wants the job — a non-politician with an impressive resume and the credibility to be an instant contender. Stephen Maher is a writer, reporter and political commentator at ipolitics.ca. “My experience as a political journalist is that until someone actually is a politician, it’s impossible to tell whether they have what it takes, whether they have the instincts, the ability...

Police to update investigation into fatal Greektown shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Toronto police are set to provide an update on their investigation into a fatal shooting in Greektown earlier this year. Police say gunshots rang out near Danforth and Carlaw avenues at around 3:30 a.m. on July 23 after a fight broke out involving multiple people. A man was found at the scene with gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The victim was identified as 29-year-old Shemar Powell-Flowers.A 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the shooting on Aug. 4 and charged with second-degree murder.Investigators say a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a second murder suspect.Police are expected to provide new information from Toronto Police Service (TPS) headquarters at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

What is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and how is it celebrated in India and the diaspora?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India — and for Hindus in particular. It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora. Over five days, people take part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts and prayer.Diwali is derived from the word “Deepavali,” which means “a row of lights.” Celebrants light rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. WHEN IS DIWALI?The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November. This year, Diwali begins Nov. 10 and the festival will be observed on Nov. 12.WHAT ARE SOME HINDU STORIES OF DIWALI?While Diwali is a major religious festival for Hindus, it is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. The origin story of Diwali varies depending on the region. All these stories have one underlying theme — the victory...

Rogers reports Q3 net loss on joint venture charge, adjusted profit up from year ago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. reported a net loss in its latest quarter as it was hit by a charge related to one of its joint venture investments.The cable and wireless company says it lost $99 million or 20 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30 compared with a profit of $371 million or 71 cents per diluted share a year ago.The results in the most recent quarter included a $422-million loss on an obligation to purchase at fair value the non-controlling interest in one of its joint ventures’ investments.On an adjusted basis, Rogers says it earned $1.27 per diluted share in its most recent quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 84 cents per diluted share a year earlier.Revenue in the company’s third quarter totalled $5.09 billion, up from $3.74 billion in the same quarter last year.Rogers says its net increase in mobile phone subscribers totalled 261,000 for the three-month period, its best quarterly result ever, while its net increase in internet s...

Canadian Tire looks to cut about 3% of workforce as it faces softening demand

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. plans to cut about three per cent of its workforce in its fourth quarter as it faces softening consumer demand.The retailer said Thursday, in addition, the elimination of the majority of current job vacancies will result in a further reduction of three per cent.Canadian Tire said it expects to take a charge of between $20.0 million and $25.0 million in its fourth quarter in connection with the decision, while annualized run-rate savings are expected to be about $50.0 million.“In a more challenging economic environment, we are accelerating efficiency initiatives, prioritizing investments within our Better Connected strategy, and actively managing our resource allocation,” Canadian Tire chief executive Greg Hicks said in a statement.The announcement of the cuts came as Canadian Tire raised its quarterly dividend and reported a loss in its latest quarter, weighed down by a one-time charge related to its deal to buy back the 20 per cent sta...

Five takeaways from the GOP debate in Miami

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

Five Republican White House candidates faced off in Miami on Wednesday in the third GOP presidential debate, a day after the party suffered key losses in states like Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, entrepreneur Vivek Ramasamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R) qualified for the Miami stage — a narrower field than the previous two debates as the party approaches the kickoff of 2024 voting in January. The candidates clashed on stage as they scramble to get closer to former President Trump, who holds a substantial lead over the rest of the field. Trump skipped the event once again and held a rally as counter-programming. Here are five takeaways from the third GOP presidential debate:Haley seen as a threatHaley fielded numerous attacks throughout the night, underscoring her perceived strength among the non-Trump Republicans running for president.She sparred wi...

Sisters, 9 and 14, reported missing from Gage Park: CPD

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:55:36 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two sisters, 9 and 14, were reported missing from the Gage Park neighborhood on the Southwest side Wednesday, police said.According to police, nine-year-old Zeilany Perez-Rodriguez was last seen in the 2700 block of West 59th Street Wednesday. She was reported wearing a pink coat, peach sweater, black leggings and purple boots. Man arrested for alleged armed robbery of Illinois casino She is described as being 75 pounds, 4 feet and 5 inches tall with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She was reported missing with her 14-year-old sister Maiyaliz Perez-Rodriguez. She was described as being about five feet tall, 120 pounds with dark brown hair and brown eyes. If any information is recovered on their whereabouts contact area detectives at 312-747-8380 or 911.