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As the pope heads to Portugal, he’s laying the groundwork for the church’s future and his own legacy

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

VATICAN CITY (AP) — When Pope Francis made the first foreign trip of his papacy, to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day in 2013, he urged young people to make a “mess” in their local churches, to shake things up even if it ruffled the feathers of their bishops.As he embarks this week on another edition of World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal, Francis in many ways has taken his own advice to heart. After 10 years as pope, Francis is accelerating his reform agenda and making revolutionary changes in personnel and policy that are definitely shaking things up.Unencumbered by the shadow of Pope Benedict XVI, who died seven months ago, and despite recovering from a second intestinal surgery in as many years, the 86-year-old Francis is opening a frenetic second half of the year with his Portugal visit. He seems aware that he has a limited sweet spot of time to solidify the changes he believes are necessary for the 21st century church, and is looking to the next generation of faithful and le...

In the news today: Canada at Women’s World Cup, new B.C. port strike deal

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 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…Women’s World Cup future on the line for CanadaCanada’s future at the FIFA Women’s World Cup is on the line today Down Under.The seventh-ranked Canadians take on No. 10-ranked Australia in Melbourne in the final round of Group B play at the 32-team tournament.A win or draw and Olympic champion Canada advances to the knockout round of 16. The co-host Australians need a win to be certain of moving on.New tentative deal in B.C. port disputeA late-night breakthrough could herald an end to British Columbia’s long-running port dispute, with the longshore workers’ union and the employers’ association announcing a new tentative agreement.Details of the deal haven’t been released, but both sides say in a joint statement issued Sunday night that they are recommending their members to ratify it.The International Longshore and Ware...

‘Why not?’: Former Broncos player has sights set on Paralympic wheelchair basketball

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

CALGARY — Ryan Straschnitzki’s Paralympic dreams haven’t fizzled, but his path to the international stage could take him from the ice to the hardwood. The 24-year-old from Airdrie, Alta., was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018 when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the Humboldt Broncos’ bus in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people died and 13 were seriously injured. Since the crash, Straschnitzki has played on Alberta’s para hockey team and has been training with the Paralympic development team. However, his Paralympic hockey goals have hit a bump in the road.“In the past conversations I’ve had with management within that program, it’s not looking good, but all I can do is train and work hard,” he said in an interview.Straschnitzki said he’s hoping to get an invitation to try out for Canada’s Paralympic hockey team in September. “But that’s completely out of my control,” he said. What...

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

VANCOUVER — A late-night breakthrough could herald an end to British Columbia’s long-running port dispute, with the longshore workers’ union and the employers’ association announcing a new tentative agreement.Details of the deal haven’t been released, but both sides say in a joint statement issued Sunday night that they are recommending their members to ratify it.The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association say the new tentative deal was reached with the assistance of the Canada Industrial Relations Board.The dispute, which saw workers walk off the job at more than 30 port terminals and other sites for 13 days at the beginning of July, entered a new phase late Friday night when members of the union rejected a previous potential agreement with employers.Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan announced Saturday he was directing the industrial relations board to determine if a negotiated end to the dispute was st...

New cigarette warning labels in effect this week aim to deter kids, convert parents

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

MONTREAL — A fresh set of Health Canada regulations that require warning labels on individual cigarettes is set to come into effect Tuesday.The move, announced earlier this year, makes Canada the first country in the world to take that step in the ongoing effort to help smokers kick the habit and deter potential puffers from picking it up.The wording on every cigarette, written in English and French on the paper around the filter, ranges from warnings about harming children and damaging organs to causing impotence and leukemia. “Poison in every puff,” cautions one.The labels will dissuade teens leaning toward taking up the habit and push nicotine-dependent parents looking to fight it, predicted Rob Cunningham, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Cancer Society.“For youth who experiment by ‘borrowing’ a cigarette from a friend, it’s going to mean they will see the cigarettes — even if they may not see the package — where the warnings appear,...

Daily horoscope for July 31, 2023

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid spending money or making important decisions from 10 p.m. to midnight EDT today (7 p.m. to 9 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Capricorn into Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Monday, July 31, 2023:You are a keen observer of others and life around you. Your communication skills are superb, and you make insightful observations. This year is the final year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means it’s time to let go of anything or anyone who is holding you back.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★Tread carefully today, because bosses, parents and people in authority might throw you a curveball, especially about money, financial matters, earnings or something you own. Something hidden, behind the scenes might be at play. Keep your eyes open. Tonight: Avoid arguments.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★★Travel is unpredictable today. Plans might be changed, canceled or delayed. Conversely, you might suddenly have to travel when you didn’t expect to do so. Feelings of sympat...

As Bangladesh opposition stirs violence, voters urged to respect constitution

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

Bangladesh goes to the polls either this December or in January. Delivering a free and fair election will add to the country’s rising global respect, as it graduates to middle-income status. The independent Election Monitoring Forum is hard at work trying to protect the democratic process, amid attempts by an opposition party to undermine the election, writes Political Editor Nick Powell in Dhaka.Bangladesh has made huge progress since the restoration of democracy in 1991 and especially since the government of Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009. Her policies have transformed the country’s economy, infrastructure and international reputation but like any democratic politician, she must periodically face the voters and an election is now only months away.Bangladesh has important safeguards to protect its democracy, notably a constitutionally mandated Election Commission to run the entire electoral process independently of the government. Its work is reinforced by a voluntary body...

Harriette Cole: My teen just bought a house with her boyfriend, and I fear it will end badly

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am worried my daughter is moving too fast with her boyfriend, whom she has been dating for a year. She is 19 years old, and they just bought a house with both of their names on the deed.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: This silly friction has ruined car trips for both of us Advice | Harriette Cole: His new girlfriend ruined a trip I was looking forward to Advice | Harriette Cole: I thanked her for the gift — then I found out it wasn’t a gift Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m just a kid, and my parents left this heavy decision to me Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m so anxious about my home that I check on it every few hours They are still young and have a lot of growing up to do. This is a huge purchase that may end poorly if they break up.My daughter works extremely hard and is essentially financially independent from me and my husband. She is paying for her own c...

Miss Manners: Am I allowed to point out that these people are short?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a rather tall lady, and when making new acquaintances, I am often asked if I play basketball.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: I don’t want to give away any more avocados after what she did Advice | Miss Manners: Am I the only one bothered by how the kids say no? Advice | Miss Manners: It was a bad time for me, and I can’t believe my friend was so heartless Advice | Miss Manners: In a moment of forgetfulness, I made a mortifying offer to a friend Advice | Miss Manners: This shopper was rude to the cashier. Should I have scolded her? While I realize that people are trying to make conversation, I find it annoying and tedious to explain every time that my height has absolutely nothing to do with my athletic ability. I have never played basketball, nor am I particularly into sports in general.It’s nearly to the point where I dread meeting new people because I kn...

Dear Abby: My parents took in my ex while I had to live in my car

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:12:19 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am 49 and have been divorced for 20 years. When we first separated, my ex moved in with my parents while I struggled to raise my four kids. He stayed there for seven years.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My friend makes silly excuses for why her husband won’t see me Advice | Dear Abby: Would it be awkward to invite her to my wedding dinner? Advice | Dear Abby: I wasted five years on a man, and I want to start dating efficiently Advice | Ask Amy: My dad’s humiliating tell-all book could affect my job hunt Advice | Dear Abby: The insufferable neighbor is trying to claim my boyfriend He moved out, until a year and a half ago. Again, my parents have allowed him back in!While I understand that they shouldn’t have had to cease contact because of the divorce, I don’t feel it’s right for him to be living there. This has caused an ongoing rift between my family and m...