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Canadian public pension fund investments in China draw heightened scrutiny

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

MONTREAL — Investments in China by Canada’s largest public pension funds are facing increased scrutiny amid worsening relations between the two countries and allegations that some of those investments are funding the oppression of China’s Uyghur minority. Recently, representatives of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, which manages the pensions of B.C. public sector workers, told a parliamentary committee studying Canada-China relations that they had paused new direct investment in China because of the increasing risks associated with that country. That pause came amid allegations of Chinese foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 Canadian elections, and of Chinese state actors allegedly harassing Canadians who oppose the Communist Party. Earlier this month, Canada expelled a Chinese consular official, and China retaliated within hours, expelling a Canadian diplomat and saying that Canada had “sabo...

Dignity denied as more than 3,000 schools in South Africa still use pit toilets

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

GA-MASHASHANE, South Africa (AP) — At a high school in rural northern South Africa, more than 300 students and their teachers share three toilets, and that woefully lopsided figure isn’t the worst problem. The three toilets are pit latrines, effectively 10-feet-deep holes in the ground that students line up during a lunch break to use. The pit toilets at Seipone Secondary School in the village of Ga-Mashashane at least are covered by white toilet seats and enclosed by brick structures. Some of the pit toilets still used at more than 3,300 schools in poor, mostly rural areas across South Africa aren’t.It’s a shameful situation for a country referred to as the most developed in Africa, and an indicator of its profound problems with poverty and inequality, say human rights groups pushing the South African government to do away with the sub-standard facilities in schools forever.Unhygienic, the latrines also present a much more direct danger.The sight that greeted Jame...

Daily horoscope for May 22, 2023

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Monday, May 22, 2023:You are proactive, confident and upbeat. You are also persuasive when you want to be. This is a year of reflection. Expect to explore belief systems, philosophies and religions in order to find a way for you to get closer to the true meaning of your life.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★The pace of your days will accelerate in the next several weeks with your busy schedule of meetings, errands, appointments, plus taking short trips. You want to talk to everyone, especially neighbors, relatives and siblings. Busy you! Tonight: Play!TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Thankfully, Mercury is no longer retrograde, which means things are flowing a bit easier. This is timely, because in the next four weeks, your focus on finances, earnings and cash flow will be stronger than usual. Respect your moneymaking ideas. Tonight: Home improvements.GEMINI(May 21-June 20)...

Pope asks Italian cardinal to carry out Ukraine peace mission

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

Pope Francis asked Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (pictured) to lead a peace mission in Ukraine to end the conflict, the Vatican announced on Saturday (20 May).Francis spoke first cryptically about his intention to launch a mission last month, when he returned from a visit to Hungary. He did not give any details.Zuppi, according to a Vatican diplomatic source, will try to meet separately both with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian president Vladimir Putin.According to the Vatican, Zuppi will carry out his mission in line with the Vatican Secretariat of State. "He is expected to contribute in reducing tensions of conflict in Ukraine in the hope that the Holy Father never gives up on the possibility of peace processes being initiated."On April 30, after returning from a visit to Hungary, Francis made a intriguing statement about the Vatican's involvement in a mission that aimed to end the conflict."There's a mission under way, but it hasn't been made public yet. I will ma...

Miss Manners. Yes, she’s a service dog. No, I won’t tell you why I need her.

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a disability that is not readily visible, and I have a service dog to help me navigate the world and go about my business.She is a small dog and suits my needs very well, but she’s not one of the classic breeds that people associate with service dogs.When I enter a space that is not pet-friendly, I am often questioned about my dog. Of course, I have no problem clarifying that she is a service animal, but I do not wish to engage beyond that.I am often asked multiple follow-up questions, leading to the invasive question of what my disability is, exactly. It’s hard to explain, it’s really no one’s business, and I feel so flummoxed by the questioning that I often don’t want to go out at all (which defeats the very purpose of my having a service dog).Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Would the wedding gift my husband suggested be an insult? Advice | Miss Manners: I tried to fix the shoddy bouquet and ...

Guyana moviliza una “evacuación médica a gran escala” por el incendio de una residencia escolar

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

(CNN) — El gobierno de Guyana prepara una “respuesta de evacuación médica a gran escala” tras un incendio en un dormitorio de una escuela secundaria en el centro del país, anunció este lunes el gobierno.“Es con gran pesar y dolor que el Gabinete está siendo informado y mantenido al día sobre un horrible incendio en el dormitorio en Mahdia”, confirmó un comunicado del Departamento de Información Pública.“Las inclemencias del tiempo y el cielo nublado están dificultando seriamente este ejercicio”, añade el comunicado.“Nuestros pensamientos y oraciones están con nuestros niños y sus familias en este momento”, añadió el comunicado.El dormitorio de la Escuela Secundaria de Mahdia, donde se produjo el incendio, está en el centro de las iniciativasacc del gobierno guyanés para mejorar el nivel educativo en la parte menos desarrollada del país. En declaraciones anteriores del gobierno, describen la construcción del dormitorio escolar com...

Phillies host the Diamondbacks in first of 3-game series

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (27-20, second in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (22-24, fourth in the NL East)Philadelphia; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Tommy Henry (1-1, 5.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Phillies: Zack Wheeler (3-3, 4.06 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 61 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -208, Diamondbacks +174; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks to start a three-game series.Philadelphia has a 13-8 record at home and a 22-24 record overall. The Phillies have the 10th-best team slugging percentage in MLB play at .421.Arizona has a 27-20 record overall and a 13-10 record on the road. The Diamondbacks have a 20-5 record in games when they scored five or more runs.The teams meet Monday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryson Stott has eight doubles and four home runs for the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber is 4-for-31 with three home runs over the past 10 games.Christian Walker ...

Soler leads Marlins against the Rockies after 4-hit game

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

Miami Marlins (24-23, third in the NL East) vs. Colorado Rockies (19-28, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Edward Cabrera (3-3, 5.13 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 55 strikeouts); Rockies: Chase Anderson (0-0, .00 ERA, .50 WHIP, five strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -134, Rockies +113; over/under is 11 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins take on the Colorado Rockies after Jorge Soler’s four-hit game on Sunday.Colorado is 19-28 overall and 10-12 in home games. The Rockies have a 14-4 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Miami is 10-12 in road games and 24-23 overall. Marlins pitchers have a collective 4.45 ERA, which ranks 10th in the NL.The matchup Monday is the first meeting of the season between the two clubs.TOP PERFORMERS:Bryan De La Cruz has 10 doubles, five home runs and 18 RBI for the Marlins. Soler is 11-for-38 with three home runs over the past 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Rockies: 4-6, .266 batting average, 5.7...

Braves open 3-game series against the Dodgers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (29-19, first in the NL West) vs. Atlanta Braves (29-17, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Monday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Gavin Stone (0-0); Braves: Charlie Morton (5-3, 2.85 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -150, Dodgers +128; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves start a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.Atlanta is 12-10 in home games and 29-17 overall. The Braves are 10-4 in games decided by one run.Los Angeles is 29-19 overall and 12-12 in road games. The Dodgers have gone 17-5 in games when they hit two or more home runs.Monday’s game is the first time these teams square off this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the Braves with a .344 batting average, and has 13 doubles, 11 home runs, 26 walks and 27 RBI. Austin Riley is 12-for-40 with a home run and four RBI over the last 10 games.Freddie Freeman has 17 doubles, a triple and eight home runs...

Reds look to break 4-game losing streak, take on the Cardinals

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:55:55 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (21-27, third in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (19-27, fifth in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Monday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (2-6, 4.21 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 48 strikeouts); Reds: Brandon Williamson (0-0, 1.59 ERA, .71 WHIP, six strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -186, Reds +157; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds aim to stop a four-game slide when they take on the St. Louis Cardinals.Cincinnati is 19-27 overall and 12-12 at home. The Reds have a 15-4 record in games when they scored at least five runs.St. Louis has a 21-27 record overall and a 10-12 record in road games. The Cardinals have a 13-4 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.The matchup Monday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.TOP PERFORMERS: Spencer Steer has 12 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 18 RBI for the Reds. Jake Fraley is 13-for-35 with a double and three home runs over the past 10 game...