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Voting delays mark Zimbabwe’s election as the president known as ‘the crocodile’ seeks a second term

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Delays of up to 10 hours in mostly opposition strongholds marked voting in Zimbabwe on Wednesday as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks a second and final term in a country with a history of violent and disputed elections.Long lines continued after sunset at some polling stations following the late distribution of ballot papers. The electoral commission said voting would continue until everyone who was waiting in line at 7 p.m., when polls were scheduled to close, got a chance to vote.“I am not going anywhere. I waited five years to vote, and these hours won’t kill me,” said Cathrine Nyakudanga, who carried her six-month-old baby on her back. She arrived before polls opened at 7 a.m. but ballot papers arrived only after 4 p.m.“It pained me to see the elderly and women spending such long hours without food or water. That’s not safe,” said Stanley Gwanzura, a popular local gospel singer. Others waiting in line lit fires to grill meat for dinner.This is the...

As conservative premiers talk gender and kids, Poilievre’s grassroots ask same of him

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

OTTAWA — As conservative premiers change the rules around pronoun use in schools, members of the federal Conservative grassroots want Pierre Poilievre to wade further into the debate around gender. A submission advancing to a policy convention next month proposes discussion of a Conservative government prohibiting “life altering medicinal or surgical interventions” for those 18 and younger who are looking to transition. The pitch is similar to ones found across the United States, including in Florida where Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill in May banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth. As federal Conservative leader, Poilievre has largely focused on the cost-of-living crisis gripping millions, high interest rates and a lack of affordable housing.But parts of his base are hoping Poilievre will broaden his Opposition agenda to include more of a focus on social issues. Poilievre has said that when it comes to New Brunswick’s decision to no longer make i...

Deputy PM Freeland caught speeding on Alberta highway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

Canada’s deputy prime minister apparently felt the need for speed while driving in Alberta last week.CityNews can confirm Chrystia Freeland was pulled over for driving 132 km/hr on a highway between the northern Alberta municipalities of Grande Prairie and Peace River. The maximum speed limit on Alberta highways is 110 km/hr.The federal finance minister was given a ticket for $273, which she has paid in full.Her schedule shows she was touring an energy production facility in Peace River on Aug. 15.Related:Freeland touts home savings account, notes limits to addressing housing crisisTrudeau names new cabinet, shifting focus to economy, housingFreeland represents the Toronto riding of University-Rosedale and mentioned she did not own a car while speaking to reporters earlier this year.“A fact that still shocks my dad is I don’t actually own a car because I live in downtown Toronto,” said Freeland in July.Freeland was born in Peace River and was first elected as...

Mobile debit payments in stores jump 53 per cent over past year: Interac

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

TORONTO — Interac says mobile debit payments in stores jumped 53 per cent over the past 12 months, while e-commerce purchases rose 17 per cent.The survey shows the trends were driven by Gen Z, who also influenced their Gen X parents in adopting contactless payments via mobile phone.The survey shows eight in 10 (78 per cent) Gen Z adults pay using their smartphones while only 42 per cent of their parents’ generation relied on contactless payments, citing concerns about security. The national debit network says more than a billion debit mobile contactless and in-app transactions happened between Aug. 2022 and July 2023.William Keliehor, chief commercial officer at Interac, says debit remains central to the way Canadians choose to pay, even as it takes new forms.The survey also shows 63 per cent of Canadians expect it will soon be normal to not carry a physical wallet, knowing you can pay with a smartphone or smartwatch.The survey by Hill+Knowlton Strategies polled 1,502 Canadian...

NFL cornerback Caleb Farley leans on faith after dad’s death in explosion at North Carolina home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley said he took the first flight home Tuesday after learning of an explosion that destroyed the NFL player’s North Carolina home, killing his father and injuring a family friend. Farley said in an interview with WCNC-TV that he was in Nashville when a neighbor called and explained the situation.“It didn’t sound good from the start,” he said, and then officials found his father’s body.“I was really emotional earlier. I’ve kind of leveled off a little bit,” he said. “It’s just been a hectic roller coaster of a ride. Not only today, just for me the past five years, period. So I’ve been leaning on my faith and staying with the principles my mother and my father raised me with and that’s what’s been keeping me going.”Robert M. Farley, 61, was found dead in the debris of the Mooresville house, said Kent Greene, director of Iredell County Fire Services and Emergency Management. First responders arrived to find family friend Chr...

Ottawa looked at changes to land claims process, acknowledged issues: documents

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Newly released internal documents show Canada has been pondering a new way to settle First Nation land claims.In briefing materials prepared for the deputy minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, the federal government also acknowledged issues with the current specific claims process.Specific claims deal with past wrongs against First Nations by Canada, including the administration of land or other assets.The July 2022 documents say Canada was mulling over changes to language about land surrenders, noting some First Nations are unwilling to settle land claims if they have to relinquish their title.Instead, federal officials suggested the use of a “promissory estoppel,” which is essentially a promise that First Nations won’t reignite their cases after they’ve been settled.The records were released to The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2023.Th...

Metro workers picket two GTA distribution warehouses in fourth week of strike

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

TORONTO — Striking Metro workers in the Greater Toronto Area are now picketing two of the grocers’ distribution warehouses, a move the company says is preventing deliveries of fresh products to stores across the province. Local 414 president Gord Currie and national president Lana Payne met workers engaging in a secondary picket at warehouse in Toronto’s west end. More than 3,700 workers at 27 Metro stores across the GTA have been on strike since July 29 after rejecting a tentative agreement recommended by their bargaining committee. Metro spokeswoman Marie-Claude Bacon called on the workers to come back to the table, saying the warehouses supply all Metro and Food Basics stores in Ontario and the pickets are preventing deliveries of fresh produce to all its stores.Unifor has said that the workers are asking for a fair share of the company’s rising profits, with many workers demanding their pandemic “hero pay” of $2 an hour be reinstated. Metro says the...

Report: La Russa back with White Sox as consultant, Getz expected to be named GM

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

CHICAGO — As the dust is still settling on the South Side, a new report says Hall of Famer Tony La Russa is back with club in a consultant role.According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, La Russa recently scouted the White Sox farm system and has been cleared to work again. Last season, the 78-year-old left the team in August to deal with health issues.Nightengale reported that first year manager Pedro Grifol is "safe" for now but is scheduled to meet with Jerry Reinsdorf and La Russa Wednesday night.Additionally, former White Sox infielder and current assistant general manager Chris Getz, 39, is reportedly expected to be named general manager. Nightengale said Dayton Moore, who is currently an advisor with the Rangers, could join him in the front office. White Sox: Ken Williams, Rick Hahn relieved of duties The team sent shockwaves around baseball Tuesday evening when Reinsdorf, known for his loyalty, fired longtime front office executives Kenny Williams and General Manager Rick H...

Netflix plans NASCAR docuseries backed by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

(Motor Authority) -- NASCAR is about to get a Netflix documentary series similar to the “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” series that has helped catapult F1’s popularity, particularly in the U.S.Announced by NASCAR and Netflix on Monday, the new series will air in early 2024 and focus on the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs.The first of the 2023 playoff races is scheduled for Sept. 3 at South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway.Five episodes, each spanning 45 minutes, is planned, and filming has already begun. The episodes will show drivers and team members, both during races and away from the track.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is among the list of executive producers, along with Ben Kennedy, Tim Clark, Matt Summers, and NASCAR Studios’ Tally Hair.The announcement of the new series follows the successful “Race for the Championship” series that aired in 2022 on the USA Network, and covered that year’s NASCAR season. Like the new Netflix series, which hasn’t been named, “Race for t...

Tracking the Tropics: Atlantic heating up ahead of peak hurricane season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:10 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It's been an active week in the tropics with a total of four named storms spread throughout the Atlantic basin. But as we near the peak of hurricane season, can we expect this trend to continue?The National Hurricane Center has been keeping tabs on four separate storm systems — The closest of which to the U.S. mainland is Tropical Storm Franklin.TS FranklinFranklin is expected to dump heavy rains across portions of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola Wednesday into Thursday as it pushes north toward Bermuda. The NHC says the heavy rainfall will bring the threat of flash floods and mudslides to the area.However, little change in strength is forecast during the next couple of days as Franklin moves across Hispaniola. Some strengthening is possible Thursday into Friday as Franklin moves northeast over Atlantic waters.Former Tropical Storm EmilyThe remnants of former Tropical Storm Emily were last located several hundred miles northeast of the Leeward Islands.Some developmen...