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Wildfires, smoke having ‘huge impact’ on some tourism operators across Canada

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

Raging wildfires and smoky skies across much of Canada have put a damper on travel this summer, resulting in cancelled plans and closed businesses. “We have had a few conversations with our members and we’re already seeing domestic and international visitors cancelling trips,” said Madison Simmons with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.Simmons pointed to a 2018 study by Visit California, which found that during the state’s most destructive wildfire season on record, 11 per cent of potential travellers cancelled their trips to the state, representing a loss of about $20 million that July.The Ontario tourism group released a study last month suggesting leisure travel in the province was set to grow after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.Simmons said businesses in the northern part of the province, particularly outfitters and outdoor tours, are most affected.The wildfires are adding to challenges posed by high gas prices and...

Vatican: Pope doing well after surgery, has another good night

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis had a second good night in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the Vatican said.The Holy See press office said early Friday that further medical updates were expected later in the day. The Vatican has said Francis’ condition is stable and his post-operative recovery deemed normal.The 86-year-old Francis was admitted to the Gemelli hospital on Wednesday for his second major abdominal operation in two years, following a 2021 procedure to remove part of his colon. During the procedure, doctors removed adhesions, or internal scarring, on the intestine that had caused a partial blockage. They also repaired a hernia that had formed over a previous scar, placing a prosthetic mesh in the abdominal wall. Francis is expected to remain at Gemelli for several days.The Associated Press

Daily horoscope for June 9, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

Moon Alert: After 6:30 a.m. EDT today (3:30 a.m. PDT), there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The Moon is in Pisces.Happy Birthday for Friday, June 9, 2023:You have a great zest for life. You are passionate and charismatic. You are also gentle. This year, simplicity will be the key for you. Work to create solid foundations in your life. Explore martial arts or yoga. Stay grounded and levelheaded.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is an excellent day, especially financially speaking. You might see ways to boost your income, especially when working behind the scenes. Meanwhile, research of some kind or the advice of someone older or more experienced also might help you to boost your wealth. Listen to what others have to say. Tonight: Seclusion.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★This is a great day to schmooze with friends and members of groups. Listen to the advice of someone older or more experienced. What they say might influence you into changing your future goals. G...

UK housing market improves but slowdown seen as rates rise

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

Britain's housing market showed some improvement in May but further interest rates increases by the Bank of England are expected to put more pressure on demand and on prices in the coming months, an industry survey showed on Thursday (8 June).The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) measure of new buyer enquiries rose to a net balance of -18, the least negative figure since -14 in May 2022 and up from -34 in April.A gauge of agreed sales rose to -7 in May, up from April's -18.RICS' house price balance, which measures the difference between the percentage of surveyors seeing rises and falls in house prices, increased to -30 last month from -39 in April. A Reuters poll of analysts had pointed to a reading of -38.However, analysts are forecasting another slowdown for the housing market with markets largely expecting the BoE's Bank Rate to peak at 5.5% later this year, up from 4.5% now."It seems storm clouds are gathered, with the UK's stubbornly high inflation likely underm...

Azerbaijan and the EU strengthen bilateral ties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

The Russia-Ukraine war has disrupted natural gas supplies to European energy markets and caused greater volatility in energy markets. Europe was not prepared for being cut off from raw materials from Russia, especially natural gas, making last winter and the upcoming one a challenge for citizens and political systems. According to a March 2022 analysis conducted by the Polish Economic Institute, the European Union (EU) was 25 per cent dependent on oil, solid fuel and natural gas supplies from Russia - writes Shahmar Hajiyev, Senior advisor at the Center of Analysis of International Relations and Liliana Śmiech, Vice President of Warsaw Institute.The ongoing war has also sparked a renewed debate regarding the European Union's ability to be self-reliant when it comes to energy imports from Kremlin. One of the results of these talks was the development of the REPower EU strategy. It not only highlights the process of diversifying natural gas supply sources and routes but also includes...

After 70 years, it’s time to reform European schools

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

The first European school in Luxembourg celebrated its 70th birthday this April. The European schools date from the very beginnings of the European Union, created for the families of officials working at the European Coal and Steel Community. Parents value what the schools can offer their children but reforms are urgently needed, as called for in a recent European Parliament report, writes Andrew Janis Folkmanis.Today they are 13 European schools across Europe, at locations of the institutions and agencies of the EU. And in addition a new type of multilingual school is emerging, an existing EU national or private school that receives accreditation to also give courses and host the European baccalauréat qualification exams. The European baccalauréat has received good recognition across the world. When our son applied to study at Maastricht last year, it was evident that the European bac is very well recognised alongside national secondary qualifications.In the European schools we mus...

Miss Manners: Would this combo party be too peculiar? And what about gifts?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 40-year-old single mother of twin girls who are 15 months old. After years of saving, I am proud to be in the process of purchasing a home in a great public school district.I want to host a birthday party for my twins in my new home, but I would also like to make it a (slash) housewarming party.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: They ram my shopping cart and then just stare at me Advice | Miss Manners: Whose fault is this distressing situation with my pants? Advice | Miss Manners: He’s my husband, not my brother, and why are you even asking? Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really being perverse not to have my DNA tested? Advice | Miss Manners: I made the mistake of sharing my manuscript with this colleague Is there any credible way to send invitations announcing a birthday party for 2-year-olds and also a housewarming? And would it be odd to ask for gift cards for the hous...

Dear Abby: My mausoleum plan has alienated my children

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am 76. My husband and I planned our final wishes for cremation because I have had a lifelong fear of being buried underground.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: The bride is afraid her cringey grandma will be an embarrassment Advice | Dear Abby: I’m too old to deal with this new nonsense from my husband Advice | Dear Abby: Am I being childish about this workplace snub? Advice | Dear Abby: Nobody else sees how scary my sister is, and I want to cry Advice | Dear Abby: They seem to be hinting my illness is imaginary My children from my first marriage are Jewish and very much against cremation. When I told them my wishes, they attacked me with a barrage of negatives about cremation, such as, “You won’t go to heaven,” “You won’t see your deceased mother or grandson in heaven,” “We won’t be able to say kaddish for you,” etc., so I immedi...

Bayern Munich signs Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer on free transfer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

MUNICH (AP) — German champion Bayern Munich signed midfielder Konrad Laimer on a free transfer Friday as his contract with Leipzig expired.The Austrian central midfielder leaves Leipzig after six years with the club, where he won the German Cup twice, including in his last game for the team. The 26-year-old Laimer signed a contract through 2027.“It’s a dream come true for me. FC Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Laimer said in a statement. “I will give everything for the club and the fans. FC Bayern always has the highest goals — just like me. I’m in the right place here.”Laimer is the first Bayern signing since the club fired Oliver Kahn as chief executive and Hasan Salihamidžić as sporting director last month. However, arrangements to sign Laimer were widely reported to have been made long before Kahn and Salihamidžić left.Laimer scored against Bayern for Leipzig in a 3-1 win for his old club last month, leaving Bayern in second place behind Borussia Do...

Cardinals host the Reds in first of 3-game series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:51:09 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (29-34, third in the NL Central) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (26-37, fifth in the NL Central)St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Ben Lively (3-3, 3.03 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 29 strikeouts); Cardinals: Jordan Montgomery (2-7, 4.23 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 60 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -187, Reds +160; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals host the Cincinnati Reds to start a three-game series.St. Louis has gone 12-16 in home games and 26-37 overall. The Cardinals have hit 85 total home runs to rank sixth in MLB play.Cincinnati has a 29-34 record overall and a 12-16 record in road games. The Reds have a 19-7 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Friday’s game is the fifth time these teams square off this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Paul Goldschmidt has 18 doubles and 10 home runs for the Cardinals. Nolan Arenado is 11-for-35 with four doubles and two home runs over th...