Saturday, March 14

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Ukrainians mourn their war dead after almost 1,000 days of war – but US move sparks hope | World News
Business

Ukrainians mourn their war dead after almost 1,000 days of war – but US move sparks hope | World News

Barely anyone speaks – there is virtual silence apart from the sounds of passing vehicles and the wind whipping through flags and photographs commemorating the dead in a war that started 1,000 days ago when Russia invaded.What is really striking is the sheer number of people who have died, and this memorial in Kyiv's Maidan Square represents just some of those who gave their lives defending their country. Soldiers in camouflage fatigues pause to pay their respects to comrades, civilians stop and stare, heads often bowed. At the same time, on mobile phones, news alerts announce another missile strike on Ukraine. This time in the port city of Odessa.More dead, more injured, it never stops here. As this war grinds on, with Russia making significant gains in the eas...
Alex Jones-affiliated company challenges the Onion’s Infowars purchase
World News

Alex Jones-affiliated company challenges the Onion’s Infowars purchase

By Dietrich Knauth for Reuters Alex Jones has been forced to sell his assets to pay a US$1.5 billion defamation bill for the families of those killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Photo: AFP / Getty Images A losing bidder connected to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones challenged on Monday the Onion's purchase of Jones' Infowars website, saying the Onion won a rigged bankruptcy auction and offered half as much cash as its bid. First American United Companies, which is affiliated with Jones' dietary supplements businesses, asked US bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston to disqualify the bid by the Onion, a parody news site, and name its own US$3.5 million (NZ$5.9m) bid as the winner. Jones was forced to auction his assets, including Infowars, in bankruptcy,...
Joe Biden allows Ukraine to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia – as politician warns it ‘risks World War Three’ | World News
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Joe Biden allows Ukraine to begin firing US rockets deep into Russia – as politician warns it ‘risks World War Three’ | World News

Joe Biden has authorised Ukraine to begin firing US-supplied rockets deep into Russia - as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to push for "further support" for Kyiv at the G20 summit.Mr Biden's policy shift means Kyiv will now be able to use Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) for long-range attacks, two American officials have told Sky News' US partner network NBC News. Follow latest: Ukraine war live updatesUkraine plans to conduct its first such attacks in the coming days, the sources said, without revealing details due to operational security concerns.The US has eased restrictions on the use of ATACMS, which have a range of up to 190 miles, after Russia began deploying North Korean ground troops to supplement its own forces in the conflict. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said such a move wo...
What long-range missile strikes in Russia could mean for Ukraine war
World News

What long-range missile strikes in Russia could mean for Ukraine war

By Tom Balmforth, Max Hunder, Lili Bayer, Reuters Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky , centre, visits the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. Photo: AFP / Handout / Ukrainian Presidential Press Service The US decision to authorise long-range Ukrainian strikes could help Kyiv defend the foothold in Russia's Kursk region that it seized as leverage in any war talks, but may come too late to change the course of the war, analysts said. Two months before leaving office, President Joe Biden lifted some restrictions that have blocked Kyiv from using US-supplied weapons for strikes deeper into Russian territory, in a major policy change, Reuters reported on Sunday. Military analysts said the impact on the battlefield, where Ukraine has been on the back foot for m...
Canadians will get child benefit cheques this week amid Canada Post strike – National
Politics

Canadians will get child benefit cheques this week amid Canada Post strike – National

The latest child benefits are going out to Canadian parents this week amid a postal disruption as thousands of Canada Post workers remain on a nationwide strike. Eligible families who have children under the age of 18 years will receive November payments of the Canada child benefit (CCB) on Wednesday.Parents who are expecting payments via mail will still get their cheques delivered, Canada Post and the Canada Revenue Agency has said.“Canada Post has agreed to deliver benefit cheques for the Canada child benefit and related provincial and territorial benefits (including the Alberta child and family benefit) for November 20, 2024,” the CRA says on its website.The Crown corporation says it has a “special agreement” with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) so that socio-economic cheque...
Two British men killed in Spain after car crashes into suspected drug trafficking boat in dual carriageway pile-up | UK News
Business

Two British men killed in Spain after car crashes into suspected drug trafficking boat in dual carriageway pile-up | UK News

Two British men have been killed in Spain after their car hit a suspected drug trafficking boat when it fell out on a dual carriageway.A third man, aged 54, is seriously injured after the crash which happened on the RM-12 road near the La Manga resort in Murcia. A 49-year-old and 57-year-old died after the collision at around 9.30pm on Saturday.Another eight people suffered minor injuries after six vehicles were also involved in the pile-up.The driver transporting what was described as an "inflatable boat" fled the scene, according to the Spanish Civil Guard. A spokesperson said the boat fell out on the dual carriageway after becoming detached from a trailer.The Britons' car was travelling behind the trailer.Police officers investigating the collision suspect the boat "may be related to dr...
IIT-M study finds oral contraceptives do not raise BP in women during workout
Health

IIT-M study finds oral contraceptives do not raise BP in women during workout

Oral contraceptives do not increase the blood pressure response in women during large muscle exercise (like cycling or running), according to a study on Monday led by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.  Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are taken by women to prevent pregnancy and reduce acne, menstrual cramps, and the risk of ovarian cysts. Although certain oral contraceptives are known to raise resting blood pressure, the exercise blood pressure response during intense exercises is not currently well understood. In addition, research has been ambiguous on whether hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle influence blood pressure. The researchers, including from the University of Minnesota, US, found that both oral contraceptive use and ge...
Gisele Pelicot rape case: Sons face ‘devil’ father in court as they speak of disgust and ‘lost childhood’ | World News
Business

Gisele Pelicot rape case: Sons face ‘devil’ father in court as they speak of disgust and ‘lost childhood’ | World News

Gisele Pelicot's sons have faced their "devil" father in court, with one saying he wanted to vomit when his mother revealed how he had let strangers rape her for years.Ms Pelicot, 72, was allegedly sedated and repeatedly raped by Dominique Pelicot and at least 50 other men while she was unconscious. She has waived her right to anonymity and insisted the trial in southern France should be public to shame her attackers.Her eldest son, 50-year-old David Pelicot, testified on Monday and described how revolted he was when he discovered what had been going on."My mother told me that this man in court before us delivered her strangers to rape her. When I was told, I wanted to vomit," he said."We wanted to make this man disappear from the house. Within two days there were no more photos, no more c...
Canada Post says ‘parties remain far apart’ as strike continues – National
Politics

Canada Post says ‘parties remain far apart’ as strike continues – National

Canada Post and its workers’ union are entering a fresh round of mediated negotiations as a nationwide postal strike enters its fourth day Both sides return to the bargaining table Monday with a special mediator, Peter Simpson, who was appointed by the federal government last week.“The focus of the special mediator is for the parties to reach a deal,” Matthieu Perrotin, press secretary for Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, said in a statement to Global News on Monday.“Canadians are counting on the parties to reach a deal. Negotiated agreements are always the best way forward.”More than 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike Friday, halting mail and parcel services across the country. Some post offices have also been shuttered amid the job action.On Monday, Canada Post said both “parties...
Western powers won’t be worried about Kremlin’s public fury – what happens behind the scenes is more important | World News
Business

Western powers won’t be worried about Kremlin’s public fury – what happens behind the scenes is more important | World News

The Kremlin's reaction to reports that Washington has lifted restrictions on how Ukraine uses its weapons was nothing we haven't heard before.It follows a well-worn theme of anger, warnings and accusations. If confirmed, the decision will spark a "new round of tension", we were told. The Biden administration wants to "throw oil on the fire". They are the ones guilty of escalation, not Russia.There was no mention of the thousands of North Korean troops Moscow has reportedly deployed to the frontline in Russia's Kursk region to repel the Ukrainian incursion. But that's to be expected.Follow latest: Moscow warns US over missile decision That's because this sort of rhetoric is now very much part of the script for the Kremlin. It's trying to ensure the public here continues to buy into its narr...