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Firefighters hoping for rain for ‘reprieve’ in battling wildfires in Alberta-N.W.T.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

FORT SMITH, NWT — Firefighters will be watching the skies over the next couple of days hoping for help from Mother Nature as wildfires along the Alberta-Northwest Territories boundary continue to force evacuations.Thousands of N.W.T. residents have fled the 236 wildfires tearing through the northern boreal forest. More than 20,000 square kilometres have burned, an area almost four times the size of Prince Edward Island. Evacuations have been ordered for Fort Smith, Enterprise, Jean Marie River and Hay River. Many highways have been closed by the fires and the territory is mounting what officials have called the largest airlift in its history. Canadian Forces personnel are helping firefighters and flying evacuees out on Hercules aircraft. In addition to the military deployment, the federal government said in a statement it is providing funding dedicated to response and recovery activities for eligible First Nations, while Public Services and Procurement Canada and the Canadian Coast ...

Montreal researchers join international study of rare disease Friedreich’s ataxia

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

Montreal researchers are joining an international study to learn more about a little-understood genetic disease that is found in Canada, and especially in Quebec and in Acadian regions of the Maritimes.Dr. Massimo Pandolfo of the Montreal Neurological Institute is among the experts collecting research about Friedreich’s ataxia, a condition that causes progressive mobility limitations as well as other issues, including cardiac problems. “This is a genetic, neurodegenerative and systemic disease that causes substantial disability, even in young individuals,” he said in a phone interview. “It most commonly starts during childhood or adolescence and leads to the inability to walk within 10, 15, 20 years.”Pandolfo said patients across Canada are eligible to participate in the observational study, which involves taking a lengthy MRI, some blood tests and a physical examination. He said patients who volunteer will help researchers better understand the disease and h...

Housing crisis: Feds stick by immigration plan, rethink international student flows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

OTTAWA — The alarm bells are becoming bull horns: Canada’s housing supply isn’t keeping up with the rapid rate of population growth. Academics, commercial banks and policy thinkers have all been warning the federal government that the pace of population growth, facilitated by immigration, is making the housing crisis worse.“The primary cause for (the) housing affordability challenge in Canada is our inability to build more housing that is in line with the increase in population,” said Murtaza Haider, a professor of data science and real estate management at Toronto Metropolitan University. A TD report released in late July also warned that “continuing with a high-growth immigration strategy could widen the housing shortfall by about a half-million units within just two years.”But the Liberals are doubling down on their commitment to bring more people into the country, arguing that Canada needs high immigration to support the economy and build the ...

Daily horoscope for August 16, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

Moon Alert: Caution! Avoid shopping or important decisions from 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EDT today (2:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Leo into Virgo.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023:You can triumph over obstacles, especially because you are often an unconventional thinker. You are a powerhouse who demonstrates originality, enthusiasm and ambition. Simplicity is the key to life this year. It’s important for you to create solid foundations in your life. Take charge of your health.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★You’re creative. You will tackle anything, even without training. (You figure you’re just as capable as anyone else, so why not try?) This is a good day to ask yourself if you value your creative talents. Parents must continue to be vigilant about their kids. Tonight: Get organized.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Today is the best day of the year to ask yourself what you could do to improve your relations with family members. Likewi...

The EU response to migration and asylum  

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

Europe attracts many migrants and asylum seekers. Find out how the EU is improving its asylum and migration policies.In 2015, there were 1.83 million illegal crossings at the EU's external borders. While this number fell to about 330,000 in 2022, Parliament is working on a number of proposals to remedy shortcomings in the EU’s asylum and migration policies: from reforming the asylum system to strengthening border security, improving legal labour migration and promoting the integration of refugees.Find out fact and figures about migration in the EU and the reasons why people migrate.Reforming the European asylum systemAsylum seekers: Sharing responsibility with frontline countriesIn response to the refugee crisis in 2015, the European Commission presented proposals to reform the Common European Asylum System in 2016, including a reform of the Dublin System to better allocate asylum applicants among EU countries. The Dublin System put a huge burden on a limited number of EU countries ...

Harriette Cole: Was it rash to choose this job over my boyfriend’s objections?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 30-year-old single woman who just moved to Washington, D.C., for a work opportunity. I previously lived in Minnesota, which is where I grew up and where all of my friends, family and newly ex-boyfriend live.Related ArticlesAdvice | Harriette Cole: What does it mean that my boyfriend’s sister called me by this name? Advice | Harriette Cole: Our guest walked through a closed screen door. Is it our problem? Advice | Harriette Cole: I’m ashamed to tell people I forgave my childhood friend Advice | Harriette Cole: I’ve worked hard, and my poor siblings resent my success Advice | Harriette Cole: I want to move to a big city but I’m scared of driving I feel as if I am starting to move backward in my personal life because I thought I would be married by now and ended up breaking up with my boyfriend of three years because he didn’t want to move or make a long-...

Miss Manners: They come to my house and yell at my dog

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve moved back to my hometown with my 6-month-old dog, and I’m staying with my mom while I wait for my condo to sell.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Why are parents miffed at me? They’re the ones who spell the kids’ names wrong. Advice | Miss Manners: She’s so rich, but she never gives us anything Advice | Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third Advice | Miss Manners: She became irate when I corrected her statement about the moon I have an aunt and uncle who come by often, typically unannounced, and who have strong opinions about, well, everything — including how I’m training my dog, even though neither of them has ever had a dog.The trainer’s protocol is for visitors to completely ignore the dog when he ju...

Dear Abby: Is it weird that I think this actress could be my sister?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I am a 52-year-old woman. I am single and have no children, but I’m a loving aunt to many.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Why are people so rude to me lately? I’m a nice guy. Advice | Dear Abby: My financial adviser won’t listen to me, but he insists he’s not sexist Advice | Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant Advice | Dear Abby: I had to get rid of my beautiful furnishings because of guests’ stupid comments I had a sister who died before my brother and I were born. She was born with special needs and lived for only 10 months. My parents never kept it a secret.Knowing I had an older sister makes me want to find a big sister figure. I sometimes fantasize that a particular beloved TV actress is my sister. She did a Cameo video for my 50...

Wolf Trap honors 50th anniversary of hip-hop with ‘Masters of the Mic: Hip-Hop 50 Tour’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the 'Hip Hop 50 Tour' at Wolf Trap (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); This month marks the 50th anniversary of hip hop, which began in the Bronx, New York, in August 1973.You can celebrate with the “Masters of the Mic: Hip Hop 50 Tour” at Wolf Trap in Virginia on Thursday.The show welcomes the “original human beatbox” Doug E. Fresh along with Slic...

Mets and Pirates meet with series tied 1-1

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:41:45 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (54-66, fourth in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (54-66, fourth in the NL East)New York; Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Johan Oviedo (6-12, 4.42 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 121 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (6-6, 5.64 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 64 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -124, Pirates +105; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: Both the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a series win with a victory on Wednesday.New York has a 54-66 record overall and a 30-28 record at home. The Mets have a 24-9 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Pittsburgh has a 54-66 record overall and a 25-34 record in road games. The Pirates are 28-16 in games when they did not give up a home run.Wednesday’s game is the sixth meeting between these teams this season. The Pirates are ahead 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Nimmo has 19 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs and 49 RBI for the Mets. Pete Alonso is 7-for-31...