Scholz says Germany seeks closer ties with Indo-Pacific
TOKYO (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in Tokyo on Thursday that his country wants to strengthen ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific region that share the same values, and work together to end Russia's aggression in Ukraine.
Justices limit discrimination claims for emotional distress
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the dismissal of a discrimination lawsuit filed by a deaf, legally blind woman against a physical therapy business that wouldn't provide an American Sign Language interpreter for her appointments. ...
Biden taking ‘hard look’ at student loan forgiveness
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday that he's “taking a hard look” at canceling additional federal student loan debt and will reach a decision within a month.
Ottawa will not tolerate another occupation, interim police chief warns biker convoy
Ottawa's interim police chief is warning that the city will not tolerate any sort of longer-term occupation of the capital as hundreds of motorcyclists prepare to descend on the city starting Friday. During a briefing on Thursday, interim chief Steve B...
Kemp’s Georgia bill-signing tour aims to end Perdue’s hopes
CUMMING, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is projecting strength and gathering endorsements from fellow Republicans on a bill-signing tour ahead of his primary matchup against former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and others, trying to smother Perdue’s chanc...
EU: Time to begin membership talks for Albania, N Macedonia
TIRANA, Albania (AP) — The European Union is working hard to convince Bulgaria and North Macedonia to end their dispute and open the way for EU membership talks for North Macedonia and Albania, a senior EU official said Thursday.
Vancouver council will hike empty homes tax to 5 per cent of assessed value in 2023
Vancouver is raising the empty homes tax that is designed to ease vacancy rates in the city, from three per cent to five per cent of the property's value. The motion by Mayor Kennedy Stewart to hike the tax in 2023
FDA issues plan to ban menthol in cigarettes, cigars
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government on Thursday released its long-awaited plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, citing the toll on Black smokers and young people.
Jury begins deliberations in rape trial of Idaho ex-lawmaker
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Jurors in the rape trial of a former Idaho lawmaker are weighing whether the case involves “power in the wrong hands” used to harm a 19-year-old female intern, or consensual sex after a friendly dinner date.
Canadian Blood Services to end gay ‘blood ban,’ bring in behaviour-based screening
OTTAWA — Health Canada has approved an end to policy that restricts men who have sex with men from donating blood products for three months, a change welcomed by LGBTQ advocates but criticized — including by the prime minister, who
