Canada has announced new sanctions on Russia, along with new funding, as Russia tries to recapture previously lost land in Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said more than 70 new sanctions would focus on individuals supporting Russia's illegal military action and complicit in human rights violations. Tire maker DAK has recently been granted an export licence to send raw fuel to Russia. Companies can prove they do not violate sanctions by showing how they identify entities and individuals subject to sanctions, along with any processes they put in place to ensure compliance. Canadian sanctions impact a variety of sectors, such as the finance, energy, and mining sectors. Russia retaliated against Canada by blacklisting nine Canadians including parliamentarians and senior officials.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned companies regarding the use of facial recognition and other biometric identifiers in transactions with customers, urging them to weigh the risks against the benefits and consider whether they really require its use. The FTC fears that companies will collect biometric data revealing personal information about consumers including attendance at political or union events or visits to medical professionals. By collecting such information, it is likely to increase the risk of malicious actors accessing consumers' personal devices or bank accounts, said the regulator. Furthermore, consumers, may be unaware their biometric data is being harvested, said the FTC, adding that it will continue to use its enforcement power against companies that do not fully inform consumers about their data collection policies and fail to protect the information collected, or assure that the technology does not disproportionately hurt any particular demographic.
Hong Kong has introduced preventative guidelines aimed at protecting vulnerable workers from heatstroke on rising temperatures. The measures suggest the length and timing of breaks to be taken according to the index of heat, potentially affecting up to three million hours of annual construction work under the guidelines in the long term. The Hong Kong Observatory believes it is highly likely 2018 will rank in the city's top 10 warmest years. Similar rules are in place in Singapore, where construction contracts are set to be impacted by rising costs, but are less detailed than the Hong Kong guidelines.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) have said they want “constructive and stable” relations with China as they continue with measures to reduce reliance on the country for key supply chains. The comments came in a communique released during the G-7 meeting taking place in Hiroshima, Japan. The document emphasised that while the countries sought to “de-risk and diversify” supply chains, they were not engaged in “decoupling or turning inwards”. The statement also called for the establishment of a “level playing field” for workers and companies, as well as the protection of “advanced technologies” which might used to pose national security threats. The G-7 also urged China to back a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
China has criticized the G-7 nations’ new joint mechanism aimed at counteracting economic coercion, accusing them of interference within China's internal affairs. China deems the G-7 has performed this interference on topics such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as creating tensions in the South and East China Seas, according to an embassy spokesman. The G-7 Coordination Platform on Economic Coercion detects perceived hostile actions, largely aimed at China. China urged the US to stop “bullying” and disclosed their desire for the G-7 to shift from a Cold War mindset.
Robert J. Wiersema, a Canadian author and bookseller, argues that romance should not be a stigmatised genre in literature based on outdated biases towards what is seen as "feminine reading material." Addressing common criticisms that such novels are predictable, poorly written and unrealistic, Wiersema argues that many other genres have similar features. He suggests that the predominance of female writers and readers within the genre is the main factor contributing to it being overlooked or dismissed. Wiersema argues that romance novels encapsulate a cornerstone of the human experience, falling in love and building towards happiness, in a way that is relatable and that is often missing from other genres. He continues by asking why more men do not read romance and highlights the enriching and uplifting experience it can provide.
Food's Paradise: The food scene in Newfoundland's fastest-growing town is flourishing
CBC
23-05-20 08:30
Paradise, Newfoundland and Labrador has become a hot spot for new food businesses and second locations for existing ones due to the town's fast population growth and high median household income. Since 2006, the population of Paradise has grown by 82%, and the median household income in 2020 was $111,000. The area is becoming a hub for foodies with restaurants and other food businesses including Crepaulie, Cakey Hand, Pür & Simple, Indus Eatery and Cojones Tacos and Tequila all having a presence in the town.
Conor McGregor watched the Irish Boxing event as he cheered on Irish boxers in Dublin ahead of Katie Taylor’s match with Chantelle Cameron at the 3Arena. McGregor sponsored the event and supported Irish fighters, including Dennis Hogan and Gary Cully. The former UFC champion is scheduled to make his return to the octagon this year against Michael Chandler, however, no date, location, or weight class has been officially confirmed yet. McGregor Forever, the second documentary about his career, was recently released on Netflix.
Extreme heatwaves in South Asia have prompted an uptick in Russian energy sales, replacing energy being shunned by the West. Originally motivated by the Kremlin to support its invasion of Ukraine, Russia's thermal coal, natural gas and (in particular, dirtier and cheaper) fuel oil have become increasingly attractive with rising temperatures hitting countries' power generators amidst an emerging El Niño weather pattern, which increases the need for coal, oil and gas. Prices for LNG fell, allowing poorer nations to increase their imports, and the Middle East has also hiked its Russian oil imports.
Phillip Schofield has left presenting ITV's This Morning "with immediate effect" following reports of a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby. Schofield, 61, offered "fascinating" coverage while working on the show but said in a statement that This Morning had "become the story". Willoughby will continue presenting the show and "co-host with members of the This Morning family". Schofield made his departure announcement after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday, following his conviction for child sex offences. The pair had reportedly had a strained relationship recently despite 13 years as co-presenters.
Following his departure, bookmakers Ladbrokes has released odds to replace Schofield, who has been presenting on the show for 21 years. Dermot O’Leary is a favourite with 2/1 odds, while Willoughby’s current guest hosting partner Alison Hammond has the leading chance at 4/6. The other favourites are Rochelle Humes (6/1), Marvin Humes (8/1), Rylan Clark (3/1), Josie Gibson (10/1), and Gino D’Acampo (25/1). Prior to his departure, Schofield had been working on a new series for ITV.
The Chinese government has cancelled and postponed notable events in the past week, ranging from a folk festival to a convention for female tech entrepreneurs. Some individuals relate these sudden cancellations to a $2m fine and suspension of performances of production company Xiaoguo after a comedian made a joke about a military slogan. However, the cancellations are not solely based on assumed criticism of the government. Xiaoguo’s scandal and subsequent measures could be a reason for the heightened amount of event cancellations, but this has yet to be confirmed by the Chinese Government. Beijing musicians have also stated they believe cultural shows are given more focus during a crackdown and that international performers are typically the first to be targeted during such times of law enforcement. Event organisers issued apologies citing 'force majeure', however, this is perceived a euphemism for higher powers such as government agencies that can halt events.
Phillip Schofield has quit as host of UK morning talk show This Morning after a reported rift with co-host Holly Willoughby. Willoughby thanked Schofield for his "humour, knowledge and experience" over their 13 years presenting the show together in a brief statement. Schofield will not return to This Morning, with last Thursday being his last programme. Willoughby will continue to work on the show, taking an early half-term break before returning on 5 June as its sole host. Schofield's departure came in the same week as reports of a strained relationship between him and Willoughby and days after his brother Timothy was convicted of child sex offences and jailed for 12 years. Meanwhile, ITV's Amanda Holden appeared to make a jibe at Schofield in an Instagram post immediately after his exit.
Martin Scorsese's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone, has received a strong reception at Cannes. The film tells the story of the Osage murders of the 1920s, with a western true-crime thriller retelling. Killers of the Flower Moon premiered on 20 May at this year's Cannes Film Festival to the biggest standing ovation of the event so far. The highly praised performances of De Niro, DiCaprio and Gladstone feature in a film with Scorsese's signature themes, such as the darker aspects of humanity and the myths of cowboys and outlaws. However, some have criticised the film's running time of three-and-a-half hours.
Check, mate! N.L. students to show off their chess skills at national tournament
CBC
23-05-21 14:30
The 34th Canadian National Chess Challenge was held over the May bank holiday weekend between Canada's provinces, with one champion chosen from each grade, from first through to 12th. The former team coordinator of Newfoundland and Labrador, who participated, said the tournament "brings out the best of the best in Canada" and he believes the children will learn valuable skills of critical thinking, problem-solving and patience, as well as developing "their minds," making new friends and experiencing new lines of strategic attack.
The chances of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates next month have fallen from 36% to 18.6%, and some experts believe the central bank won't raise rates again in June. Wall Street had been betting on the latter scenario, after the Fed meeting earlier this month created hopes that it was done with rate hikes, but a slate of strong economic data last week led to some nerves. Key data points set for release before the June 14 rate decision include the April Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, the May jobs report, the May Consumer Price Index and the May Producer Price Index.
The G7 summit in Japan failed to convince three emerging economies, Brazil, India and Indonesia, to endorse its views on Ukraine. Brazil, whose former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was invited to the summit, declined to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and privately criticised the alliance’s stance in the Ukraine conflict. Indonesian President Joko Widodo offered to be a peace envoy after meeting Zelenskiy separately. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi also endorsed a diplomatic solution. The interaction highlighted the G7’s difficulties in persuading major emerging nations to impose sanctions against Russia, and the difficulties of maintaining a global principle based on territorial integrity. A strategy was adopted before the summit to avoid pressuring invitees to condemn Russia.
While talk therapy can be beneficial to some, it may not work for everyone. Researchers have concluded this after finding mixed results in hundreds of clinical trials, some of which reported therapy's higher probability of helping than hindering and others which suggesting the therapy only worked for some patients. Studies are limited as individual preferences, both for their suitable therapist and method of therapy, can play a part in effectiveness. Andrew Gerber, the president of a psychiatric treatment center in Connecticut, explained analysts are resistant to empirical research, as the practice of psychotherapy has been ground around the therapist and patient experience. According to The New York Times’ Susan Dominus, while some have concluded the issues surrounding talk therapy cannot be solved and interactions could only ever reach a certain standard, other experts use the results to identify better approaches.
Labrador woman calling for awareness 10 years after iron overload disorder diagnosis
CBC
23-05-21 17:00
Labrador woman Melita Paul is battling hemochromatosis and is helping to educate others about the genetic disorder. In 2011 and 2012, Paul suffered from severe joint pain, fatigue and struggled with brain fog. Her blood work showed her iron levels were abnormal, causing her to suspect she had the disorder, but her original doctor told her she did not. Researching the disorder herself and getting a second opinion helped Paul get diagnosed, though she believes few people in southern Labrador at the time were aware of the risks.
The Chinese Cyberspace Administration has prohibited the country's operators from buying US chipmaker Micron Technology's products over concerns of “serious network security risks”. The ban is the first big measure taken against a US semiconductor group and follows a seven-week investigation into Idaho-based Micron by the CAC, seen as retaliation for US efforts to curb China’s access to key technology. Washington introduced extensive chip export controls last October and since then, the Netherlands and Japan have followed. China is a crucial market for Micron and analysts have warned that Beijing’s restrictions could even provoke Chinese firms that provide “critical information infrastructure” to eliminate Micron from their supply chains.
Pro-choice and anti-abortion protestors gather at Confederation Building
CBC
23-05-21 19:38
Anti-abortion and pro-choice protesters gathered at the Confederation Building in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to voice their opinions on Sunday. Over 100 pro-choice protesters gathered to challenge the smaller group of anti-abortionists, who were rallying on Prince Philip Drive. Nikki Baldwin, executive director of Planned Parenthood Newfoundland and Labrador, said that people need support in making reproductive decisions. She added that access to safe abortion is essential and saves lives. Anti-abortion protester Ruth Robert argued that whilst abortions are fully legal in Canada, the debate surrounding abortions is still ongoing. Baldwin warned that the recent overturning of US abortion laws could affect abortion access in Canada. Access to healthcare, and specifically reproductive and sexual healthcare, is already limited in Newfoundland and Labrador and those living outside of St. John’s have to travel to receive essential care.
