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☆ Toronto elects Olivia Chow as first Chinese-Canadian mayor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TORONTO, June 26 (Reuters) - Olivia Chow became the first Chinese-Canadian to be elected as mayor of Toronto, Canada's biggest city, on Monday, pledging to support renters, champion social causes, and reduce the sweeping powers of her office. Chow secured 37.2% vote, according to preliminary results, ahead of her nearest rival Ana Bailao, former deputy mayor. Chow, 66, will be the first woman to serve as mayor since Barbara Hall in 1997. Chow takes over as mayor after the resignation of John Tory, conservative-leaning mayor who won his third election last October. Tory had endorsed his former deputy Bailao, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford had endorsed former Toronto Chief of Police Mark Saunders.

Persons: Olivia Chow, Chow, Ana Bailao, Jack Layton, Barbara Hall, John Tory, Tory, Bailao, Doug Ford, Police Mark Saunders, Ford, Sam Jabri, Rosalba O'Brien, Michael Perry Organizations: TORONTO, New Democratic Party, University of Guelph, Tory, Ontario, Toronto, Police, Thomson Locations: Toronto, Canada's, Ottawa, Hong Kong, Canada

☆ Canadian province changes LGBT policy in schools to 'recognize role of parents'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TORONTO, June 9 (Reuters) - Ruling conservatives in the Canadian province of New Brunswick this week made changes to rules for schools as they sought to "recognize the role of parents" in questions around gender identity, but have faced pushback from within their own party. On Thursday, provincial Education Minister Bill Hogan announced changes to that policy. Another change to the policy removes a reference to students being allowed to participate in activities "consistent with their gender identity". Indiana has enacted a law requiring teachers to tell parents when students ask to be called by a new name or different pronoun. Reporting by Sam Jabri-Pickett in Toronto; editing by Steve Scherer and Rosalba O'BrienOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bill Hogan, Progressive Conservative Premier Blaine Higgs, Higgs, Justin Trudeau, Sam Jabri, Steve Scherer, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: TORONTO, New, Progressive Conservative Premier, Pickett, Thomson Locations: Canadian, New Brunswick, Toronto, Brunswick, United States, Indiana, Dakota

May 29 (Reuters) - United Conservative Party (UCP) leader Danielle Smith's election victory in Canada's main oil-producing province Alberta on Monday is likely to herald further friction with Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, particularly over climate change. The populist premier's win signals a further rightward shift in the traditionally conservative province, and comes despite a series of controversies and gaffes from Smith, 52, since she first became premier in October. In her victory speech, Smith was quick to take aim at Trudeau and what she described as the federal government's "harmful policies". "As premier I cannot under any circumstances allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans. In early 2022 she announced plans to run for leadership of the United Conservative Party, which was born in 2017 from a merger of the Progressives Conservatives and Wildrose Party.

☆ Ontario to offer more money for Stellantis to resume battery plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Ontario's Premier Doug Ford and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answer questions from the media at the Stellantis Research and Development Centre in Windsor, Ontario, Canada May 2, 2022. ... Read moreTORONTO, May 19 (Reuters) - Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on Friday that his government will put more money on the table to help carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI) resume its battery plant in Canada. Stellantis on Monday stopped construction at a C$5 billion ($3.7 billion) electric-vehicle battery plant in Canada, which is being built in partnership with South Korea's LG Energy Solution (LGES) (373220.KS), saying Canada has not fulfilled the promises. read moreStellantis and LGES announced their battery plant investment in March last year, but tensions emerged when the United States in August passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a massive package of clean-tech incentives for companies. Canada's federal government has argued that the province of Ontario, where the battery plant is being built, should pay its share to resolve the dispute.

TORONTO, May 8 (Reuters) - Canada's oil and gas producers shut down some production after Alberta was hit by an unprecedented wildfire season, although rain and cooler weather are expected to bring some relief on Monday. Canada is home to the world's third-largest reserves, and most of these are in northern Alberta's vast oil sands. NuVista Energy (NVA.TO) said on Monday it had temporarily shut in about 40,000 boepd as a precaution. In neighboring British Columbia, several communities remained under evacuation orders after heavy rain last week and flood warnings stayed in place. ($1 = 1.3319 Canadian dollars)Reporting by Denny Thomas; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Google, Meta executives push back against Canada online news bill
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A Google logo is displayed at the entrance to the internet based company's offices in Toronto, Ontario, Canada September 9, 2018. REUTERS/Chris HelgrenTORONTO, May 3 (Reuters) - Google and Meta would withdraw access to news articles in Canada if legislation compelling internet companies to pay news publishers is passed, company executives told Canadian lawmakers on Wednesday. Meta would also end the availability of news content in Canada if the bill is passed as currently drafted, said Rachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta in Canada. Curran said Facebook feeds sent Canadian publishers more than 1.9 billion clicks in the 12 months ending April 2022, worth an estimated $230 million in free marketing. The bill introduced in April 2022 by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez is the latest legislation aiming to make digital media platforms pay for linking news content.

☆ Canada online news bill is 'unreasonable,' Google executive says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Sam Jabri-Pickett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Introduced in April 2022, the bill, known as Bill C-18, is the latest legislation that aims to make digital media platforms pay their fair share for linking news content. Both eventually struck deals with Australian media companies after amendments to the legislation were offered. Since the Australian law took effect, the tech firms have approved more than 30 deals with media outlets compensating them for content-generating traffic. Canada's news industry has called for tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market. News industry says it has suffered financial losses as firms like Google and Meta steadily gain greater market share of online advertising revenue.

☆ Inspector General Says U.S. Aid May Be Flowing to the Taliban
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Karoun Demirjian | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“We used to brief on a regular basis,” Mr. Sopko said of his prior engagements with the State Department, U.S.A.I.D. and the Pentagon, as he lamented a lack of access of records on what he said was over $8 billion in U.S. aid that had been provided to Afghanistan since the evacuation. “Since SIGAR’s inception, U.S.A.I.D. “We are frequently and regularly working with SIGAR on their requests.”A State Department spokesman said that U.S. reconstruction activities in Afghanistan — the centerpiece of Mr. Sopko’s jurisdiction — ceased after the Taliban took over the government in August 2021. The hearing had been billed as a venue to scrutinize the Biden administration’s actions during the withdrawal, a focus that the panel’s top Democrat, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, criticized as “absurdly narrow.”

☆ How 6 workers are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-11 | by ( Madison Hoff | Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

"It's absolutely true that AI applications like ChatGPT can very much improve workers' lives," Mark Muro, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution previously told Insider. But if used correctly, ChatGPT can help some workers with tasks and save them time while doing so. Insider spoke with six workers in sectors that include education and real estate who are using ChatGPT to make their jobs easier. A realtor with eXp Realty also used ChatGPT for a listing in Iowa that was highlighted in a CNN post. Now two months later, LaRue told Insider she uses ChatGPT "everyday" to help write proposals, video scripts, and press releases.

☆ NFL roundup: Eagles lock down No. 1 seed in NFC
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

1 seed in the NFC with a 22-16 win over the visiting New York Giants on Sunday. Hurts led six scoring drives and the Eagles never trailed the Giants (9-7-1), who had already sewn up the No. 6 seed and opted to rest quarterback Daniel Jones, Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley and other starters. Smith finished the regular season with 4,282 yards passing, surpassing Russell Wilson's team record of 4,219 set in 2016. Baltimore's Anthony Brown was 19-of-44 passing for 286 yards and two interceptions in his first career NFL start.

Here are 12 of the weirdest and most fascinating animal behaviors scientists spotted in 2022. Here are 12 bizarre and amazing things animals were spotted doing, some of which had never been seen before. It turned out that at least 12 species of primates had been reported doing so, a review published in the Journal of Zoology in October found. A dolphin swallowed 8 venomous sea snakesA sea snake (indicated with pink arrow), moments before it is captured and eaten by a Navy dolphin. Though animals have often been spotted using tools, these usually are used to give the animal a clear survival advantage.

☆ NFL roundup: Patriots fumble away game to Raiders on last play
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Carr completed 20 of 38 passes for 231 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Bengals 34, Buccaneers 23Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes to help Cincinnati overcome a 17-point deficit and upend host Tampa Bay for its sixth straight win. Chicago regained possession trailing 17-13 with 8:25 to play after Jake Elliott's 38-yard field goal attempt bounced off the right upright. Saints 21, Falcons 18Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes and Taysom Hill threw another one as host New Orleans defeated Atlanta. Dalton completed 11 of 17 passes for 151 yards and connected with Juwan Johnson for touchdowns of 19 and 22 yards.

☆ NFL roundup: Joe Burrow helps Bengals get revenge vs. Steelers
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Both of Herbert's touchdown passes were caught by Joshua Palmer, who finished with eight catches for 106 yards. Quarterback Marcus Mariota paced Atlanta's offense with 131 passing yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown. Hurts finished with 190 passing yards and 86 passing yards. Saints 27, Rams 20Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes as host New Orleans defeated Los Angeles, which lost Matthew Stafford to a possible concussion. Kirk Cousins was ineffective in the passing game, totaling 105 yards through the air while completing 12 of 23 passes.

☆ A few big-time FedEx contractors have a new plan to boost struggling delivery outfits. Here's why it could work where the last one fizzled.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Emma Cosgrove | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The 6,000 contractors who deliver for FedEx Ground have been having a tough year. ThinkISP is a think tank launched in October by eight large FedEx contractors. FedEx Ground, the division that handles the majority of the giant's e-commerce business, contracts with 6,000 small businesses for doorstep deliveries. FedEx contractors have had a tough year navigating fuel costs, and operational changes. Moreover, the think tank chose its top issues "collaboratively" with FedEx Ground, Johnson said.

☆ NFL roundup: Vikings prevail in OT thriller vs. Bills
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The NFC South-leading Buccaneers (5-5), who entered last in the league with an average of 61 rushing yards per game, exceeded that by 100. Chiefs 27, Jaguars 17Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers as Kansas City captured a win over visiting Jacksonville. Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes to rookie Christian Watson, and the Packers rallied from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to spoil Mike McCarthy's return to Lambeau Field. Jimmy Garoppolo had 240 yards passing and a rushing TD for the 49ers (5-4). After missing a game because of a hamstring issue, 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel had two receptions and 27 yards rushing.

☆ NFL roundup: Bill Belichick makes history as Pats overpower Jets
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Matthew Stafford had a rushing and passing touchdown for the Rams (3-4), going 22 of 33 in the air for a season-low 187 yards. Dalvin Cook (20 carries, 111 yards) and Alexander Mattison (five carries, 40 yards) combined for 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Vikings (6-1). According to the NFL, Kamara is the first player in league history to have 10 games with at least one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown in his first six seasons. Josh Jacobs, who entered the game second in the NFL with an average of 105.5 rushing yards per game, finished with 43 yards on 10 carries for the Raiders (2-5). It was the fourth consecutive 200-yard performance for Henry against the Texans (1-5-1), dating back to 2019, and the most rushing yards by any player this year.

☆ NFL roundup: Panthers surprise Bucs, Packers lose third straight
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsOctober 24 - PJ Walker threw two touchdown passes and the Carolina Panthers shut down Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 21-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Charlotte, N.C. Foreman gained 118 yards on 15 carries and Hubbard picked up 63 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. Commanders 23, Packers 21Taylor Heinicke overcame a rough start, but threw two touchdown passes as Washington rallied to hand Green Bay its third straight loss, in Landover, Md. Travis Etienne went for 114 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries for Jacksonville (2-5), which has lost four straight. With 18 seconds left, Pickett (32-of-44 passing, 257 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions) threw a game-sealing interception in the end zone.

☆ NFL roundup: Bills edge Chiefs in AFC Divisional round rematch
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

Allen passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns for the Bills, who have the best record in the AFC. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterButker booted a 44-yard goal to give the Chiefs a 20-17 lead with 9:49 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jimmy Garoppolo threw two first-half touchdown passes to Brandon Aiyuk, but also mixed in a pair of interceptions on a 29-for-41, 296-yard day. Bengals 30, Saints 26Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes as visiting Cincinnati came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat New Orleans. The two connected on a scoring strike with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter to help the Steelers snap a four-game losing skid.

☆ NFL roundup: Cowboys win 4th straight, defeat defending Super Bowl champ Rams
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford was 28 of 42 for 308 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterBrett Maher made field goals of 33, 40 and 36 yards for the Cowboys. Allen's day included a 98-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Davis, which tied a franchise record for the longest completion. Patriots 29, Lions 0Bailey Zappe threw a touchdown pass in his first career NFL start and Kyle Dugger returned a fumble for a touchdown as New England cruised past Detroit at Foxborough, Mass. Saints 39, Seahawks 32Taysom Hill ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, while also throwing a touchdown pass as host New Orleans defeated Seattle.

UFC 279 will stream live on September 10, with the main card starting at 10 p.m. Chimaev versus Holland and Diaz versus Ferguson are both scheduled for five rounds. How to watch UFC 279You can watch the main event of UFC 279 on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. Ways to save on the UFC 279 pay-per-view priceIf you plan on signing up for ESPN+ to watch UFC 279, you can take advantage of a special discounted bundle. Here's the fight card for UFC 279: Diaz vs. FergusonEarly Prelims — 6 p.m.

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