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OBF: Don’t bet against the NFL

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

“Gambling” was once a four-letter word in the NFL.Las Vegas didn’t exist.Mentioning point spreads was poisonous to your career.When “The NFL Today” was at its zenith, Brent Musberger and Jimmy The Greek discussed what the Greek’s “friends in the desert” thought about the Cowboys game. And the Greek was always quick with a weather update from Green Bay adding his thoughts on what would be a “low-scoring” affair in the snow.Fast forward to 2024. Super Bowl 58 will be played in Las Vegas on Feb. 11.Five years after the Supreme Court allowed legal sports betting, it has proliferated. In the U.S., 34 states have active live and legal wagering. Four others, including Maine and Vermont, have legalized betting but have yet to launch.All six New England states allow sports betting. It makes sense that a member of the New England Patriots would be somewhat confused and frustrated over the NFL’s until-now convoluted policy toward its players and betting.The other day, Jonathan Jones offe...

France sees itself as blind to race. After a teen is killed by police, how does one discuss racism?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

NANTERRE, France (AP) — The race of the police officer who fatally shot a French teenager during a traffic stop last week hasn’t been disclosed, and there’s no reason why it would be. Officially, race doesn’t exist in France.But the death of the French-born 17-year-old with North African roots, which sent rioters into the streets, has again exposed deep feelings about systemic racism that lies under the surface of the country’s ideal of colorblind equality.With his killing captured on video, what could be seen as France’s George Floyd moment has produced a very French national discussion that leaves out what many Americans would consider the essential point: color.One can’t address race, much less racism, if it doesn’t exist, according to French policy. The Paris police chief, Laurent Nunez, said Sunday he was shocked by the U.N. human rights office’s use of the term “racism” in its criticism of French law enforcement. The police have none of it, he said.France, especially white Fra...

Israel ends West Bank raid calling it a blow to militants. Palestinians grapple with destruction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

JENIN REFUGEE CAMP, West Bank (AP) — Israel withdrew troops from a West Bank militant stronghold Wednesday but warned that its most intense military operation in the occupied territory in nearly two decades was not a one-off. Twelve Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in the two-day raid.Residents of the Jenin refugee camp emerged from their homes to find alleys lined by piles of rubble and flattened or scorched cars. Shopkeepers and bulldozers started clearing the debris. Thousands who had fled the fighting began returning.The army claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on militant groups in the operation which included a series of airstrikes and hundreds of ground troops. But it remained unclear whether there would be any lasting effect after nearly a year and a half of heavy fighting in the West Bank.Ahead of the withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out similar operations if needed.“At these moments we are completing the mission, and I ...

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport cancels flights as a powerful summer storm lashes the Netherlands

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Amsterdam’s international airport canceled or delayed hundreds of flights and the Dutch railway halted all trains in the northern Netherlands on Wednesday morning as a summer storm lashed the country.The national meteorological institute declared a code red alert in three provinces as Storm Poly hit the country with heavy rain and powerful winds. One gust, on the coast west of Amsterdam, was recorded at just over 145 kilometers per hour (90 mph), the institute said.There were no immediate reports of casualties. Dutch media showed pictures of uprooted trees and “and at least one toppled truck in Amsterdam, The Hague and the city of Haarlem as the storm barreled through during the normally busy morning rush hour.Emergency services in North Holland province, which includes the capital Amsterdam, sent a push alert to mobile phones urging people to stay indoors as the storm passed. Traffic authorities also advised motorists to avoid driving, if possibl...

In the news today: Still no resolution in B.C. port strike

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed on what you need to know today…B.C. port strike enters fifth dayBoth sides in the B.C. port workers’ strike agree on one thing — they are deadlocked over maintenance work.More than 7,000 workers at 30 ports across British Columbia have been on strike since Saturday morning.Several business organizations and government officials in both Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling on Ottawa to step in to help end the dispute.Some even suggest back-to-work legislation must be considered to reopen western ports and save the Canadian economy.Quebec Police say two bodies found near site of weekend landslideFour days of searching may be over in Quebec after police divers found two bodies near the site of one of the landslides in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region.The slides were triggered Saturday by a “phenomenal” amount of rainfall that washed away roads and caused flooding.Provinci...

Northern premiers say Canada can’t have Arctic security without infrastructure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

Arctic security is under renewed focus as Russia and China eye the region, but leaders in the North say Canada won’t be able to exert sovereignty if their communities aren’t built up properly.The premiers from all three Northern territories say the federal government, while mindful of the need to strengthen Arctic security, has lacked a cohesive infrastructure plan to construct the foundation required to reach that goal.Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane said in an interview that while policymakers have increased talks of building up the North, few concrete plans for key infrastructure such as hospitals, telecommunications, airports and road systems have emerged.Without those plans and proper funding, Cochrane said it would be difficult for the federal government to achieve its goal of stronger Arctic security.“Without all-season roads, people don’t have access to labour markets and cost-effective food,” she said. “You need communicat...

Ten years after Lac-Megantic rail disaster, fish not biting ‘like they used to’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

LAC-MÉGANTIC, Que. — Pierre Grenier says that ever since the 2013 train derailment in Lac-Megantic, Que., spilled 100,000 litres of crude oil into the Chaudière River, the fishing hasn’t been the same.Anglers like him are catching fewer fish, and their catches are increasingly adult fish, a sign that fewer fish are being born. The fish, Grenier said, “don’t bite like they used to.”Experts with Quebec’s Environment Department will be deployed in the coming weeks to study the rehabilitation of the river since a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded 10 years ago, killing 47 people and destroying parts of downtown. The department says it will analyze levels of hydrocarbons in river sediments, the health of animals that live on the riverbed and the overall state of fish populations.Grenier, president of Lac-Megantic’s association of hunters and anglers, says his group has helped the province maintain the health of the region’s fi...

Canadians eligible for GST credit expected to receive ‘grocery rebate’ today

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

OTTAWA — Canadians eligible for the GST credit are expected to receive a special payment today to help with the rising cost of groceries.  The payment, which the Liberal government is calling the grocery rebate, was promised in the spring budget to help Canadians cope with food inflation.The Canada Revenue Agency says approximately 11 million Canadians will receive the additional money alongside the regular GST credit payment. Couples with two children can expect to receive up to an extra $467, single Canadians without children can expect up to an additional $234 and seniors can receive an extra $225 on average. The federal government also provided a similar payment last fall in what it said was an effort to blunt the effect of high inflation on low and modest-income families. Canada’s inflation rate slowed to 3.4 per cent in May, but grocery prices continue to rise rapidly, with prices up nine per cent compared to a year ago.This report by The Canadian Press was first publish...

Signs of wage growth cooling encouraging amid inflation fight: economists

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

TORONTO — Early signs of wage growth slowing are an indicator the Bank of Canada’s fight against inflation is slowly gaining ground, economists said, but it’s too soon to tell whether Canadians will regain the purchasing power they lost amid sustained price growth. “If wage growth is going to cool, then we better see inflation come down even faster,” said Brendon Bernard, senior economist with job site Indeed.Otherwise, workers won’t make up that lost ground, he said. “It’s a bit of a tug of war between the two.” Wage growth is just one factor the Bank of Canada is eyeing in its ongoing fight against inflation, said BMO economist Shelly Kaushik. “We are seeing a bit of a slowdown in broader economic activity. We are starting to see demand for labour, demand for some goods and services, starting to step down,” she said. “That’s all in line with what the bank wants to see, to help cool those inflation pressures.”On Friday, Statistics Canada said the economy was essentially...

Daily horoscope for July 5, 2023

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:11:48 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aquarius.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, July 5, 2023:You need variety. You energize whatever situation you’re in with sparkle and dynamic verve. You are a charming conversationalist. This year is the beginning of a fresh new cycle for you. Stay flexible. Be courageous. Now is the time to take action, initiative and define your goals.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Focus on getting things done today. Home repairs might be an excellent choice, along with DIY projects. Anything to do with home and family has your attention now. Nevertheless, sports and fun activities with kids will appeal to you. Tonight: Someone unusual.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★This is a busy, fast-paced day! You’re eager to talk to others, especially siblings, relatives and neighbors. You are equally eager to learn something new. Meanwhile, redecorating ideas and renovations on the home front might appeal to you. ...