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Veterans, advocates want to see changes at Veterans Affairs under new minister

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

OTTAWA — It’s been just over three years since Veterans Affairs Canada released a strategy to tackle its 23,000 backlogged benefits applications, and that file has landed on the desk of a new minister for the first time.Ginette Petitpas Taylor has taken over from longtime minister Lawrence MacAulay, and she says finishing the job by 2024 — the department’s stated target — is among her top priorities.“We absolutely want to eliminate that backlog to make sure that we can meet our service standards,” she said in an interview.Her other top issues: developing an employment strategy and commemorating the events of the past.Advocates say they want Petitpas Taylor to tackle a range of other problems, from housing and education to the kind of culture change that’s underway at the Department of National Defence. As for the backlog, the department’s service standard is to complete 80 per cent of benefits applications within 16 weeks, allowing more time for w...

Federal underfunding Indigenous housing leads to years-long wait-lists, frustration

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

OTTAWA — Stefania Giesbrecht was hoping that by the time she finished her studies, she could move back to her community of Saugeen First Nation.But after nine years on a wait-list, the single mother of three said she has no idea when she will be able to make the move to the community on the shores of Lake Huron near Owen Sound, Ont.“I put myself onto the waiting list, and my mother went on the waiting list and my sister went on the waiting list,” she said.“And none of us have got any updates.”Giesbrecht said she wants to live on-reserve to immerse her children in their culture. That is something her mother couldn’t do as a child of the ’60s Scoop, when Indigenous children were forcefully removed from their families and placed in foster homes by child-welfare authorities.Giesbrecht said she doesn’t blame the community leadership, often referred to as band office officials, for the lengthy wait.But she does hold the federal government accounta...

Decathlete Trey Hardee’s mental health struggles began after celebrated career ended

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A year ago, Trey Hardee found himself alone in a hotel room, hitting rock bottom.Struggling to cope with the realities of life in the aftermath of a successful track career, the father of three, a two-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist in the decathlon, was thinking about ending his life.“I read my journal entry from that night,” the 39-year-old told The Associated Press in phone interviews this summer from Austin, Texas, where he lives. “I don’t know who that was.” His darkest moment came in July 2022 at last year’s world championships in Oregon, as he was gearing up for another day in his role as a TV analyst. At this year’s world championships, which open Saturday in Hungary, Hardee will again be behind the microphone, but much more at peace, and hoping his story might serve as a cautionary tale for the hundreds of athletes who struggle with mental health. “I went and sought out counseling and figured out a way to mature in ...

Ask Amy: Neighbors might wonder about son’s incarceration

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

Dear Amy: My son is in prison. In a few months his sentence for drug possession and a probation violation (for possession) will be completed.His charges are nonviolent offenses, and he has worked hard to get control over his addiction.My son and his fiancée have a 3-year-old child together.The fiancée and child live in our second home in another state — the same state where he is serving his sentence.We are at our second home four months out of the year.I need help with what to say to neighbors who are curious about why our son’s fiancée lives in our home with their child (for three years) and then — my son shows up.I’m sure they’ll ask since they seem very curious about her situation but have, so far, not asked any direct questions of her or us.Our neighbors are very conservative, older, and talk often about the perceived “crime” wave due to the homeless and addicted.Do you have any suggestions for the questions that (I feel) are bound to arise: such as, “Where has your...

Bridge: Aug. 19, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on improving basic technique and logical thinking.Few people are willing to put all their eggs in one basket, even if they’re able to keep an eye on the basket. Declarers must be the same way; with several chances for your contract, try them all.At today’s 3NT, South took the queen of diamonds and immediately let the jack of spades ride. Alas, East produced the king and returned a diamond, and West ran the suit. Down one.SPADE FINESSESouth put all his eggs in one leaky basket. He can count seven sure tricks. If the missing clubs break 3-3 and the queen of hearts falls under the A-K, South will have nine tricks and won’t need the spade finesse.South should lead to the queen of clubs at Trick Two, then take the A-K. When the suit breaks 3-3, he cashes the A-K of hearts next with a gratifying result. If the clubs failed to break, South would be in his hand to finesse in spades, hoping for three spades, three clubs, a diamond...

Word Game: Aug. 19, 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — CARELESS (CARELESS: KARE-les: Showing a lack of consideration; negligent.)Average mark 38 wordsTime limit 45 minutesCan you find 48 or more words in CARELESS? The list will be published Monday.YESTERDAY’S WORD — BELLWETHER beer beet beetle bell belle belt belter beret berth betel bethel blew brew ether ewer leer lethe well welt welter were whee wheel wheeler where whet tell teller thee there thew three threw treble tree heel heeler hell herb here rebel reel retellTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually e...

Horoscopes Aug. 19, 2023: John Stamos, don’t hesitate to say no

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Christina Perri, 37; Matthew Perry, 54; John Stamos, 60; Bill Clinton, 77.Happy Birthday: A structured approach to what you want to accomplish this year will help you reach your goal. Journey down a specific path for the right reason, and it will turn into a rewarding direction. Ignore what others do, and don’t hesitate to say no to overspending, poor behavior and spreading yourself so thin that you don’t reach your target. Pay attention, breathe and uncomplicate your life. Your numbers are 7, 15, 23, 26, 34, 39, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Test your strength, courage and will to be first, and you will outmaneuver anyone who challenges you. Use your imagination, step outside your comfort zone and play to win. Your charisma and charm will attract someone who is an asset. Romance is favored. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Think big, but don’t exceed the budget. You can have fun and socialize without being overindulgent. Mix business ...

Sweden beats Australia 2-0 to win another bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Sweden won yet another bronze medal at the Women’s World Cup, with Fridolina Rolfo and Kosovare Asllani scoring Saturday in a clinical 2-0 win over tournament co-host Australia.The Swedish women proved once again they’re tough to beat after a semifinal loss, extending their perfect record in World Cup third-place matches to four with the victory in Brisbane.It was a disappointing finish for the Matildas, who captivated the host nation during a run to the semifinals for the first time.The tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand has set attendance records, had packed fan zones, and two of Australia’s matches became the most-watched programs on domestic commercial TV in 20 years.Ultimately, it ended with back-to-back losses to the No. 3- and No. 4-ranked teams in the world even with star striker Sam Kerr back in the starting lineup.Rolfo converted from the penalty spot with a low, curling left-foot shot in the 30th minute after Australia...

To prepare for World Cup, USA Basketball brought some help for practices

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Among the prized possessions that John Jenkins has collected in his career: a handwritten letter from former USA Basketball coach Gregg Popovich for his role on the Tokyo Olympic team, and a gold medal from those games.His medal is a replica. His effort was very real. And who knows, another shiny souvenir might be coming his way in a few weeks.As part of its preparations for big tournaments in recent years — such as the World Cup, which begins on Friday in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan — USA Basketball has been taking a few extra players to help in practices and workouts. Jenkins, Langston Galloway and Eric Mika were the trio that got the call for this trip; they go home on Sunday, one day before the Americans leave for Manila and their World Cup run.“To have this opportunity given to me again, I’ve never been more grateful in my life than now,” Jenkins said.These aren’t some guys off the street who were brought in to be tackling dummies...

Sweden 2, Australia 0

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:05:20 GMT

Australia00—0Sweden11—2First Half_1, Sweden, Rolfo, (penalty kick), 30th minute.Second Half_2, Sweden, Asllani, (Ilestedt), 62nd.Goalies_Australia, Mackenzie Arnold, Lydia Williams, Teagan Micah; Sweden, Zecira Musovic, Jennifer Falk, Tove Enblom.Yellow Cards_Gorry, Australia, 45th+1; Rubensson, Sweden, 89th; Hurtig, Sweden, 90th+5.Referee_Cheryl Foster. Assistant Referees_Michelle O’Neill, Franca Overtoom, Marco Fritz. 4th Official_Rebecca Welch.___Source