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‘There is this blemish’: Man charged in bathhouse raid calls expungement move lacking

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

TORONTO — Ron Rosenes remembers Toronto police officers knocking on the door of his room at a downtown bathhouse on Feb. 5, 1981, during co-ordinated raids that targeted four gay clubs in the city that night.Officers arrested and charged Rosenes and almost 300 other men with being in “a common bawdy house” as part of Operation Soap, which was among the largest mass police raids in Canadian history. “It was the first time in my life when the state or the police arm of the state confronted me and charged me with doing something in a space that I believed to have been a safe place for gay men to gather,” Rosenes said in a phone interview.“There is this blemish, if you will, on my life, and in police records, for a crime that for which I was unjustly charged.”The federal government announced this week that it would expunge the records of those arrested over several so-called “indecency” offences, particularly charges largely directed at th...

Federal and provincial justice ministers meeting to discuss bail reform

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

OTTAWA — Justice Minister David Lametti is preparing to face off with his provincial counterparts in Ottawa Friday on whether to reform Canada’s bail system, as premiers, federal Conservatives and law enforcement leaders demand more restrictions.But while he has signalled an openness to reform, Lametti has also cautioned that more-restrictive laws could bump up against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms — and experts warn there are already too many innocent people awaiting trial behind bars. In a January letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, all 13 provincial and territorial premiers called on the feds to establish a “reverse onus” system for firearm and other offences, which would require a person seeking bail to show evidence as to why they should not stay behind bars. Nearly two months later, the provinces’ patience seems to be wearing thin. British Columbia Premier David Eby said earlier this week that residents are “very frustrated” with a...

Aid for war-related sexual violence in Ukraine also benefits domestic abuse survivors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

UZHHOROD, Ukraine — Kseniya Horovenko, a psychologist, has welcomed them into a brightly lit room furnished with a few chairs, couches and tables topped with small Ukrainian and Canadian flags.She has heard the stories of so many survivors — women, men and children, too — in the year since Russia invaded Ukraine, a conflict where several countries, including Canada, have concluded that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war.“Not everyone talks about it. We only hear some things,” Horovenko said through a translator.“People want to forget many things.”She co-ordinates a Canadian-funded counselling service in Uzhhorod, a small resort town near the border with Slovakia, where people arrived by the thousands after fleeing Russian-occupied territories.The service, which has provided support to some 200 survivors of sexual and domestic abuse, is one of many that Canada launched through the United Nations Population Fund as part of a $7-million aid package...

Daily horoscope for March 10, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or major decisions from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. EST today (3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. PST). After that, the Moon moves from Libra into Scorpio.Happy Birthday for Friday, March 10, 2023:You are strong, independent and have a commanding presence. You are also ambitious for success. This is a slower paced year. It’s also your chance to rejuvenate yourself and concentrate on your own needs and what brings you happiness. There will be a strong focus on relationships.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★This is a strong, energetic day for you, which is why you can accomplish a lot. However, you will want credit for what you do. (Of course!) Naturally, this might create challenges for teamwork. “I’ve got it!” “No, I’ve got it!” And so it goes. Tonight: Financial planning.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★This is a productive day for you; however, power struggles with co-workers are possible. These difficulties might arise due to a difference ...

European Digital Identity: Easy online access to key services 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

Improved rules for the European Digital Identity - a personal digital wallet for EU citizens - will make it easier for people to access public services and make online transactions, Society.Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more public and private services have become digital. This requires secure and reliable digital identification systems. During the plenary session in mid-March, the European Parliament will adopt its position on the proposed update of the European Digital Identity framework.Find out more about the digital transformation, one of the EU's priorities.What is the European Digital Identity?The European Digital Identity (eID) enables the mutual recognition of national electronic identification schemes across borders. It allows EU citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online without having to resort to commercial providers. It also allows people to access online services from other EU countries using their national electronic identity card.What are th...

Miss Manners: My partner is troubled by my behavior in stores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My partner and I have an amicable disagreement concerning window shopping.In my view, it is perfectly acceptable to enter a store and look around, even if the chance I will purchase an item is somewhat low. In instances when I speak with an attendant, I set expectations by saying, “I am not sure if I am ready to make a purchase yet, but I have a brief question” — and I make sure to keep the question brief. I also refrain from doing so if the attendant appears busy or if the store is full of other customers.My significant other is deeply uncomfortable with this. They feel that it is impolite to raise the expectations of a store attendant that you may be making a purchase — especially if you ask a question or derive some benefit from the interaction without making a purchase.I disagree. Stores know that not all customers will purchase an item, but that providing a reasonable level of assistance will increase the chance of converting a window ...

Dear Abby: It’s simple American food, but they won’t even try it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

DEAR ABBY: I have been with my boyfriend for six years. He is wonderful. We became engaged last year.His family has been nice to me, but on holidays, I dread bringing a dish or dessert because none of them touch whatever I bring. It’s insulting and hurtful. I end up upset and toss it in the trash.I come from a large family. My parents immigrated from the Philippines, and I look forward to our family holiday celebrations. We all cook, appreciate and enjoy each dish or dessert we bring.I don’t know if my fiance’s family is afraid to try my cooking even though I make common, simple, American dishes.He doesn’t see the big deal when I raise the subject with him. My sisters all say I should stop bringing anything. Am I too sensitive? Is it worth taking anything to these gatherings?HURT COOK IN KENTUCKYRelated ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I worry about how they feed my grandchild Advice | Dear Abby: A stranger sent me screenshots of what my...

McKeown sets 200-meter backstroke swimming world record

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Three-time Olympic champion Kaylee McKeown broke the world record in the 200-meter backstroke Friday at the New South Wales State Open swim championships.McKeown finished in 2 minutes, 03.14 seconds, taking 0.21 seconds off American swimmer Regan Smith’s mark from 2019.McKeown won the 100 and 200 backstroke golds at the Tokyo Olympics and was a member of Australia’s winning 400-meter medley relay team.The record came on the opening night of the New South Wales meet at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, site of the 2000 Olympic swimming events.___More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsSource

Transurban announces it will exit proposed toll lane expansion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

This content was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partners at Maryland Matters. Sign up for Maryland Matters’ free email subscription today.An Australia-based company that was the lead partner in a plan to build toll lanes to widen I-270 and parts of the Capital Beltway in Montgomery County announced that they will exit the project.Transurban, lead partner in a consortium known as Accelerate Maryland Partners, issued a statement Thursday evening — the start of the Friday business day in Australia — announcing it will not proceed with the project.The announcement comes less than two weeks before the company was required to meet a key deadline and submit its design and finance plans for the project.In a statement, the company said the project faced challenges including delayed environmental approvals, “a changing political landscape,” and unresolved lawsuits.“Transurban is disappointed that we were unable to reach agreement with Maryland to deliver the critical congestion ...

Czech Republic beats China 8-5 at WBC, Cuba gets its 1st win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:20:55 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Martin Muzik hit a three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning and the Czech Republic beat China 8-5 on Friday in the World Baseball Classic.The Czech Republic overcame a 5-4 deficit in the ninth, with Filip Smola adding an RBI single in the team’s first game in Group A. Matej Mensik also homered for the Czechs, connecting in the third. Marek Minarik was the winner, closing with 2 2/3 scoreless innings.Hai Cheng Gong took the loss as China dropped to 0-2. It lost to Japan 8-1 on Thursday.The all-amateur Czech team has had fun in Japan. A few of the players even went surfing in the run-up to the tournament during games in Miyazaki in southwestern Japan.“We’re enjoying the Japanese stay,” Czech player Marek Chlup said. “At Miyazaki, some players swam.”CUBA 13, PANAMA 4TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — Cuba pounded out 21 hits and picked up its first victory in the World Baseball Classic after losing its first two games in Group A.Panama led 4-2 after two innings, bre...