Russia's richest businessman tells Putin: Don't take us back to 1917 Russia's richest businessman has warned the Kremlin against confiscating assets of companies that have fled in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, saying such a step would set the country back more than 100 years. Vladimir Potanin, president of metals giant Norilsk Nickel and its biggest shareholder, said that Russia risked returning to the tumultuous days of the 1917 revolution if it slammed the door on Western companies and investors. He urged the Russian government to proceed with extreme caution regarding the seizure of assets. "Firstly, it would take us back a hundred years, to 1917, and the consequences of such a step — global distrust of Russia on the part of investors — we would experience for many decades," he said in a message posted on Norilsk Nickel's Telegram account on Thursday. "Secondly, the decision of many companies to suspend operations in Russia is, I would say, somewhat emotional in nature and may have been taken as a result of unprecedented pressure on them from public opinion abroad. So most likely they will come back. And personally, I would keep such an opportunity for them," he added. Potanin is Russia's wealthiest billionaire and still worth about $22.5 billion, according to Bloomberg, despite losing about a quarter of his fortune this year as shares in Norilsk Nickel crashed. The company's shares lost more than 90% in London trading before they were suspended this month, despite soaring prices for its commodities. Norilsk Nickel is the world's largest producer of palladium and high-grade nickel, as well as a major producer of platinum and copper. The company and its primary products have escaped punishing sanctions imposed by Western countries that have slammed the Russian economy. Dozens of American, European and Japanese companies have abandoned joint ventures, factories, stores, offices and other assets in the past two weeks in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions. They were joined by Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on Thursday, the first major Western banks to announce they will quit Russia completely since the crisis erupted in February. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that he backed a plan to introduce "external management" of foreign companies leaving Russia. "We need to act decisively with those [companies] who are going to close their production," Putin said according to a video posted by the Kremlin and aired on state media. "It is necessary, then ... to introduce external management and then transfer these enterprises to those who want to work," he added. Russia's consumer rights organization has drawn up a list of companies that have decided to leave and could be nationalized, according to a report in Russian newspaper Izvestiya later cited by state news agency TASS. The document that was reportedly sent to the Russian government and the Prosecutor General's Office, includes 59 companies, including Volkswagen, Apple, IKEA, Microsoft, IBM, Shell, McDonald's, Porsche, Toyota, H&M, and can be updated with more brands, Izvestiya said. Potanin said it wasn't particularly expedient to talk about nationalizing Western assets, but the Kremlin's proposal could allow "owners to keep property, and companies to avoid collapse, continue to produce products and pay money to employees." "I understand that in light of the economic restrictions directed against Russia, there may be an understandable desire to act symmetrically," he wrote. "But on the example of Western countries, we see that the economies of these countries suffer from the imposition of sanctions against Russia. We must be wiser and avoid a scenario where retaliatory sanctions hit ourselves." He also called for Russia to ease restrictions on foreign currency so that interest could be paid on foreign bonds and loans. Otherwise, there was a risk the country could default on its entire external debt, which he estimated at about $480 billion.

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Russia court bans Facebook, Instagram on 'extremism' charges A Moscow court banned Facebook and Instagram on Monday for what it deemed extremist activity in a case against their parent company, Meta. The Tverskoy District Court fulfilled a request from prosecutors to outlaw Meta Platforms Inc. and banned Facebook and Instagram for what they called "extremist activities." Russian prosecutors have accused the social media platforms of ignoring government requests to remove what they described as fake news about Russian military actions in Ukraine and calls for anti-war protests in Russia. - WATCH: Joy Malbon on the devastation in Mariupol - Latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war - Ukrainians take up arms, train with AK-47 rifles The court's ruling bans Meta from opening offices and doing business in Russia. Meta declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press. Prosecutors haven't requested to ban the Meta-owned messaging service WhatsApp, which is widely popular in Russia. The authorities also emphasized that they do not intend to punish individual Russians who use Facebook or Instagram. Instagram and Facebook were already blocked in Russia after the country's communications and media regulator Roskomnadzor said they were being used to call for violence against Russian soldiers. In addition to blocking Facebook and Instagram, Russian authorities also have shut access to foreign media websites, including BBC, the U.S. government-funded Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle and Latvia-based website Meduza. Continuing the effort, Roskomnadzor on Monday blocked the website of Euronews, a European news network. The regulator has also cut Euronews broadcasts. The court's verdict comes amid multipronged efforts by Russian authorities to control the message about Russia's military action in Ukraine, which the Kremlin describes as a "special military operation" intended to uproot alleged "neo-Nazi nationalists." A new law fast-tracked on March 4 by the Kremlin-controlled parliament, a week after Russia launched the attack on Ukraine, envisions prison terms of up to 15 years for posting "fake" information about the military that differs from the official narrative. Get in touch Do you have both Ukrainian and Russian family members? How are you handling the crisis? Email dotcom@bellmedia.ca. - Please include your name, location, and contact information if you are willing to speak to a journalist with CTV News. - Your comments may be used in a CTVNews.ca story. 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Calgary police help confirm identity of 'Happy Face Killer' murder victim The victim of a grisly murder in the United States nearly 30 years ago has now been identified thanks in part to advancements in DNA technology and Calgary Police Service members. Russian troops use rape as 'instrument of war' in Ukraine, rights groups say Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have been sexually abusing women, children and men since the invasion began. Habs legend Guy Lafleur has died at age 70 Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur has died at the age of 70. The Quebecer was a bonafide Habs icon, winning five Stanley Cups and remaining, to this day, the team's all-time scoring leader. Portuguese prosecutors say man named formal suspect in McCann case Portuguese prosecutors said on Thursday a man had been formally identified as a suspect in the disappearance of British toddler Madeleine McCann 15 years ago. 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Canada 7 youths charged in deadly attack of Edmonton high school student Seven youths in Edmonton have been arrested and are facing charges in the stabbing death of 16-year-old Karanveer Sahota. Former RBC bank manager, three others accused in alleged $10-million Ont. bank loan scheme Four people have been charged following a year-long investigation into a multi-million-dollar fraudulent loan scheme in the Greater Toronto Area. Calgary police help confirm identity of 'Happy Face Killer' murder victim The victim of a grisly murder in the United States nearly 30 years ago has now been identified thanks in part to advancements in DNA technology and Calgary Police Service members. Ontario reports another 27 COVID-19 deaths as ICU admissions continue to rise Another 27 deaths due to COVID-19 have been logged in Ontario as the number of patients in intensive care with the disease continues to rise. 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Possible mass graves near Mariupol as Russia attacks in east Satellite photos of what appeared to be rows upon rows of freshly dug mass graves on the outskirts of Mariupol brought the horrors of the war increasingly into focus, as Russia pounded away Friday at Ukrainian holdouts in the city's steel mill and other targets in a drive to seize the country's industrial east. Israeli police storm Jerusalem holy site after rock-throwing Israeli police in full riot gear stormed a sensitive Jerusalem holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims on Friday after Palestinian youths hurled stones at a gate where they were stationed. Death toll in Afghan mosque bombing rises to 33, Taliban say A Taliban official says a bombing at a mosque and religious school in northern Afghanistan on Friday killed at least 33 people, including students of a religious school. 6 rebels, soldier killed in Kashmir ahead of Modi's visit Six suspected rebels and an Indian paramilitary officer were killed in two separate clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday, two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the disputed region. Politics Freeland says Russia should be booted from G20, but no movement yet Russia should be booted from an international forum to manage global economic concerns over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the destabilizing effects it has had, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says. Jagmeet Singh calls NDP-Liberal pact 'Anhad Accord' after his daughter NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has revealed that his party calls the pact he made with Justin Trudeau's Liberals the 'Anhad Accord' after his baby daughter. Canada easing some COVID-19 border rules for children and those fully vaccinated Starting Monday, some of Canada's pandemic border restrictions are being eased for those who are fully vaccinated and for children regardless of their vaccination status. Health Higher-paid agency nurses could pose 'dangerous challenge' to health system: union A nursing union boss wants Canada's auditor general to find out how many privately contracted nurses are working for health authorities across the country, doing the same work as staff counterparts while being paid far more. 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'It breaks my heart': Canadian-Indian poet Rupi Kaur's book banned in Texas Canadian-Indian poet Rupi Kaur says it is 'unfortunate' and 'disturbing' that her first book of poetry has been banned in some schools and libraries in parts of Texas. Why are Disney and DeSantis feuding in Florida? The Florida Legislature has passed a bill to dissolve a private government controlled by Disney that provides municipal-like services for its nearly 11,000 hectares in the Sunshine State. Business Stocks fall sharply as Wall Street nears third losing week Stocks are tumbling on Friday as the sharp, recent surge for interest rates keeps weighing on Wall Street. Some disappointing profit reports from companies also shook what's been the market's main pillar of support. Statistics Canada says retail sales edged up 0.1 per cent in February Retail sales edged higher in February as Canadians went shopping for new clothes and spent more filling up at the gas pumps. 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Phil Murphy announced that state regulators had cleared the way for recreational sales at seven 'alternative treatment centres' that had already offered medical cannabis. The seven centres operate 13 facilities across the state. - sponsored sponsored | Swapping skates leads to new Olympic journey for former hockey star From a complete unknown in the speed skating world to a future shining star, Ryan Gibson, 23, is learning the ropes of the sport and aiming for an Olympic debut. Sports Habs legend Guy Lafleur has died at age 70 Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur has died at the age of 70. The Quebecer was a bonafide Habs icon, winning five Stanley Cups and remaining, to this day, the team's all-time scoring leader. Tyson Fury keeps it light at weigh-in for title fight vs. Whyte The mood was light and so was Tyson Fury, who weighed in for his WBC heavyweight title defence against Dillian Whyte 12 pounds (more than five kilograms) lighter than his last fight. 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Russian Railways intend to sign Cuba’s railways upgrade contract Business & Economy February 28, 12:21 The contract price is valued at 1 bln euro SOCHI, February 28. /TASS/. The contract price for upgrade of Cuba’s railways is valued at 1 bln euro, First Vice President of Russian Railways Alexander Misharin told TASS in an interview on Tuesday at the Russian Investment Forum (Sochi 2017). Russian Railways signed a project roadmap with their Cuban counterparts, Misharin said. "We estimate [the future contract price - TASS] at about 1 bln euro," he added.

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Russians flock to Serbia for Western-made COVID-19 vaccines When Russian regulators approved the country's own coronavirus vaccine, it was a moment of national pride, and the Pavlov family was among those who rushed to take the injection. But international health authorities have not yet given their blessing to the Sputnik V shot. So when the family from Rostov-on-Don wanted to visit the West, they looked for a vaccine that would allow them to travel freely -- a quest that brought them to Serbia, where hundreds of Russian citizens have flocked in recent weeks to receive Western-approved COVID-19 shots. Serbia, which is not a member of the European Union, is a convenient choice for vaccine-seeking Russians because they can enter the allied Balkan nation without visas and because it offers a wide choice of Western-made shots. Organized tours for Russians have soared, and they can be spotted in the capital, Belgrade, at hotels, restaurants, bars and vaccination clinics. "We took the Pfizer vaccine because we want to travel around the world," Nadezhda Pavlova, 54, said after receiving the vaccine last weekend at a sprawling Belgrade vaccination center. Her husband, Vitaly Pavlov, 55, said he wanted "the whole world to be open to us rather than just a few countries." Vaccination tour packages for Russians seeking shots endorsed by the World Health Organization appeared on the market in mid-September, according to Russia's Association of Tour Operators. Maya Lomidze, the group's executive director, said prices start at $300 to $700, depending on what's included. Lauded by Russian President Vladimir Putin as world's first registered COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V emerged in August 2020 and has been approved in some 70 countries, including Serbia. But the WHO has said global approval is still under review after citing issues at a production plant a few months ago. On Friday, a top World Health Organization official said legal issues holding up the review of Sputnik V were "about to be sorted out," a step that could relaunch the process toward emergency use authorization. Other hurdles remain for the Russian application, including a lack of full scientific information and inspections of manufacturing sites, said Dr. Mariangela Simao, a WHO assistant director-general. Apart from the WHO, Sputnik V is also still awaiting approval from the European Medicines Agency before all travel limitations can be lifted for people vaccinated with the Russian formula. The long wait has frustrated many Russians, so when the WHO announced yet another delay in September, they started looking for solutions elsewhere. "People don't want to wait; people need to be able to get into Europe for various personal reasons," explained Anna Filatovskaya, Russky Express tour agency spokeswoman in Moscow. "Some have relatives. Some have business, some study, some work. Some simply want to go to Europe because they miss it." Serbia, a fellow-Orthodox Christian and Slavic nation, offers the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Chinese Sinopharm shots. By popular demand, Russian tourist agencies are now also offering tours to Croatia, where tourists can receive the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, without the need to return for a second dose. "For Serbia, the demand has been growing like an avalanche," Filatovskaya said. "It's as if all our company is doing these days is selling tours for Serbia." The Balkan nation introduced vaccination for foreigners in August, when the vaccination drive inside the country slowed after reaching around 50 per cent of the adult population. Official Serbian government data shows that nearly 160,000 foreign citizens so far have been vaccinated in the country, but it is unclear how many are Russians. In Russia, the country's vaccination rate has been low. By this week, almost 33 per cent of Russia's 146 million people have received at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine, and 29 per cent were fully vaccinated. Apart from Sputnik V and a one-dose version known as Sputnik Light, Russia has also used two other domestically designed vaccines that have not been internationally approved. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko recently said administrative issues were among the main holdups in the WHO's review process. Judy Twigg, a political science professor specializing in global health at Virginia Commonwealth University, expects Sputnik V to be approved eventually, but "maybe not by the end of this year." "The WHO has said that it needs more data, and it needs to go back and inspect some production lines where it saw issues early on. Those re-inspections are a multiweek process, with good reason. It's not something that they just gloss over lightly." Amid low vaccination rates and reluctance by the authorities to reimpose restrictive measures, both Russia and Serbia have seen COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations reach record levels in the past weeks. The daily coronavirus death toll in Russia topped 900 for a second straight day on Thursday -- a day after reaching a record 929. In Serbia, the daily death toll of 50 people is the highest in months in the country of 7 million that so far has confirmed nearly 1 million cases of infection. Pavlova said the "double protection" offered by the Pfizer booster shots would allow the family "to not only travel around the world, but also to see our loved ones without fear." Since the vaccine tours exploded in popularity about a month ago, they have provided welcome business for Serbian tour operators devastated by the pandemic in an already weak economy. The owner of BTS Kompas travel agency in Belgrade, Predrag Tesic, said they are booked well in advance. "It started modestly at first, but day by day numbers have grown nicely," Tesic said. He explained that his agency organizes everything, from airport transport to accommodations and translation and other help at vaccination points. When they return for another dose in three weeks, the Russian guests also are offered brief tours to some of popular sites in Serbia. Back in Russia, some Moscow residents said they understood why many of their fellow Russians travel abroad for vaccines. But Tatiana Novikova said homegrown vaccines remain her choice. "I trust ours more, to be honest," she said. ---- Associated Press writers Dusan Stojanovic and Ivana Bzganovic in Belgrade, Serbia, and Daria Litvinova and Daniel Kozin reported from Moscow. 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Ryan Vogelsong on Barry Zito/Tim Hudson: 'This day is awesome' By John Shea Few have better perspective than Ryan Vogelsong on the Giants' side of Barry Zito and Tim Hudson stories. ... (AP Photo/George Nikitin) A's startin gpitcher Barry Zito takes to the field for warm ... A's Barry Zito, Giants Tim Hudson look forward to matchup By Susan Slusser Saturday, they'll be opponents in a much anticipated meeting but on Friday, friends and former teammates Barry Zito and Tim Hudson were all smiles. ... "I'm ready for it," Zito said. ... Reunion ... It's on: Barry Zito to start for A's against Giants' Tim Hudson By Susan Slusser After hints for much of the past week, the A's announced on Tuesday that Barry Zito will, indeed, start Saturday's game against the Giants at the Coliseum. ... Mulder is so excited about it, ... Ex-A's star Barry Zito comes off Nashville's DL By Susan Slusser There were rumblings in Oakland's clubhouse this morning that Barry Zito might appear in one of the Sounds' final two games. Nashville took Zito, the 2002 Cy Young winner, off the disabled list ... Oakland A's reverse course, call up Barry Zito A's Zito gets the call after all By Susan Slusser A's fans have clamored for Barry Zito since rosters expanded at the start of the month, and finally they get their wish. ... Good for Barry, I'm so happy for ... Barry Zito's finest hour led A's 2006 run BRUCE JENKINS 3-Dot Lounge Zito's finest hour led A's run By Bruce Jenkins So much of the Barry Zito-Tim Hudson nostalgia revolves around Oakland in the early 2000s, and rightly so, but those were times of grave ... Barry Zito placed on DL with A's Triple-A team By Susan Slusser Barry Zito, the 2002 Cy Young winner trying to make a comeback with Oakland's Triple-A Nashville team, was placed on the Sounds' disabled list on Sunday. ... Barry Zito, above, was placed on ... Barry Zito doing well in minors, but would love major upgrade A's Zito, solid in minors,has major ambition By Susan Slusser Suddenly, after nearly four months at Triple-A Nashville, Barry Zito is a realistic option for the A's should they trade Scott Kazmir in the next ... Barry Zito wins Hutch Award Susan Slusser Giants starter Barry Zito was named Thursday the recipient of the Hutch Award, presented each year to a major-leaguer who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of former big-league ... Barry Zito looks ready for October Barry Zito has been here before. ... Zito's resurgence The Giants have not lost in Barry Zito's past nine starts, and they can thank their bats as much as Zito's improved control. ... The Giants won their ninth ... A's: Barry Zito's first spring outing mostly positive "I thought Barry threw the ball well," said A's manager Bob Melvin, who won't announce what's next for Zito until Friday. ... Former Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito (back) returns to the dugout after his ... Barry Zito to sign a minor-league deal with Oakland A's Barry Zito appeared as a reliever in the ninth inning and gave up 3 runs Sunday August 11, 2013. ... STANFORD ZITO -C-04JUN99-SP-MAC 1999 - Young Barry Zito pitches for the USC Trojans against Stanford. ... No ... Barry Zito is an original - just like his dad Of a father's love for his son Bruce Jenkins I was privileged to have known Barry Zito's father, who passed away this week. I spent a wonderful afternoon in the Southern California home of Joe and Roberta Zito ... Barry Zito's road funk gets worse -- How can they arrange the rotation so Barry Zito pitches only at home? ... E-mail: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman Barry Zito's ERA away from home rose to 11.28. ... (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) ... Barry Zito sues friend over investment Pitcher sues friend over investment BARRY ZITO Henry K. ... San Francisco Giants' pitcher Barry Zito throws during warm up's at spring training Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. ... Years of struggles ... Barry Zito injured in rehab start Zito injured in rehab start Henry Schulman, Chronicle Staff Writer Miami -- Barry Zito, making a rehab start for Triple-A Fresno on Saturday night, had to be helped off the field after incurring a leg injury. ... Barry Zito looks like money for Giants As he stood on first base, at 6:37 p.m., Zito heard the crowd chant, "Barry! Barry! Barry!" Game 4 would be Barry Zito's start Zito will start Game 4 - if there is one NLDS Henry Schulman Cincinnati -- In one of the more stunning reversals of fortune in recent Giants history, manager Bruce Bochy has picked Barry Zito to start Game 4 of ... In 1st, Barry Zito doesn't succeed 1st gets away from Zito Ron Kroichick Thursday's game started so smoothly for Barry Zito - groundout by Ruben Tejada, strikeout by Andres Torres. ... Then, suddenly, Zito found himself in an all-too-familiar ... Barry Zito does well in his final start; A's beat Angels 8-7 By Susan Slusser ANAHEIM - Barry Zito didn't qualify for the win in what was probably his final big-league start. ... "We don't win that game unless Barry pitches," A's manager Bob Melvin said. ... Athletics ...

B-PER I-PER O B-PER I-PER B-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER B-ORG I-ORG B-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-ORG B-PER I-PER O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O B-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O B-ORG O O B-LOC O B-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-ORG O O O B-ORG O B-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER B-ORG B-PER O O O O O O B-PER I-PER B-ORG O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-ORG O O B-PER I-PER O O B-PER O O O B-ORG O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER B-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-ORG O O O B-PER I-PER B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O B-ORG B-PER O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-ORG O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-PER I-PER B-ORG O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O B-ORG B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O B-PER O O O O O B-ORG O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-PER I-PER O B-ORG O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER O B-PER I-PER O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-MISC O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER B-PER I-PER O B-ORG I-ORG I-ORG O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O B-ORG O O O O O O O O O B-PER O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O B-PER O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-PER B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-PER I-PER O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O B-ORG O B-ORG O O B-PER I-PER O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER O B-ORG O B-PER I-PER O O O O


SAINT-SAUVEUR, QUEBEC -- "Not nothing" was how Justin Trudeau portrayed his environmental track record over the weekend. "Not nothing" isn’t much of a boast from a man who, six years ago, stood on the stage at the crucial Paris climate conference and solemnly intoned: "Canada is back." I was in that room in Paris, in 2015, just a few weeks after the vote that had seen Justin Trudeau’s Liberals get elected on a frothy promise of "real change." I felt hopeful we would finally get it right on climate. Once back in Canada, however, and with less fanfare, Trudeau announced that his own targets and timelines to fight climate change would, in fact, be those of his much-maligned predecessor, Stephen Harper. Oh, and he never managed to meet even those. At the end of last year, Trudeau announced a bold, marvellous new climate plan. Only problem is, nothing has come of it yet. On April 22, Earth Day, he joined Biden and other leaders and, needing something to say, started outbidding himself. Nothing really new, just more ambitious targets. And he’s promising to get it done by 2050, when he’ll be 79 years old. In the six years he’s been in power, Trudeau has seen GHGs increase every year and, yes, we do have the worst record of G7 countries. Hey, we were the first country to withdraw from the Kyoto Accord, might as well stick with a winning formula. That Liberal formula on climate change has been to pose, preen, position and posture, then purchase a pipeline. Trudeau solemnly promised Canadians and our international partners that he would stop subsidizing oil and gas companies. He’s still doing it to this day. Canadians seem less upset to have Liberals mess up our international obligations than Conservatives. Harper called Kyoto a socialist scheme. Trudeau embraced it. The result for future generations, however, will be the same in both cases: Canada has been a laggard on climate under both Liberal and Conservative governments. 'Vapourware' is a term coined a generation ago in the information technology sector. It refers to an announced change made to attract attention and distract from competitors that is based on…nothing. Hot air, in the 'vapour' reference. Trudeau is trying to hold onto his Liberal vote. He fights back hard when the Greens or the NDP point out the total absence of results from six years of announcements. He talks about experts who think he’s finally got it right. Problem is, of course, that that Liberal formula wasn’t invented by Trudeau. It was invented two decades ago by Jean Chrétien, when he had Parliament ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Canada then went on to have one of the worst records in the world for greenhouse gas increases. As Chrétien’s former Chief of staff Eddie Goldenberg later put it, signing Kyoto was all about galvanizing public opinion, not meeting our Kyoto target. He candidly admitted they had no plan for that. That obligation was to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions by 6% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. They in fact increased by over 30%. The trick for the Liberals has always been to say the right thing on climate and to use climate change as a political communications tool. It’s easy to understand. To Bay Street, the Liberals are friendly figures who can be counted upon to do the right thing, in this case continue to allow unbridled growth in the oil and gas sector while talking a good game in order to get elected. The Canadian voting public really cares about the environment and climate change. The ability of the Liberals to explain away their recurring failure may be about to hit a brick wall. Canadians wanted action and voted Liberal. All they got was announcements of plans and more announcements, not results. Voters for whom sustainable development is a key issue, younger voters in particular, can see past the Liberal smokescreen on climate change. They’re not going to be conned again. With a race too close to call, the final week of campaigning will concentrate on the largest cities where voters may be susceptible to the classic Liberal siren song not to 'split the vote.' That often works against the Conservative bogeyman. The Liberals may have gone to that well one time too often, though. Singh appears to be holding onto his votes and is poised for a breakthrough in the GTA. Annamie Paul impressed many with her deep understanding of environmental issues during the debates. Both will be seeking to convince and inspire voters who worry about the type of planet we will leave to our children and grandchildren. For once, Liberal vapourware may not be enough. Tom Mulcair was the former leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada between 2012 and 2017.

B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O B-PER I-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O O O B-LOC O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG B-PER I-PER B-LOC I-LOC O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O B-ORG I-ORG O B-LOC I-LOC B-LOC I-LOC O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-PER O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-LOC I-LOC O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG B-PER I-PER I-PER O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG O O O O B-PER I-PER O O O O O O O B-ORG I-ORG I-ORG I-ORG I-ORG I-ORG O O O


SAINT-SAUVEUR, QUEBEC -- Jean Chretien hit the nail on the head when he described the major shortcoming of Justin Trudeau’s reign: lots of good ideas that are well communicated but no experience to actually get things done. Trudeau was confident of a majority win when he called last month’s election. He once again had many proposals, after all, even if they rarely became reality. Canadian voters let him know that just talking about good plans wasn’t enough. They expected results. That Trudeau was only able to achieve a minority government was a reflection of that dissatisfaction. Putting together his new cabinet was Trudeau’s first opportunity to show that he understood the message that Canadians sent him during the last two elections. Much to his credit, he decided to make major changes that should stand him in good stead as his third government rolls out. He had made bold promises on the key issue of climate change. During the campaign his team had convinced several credible voices to chime in to say that despite buying a pipeline, Trudeau deserved a chance to put his climate plan into effect. Canada has one of the worst records in the world for per capita GHG production and the worst record of the G7 since the signing of the Paris Accord. We are consistent outliers although we talk a good game. Steven Guilbeault is one of the best-known Canadian environmentalists. Internationally, he is widely respected. Instead of getting named environment minister, as everyone had expected, since 2019 he’d been left to languish in the Heritage file. Trudeau appeared to have concluded that Guilbeault’s activist past would be a bit too much for the oil patch and for Bay Street. By keeping Jonathan Wilkinson in charge of natural resources, Trudeau is hoping to have his cake and eat it too. He’ll have Guilbeault as cover when he talks in Glasgow and Wilkinson as cover when he talks in Calgary. Trudeau benefited from the implosion of the Greens and managed to convince many NDP-leaning progressives to give him another chance on climate. The only thing that will matter to environmentally conscious voters at the next election is the result. That’s an easily measured fact, not a slogan. Trudeau won’t get to plead “I tried”; effort alone won’t get rewarded. In putting together his cabinet, Trudeau wanted to finally exercise the full power he has to determine who’s in and who’s out. He’s the head of government and it showed. He brought in lots of new blood, rewarded top performers and even had the courage to boot out a few people who thought they were shoo-ins. In doing so, he was sending a message to his whole team: it’s not because you’re a minister that you automatically get to stay as minister. Ask Marc Garneau. Many of the choices seem inspired and the whole exercise reflected a lot of thoughtful hard work. But it’s on the environment front that Trudeau has shown the most determination we’ve seen from him in a long time. Putting Guilbeault in charge of environment and climate change is a remarkable, inspired decision. I’ve known Guilbeault for decades. He’s going to get it done and if someone tries to hamper him, he’ll know what to do. It’s simply too important a file to leave to the whims of politics as usual. Trudeau’s resolve to start getting it done is refreshing and welcome. Future generations will be thankful. Tom Mulcair was the former leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada between 2012 and 2017.

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SAINT-SAUVEUR, QUEBEC -- Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver have just sent a message loud and clear: “we don’t trust what was hiding behind the backdrop of Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole”. All of Canada has just repeated a message sent loud and clear to Justin Trudeau two years ago: “we don’t trust you with a majority”. Jagmeet Singh improved the NDP’s performance and will not only live to fight another day, he will play a key role in propping up Trudeau’s minority Liberals. What he gets in return will determine how his members view this new marriage of convenience. In a summer of heat domes and uncontrolled forest fires, instead of breaking through, the unfortunate Green Party saw it’s leader “lose her deposit” in Toronto Centre by polling under the required 10%. Elizabeth May is musing about returning as party leader, stifling any hope of renewal. The Bloc Québécois’ Yves-Francois Blanchet saved the furniture. A misguided question from the “moderator” in the English debate giving him much-needed oxygen. Trudeau performed admirably well in La Belle Province under the circumstances, having connected with many in his heartfelt rant against Blanchet, whom he admonished against claiming to be the only Quebecer in Ottawa. Legault’s pretentious claim to be able to tell Quebecers not to vote Liberal became a lesson in humility for him. Good luck negotiating with Trudeau now. In an exchange with a former Harper Cabinet minister in the wee hours after the election results were in, I asked simply: “What happens to O’Toole?”. The answer was a laconic: “Not good”. I know Erin O’Toole. I have occasion to travel with him and learn a bit about the man. He’s a good person. His resolve to haul the ideological right-wing of his party to the centre was heartfelt. O’Toole did his best, in his early-morning speech, to scare his troops about the election he saw just over the 18-month horizon (no time to dump your leader, eh!?)… I’m not sure it’s going to work any better for him than it did for Andrew Scheer who used that same argument to try to hold onto his job after his own defeat. O’Toole had ignored his party’s knuckle-draggers on climate and tried to finesse his way through on complex issues like gun control. As his reward, O’Toole saw many “true blue” Conservatives drift towards Maxime Bernier’s Looney Tunes fringe. When he pulled a full Scheer and went into hiding, ducking key interviews and refusing to answer on his erstwhile support for the catastrophic pandemic plan of Jason Kenney, the writing was on the wall. O’Toole had won the first four weeks of the campaign but just couldn’t find a way through the last one. The NDP was true to its base in insisting that it would make the rich pay. As the campaign wound down, Singh made it clear that he was in fact auditioning for the role of “conscience of Parliament." In the GTA, his hopes evaporated as Trudeau managed to convince “Progressives” that he was one of theirs, despite having bought a pipeline and breaking his key promise on democratic reform. The “don’t split the vote” argument saved the day for Trudeau and allowed him to siphon off enough NDP votes in Canada’s largest cities to shut out the Conservatives. There’ll be a price to pay and it won’t be cheap. Trudeau will have to resolve to work with the NDP that will come with a long list of demands to lock in their support. Trudeau will have to be wary of his own deep-seated reflex to try to run things in areas of pure provincial jurisdiction. During the campaign, he was busy determining salaries for orderlies and hiring doctors for the provinces! That is just not on with the premiers. Singh goes even further and wants to dictate to provinces the ownership structure of the daycare and long term care systems. If the goal is actually having these systems, then ideological preferences should come second. In Québec, the only province with a full affordable childcare system, the private centres were included from the start and it allowed the whole thing to be put in place rapidly and efficiently. A generation later it still works. No sense arguing about the colour of the carpet in your new house when you’ve yet to buy a house but it’s the type of fight for ideological purity the NDP likes, having never yet been in power federally. Lots of heart-to-heart discussions between Singh and Trudeau in store. “Vox Populi Vox Dei”…the voice of the people is the voice of God. That may be a bit high-sounding in this day and age but the people have again spoken and sent a chastened Trudeau back to his job with a stern warning: keep your promises and accept that you have to work with others. We’ll soon see whether he got the message. Tom Mulcair was the former leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada between 2012 and 2017.

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SAN ANTONIO — One of the few gun store owners to ever be prosecuted for illegally selling guns or firearms-related items was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison and fined $4,000. Robert Jacaman Sr., 60, who owned Jacaman Guns and Ammo in Laredo, was featured in a San Antonio Express-News series last fall that focused on inspectors of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — in light of a federal report that said some gun shops only were inspected once every five years. Jacaman's store, like others on the border, was inspected far more frequently, but it took a long investigation by the ATF and Homeland Security Investigations to collect enough evidence to prosecute him. His store is one of five to have been the subject of prosecution in South Texas in the past 15 years, records show. In violation of the Arms Export Control Act, Jacaman sold tens of thousands of rounds of .223-caliber and 7.62 mm ammunition and numerous high-capacity rifle magazines — designed to fit AR-15-type and AK-47-type weapons — to operatives dispatched by the Zetas cartel, court records show. Many of those items were intercepted before reaching Mexico. Jacaman pleaded guilty Jan. 28 and surrendered his federal firearms license. He no is longer a firearms dealer and, as a felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition and destructive devices. “Today's sentence is a direct result of the dedicated efforts of HSI, the U.S. attorney's office and our law enforcement partners in creating a safer community for the citizens of Laredo and the surrounding area,” said Janice Ayala, special agent in charge of HSI in San Antonio, which also covers Laredo. Added Robert Elder, special agent in charge of the ATF in Houston, which also covers San Antonio and Laredo: “While 99 percent of federal firearms licensees abide by ATF regulations, it is paramount that we remain vigilant against the outlier who markets firearms illegally.” Jacaman admitted being in direct contact with Oswaldo Roberto Borrego-Ramos, 32, aka “Baldo,” of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Borrego-Ramos told agents he was working for the Zetas and supplying them with firearms, ammo and accessories from various sources, including Jacaman. Borrego-Ramos, who's serving 78 months in prison for a pair of gun-smuggling cases, would send couriers to deliver cash to Jacaman and others to pick up the items to smuggle them into Mexico. Also sentenced Tuesday were Atanacio “None” Gonzalez-Torres, 45, and Jose Luis Estrada, 25, who also had pleaded guilty for their roles in the smuggling conspiracy. Gonzales-Torres got 28 months in prison, while Estrada was sentenced to 21 months in prison. Jacaman's wife, Veronica Jacaman, 43, pleaded guilty last year to a misdemeanor charge of failure to record a firearm transaction by a firearms dealer. She will serve six months and pay a $1,000 fine. gcontreras@express-news.net

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SAND ISLAND, OAHU (HAWAIINEWSNOW) - By: Jim Mendoza Container Storage Company of Hawaii has started retrofitting the first two shipping containers the city will use at its Hale Mauliola transitional housing center on Sand Island. "We're basically putting in drywall, doors and windows and some LED lights," Chris Thometz said. Each container will have a three foot by three foot aluminum sliding window with a screen. The entrance will have a steel door outfitted with a combination lock and a screen door. "The main security door will open inward. The screen door will open outward. And when you open the window and the main door you can have flow through ventilation nicely," Thometz said. By November, 25 containers will be on the Sand Island site, where paving is being completed and lighting has been installed. "We're waiting for Hawaiian Electric Company to tap in the high voltage line, install the riser power cable, and install the transformer," Department of Facility Maintenance deputy director Ed Manglallan said. Drywall partitions will divide the containers into two or three units. Walls will be insulated and painted and vinyl floors will go down. "Outside then we're going to paint it, put roof coating which cuts down heat gain and protects the roof from leaks," Thometz said. A roof tent will connect the containers, provide shade, and help cool the units. "Between the insulated interior walls and roof coating and the shade cloth, we're going to have some very comfortable units," Thometz said. Container Storage is getting paid about $500,000 to transform the containers into modular dwellings, then deliver and install them. The first two will be finished in a week or two. Copyright 2015 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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SC Public Radio News - A Democratic South Carolina senator says he'll wait to debate his radically different map for U.S. House districts before the full Senate. The decision Wednesday by Sen. Dick Hapootlian allowed the Senate Judiciary Committee to pass a map tweaked a little more than the version already passed by the House. The map would likely keep South Carolina sending six Republicans and one Democrat to the U.S. House. - Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to say South Carolina needs to be bold and seize opportunities created by billions of additional dollars in the budget in his State of the State speech on Wednesday. McMaster is set to speak to lawmakers at 7 p.m. The speech is a chance for the Republican governor to tout his accomplishments from last year and set out his 2022 goals like cutting taxes and setting aside more than a billion dollars for roads. The Democratic response to the governor's speech will be given by Rep. Spencer Wetmore, an attorney from Folly Beach. - A judge has refused to lower the $7 million bail for a jailed South Carolina attorney acccused of stealing millions of dollars in settlement money from vulnerable clients in injury or wrongful death cases. A judge said Tuesday she determined attorney Alex Murdaugh remains a flight risk and a potential danger to himself and his community. At Murdaugh's most recent bond hearing, defense lawyers said Murdaugh's accounts were frozen by authorities to ensure victims in a number of lawsuits against Murdaugh wouldn't lose their chance to collect settlements. The lawyers said, however, that Murdaugh couldn't even buy new underwear at the jail or pay his phone bill. - The South Carolina House and Senate sessions scheduled for Tuesday have been cancelled because of slick road conditions in parts of the state. Poor conditions remained in part of South Carolina's Upstate region and elsewhere after a winter storm dumped several inches of snow on some areas and ice elsewhere. Most committee meetings were also postponed, including a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting on redistricting moved to Wednesday. Open Space Institute works in concert with others to protect South Carolina's scenic, natural, and historic landscapes The Open Space Institute’s mission is to protect scenic, natural, and historic landscapes to provide public enjoyment, conserve habitat and working lands, and sustain communities. Over the past 40 years, the institute has saved 2,285,092 acres of land through direct acquisition, grants, and loans. Having begun by focusing on land in New York State, they have in recent years saved significant, complex, and large-scale tracts in South Carolina, Florida, and New Jersey through direct acquisitions. In December 2022, the Open Space Institute (OSI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced the purchase of three properties along the Santee River in South Carolina, expanding the largest contiguous block of protected coastal lands in the state. OSI’s Vice-President and Director of the Southeast, Maria Whitehead, joins Walter Edgar to talk about the acquisition and about the Institute’s plans for land protection in the state. In December 2022, the Open Space Institute (OSI) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) announced the purchase of three properties along the Santee River in South Carolina, expanding the largest contiguous block of protected coastal lands in the state. OSI’s Vice-President and Director of the Southeast, Maria Whitehead, joins Walter Edgar to talk about the acquisition and about the Institute’s plans for land protection in the state. Latest SC Lede Episodes - April 19, 2022 — A look at what's happening at the statehouse this week as the legislative session begins to wind down; an update on first quarter fundraising numbers for some of the state's top races; new inflation data; and more. - SC Lede: Spring Break Special — A Conversation with United Nations World Food Programme Director David BeasleyApril 12, 2022 — Host Gavin Jackson talks with David Beasley, former South Carolina governor, current United Nations World Food Programme Director and Nobel Prize recipient, about his humanitarian work in Ukraine. The Latest Episodes of the SC Business Review - If you are a technology entrepreneur or thinking about becoming one, there are events coming to our state’s coast that you may want to know about. Mike Switzer interviews Jess O’Brien, executive director of the Beaufort Digital Corridor in Beaufort, SC, the organization bringing TechStars Startup Weekend to their city April 29-May 1. The Myrtle Beach Techstars Startup Weekend is May 6-8. - Quality of life is always an essential part of the equation when economic developers talk to industry. Our next guest’s organization is one of many across our state working to improve that common denominator. Mike Switzer interviews Stuart White, executive director of the Congaree Land Trust in Columbia, SC. 'diSConnected': an occasional series from South Carolina Public Radio - diSConnected: Is Ayn Rand or Mother Teresa better for protecting South Carolinians with disabilities?People with disabilities are done appealing to selflessness in order to save them. Save yourself on purpose, though, and you might save a few others by accident. - School is supposed to teach kids a thing or two. Pandemic-era schooling's mix of in-class and in-home learning, however, taught them something people don't usually figure out until a lot later – who they really are. Part of South Carolina Public Radio's occasional series 'diSConnected.' More Stories - The beginning of spring, warm weather, new produce and the appearance of locally-grown fruit are causes for joy. - The paintings and sculptures, some of which are reportedly priceless, had been loaned by Russia to museums in Italy and Japan. Finnish agents detained them at a border crossing over the weekend. - The Russian war is expected to intensify in eastern Ukraine. Like most Ukrainians, journalist Iuliia Mendel is watching it all anxiously. - They have been impersonating federal agents since early 2020, the FBI says. They allegedly offered favors to several Secret Service agents, including one assigned to the first lady's detail. - South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has gone through a consequential year of success, both on and off the basketball court. Along the way, Staley has become the voice of leadership and direction in the women's game. She jokes often that she never planned to get into coaching before accepting the job at Temple even though she has always had in her. Staley's role as an elite point guard was to serve as the coach on the floor. She won her second NCAA Tournament crown — the first Black coach to accomplish the feat — with a 64-49 victory over UConn. Her success has given Staley the platform to champion issues off the court. She continues to speak out about gender equity, diversity and opportunities for women. - Organizers also said that Russians and Belarusians who live elsewhere will still be able to run, just not under their countries' flags. The marathon and 5k are planned for the weekend of April 16. - A Serbian-born movie director found the story of a Greek Orthodox saint helped doors open in Greece where they had been closed in Hollywood. - The investigation, prompted by the discovery of top-secret papers found at Mar-a-Lago, is at an early stage, a source told NPR. - The Senate-approved Sunshine Protection Act would make daylight saving time permanent in 2023. But some sleep experts say we're about to settle on the wrong time. - The data has potential implications for public health messaging. Rapp on Jazz highlights the Palmetto State's connection to the history of jazz music and the current jazz scene. Join Mark Rapp, executive director of the ColaJazz Foundation and host of SC Public Radio’s ColaJazz Presents, for these 60-second segments covering everything from famous South Carolinians like Dizzy Gillespie and Eartha Kitt to the “Big Apple” dance craze of the 1930s to the best clubs to experience jazz in the state. Walter Edgar's Journal delves into the arts, culture, history of South Carolina and the American South. News and Music Stations: Fridays at 12 pm; Saturdays at 7 am News & Talk Stations: Fridays at 12 pm; Sundays at 4 pm News and Music Stations: Fridays at 12 pm; Saturdays at 7 am News & Talk Stations: Fridays at 12 pm; Sundays at 4 pm Get weekly program highlights via e-mail. News from South Carolina's business community with interviews of many small business owners, business leaders from around the state, and South Carolina's nonprofits. Mon - Fri 7:51 a.m. Mon - Fri 7:51 a.m.

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