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As B.C. temperatures soar, advocates call for rules to keep rental housing cool

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

VANCOUVER — Advocates for renters in British Columbia say it’s time to consider setting a maximum temperature for rental housing to protect vulnerable tenants from dangerous heat.The call comes as a heat wave blankets much of the province, raising memories of the deadly 2021 heat dome event. It isn’t expected to get as hot this week, but the advocates say municipalities need to ensure that tenants don’t face deadly risks of overheating in their homes.  Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says the city has nearly finished a study on indoor heat that could lead to changes to the city’s building code or bylaws.While B.C. municipalities set bylaws mandating the minimum temperatures rental units must be able to maintain, there are no similar rules for how hot a home is allowed to get.Emily Rogers, director of operations for Victoria’s Together Against Poverty Society, says amending property bylaws to include a maximum temperature “seems like a very reasonable step.̶...

Sexual assault trial to begin for Haydn Edmundson, former head of military HR

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

OTTAWA — A sexual assault trial for the military’s former head of human resources is expected to hear from its first witness in an Ottawa court today. Vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson has pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent acts and one count of sexual assault in an incident that allegedly happened in 1991. He stepped down as head of military personnel command in March 2021 after CBC reported that a former Armed Forces member had accused him of rape.The complainant is expected to testify in the case, which was delayed last week. Edmundson was one of several high-profile military members to be accused of sexual misconduct in early 2021, kicking off a crisis that led to an external investigation of the Armed Forces.The case is being heard in the Ontario Court of Justice, which is in line with the government’s policy to have civilian authorities take over such cases. That change was recommended by former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour, who wrote a report calling fo...

Long way home: Blamed for affordability crisis, Liberals look to pivot on housing

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Chris Burke and his fiancée have been less than a year away from buying their first home for the past three years.Saving for a down payment was the first challenge. Now, rising interest rates have kicked home ownership down the road again, stalling the couple’s plans to get married and have children. “Any gains we make towards purchasing a house, we’re watching the goalposts move further and further away,” the 31-year-old Ottawa resident said.Feeling “stuck,” as Burke put it, is a sentiment shared by many young Canadians who are increasingly pessimistic about their home ownership prospects. For the federal Liberals, the growing discontent with the state of the housing market is becoming a political threat.“I’m a former Liberal voter,” Burke said. “I certainly wouldn’t be voting for them this time around.”Experts say the housing crisis poses a great risk to the incumbent government in the next election i...

Daily horoscope for August 14, 2023

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

Moon Alert: Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 3:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. EDT today (12:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. PDT). After that, the Moon moves from Cancer into Leo.Happy Birthday for Monday, Aug. 14, 2023:You’re very aware of whatever is going on because you’re perceptive and an excellent judge of character. You are also quick to see the subtext of things. This is a slower paced year that will focus on your closest relationships. Seek out people who are supportive of you.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★Today begins a preparation for Wednesday’s New Moon. (It’s the big event of the week.) It’s time for you to value your creative talents. You love your hobbies. You approach so many areas of life with enthusiasm and imagination. Appreciate what you do! Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★Today, until the New Moon on Wednesday, your focus is on home, family and perhaps a parent. You want to put down roots. You want to make your home attractive, which ...

Miss Manners: She’s so rich, but she never gives us anything

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My son graduated from high school back in May. We sent a number of announcements to close friends and relatives. We also invited those in our city, and those traveling here for the graduation, to a get-together to celebrate.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: She wants to turn our music festival into a get-drunk weekend Advice | Miss Manners: My rule is no gift for a second wedding, no attendance for a third Advice | Miss Manners: She became irate when I corrected her statement about the moon Advice | Miss Manners: I complimented this celebrity, and his reply was insulting Advice | Miss Manners: My summer dresses make my boyfriend uncomfortable Most people who received the announcement and/or the invitation bestowed gifts or money on my son. However, one such person did not, and although I’ve never said anything to her, it bothers me.This same person has attended at least four...

Dear Abby: My financial adviser won’t listen to me, but he insists he’s not sexist

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have some money in a mutual fund. Our new, very young financial adviser, “Alec,” seems sexist.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: Our teen’s messy breakup has had awkward repercussions for us Advice | Dear Abby: I was annoyed to discover why our friends picked this restaurant Advice | Dear Abby: I had to get rid of my beautiful furnishings because of guests’ stupid comments Advice | Dear Abby: She’s trying to one-up me by being the fun aunt Advice | Dear Abby: I’m 20, he’s 46 and married, and my family isn’t being supportive He has phoned us four times asking to speak with my husband, and each time my husband refuses to speak to him. Since my name is also on our account, my husband said that I should speak to him.I have told Alec twice that my husband has hearing aids and it’s difficult for him to hear people on the phone, ...

Boomers move game as co-host Australia reaches fever pitch for Matildas at the Women’s World Cup

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

SYDNEY (AP) — Patty Mills and his Boomers teammates knew who deserved prime time billing, so they rescheduled their game and will keep watching Australia’s historic run at the Women’s World Cup.It’s fair to say Matildas fervor has reached fever-pitch across Australia, which is co-hosting the tournament with New Zealand.The Boomers, Australia’s men’s basketball team, are preparing for their World Cup later this month and had a warmup game against Brazil planned for Wednesday night. As soon as they realized it would clash with the Matildas’ semifinal against England, they moved their game forward by more than two hours so they could watch the women’s soccer.“The Matildas have really captured the nation this World Cup,” Mills, the Boomers captain and Atlanta Hawks guard, said Monday. “The way the ladies play with so much heart and passion has been so inspiring to witness.“Just like the rest of the country, our Boomers team have been locked in for each game, watching it as a team.”...

Rockies look to break slide in game against the Diamondbacks

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

Arizona Diamondbacks (59-59, third in the NL West) vs. Colorado Rockies (45-73, fifth in the NL West)Denver; Monday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (9-5, 3.20 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 120 strikeouts); Rockies: Chris Flexen (1-5, 7.92 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 39 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -250, Rockies +200; over/under is 12 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Rockies look to end a five-game slide when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.Colorado has a 45-73 record overall and a 25-30 record at home. The Rockies are 30-15 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Arizona is 59-59 overall and 29-28 in road games. The Diamondbacks are 43-14 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.The teams play Monday for the eighth time this season. The Diamondbacks lead the season series 6-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan McMahon leads Colorado with 19 home runs while slugging .462. Ezequiel Tovar is 10-for-38 with two home runs and five RBI over th...

Mets host the Pirates to begin 3-game series

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (53-65, fourth in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (53-65, fourth in the NL East)New York; Monday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Quinn Priester (2-1, 8.75 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 20 strikeouts); Mets: Carlos Carrasco (3-6, 6.42 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday to open a three-game series.New York has a 53-65 record overall and a 29-27 record at home. The Mets have gone 30-56 in games when they have allowed at least one home run.Pittsburgh is 53-65 overall and 24-33 in road games. The Pirates have gone 37-17 in games when they record at least eight hits.Monday’s game is the fourth time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeff McNeil leads the Mets with a .259 batting average, and has 17 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 33 walks and 39 RBI. Francisco Lindor is 11-for-37 with a home run and five RBI over the past 10 games.Bryan Reynolds has 23 doubles, three triples, 17 home ru...

DC Black Film Fest brings interactive, choose-your-own adventure experience

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:29:10 GMT

toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews the D.C. Black Film Festival (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); The seventh annual D.C. Black Film Festival is returning to the Miracle Theatre on Barracks Row in Southeast.Movies will screen in person on Friday, Aug. 18, and Saturday, Aug. 19, and then stream virtually through Aug. 30.Founder and Festival Director Kevin Sampson told WTOP he’s excited because he fe...