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Defending democracy requires a free civil society

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

Eleanor Brooks is a communications specialist at Liberties, a Berlin-based human rights organization. Israel Butler is the head of messaging and framing at Liberties.Civil society organizations (CSOs) are vital to the European Union’s efforts in defending democracy.As representatives of issues of public interest, the EU acknowledges that civil society plays an essential role in helping safeguard the values vaunted by the European Union, and that they facilitate citizen participation in public life. However, in her 2022 State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new initiative, called “The Defence of Democracy package” — its centerpiece being rules that would subject CSOs to reporting and registration restrictions if they receive funding from third-country donors.But in copying the narrative spun by authoritarians, the Commission’s plan risks undermining trust in such organizations — and it threatens their survival.The Commission’s...

UK ministers lock horns with WhatsApp over threat to break encryption

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

LONDON — Britain’s tough new plan to police the internet has left politicians in a stand-off with WhatsApp and other popular encrypted messaging services. Deescalating that row will be easier said than done.The Online Safety Bill, the United Kingdom’s landmark effort to regulate social media giants, gives regulator Ofcom the power to require tech companies to identify child sex abuse material in private messages.But the proposals have prompted Will Cathcart, boss of the Meta-owned messaging app, whose encrypted service is widely-used in Westminster’s own corridors of power, to claim it would rather be blocked in the U.K. than compromise on privacy.“The core of what we do is a private messaging service for billions of people around the world,” Cathcart told POLITICO last month when he jetted in to London to lobby ministers over the upcoming bill. “When the U.K., a liberal democracy, says, ‘Oh, it is okay to scan everyone’s private communication for illegal content,’ that emboldens co...

The first casualty of economic warfare is the free market

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

To read remarks made by a string of treasury officials and central bankers in recent weeks, one thing becomes clear: It’s no longer an exaggeration to suggest the global economic system is heading toward a shift unlike anything since World War II. And what’s more, what’s emerging is war-like.From European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the messaging has rarely been franker. For decades economic progress has been driven by free markets. But now, with national security and competition for natural resources increasingly top of the list of headaches for world leaders, the way our planet functions is entering a new era.Consequences are likely to be varied and far-reaching. Expect a tech-focused arms race, the possible end of U.S. dollar supremacy, and isolation of China and its allies, similar to how the Soviet bloc was ostracized during the Cold War.   “Even though these [national-security focused] policies may have economic i...

Person taken to hospital after shooting in Roxbury

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

One person was shot and taken to a hospital Monday after a shooting in Roxbury, police said. Boston police said they were called to the scene on Dudley Street shortly after 8:15 p.m. Crews remained on scene shortly after 10 p.m. as an investigation appeared to focus on the area of a large apartment complex.There was no information available as of around 10 p.m. on the condition of the person who was hospitalized. Police have asked anyone with information on this incident to reach out.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Local doctor calls on FAA to require EpiPens on airlines after allergic reaction scare

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

A local doctor who said she nearly died when she suffered an allergic reaction on a flight is now calling on the FAA to require EpiPens on airplanes. Dr. Lindsey Ulin spoke with 7NEWS this week, saying she believes having an EpiPen on board could be a matter of life and death. “If you have a known allergy like this, or have ever been prescribed an EpiPen, you need to make sure to have it with you at all times,” Ulin said. Ulin was on a recent family trip, flying from Arizona to Texas, when she became ill. The situation started as nausea, Ulin said. Then, though, she developed hives and began having difficulty breathing. Realizing she was having an allergic reaction, Ulin called a flight attendant for an EpiPen but was told the airline doesn’t carry them. “As a physician, I had no idea that airlines don’t carry EpiPens in the emergency kits,” Ulin said. “And I’m hearing from many others on social media that they didn’t know either.”The airline is only re...

Flair passenger receives photo of missing bag from stranger after airline deems it lost

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

A Canadian Flair Airlines customer is calling for higher penalties for airlines after a stranger sent him a photo of his missing golf bag sitting in an airport while the airline deemed it lost.“I was going to Mexico. It was a golfing vacation,” Mark Majewski explained to CityNews. “They lost the bag the day that I arrived down there. It never arrived.”The GTA resident said he immediately filled out all the paperwork and made follow-up calls during his vacation but went the whole trip without his bag and with few updates from Flair.Three weeks later, he received a text from a stranger who happened to see his business card.“A lovely lady named Stephanie from Barrie, Ont. sent me a photo of my bag,” he recalled.“She was standing at the airport in Cancun, Mexico, saw my tag, texted me a picture of my bag saying ‘it’s right here.'”Ontario man criticizes Flair for delayed actionStephanie offered Majewski to help return it to him,...

Met Gala: Rihanna, Jared Leto as Choupette, Kim K. in pearls

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Rihanna shut down the Met Gala carpet Monday encased in white camellia detailing on her long train gown. Janelle Monáe dropped a bulky coat to reveal a sheer cage and Jeremy Pope walked in a cape emblazoned with the visage of Karl Lagerfeld. In the spirit of Lagerfeld himself (he was not often on time), Rihanna had the carpet to herself save her partner, A$AP Rocky, who wore a red tartan with a train of his own. They showed up well past everyone else. Lagerfeld was the honoree at the A-list gala with many in the crowd of about 400 dressed in vintage looks from the fashion houses where he worked during a career of more than 60 years.But elegant wasn’t entirely the hallmark of the evening. Jared Leto dressed as Choupette, Lagerfeld’s beloved fluffy cat. Lil Nas X went full cat covered in crystals by Pat McGrath and Dior Men.Bad Bunny showed up late in bright white from head to toe with a long cape adorned with camellias, a Coco Chanel motif embraced by Lage...

Chinese electric vehicle brands expand to global markets

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Osamu Furukawa has driven lots of Japanese cars for his business converting classic gasoline-powered models to electric. But his favorite ride is an import: A battery-powered SUV from China’s BYD Auto.BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.’s chief financial officer says “are scary.”Furukawa said he ordered an ATTO 3 when it went on sale Jan. 31, for its user-friendly features and appealing price of 4.4 million yen ($33,000) — or about one-quarter less than a Tesla.“It’s perfect,” Furukawa said in his office in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.Other ambitious Chinese EV exporters include NIO, Geely Group’s Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.Some compete on price. Others emphasize performance and features, putting pressure on Western and Japanese premium brands.NIO Inc....

Awards, admirers and key albums: Some facts about Gordon Lightfoot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

Some facts about Gordon Lightfoot, the folk singing legend who died Monday night at age 84.Born: Nov. 17, 1938, Orillia, Ont.Musicians who have performed Lightfoot songs: Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary, Ian & Sylvia, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri, Harry Belafonte, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, George Hamilton IV.Awards: Order of Canada, Governor General’s Award, inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, 12 Juno Awards (including one in 1970 when it was called the Gold Leaf), as well at four top folk singer RPM Awards — the 1960s predecessor to the Junos — and four Grammy nominations.Albums include: “Lightfoot!” (1966)“The Way I Feel” (1967)“Did She Mention My Name” (1968)“Back Here On Earth” (1968)“Sunday Concert” (1969)“If You Could Read My Mind” (1970)“Summer Side Of Life̶...

Some key dates in the life and career of singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:57:54 GMT

Some key dates in the life and career of Gordon Lightfoot:Nov. 17, 1938: Gordon Lightfoot is born in Orillia, Ont.1951: Lightfoot, a 13-year-old soprano, wins a talent contest at the Kiwanis Music Festival, held at Toronto’s Massey Hall.1956: While making music with his high school friends he pulls in enough money to temporarily move to the United States to study music. He ultimately returns to Toronto to pursue his career.1963: Lightfoot marries Brita Olaisson with whom he would have two children.1964: Singer Ian Tyson takes interest in two of Lightfoot’s original compositions, “Early Mornin’ Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me,” which helps elevate Lightfoot’s career after spending years playing in Toronto coffee houses and appearing on local television shows.1965: Freshly signed with manager Albert Grossman, Lightfoot secures a deal for Peter, Paul and Mary to record “For Lovin’ Me,” exposing him to a new audience.1965:...