Abbey Westbury
UN observers chief in Syria warns that escalating violence is impeding mission
BEIRUT – The head of the U.N. observers in Syria said Friday a spike in bloodshed is derailing the mission to monitor and defuse more than a year of violence, raising questions about how effective the unarmed force can be in a conflict that every day looks more like a civil war.
Most actively traded companies on the TSX, TSX Venture Exchange markets
TORONTO – Some of the most active companies traded Friday on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange:
Garda wants to convince Washington to adopt Canadian model for airport screening
MONTREAL – Garda World wants to convince Washington to imitate Canada by giving private security companies control of screening at airports.
Yvette Wilson, standup comic and actress on 1990s sitcom ‘Moesha,’ dies of cancer at age 48
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Yvette Wilson, a comic who was featured on the 1990s sitcom “Moesha” and its spinoff, “The Parkers,” has died.
Tories dare opposition to take Del Mastro accusations outside the Commons
OTTAWA – First a sleepover, now a double-dog dare.
US gov’t reveals serious accusations against Secret Service officers, agents since 2004
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government has revealed details of serious allegations against Secret Service agents and officers since 2004, including claims of involvement with prostitutes, leaking sensitive information, publishing pornography, sexual assault, illegal wiretaps, improper use of weapons and drunken behaviour. It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the accusations have been confirmed.
After a wild season, Quebec politics takes a break; will Charest still be premier in September?
QUEBEC – Jean Charest left the Quebec legislature to begin his summer break Friday — and it remains to be seen whether he’ll ever return as premier.
Cabinet cuts shortwave radio protection, sparking concern from doomed service
OTTAWA – The Conservative cabinet has quietly changed a rule that could have prevented the CBC from following through on its plan to cut its international shortwave radio service.
Impact anxious to open expanded Saputo Stadium against Sounders
MONTREAL – Davy Arnaud knows the importance of having a stadium that a team can call home.
Michael Rafferty misses deadline to appeal conviction in Tori Stafford killing
TORONTO – The man found guilty of raping and killing eight-year-old Victoria Stafford has missed the deadline to appeal his conviction.
Walcott and Welbeck rally England to entertaining 3-2 win over Sweden at Euro 2012
KIEV, Ukraine – England eliminated Sweden from the European Championship on Friday after Theo Walcott scored one goal and set up another for an entertaining come-from-behind 3-2 win.
Burger King inks deal to open 1,000 stores in China
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Burger King is setting its sights on China.
Outside force called in to investigate after Mountie dog bites 12-year-old girl
NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – Police in New Westminster, B.C., have been called in to investigate a complaint about an RCMP police dog biting a 12-year-old girl during an arrest in Prince George.
Central bankers hope to avert a financial panic in Europe as Greeks head to the polls
FRANKFURT – On the eve of Greek elections, Europe’s central bankers are hoping to avert a financial panic by signalling their readiness to support banks.
Critics take immigration minister to task for application backlog
OTTAWA – Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is getting a rough ride from his political rivals over a Federal Court ruling that appears to undermine a key element of the government’s so-called omnibus bill.