News
A Roseneath man has been charged with child sexual abuse by Cobourg Police. Police received a report involving child sexual offences in August and arrested the accused following a criminal investigation. The 34 year old man has been charged with luring, invitations to sexual touching, possession of sexual material and making sexually material available to a minor. He is being held in custody pending a hearing.
European Union officials say discussing Canada’s relationship with the EU is a priority at this week’s European summit in Montreal. Senior EU officials say no timing has been established yet and the details are still being discussed but the 27 EU member states are united in a desire for the closest possible relationship with Canada. If the EU creates a new associate member status, Canada would be the first country to join. Prime Minister Mark Carney has been aggressively pursuing a stronger relationship with Europe but has repeatedly said Canada is not seeking full membership in the EU. Closer ties would help both parties to counterbalance escalating tariffs and security threats from the US under Donald Trump.
In another deal to diversify Canadian trade, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, is in Ottawa today to sign an agreement on a free trade deal that will see the UAE invest $70 billion in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney said details of the strategic partnership will be released later today.
The federal government has introduced new legislation that will exclude people suffering solely from mental illness from medically assisted death. Justice Minister Sean Fraser said today that the decision to exclude mental illness follows extensive consultation with lawmakers, a special parliamentary committee and a review by his own department. The new legislation will also allow people to make an advance request for Medically Assisted Death before they lose the ability to consent. Advanced consent will need to meet certain criteri to be approved. The option for advanced requests would only be offered in provinces that introduce specific legislation regulating those requests. The bill for the new Federal legislation must pass through multiple parliamentary steps and is not expected to become law for a year or more.
A Newfoundland couple have been fined $4,000 each for disrupting a Flair Airlines flight to Deer Lake. Apparently the man refused to remain in his seat, yelled at passengers and crew and removed his shirt. He also threatened cabin staff when a meal service item he wanted to buy was unavailable. The woman also refused to remain seated and at one point removed all her clothing below the waist and walked up and down the aisle yelling at passengers. While the fines are substantial, the judge trying the man’s case said disrupting the safety and comfort of airline passengers is a serious offense and if the prosecution had not requested the fine he would have imposed a jail sentence.
And the Los Angeles Public Library is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary with the world’s largest pop up book. Luceros y Penumbras, or Starlight and Shadows in English, is nearly 5 meters wide and more than 6 meters tall with some pop up designs reaching almost 4 meters high. The book is made of specially engineered paper and requires eleven people using special sticks to turn the pages and open the pop ups. And, no, you can’t sign the book out.
Sports
It was a tough week for the PECI Panthers with playoffs and Bay of Quinte Championships.
Monday, the senior girls basketball team fell 38-34 to Quinte Christian at home.
Tuesday the senior girls lost a close one to ENSS 48-45 while the jniors fell 49-32. In soccer, the senior boys opened the playoffs with a dominant 5-1 win over St. Pauls including a long range goal by Aleks Gierak. In volleyball, the junior boys split their matches, falling 2-1 to Quinte Christian before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over ENSS while the seniors lost 4-0.
Wednesday Isla Kamink led PECI at the Bay of Quinte Cross Country Championships placing fith in novice girls and helping the PECI team to a third place finish.
Thursday, the junior boys soccer team advanced to the next round with a 1-0 playoff win over Nicholson on a lone goal by Remington Leavitt.
Friday was a big day for girls rugby. The juniors captured gold at the Bay of Quinte Championships, outscoring their opponents 69-10. The seniors took home bronze after falling to Centennial in the semi-finals.
Listen every Tuesday at 4 and 6 pm for the weekly roundup of PECI Panther’s action.
In NBA news, Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto is going to be interrupted for a few weeks. The popular forward will be sidelined while swelling in his knee is addressed according to the team.
Four Canadian teams will see action in the NHL tonight. Montreal is in St. Louis for an 8 pm start, the Florida Panthers travel to Winnipeg for an 8 pm face-off against the Jets, The Sens are in Las Vegas for a 10 pm game with the Golden Knights and Vancouver is in Anaheim to face the Ducks, also at 10.
