#quebec city mosque

[quasi-normalcy]

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The Quebec government is calling on the federal government to withdraw its support of Amira Elghawaby, the new representative to combat Islamophobia, only four days after she was first appointed.

This comes a day after her attendance at the sixth commemoration of the deadly mosque attack in Quebec City, honouring the six men who were killed in 2017 when a gunman opened fire just before 8 p.m. in the Islamic Cultural Centre in the Sainte-Foy neighbourhood.

Since her appointment on Thursday, the journalist and human rights activist has been pressured to clarify her position on Quebec's secularism law.

In 2019 she wrote a column for the Ottawa Citizen where she denounced the "anti-muslim sentiment" that surrounded the adoption of Bill 21 — which bans public servants from wearing religious symbols such as hijabs.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his support for Elghawaby on Monday.

Trudeau said that over the years, she has had the opportunity to consider the impacts of various pieces of legislation on the community — part of what makes her role important. He said Elghawaby was appointed because she knows the Muslim community well and can share their concerns.

"She is there to speak for the community with the community and build bridges," said Trudeau.

"Her job now is to make sure that she is helping the government and helping everyone move forward in the fight against Islamophobia." [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[beardedmrbean]

Canada's first-ever anti-Islamophobia tsar is facing calls to resign after an op-ed resurfaced in which she called Quebecers Islamophobic.

Amira Elghawaby was appointed last week to the new position by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

In 2019, she co-wrote an opinion piece attacking a Quebec law that banned public servants from wearing religious symbols, including hijabs.

Last week, after her words resurfaced, she walked back her comments.

She said her article was meant to be a criticism of the law, not Quebecers themselves.

The op-ed, which she co-wrote in 2019 with a social activist for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, read: "Unfortunately, the majority of Quebecers appear to be swayed not by the rule of law, but by anti-Muslim sentiment."

On Wednesday, amid mounting criticism, Ms Elghawaby apologised to Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, who is the head of Quebec's federal separatist party.

"I am convinced, and I know and say it, that Quebecers are not racist," Ms Elghawaby said, according to the Montreal Gazette.

"It was not my intention, and because of the injuries caused by my words, I sincerely apologise."

But her apology did not immediately quell calls for her resignation.

On Thursday, Mr Blanchet said Ms Elghawaby was "hostile to the values ​​of Quebec" and urged Mr Trudeau to abolish the position entirely.

Mr Trudeau said he supports Ms Elghawaby "100%", while adding that he did not agree with her op-ed. "Quebecers are not racist," he said.

The prime minister has been a vocal critic of the bill, arguing it restricts people's freedom of expression and religion, but he has said the federal government will not intervene right now in the court process.

Bill 21, which came into law in Quebec in 2019, prevents judges, police officers, teachers and public servants from wearing symbols such as the kippah, turban or hijab while at work.

The law is currently being challenged in the courts.

Ms Elghawaby's appointment comes amid growing concern about Islamophobia in Canada as a whole.

In 2021, a man drove his vehicle into a Muslim family, killing four in the city of London, Ontario.

In 2017, six people were killed and eight injured in a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City.

Ms Elghawaby's appointment was heralded as a necessary step by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).

Stephen Brown, head of the NCCM, said: "Islamophobia has been rising in recent years as mosques are consistently vandalised and Muslims are constantly harassed across the country. This cannot continue, enough is enough."

But the legislation remains popular in Quebec.

The province has a long and bitter history with the Catholic Church, which controlled many public institutions in the predominantly French-speaking Quebec for over a century.

Proponents of the bill have argued it is not anti-Muslim, but pro-secularism.

[sa7abnews]

What does Allahu Akbar mean and why do Muslims say it?

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/11/what-does-allahu-akbar-mean-and-why-do-muslims-say-it/

What does Allahu Akbar mean and why do Muslims say it?

From happy occasions to sad ones, to protest and during mosque sermons, Muslims have long uttered the Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar”.

This week, the UK Conservative MP Robert Jenrick, who is running for leadership of the party, came under fierce criticism after he suggested that police must detain protesters chanting the phrase.

The comment was quickly condemned by Muslims and other MPs, who said it was “complete ignorance” and “textbook Islamophobia” by suggesting Muslims chanting it were extremists.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said they were shocked by the claim and urged the Conservative hopeful to apologise and retract his comments.

Afzal Khan, a Labour MP, said: “Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic,” in response to the remark.

So what exactly do those two Arabic words mean?

Allahu Akbar, which translates to “God is Great”, is a proclamation Muslims state before and during their five daily prayers.

It is sometimes said during other occasions, including weddings, religious supplications, and when seeing something awe-inspiring.

It is one of the first words Muslims hear, recited by parents into the ears of their newborn babies, and it can also be used to express gratitude or serve as a reminder of faith in times of hardship.

The expression is generally used to convey that even in times of hardship or happiness, God is present.

The phrase is repeated by Muslims during the pilgrimage of Hajj and during celebrations such as Eid too.

Does it have negative connotations?

For Muslims, the declaration is a positive one, with worshippers believing they are rewarded every time they utter it.

However, according to Imam Omar Suleiman, the founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, the media has manipulated the phrase to “serve a nefarious agenda: to instil fear of anyone who utters the phrase and to raise concerns even about Islamic itself”.

There have been instances where the phrase was shouted before an attack, such as one where a white supremacist reportedly shouted it before opening fire and killing six Muslims at a mosque in Quebec City in Canada in 2017.

“But a lone terrorist who shouts ‘Allahu Akbar’ while murdering innocent people in the streets of New York does not get to own that term. Nor do those who declare that no further details are needed to determine motive once a man with a Muslim-sounding name perpetrates an attack using those words,” Imam Suleiman wrote.

“We mustn’t allow terrorists or agendas of fear to own any of the words, concepts, or devotions found in the sacred text of a quarter of the world’s population. That would give them exactly what they want,” he added.

[college-girl199328]

When David Eby’s recent Holocaust Remembrance Day post on X went wrong, mistakenly stating, “We stand with the Muslim community throughout Canada on this sorrowful day,” the error was immediately pounced on by Andrew Reeve, press secretary for B.C. United leader, the writer of the post on X, with a scathing rebuke: “Glad to see this tweet was taken down, but who the hell drafted and approved this? Unacceptable.”

Who the hell? Well, probably someone just like Reeve—a communications staffer--is most likely not writing his own tweets. The error was serious but not fatal, in part because of the way it was handled.

Like it or not, social media has become the key component for government communications, from leadership campaigns to the highest office. Social media offers a direct avenue of communication between a politician, a government office, and the public. It’s a great tool, but not without pitfalls. Hard-copy news releases are a complete anachronism, and the days when government announcements were made in controlled environments such as a campaign bus or a carefully constructed news conference are long gone, said Geoff Meggs, who was chief of staff to former Premier John Horgan.

Managing a leader’s social media can lead to sleepless nights—think fires, floods, and pandemics expected--and they are expected to post on social media to show they are connected to issues in their local communities, including faith and cultural communities, and to respond to daily situations, such as emergencies and natural disasters.

They are consolers-in-chief, expected to respond to public pain, but they are also expected to have lighthearted moments, perhaps responding to the latest Canucks win. As said, social media is used as a straightforward communication tool to say what the government is doing.

Typically, a communications director will be one of the closest staff members to a leader, spending a lot of time with them so they can capture that person’s personality and be nearby to have them vet social media posts that either they or staff members write.

Planned social media posts that commemorate annual events, important cultural events, and religious holidays are typically carefully crafted in advance and not necessarily seen by the leader before they are posted—a possible reason the Jan. 27 Holocaust Remembrance Day post was mixed up with a planned Jan. 29 message commemorating the anniversary of the deadly shooting at a Quebec City mosque. Current events can easily go wrong, especially when the events are fraught. “From a communications perspective, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been a real challenge,” said Allam.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow got into hot water after she condemned Hamas in a tweet on Oct. 7, followed it with a tweet acknowledging Palestinian pain, then deleted both, then posted a revision, and later prompted an uproar by calling a local Palestinian protest “unsanctioned for the “messed up” messaging, blaming the limits of social media.

Allam said a good communications director will be methodical, thoughtful, calm, and committed to the values and views they and their clients represent. But there is one more thing: “You have to have nerves of steel,” said Allam.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 1.29

Holidays

Axe Day (French Republic)

Blue and Pink Day

Bowling Green Massacre Day

Bubblegum Sculpture Day

Carnation Day (a.k.a. Red Carnation Day)

Curmudgeons’ Day

Feast of Overdue Expectations

Fields Day

Freethinkers’ Day

Gab Union Appreciation Day

Hall of Fame Day (MLB)

Holiday of the Three Hierarchs (Greece)

I Don’t Like Mondays Incident Anniversary Day

Jigsaw Puzzle Day

Martyr’s Day (Nepal)

Milton Friedman Day (California)

National Colin Day

National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque Attack (Canada)

National Day of Transgender Visibility (Brazil)

National Lady Gaga Day

National Police Anniversary Day (Philippines)

National Puzzle Day

Nevermore Day

Oprah Winfrey Day

RNLI SOS Day (UK)

Romeo and Juliet Day

Sahid Diwash (Martyrs’ Day; Nepal)

Seeing Eye Dog Day

Thomas Paine Day

Victoria Cross Day

World Automobile Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Corn Chip Day

Pork Belly Day

Potato Day

Sugar Cone Day

Weisse Beer Day

5th & Last Monday in January

Cyber Monday (Russia)

Aukland Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Nelson Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Northland Anniversary Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day [Last Monday]

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Gibraltar)

Kansas Statehood Day (#34; 1861)

Larsonia (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning January 29, 2024

Bierfest Kunstmann Valdivia (Chile)

Dark Beer Festival (Leighton Buzzard, UK) [thru 2.2]

St. Moritz Gourmet Festival (St. Moritz, Switzerland) [thru 2.3]

WSWA Access Live (Las Vegas, Nevada) [thru 2.1]

Feast Days

Andrei Rublev (Episcopal Church (USA))

Anton Chekov (Writersim)

Aquilinus of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Barnett Newman (Artology)

Blue and Pink Day (Shamanism)

Charge Candles by Moonlight Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Concordia I: Irene’s Day (Pagan)

Constantius of Perugia (Christian; Saint)

Curmudgeons Day (Pastafarian)

Dallán Forgaill (Christian; Saint)

Edward Abbey (Writersim)

The Equiria in the Campus Martius (a.k.a. The Pacalia; Ancient Rome)

Francis of Sales (Christian; Saint)

Gamelion Noumenia (Festival to All Gods & Goddesses; Ancient Greece)

Gildas the Albanian or Scot or the Wise (Christian; Saint)

Gildas the Wise (a.k.a. Badoncius; Christian; Saint)

Happy Hedgehog Day (Pastafarian)

Hesiod (Positivist; Saint)

House Blessing Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Juniper (Christian; Saint)

Paddy Chayefsky (Writersim)

Parade of the Unicorns (Everyday Wicca)

Patrick Caulfield (Artology)

Romain Rolland (Writerism)

Sabinian of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Sabrina T. Pagebottom (Muppetism)

Samuel Worcester Rowse (Artology)

Sulpicius Severus (Christian; Saint)

Sulpitius I of Bourges (Christian; Saint)

Theo Wujcik (Artology)

Valerius of Trèves (Christian; Saint)

Valero’s Feast (Spain; Saint)

Vasant Panchami (Celebrating Saraswati, Hindu goddess of knowledge)

Willy Wonka Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [6 of 71]

Prime Number Day: 29 [10 of 72]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [7 of 37]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [8 of 60]

Premieres

Alice, by Avril Lavigne (Song; 2010)

All My Sons, by Arthur Miller (Play; 1947)

All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque (Novel; 1929)

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Pt. 2 (WB Animated Film; 2013)

The Beggar’s Opera, by John Gay (Ballad Opera; 1728)

Donald’s Tire Trouble (Disney Cartoon; 1943)

Doorway to Danger or Doom in the Room (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 94; 1961)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louise Stevenson, adapted by J. Comyn’s Carr (Play; 1910)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Film; 1964)

Fantasia (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

Faust, complete play, by Goethe (Play; 1829)

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand/Sie Liebt Dice, recorded by The Beatles (Songs in German; 1964)

Kung Fu Panda 3 (Animated Film; 2016)

Matinee (Film; 1993)

Million Dollar Carton or Jack in the Box (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 199; 1963)

My Little Buckaroo (WB MM Cartoon; 1938)

Out and Out Rout (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Peaceful Neighbors (Color Rhapsody; 1939)

Pests for Guests (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe (Poem; 1845)

Rock-a-Bye Gator (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1962)

The Seapreme Court (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1954)

She’s All That (Film; 1999)

Skelton Frolic (Ub Iwerks Cartoon; 1937)

Sleeping Beauty (Animated Disney Film; 1959)

Two at One Blow or The Devil Beheader (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 200; 1963)

Up at the Villa, by W. Somerset Maugham (Novella; 1941)

Window Pains or The Moosetrap (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 93; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef, Valerius (Austria)

Tvrtko, Valerije, Zdeslav, Zdravko (Croatia)

Zdislava (Czech Republic)

Valerius (Denmark)

Valmo, Valter (Estonia)

Valtteri (Finland)

Gildas (France)

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef (Germany)

Varsamia (Greece)

Adél (Hungary)

Aquilino, Costanzo, Valerio, Vitale (Italy)

Aivars, Valērijs (Latvia)

Aivaras, Girkantas, Valerijus, Žibutė (Lithuania)

Herdis, Hermann, Hermod (Norway)

Franciszek Salezy, Gilda, Hanna, Walerian, Waleriana, Waleriusz, Zdzisław (Poland)

Ignatie (Romania)

Gašpar (Slovakia)

Valerio, Valero (Spain)

Diana (Sweden)

Gilda, Goldie, Sheldon, Shelley, Shelly, Shelton, Ophrah, Oprah (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 29 of 2024; 337 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 5 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 9 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Yi-Chou), Day 19 (Ren-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 19 Shevat 5784

Islamic: 18 Rajab 1445

J Cal: 29 White; Eightday [29 of 30]

Julian: 16 January 2024

Moon: 86%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Homer (2nd Month) [Hesiod)

Runic Half Month: Elhaz (Elk) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 40 of 89)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 8 of 28)

Calendar Changes

Homer (Ancient Poetry) [Month 2 of 13; Positivist]

[thxnews]

Canada Remembers Quebec Mosque Attack

A Solemn Tribute to Lost Lives

National Day of Remembrance: Honoring the Victims Canada marks a somber occasion as the nation observes the National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack. Seven years have passed since the tragic event that claimed the lives of Ibrahima Barry, Mamadou Tanou Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzedine Soufiane, and Aboubaker Thabti. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement today not only memorializes the victims but also underscores Canada's unwavering commitment to fighting Islamophobia.   Quebec City Mosque Attack: A Reminder of the Fight Against Hate The attack at the Centre culturel islamique de Québec serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by Islamophobia, hate, and violent extremism. Prime Minister Trudeau's reflection on the incident emphasizes solidarity with the Muslim community and the importance of combating discrimination and hate crimes.   Combatting Islamophobia: A National Effort The Canadian government has taken significant strides to address Islamophobia and ensure the safety of Muslim communities. The appointment of Canada's Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, highlights the proactive measures being undertaken to foster equity, inclusion, and diversity.   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: A Message of Unity Prime Minister Trudeau's message on this National Day of Remembrance reinforces Canada's dedication to diversity and inclusion. By standing together against racism and discrimination, Canada continues to build a nation defined by its strength in diversity. Muslim Communities in Canada: Building Bridges In the face of increasing Islamophobia, the Canadian government's initiatives aim to support Muslim communities across the country. Enhanced investments in the Security Infrastructure Program and legislative actions to control gun violence are part of the broader effort to create a safer environment for all Canadians.   Hate Crime Awareness: A Call to Action Today's remembrance is a call to action for all Canadians to remain vigilant against hate crimes and discrimination. By fostering an understanding and respect for all cultures, Canada strengthens its foundation of national solidarity.   Diversity and Inclusion: The Path Forward The tragedy of the Quebec City mosque attack has galvanized efforts to ensure that Canada remains a beacon of diversity and inclusion. The government's commitment to these principles is evident in the ongoing work to combat Islamophobia and promote a culture of tolerance.   Gun Violence Legislation: Ensuring Community Safety In response to the mosque attack and other acts of violence, Canada has implemented stringent gun control measures. The passage of Bill C-21 is a testament to the nation's resolve to prevent gun violence and protect its citizens.   Community Safety Initiatives: A Collective Responsibility The National Day of Remembrance serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to ensure the safety and security of all communities. Through solidarity and shared commitment, Canada continues to advance its vision of a peaceful and inclusive society.   National Solidarity: Standing Together Against Hate As Canadians reflect on the Quebec City mosque attack, the nation reaffirms its commitment to standing together against hate and discrimination. Through unity and collective action, Canada pledges to honor the memory of the victims and work towards a future marked by peace and mutual respect.  

In Conclusion

The National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack is a moment for Canada to reflect on the impact of hate and the importance of combating Islamophobia. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement today not only honors those lost but also reaffirms the nation's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the fight against all forms of discrimination. As Canadians, the path forward is one of solidarity, understanding, and continued efforts to ensure a safe and welcoming country for everyone.   Sources: THX News & The Canadian Government. Read the full article

[indtravels01]

Take a Trip of a Lifetime with Our Foreign Tour Packages

Are you prepared to set off on a voyage that will take you through a kaleidoscope of cultures, environments, and experiences? With one of our specialized Foreign tour packages, you may travel the globe and take in sights such as Singapore's modern structures, Abu Dhabi's stunning deserts, Bangkok's bustling streets, Canada's natural beauties, and Brazil's vibrant culture. Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Spectacular Singapore:

Singapore, a captivating combination of modernity and tradition, attracts you in with its beautiful buildings, lovely gardens, and vibrant street food culture. The captivating appeal of this multinational city becomes apparent in our Singapore tour package. finding out about famous sites like Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, and Marina Bay Sands. An unforgettable tour of bustling hawker centers where you may sample specialties from throughout the world. visiting places of worship, Little India, and Chinatown, among other cultural experiences. Adventures in shopping for both trendy people and deal-seekers on Orchard Road and Bugis Street.

Captivating Abu Dhabi:

The largest city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, entices visitors with its beautiful towers, upscale shopping, and rich cultural history. Luxury and culture are combined in our Abu Dhabi tour package to create an unforgettable trip. taking a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic structure. exploring Yas Island, where thrill-seekers may visit Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld. A look at traditional Emirati living in the thriving souks and Heritage Village. luxurious rooms with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf.

Vibrant Bangkok:

The colorful capital of Thailand, Bangkok, provides a sensory feast of culinary delights and artistic riches. You are invited to spend time yourself in the colorful atmosphere and rich history of Bangkok with our trip package. visiting the revered Wat Phra Kaew and the glorious powerful Palace. For those who enjoy shopping, navigating the crowded markets of Chatuchak and Asiatique. enjoying delicious street cuisine in markets and on busy streets. Boat tours along the Chao Phraya River to see how the city's historic and new sides are contrasted.

Beautiful Canada

Canada, a country with huge landscapes and a variety of cultures, attracts visitors with its stunning national parks, world-class cities, and friendly people. Our Canada tour package highlights the nation's scenic beauty and charming cities. visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks to discover the breathtaking scenery of the Canadian Rockies. experiencing Toronto's and the city's international attraction. traveling through British Columbia's beautiful Inside Passage. seeing Quebec City's historic sites and the magnificent Niagara Falls.

outstanding Brazil

Brazil is a place that welcomes you with open arms because of its contagious energy, lush jungles, and vibrant carnival culture. Our Brazil tour package completes this South American gem. Taking in Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches' bright vitality. exploring the ecological diversity of the Amazon jungle and the confluence of the Rio Negro and Amazon River. discovering the historic heart of Salvador da Bahia's rich cultural diversity. dancing singing and taking in the vibrant colors of the famous Rio Festival.

Conclusion:

Our Foreign tour packages provide access to a world of contrasts, ranging from the busy streets of modern cities to the peaceful peace of natural regions. Our carefully planned trips offer an amazing travel across countries and cultures, whether you're attracted to the richness of Abu Dhabi, the cultural melting pot of Bangkok, the natural marvels of Canada, the vibrant culture of Brazil, or the mix of tradition and modern in Singapore. So be ready to leave on an adventure that will live on in your heart and memory forever.

[atlanticcanada]

Court reduces sentence for Moncton Mountie killer Justin Bourque

A court has reduced the precedent-setting sentence of a New Brunswick man who fatally shot three Mounties in 2014.

Justin Bourque had been sentenced to serve three life sentences for first-degree murder, meaning a 75-year wait before he could apply for parole.

A Supreme Court of Canada decision last year involving the Quebec City mosque murderer struck down a law that made it possible for judges to extend parole ineligibility periods beyond 25 years for people convicted of multiple murders.

Today's decision from the New Brunswick Court of Appeal means Bourque, who was 24 at the time of the murders, will be eligible to apply for parole after serving 25 years.

More coming.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/vR1kp8K

[newstfionline]

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Democrats, Republicans and Canadians in standoff over migrant buses (Worldcrunch) In the last few years, thousands of migrants have been bussed to Democrat-run northern cities from the Republican-run states of Texas, Arizona and Florida. But the latest news is that migrants’ journeys don’t stop there—now being moved even further north, bounced around like balls in a game of political ping-pong. Authorities in New York City have begun shuttling them up to the Canadian border. And Quebec premier François Legault is demanding New York stop the buck-passing bus rides, which he says are straining the province’s asylum system. The news this week has added to pressure from Quebec for the Canadian national government to negotiate with the U.S. and close a legal loophole that allowed almost 40,000 people to cross into Canada last year via Roxham Road, a stretch of country road in upstate New York. Last year saw record traffic at the crossing, which spans the border between northern New York State and Quebec.

Three days. 10 mass shootings. More than 50 victims. (USA Today) Nine children were shot at Georgia gas station. Six people were killed in a Mississippi town. Eleven people were shot in Memphis. Five people were injured near a parade in New Orleans. Six people were shot on a Chicago expressway. That’s just half of the reported mass shooting violence over the weekend. There were 10 mass shootings from Feb. 17 through Feb. 19—the most of any weekend so far this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive. There have been 82 mass shootings this year, compared to 59 at the same time last year, according to data from the publicly sourced nonprofit database.

Americans applying for controversial ‘golden passports’ more than any other nationality, report says (The Week) A new report has determined that more wealthy Americans are looking to purchase a unique status symbol—not a yacht or a private plane, but citizenship abroad via a ‘golden passport.’ Also known as ‘citizenship by investment’ programs, golden passports “allow wealthy foreigners to receive citizenship in exchange for investing a certain amount of money in a country, often by purchasing real estate,” according to Insider. There are also ‘golden visas’ that provide temporary residence instead of permanent citizenship. According to a recent wealth report by research firm Henley & Partners, 2022 saw more Americans than ever apply for a ‘golden passport.’ The program had previously by dominated by the Chinese and the Russians, data shows, but a 447 percent jump in inquiries from 2019 has helped American nationals take the top spot.

Four-day week here to stay, say UK firms in world’s largest trial (Reuters) British companies trialling a four-day working week have mostly decided to stick with it after a six-month pilot in what campaigners for better work-life balance view as a breakthrough. Employees at 61 companies across Britain worked an average of 34 hours across four days between June and December 2022, while earning their existing salary. Of those, 56 companies, or 92%, opted to continue like that, 18 of them permanently. Most companies involved, across different sectors and sizes with 2,900 staff overall, said productivity was maintained. Staff said their well-being and work-life balance had improved while data showed employees were much less likely to quit their jobs as a result of the four-day week policy. The founder of a craft brewery involved in the trial said the trial encouraged greater productivity in shorter time. “We want to be more busy, less stressed,” the report quoted the founder as saying. For some employees surveyed, the extra day off was more important than any pay rise: 15% said no amount of money would induce them back to a five-day week.

Ruins of Turkish city of Antakya tell story of a rich past (AP) For nearly two weeks, Mehmet Ismet has lived in the ruins of Antakya’s most beloved historic mosque, a landmark in a now-devastated city that was famed for thousands of years as a meeting place of civilizations and revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews. The 74-year-old took refuge in the Habib Najjar mosque after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed tens of thousands in Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6. He has slept and prayed under the few arches still standing, mourning the future of a city renowned for its past. The destruction in Antakya was nearly total. Much of the city is rubble. What’s still standing is too unsafe to live in. Almost everyone has left. Antakya, known as Antioch in ancient times, has been repeatedly destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt over history. But residents fear it will be a long time before it recovers from this one. Antioch, built in 300 B.C. by a general of Alexander the Great in the Orontes River valley, was one of the biggest cities of the Greco-Roman world, rivaling Alexandria and Constantinople. Saints Peter and Paul are said to have founded one of the oldest Christian communities here, and it’s here that the word “Christian” first came into use.

Russia’s war made Poland a key pit stop for Biden and other leaders (Washington Post) President Biden this week set out on his 10th foreign trip since taking office, making a surprise stop in Ukraine before a two-day visit to Poland. This will be a return visit to Warsaw for Biden—his second trip to Poland in just 11 months—while he has yet to pop up to Canada as president. The timing and staging of Biden’s visit on Tuesday and Wednesday highlight how a year of war has transformed Poland’s place in the world, recasting its relationship with the United States and its role in Europe. Before the war, Poland made headlines for its standoff with the European Union. Now, it is a go-to pit stop for foreign leaders and officials—not to mention weapons and ammunition—on route to Ukraine via train. Though Poland’s conflict with Europe is certainly still simmering, the country’s role as a bridge between Ukraine, Europe and the rest of the world has largely shifted the conversation—at least for now. “The last year has seen a tremendous change in the way Poland is viewed,” said Michal Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, part of the German Marshall Fund. “In Europe, but especially in the transatlantic alliance.”

Putin accuses West of stoking global war to destroy Russia (Reuters) President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday vowed to continue with Russia’s year-long war in Ukraine and accused the U.S.-led NATO alliance of fanning the flames of the conflict in the mistaken belief that it could defeat Moscow in a global confrontation. Putin said Russia had done everything it could to avoid war, but that Western-backed Ukraine had been planning to attack Russian-controlled Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014. The West, Putin said, had let the genie out of the bottle in a host of regions of across the world by sowing chaos and war. “The people of Ukraine have become the hostage of the Kyiv regime and its Western overlords, who have effectively occupied this country in the political, military and economic sense,” Putin said. “They intend to translate the local conflict into a global confrontation, we understand it this way and will react accordingly,” Putin said.

High February temperatures have India already bracing for more heat waves (Washington Post) Last year, Indian meteorologists sounded the first heat wave alert of the year in March, foreshadowing a summer that arrived unusually early—and brought some of the most extreme temperatures in India’s recorded history. This year, they are sounding the alarm even earlier. The India Meteorological Department issued the first heat wave alert of the year on Sunday, warning that parts of India’s western region would reach 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37C). Meanwhile, other parts of India are recording temperatures that are usually seen in mid-March and at least 40 degrees above normal. The abnormal temperatures are worrying experts who say India’s spring season—crucial for wheat production—is shrinking dangerously. The temperature increases in wheat-producing states are particularly concerning, given that last year’s heat brought wheat production down by roughly 10 percent, or almost 11 million metric tons. India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, ended up banning exports of the grain furthering the global wheat supply crisis from the Ukraine-Russia war.

Rattled by China, U.S. and allies are beefing up defenses in the Pacific (Washington Post) The Chinese spy balloon spotted over sensitive nuclear sites in Montana and shot down by a U.S. fighter jet earlier this month jolted the nation. But for Adm. John Aquilino, commander of all U.S. military forces in the Indo-Pacific, it was only the latest in a string of provocations that includes missiles fired over Taiwan following a visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last August, China’s rapidly growing nuclear arsenal and a pair of Chinese surveillance balloon sightings in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands last year. Add to that North Korea’s record number of missile launches last year, Beijing’s “no limits” relationship with Moscow, China’s unrelenting expansion of militarized air bases in the South China Sea, and “the current environment is probably the most dangerous I’ve seen in 30 years of doing this business,” Aquilino said in a recent interview in his hilltop office overlooking Pearl Harbor. The provocative actions taken by China, North Korea and Russia have prompted the United States and its closest allies in the Indo-Pacific to ramp up military capabilities and deepen their cooperation. “They’re bolstering their own defenses, they’re looking to strengthen their alliances and partnerships with the United States in particular, and they’re reaching out to each other,” said Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs. “All of these things are happening at once.”

Taliban plans to turn former foreign bases into special economic zones (Reuters) The Taliban administration will move ahead with plans to turn former foreign military bases into special economic zones for businesses, the acting deputy prime minister for economic affairs said in a statement on Sunday. Afghanistan’s economy has struggled and aid agencies are warning of a severe humanitarian crisis since the Taliban took over in 2021 as foreign troops withdrew after 20 years of war. The takeover sparked a cut in development funding, the freezing of foreign-held central bank assets and sanctions enforced on the banking sector. The Taliban administration’s decision to bar most female NGO workers from work last year prompted many aid agencies to partially suspend operations while millions remain dependent on humanitarian aid. The Taliban have said they are focused on boosting economic self-sufficiency through trade and investment. Some foreign investors have expressed concerns over a series attacks, including at a hotel popular with Chinese businessmen, claimed by Islamic State.

Calls for change in Iran reach even Shiite heartland of Qom (AP) Iran’s city of Qom is one of the country’s most important centers for Shiite Muslim clerics, packed with religious schools and revered shrines. But even here, some are quietly calling for Iran’s ruling theocracy to change its ways after months of protests shaking the country. To be clear: Many here still support the cleric-led ruling system, which marked the 44th anniversary this month of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. This includes support for many of the restrictions that set off the protests, such as the mandatory hjjab, or headscarf, for women in public. But they say the government should change how it approaches demonstrators and women’s demands to be able to choose whether to wear an Islamic head covering or not. “The harsh crackdown was a mistake from the beginning,” said Abuzar Sahebnazaran, a cleric who described himself as an ardent backer of the theocracy, as he visited a former residence of the late revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. “And the youth should have been treated softly and politely. They should have been enlightened and guided.” Activists outside the country say at least 528 people have been killed and 19,600 people detained since the protests began. The Iranian government has not provided any figures.

[beardedmrbean]

The Liberal government has withdrawn a series of controversial amendments to pending firearms legislation, Bill C-21, that some firearms owners say would have unfairly targeted hunters and farmers.

Faced with fierce opposition from Conservative, NDP and Bloc MPs and firearms rights groups, Liberal MP Taleeb Noormohamed said Friday the government is withdrawing a long list of guns that would have been classified as "prohibited" as part of a push to ban "assault-style" weapons.

The amendments, which were quietly tabled by a Liberal backbench MP in November, would have banned these weapons under the Criminal Code, rather than through regulation. That change would have made the prohibition much more difficult for future governments to reverse.

The government is scrapping clauses that effectively would have banned any rifle or shotgun that could accept a magazine with more than five rounds — whether it actually has such a magazine or not.

The government also intended to ban long guns that generate more than 10,000 joules of energy, or any gun with a muzzle wider than 20 millimetres — two rules that would have rendered many firearms illegal.

These amendments would have had the effect of banning a number of long guns in wide use by hunters.

C-21, as originally drafted, was designed to ban handguns. The amendments expanded its scope.

Because the amendments strayed so dramatically from how the bill was initially written, opposition parties questioned whether the changes were even admissible under parliamentary rules. Those concerns are moot now that the government has backed down.

The government will still push ahead with C-21, which enacts a handgun sales ban, cracks down on gun smuggling and automatically revokes firearms licences held by domestic abusers.

While backtracking on some of the more contentious elements, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said Friday the government would try to revive some parts of the now-defunct amendments package.

Among other changes, the withdrawn amendments would have defined "assault-style firearm" — a term often used by the government that has no definition in law.

In an interview with CBC's Power & Politics, Mendicino said the government will pursue some sort of ban on firearms "designed for the battlefield that have no place in our communities."

What's needed in this minority Parliament, Mendicino said, is support from either the NDP or Bloc — parties that withheld support in the face of backlash from rural dwellers and some Indigenous peoples.

Mendicino conceded the government bungled the process.

"We've got to accept responsibility from where we're at. The step we've taken today is about resetting the narrative," he said, promising the Liberal government still intends to ban firearms used in mass casualty events, like the semi-automatic weapon used in the Quebec City mosque massacre.

Mendicino had defended the amendments before Friday, saying the changes were necessary to reduce gun violence in Canada.

Critics said a ban on popular hunting rifles would do little to make Canadians safer when many crime guns are handguns illegally smuggled over the U.S. border.

Mendicino said the proposed amendments prompted "considerable discussion about the best way to move forward" and "legitimate concerns" were raised by critics "about the need for more consultation and debate."

"We hear those concerns loud and clear, regret the confusion that this process has caused and are committed to a thoughtful and respectful conversation that is based on facts, not fear," he said.

Mendicino said the government didn't draft the amendments to punish rural Canadians, hunters or Indigenous people who rely on these firearms.

"As we've said time and again, the government's intent is to focus on AR-15s and other assault-style weapons. Hunting isn't just a proud Canadian tradition, it's a way of life for communities across this country. Bill C-21 isn't about targeting hunters. It's about certain guns that are too dangerous in other contexts," he said.

PolySeSouvient, a gun control group, said it was "shocked" by the government's decision.

Some guns used for hunting may still fall under firearms ban, Liberal MP says

How Bill C-21 turned from banning handguns to hunting guns

"It is clear that the misinformation propagated by Conservative MPs and the gun lobby has won," said Nathalie Provost, a spokesperson for the group.

Provost said she wants the Liberal government to work with the NDP and Bloc Québécois to table legislation to deliver on its promise to ban assault weapons.

The Liberal government has already banned what it calls "assault-style" firearms through an order-in-council — a directive from cabinet enacted in May 2020 after the Portapique massacre in Nova Scotia.

The intent of the now-withdrawn Bill C-21 amendments was to codify that assault ban in law (an order-in-council can easily be revoked by another government) and add many more makes and models to the list of illegal firearms.

Government House Leader Mark Holland said the government "needs more time" to consult with the firearms community before reviving some of the amendments that were scrapped — including a section that would have banned "ghost guns," which can be bought online and assembled at home.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, a firearms lobby group, called the Liberal reversal "a small win in a bigger battle."

"It's imperative we crush #C21 in its entirety. The Liberals are retreating, now is the perfect time to push forward and #ScrapC21 altogether," Tracey Wilson said. "Good work. Now, let's refocus and scrap it all."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday he "forced Trudeau into a temporary and humiliating climb down."

"He desperately wanted to ban hunting rifles — it was a sucker punch to our lawful and licensed firearms owners," Poilievre said of the amendments. "He's doing this because he got caught. We will not let up. Conservatives will never allow Justin Trudeau to ban hunting rifles."

Poilievre said he described the Liberal backtracking as "temporary," adding he expects Trudeau will be back with another plan to target rural Canadians, Indigenous peoples and sport shooters who used these firearms.

"God forbid if he ever got a majority — he'd ram it through," Poilievre said.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he supports both a national handgun ban and a move to restrict "assault-style" weapons, but he described the government's management of the file as a "failure."

"It is clear that the Liberal government did not do the necessary work and they mismanaged the entire issue. That is clear," Singh told reporters, adding the government bungled Indigenous consultation on the issue.

"They endangered the work we need to do to protect our communities."

[brookston]

Holidays 1.29

Holidays

Blue and Pink Day

Bowling Green Massacre Day

Bubblegum Sculpture Day

Carnation Day (a.k.a. Red Carnation Day)

Curmudgeons’ Day

Feast of Overdue Expectations

Fields Day

Freethinkers’ Day

Gab Union Appreciation Day

Hall of Fame Day (MLB)

Holiday of the Three Hierarchs (Greece)

Jigsaw Puzzle Day

Milton Friedman Day (California)

National Colin Day

National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque Attack (Canada)

National Day of Transgender Visibility (Brazil)

National Lady Gaga Day

National Puzzle Day

Nevermore Day

Romeo and Juliet Day

Sahid Diwash (Martyrs’ Day; Nepal)

Seeing Eye Dog Day

Thomas Paine Day

World Automobile Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Corn Chip Day

Pork Belly Day

Potato Day

Sugar Cone Day

Weisse Beer Day

5th & Last Sunday in January

International Internet-Free Day [Last Sunday]

National Bible Sunday (Philippines) [Last Sunday]

National Holocaust Memorial Day (Ireland) [Sunday closest to 27th]

World Leprosy Day [Last Sunday]

Independence Days

Kansas Statehood Day (#34; 1861)

Republic of Larsonia (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Andrei Rublev (Episcopal Church (USA))

Aquilinus of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Constantius of Perugia (Christian; Saint)

Curmudgeons Day (Pastafarian)

Dallán Forgaill (Christian; Saint)

The Equiria in the Campus Martius (a.k.a. The Pacalia; Ancient Rome)

Francis of Sales (Christian; Saint)

Gamelion Noumenia (Festival to All Gods & Goddesses; Ancient Greece)

Gildas the Albanian or Scot (Christian; Saint)

Gildas the Wise (a.k.a. Badoncius; Christian; Saint)

Happy Hedgehog Day (Pastafarian)

Hesiod (Positivist; Saint)

Juniper (Christian; Saint)

Sabinian of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Sabrina T. Pagebottom (Muppetism)

Sulpicius Severus (Christian; Saint)

Sulpitius I of Bourges (Christian; Saint)

Valerius of Trèves (Christian; Saint)

Valero’s Feast (Spain; Saint)

Vasant Panchami (Celebrating Saraswati, Hindu goddess of knowledge)

Willy Wonka Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [6 of 71]

Prime Number Day: 29 [10 of 72]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [7 of 37]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [8 of 60]

Premieres

Alice, by Avril Lavigne (Song; 2010)

All My Sons, by Arthur Miller (Play; 1947)

All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque (Novel; 1929)

The Beggar’s Opera, by John Gay (Ballad Opera; 1728)

Donald’s Tire Trouble (Disney Cartoon; 1943)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Film; 1964)

Fantasia (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

Faust, complete play, by Goethe (Play; 1829)

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand/Sie Liebt Dice, recorded by The Beatles (Songs in German; 1964)

The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe (Poem; 1845)

She’s All That (Film; 1999)

Sleeping Beauty (Animated Disney Film; 1959)

Today’s Name Days

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef, Valerius (Austria)

Tvrtko, Valerije, Zdeslav, Zdravko (Croatia)

Zdislava (Czech Republic)

Valerius (Denmark)

Valmo, Valter (Estonia)

Valtteri (Finland)

Gildas (France)

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef (Germany)

Varsamia (Greece)

Adél (Hungary)

Aquilino, Costanzo, Valerio, Vitale (Italy)

Aivars, Valērijs (Latvia)

Aivaras, Girkantas, Valerijus, Žibutė (Lithuania)

Herdis, Hermann, Hermod (Norway)

Franciszek Salezy, Gilda, Hanna, Walerian, Waleriana, Waleriusz, Zdzisław (Poland)

Ignatie (Romania)

Gašpar (Slovakia)

Valerio, Valero (Spain)

Diana (Sweden)

Gilda, Goldie, Sheldon, Shelley, Shelly, Shelton, Ophrah, Oprah (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 29 of 2023; 336 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 4 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 8 of 28]

Chinese: Month 1 (Jia-Yin), Day 8 (Ding-Hai)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 7 Shevat 5783

Islamic: 7 Rajab II 1444

J Cal: 29 Aer; Extraday [29 of 30]

Julian: 15 January 2023

Moon: 61%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Homer (2nd Month) [Hesiod)

Runic Half Month: Elhaz (Elk) [Day 4 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 39 of 90)

Zodiac: Aquarius (Day 8 of 30)

Calendar Changes

Homer (Ancient Poetry) [Month 2 of 13; Positivist]

[recentlyheardcom]

It took one dangerous act to elevate Canada 9 locations in a worldwide terrorism position of 163 nations in a record covering 2017 cases. The Worldwide Terrorism Index 2018, launched on Wednesday, placed Canada 57 th, as well as a lot of it pertained to the 6 individuals that were eliminated in a mass capturing at a Quebec City mosque in January 2017. The record was generated by the Institute for Business Economics as well as Tranquility, a brain trust that functions to “create metrics to assess tranquility as well as to evaluate its financial worth.” The institute acquired outcomes based upon information from the Worldwide Terrorism Data Source (GTD), which is accumulated by individuals at the National Consortium for the Research Study of Terrorism as well as Feedbacks to Terrorism (BEGINNING) as well as the College of Maryland. Index ratings were produced by considering 4 consider a provided year: the variety of fear cases, the variety of fatalities brought on by terrorists, the variety of terror-caused injuries as well as the quantity of residential property damages from fear cases. Those elements were after that considered with ratings in between no as well as 3 as well as a five-year heavy standard was put on them to reveal the “hidden mental impact of terrorist acts with time.” Fatalities were considered greater than various other elements. Canada signed up a general rating of 3.527– a decrease of 0.528 from 2016, as well as of 2.387 from its rating in 2002. The record kept in mind that Canada had 6 terror-related fatalities in 2017, which every one of them can be found in the Quebec City mosque capturing by a shooter referred to as a “conservative extremist.” Nonetheless, this characterization has actually been tested by a minimum of one psychological professional. The shooter was Alexandre Bissonnette, a Quebec City guy that begged guilty in March to 6 matters of first-degree murder as well as 6 added matters of tried murder. Bissonnette would certainly create self-destructive ideas that advanced right into the suggestion of devoting a mass capturing– a suggestion he came to be consumed with. He additionally began reviewing problems such as Islamist terrorism as well as migration, persuading himself that if he fired individuals at a mosque, he might be shielding his household from terrorist strikes. Bissonnette’s standing as a terrorist has actually been wondered about– a psychoanalyst indicating for the Crown suggested at a sentencing hearing that Bissonnette is not a terrorist due to the fact that he really did not adhere to a certain belief.(******** ) ” The criminal offense was as well egotistical to be a terrorist act,” Gilles Chamberland claimed. Bissonnette, he claimed, was looking for popularity as well as power for racist ideas. ” Was this racist? Completely racist, also if[Bissonnette] does not see it. … It’s clear this was based upon something entirely incorrect.” Reactionary extremism (******* )However, the record reveals reactionary extremism expanding all over the world, also as overall terrorist cases decrease. Terrorism-related fatalities went down for the 3rd straight year after they came to a head in 2014, the record claimed, with overall fatalities( 18, 814) dropping by27 percent year over year. Fatalities dropped outermost in Iraq, where they went down from 9,783 to 4,271, for a decrease of56 percent. At the same time, overall fatalities from terrorism throughout Europe dropped by75 percent, with” considerable drops “taped in Belgium, France as well as Germany.

[college-girl199328]

New Brunswick man who killed three Mounties in 2014 files appeal of a stiff sentence

A New Brunswick man who fatally shot three Mounties eight years ago has applied to the province's highest court. In 2014, Justin Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years, which was the harshest penalty imposed by a Canadian court since 1962 -- the last time state-sanctioned executions were carried out.

In a notice of appeal filed last month, Bourque's lawyer cites the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in May to strike down a 2011 law that made it possible for judges to extend parole ineligibility periods beyond 25 years for people convicted of multiple murders.

In its decision last year, the Supreme Court said the Criminal Code provision violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it amounted to a cruel and unusual punishment for offenders who faced no realistic possibility of parole before they died. The top court also declared the law was invalid retroactive to when it was enacted.

Bourque's lawyer, David Lutz, confirmed Thursday that the New Brunswick Court of Appeal will deal with the matter on Feb. 15, but he said there will be no oral hearing at that time. He declined to comment when asked if the proceeding be just a formality, given the Supreme Court of Canada's earlier decision.

That unanimous ruling was in response to an appeal filed by Alexandre Bissonnette, who was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 40 years after he pleaded guilty to fatally shooting six people at a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

A judge found the parole ineligibility provision unconstitutional but did not declare it invalid. Quebec's Court of Appeal subsequently ruled the provision invalid on constitutional grounds. And it said the court must revert to the law as it stood before 2011, meaning parole ineligibility periods are to be served concurrently instead of consecutively, resulting in a total waiting period of 25 years in Bissonnette's case.

Bourque pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder after targeting RCMP officers on June 4, 2014.

An agreed statement of facts said Bourque's actions in Moncton, N.B., were "planned and deliberate" when he used a semi-automatic rifle to kill constables Dave Ross, 32; Fabrice Gevaudan, 45; and Douglas Larche, 40. Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were injured in the shootings.

At his sentencing hearing, the court watched a videotaped statement from Bourque, who said he had wanted to encourage people to rise up against the "soldiers" that defend federal institutions and protect the rich from the poor. He mused about his strict Catholic upbringing, climate change, evolution, social engineering, class warfare, tyrants, and threats posed by the Russians and the Chinese.

He has automatically been sentenced to life in prison -- a minimum 25-year term. As well, the judge decided that under the 2011 law, the 25-year parole ineligibility period required for each first-degree murder conviction would be applied consecutively, meaning Bourque would have to wait 75 years before he could apply for parole.

With the anticipated reduction in that sentence next month, Bourque -- who was 24 at the time of the murders -- should be able to apply for parole when he is 49 instead of 99.

In its decision, the Supreme Court of Canada said the Charter requires Parliament to leave a door open for rehabilitation. Chief Justice Richard Wagner, writing on behalf of the high court, said the 2011 law authorized the courts to impose "a sentence so absurd that it would bring the administration of justice into disrepute."

The 2011 legislation was the Protecting Canadians by Ending Sentence Discounts for Multiple Murders Act. It was introduced by the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 1.29

Holidays

Axe Day (French Republic)

Blue and Pink Day

Bowling Green Massacre Day

Bubblegum Sculpture Day

Carnation Day (a.k.a. Red Carnation Day)

Curmudgeons’ Day

Feast of Overdue Expectations

Fields Day

Freethinkers’ Day

Gab Union Appreciation Day

Hall of Fame Day (MLB)

Holiday of the Three Hierarchs (Greece)

I Don’t Like Mondays Incident Anniversary Day

Jigsaw Puzzle Day

Martyr’s Day (Nepal)

Milton Friedman Day (California)

National Colin Day

National Day of Remembrance for the Quebec City Mosque Attack (Canada)

National Day of Transgender Visibility (Brazil)

National Lady Gaga Day

National Police Anniversary Day (Philippines)

National Puzzle Day

Nevermore Day

Oprah Winfrey Day

RNLI SOS Day (UK)

Romeo and Juliet Day

Sahid Diwash (Martyrs’ Day; Nepal)

Seeing Eye Dog Day

Thomas Paine Day

Victoria Cross Day

World Automobile Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Gnocchi Day (Argentina)

National Corn Chip Day

Pork Belly Day

Potato Day

Sugar Cone Day

Weisse Beer Day

5th & Last Monday in January

Cyber Monday (Russia)

Aukland Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Nelson Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Northland Anniversary Day (New Zealand) [Monday closest to 29th]

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day [Last Monday]

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Gibraltar)

Kansas Statehood Day (#34; 1861)

Larsonia (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning January 29, 2024

Bierfest Kunstmann Valdivia (Chile)

Dark Beer Festival (Leighton Buzzard, UK) [thru 2.2]

St. Moritz Gourmet Festival (St. Moritz, Switzerland) [thru 2.3]

WSWA Access Live (Las Vegas, Nevada) [thru 2.1]

Feast Days

Andrei Rublev (Episcopal Church (USA))

Anton Chekov (Writersim)

Aquilinus of Milan (Christian; Saint)

Barnett Newman (Artology)

Blue and Pink Day (Shamanism)

Charge Candles by Moonlight Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Concordia I: Irene’s Day (Pagan)

Constantius of Perugia (Christian; Saint)

Curmudgeons Day (Pastafarian)

Dallán Forgaill (Christian; Saint)

Edward Abbey (Writersim)

The Equiria in the Campus Martius (a.k.a. The Pacalia; Ancient Rome)

Francis of Sales (Christian; Saint)

Gamelion Noumenia (Festival to All Gods & Goddesses; Ancient Greece)

Gildas the Albanian or Scot or the Wise (Christian; Saint)

Gildas the Wise (a.k.a. Badoncius; Christian; Saint)

Happy Hedgehog Day (Pastafarian)

Hesiod (Positivist; Saint)

House Blessing Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Juniper (Christian; Saint)

Paddy Chayefsky (Writersim)

Parade of the Unicorns (Everyday Wicca)

Patrick Caulfield (Artology)

Romain Rolland (Writerism)

Sabinian of Troyes (Christian; Saint)

Sabrina T. Pagebottom (Muppetism)

Samuel Worcester Rowse (Artology)

Sulpicius Severus (Christian; Saint)

Sulpitius I of Bourges (Christian; Saint)

Theo Wujcik (Artology)

Valerius of Trèves (Christian; Saint)

Valero’s Feast (Spain; Saint)

Vasant Panchami (Celebrating Saraswati, Hindu goddess of knowledge)

Willy Wonka Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [6 of 71]

Prime Number Day: 29 [10 of 72]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [7 of 37]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [8 of 60]

Premieres

Alice, by Avril Lavigne (Song; 2010)

All My Sons, by Arthur Miller (Play; 1947)

All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque (Novel; 1929)

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Pt. 2 (WB Animated Film; 2013)

The Beggar’s Opera, by John Gay (Ballad Opera; 1728)

Donald’s Tire Trouble (Disney Cartoon; 1943)

Doorway to Danger or Doom in the Room (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 94; 1961)

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louise Stevenson, adapted by J. Comyn’s Carr (Play; 1910)

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Film; 1964)

Fantasia (Animated Disney Film; 1941)

Faust, complete play, by Goethe (Play; 1829)

Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand/Sie Liebt Dice, recorded by The Beatles (Songs in German; 1964)

Kung Fu Panda 3 (Animated Film; 2016)

Matinee (Film; 1993)

Million Dollar Carton or Jack in the Box (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 199; 1963)

My Little Buckaroo (WB MM Cartoon; 1938)

Out and Out Rout (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Peaceful Neighbors (Color Rhapsody; 1939)

Pests for Guests (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe (Poem; 1845)

Rock-a-Bye Gator (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1962)

The Seapreme Court (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1954)

She’s All That (Film; 1999)

Skelton Frolic (Ub Iwerks Cartoon; 1937)

Sleeping Beauty (Animated Disney Film; 1959)

Two at One Blow or The Devil Beheader (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 200; 1963)

Up at the Villa, by W. Somerset Maugham (Novella; 1941)

Window Pains or The Moosetrap (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 93; 1961)

Today’s Name Days

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef, Valerius (Austria)

Tvrtko, Valerije, Zdeslav, Zdravko (Croatia)

Zdislava (Czech Republic)

Valerius (Denmark)

Valmo, Valter (Estonia)

Valtteri (Finland)

Gildas (France)

Gerd, Gerhard, Josef (Germany)

Varsamia (Greece)

Adél (Hungary)

Aquilino, Costanzo, Valerio, Vitale (Italy)

Aivars, Valērijs (Latvia)

Aivaras, Girkantas, Valerijus, Žibutė (Lithuania)

Herdis, Hermann, Hermod (Norway)

Franciszek Salezy, Gilda, Hanna, Walerian, Waleriana, Waleriusz, Zdzisław (Poland)

Ignatie (Romania)

Gašpar (Slovakia)

Valerio, Valero (Spain)

Diana (Sweden)

Gilda, Goldie, Sheldon, Shelley, Shelly, Shelton, Ophrah, Oprah (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 29 of 2024; 337 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 5 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Luis (Rowan) [Day 9 of 28]

Chinese: Month 12 (Yi-Chou), Day 19 (Ren-Chen)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 19 Shevat 5784

Islamic: 18 Rajab 1445

J Cal: 29 White; Eightday [29 of 30]

Julian: 16 January 2024

Moon: 86%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Homer (2nd Month) [Hesiod)

Runic Half Month: Elhaz (Elk) [Day 5 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 40 of 89)

Zodiac: Capricorn (Day 8 of 28)

Calendar Changes

Homer (Ancient Poetry) [Month 2 of 13; Positivist]