LONDON (AP) — John “Paddy” Hemingway, the last surviving pilot who flew during the Battle of Britain, has died at the age of 105.

He died Monday at his home in Dublin, the Royal Air Force said.

Hemingway was just 20 years old when he and his comrades in the Royal Air Force took to the skies to fight off wave after wave of Nazi aircraft that sought to pound Britain into submission during the the summer and autumn of 1940.

During dogfights with German aircraft in August of 1940, Hemingway was twice forced to bail out of his Hurricane fighter, once landing in sea off the east coast of England, before returning to his squadron to resume the fight, the RAF said. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in 1941.

In an interview with the BBC in 2020, Hemingway dismissed suggestions of bravery and heroism, saying he was a pilot and had a job to do.

“The world was at war, and you couldn’t go somewhere and say, ‘I’m at peace and I don’t fight wars,’” he said.

“The main skill was luck. You had to be lucky, no matter how good you were. For instance, my boss, Dickie Lee, was the best pilot I’ve every seen, but he was shot down and killed. So he had no luck. I had bags of luck.”

The Associated Press

A Halifax bar co-owner wants to bring in an Ontario wine, but says the legislated process that forces them to go through the NSLC makes it impractical. The situation is an example of how interprovincial trade barriers play out in real life.

Two Indigenous business operators in Nova Scotia say they've had to make adjustments to their business practices to contend with the implications of U.S. tariffs.

A Halifax artist has made it his mission to document historic buildings before they’re demolished and lost to time. His latest project is the Halifax Alehouse. A developer has submitted a demolition permit for the property, which is under review by the city. Cassidy Chisholm reports.

There is a change coming today in the weather.

The warmer air over the past few days will give way to a cold front, bringing a drop in temperatures and rain for most.

95.7’s weather specialist Allister Aalders says Halifax will be on the lighter end of the rainfall.

“Here in Halifax, it’s a general 10 to 20 millimetres. Some pockets of 25 millimetres can’t be ruled out, especially further inland,” he said.

Rainfall warnings are in effect for Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Kings and Cumberland counties, where totals could reach 50 millimetres.

With the cold front moving through, Cumberland and Colchester counties could see an extended period of freezing rain today, making for slippery driving conditions.

“In Cumberland and Colchester counties, there could be four to six hours of freezing rain this afternoon into the evening,” Aalders said. “Thankfully, the warmer temperatures should prevent any major buildup of ice.”

In Halifax, there is a chance of some freezing rain overnight, but not much ice accumulation is expected.

Police are searching for a 20-year-old man last seen in Digby.

Raydon Herman was reported missing Monday after he was last seen around noon on Shreve Street.

RCMP say he may be travelling on foot in the Conway area or attempting to take a bus to Annapolis.

Herman is described as five-foot-one and 130 pounds, with black hair in a buzz cut and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown toque, a burgundy T-shirt, a brown and red jacket, and ripped black jeans.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911, contact Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579, or reach out to local police. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or through the P3 Tips app.

COSTA NAVARINO, Greece (AP) — Only one Englishman who had a great Olympic career ever stood for the IOC presidency before Sebastian Coe, and Coe will try to win that job Thursday.

The previous candidate lost his election — in 1952 — yet his Olympic achievements spanned the 1920s to the 1980s, including 48 years as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

David Burghley ran at the 1924 Paris Olympics and was portrayed in the Oscar-winning movie of the games, Chariots of Fire, and in 1968 he presented medals to Tommie Smith and John Carlos seconds before their iconic raised-fist salutes on the podium in Mexico City.

Burghley also presented a gold medal to Coe at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when a then 23-year-old track star won the first of back-to-back titles in the 1,500 meters.

“He is a large figure in my life,” Coe said last week before traveling to Greece for the IOC election. “When I was forging my career we met on a couple of occasions.”

The overlap between their respective careers is almost comprehensive.

Olympic champion runners. World record holders. Elected members of the British parliament. Organizers of a London Olympics. Presidents of track and field’s world governing body.

IOC presidential candidate

Burghley ran to lead the Olympic body against Avery Brundage of the United States in 1952 in Helsinki. Brundage won a 30-17 vote to become the first, and still only, IOC leader from outside Europe.

In 1964, the English aristocrat who had inherited the title of 6th Marquess of Exeter challenged Brundage again in Rome though withdrew before a unanimous vote for the American.

Organizing an Olympics

Burghley had been elected to lead the world track body then known as the IAAF in 1946 and two years later had overseen organizing the first post-World War II Olympics in London.

When the Summer Games returned to London 66 years later, it was because Coe had led the bid to an unexpected win — edging out Paris — then led the project through the entire next seven years.

Coe said the commemorative Olympic torch he was given from London was later gifted to his predecessor.

“That sits in the Olympic museum at Burghley House,” he said. “His family I’m very close to still.”

Olympic medals

The 16th century stately home about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of London is home to Burghley’s memorabilia including his 400-meter hurdles gold medal from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.

Burghley, the “Leaping Lord,” had run in the 110 hurdles at Paris where his British teammates Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won the 100 and 400, respectively. Burghley was depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire as the character Lord Lindsay.

In 1932, Burghley took silver for Britain in the 4×400 relay in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum where 52 years later Coe won his second 1,500 title.

Final lap

Their paths would cross at one more Olympic gathering after Moscow, at the 1981 Congress in West Germany, were Coe was among the pioneering athlete representatives.

They exchanged “passing pleasantries,” Coe recalled last week, back then in Baden-Baden where Burghley was made an IOC honorary vice president weeks before his death aged 76.

Near the site of Ancient Olympia this week, Coe aims to ascend one step higher than perhaps the most eminent of English Olympians to go before him.

___

AP Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Graham Dunbar, The Associated Press

Multiple presenters to the legislature’s committee on public bills said the government’s plan to lift the ban on uranium exploration and mining and the moratorium on fracking for onshore gas, as proposed in Bill 6, should not happen without robust public consultation — if it happens at all.

The only daily TV news package to focus on Nova Scotians and their stories

It's a long way from New Glasgow to the Netherlands, but that's the journey Shanice Skinner has taken to follow her dreams. Elizabeth Chiu has the story.

Members of the public lined up Monday to express concerns about an omnibus government bill they say risks placing a chill over public servants' ability to do their jobs and weakens people's access to information in Nova Scotia.

Noting the presence in Nova Scotia of pro-Trump symbols such as MAGA hats in everyday places like grocery stores, a Dalhousie University professor said he believes the growth of fascism in the U.S. is affecting Canada.

The post Nova Scotia 2SLGBTQIA+ community members react to growing hate appeared first on Halifax Examiner.

Organizers in Glace Bay, N.S., are getting ready to host the 2026 Canadian Little League baseball championship. The national tournament is more than a year away, but there's a lot of work to do before anyone can call "play ball."

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Debates over President Donald Trump’s hardline migration policies are focused on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, to some a ruthless transnational criminal organization and to others the pretext for an overhyped anti-migrant narrative.

Trump labeled the Tren de Aragua an invading force on Saturday when he invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a little-used authority from 1798 that allows the president to deport any noncitizen during wartime. Hours later, the Trump administration transferred hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador even as a federal judge issued an order temporarily barring the deportations. Flights were in the air when the ruling came down.

The Alien Enemies Act requires a president to declare the United States at war, giving him extraordinary powers to detain or remove foreigners to whom immigration or criminal laws otherwise protect. It had been used only three times — the last time to justify the detention of Japanese-American civilians during World War II.

The Trump administration has not identified the more than 200 immigrants deported, provided any evidence they are in fact members of Tren de Aragua or that they committed any crimes in the United States.

Gang gains notoriety in the US

From the heartland to major cities like New York and Chicago, the gang has been blamed for sex trafficking, drug smuggling and police shootings, as well as the exploitation of the nearly 1 million Venezuelan migrants have crossed into the U.S. in recent years. Trump told Congress this month that a Venezuelan migrant found guilty of murdering 22-year-old nursing student Laken Riley on the University of Georgia campus was a member of the gang.

The size of the gang is unclear as is the extent to which its actions are coordinated across state lines and national borders.

The Venezuelan gang entered U.S. political discourse after footage from a security camera surfaced on social media last summer showing heavily armed men entering an apartment in the Denver suburb of Aurora shortly before a fatal shooting outside. In response, Trump vowed to “ liberate Aurora ” from Venezuelans he falsely said were “taking over the whole town.”

The city initially downplayed concerns. But most of the apartment complex was closed under an emergency order last month after officials said they suspected Tren de Aragua members in the kidnapping and assault of two residents.

Most of the men seen in the video have been arrested, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement accusing them of gang membership.

The Tren originated in an infamous prison

The Tren, which means “train” in Spanish, traces its origin more than a decade ago to an infamously lawless prison with hardened criminals in the central state of Aragua. It has expanded in recent years as more than 8 million Venezuelans fled economic turmoil under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule and migrated to other parts of Latin America or the U.S.

Countries such as Peru and Colombia — all with large populations of Venezuelan migrants — have accused the group of being behind a spree of violence in a region that has long had some of the highest murder rates in the world. Some of its crimes have spread panic in poor neighborhoods, where the gang extorts local businesses and illegally charges residents for “protection.”

The gang operates as a loose network in the U.S. Tattoos, which are commonly used by Central American gangs, aren’t required for those affiliated with the Tren, said Ronna Risquez, a Venezuelan journalist who wrote a 2023 book about the gang’s origins.

Trump targets the Tren

On his first day in office, Trump he took steps to designate the gang a “foreign terrorist organization” alongside several Mexican drug cartels. The Biden administration had sanctioned the gang and offered $12 million in rewards for the arrest of three of its leaders.

Trump’s executive order Saturday accused the gang of working closely with top Maduro officials — most notably the former vice president and one-time governor of Aragua state, Tareck El Aissami, — to infiltrate migration flows, flood the U.S. with cocaine and plot against the country.

“The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States, and which poses a substantial danger to the United States,” Trump’s executive order alleged.

Wes Tabor, who headed the Drug Enforcement Administration’s office in Venezuela when the gang first came onto law enforcement radar, said Trump’s decision to give the DEA and other federal agencies authority to carry out immigrant arrests is a “force multiplier” that will curtail the Tren’s activities in the U.S.

Tabor said authorities need to build a robust database like it did when combating El Salvador’s MS-13 containing biometric data, arrest information and intelligence from foreign law enforcement partners.

“We have to use a hammer on an ant because if we don’t it will get out of control,” said Tabor. “We need to smash it now.”

Venezuelan officials protest

In Venezuela, officials originally expressed bafflement at the U.S. interest in the Tren, claiming it had dismantled the gang after retaking control of the prison where the group was born.

As Trump’s immigration crackdown has intensified, they’ve conditioned their cooperation with U.S. deportation flights on progress in other areas in the long-strained bilateral relationship.

Last month, authorities gave a hero’s welcome to some 190 Venezuelan migrants deported by Trump, accusing the U.S. of spreading an “ill-intentioned” and “false” narrative about the Tren in the U.S. They said most Venezuelan immigrants are decent, hard-working people and that U.S. officials were looking to stigmatize the South American nation.

Over the weekend they protested the use of Trump’s invocation of the wartime rules, likening it to the “darkest episodes in human history, from slavery to the horror of the Nazi concentration camps.”

The Associated Press

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Carbonear’s Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help with the Meals on Wheels program.

The food bank took over the responsibility for the long running program last month.

Kaitlin Clarke, the food bank’s communications and outreach coordinator, said NL Health Services reached out to the St. Vincent de Paul Society to ask if it would be interested in taking over Meals on Wheels deliveries in Carbonear.

“Meals on Wheels is a community outreach service,” said Clarke. “It provides low-cost nutritious meals to seniors, adults with disabilities, people who may not be able to purchase or prepare their own meals.”

The food bank’s Meals on Wheels can be delivered anywhere in Carbonear. Once a week, Clarke and one of her co-workers call their existing clients and take their orders for the following week. While the group has a number of people who help with the deliveries, it will need more to accommodate more clients.

The type of meals provided by Meal on Wheels has recently changed. In the past, the meals were hot and newly made. However, as food bank chairperson Kerri Abbott explained, that forced drivers to rush their deliveries in hopes of getting them to people before the meals cooled. It also posed a potential risk of the delivery people getting burned by the hot dishes.

Now the program if offering what it calls ‘Steamplicity’ meals. “

They made this change to be able to offer more flexibility, variety, and choice, and make it a little bit more personalized for the clients,” added Clarke.

Steamplicity meals are pre-made and requires clients to heat them up after delivery. Clarke said they come in many varieties, including chicken alfredo, meatballs and barbecue sauce, roast turkey dinners, fishcakes, and more. The fishcakes are particularly popular meal, according to Clarke.

Carbonear General Hospital also offers Steamplicity meals to patients.

“Anytime that anybody doesn’t avail of a meal at the hospital, they will notify us through Second Harvest, which is a food rescue program,” said Clarke. “And we will go over and pick up any leftover meals and then we’re able to bring them here and distribute them through the food bank.”

Second Harvest connects food banks and other food charities with establishments such as hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants which have leftover food. Not only does this help feed more people, but it also reduces food waste.

Abbott noted that in order to be able to honestly promote Steamplicity meals to clients, volunteers at the food bank have tried them as well, and very much enjoyed them.

Clarke added that experience also enabled the volunteers to offer feedback and recommendations to the clients.

Clarke said the volunteers can also advise the recipients which meals are most diabetic-friendly.

The food bank is looking for volunteers to serve as Meals on Wheels delivery drivers.

“We’re able to accommodate anybody’s level of commitment,” said Clarke. “If they want to deliver all the meals, we can accommodate that, or if they just want to do a couple in their area or something, we can also accommodate that, as well.”

While deliveries are made to residents within Carbonear, the food bank would be happy to take volunteers from anywhere if they are willing to come to the town and take a delivery route.

“It’s a really rewarding experience. In just the couple of weeks that we’ve been doing it, we’ve formed relationships with our clients. We’ve gotten to know them. They’re all really lovely and sweet people. So, if you have a couple of hours to give a week, it’s a great opportunity to volunteer,” said Clarke.

And the recipients of the meals are grateful. Recently, Clarke said, she and some co-workers were out shoveling snow as part of another program they offer to help seniors and people with reduced mobility, and when they returned to the food bank, a gentleman who is a client of Meals on Wheels was there plowing the lot for them.

“It’s really heartwarming to see that the work that we do has impacts on people and that they want to give back and help where they can,” said Clarke. “So I think that just speaks to how valuable this program is and how rewarding it can be for the volunteers.”

Anyone interested in volunteering with the food bank’s Meals on Wheels program can call 709-596-5945 or email [email protected]. The food bank is also welcoming monetary donations to help support the Meals on Wheels program.

The post Carbonear food bank wants folks with wheels to deliver meals appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Craig Westcott

Staff with the Town of Conception Bay South are working on a new traffic calming policy to present to council.

Councillor-at-Large Rex Hillier noted last week that a consultant has been working on a new policy for the Town and has finally submitted its report.

“I know around this table I’m sure everybody has got at least one area where people have been in touch with them concerned about traffic calming,” said Hillier. “I just want to let residents know the policy is now in the hands of our staff for review. It probably took a little bit longer than we expected to get completed… Hopefully in the coming months as children get out and get more active and traffic gets a little quicker around our neighbourhoods we will be once again working on our traffic calming based on this new policy that we’ve been working on.”

The post New traffic calming policy enroute for CBS appeared first on The Shoreline News.

The two Foxtrap Access Road schools – Frank Roberts Junior High and Queen Elizabeth High – swept all divisions of the Town of Conception Bay South’s Shield hockey tournaments last month during Winterfest. The Frank Roberts Ravens won both the male and female divisions of the 2025 Akita Shield, while the Queen Elizabeth Pioneers took home both the Annie Parsons and Fred Squires shields. In top photo, the female Ravens included, starting in the back, from left, Manager Kassandra Penney, Coach Alex MacBeath, Sarah Russell, Natalie Price, Kayleigh Strickland, Paige Whiffen, Lila Dyke, Ally Walsh, Sophie Hudson, Erin Doody, Kara Ledrew, Coach Pete Ledrew, and Coach Scott Hudson; in the front, from left,
are mascot Robbie the Raven, Avery Ledrew, Kayleigh Beckett, Leah Slaney, Anna Yetman, Avery Strong, Charlie Rideout, Kenley Hoskins, and Brooklyn Power. Missing from the photo are Claire Bishop, Bella Radcliffe, Julie Thorne, Brianna Ward, and Autumn Williams.

The male Ravens, in the second photo from the top, included, starting in the back, from left, Jesse Carroll, Reid Turpin, Harry Kennedy, Blake Matheson, Cameron Morgan, Roland Russell, Braydon Collins, Ethan Winters, Cullen Hynes, and Kyle Jordan; and in the front, from left: Rylan Hawco, Liam Whelan, Gavin O’Toole, Carter Lee, James Bartlett, Seth Peach, Drake Parsons, Riordan Flynn, and Grayson Powell. Missing from the photo are coaches Tom Flynn, Alex MacBeath, Matt McDonald, JP Winters, and manager Christine Rowe, along with players Chase Chaytor, Ryder Greenslade, Reegan Nash, Tyson Skinner, and Andrew Woodford.

The female Pioneers included, starting in the back row, from left: Tony Lambert, Rod Penney, Sophia Burton, Adele Martin, Lydia Warren, Elli Squires, Natalie Stead, Katie Ruston, Maddy Greeley, Sadie Dawson, Heather Gillingham, Greg Greeley, Donny Gosse, and Sandy Tippett; and in the front row, from left: Megan Ruston, Ana Penney, Teiana Lambert, Kennedy Gosse, Kate Tippett, Brea Squirea, and Keelyn Gallant.

The male Pioneers included, in the back, from left: trainer Damien Barter, head coach Tyler Hennessy, assistant coach Ryan Day, goalie coach Josh Hiller, Drew Parsons, Rylan Tilley, Jade Parsons, Nathan Dyke, Ronan Reid, Landon Baird, Lewis Howell, Zack Barker, Cole Denny, Ben Collin’s, and Ryan O’Toole; in the middle, from left: Mason Butt, Jack Jarrett, Colin Jefford, Declan Flynn, Mason Strong, Declan Kennedy, Lucas LeDrew, Andrew Barrett, Noah Stokes, Charlie Dawe, Caleb Whalen, and Ethan Rideout; and in the front, from left: goalies Nate Leonard and Steve Eason.

The post A total sweep appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Winter seems to have hit the province full force since the new year began. As a result, snow-related issues are not uncommon at town council meetings. At Carbonear’s February 25 meeting, councillors discussed difficulties encountered during snow clearing operations in their town.

“I noticed that the crews were trying to do some snow clearing last week and there were cars parked in the way and, I mean, the crews can’t clear the snow if there’s cars parked on the side of the road,” said Councillor Danielle Doyle.

She asked her fellow council members if the Town could remind residents that they are not allowed to park on the street during the winter months.

Economic development officer Kerri Abbott told Doyle such a post has already been made on a social media site.

Doyle suggested they should share the post again as a reminder whenever there’s a major snowfall.

“I was always of the assumption that that was done automatically once the snow clearing came in,” said Deputy Mayor Sam Slade. “Nobody could park there at a certain time.”

Slade said snow-clearing equipment should not be hindered by parked cars. He noted that maneuvering large vehicles for snow-clearing is difficult as it is, and parked cars obstructing their path makes it harder still. “There’s no need of it,” he said.

Slade also made a related request to residents. “I’d just like to ask them to consider adopting a hydrant,” said the deputy mayor. “I think it’s important. It’s important for your home, and my home.”

The phrase “adopt a hydrant” refers to residents clearing snow from fire hydrants on or near their property.

“It saves a lot of time and effort on (behalf of) the fire departments,” Slade said, “or on our own staff.”

The post Parked cars pose problems for Carbonear’s snow clearing crews appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At the last Bay Roberts town council meeting on February 18, council resolved to complete a new municipal plan and to obtain a study and consultation for public works projects. To get that work done, the Town is issuing calling for proposals from consultants interested in tackling the work.

Chief Administrative Officer Dave Tibbo said the Request for Proposals for a new municipal plan will result in a document that will serve the town from 2025 to 2035. The town’s previous municipal plan is outdated, having expired in 2020.

Council will use Gas Tax money and Canada Community-Building Funds to pay for the plan.

Director of Public Works and Technical Services Sean Elms, put forward two RPFs. The first was for a wastewater study.

“As per federal regulations, we’re not allowed to be putting untreated sewage into the ocean, so we need to treat our sewer,” said Elms.

The wastewater study will determine what type of treatment the Town should use, how much the treatment will likely cost, and the cost of sustaining and operating a treatment plant. Again, council is hoping to use money from the federal Canada Community-Building Fund to pay for the study.

The second RPF was for water and sewer upgrades on Heneys Pond Road and Crosbie Road. Elms said the water lines on both streets are undersized, and the upgrades will provide a better quality of water for the residents. A consultant will be needed for the upgrades, and a motion was passed for the Town to issue an RFP for consulting services to design the projects as per government regulations.

The post Bay Roberts looking for consultant for new municipal plan appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Joint Council of Conception Bay North has elected a new executive after meeting at Bay Roberts council chambers last month.

In attendance were representatives from Bay Roberts, Spaniard’s Bay, Harbour Grace, Carbonear, South River, and Cupids. Those elected will serve in interim positions for several months. The Joint Council does not meet during the summer, and the next official election will be in September.

There were a couple of nominations for the acting chairperson’s position. Carbonear Councillor Danielle Doyle nominated Bay Roberts Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour, which was seconded by Harbour Grace Councillor Terry Barnes.

Bay Roberts Councillor Silas Badcock nominated Barnes. That nomination was seconded by Seymour.

Carbonear Deputy Mayor Sam Slade, who chaired the elections, asked Seymour if he accepted the nomination.

“I’ll accept it, considering the duration of it,” said Seymour.

Slade then asked Barnes if he accepted the nomination. Barnes declined, explaining that while he likes to participate in the Joint Council, he has too much on his plate to take on the role of chair.

That left Seymour winning by acclamation.

Next, Slade called for nominations for treasurer.

Doyle nominated South River Mayor Bev Wells. The nomination was seconded by Badcock.

Spaniard’s Bay Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver then nominated fellow Spaniard’s Bay Councillor Debbie Newman. That nomination was seconded by Spaniard’s Bay Mayor Paul Brazil.

Once nominations ceased, Slade asked Newman if she accepted the nomination.

Newman replied that she would accept it if Wells did not want it.

Slade then asked Wells if she accepted the nomination.

“I think I’ll decline and let her try it,” said Wells, indicating Newman.

Newman was then named treasurer.

Lastly, Slade called for nominations for secretary.

Doyle nominated Harbour Grace Town Clerk and Manager Amy Dwyer, and the nomination was seconded by Newman.

Brazil nominated Spaniard’s Bay councillor Darlene Stamp, and the nomination was seconded by Spaniard’s Bay councillor Sherry Lundrigan.

Once nominations ceased, Slade asked Dwyer if she accepted the nomination. She declined.

Slade then asked Stamp if she accepted the nomination.

Stamp responded by asking Dwyer if she was certain she wanted to decline, and Dwyer replied that she did not have the time to put into the role of secretary.

Stamp was then named secretary.

The next Joint Council meeting will take place in the Spaniard’s Bay council chambers on Thursday, March 27.

The post CBN Joint Council elects interim officers appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Roger Bill

We were warned, but the Canadian economist Mel Watkins is dead, so he really didn’t say, “I told you so.” 

If Mel Watkins had, however, still been among us when U.S. President Donald Trump levied 25 per cent tariffs last week on Canadian exports to the U.S., he could have said, “I told you so.”

In 1987 then Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulrooney negotiated what was called the Free Trade Agreement with U.S. President Ronald Regan. The country was divided. The Conservative Prime Minister needed the approval of the House of Commons and the Senate to enact the agreement. Mulrooney’s problem was the Senate where the Liberal Party, led by John Turner, held a majority of the seats and was withholding its approval.

Mulrooney called an election the following year. He said the country was “open for business.” The central issue was the Free Trade Agreement. Voter turnout was 76 per cent (in the 2021 federal election it was 62 per cent).

The Liberals produced a campaign ad depicting the border between Canada and the U.S. disappearing. Ed Broadbent, the Leader of the New Democratic Party, said the deal would lead to Canada becoming America’s “51st state.”

Mulrooney’s Conservative Party won the election. The Senate approved the agreement, and the Free Trade Agreement became the Free Trade Act.

On the sidelines of the debate were Mel Watkins and James Laxer, two economists who were members of the NDP and central to the creation of what was called the Waffle wing of the NDP in 1969. The two academics penned what they called a Manifesto for an Independent Socialist Canada. They argued for public control of resources before the creation of the national energy company Petro Canada. They advocated for the Foreign Investment Review Agency. They called the 1987 Free Trade Agreement a “Charter of Rights for Corporations.” They warned of the risks of being the junior partner in a deal with the U.S.  At the peak of the Free Trade debate in 1988, Laxer produced a TV documentary called, In Bed With an Elephant.

According to the World Bank, exports represented 26 per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1988. Following the Free Trade Agreement and revisions in the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, exports grew and by 2000 represented 44 per cent of Canada’s GDP. Translated that means exports to the United States became even more important to the Canadian economy. Now with the Trump tariffs the country is going to discover just how vulnerable it has allowed itself to become. 

Justin Trudeau says Trump is serious about his 51st state blatherings. Andrew Furey calls Trump “a maniac.” Nothing seems impossible with Trump. For example, last month on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted on a resolution blaming Russia for its full-scale invasion and supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  Ninety-three countries voted in favour of the resolution. Russia, North Korea, and the United States voted against it.

On the domestic front the American Securities Exchange Commission has withdrawn a years-long legal battle with Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange platform. Despite the CEO of Wall Street’s largest bank, JP Morgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon, calling bitcoin “worthless” and telling a Senate Banking Committee, “If I was the government, I’d close it down,” Trump is promoting the creation of a national cryptocurrency reserve. Business journalist Nathan Tankus describes the President’s plan as, “A scam built atop an accounting gimmick wrapped in bullshit.” 

In 1988 Canada debated which trade path to follow. Stand alone or become part of a larger North American common market? Mel Watkins warned of the risks, but he probably never thought there would be a felon running the White House.

The post Mel Watkins: “I told you so” appeared first on The Shoreline News.

Work in Progress/By Ivan Morgan

Premier Furey hit the silk last week, surprising many. It didn’t take long for others in the Liberal party to start positioning themselves for the top job. One prominent Liberal stated categorically he is not interested. I think that’s too bad – he’d be my choice, and one of the top reasons I think he’d be perfect is he doesn’t want the job.

Before I explain, let me note I am not naming the person out of respect for him, but he knows who he is, and many will figure it out.

Why do I think not wanting the job is an important qualification?

Some background. My parents were Joey fighters, and I was raised in a very political house. We were rebels on the side of good battling the corrupt dictator Smallwood and his cronies. Our little farmhouse was PC party headquarters in St. John’s. Think of the Confederation Building as the Death Star and you’ve got the picture. I was only little, but they were heady days.

Joey had to be taken out, but by who? The Tories scoured the landscape, but few had the fortitude to take on Smallwood and his buddies. A group of organizers, including my parents, worked on Frank Moores. Educated, charismatic, handsome and rich – they thought he was perfect! Problem was he was not interested.

After 22 years at the helm, Joey still wanted to be Premier. He revelled in the power, the adoration, the grandeur. He’d stop at nothing to defeat his enemies.

Frank Moores, on the other hand, didn’t really want the job. This is a community newspaper so I can’t repeat here what John Crosbie once told me – in a recording I still have – about Frank’s reply to being asked to run against Joey.

He got cajoled into it. I always felt he did it out of some sort of national duty. It was a long hard campaign, and really really nasty. In a nutshell Frank didn’t need it. Nonetheless he took it all for the team. I was only little, but I was there. And I was raised on the war stories.

I remember Mr. Moores, as I called him, the newly minted Premier, jokingly telling my mom and dad that when they got to the Eighth Floor – the Premier’s office, Joey’s office – they found fingernail scratches on the desk, where Joey had to be hauled away. Funny yes, but not far off.

Frank agreed to two terms, and he was outta there the moment he could. To my mind he was the greatest Premier we ever had.

I have always thought the wrong people often become Premier, and for the wrong reasons. That’s not a column – that’s a book. The best people for the job I know wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.

Another person who would have been a brilliant premier didn’t want the job because he knew his personal life would become a big issue if he ran. He chose not to put his family through that.  I am happy to say it wouldn’t be an issue today, but this place has not always been open –minded. Believe me, it’s our loss.

Danny Williams didn’t need the job either, didn’t take a salary, and had to deal with a lot of crap for which he had neither the time nor the patience. Stuff he didn’t sign on for. I know, I covered a lot of his premiership. He did what he could, and I think he was mighty glad to be done.

I actually pleaded with Tom Marshall to stay on as Premier, even though I worked for another party. He did great work, most of it unsung, but couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Which brings us to today. The party in power is going to have a leadership race. Lots of people are going to smile a lot, say a lot of upbeat stuff, and tell you why they are the best choice to lead. We will all have to work on our gag reflexes. 

For their sake it had better be civil. Nasty leadership campaigns are never a good idea. There’s a great book, It’s Just Politics, by author Sonia Glover, about the 2001 Liberal leadership contest here in Newfoundland. Should be required reading for anyone organizing this one.

The one candidate I think would be a good choice, not just for the Liberal party, but for all of us, isn’t going to touch it. Not going to run. Doesn’t want the job.

He has his reasons. and I respect them.

Tis a pity.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at [email protected]

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By Mark Squibb

Former PC leader David Brazil is trying his hand at federal politics.

Brazil served as leader of the PC Party from 2010 until 2023, when he had to step aside due to health issues.

Following participation in a cardiac rehab program, Brazil said he’s healthier than he’s been in years — this February he even participated in the Health Care Foundation’s 2025 Row4Heart event.

Brazil, who owns and operates McNiven’s Pub & Eatery in Airport Heights, said the federal Conservative Party reached out and asked if he would be interested in running federally when members learned that his health had improved since bowing out of provincial politics.

The former PC Party leader said a “massive” number of people encouraged him to run, including good friend and former colleague Kevin Parsons. Brazil said that Parsons, a former Caucus Chair and longstanding Cape St. Francis MHA, had signed on to help manage his campaign before he died in August after a battle with cancer.

“Parsons was adamant, he was continually after me that I should go,” said Brazil. “He thought I could bring something to the table that would be beneficial to St. John’s East and to the province.”

Brazil announced his candidacy in June, and was officially named the candidate shortly thereafter, his candidacy going unchallenged. He has been campaigning since, meeting with residents, organizations, and other politicians about challenges that need to be addressed.

“It’s time for a change here in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Brazil. “And not just a change of personnel. It’s about a change in getting our fair share when it comes to Confederation and ensuring that the issues we bring forward on a national basis are beneficial to all Newfoundlanders. And I feel with my background, what I’ve achieved, my no-nonsense approach to politics and my proven record, that I would be an alternative choice for people to be a voice in Ottawa.”

There’s lot of issues Brazil is anxious to sink his teeth in, including the rising cost of living in the riding, which he said is being compounded by the carbon tax, and the dire state of healthcare in the province.

Speaking to immigration, Brazil said government needs to cut red tape blocking skilled workers who move to the province from working in their fields of practice.

“I’ve spoken to dozens, hundreds, in my riding, who, unfortunately, came here with a misconception that they would be able to take their trade and jump right in,” said Brazil. “They want to be gainfully employed, they want to be able to help our society, and help fill gaps, and they haven’t been able to do that because policies, particularly federal policies, don’t allow that.”

Brazil also swore to fight on behalf of the fishery and the province’s oil and gas industry.

He also spoke highly of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.

“He’s a no-nonsense politician,” said Brazil. “He’s pro-Canadian…  he has experience in the political realm. He grew up as an average Canadian doing the same things that a lot of us did. He’s been to Newfoundland and Labrador nine times. And that speaks volumes here when we only have a handful of seats. That tells me he respects eastern Canada; he respects Newfoundland and Labrador.”

He said a recent tactic by the left to colour Poilievre as “just another Trump” is not fair, and he reckons there are two reasons for that line of attack.

“People have watched too much social media, and have been conditioned by what they’ve read, or they’re trying to justify why they don’t vote Conservative, because they’ve voted Liberal or NDP in the past, which has been a failure, and they’re trying to justify it,” said Brazil.

Poilievre has been the most assertive and aggressive when it comes to putting Canada first following Trump’s tariff threat, Brazil said.

“If America doesn’t want to play fair ball with Canada, then there are other markets out there,” Brazil added, adding his hope though, is that America and Canada remain good allies.

Brazil said the redistribution of federal ridings may prove confusing for some voters. In the case of St. John’s East, the district will lose its portion of the Town of Paradise to Cape Spear riding (formerly St. John’s South- Mount Pearl.)

“I still have people reaching out to me saying,’ I can’t wait to vote for you,’ but they live in Paradise, which is no longer going to be a part of the same federal riding,” said Brazil. “So, its an adjustment, and it’s going to be confusing for people, because they are used to voting in one riding and now all of a sudden that’s changed.”

Brazil admitted some folks have said they want to vote for him but are uncertain if they can buy into Poilievre’s brand of politics. To that end, Brazil said that people ought to vote for who they feel would best represent them in Ottawa, and that his track-record recommends him.

“People will say that I’m one of the hardest working politicians they’ve ever seen in this province,” said Brazil. “That’s the reputation that I live by.”

Former PC MHA, David Brazil is the Conservative Party of Canada’s candidate in the riding of St. John’s East.

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By Craig Westcott

There’s probably nobody more excited about the news Conception Bay South will be hosting next year’s Allan Cup championships than Paul Connors.

The at-large councillor has a son, nephew and nephew-in-law on the host CB Blues, and is one of the team’s biggest fans, driving back and forth to Clarenville two nights in a row one recent weekend to see the senior hockey team tangle with the rambunctious-styled Caribous in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League semi-finals.

So not surprisingly, Connors was the first at last week’s public council meeting to raise the selection of CBS to host Canada’s national amateur hockey championship in 2026.

“This is a tournament that any town that has a senior hockey team would love to have, and we’ve got it (coming) here,” said Connors. “Our rink (the new CBS Arena) was built to hold events like this. And that’s what we’re doing. We’re after hosting a number of Atlantic, national, and provincial events up there and I’m sure we’ll do a great job again. Thank you to the Blues and our recreation staff for putting together the proposal and were successful in it, and I’m looking forward to a great tournament next year with teams from Ontario, out West and some other Atlantic Canadian teams.”

The Allan Cup has been played since 1909. This will mark only the third time it has been hosted in Newfoundland. Only four Newfoundland teams have ever managed to capture the cup – the Corner Brooks Royals twice – in 1985 and 1986, the Clarenville Caribous in 2011, and the Grand Falls Cataracts in 2017. Current Blues players Danny Wicks, Brandon Bussey and Nick Lindstrom were members of that Cataracts team.

Six teams are expected to fight it out for the national senior hockey championship; the host CB Blues, whichever team wins next year’s Herder Trophy, which is the prize for this province’s best senior amateur hockey team, along with championship teams from Ontario, the Maritimes and Western Canada, as well as the team that wins this year’s Allan Cup, which will be invited back to defend its title.

The Blues are touting the tournament as a chance to raise their national profile, expand their community outreach, strengthen partnerships with local minor hockey groups and profile their commitment to the region.

Details about the playing schedule and tickets will be announced in the coming months.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our players, coaches, volunteers, and fans,” Blues general manager and coach Jonathan Kavanagh said at the February 27 press conference announcing the event. “The Town of Conception Bay South has rallied around the Blues for years, building one of the largest fan bases in the Avalon East Senior Hockey League. Our players and sponsors have worked tirelessly to create a stable franchise capable of hosting an event of this stature. We are thrilled to bring a national championship to our home and share this momentous occasion with everyone who has supported us along the way. We look forward to welcoming teams from across the country, showing them the warm hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for, and putting on an event everyone will remember.”

Mayor Darrin Bent said he has no doubt the Allan Cup tournament will be a source of immense pride for everyone involved. “We are thrilled to see this iconic Canadian championship come to our community,” he said.

Perhaps few will be prouder though than the players, including Blues’ captain Kyle Tibbo, who is the aforementioned nephew-in-law of councillor Connors. Tibbo is the nephew of Connors wife Michelle (nee Tibbo) and the son of former CBS Recreation Director Dave Tibbo, and like a number of his teammates, he played elite level junior hockey on the mainland before returning to Newfoundland and lacing up the skates for the top provincial league.

“Representing our hometown team on a stage as big as the Allan Cup is a dream come true for me and my teammates,” said Tibbo. “Some of us have competed for the Allan Cup in previous seasons, but having the chance to do it for the Blues — and on home ice — is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We can’t wait to make our community proud.”

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By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Town vehicles in Spaniard’s Bay are already equipped with global positioning systems, GPS, that allows managers to track their positions. Now council may look at adding dash cams to the vehicles as well.

The idea was presented at the February 25 council meeting by councillor Darlene Stamp, who said while she wasn’t prepared yet to make a motion calling for that move, she did want her colleagues to consider the pros and cons.

“I’ve done some preliminary work,” said Stamp. “You can get dash cams that are hardwired into vehicles, and that will be both the dash cam and the GPS built in.”

Stamp said the Town could install it in all of its vehicles, or just in some, such as the bigger trucks and loader. The dash cams could be used for security and improve driver safety, she suggested.

“If there’s any moose around those vehicles those cameras automatically kick in, so it’s the same as having a camera in your car,” said Stamp.

Stamp said dash cams could also help resolve incidents that occur in the community, giving the example of damage occurring during snow-clearing. If an incident occurred in the view of a dash cam, the town manager could review the footage.

Stamp said the Town pays for the GPS units through a subscription, and it would be advantageous if it could get both dash cams and GPS for the same cost. She asked her fellow council members if it was something they would like to consider.

“It’s a great asset for anywhere with fleet management to have those type of systems in your vehicle,” she said.

Mayor Paul Brazil noted the Town is subscribed to GPS through TELUS.

Stamp said she believes the company also offers a combination of GPS and dash cam. It was decided that Town staff will contact TELUS to inquire whether they offer a built-in dash cam, if it can be integrated with the GPS units Spaniard’s Bay already have, and what the price of it would be.

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By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Harbour Grace council is pondering ways to better accommodate all users of the walking track inside the Danny Cleary Community Centre following several complaints.

The issue arose at the March 3public meeting of council during councillor Brendan Chafe’s regular report on the activities and performance of the centre.

Chafe noted there have been issues with children running around the walking track, and that complaints tend to crop up when there are minor hockey tournaments at the centre.

Chafe, a coach and volunteer himself, explained players often like to warm up with sprints and other exercises outside the dressing rooms on the track prior to hitting the ice. He asked if a section of the walking track could be roped off during minor hockey tournaments so that the various users of the track don’t get in each other’s way.

“It is a public track,” said Chafe. “I’m not a fan of ‘no kids allowed.’”

Mayor Don Coombs pointed out that seniors and people with mobility issues also use the public track, so safety is important.

Chafe agreed, suggesting they rope off an area for the children, suggesting a space of some three feet wide by 20 feet long.

Mayor Coombs asked Town Manager Amy Dwyer to look into it. The issue will be discussed further at another meeting.

Councillor Lee Rogers reiterated Chafe’s statement that the walking track is public.

“To be quite blunt, there’s no need for ignorance towards the kids who are up there walking,” said Rogers. He added that, a couple of weeks back, someone using the track was rude to two young girls who were walking there, telling them to get out of his way.

“It is a public walking track. Kids are walking. It is what it is,” said Rogers.

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So you read “The Fault in Our Stars” or watched John Green on YouTube, and, if you’re like me, you probably thought, “I would read or watch anything this mind produced for public consumption.” Even if it’s a 200-page nonfiction thesis on tuberculosis arguing why it should be Public Enemy No. 1 and on its way to eradication.

Because, in true John Green fashion, there’s a footnote on the copyright page explaining the reasoning behind the font choice for his newest book, “Everything is Tuberculosis.” (Spoiler: The reason for the font is tuberculosis. Everything is.)

Early on, Green establishes that the tuberculosis is the top killer of humans among infectious diseases — a longstanding status quo only briefly disrupted by COVID-19. The slow-moving TB infected over 8 million people in one year and killed about 1.25 million, according to a recent World Health Organization report.

Yet, as Green shows throughout the book, TB is curable and even preventable.

The text seamlessly moves through related topics, from TB’s effects on history and fashion to the socioeconomic inequities that perpetuate the disease, and even the romanticization of an illness that, for a period, was associated with soulful poets and delicate feminine beauty.

But this synopsis will seem bone-dry compared to the actual text, because the real magic of Green’s writing is the deeply considerate, human touch that goes into every word. He uses the stories of real people to turn overwhelming problems into something personal and understandable. “We can do and be so much for each other — but only when we see one another in our full humanity,” Green writes.

“Everything is Tuberculosis” is reflective and earnest, with a few black-and-white pictures to illustrate a point or put a face to a name. Little nuggets of personalization consistently bring us back to our shared humanity, even in footnotes.

When considering “patient noncompliance,” Green discloses his own diagnoses and wrestling with taking prescriptions. This compared with patients in Sierra Leone who, unlike Green, often struggle to get to the clinic to obtain their medication, or can’t afford enough food to take it without getting sick. On the other hand, some of their struggles are the same, side effects from pills and stigma around illnesses being some of the most common reasons patients might diverge from their prescribed course of medication, regardless of access.

As one might expect from Green, the book is weirdly touching and super quotable. “Everything is Tuberculosis” is rich with callbacks that help underscore ideas, wit and humor that foster learning even alongside more somber bits.

Green offers many reasons why he became obsessed with TB, but none brought tears to my eyes so unexpectedly like the stunningly apt metaphor comparing writing to the pool game “Marco Polo.” The explanation references TB activist Shreya Tripathi, who had to sue the Indian government to get the medication that would have saved her if it hadn’t taken so long to get ahold of it.

Despite the death and harsh realities, it is a hopeful book overall.

Green takes stock of the history, looking at the vicious and virtuous cycles that led humankind to where we are now, posing a challenge and a question rolled into one: Which type of cycle will we foster?

___

AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

Donna Edwards, The Associated Press

A ceasefire in Russia’s 3-year-old war in Ukraine hinges on Moscow accepting the U.S. proposal of a 30-day pause in fighting as a confidence-building measure for both sides to hammer out a longer-term peace plan.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will look to delay such a temporary truce with conditions meant to divert the peace process and lengthen the war. Ukraine, which faced pressure to accept the ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump blocked military aid and intelligence sharing, expects that he will threaten more sanctions on Moscow to push Putin into accepting the terms.

As he disclosed that he will talk to Putin on Tuesday, Trump said that land and power plants are part of the conversation around bringing the war to a close, a process he described as “dividing up certain assets.”

But beyond the temporary ceasefire, both sides seem unwilling to make large concessions to the other, and both have red lines that they insist cannot be crossed.

A look at the issues:

What are Russia’s demands?

When Putin launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, he demanded that Ukraine renounce joining NATO, sharply cut its army, and protect Russian language and culture to keep the country in Moscow’s orbit.

Now, he also demands that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the four regions Moscow illegally annexed in September 2022 but never fully occupied — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Russian officials also have said that any peace deal should involve releasing Russian assets that were frozen in the West and lifting other U.S. and European Union sanctions. The Trump administration has proposed putting potential sanctions relief on the table.

Along with that, Putin has repeatedly emphasized the need to “remove the root causes of the crisis” — a reference to the Kremlin’s demand to roll back a NATO military buildup near Russian borders that it describes as a major threat to its security.

He also argues that Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Kyiv maintains that elections are impossible to hold amid a war. Trump has echoed Putin’s view, speaking of the need for Ukraine to hold an election.

Russian officials also have declared that Moscow won’t accept troops from any NATO members as peacekeepers to monitor a prospective truce.

What are Ukraine’s demands?

Facing setbacks along the 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front, Ukraine has backed away from demanding that its state borders be returned to pre-2014 lines, because it does not have the military force capable of reaching that end. Ukraine is asking for a peace deal cemented with security guarantees from international allies that will ensure that Russia is never able to invade again.

In lieu of NATO membership — a long-sought desire by Kyiv that appears to be nearly impossible without U.S. backing — what those guarantees might look like is taking shape in parallel talks led by France and Britain. A “coalition of the willing” envisions European boots on the ground and a strong military response if Russia were to launch a new offensive.

Zelenskyy has insisted the Ukrainian army be strengthened to withstand future Russian offensives, a costly endeavor that will require quick and consistent support from international allies. A stockpile of weapons, capable of doing serious damage to Russian assets, is another demand. Kyiv also wants to bolster its domestic arms industry to lessen its reliance on allies, a reality that has set Ukrainian forces back throughout the war.

Ukraine has key demands from Russia as well. Kyiv refuses to cede more territory to Moscow, including those in partially occupied regions. Also, Ukraine is seeking the return of children illegally deported to Russia and thousands of civilians detained in Russian prisons.

Concessions and red lines

Both sides have red lines that are mutually exclusive making negotiations extremely challenging. The U.S. has said both sides must make concessions. The fate of one-fifth of Ukrainian land now under Russian control is likely to take center focus.

For Moscow, the presence of NATO member states, as either peacekeepers or a reassurance force outside of the alliance framework, is a red line. But Moscow hasn’t mentioned any specific concessions.

For Ukraine, which is in a weaker position, the question of territory held by Russia that it does not have the military means to retake is central. For Kyiv, it is both a red line and a potential concession.

Zelenskyy has said his country will never recognize the territory as Russian. But Ukrainian officials concede that, while officially this always will be Kyiv’s position, the occupied territories are likely to remain under Russian control for some time.

“Partners know our red lines — that we do not recognize the occupied territories as the territories of the Russian Federation, and we do not recognize them,” Zelenskyy told journalists recently. “This is my political will as president. And this is the political will of our people. This is a violation of international law and the Constitution of Ukraine.”

Ukraine also rejects restrictions on the size and capabilities of its armed forces as well as limits on its ability to join international alliances such as NATO and the European Union.

—-

Kullab reported from Kyiv.

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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Samya Kullab, The Associated Press

A series of storms that kicked up wildfires, tornadoes and dust while barreling across seven states over the weekend have left at least 39 people dead and dozens injured.

Scattered tornadoes in Missouri killed at least a dozen people, and a string of twisters in Mississippi — including two that hit near the same town within about an hour — left six people dead. Hundreds of homes and businesses also were destroyed throughout the South and the Midwest.

The violent weather was sparked by a massive storm that began Friday and had earned an unusual “high risk” designation from meteorologists.

There was a significant outbreak of tornadoes, with 46 tornadoes on Friday and 41 on Saturday, according to a preliminary count. The storm also spurred more than 130 wind-driven wildfires that caused extensive destruction in Oklahoma, where more than 400 homes were damaged.

Here’s a look at how the storm impacted each state:

Missouri

Missouri recorded more fatalities than any other state. Among those killed was a man whose home was ripped apart by a tornado that hit as he slept. A woman who also was in the home suffered serious injuries but was rescued by emergency responders who hiked through a field of debris to get to the residence.

The storms mainly hit late Friday and early Saturday in several southern counties of the state.

Mississippi

Six people died and more than 200 were displaced by a string of tornadoes across three counties in Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves said.

The National Weather Service confirmed two of the twisters hit within about an hour of each other on Saturday in Walthall County, which is home to hard-hit Tylertown — where two adults and a child were killed and multiple people were injured.

Alabama

At least three people, including an 82-year-old woman, were killed in central Alabama over the weekend. A man who was sheltering inside his workshop in Plantersville was killed but his wife, who was with him, escaped injury.

In Troy, parks officials said a recreation center where many residents had taken refuge had to be closed due to damage. No one was injured.

Arkansas

The National Weather Services says at least nine tornadoes hit Arkansas. Three people were killed in Independence County in the northeast section of the state, while 29 people were injured across eight counties.

Oklahoma

Wind-driven wildfires across Oklahoma destroyed more than 400 homes, including more than 70 in and around Stillwater, home to Oklahoma State University. Four deaths were blamed on the fires or high winds, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management said.

Officials in Oklahoma and Texas are warning that parts of both states will again face an increased risk of fire danger this week.

Kansas and Texas

High winds spurred several dust storms that led to almost a dozen deaths in car crashes on Friday.

Eight people died in a Kansas highway pileup involving at least 50 vehicles, according to the state highway patrol. Authorities said three people also were killed in car crashes during a dust storm in Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle.

Bruce Shipkowski, The Associated Press

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise will play host to the Street Jam ball hockey tournament this summer.

For over 15 years, Blizzard Sports and Entertainment have organized several large-scale ball hockey tournaments in municipalities throughout the province, and councillor Patrick Martin said during last week’s public council meeting the company is looking to bring the event to Paradise in June.

The company had requested a three-year agreement with the Town to host the annual ball hockey event in Paradise.

Martin said the tournament will be held on Sarah Davis Way. The street will be closed to traffic from Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15, with a detour sign directing traffic onto the Double Ice Complex parking lot. Spectator parking will be allowed on the Double Ice Complex parking lot, although the Paradise Park parking lot will be closed to vehicle traffic.

The cost to the organizers for use of the site will be $2,000, HST included.

Martin moved that the Town host the tournament in 2025. The motion will also allow for Blizzard to return for another two years if both parties are agreeable.

“This is great,” said Martin. “Mount Pearl has hosted for I don’t know how many years, and I’ve gone just as a spectator to check it out. They bring in kids from all across the province, they travel from everywhere, so I’m glad we’re able to take in this event in Paradise this year… It just shows the level of our facilities. Everybody wants to come to Paradise for sporting events.”

Councillor Larry Vaters also voiced his support for the motion.

“I think anytime we have the opportunity to bring a new sporting event to the town, given that Paradise has the youngest average age across the province, is a great thing for our town, so I certainly support this and hopefully we see lots of people from Paradise participating in the event.

May Dan Bobbett added that sports tournaments, such as those put off by Blizzard, bring plenty of revenue to the local business community.

The post Paradise prepping for June street jam appeared first on The Shoreline News.

By Craig Westcott

The Town of CBS is looking at rezoning a section of the main road in Seal Cove to accommodate a 30-unit apartment complex.

The area is located between 1621 and 1631 Conception Bay Highway. That’s roughly across the street from the College of the North Atlantic campus.

Councillor-at-Large Rex Hillier said the rezoning will require public consultations and need the consent of the Minister of Municipal Affairs to change both the St. John’s Urban Regional Plan and the Town’s own municipal plan and development regulations.

When the amendments are adopted, the zoning will change to Residential Multi Unit and Residential Medium Density. The applicants have already built a number of new single family homes on neighboring plots.

“These developers have done a significant amount of work in this area,” said Hillier. “In this case, they’ve got a piece of land that falls within several zones. They’re interested in building 30 units in four buildings on the site but need to rezone it to Residential Multi Unit Zone. This is the first step. We’ll see this application come through several times yet before it’s finalized.”

The motion to start the process passed unanimously.

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BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Calls were mounting in Serbia on Monday for an independent investigation into reports that security forces used a prohibited sonic weapon on crowds at a huge peaceful anti-corruption rally last weekend, even though authorities vehemently denied it.

Serbian rights groups and opposition officials allege that such a weapon that emits a targeted beam to temporarily incapacitate people was used at the protest Saturday, even though it is banned in Serbia. They said they will file charges with international and domestic courts against those who ordered the attack.

Serbia’s authoritarian and pro-Russian President Aleksandar Vucic again on Monday denied that the crowd-control device was deployed, calling it a “wicked lie” aimed at “destroying Serbia.”

He said he will soon invite the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and also Russia’s Federal Security Service, FSB, to investigate the claims.

“It is important for history to see how they lied,” he said, referring to those who claim the sonic weapon was used.

Serbian officials have indirectly admitted that the police had about two years ago added the crowd control weapon to their arsenal, but insist that it was not used during Saturday’s rally.

In its online petition signed by over half a million people, the opposition Move-Change movement asked the United Nations, Council of Europe as well as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for an independent investigation “into the use of a sound cannon on March 15 against peaceful protesters in Belgrade.”

The petition demands that the investigation “includes the medical, legal and technical aspects of its impact on health and human rights.”

Former Serbian President Boris Tadic also said that he “will ask for international help to determine the truth about the events that caused grave violation of public safety and endangered health and lives of the Serbian citizens at the protest on Saturday.”

Hundreds of thousands of people descended on Serbia’s capital on Saturday to protest the deaths of 15 people at a railway station canopy collapse on Nov. 1. Almost daily demonstrations that started in response to the tragedy have shaken Vucic’s decade-long firm grip on power, with many blaming the crash on rampant government corruption.

Footage from the rally shows people standing during a 15-minute silence for the rail station victims when a sudden piercing sound triggers panic and a brief stampede. An Associated Press photographer at the scene said people started scrambling for cover, leaving the middle of the downtown street almost empty as they fell over each other.

Those exposed to the weapon experience sharp ear pain, disorientation and panic, security experts say. Prolonged exposure can cause eardrum ruptures and irreversible hearing damage.

Many who say they were in the epicenter of the alleged attack complained on social media about strong headache, nausea and disorientation.

Some security experts have alleged that U.S.-made Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) — a specialized sound-emitting tool capable of delivering high-frequency sound waves over significant distances — was used at the protest. Their claims cannot be independently verified.

Vucic, who says that the university students-led protests are part of a Western ploy to topple him from power, has warned that all those who spread disinformation will be held accountable in courts.

The Associated Press

By The Associated Press (AP) — A Japanese man was convicted on charges of working for Japan’s intelligence service and sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday by a court in Belarus.

Masatoshi Nakanishi, who has been in custody since his arrest in July, was accused of taking pictures of military and civilian facilities for Japanese intelligence, inflicting damage to Belarus’ national security.

The Minsk City Court convicted and sentenced Nakanishi after a two-month trial that went on behind closed doors. He also was ordered to pay a fine equivalent to about $6,700. Belarusian authorities had rejected the Japanese Embassy’s request to attend the proceedings.

Belarus’ Viasna Human Rights Centre declared Nakanishi a political prisoner. The group says that Belarus now has more than 1,200 political prisoners, including 36 foreign citizens.

Nakanishi had lived in Gomel, Belarus’ second-largest city, since 2018 and taught Japanese at a local university, according to Belarusian state-controlled media.

Belarusian state TV has reported that Nakanishi took 9,000 photographs of military installations, airfields, railway lines, bridges and other infrastructure in the Belarusian-Ukrainian border area. Japanese authorities protested the TV report, saying it infringed on Nakanishi’s rights.

Belarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for over 30 years and has relied on Russia’s subsidies and support, allowed Moscow to use his country’s territory to send troops into neighboring Ukraine in 2022. Lukashenko also has allowed Russia to deploy some of its tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.

The Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A federal judge dismissed the charges Monday against a Minnesota man accused of hiding a stolen pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in the 1939 musical “The Wizard of Oz” after prosecutors informed the court that he died on Sunday.

Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of Crystal, who had been in poor health with lung disease and other ailments, had been scheduled to change his plea to guilty in January but that hearing was postponed indefinitely after he was hospitalized.

Federal prosecutor Matthew Greenley notified the court in a one-page motion Monday that Saliterman died Sunday but did not say how or where. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz granted the request and dropped the charges.

Defense attorney John Brink confirmed Monday that his client had died but declined to give details. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Fargo, North Dakota, which is handling the case, did not immediately return a phone call seeking further information.

According to court filings, Saliterman was hospitalized in early January “for inability to walk and sepsis,” an infection that can be life-threatening. He attended his arraignment three days later via video from what looked like a hospital room. In an update to the court late last month, Brink told the court that his client had been discharged to a hospice facility and that his prognosis was poor. An accompanying letter from his doctor listed severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring supplemental oxygen and Parkinson’s disease.

Saliterman was in a wheelchair and on oxygen last March when he made his first court appearance. He was charged then with theft of a major artwork and witness tampering for his role in the ruby slippers case.

The sequined red slippers were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids. Their whereabouts remained a mystery for nearly 13 years until the FBI recovered them in 2018. They fetched a record for movie memorabilia of $32.5 million in December, according to Heritage Auctions. The slippers were one of several pairs Garland wore during the filming. Only three other pairs remain.

Terry Jon Martin, now 78, of Grand Rapids, used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum’s door and display case to steal them. According to his attorney, an old associate with connections to the mob told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value. But he got rid of the slippers when he learned they were fake, and they ended up with Saliterman. Martin pleaded guilty in 2023 and was sentenced last January to time served because of his poor health.

Steve Karnowski, The Associated Press

My Morning Jacket likes to hide some of its best music behind unassuming titles.

Twenty years ago, the Louisville-based jam-infused rock band led by Jim James released “Z,” one of its most heralded records. And now comes “is,” their 10th full-length record.

So, is “is” any good?

Yes, “is” is.

Nearing their third decade as a band, My Morning Jacket’s veterancy shines on “is.” They continue to improve on their ability to write melodic and focused psychedelic rock songs.

And for that reason, seemingly every track on “is” could be a single for the band, a highlight of their live set or a launching pad for improvisation on stage.

For “is,” My Morning Jacket handed the producer duties over to Brendan O’Brien, who has worked with Phish, Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam — a rarity for a band that prefers to self-produce and has for nearly a decade.

It’s paid off. O’Brien doesn’t mess with the sound that My Morning Jacket fans love and expect. Instead, he seems to have focused the band in a way that allows them to deliver a unified, 10-song collection. The songs are meant to communicate “a sense of presence in the now,” as James described the album titled in a press release.

“Hopefully those songs will be helpful to people and give them some kind of peace as they try to deal with the insanity of the world,” James said. “Because that’s what music does for me.”

That happens at the jump. Opener “Out in the Open” leads with a catchy guitar riff.

“I’m realizing what’s at stake now,” James sings. “I can’t pretend that I’m not scared / But I’ll live while I’m still free.”

On the love song “Everyday Magic,” James finds transcendence in the mundane. “Everyday magic / A ripple in the fabric,” he sings. “Of all space time / Oh you have it / In your heart.”

“Time Waited,” another love song, seems destined to become a standard for the band, with its easy-going melody and inventive sample of pedal steel giant Buddy Emmons’ “Blue Jade.”

That song may find a place on the playlists at weddings of neohippies, especially those who connect a little later in life. The evidence is in its lyrics: “We know real love takes forever / And the clock ticks faster every year / But time waited / For you and me,” James sings.

My Morning Jacket shifts the weirdness to a higher gear with “Squid Ink,” a blues-y rocker with a propulsive beat. It is certain to come alive in front of audiences.

From the longtime fan to the newbie, “is” delivers with familiar, elevated songs.

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For more of reviews of recent releases, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/music-reviews

Scott Bauer, The Associated Press

New security measures are coming to the Dartmouth General Hospital’s emergency department.

Starting this week, visitors will be screened with hand-held metal detectors, and personal belongings may be searched for weapons or dangerous objects.

This follows similar measures Nova Scotia Health announced last month that a walk-through metal detector would be installed at the the Halifax Infirmary’s emergency department entrance.

NSH later expanded security at that emergency department, requiring visitors to wear badges.

Officials said these measures are aimed at keeping patients, families, and staff safe, but say that emergency care won’t be delayed for those needing urgent attention.

This all comes after a 32-year-old patient stabbed two people and injured two others at the QEII’s emergency department late in January.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday explicitly linked the actions of Yemen’s Houthi rebels to the group’s main benefactor, Iran, warning Tehran would “suffer the consequences” for further attacks by the group.

The comments by Trump on his Truth Social website further escalate his administration’s new campaign of airstrikes targeting the rebels, which killed at least 53 people this weekend alone and appear poised to continue. Meanwhile, Iran continues to weigh how to respond to a letter Trump sent them last week trying to jump-start negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.

Describing the Houthis as “sinister mobsters and thugs,” Trump warned any attack by the group would be met with “great force, and there is no guarantee that that force will stop there.”

“Iran has played ‘the innocent victim’ of rogue terrorists from which they’ve lost control, but they haven’t lost control,” Trump alleged in his post. “They’re dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, ‘Intelligence.’”

It’s unclear what sparked Trump’s post. However, the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard sought to separate the Houthis’ actions from those of Tehran this weekend. The Houthis also launched drones and missiles targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, though none reached the ship as it continues flight operations in the region.

Iran did not immediately comment on the post.

“Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!” Trump added.

Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

The Associated Press

It was business as usual at a Dartmouth restaurant Sunday, hours after a car allegedly driven by an impaired driver crashed through the eatery's fenced-in patio and a brick wall. 

A Nova Scotia judge has dismissed a court challenge to a controversial development in the Halifax area, ruling it had not been filed during the required time period.

LONDON (AP) — Lawyers for convicted baby killer Lucy Letby and former executives at the hospital where she worked have asked to halt an inquiry into the deaths after a panel of medical experts found no evidence of a crime, a judge said Monday.

Justice Kathryn Thirlwall announced the requests as she prepared to hear closing statements in the inquiry that began in September seeking accountability for staff and management for the harm to babies at Countess of Chester Hospital in northwest England.

The inquiry was predicated on Letby’s guilt, and Thirlwall had said she would not review the convictions after an appeals court upheld them. But lawyers for Letby said that if the convictions are overturned, the inquiry might reach the wrong conclusions, and 10 million pounds ($13 million) spent so far will have been a waste of taxpayer funds.

“In short, it will defeat the purpose of a public inquiry, to fully and fearlessly understand the circumstances in which the babies died or became unwell,” attorney Louise Mortimer wrote in a letter to Thirlwall.

Letby, 35, is serving multiple life sentences with no chance of release after being convicted of seven counts of murder and attempting to murder seven other infants while working as a neonatal nurse at the hospital between June 2015 and June 2016.

Prosecutors said Letby left little or no trace when she harmed babies: injecting air into their bloodstreams, administering air or milk into their stomachs via nasogastric tubes, interfering with breathing tubes or poisoning them with insulin. They said she was the only employee on duty in the neonatal unit when the children collapsed or died.

But a group of 16 international medical experts in pediatrics and neonatology who reviewed the medical evidence concluded that natural causes or bad medical care led to the death or collapse of each newborn, Dr. Shoo Lee, a retired neonatologist from Canada, said last month.

The panel also questioned the premise that there was an unexplained spike in deaths at the hospital. It said evidence of schedules that showed Letby was present during all the deaths was “incomplete, selective and, therefore, meaningless.”

Letby’s convictions are being examined by the Criminal Case Review Commission, which looks at potential miscarriages of justice. It could refer its findings to the Court of Appeal.

Former executives at the hospital — chief executive Tony Chambers, medical director Ian Harvey, director of nursing Alison Kelly and human resources director Sue Hodkinson — asked for the public inquiry to be halted after the medical panel released its findings.

The Crown Prosecution Service has said two juries convicted Letby and three appellate judges had rejected her arguments that the prosecution expert evidence was flawed.

Several related investigations remain active.

Cheshire police announced last week that its investigation into corporate manslaughter at the hospital had been expanded and was now looking at individual suspects for gross negligence manslaughter.

Letby’s lawyer criticized that decision, based on the medical panel’s findings.

“We now have substantial and significant expert evidence which completely demolishes the prosecution case against Lucy Letby and points the finger in a very different direction to that which the police are currently looking,” Mark McDonald said. “It is time they take a step back and ask themselves whether have they made a huge mistake.”

A separate investigation is looking into other deaths and near-deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital and the Liverpool Women’s Hospital when Letby worked there between 2012 to 2016.

Brian Melley, The Associated Press

A conversation about the demise of the Nova Scotia Film Classification Board.

The post ‘There’s always going to be censorship. Who’s going to be in charge of it?’ appeared first on Halifax Examiner.

Japan’s three historic nuclear events — the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the closing days of World War II and the 2011 nuclear plant meltdowns in Fukushima — form a key backdrop for “Wildcat Dome,” a novel by Yuko Tsushima.

Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda’s English translation of the book by the Kawabata and Tanizaki awards-winning writer is now out from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, going on sale this month.

As fitting of a catastrophic theme, the writing rambles, although intentionally and in a delightfully mesmerizing style, meandering from a description of a scene to a dialogue, only to be interrupted by a sound, an image or an action, like memories of a dream, or a nightmare.

Among the main characters are children born to Japanese women and American servicemen, who grow up in an orphanage. They embody the human costs of war, and the suffering of living in a discriminatory society.

The layering of the subplots involving radiation and racism, as well as personal conflict, leads always to the big question: Why?

The author never gives us a real answer or pretends to try.

The book has references to sweeping social themes like Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the assassinations of John F. Kennedy and Malcolm X, and the Vietnam War, as well as the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. And they are juxtaposed with personal catastrophe.

The characters live through the Fukushima disaster, the fear of radiation, witnessing crowds of people wearing masks, then forgetting to wear them, followed again by more fear. In another segment, a mother is taking care of a son who has “turned into a cold stone,” haunted by a child’s drowning.

“The mother sighs and opens the door. The floorboards squeak like a cat’s helpless meow, drawing her inside,” a passage reads.

“Raindrops, glimmering white, slide off each leaf, the sound of the drip, drip striking his eardrums like a song, a quietness that could only be called a raindrop song, a cheerful song,” goes another passage typical of Tsushima’s language.

Traveling across time, back and forth, as well as geographically, to Europe at one point, as well as Japan and the U.S., the storytelling may be easily called a bit chaotic. But one wouldn’t expect a nuclear disaster, war or murder to be too orderly.

In the hands of Tsushima, the daughter of famed novelist Osamu Dazai, who wrote “No Longer Human,” it’s strangely riveting. “Wildcat Dome” is Tsushima’s final work. She died in 2016.

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AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews

Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — The suspect in the attempted assassination of Slovakia populist Prime Minister Robert Fico last year has been indicted on terror charges, prosecutors said Monday.

Fico, a divisive figure in Slovakia over his pro-Russia stance, was shot in the abdomen on May 15 as he greeted supporters in the town of Handlova, and has since recovered from multiple wounds.

The suspected assailant, who has been identified by prosecutors only as J.C., was immediately arrested after the attack. Police wrapped up their investigation into him last month and recommended he face trial. It was not immediately clear when the trial might happen.

The suspect originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors in July dropped that charge and said they were instead seeking the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details.

Government officials initially said they believed the attack was politically motivated and committed by a “lone wolf,” but also claimed that a “third party” might have been involved in “acting for the benefit of the perpetrator.”

Thousands have repeatedly rallied across Slovakia to protest Fico’s pro-Russian stance and other policies.

Fico returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist party Smer, or Direction, won the parliamentary election in 2023.

The Associated Press

As some Canadians revamp plans or even cancel existing U.S. vacations because of political tensions, many travellers are watching prices rise for sun destinations elsewhere.

“We’ve seen about a 40 per cent decrease in U.S. books and inquiries, and about 20 per cent of what we had booked for the U.S. is cancelled,” said Andrew Stafford, manager of Flight Centre Kitsilano in Vancouver.

“Most of those people are choosing either to look at travelling to Europe in the summer or have looked toward domestic destinations and, obviously, sun destinations like Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and so on, are always really popular.”

Recent polling has indicated Canadians are choosing to spend their vacation dollars elsewhere in response to the economic and annexation threats coming from the Trump White House, but Stafford says the drop in their U.S. market is also due to factors like affordability, with the Canadian dollar weak against the U.S. dollar.

Regardless of the reason, that increased interest in non-American destinations is having an effect on vacation costs in popular destinations like Mexico.

“If you look at packages like your WestJet Vacations and Air Canada Vacations, et cetera, the prices are starting to creep up already heading into next year,” Stafford told 1130 NewsRadio.

“It’s for a couple of reasons — one is increased demand, the other is that most of those hotels down there do charge the tour providers in U.S. dollars. We are starting to see those prices slowly go up, sooner than we normally would. We would definitely recommend people start looking at Christmas or even into next year’s sun breaks now. Get a deposit down and lock that price in so you don’t lose those rates.”

Stafford adds many savvy travellers are also looking at other destinations with favourable exchange rates for the Canadian dollar.

“For those who would have been going to places like Hawaii, we are seeing a lot more interest in heading slightly further afield to Fiji or places like that where your dollar stretches a little further once you’re there.”

Japan is another busy destination where the Loonie has been strong compared to the yen.

“Europe is also always popular with Canadian travellers, they love to get out and explore, but there is a real boom in Portugal. Again, it’s a little more affordable once you’re there, which really helps.” Stafford said.

No matter where your destination, Stafford recommends getting up-to-date advice from a travel agent.

“There’s so much happening with travel right now, be it the cost of it, where your money is going, or consistently changing geopolitics and world situations,” he said. “Always have travel insurance and the most flexible policies you can so you don’t lose money on anything if you do want to change.”

With files from Michael Williams.

This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.

The Associated Press

The board will meet this week to consider ways to address the music organization's disgruntled members.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, met Monday seeking to deepen their defense and economic ties, a day after the countries announced the revival of negotiations for a free trade agreement.

Modi and Luxon met in New Delhi and signed agreements on enhancing cooperation in areas of defense, food processing, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy and critical minerals.

Luxon said he held “highly productive meetings” with Modi and other Indian leaders that will improve ties between India and New Zealand, adding the defense relationship between the two sides includes joint military training.

“New Zealand is committed to doing more with India across a wide range of areas — defense and security, trade and economics, people-to-people ties, education, tourism, sports and culture,” Luxon said at joint press conference with Modi.

Luxon, who was accompanied by key business leaders and several parliamentarians, is leading a high-level delegation as part of his five-day visit to India.

Modi said the two countries will also prepare a roadmap “for mutual cooperation in defense industries,” including initiating negotiations on a “mutually beneficial” free trade agreement.

India and New Zealand on Sunday agreed to revive free trade negotiations that have been stalled for more than 10 years.

The announcement was made after discussions between New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay and his Indian counterpart, Piyush Goyal. It follows India’s recent efforts to broker trade deal agreements with other nations after U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal tariffs on imported goods from countries including India.

India and the European Union last month agreed to finalize a long-pending free trade agreement by the end of this year. A similar trade deal between India and the United Kingdom is also in the works.

India’s Commerce Ministry said the free trade deal between India and New Zealand aims to “achieve balanced outcomes that enhance supply-chain integration and improve market access.” It did not offer other details.

Luxon in a statement Sunday said: “It is through trade that we can boost the economies of both our countries, providing more jobs and higher incomes for Kiwis and Indians.”

The bilateral trade between India and New Zealand stood at $873.4 million in 2023-24 financial year compared to $1.02 billion in 2022-23.

The Associated Press