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Opinion: Giving Canadians the ‘right to repair’ empowers consumers, supports competition and benefits the environment

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

By: Natasha Tusikov, York University, CanadaOn March 28, the Canadian government’s budget announcement introduced a plan to implement a “right to repair” for electronic devices and home appliances in 2024, alongside a new five-year tax credit worth $4.5 billion for Canadian clean tech manufacturers. The federal government will begin consultations on the plan in the summer.The right to repair allows consumers to repair goods themselves or have them repaired by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) or at independent repair shops. Key elements of the right is that repair manuals, tools, replacement parts and services must be available at competitive prices.Right-to-repair movements have sprung up in the United States, Europe, South Africa, Australia and Canada, encompassing a range of products. Most familiar might be efforts to allow consumers to choose independent shops to repair their phones and computers.But the right to repair also involves battles over who should be able to fix ...

Kingston introducing secure bike parking to downtown

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Kingston cyclists will soon be able to feel a little safer taking their bikes downtown.That is, 18 cyclists at any given time will be able to feel safer as the city moves forward with it’s secure bike parking pilot project.The company Urban Racks has installed the 18 parking units, and they will be operated through the app Bikeep.Kingston will be the first Ontario city to install the hub, following in the footsteps of Vancouver who have also implemented parking hubs operated by Bikeep and have seen it make a positive impact. The hub has been placed near the intersection of Ontario Street and Princess Street, taking the place of three parking spots on Princess Street directly east of Pan Chancho restaurant. Executive Director of Downtown Kingston BIA Marijo Cuerrier says while taking the place of three parking spaces has been a bit of a talking point, there wasn’t tremendous pushback against it. Ultimately, this space can now service 18 people rather than 3 vehicles.̶...

Denver health department has new rules for end of COVID public health orders

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- COVID is still around, but the emergency protocols surrounding the pandemic are about to end. The federal designation of the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health emergency will end on May 11. In response, some of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment's rules are about to change, according to a department release.At-home COVID-19 tests will no longer be free. Insurance companies will no longer be required to cover the cost of at-home test kits. While some private insurers may continue to cover all or some home tests, there will be no longer be a nationwide rule.Expect to pay more for any COVID-19 tests performed at a hospital, clinic or doctor’s office. The requirement barring insurers from charging copays, or any other cost-sharing fees related to COVID-19 testing during the PHE ends next month.COVID-19 coverage is scheduled to lapse for seniors and others in the federal government’s Medicare program. Without coverage, those on Medicare could be on ...

Cats compete for best of show

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) -- One hundred and eighty-six cats representing 30 breeds will be clawing their way to the top prize this weekend at the Furry Tails 2023 competition at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.The show is co-sponsored by TICA, The International Cat Association, and Garden of the Cats, a Colorado cat club. There are 72 registered breeds of cats with TICA. Thirty of those breeds will be at the show, which is just about perfect for Catherine Rudy, president of Garden of the Cats club.“People are getting to know that they can go to these shows. They come out, and they see that cats are not aloof like a decor-type pet that most people get the image of. That they actually have personalities,“ Rudy said. Pictures: Fox kits rescued from window well Cat breeds are like dog breeds, said Rudy. They have different personality types. If you are going to buy a cat, choose one with a personality, similar to yours. “If you’re an active lifestyle person, you can find like one that’...

Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami invites you to Mad Hatters Spring Brunch Series

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

You know the saying “life’s nothing but a dream?” Well, more so in SoFlo, with all the mad delicious places to eat. At The Ritz-Carlton in the Grove, they’re mad about brunch, and they’re serving eats, “Alice in Wonderland”-style. Come and take a tasty trip down the rabbit hole.Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter): “There is a place. Some say to survive it, you need to be mad as a hatter, which luckily I am.”Gio Gutierrez: “Welcome to our Wonderland.”Well, you don’t have to be Johnny Depp mad to come to this spring brunch.Gio Gutierrez: “The Mad Hatters Series Brunch is happening here at Isabelle’s Grill Room & Garden at The Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove.”Decked out with “Alice in Wonderland” decor, this dreamland is a great way to end your weekend or start your week.Gio Gutierrez: “There’s incredible food. It is a vibe. It is beautiful, it’s outdoors, and if you do...

Miami’s Nu Deco Ensemble mixes classical music with contemporary styles

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

When someone says “orchestra” you think classical music, right? Well, Nu Deco Ensemble likes to mix it up.Not only do they play all types of music, they also bring in guest artists to perform with them. Their next performance is at the Arsht Center, and here’s what you can expect.Nu Deco is about to change your tune.Jacomo Bairos, Nu Deco conductor: “Nu Deco is Miami’s 21st Century chamber orchestra that plays music from today’s most eclectic living composers. We reimagine music from the classical world and the popular world, and we work with guest artists of all styles and genres.”Their music is far from the traditional orchestras you might be used to.Jacomo Bairos: “We’ve just tried to provide space and opportunity for the instruments of the 21st Century to join with the classical instruments.”And for this upcoming concert…Jacomo Bairos: “We’re doing some Paul Hindemith symphonic metamorphosis, Hindemith was a...

Editorial: Dan Snyder’s time in the NFL is up. What took so long?

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Bears fans over the years have had their gripes about the McCaskeys, the family that owns Chicago’s beloved, storied football franchise. Many fans never forgave George Halas’ grandson, Michael McCaskey, for firing Da Coach, Mike Ditka. There’ve been perennial complaints about McCaskey family stinginess, icy December Sundays at a dome-less Soldier Field, and hiring decisions like the one that gave us former GM Ryan Pace, the culprit behind the Mitch Trubisky draft dud.At least, however, Bears fans can take solace in this. Their team isn’t owned by Dan Snyder.Fortunately for football fans in the nation’s capital, the Washington Commanders will no longer belong to Snyder, who bought the team in 1999 and became one of the NFL’s most controversial owners. Snyder has agreed to sell the team for a record $6 billion to a group led by Josh Harris, an owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball franchise and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.Americans have m...

Multiple car crash prompted significant delays on I-5

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A Sig Alert was issued along the northbound Interstate 5 through Carlsbad following a multi-car crash near Palomar Airport Road.Reports of the collision came in around 1:36 p.m., notifying the Carlsbad Fire Department of a vehicle on fire on the freeway. According to department logs from California Highway Patrol, six cars were involved in the collision: three smaller vehicles, two vans and a semi-truck.SkyFOX aerial footage showed significant damage to the front of at least two of the vehicles involved in the incident. CHP described one of the vehicles as nearly ripped in half. Empty fishing boat pulled from rocks in Carlsbad It is unknown at this time what caused the crash. No injuries have been confirmed by authorities.All lanes were blocked following the crash, with a single lane open for through traffic. As of 5:39 p.m. Friday, the lanes have been reopened. The Sig Alert has also been cancelled, but the traffic tracking system indicates that the roadway along the...

Man wanted for assault, uttering racial slurs in North York

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Police are searching for a man in connection with an assault in the northern part of the city that sent one person to hospital. Police say they received reports of a man assaulting another person and uttering racial slurs at them in the area of Doris and Olive Avenues near Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East just after 7:30 p.m. Friday night. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital suffering from non-life threatening injuries. The suspect is described as being in his 30s, approximately five-foot-eight with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a white hoodie and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Transgender adults brace for treatment cutoffs in Missouri

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 16:07:25 GMT

Ellie Bridgman spent her Thursday night shift at a local gas station in Union, Missouri, planning for the day she’ll lose access to gender-affirming treatments the transgender and nonbinary 23-year-old credits with making “life worth living.”A first-of-its-kind emergency rule introduced this week by Missouri’s Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey will impose numerous restrictions on both adults and children before they can receive puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgeries “for the purpose of transitioning gender.” Transgender rights advocates have vowed to challenge the rule in court before it takes effect April 27. But promises of swift legal action have done little to ease the worries of trans Missourians like Bridgman who say it may be time to flee the state.Before gender-affirming medical treatments can be provided by physicians, the regulation requires people to have experienced an “intense pattern” of documented gender dysphoria for three years and to have...