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Toronto mayor denies, finally, use of crack cocaine

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:44:47 -0400

By Julie Gordon TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, under pressure to respond to allegations he was filmed using drugs, said on Friday that he does not smoke crack cocaine and could not comment on a video he had not seen or does not exist. "There has been a serious accusation from the Toronto Star that I use crack cocaine. I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine," he told a news conference. ...

U.S. weather-watcher satellite fails just before hurricane season

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:22:04 -0400

By Irene Klotz CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - A key satellite positioned to track severe weather in the eastern United States has failed, just as the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season is about to start. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) activated a spare satellite, which will provide coverage of the East Coast, while it is trying to fix the failed one, the agency said in a status report on its website on Friday. "There is no estimate on return to operations at this time," NOAA said. The Atlantic-Caribbean hurricane season starts on June 1 and lasts six months. ...

Trudeau's Liberals would win big majority in Canada election: poll

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:25:08 -0400

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's opposition Liberals would win a big majority under new leader Justin Trudeau if an election were held now, according to a poll released on Thursday that showed the governing Conservatives continuing to struggle. Although the next election is not due until October 2015, the Forum poll for the National Post shows Trudeau - son of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau - has maintained his popularity since taking over the Liberal Party last month. Forum put the Liberals at 44 percent support, one percentage point higher than in a poll done by the same firm in mid-April. ...

Quebec's separatist government highly unpopular: poll

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:27:38 -0400

(Reuters) - Quebec's separatist government is highly unpopular in the wake of several missteps since taking power last September and would be swept from office if an election were held now, a poll published on Thursday found. The Parti Quebecois (PQ), which wants the resource-rich mainly French-speaking province to break away from Canada, vows to protect Quebec companies from takeovers and make foreign mining companies pay more in fees and royalties. ...

Catholic order to pay $16.5 million to more than 400 claiming sex abuse

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:19:43 -0400

NEW YORK (Reuters) - An order of the Roman Catholic Church has agreed to pay $16.5 million to more than 400 adults who said they were sexually abused as children by religious leaders, the parties announced on Thursday in separate statements. The victims claimed abuse at schools and child-care facilities belonging to the Christian Brothers and the Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc, in 17 U.S. states and Canada from the late 1940s or early 1950s until the 1980s, said James Stang, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs. The settlement agreement reached in U.S. ...

Canada's Harper says 'very sorry' about expenses scandal

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:44:31 -0400

By Mitra Taj LIMA (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday said for the first time that he was "very sorry" about a growing expenses scandal that threatens to derail his Conservative government after seven years in power. Harper is under heavy pressure to explain how he could not have known that Nigel Wright, his chief of staff, had written a personal check for C$90,000 ($87,000) to a senator to help him repay expenses he had improperly claimed. ...

Montreal tells 1.3 million residents to boil their drinking water

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:16:34 -0400

(Reuters) - Montreal, Canada's second-largest city, has asked 1.3 million people to boil their drinking water after a problem at one of the city's water treatment facilities. The advisory, posted on the city's website on Wednesday, covers much of the south and east of the city of 1.65 million. The order followed reports of brown-tinged water in parts of the city, and Montreal Fire Department division chief Gordon Routley told CTV News that the advisory was likely to be in effect for at least 24 hours. ...

CP Railway reopens line, cleans up after oil spill

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:03:38 -0400

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd said on Wednesday it has repaired and reopened a rail line near Jansen, Saskatchewan, and continues to clean up after a derailment that spilled 575 barrels of crude oil on Tuesday. CP, the country's second-largest rail carrier, said the line reopened late Tuesday night following repairs and inspections. It said an investigation continues into the cause of the accident, the largest of three oil spills for the company in two months. ...

CP Rail says oil leaking after tankers derail in Saskatchewan

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:14:13 -0400

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd said five tankers containing oil derailed on Tuesday morning near Jansen, Saskatchewan, and one of the cars is leaking crude, the third spill for the company in two months. Ed Greenberg, a spokesman for Canada's No.2 railway, said the cars containing Western Canadian crude were on an eastbound mixed-freight train. The company does not yet know how much spilled from the leaking tanker, but Greenberg said the oil has been contained at the site of the derailment. ...

Canadian businessman goes on trial in Cuba for corruption

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:31:49 -0400

By Marc Frank HAVANA (Reuters) - A Cuban court on Thursday wrapped up the first day of testimony in the graft trial of a Canadian businessman whose prosecution is part of a corruption crackdown that has shaken the country's foreign business community. The trial of Sarkis Yacoubian, originally from Armenia and the owner of import firm Tri-Star Caribbean, was expected to end on Friday. An associate of Yacoubian, Lebanese citizen Krikor Bayassalian, is a co-defendant. Canada's ambassador to Cuba, Matthew Levin, attended the trial but did not speak to reporters. ...

Seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival: 'Grigris ' makes Chad officials proud

Sat, 25 May 2013 04:31:13 -0400

CANNES, France - Associated Press journalists open their notebooks at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Seen and heard at the Cannes Film Festival

Sat, 25 May 2013 04:27:02 -0400

CANNES, France (AP) — Associated Press journalists open their notebooks at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

At least 7 Filipino marines, 4 Abu Sayyaf militants killed in clash in southern Philippines

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:07:53 -0400

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine military officials say at least seven marines and four Abu Sayyaf militants have been killed in a clash amid an offensive against al-Qaida-linked gunmen accused of carrying out recent kidnappings in the country's south.

AL Capsules

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:52:29 -0400

DETROIT - Anibal Sanchez took a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Minnesota's Joe Mauer broke it up with a one-out single, and that was the only hit the Detroit right-hander allowed in the Tigers' 6-0 victory over the Twins on Friday night.

Friday's Scoreboard

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:28:22 -0400

Friday's Games

Toronto mayor denies he smokes crack cocaine

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:06:18 -0400

TORONTO (AP) — Toronto Mayor Rob Ford denied that he smokes crack cocaine and said he is not an addict, breaking a week of silence over reports of a video purportedly showing him using the drug. Critics were not appeased, with one city councilor questioning whether the mayor told "the whole truth" and another calling on him to resign.

Series tied: Pacers steal Game 2 from Heat, winning 97-93 to knot up East finals

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:31:07 -0400

MIAMI - David West punched two passes from LeBron James away in the final minute, then punched the air.

Off to the Final: Winterhawks down Knights in MasterCard Memorial Cup semi

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:13:12 -0400

SASKATOON - Ty Rattie scored the winner in the third period and Mac Carruth made 34 saves as the Portland Winterhawks defeated the London Knights 2-1 Friday night in the semifinal of the MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Lawrie says ejection was unwarranted but crew chief says he showed bad etiquette

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:13:03 -0400

TORONTO - Brett Lawrie maintained he had done nothing wrong. But the brash Jays third baseman was bounced by umpire Dan Bellino on Friday night after striking out to end the third inning in a 10-6 loss to Baltimore.

Chinese premier criticizes EU move on trade measures

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:57:01 -0400

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang criticized the European Union over its plans to investigate alleged anti-competitive behavior by Chinese mobile telecom equipment makers and to impose punitive import duties on solar panels from China, state media reported. The official Xinhua news agency reported late on Friday that Li had told business leaders in Switzerland such measures would "harm others without benefiting oneself". Li is the most senior Chinese official to comment on the troublesome issue so far. ...

CA-BUSINESS Summary

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:57:21 -0400

Valeant deal sparks share jump, helps TSX ends week higher TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index reversed earlier losses on Friday after several stocks jumped on takeover moves, helping the TSX shrug off uncertainty over U.S. central bank monetary policy that hurt U.S. indices. Shares in Valeant Pharmaceutical International Inc jumped more than 13 percent to C$86.91 after a source said the company is close to a $9 billion deal to acquire eye care company Bausch & Lomb. ...

Canadian Press NewsAlert: Penguins eliminate Senators with 6-2 win

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:21:58 -0400

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh Penguins defeat Ottawa 6-2 to eliminate the Senators from the NHL's Eastern Conference semifinals in five games.

Miller likely to return to Whitecaps for second leg of Canadian Championship

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:57:57 -0400

VANCOUVER - Kenny Miller's future with the Vancouver Whitecaps has been in doubt this week, but his appearance in one game is virtually certain.

CA-CANADA Summary

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:49:31 -0400

Toronto mayor denies, finally, use of crack cocaine TORONTO (Reuters) - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, under pressure to respond to allegations he was filmed using drugs, said on Friday that he does not smoke crack cocaine and could not comment on a video he had not seen or does not exist. "There has been a serious accusation from the Toronto Star that I use crack cocaine. I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine," he told a news conference. U.S. ...

Corruption trial of Canadian trader ends in Cuba, with verdict soon

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:49:28 -0400

By Marc Frank HAVANA (Reuters) - The trial of a Canadian businessman who bribed Cuban officials ended on Friday after two days of testimony, but there was no word on the outcome in a case closely watched by Havana's foreign business community. Sarkis Yacoubian, originally from Armenia and the owner of import firm Tri-Star Caribbean, was expected to plead guilty and hope for leniency for his cooperation with investigators after his July 2011 arrest. The five-judge panel was expected to announce its verdict within 10 days. ...

New York claims more proof of bank mortgage abuses

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:56:46 -0400

By Karen Freifeld NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said there is mounting evidence that Bank of America Corp , Wells Fargo and Co and other banks violated the terms of a settlement designed to end mortgage servicing abuses. Schneiderman - who has said he plans to sue Bank of America and Wells Fargo for failing to live up to their obligations under the deal - said other states had found similar problems. ...

Exclusive: In surprise, General Growth eyes New York office tower

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:27:35 -0400

By Ilaina Jonas NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Growth Properties Inc has paired with Brookfield Office Properties Inc to bid for an expensive New York building in what could mark the No. 2 U.S. mall owner's entry into a new segment of the retail real estate market, according to two sources familiar with the deal. Bids for the 27-story office and retail building at 650 Madison Avenue, one of the toniest shopping and office districts in Manhattan, could exceed $1.3 billion, the sources said. Other bidders include Vornado Realty Trust , one of the sources said. ...

Toronto FC parts ways with John Bostock, waiving once heralded youngster

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:16:00 -0400

TORONTO - John Bostock's brief tenure with Toronto FC ended Friday when the former teen soccer sensation was put on waivers.

Defence Department says it can't help move 3 Toronto elephants until fall

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:16:05 -0400

TORONTO - The Department of National Defence says it's still in talks to help move the Toronto Zoo's three resident elephants to California, but says the animals will have to stay put until the fall.

Visa, Mastercard ask U.S. court to declare card fees are lawful

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:40:08 -0400

By Jessica Dye NEW YORK (Reuters) - Visa Inc and MasterCard Inc, opening another front in an eight-year battle over credit card fees paid by retailers, on Friday asked a federal judge to declare that the fees do not violate antitrust law. The lawsuit seeks to give the card companies legal ammunition against some retailers who are trying to opt out a proposed settlement under which they would receive a share of $7.2 billion in cash and fee discounts from the card companies. ...

Accused in toddler's patio death at Edmonton restaurant granted bail

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:30:49 -0400

EDMONTON - An Edmonton judge has granted bail to an accused drunk driver whose SUV plowed into a restaurant patio, killing a toddler.

DNA evidence leads to charges in 1991 sex assault of girl, 9, Toronto police say

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:22:03 -0400

TORONTO - Twenty-two years after a nine-year-old girl was lured from her apartment building lobby and sexually assaulted, a suspect has been arrested, police announced Friday.

Egyptian tycoon to buy MTS fiber network in new Canada push

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:10:05 -0400

By Alastair Sharp and Euan Rocha TORONTO (Reuters) - Manitoba Telecom Services Inc will sell its Allstream fiber optic network to a company controlled by telecom tycoon Naguib Sawiris for C$520 million (US$503 million), a deal that signals the Egyptian magnate is still keen on Canada. Under an agreement announced on Friday, Accelero Capital Holdings, which was founded by Sawiris and is stacked with executives from telecom companies he owns or in which he is invested, gets Allstream landline network and its 50,000 business customers. ...

Full text of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's statement denying crack cocaine use

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:07:08 -0400

TORONTO - Here is the full text of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford's statement Friday afternoon in which he denied he uses crack cocaine. Ford also addressed the players of the football team at Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School, where he was dropped Thursday as coach.