VANCOUVER - Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! VANCOUVER - Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country's president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VANCOUVER – Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country’s president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon’s declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities’ instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people’s travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. “There’s always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term,” Chan says. “If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place.” Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo’s call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back “harrowing” memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. “It has been a very difficult experience to see that,” Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. “But that said, I’m really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. “This is a country that will stand up for democracy.” Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. “It’s not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada,” Lim says. “There’s still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). “We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I’m a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law.” — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement
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James Argent reveals he's moving in with his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson and they already 'want a family' just four months after they met at a supermarket Do YOU have a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By POPPY ATKINSON GIBSON Published: 20:51, 30 November 2024 | Updated: 20:54, 30 November 2024 e-mail View comments James Argent has revealed he's already moving in with his new girlfriend Nicoline Artursson, just months after meeting her outside a supermarket. The TOWIE star, 36, previously battled drink and drug abuse but after attending rehabilitation, which involved a gastric band operation, and shedding 14 stone, he has turned his life around. The star is also so smitten with his model girlfriend that he's even ready to settle down and have children. Speaking to OK! Magazine in their first joint interview, James and Nicoline, 31, revealed that it was love at first sight for the pair after they bumped into each other outside a Spanish supermarket. And since that fateful meeting, Nicoline moved to the UK and has now moved into Arg's Essex home. Describing the moment they met, James revealed he thought Nicoline was out of his league but decided he had nothing to lose. James Argent, 36, has revealed he's already moving in with his new girlfriend Nicoline Artursson, 31, just months after meeting her outside a supermarket The star revealed that just months after their fateful meeting, they're so smitten that they're already planning to start a family He said: 'I was walking to my gig at Elliott Wright's restaurant in Marbella. 'All of a sudden I see this woman coming towards me. I was like, 'Wow, she's beautiful.' She was just in her gym clothes, wearing no make-up. She'd actually just fed a stray cat.' And after summoning up the courage, James asked her out. Nicole described James as a handsome man with a big smile, before adding that he makes her laugh, and it was these traits that helped cement their relationship. James and Nicoline went on their first date a week later, where James explained about his past addiction issues and his weight loss, and the couple were so engrossed in one another that they forgot to order anything to eat. Despite James's confession about his seven-year drug addiction which saw him go through a near-fatal overdose, a hospitalisation and a stint on rehab, the model was unfazed. He explained: 'I've been through a lot over the years. I've been to rehab, I've had to get help. I also had to explain that I used to be morbidly obese, I was a big guy and I've lost a lot of weight. I've had an operation which has helped with my portion control. I have to eat little and often. 'It was probably quite a lot to take in, but she was really cool. She was fine about everything. Being open and honest and putting your cards on the table from the start is so important.' James explained they would both 'love to have a family one day, absolutely.' while Nicoline added that one her favourite things about James is 'he’s very family-oriented' And Nicoline echoed James adding that the pair had decided to be completely open with each other from the start. And now, several months later, the pair seem more loved up than ever and during the interview, the blonde beauty who previously modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch pointed out her Christmas stocking on the fireplace in the reality star's living room. James explained they would both 'love to have a family one day, absolutely.' while Nicoline added that one her favourite things about James is 'he’s very family-oriented'. James said: 'We’re both at the right stage in our lives. We’ve both lived a life, we’ve both had experiences with previous partners, but now it’s a really good time to be sure of who you are with.' But for the moment they seem to be enjoying each other's company. In September, James packed on the PDA with his Nicoline as the couple were spotted snogging in St Tropez. The former TOWIE star seemed besotted with his former Miss Sweden love as the pair enjoyed a dip in the sea. James said: 'We’re both at the right stage in our lives. We’ve both lived a life, we’ve both had experiences with previous partners' Read More James Argent goes Instagram official with Miss Sweden girlfriend Nicoline Artursson James showed off his toned physique as he went shirtless and wore a pair of blue patterned shorts. James whisked his new girlfriend away for a lavish long weekend at Indie Beach at Plague de Pampelonne, The Sun revealed. Nicoline, 31, won the Miss World Sweden beauty pageant in 2011 and modelled for Abercrombie & Fitch. She was also asked to take part in the French version The Bacherlorette but declined to focus on her studies. It is James's first relationship since splitting from his ex Stella Turian last November and the star previously opened up about feeling he would never find someone. In March, Arg told the My Dirty Laundry podcast that he really struggled on Valentine's day because of his single status - and had to stay off social media because it got him down so much. Having tackled his demons, staying sober for two years and losing 15 stone in weight, James said: 'I'm in a really good place. Everything in my life is perfect, apart from my love life. It would be nice if that would change. 'I'll be completely honest, this year I really struggled on Valentine's Day. I remember, I woke up and thought, I am not going to look at social media. 'It's not that I'm heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew it's not going to make me feel great because I didn't have a Valentine, I don't have a girlfriend. James broke up with Stella Turian in November after a year-long romance and said 'It's not that I'm heartbroken or upset, but just because I knew social media was not going to make me feel great because I didn't have a Valentine, I don't have a girlfriend. 'But, I couldn't help it. There was times where I'd just have a little glance and all you would see was couples. Everyone's madly in love. Everyone's happy. 'Everyone's out on dates. There's flowers, there's balloons, there's chocolates, there's date nights or trips or happily married couples - and yeah, it did start to affect me a little bit.' James also admitted to OK! magazine that following the breakdown of his last relationship he lost his confidence. He explained he was worried he wouldn't meet anyone new or have the chance to settle down but he revealed that's all changed now. He added that Nicoline is his biggest supporter and knew it was love when she said she liked his singing. And Nicoline has slotted into the reality star's life with ease with James exposing her to a proper Essex night out and even a Sunday roast which the model says is her new favourite food. The beauty has also been welcomed with open arms into the TOWIE family, meeting many of James's friends, including Mark Wright and Joey Essex. TOWIE James Argent Share or comment on this article: James Argent reveals he's moving in with his girlfriend Nicoline Artursson and they already 'want a family' just four months after they met at a supermarket e-mail Add commentWorthington Enterprises Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results
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(BPT) - The new year is a good time to reset. From a fresh start on lifestyle choices, hobbies or pursuits, to the less exciting — but no less important — aspects of life, like memberships, contracts and even health insurance. Health insurance deductibles reset in the new year, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind as you plan for healthcare expenses. Any changes made to your health insurance plan during open enrollment go into effect as well. "Even if you spent hours researching your health plan before making a selection, there's always a possibility for the occasional surprise once coverage kicks in, which is why it's important to assess your healthcare coverage and address any gaps before January 1," said Doug Armstrong, Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services, Inc. "AARP members can take advantage of benefits available to them to help find the coverage and savings information they seek." 1. 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Additional benefits for AARP members include home delivery, deeper discounts on medications, coverage for dependents and more. 3. Confirm your primary care With a new health insurance plan, you might find that your primary care physician is no longer in-network or that they no longer accept your insurance. Perhaps you have relocated and are in the market for a new doctor. Whatever the case, there's no time like the present to search for a new primary care physician who meets your needs. If you're on Medicare, Oak Street Health can be a great resource. The only primary care provider to carry the AARP name, Oak Street Health provides primary care for adults on Medicare and focuses on prevention with personalized care to help keep you healthy — physically, mentally and socially. Benefits include same-day/next-day appointments where available, convenient locations, a dedicated care team and a 24/7 patient support line. AARP membership is not required to visit an Oak Street Health location. 4. Protect your smile Optimal dental care includes daily brushing and flossing and a visit to the dentist every six months. During your visit, the dentist can monitor for and treat any issues, such as cavities or gum disease. However, not all plans include dental insurance, which means you might end up paying out of pocket for your cleaning and other procedures. To avoid that, take a look at your coverage. If needed, explore information on dental insurance options that offer individual or family coverage for the most common dental procedures. Dental insurance generally pays for regular check-ups, so many people who purchase protection will benefit from it immediately. 5. Clarify your hearing coverage Hearing loss is a common age-related ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging , one-third of older adults have hearing loss, and the chance of developing hearing loss increases with age. Hearing aids can be an enormous help, improving socialization, boosting confidence and even helping to increase balance. However, many insurance plans do not include coverage for hearing aids. AARP ® Hearing SolutionsTM provided by UnitedHealthcare ® Hearing provides savings on hearing aids and hearing care . Members can save an average of $2,000 per pair on prescription hearing aids and 15% on accessories — no insurance needed. Plus receive a hearing exam and consultation at no cost and personalized support through a large nationwide network of hearing providers. 6. Consider physical therapy Often, the only times that people consider whether their health insurance covers physical therapy is if they already participate in it or after the doctor has prescribed it. As we age, though, physical therapy can be a useful tool in improving balance or recovering from an injury or procedure to help you remain active. Fortunately, the question of coverage or finding an in-network location doesn't have to derail you. AARP ® Physical Therapy At HomeTM by Luna accepts most insurances and Medicare and is available to members and non-members alike. Plus, Luna's experts come to you, so you can receive quality care from the comfort of your home. If you're creating an end-of-year to-do list, consider adding an assessment of your healthcare coverage. After all, the best time to realize you have a gap in coverage is before you need it. To learn more about AARP member benefits, visit aarp.org/benefits . AARP and its affiliates are not insurers, agents, brokers or producers. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.
Social media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont's high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents' wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella's suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella's son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school's assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct" that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn't want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn't say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court's mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck . By Melissa Goldin, The Associated PressThe world has gone crazy, we’ve recently discovered, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Major League Baseball offices in New York. In the media capital of the world, you’ll find Commissioner Rob Manfred, the nuttiest top executive in professional sports, who always seems to go that extra mile to troll baseball fans . Manfred’s mind is on his money, and the money is on his mind. His brilliant idea of having All-Star players wear generic jerseys representing their respective leagues instead of the time-honored tradition of wearing one’s team jersey was so reviled that MLB rescinded the plan in September. MLB also agreed to ditch the horrid uniforms used in 2024 — with the mismatched jerseys and see-through pants — that Manfred implemented. Manfred’s vision is so short-sighted and lacking in common sense he’s easily the most disliked baseball commissioner in history, surpassing Bud Selig, Bowie Kuhn and the rest. He said in February he plans to retire when his term is up in January 2029, adding: “You can only have so much fun in one lifetime.” Manfred’s version of “fun” is changing everything you know and love about baseball just to leave his mark on the game. Ads on helmets? Check. Ghost runners? Check. American League starting pitcher Corbin Burnes, of the Baltimore Orioles, right, hugs National League’s William Contreras, of the Milwaukee Brewers, during the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Now comes his latest inane idea, referred to by the commish as the Golden At-Bat. When he mentioned it on a podcast in October, it was so stupid that no one paid much attention. But when The Athletic chimed in this week with a lengthy story on how it might look, the idea was universally panned and Manfred’s already soiled reputation took yet another hit. In case you missed it, the Golden At-Bat rule would allow managers to pinch-hit for a player with another player who already is in the game. It would be a one-time-only move, so managers would have to pick the right situation. For example, if the 2016 Cubs wanted to use No. 2 hitter Kris Bryant in a clutch situation instead of No. 8 hitter Jason Heyward, manager Joe Maddon would’ve simply called on Bryant to take the Golden At-Bat. If the game continued into the next inning, Heyward would still go back to right field and Bryant would be back in his normal spot in the lineup. The idea is supposed to create a “magical” moment where one of the team’s best hitters can bigfoot his light-hitting teammate in a crucial situation, creating more strategy and fan excitement. The details aren’t available on exactly how it would work, and maybe we’ll never know. Hopefully, Manfred will get the message fans have sent by informing us he was just kidding. But so far, he hasn’t shot it down. Manfred, in fact, told the podcast there was a “little buzz” about the idea at a recent owners meeting, which suggests the owners are as ignorant about the game as him. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark, a fine baseball writer with good sources, didn’t completely dismiss the idea in his long explainer, writing that “if the goal is to create moments and memories, the Golden At-Bat could be a vehicle to create more of those. So who could possibly complain?” Of course, Stark already knew the answer: Everybody. The reaction on social media was swift. Only a few appeared to be in favor of implementing a drastic rules change that would forever alter the way the game is played. Many pointed out that baseball’s biggest moments are organic and frequently feature players who aren’t stars. That’s why we love the game. Chicago Cubs third baseman Tommy La Stella is congratulated after hitting a home run in the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Milwaukee.(John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) Tommy La Stella was an average player who mostly came off the bench during a 10-year career, finishing with a 3.6 WAR. La Stella would be a perfect candidate to get bigfooted in a Golden At-Bat situation. But in 2018 he arguably was the best pinch-hitter in the game, hitting .312 in the role and setting a Cubs record with 24 pinch-hits in 90 appearances. La Stella was a cult hero on the North Side, as beloved as some of the biggest stars. Not everyone can be Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani. The game needs its Tommy La Stellas, too. That’s what Manfred and the foolish owners buzzing over the idea don’t understand about baseball. Size doesn’t matter in this sport. A hero can be 5-foot-4 or 6-foot-7. I don’t expect the Golden At-Bat to be adopted for anything outside of an exhibition like the All-Star Game, so no worries. Even then you’re possibly depriving someone who could be making the only All-Star appearance of his career of an at-bat for a superstar who probably prefers to leave the park and take his private jet home once he exits in the fourth inning. Related Articles MLB | Chicago Cubs agree with left-hander Matthew Boyd on a 2-year, $29 million contract MLB | Will Garrett Crochet be traded — and how will the rotation be filled out? 3 questions for the Chicago White Sox. MLB | How Chicago Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga found success as a rookie — and how he’s looking to build off it MLB | Chicago White Sox’s fan festival returns for 1st time since 2020: ‘SoxFest Live’ will be at Ramova Theatre Even if this isn’t adopted, Manfred still has four more years to come up with idiotic rule changes similar to the Golden At-Bat. I’m sure he’s already brainstorming. How about an extra run for home run balls that barely clear the wall, or land in the basket of Wrigley Field? Maybe allow fans to grapple with outfielders for foul balls, like the New York Yankees fans did to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts in the World Series? Sounds crazy? Remember, only a few years ago, MLB executive vice president Morgan Sword admitted: “We’ve never talked about this in any serious way, but we talked about allowing fans to throw home-run balls back and keep them in play. That’s one that I don’t even like.” Give him time. There’s no telling what kind of damage Manfred and his cohorts will do to the game if left unchecked. If ruining baseball for his own amusement is Manfred’s idea of “fun,” these next four years are going to be very painful.Dodgers' Ohtani wins 3rd MVP, 1st in NL; Yankees' Judge earns 2nd AL honour in 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without point guard LaMelo Ball for at least two weeks because of a strained left calf. Ball felt discomfort in his calf after Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat and did not play against the New York Knicks on Friday. The team said he will be reevaluated on Dec. 11, which is two weeks from the date of the original injury. Ball has been hot for the Hornets, averaging 40.3 points in his last four games. He is averaging a career-best 31.1 points and 4.7 3-pointers per game for the season, which ranks second in the NBA. He also is averaging 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 starts. Ball has had a history of injury problems, mostly to his ankles, since coming to the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The only Hornets player to ever receive a max contract extension, Ball has played in just 202 games with 182 starts in five seasons. The team also said guard Tre Mann’s lower back soreness has been diagnosed as a disk irritation. His absence from the lineup began on Nov. 23 against Milwaukee. He will continue his rehabilitation and be reevaluated in two weeks. The Hornets' next game is Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA