Raymond Laflamme, a Canadian pioneer in the field of quantum information processing who once worked with Stephen Hawking, has died after a lengthy bout with cancer. The University of Waterloo announced his death in a press release this week. He died June 19 on what would have been his 65th birthday. Born in Québec City, the third of five siblings, Laflamme studied physics as an … Continue reading Raymond Laflamme, Canadian pioneer in quantum computing, has died

A Jamaican man sentenced to life in prison for an “execution style” killing north of Barrie in 2007 will get a shot at early release under Canada’s “faint hope clause.” Sean Lenworth Anthony Spence didn’t pull the trigger, but he planned the murder of Jonathan Chambers over $52,000 Spence blamed him for losing in a drug deal Chambers arranged. Spence was convicted of first-degree murder … Continue reading Jamaican doing life for ‘execution style’ Ontario killing wins shot at ‘faint hope’ release

OTTAWA — One of Israeli’s highest-ranking politicians says she understands that many people could be feeling déjà vu as the West faces another war in the Middle East over the threat of weapons of mass destruction. The Toronto-born Sharren Haskel, now Israel’s junior minister of foreign affairs, was herself a young enlistee in Israel’s armed forces (specifically the border police) when then U.S. president George … Continue reading ‘Read a few more history books,’ Canada-born Israeli minister advises millennials uneasy with Iran war

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday night that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire that will take effect on Tuesday morning at 7:00 AM. “CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed … Continue reading Israel and Iran have agreed to ceasefire, Trump says, but no confirmation from two sides

Another swindling salesman who was ripping people off in a large Toronto investment fraud has been sent to prison in the United States, nearly ending prosecutions against a rapacious band of coloured diamond conmen. Edward Rosenberg used the alias Ed Rose when working the phones in a telemarketing boiler room on Toronto’s Finch Avenue West. The salesmen there for Paragon International Wealth Management, Inc. defrauded … Continue reading Swindling salesman convicted in the U.S. for a large Toronto investment fraud

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney lowered expectations on Monday about reaching an agreement with the United States for an economic and security pact by July 21. Speaking in Brussels, where he signed a defence partnership with the European Union (EU), Carney was asked which options Canada would be considering, besides higher tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum, if he does not strike a deal … Continue reading After agreeing 30-day timeline, Mark Carney now says ‘nothing’s assured’ on deal with U.S.

Israel said it employed “unprecedented force” to attack key targets within Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s regime on Monday morning. Among them, Minister of Defence Israel Katz said, was the “Destruction of Israel” clock in Tehran’s Palestine Square — a digital billboard that has been counting down the days until the promised “annihilation” of Israel since 2017. Other targets in the capital included the … Continue reading IDF targets Iran’s ‘Destruction of Israel’ countdown clock in Tehran: defence minister

Among the many concerns surrounding the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran and the United States is the state of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for much of the world’s oil and natural gas. Here’s what to know. What is the Strait of Hormuz? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel of water that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea … Continue reading What is the Strait of Hormuz, and what would it mean for Iran to close it?

A total of 145 people in France were reportedly assaulted with syringes while attending a country-wide street music festival over the weekend. The festival, called Fete de la Musique, took place at locations across the country and attracted millions of festival-goers, according to French media such as France24 and RFI . Overall, there were 12 arrests related to the syringe attacks, the interior ministry said. … Continue reading 145 people reportedly attacked with syringes at a street festival, 12 suspects arrested

Yvette Shmilovitz, a 95-year-old Holocaust survivor, was confirmed Monday as the fourth fatality when an Iranian missile struck the Israeli city of Petah Tikva on June 16. Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg mourned the loss, saying, “We bow our heads and mourn the murder of four of the city’s residents… dear, beloved people, whose only sin was wanting to live a peaceful and safe life.” … Continue reading Holocaust survivor, 95, identified as fourth fatality in Iranian missile strike