Most US adults think individual choices keep people in poverty, a new AP-NORC/Harris poll finds

WASHINGTON (AP) — Most U.S. adults think personal choices are a major driver of poverty and homelessness, according to a new poll, while fewer blame a lack of government support.

However, just over half also think the government spends too little on those in need, the new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows.

The poll comes as homelessness is on the rise and as officials across the country, including Republican President Donald Trump in the nation's capital, push to clear encampments where unhoused people live. At the same time, the GOP tax and spending cut bill signed into law by Trump in July is expected to reduce benefits for low-income people.

“It seems like people are a little conflicted,” said Bruce Meyer, a professor at the University of Chicago Harris School who helped craft and analyze the poll. “I think people probably realize, in part at least, the complexity of what leads people to get in trouble in terms of their economic circumstances. And I think a lot of people are generous at heart and will help people out and think the government should as well, even when individuals aren’t blameless.”

Protests against Nepal’s social-media ban grow more violent as demonstrators set buildings on fire

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Protests against Nepal’s short-lived ban on social media grew increasingly violent Tuesday as demonstrators set government buildings and politicians’ homes on fire and attacked some leaders. The prime minister resigned amid widening criticism of the country’s political elite.

The resignation appeared to have little effect on the unrest. Tens of thousands of protesters remained on the streets late in the day, blocking roads and storming government facilities. Army helicopters ferried some ministers to safe places.

A day earlier, demonstrations led by young people angry about the blocking of several social media sites gripped the capital, and police opened fire on the crowds, killing 19 people.

The ban was lifted Tuesday, but the protests continued, fueled by rage over the deaths and accusations of political corruption in the nation wedged between China and India.

Self-proclaimed ‘Queen of Canada’ freed on bail in Saskatchewan

SWIFT CURRENT - The self-proclaimed spiritual leader known as the "Queen of Canada” was freed on bail Monday, nearly a week after a police raid on her Saskatchewan compound.

And the compound has been declared off limits.

Romana Didulo, 50, was released on strict conditions, including not visiting the village of Richmound west of Regina.

In Richmound, she and her followers -- known as the "Kingdom of Canada" -- have long clashed with locals to the point the village office closed its doors to the public outside prearranged appointments, citing harassment and intimidation towards staff.

Trump celebrates West Point alumni group canceling award ceremony to honor Tom Hanks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated news on Monday that an alumni group from West Point canceled an award ceremony set to honor Tom Hanks, with the president calling the famous actor “destructive” and “WOKE.”

Hanks was scheduled to receive the 2025 Sylvanus Thayer Award on Sept. 25, but the U.S. Military Academy's alumni association canceled the ceremony last week, according to news reports.

“Important move!” Trump said in a post on his social media network Monday. “We don’t need destructive, WOKE recipients getting our cherished American Awards!!! Hopefully the Academy Awards, and other Fake Award Shows, will review their Standards and Practices in the name of Fairness and Justice.”

West Point, its alumni association and a representative for Hanks did not immediately respond to messages and calls seeking comment Monday.

Number of private agency nurses rises

As the province tries to move away from its reliance on private agency nurses, data show the practice continues to increase in Manitoba.

A report Thursday from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba shows there were 1,611 nurses working for private agencies in 2024, up from 1,418 in 2023.

“Our fundamental mandate as the professional regulator is to ensure public protection and provide the conditions that work towards supporting and ensuring patient safety,” said college spokesman Martin Lussier.

“When there is a significant shift in the practice of (nurses) that we regulate, part of our work is to assess: does that create new challenges or risks.”

Province gives businesses loan guarantees amid tariffs

Manitoba’s response to the U.S. waging economic war on Canada includes tens of millions of dollars in loan guarantees to companies to protect and create jobs in the province.

Last month, the provincial cabinet ordered a $15-million loan guarantee requested by Lexington Real Estate Holdings Ltd., which owns Palliser Furniture, but didn't put out a news release to announce it. A spokesperson said it wasn’t announced because of a communication blackout during the Spruce Woods byelection.

“We know that the tariffs that Donald Trump has put on have hurt Canadian companies right across the country,” said Jamie Moses, minister responsible for trade and job creation.

“Here in Manitoba, we work with businesses to make sure that we can support workers and support having good jobs here.”

Alberta bans sexual images in school library books under revised order

EDMONTON - The Alberta government made good Monday on its promise to revise its school book ban, stating that from now on written descriptions of sex are OK, but images and illustrations of sex are not.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told reporters that visual depictions had been the government's main concern from the start.

When asked by reporters why the government wasn't concerned with written descriptions of explicit sexual material, he said, “An image can be understood and conveyed at any grade level with any degree of comprehension.

“Whereas, of course, vocabulary and understanding progresses and develops throughout the school year."

Great potential in Churchill port project — but…

Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeking to bolster Canadian economic power at a time when its closest ally and trading partner is becoming increasingly hostile, wants to get started on some nation-building projects. Among them, he has indicated, is one to make some serious upgrades to Churchill’s port, funding for which is expected to be announced soon.

Australian woman sentenced to life in prison for mushroom poisonings

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian judge on Monday sentenced triple-murderer Erin Patterson to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years for poisoning four of her estranged husband’s relatives with death cap mushrooms.

Justice Christopher Beale told the Victoria state Supreme Court that Patterson’s crimes involved an enormous betrayal of trust.

Patterson was convicted in July of murdering Don and Gail Patterson and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, with a lunch of beef Wellington pastries laced with foraged death cap mushrooms.

Patterson was also convicted of attempting to murder Heather’s husband Ian Wilkinson, who spent weeks in a hospital.

Carney surprises many with appearance at long-distance trail race

Politicians typically do most of their running on campaign trails, but Prime Minister Mark Carney surprised many people when he competed in a long-distance trail run in southern Ontario on the weekend.

Carney was entered in the 26-kilometre event in the Haliburton Forest Trail Race, an annual event held about 160 kilometres north of Toronto, which also has longer distance categories, with the longest being 100 miles (160 kilometres).

"It has a reputation as one of the harder trail runs in Canada," organizer Tegan Legge said in a phone interview, noting the course features steep hills and an occasional rock face that competitors must scramble up.

"A 'crushing course' is what we hear, but we take that as a compliment."

‘We’re here for you’, agriculture minister tells farmers

The federal agriculture minister and his Manitoba counterpart tried to offer comfort Sunday to canola producers and other farmers roiled by massive tariffs from China and other economic uncertainty.

Liberal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said in Winnipeg on Sunday a new $370-million in support meant to ease the pain in the canola industry, which was announced Friday by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is “just a start.”

“I know you’re stressed, you need to make business decisions, this is your livelihood and what you’re hoping to pass on to the next generation… when the time comes,” said MacDonald. “We’re here for you.”

MacDonald made the comments ahead of an annual meeting of federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers, which runs through Tuesday in Winnipeg, where trade uncertainty is expected to largely top the agenda.

Former Blue Bomber Reaves launches Liberal leadership bid

Willard Reaves aims to become the leader of the Manitoba Liberal Party.

Reaves, a star Winnipeg Blue Bomber in the 1980s who also played a stint in the National Football League, announced his intention to run for leader of the longtime third-place party outside the Manitoba Legislature on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s time to get to work,” said Reaves, 66.

“I will be the best leader that this province can ever have, because my passion is about the people, not the parties.”

Building trust key as companies pivot to chatbots for customer service: experts

TORONTO - Mohammed Halabi has spent countless hours negotiating with customer service agents over the past 20 years.

Halabi is the director of MyBillsAreHigh.com, a company that finds savings on telecom and internet costs for both businesses and individuals. That means seeking out the best deals to fit clients' circumstances, plus taking the lead when problems arise requiring the attention of their provider.

These days, there's just one problem. He can't seem to get anyone on the phone.

"I've never seen customer service this bad," said Halabi.

Freeze! Police ice cream trucks seek to portray officers in a positive light

NORWICH, Conn. (AP) — The puns are plentiful as police departments around the country buy their own ice cream trucks and roll into neighborhoods to hand out frozen treats for free.

“Copsicle Patrol” is written on the one in Danbury, Connecticut. “Freeze! You have the right to remain frozen,” says another in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. “Let’s Chill Together,” Cleveland’s proclaims. “Frosty Five-O. Get the inside scoop” declares one in Palm Bay, Florida. “To Protect and Soft Serve,” says yet another in Toldedo, Ohio.

Whimsical slogans aside, a growing number of local law enforcement outfits are using the trucks for a serious mission: to have positive interactions with their communities at a time when headlines often feature police brutality and misconduct.

“There is no better way to draw the community to approach the police and let them know that we are approachable, we’re humans as well, than by handing out free ice cream to the kids,” said Lt. Kyle Besse of the Norwich, Connecticut, police department. “The smiles on the kids’ faces are really what make you realize that this is a great community outreach service.”

Health officials declare ‘Queen of Canada’s’ compound a threat to public safety

RICHMOUND - Provincial officials in Saskatchewan say parts of a former school that was serving as a compound for the self-proclaimed "Queen of Canada" and her followers have been declared unfit for human habitation, and the residents have been ordered out.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority says in an email that occupancy of the building in Richmound is prohibited under Section 22 of the Public Health Act, on the basis that the premises is a multi-person residence and is not connected to the municipal sewer system.

The email says an order was issued for anyone who was currently occupying the building to vacate, although it notes the order covers the building only, and not trailers on the site.

Police arrested the group's leader, Romana Didulo, property owner Ricky Manz and 14 others on Wednesday in the village west of Regina, after obtaining a search warrant to enter the site.

CP NewsAlert: Ostrich farm wins interim stay of order to cull birds over bird flu

A B.C. ostrich farm fighting to stop a cull of its 400-strong flock over an avian flu outbreak has been granted an interim stay order by the Federal Court of Appeal in Ottawa, delaying the execution of the birds.

Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., has been attempting to stop the Canadian Food Inspection Agency from destroying the birds since the cull was ordered amid an avian flu outbreak in December that would go on to kill 69 ostriches.

The farm has lost in Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, but on Thursday its lawyer sought another stay on the cull order, filing a series of documents as the farm seeks a hearing in Canada's high court.

In a decision dated Saturday, the Federal Court of Appeal granted an interim stay until the stay motion "is decided on the basis of a full record."

ChatGPT — get away from my em dash

ChatGPT is ruining my life, and I don’t even use it.

Transit analysis shows poorest riders hurt most

It’s an unsettling piece of analysis about a big plan and its impacts on its smallest customers.

Looking at the recent changes in Winnipeg Transit routes and stops, a Free Press/Narwal review showed that Transit’s massive new route plan took stops and route coverage from poorer areas of the city, areas that depend on transit more than outlying regions of the city.

At the same time, outlying parts of the city — which use Transit less — saw growth.

“The old system’s 87 routes and 5,100 bus stops have been stripped down to 71 routes and about 3,800 stops. Despite adding a few hundred new stop locations, particularly in fast-growing neighbourhoods along the city’s outskirts, Winnipeg Transit ultimately cut a quarter of the locations where passengers can board a bus.

Gaza as a twisted real estate opportunity

A motley band of greedy fantasists got together at the White House a week ago (Aug. 27) and came up with a cunning plan to bring peace to the Middle East while lining their own pockets at the same time. It was “leaked” within days, as it was clearly meant to be, and since then the sound of outraged clucking has been loud in the land.

It is “a Trumpian get-rich-quick scheme reliant on war crimes, AI and tourism,” wrote the Israeli daily Ha’aretz.

“It’s a textbook case of international crimes on an unimaginable scale: forcible population transfer, demographic engineering and collective punishment,” said Duncan Grant, head of Swiss-based human rights group Trial International.

“It’s insane,” said H.A. Hellyer of the Royal United Services Institute. They are right, so far as they go — but they only know the half of it. The other half is that this is an insane crime that could actually happen.