Russia reforms government, introduces digital development ministry

While the names of the ministers inside the new Russian government are yet to be announced, its structure will undergo subtle but potentially impactful transformations, after a decree was signed by Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. The Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications, which oversees not only data technology, but also the mass media in Russia,…

Top four remain steady, Oregon joins top-five in USA Today/NFCA Division I Coaches Poll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Florida remained No. 1 and the top-four teams stood pat in this week’s USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. The gap shortened to just eight points between the top-ranked Gators (46-4) and No. 2 Florida State as they received 18 and 11 first-place votes, respectively. UF and FSU will meet…

Ottawa Won't Be Changing Assisted-Dying Law, Despite Audrey Parker's Plea: Jody Wilson-Raybould

HALIFAX — Ottawa remains confident in its assisted dying legislation, and doesn’t plan changes despite a Halifax woman’s deathbed plea, federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said Friday. She said the government feels strongly the two-year-old legislation strikes the appropriate balance between the protection of people’s autonomy and safeguards for vulnerable people. “We’re not considering changing…

Russian military schools to offer free education to young Syrians

The Russian government has issued a decree allowing young Syrians to study in Russian military schools for free if they have sufficient knowledge of Russian and pass the necessary exams. New Syrian cadets “will be accepted in military schools after a competition, within the limits allowed by the Russian law and in line with the…

Faieta, Bryan, Rochard, Franklin, Yanez named 2017 MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Players of Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cedar Grove’s (N.J.) Mia Faieta, Elwood’s (Ind.) Mackenzie Bryan, Warhill’s (Williamsburg, Va.) Kelly Rochard, Letcher County Central’s (Whitesburg, Ky.) Alyssa Franklin and Buena’s (Ventura, Calif.) Brooke Yanez were selected MaxPreps/NFCA National High School Player of the Week winners for their outstanding play during the week of May 29-June 4. East Region Faieta…

Trudeau: Carbon Tax Critics Want To ‘Make Pollution Free Again’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appears to be trying on a new slogan to paint Conservative opponents of his carbon pricing plan in a more Trumpian light. “They look only to our past, rallying Canadians to ‘Make Pollution Free Again,’” Trudeau said emphatically at an event in Ottawa Monday. “Well, I know and you know, that…

Kremlin spokesman dismisses media reports on plans to boost Russian social spend

Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said that media reports on changes to the state budget had mentioned sums that differed from those used in the actual draft, but refused to discuss the document before it is signed. Duma gives nod to bill on multimillion-ruble fake news fines “The decree was worded and drafted within…

Edmonton Judge Denies Omar Khadr's Request For Relaxed Bail Conditions

EDMONTON — An Edmonton judge has denied former Guantanamo Bay detainee Omar Khadr’s request for relaxed bail conditions and a Canadian passport. Justice June Ross says there’s no evidence of hardship or that the conditions are needlessly onerous. She says nothing has really changed since the last time Khadr asked for changes to his bail…