Medicine Hat News

Tropical cyclone begins to weaken after lashing Fiji's northern island groups

SUVA, Fiji - Cyclone Tomas' onslaught on Fiji began to weaken Tuesday, but a state of emergency was declared in the hardest-hit areas as the storm battered the South Pacific nation's northern outer islands, knocking out power and forcing thousands of people into shelters.

16 min ago

Former Pakistan president: US shouldn't set deadline on troops in Afghanistan

PORTLAND, Ore. - The former president of Pakistan on Monday criticized U.S. plans to begin pulling troops out of Afghanistan in just over a year.

43 min ago

McCain to campaign with ex-running mate Sarah Palin for 1st time since presidential election

PHOENIX - John McCain and Sarah Palin are scheduled to campaign together in Arizona next week for the first time since they conceded the presidential election in Phoenix in November 2008.

47 min ago

Dodd financial overhaul proposal would give Fed powers to break up firms

WASHINGTON - A new Democratic Senate bill to tame the financial markets would give the government new powers to break up firms that threaten the economy, force the industry to pay for its failures and create an independent consumer watchdog within the Federal Reserve.

1 hour ago

Obama pitches health care as Democrats point toward a vote and progress in courting lawmakers

WASHINGTON - Democrats in the House of Representatives triggered the countdown Monday for the climactic vote on President Barack Obama's fiercely contested remake of the U.S. health care system, even though the legislation remained incomplete and lacked the votes needed to pass.

3 hours ago

Brazil's president backs Iran's nuclear program during first official visit to Israel

JERUSALEM - Brazil's president made a case Monday for playing a larger role in Mideast diplomacy, despite Israel's deep discomfort with his opposition to sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.

4 hours ago

Egyptian opposition parties call for sweeping constitutional reforms to ensure free elections

CAIRO, Egypt - Four Egyptian opposition parties called for sweeping constitutional reforms Monday to ensure free elections and limit the president's powers.

4 hours ago

Obama administration riles Congress, pro-Israel lobby by attacking Israeli housing plan

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration's fierce denunciation of Israel last week has ignited a firestorm in Congress and among powerful pro-Israel interest groups who say the criticism of America's top Mideast ally was misplaced.

4 hours ago

Jobs bill clears Republicans; final congressional approval perhaps Tuesday

WASHINGTON - A bipartisan bill that would provide tax cuts for businesses that hire unemployed workers cleared Republican delaying tactics in the Senate Monday, opening the way for final congressional approval.

4 hours ago

LA pot advocates fail to gather enough signatures to force ballot measure on new law

LOS ANGELES - Medical marijuana advocates have failed to gather enough signatures for a ballot measure challenging a new Los Angeles law that will shutter hundreds of pot dispensaries.

4 hours ago

HEADLINES

Free guide will help natives strike deals with resource companies OTTAWA - A charitable foundation has issued a free how-to kit to help native communities reach resource-sharing deals with mining companies. 8 hours ago	Bid cities Annecy, Munich and Pyeongchang step up race to host 2018 Winter Olympics LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Three cities in the race to host the 2018 Winter Olympics met the deadline Monday for submitting their preliminary bid files. 14 hours ago	UN criticizes Russia for ignoring ecological impact of 2014 Sochi Olympics projects MOSCOW - The top U.N. environmental watchdog has criticized Russia in a report to be released Tuesday for ignoring the effects that several construction projects for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi will have on the region's unique wildlife. 3 hours ago
Law firm says Kate Winslet has split from her husband, director Sam Mendes LONDON - British movie star Kate Winslet has separated from her film director husband Sam Mendes after nearly seven years of marriage, their law firm said Monday. 6 hours ago	Cops - and their horses - pelted with projectiles at annual anti-police march MONTREAL - Hundreds of unruly protesters are marching in Montreal's annual anti-police demonstration. 4 hours ago	Underage suspect allegedly served in Belleville, Ont., bar before 2 slayings BELLEVILLE, Ont. - The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is investigating allegations a Belleville bar served an 18-year-old man who was later charged with murdering two people in nearby Mountain View. 11 hours ago
N.L. premier back on the job, almost six weeks after heart surgery ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Premier Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador is back at work, almost six weeks after having heart surgery. 14 hours ago	Iowa fires basketball coach Todd Lickliter after 3rd straight losing season, 10-20 finish IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa has fired coach Todd Lickliter after three losing seasons in a row. 5 hours ago	Statistics Canada says household wealth rose 1.6 per cent to $5.9T in Q4 OTTAWA - The wealth of individual Canadians climbed higher in the fourth quarter as the value of their stocks and real estate increased. 6 hours ago