Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Paris where he’s expected to meet with fellow allies of Ukraine. More than 30 member nations of the so-called “coalition of the willing” will talk about ways to speed up a negotiated peace plan for Ukraine nearly four years after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its sovereign neighbour. Security guarantees for Ukraine will be a major part of the talks. Carney is expected to talk about the role Canada could play in an eventual ceasefire agreement.
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in a U-S courtroom Monday wearing a blue jail uniform and took copious notes while insisting he has been unlawfully abducted. It’s his first appearance on narco-terrorism charges that U-S President Donald Trump’s administration has used to justify capturing him and bringing him to New York. Maduro declared himself innocent and pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. After his attorney raised questions about the legality of the arrest, Maduro and his wife were escorted from the courtroom and are expected to return for another court date in March.
Police say five people have been charged following a year-long drug trafficking operation in Nova Scotia. R-C-M-P say the probe began in January of last year and focused on a group’s drug sales, which “actively targeted young people” in Antigonish. Mounties say they made their first arrest on Main Street in late May after a search of a man led to the seizure of cocaine. In September, a 26-year-old and a 28-year-old woman were arrested after officers seized cocaine, ecstasy and cash from two homes during a search. A 20-year-old man and a youth were also arrested in December in connection with the investigation.
R-C-M-P say a youth in Nova Scotia has suffered life-threatening injuries after an attack by three dogs. Police say three large-breed dogs pounced on the youth on Saturday night in the small community of Welshtown in southern Nova Scotia. Officers and emergency health services responded, and police say the youth was airlifted to Halifax with life-threatening injuries. R-C-M-P say the dogs have been euthanized and the investigation is ongoing.
The Town of New Glasgow is extending its condolences after the passing of former Town Councillor and Deputy Mayor Jim Mitchell. A statement posted by the Town on social media says Jim was a tireless champion for New Glasgow and a driving force behind many of the community assets we continue to enjoy today. It says that most notably, he was instrumental in the vision and development of Glasgow Square, advocating for a gathering place that would support arts, culture, and community life for generations to come.
