Canada called Putin’s bluff with turbine return for Russian pipeline: Joly

Global News on Youtube shows that Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing games with G7 countries over energy exports to Europe.

"We called his bluff. It is now clear that Putin is weaponizing energy flows to Europe. The world sees through his game and that’s why we decided to make sure we took a strong stance and a difficult decision by sending back the turbine directly to Germany," Joly said during a news conference alongside her German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, in Montreal on Wednesday.

Canada issued a special sanctions permit that allowed the import, repair and re-export of up to six Russian turbines in a bid to help Germany as it struggles with energy supply.

Russia has claimed that the turbine Canada returned to Germany wasn’t properly repaired and lacks the proper paperwork.

Energy in Europe is an interesting topic. Oil is certainly one of the largest primary energy sources in Europe. It is mostly used for transportation and various heating. Oil production is relatively low in Europe, with significant production only in the North Sea. Most of Europe's so-called oil comes from imports (about 90% for the EU28).

It seems also that Russia damaged some pipelines in the Ukraine, after the country's war operation entered into Ukraine.

Electricity in Europe is interesting. Renewable energy ideas are out there. The twelve newer EU Member States in Central and Eastern Europe plan to increase wind power capacity from the 6.4 gigawatts installed at the end of 2012 to 16 gigawatts by 2020.

If so-called renewable electricity production in the EU continued to grow at the same rate as it did from 2005 to 2010, it would account for 36.4% of electricity in 2020 and 51.6% in 2030, following.

In March 2022, the European Commission released its comprehensive "REPowerEU" plan to promote renewable energy in Europe.

Amnesty International accuses Ukraine of committing war crimes

Human rights groups criticized some Ukrainian war actions.

Recent reports probe potential violations of international law committed by Russian and Ukrainian fighters.

On Thursday, Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnès Callamard said there is "a pattern of Ukrainian forces putting civilians at risk" and "being in a defensive position" is not an exemption from following the rules of war.

More Reading Here:

https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v2_rul_rule97

Human Shields - Is it a war crime to hide in civilian buildings?​

According to Section 6(1)(b)(xxiii), utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas or military forces immune from military operations - constitutes a war crime in international armed conflicts.

The Fourth Geneva Convention [1949 Geneva Convention IV] prohibits the use of civilians to shield certain areas from attack and provides that the presence of civilians does not shield an otherwise permissible military target from attack.

Canada to send more troops to Latvia, says defense minister

CBC News on Youtube shows that defense Minister Anita Anand says Canada is working hard with NATO allies to fulfill the commitment made to send additional troops to Latvia as part of an effort to dramatically increase the alliance's military presence in that country.

Canada's boreal forest is transforming due to climate change

CBC News on Youtube shows that scientists say Canada's boreal forest may shift north as pests, wildfires and changing precipitation cause southern parts of the forest to die off. Meteorologist Christy Climenhaga explains.

How is Ukraine using artillery sent by Canada, and other allies on the front lines?

Global News on Youtube shows that this week, Global News was escorted to a secret location near the front lines in Kharkiv to observe long-range artillery sent by allies, including Canada, to help Ukraine push back Russia’s assault. 

Canada sent a number of M777 howitzers to Ukraine in April as part of a $130-million support package. It has since sent millions more in replacement barrels and ammunition, among other lethal aid. 

Long-range artillery such as M777s have become crucial in attempts to turn the tide of the war, allowing Ukrainians to target Russian troops and locations from farther away and in turn prevent further strikes on Ukrainian forces. 

Crystal Goomansingh met with troops using these heavy weapons.

Canada sending troops to train Ukrainian civilians to fight Russian forces

Global News on Youtube shows that Canada is sending military members to the United Kingdom, where they will help teach Ukrainian civilians to fight Russian forces. 

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that 225 Canadian military personnel will deploy to the U.K., working with the British Army to turn those civilians who have signed up to fight Russia and defend their country, into soldiers. 

And as Mercedes Stephenson explains, there's another much more secretive mission Canadians are involved in on the ground in Ukraine.

Canada's ban on importing handguns will begin Aug. 19, says minister

Global News on Youtube shows Canadian Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly announced Friday that the government's ban on the import of handguns will begin in Aug. 19 and last until Parliament is able to vote on legislation tabled in May.

 

The government tabled gun control legislation in May that includes a national freeze on the importation, purchase, sale and transfer of handguns in Canada. That law did not pass before Parliament took its summer break, and is set to be debated again when MPs return to Ottawa in the fall.

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly also spoke about the temporary ban, saying she has the authority to ban any import or export permit in Canada. The ban will also prevent businesses from importing handguns into Canada, with a few exceptions that mirror those in legislation tabled in May.