News

Canadian Anthony Bennett signs with Toronto Raptors after 2 rough NBA seasons

TORONTO — Anthony Bennett is coming home to play.

The 22-year-old from Toronto announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Raptors, confirming a move that has been the subject of speculation for the past couple of days.

"Glad to officially be a part of the Raptors organization, Excited to get this year started !!! #LetsGo," Bennett tweeted.

Bennett reportedly signed a one-year, league-minimum deal.

The Canadian has had a rough two seasons in the NBA since he was the surprise No. 1 overall pick drafted by Cleveland in 2013.

He battled injuries in both his rookie season with the Cavaliers, and second season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he landed in the Kevin Love deal.  

Bennett averaged 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 57 games for the Timberwolves last season. 

The UNLV product got a fresh start with Canada's national team over the summer, playing well at both the Pan American Games in Toronto and the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico City.

He joins fellow Toronto native Cory Joseph with the Raptors, who hold their season-opening media day Monday. 

 

The Canadian Press

Broadbent Institute raises new questions about CRA auditing of charities

OTTAWA — The Broadbent Institute, a left-leaning think-tank, has levelled another broadside at the Harper government over the Canada Revenue Agency's auditing of charities.

The organization says the country's most active right-leaning charities continue to report zero "political" activity in their latest filings and that raises fresh questions about how conservative-oriented charities are interpreting the revenue agency's rules.

"This report makes clear that the CRA rules around political activity are interpreted, to put it charitably, quite differently by many right-leaning charities," the report said. 

Rick Smith, Executive Director of the Broadbent Institute, says nine-out-of-10 right-leaning charities, including the Fraser Institute, the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies and Focus on the Family, reported conducting no political activity last year.

But he claims each of them did carry out activities in 2014 that appear to meet CRA’s definition of “political.”

Smith points to a Focus on the Family study that supports income splitting, a pillar of the Conservative government's re-election strategy and the Canadian Constitution Foundation's support of two-tiered health care.

Smith says his group is renewing its call for an independent inquiry to examine the revenue agency's processes in order to make sure they are not subject to political pressures or interference.

Last year, the institute released a similar survey looking at tax data from same 10 right-leaning charities between 2011 to 2013 and cross-referenced that with publicly information on their activities during those years.

“Back in 2012, we know the Harper government allocated money to ramp up political activity audits of environmental charities," Smith said in a statement. 

"The auditing scope was then extended to include anti-poverty, foreign aid and human rights groups. So what exactly is the CRA doing about right-leaning charities consistently reporting zero political work? Has it triggered audits just like the blanket audits of charities the government is less fond of?"

Under the law, a charity is permitted to spend no more than 10 per cent of its resources on “political” activities and direct partisan activity is prohibited.

 

The Canadian Press

Marner, Glencross and Setoguchi cut from Maple Leafs’ training camp roster

TORONTO — First-round draft pick Mitch Marner was reassigned to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

The 18-year-old Marner was drafted fourth overall on June 26.

Toronto's current training camp roster includes a total of 23 forwards, 15 defencemen and four goaltenders.

Veteran forwards Curtis Glencross and Devin Setoguchi were released from their professional try-out contracts.

Goaltender Rob Madore was reassigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

The Canadian Press

NDP tables climate change plan, Conservatives criticize Trudeau ahead of debate

OTTAWA — Two of the three major political parties tried to score domestic political points on Sunday, one day ahead of a major foreign policy debate by the leaders.

New Democrats released their plan to address climate change, one that would allow provinces to opt out if their efforts to minimize carbon emissions are as good or better than those of the federal government.

Tom Mulcair says the money raised by the federal government through putting a price on carbon would go to the provinces for reinvestment in additional measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, the federal Conservatives attempted to pull a one-two political punch on the Liberals, accusing Justin Trudeau of making excuses for criminals and measuring economic growth through deficits.

Veteran cabinet ministers Tony Clement and Julian Fantino held an event in Vaughan, Ont., picking apart comments Trudeau made in a weekend interview with Global Television's The West Block.

Fantino attacked the Liberal proposal to do away with mandatory minimum sentences in a series of tough comments that at times turned into a tirade, where he said criminals don't take advantage of the "great services" in prison for rehabilitation and career offenders who are kept "isolated and insulated" don't reoffend when they are released.

The Canadian Press

Pierre Karl Peladeau puts off plan to sell signed hockey jerseys until after Oct 19

QUEBEC — Parti Quebecois Leader Pierre Karl Peladeau's team has temporarily given up on a plan to sell hand-signed hockey jerseys, at $150 apiece, in order to pay the cost of his leadership campaign.

The offer, found on Peladeau's campaign website, was removed so as not to undermine the Bloc Quebecois' fundraising campaign, according to Annick Belanger, Peladeau's communications director.

Until last week, visitors to Peladeau's website were encouraged to order their own "PKP 2015" hockey jersey, "with Pierre Karl's Peladeau's autograph, for only $150."

Belanger confirmed that the decision to sell the blue jerseys, which are identical to the ones worn by Peladeau supporters during his leadership campaign, was taken in mid-August.

The initiative was designed to replenish the coffers of Peladeau's campaign organization, which was left with a $132,000 debt when the race wrapped up in May.

As of yet, no sales have been completed, Belanger said. She said the offer will return after the Oct. 19 federal election.

Peladeau is the only one of the six Parti Quebecois leadership candidates who still must gather donations to balance his budget, which far exceeded that of his rivals.

In an interview, Belanger told The Canadian Press the offer was suspended Thursday after it became clear the volunteers for the hockey sweater sales were all mobilized by the Bloc Quebecois campaign that began over a month ago.

"The campaign has been pushed back in order to concentrate efforts on the Bloc Quebecois fundraising campaign," Belanger said.

Belanger confirmed the operation would start up again next month in order to finish up "the fundraising campaign for Mr. Peladeau's leadership race."

The new Parti Quebecois leader spent $405,000 (excluding an amount of $11,575 in unpaid claims) on his campaign, which exceeded the $284,950 he received in donations.

Last week, Quebec's chief electoral officer confirmed the initiative was within the rules since the maximum donation for a leadership race is $500, as opposed to the $100 ceiling for election campaign contributions.

Election office spokesman Denis Dion confirmed that candidates have a one-year period to pay back their debt, and they can request permission to extend the deadline to a maximum of three years.

The financial records of the candidates submitted to the chief electoral officer show that Alexandre Cloutier ran the second-most expensive campaign at $79,890, which was equivalent to the amount he took in.

Alexandre Robillard, The Canadian Press

Raonic beats Sousa to win St. Petersburg Open for first title in over a year

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Canada's Milos Raonic won the St. Petersburg Open on Sunday with a gruelling three-set victory over Joao Sousa in the final.

Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., held off stern pressure from Sousa to wrap up a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win after having been broken in the second set for the first time in the tournament.

Raonic's first title since the Washington Open in August 2014 strengthens his slim hopes of reaching the ATP Finals. He is now No. 9-ranked but is well behind the top eight in the year-to-date ranking used to determine tour finals qualification.

Sousa drops to 1-5 in career ATP finals.

Earlier Sunday, Treat Huey of the Philippines and Henri Kontinen of Finland won the St. Petersburg doubles title.

The Associated Press

Schilling set to return to ESPN for post-season coverage following benching for tweet

LOUDON, N.H. — Curt Schilling is headed back to TV for ESPN.

Schilling said Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway he would return to work for the sports network as part of its baseball post-season coverage team. ESPN confirmed that Schilling would return to the studio for "Baseball Tonight" following its coverage of the American League wild-card game.

Schilling was benched earlier this month from on telecasts for the rest of the regular season and the wild-card game on Oct. 6. in the wake of his anti-Muslim tweet.

The former star pitcher and "Sunday Night Baseball" analyst was pulled by ESPN from a major league game and the network's coverage of the Little League World Series last month after he retweeted a post that compared Muslims and Nazi-era Germans. He has one year left on his contract.

At the time, Schilling said he'd made a "bad decision."

Schilling later sent an email to a sports media site about his Twitter post, causing a further uproar.

ESPN said at the time of his punishment "Curt's actions have not been consistent with his contractual obligations nor have they been professionally handled; they have obviously not reflected well on the company."

Schilling, who also has used Twitter to defended his family over personal attacks, said social media has become "the new 30-second commercial" and too many people want to go viral "for all the wrong reasons."

"A lot of people have told me in the past, you tell it like it is," he said. "I try to explain to people that I don't. I tell it like I think it is."

Schilling, who has been treated for mouth cancer, is a three-time World Series champion with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Red Sox. He played from 2004-07 with the Red Sox, who won the World Series in his first and last seasons with them.

He delivered the prayer before Sunday's NASCAR race.

Dan Gelston, The Associated Press

Lance Armstrong settles case with promotions company; pursued on doping evidence since 2005

AUSTIN, Texas — With a payment and an apology, Lance Armstrong has settled a decade-long dispute with a promotions company that sought repayment of more than $10 million in bonuses it paid the former cyclist during a career that was later exposed to be fueled by performance-enhancing drugs.

Dallas-based SCA Promotions first pursued evidence of doping against Armstrong in 2005. Although the company paid Armstrong in 2006, the testimony in its lawsuit and arbitration case helped lay the foundation for later doping charges that ultimately got Armstrong banned from the sport and stripped of his record seven Tour de France victories.

SCA demanded repayment in 2013 after Armstrong publicly admitted using steroids and other doping methods. Although Armstrong's lawyers had insisted there was no legal ground for a "redo" on the previous voluntary settlement, an arbitration panel ordered Armstrong to pay a $10 million penalty for lying under oath in the original case.

"I am pleased to have this matter behind me and I look forward to moving on. I do wish to apologize to SCA and its (chief executive), Bob Hamman, for any misconduct on my part in connection with our dispute and the resulting arbitration," Armstrong said in a statement Sunday to The Associated Press.

Armstrong did not reveal how much he paid SCA. Company officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The SCA dispute was just one of several to hit Armstrong since his admission to doping. He previously settled a similar bonus payments dispute with Acceptance Insurance, which had sought $3 million.

Armstrong still faces a federal whistleblower lawsuit in which the federal government is seeking repayment of more than $30 million the U.S. Postal Service paid to sponsor his teams from 1998-2004. Penalties in that case could reach the $100 million range.

The federal case was initially filed by former Armstrong teammate Floyd Landis in 2010. The government joined the case in 2013.

Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France victory because of doping, is scheduled to be deposed on Monday. The case is not set for trial until 2016.

Jim Vertuno, The Associated Press

Reid Coolsaet clocks fastest marathon by Canadian in 40 years at Berlin

BERLIN — Reid Coolsaet recorded the fastest marathon time by a Canadian in 40 years on Sunday.

The 36-year-old from Hamilton crossed in two hours 10 minutes and 29 seconds to finish sixth among a strong field at the Berlin Marathon.

He's now the second fastest Canadian ever behind Jerome Drayton, whose elusive national record of 2:10.09 set in 1975 remains intact.

"Very happy with sixth at Berlin Marathon and (personal best)," Coolsaet said. "Feel better about Rio (next summer's Olympics), as well beating a lot of quality athletes."

Coolsaet was on Canadian-record pace through the first 25 kilometres.

"Then one pacer dropped out, and the other slowed," he said. By 30 kilometres I was too far behind pace. I was able to pick it up for the last 12.2 kilometres, but it was too late."

Canada's Dylan Wykes previously held the fastest time behind Drayton — he ran 2:10.47 at Rotterdam in 2012. 

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya won in 2:04.01, despite developing problems with his insoles around the 20-kilometre mark. Kenya's Eliud Kiptanui in second on 2:05:22 and Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia in third in 2:06:57.

Kipchoge shaved three seconds off his previous personal best time and 41 seconds off the previous fastest mark of the year that he set at the London Marathon on April 26.

Conditions were ideal on a cool, crisp autumn morning in Berlin. More than 41,000 runners from 131 countries were registered to run.

— With files from The Associated Press

The Canadian Press

Zenit striker Hulk accuses Russian fans of racism after match with Spartak Moscow

MOSCOW — Zenit St. Petersburg's Brazilian striker Hulk claimed he was racially abused during a match against Spartak Moscow in the Russian Premier League.

When Hulk was substituted after scoring in the 2-2 draw, he blew kisses to the stands and later said this was because "unfortunately the same situation keeps happening, racism from the stands," in comments published Sunday on Zenit's website.

Last season, Spartak and Torpedo Moscow were punished over separate incidents involving their fans, who directed monkey chants at Hulk. The Brazilian has made blowing kisses his signature response to such incidents.

"I'm not going to react. I've already talked about that," he said Sunday. "That's why I keep sending everyone kisses and answering with my game on the pitch. It's not worth it to discuss these things."

The head of the Russian Football Union's disciplinary committee, Artur Grigoryants, told Russian agency Tass that racist abuse had not been mentioned in the match delegate's official report.

Hulk said in July that racist behaviour was present at "almost every game" in Russia, where he has played since 2012, and that he feared it could mar the 2018 World Cup. Hulk has played 43 times for Brazil and remains the Russian league's record signing after Zenit paid at least 40 million euros ($45 million) for him from Porto three years ago.

After the Torpedo incident, Zenit coach Andre Villas-Boas branded the abuse of Hulk a "disaster" for Russian football, adding: "The insults, the racist insults to Hulk, they go around the world, and this is the image of the Russian Premier League."

In December, Hulk alleged he was racially abused by Russian referee Alexei Matyunin during a league game. The referee was cleared by a Russian Football Union panel, which ruled there was insufficient evidence.

In the first game of the new Russian league season in July, Ghanaian player Emmanuel Frimpong, formerly of Arsenal, said he was racially abused by the crowd while playing for FC Ufa against Spartak.

Frimpong was sent off for an offensive gesture to Spartak fans and banned for two games.

Frimpong said on Twitter: "I'm going to serve a sentence for being abused ... and yet we (are) going to hold a World Cup in this country."

A report published in February by the anti-discrimination group FARE found more than 200 incidents of racist and discriminatory behaviour linked to Russian football over two seasons. The Russian government disputes the figures.

The Associated Press

Mock meteorite strike to help train High River volunteers for disaster recovery

HIGH RIVER, Alta. — Hasn't High River suffered enough?

After surviving one to the worst flood in Canadian history a couple of years ago, the Alberta town of 12,000, 70 kilometres south of Calgary is preparing for a meteorite to hit this week.

The scenario — hypothetical, of course — is part of a emergency training exercise that focuses on the days following and disaster and aims to prepare volunteers to help rather than first responders.

"We're beyond the first responder, pulling-people-out-of-the-rubble stage when this exercise takes place but it's the same principle — we know people want to help and rather than push them away we want to figure out how to work with them and make our community safe," says Carly Benson, interim director of emergency management for High River.

"We took a look at the exercises we've done in the past couple of years. We've done two flood exercises and an ice storm-animal rescue and we thought we wanted to do something a little more fun to try and engage our community in emergency management."

The workshop will involve about 30 volunteers who will be assigned different roles during the simulation to better understand the complexities of the issue and develop creative ways to incorporate volunteers into an effective response.

The town is working with the Field Innovation Team, a disaster response group experienced in creating interactive workshops aimed at improving crisis response.

"We are looking forward to working with residents and first responders in High River to help them achieve a positive, beneficial working relationship between volunteers and official agencies in responding to a crisis," says Desiree Matel-Anderson, a spokesman for the group.

Flooding in parts of southern Alberta in June 2013 resulted in billions of dollars in damage. Hardest hit was High River where entire neighbourhoods were under water for weeks.

"We had over 10,000 volunteers come to High River and a lot of them weren't associated with a formal organization. A lot of them just came because they wanted to help — they saw the devastation on the news," Benson says.

"We did find that we really struggled to connect them with the people who needed help. There isn't a really great process out there and that's what we're hoping to address with this workshop."

There likely won't be any more "mock" flood disasters, says Benson.

"We feel if we continually focus on things like floods there's going to be a barrier for people getting involved because they don't want to relive memories of past disasters."

— Follow @BillGraveland on Twitter

 

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

Unreleased government-funded report suggests $50 carbon price in Alberta

EDMONTON — Jacking up Alberta's carbon tax is the best way to reduce the province's greenhouse gas emissions from power generation, says a government-funded analysis obtained by The Canadian Press.

Charging large emitters up to $50 a tonne for carbon emissions — an almost 70 per cent increase — would produce the best result, says the report by an international economic consultancy.

But that price would also raise electricity costs more than any other option considered, the Brattle Group concludes.

The study, which has not been released publicly, was delivered to the province's Energy Ministry and electrical regulator in July 2014, before the last provincial election. It is now before a panel charged with designing an overall climate-change policy for Alberta in advance of talks in Paris this December.

Coal-fired power generation is Alberta's second-largest source of greenhouse gases and the 64-page main report weighs nine different ways to reduce them. The options include various carbon prices, early shutdown of coal-powered plants, mandated emissions caps and regulated targets for renewable energy.

The best answer is to beef up Alberta's current system, the report suggests.

"Doing so builds on the existing regulatory framework, can be designed to be effective in reducing emissions, supports the development of renewables through offsets, and is already compatible with the existing wholesale electricity market."

By 2017, Alberta plans to require large emitters to reduce their emissions by 20 per cent per unit of production. Emissions over that level are to cost $30 a tonne.

The Brattle report says reduction targets should increase to 50 per cent. It says exceedances should cost at least $40 per tonne and $50 would be better.

The so-called 50-50 option, it says, would create a 15 per cent cumulative reduction in emissions by 2034 — more than any other option other than early retirement of coal-fired plants.

The report suggests it would also be the most effective at increasing renewable generation by about a third.

The 50-50 option would also cost consumers the most. Including the price of new transmission lines, power costs would go up by 14 per cent.

Forcing coal plants to retire early would cut more carbon and cost consumers less, the report says. But that option brings other costs.

"Our results do not include any added costs such as decommissioning costs. Nor do they include any costs associated with the loss of future revenue streams for coal unit owners."

Power companies provided with a copy of the report declined to comment on its conclusions.

So did the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, whose members would also be affected by an increase in carbon pricing. Spokesman Markus Ermisch said that the recent announcement to double carbon costs to $30, together with tax changes brought in by the province's New Democrat government, could add nearly $800 million to industry costs over the next two years.

Ben Thibault of the clean energy think-tank Pembina Institute said the report downplays the benefits of legislation requiring a set amount of renewable energy. Most of those would appear after the report's cutoff date of 2034, he said.

"They don't have a long enough time frame."

Thibault added the report should have considered a more flexible approach to retiring coal-fired plants early. It's also too concerned with being compatible with Alberta's current carbon-pricing system, he said.

"Does it make sense to double down with the previous government's policy just because it's the one you've already got?" 

The Brattle report is one of hundreds of submissions the province's climate-change panel will consider.

It is expected to deliver its conclusions in November.

— Follow Bob Weber on Twitter at @row1960

 

Bob Weber, The Canadian Press

Canadian Mosaic project visits the Peace Region

Six stories in the news today, Sept. 25

Six stories in the news today, Sept. 25 from The Canadian Press:

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TOUCHY ISSUES FIRE UP FRENCH DEBATE

The rehearsed talking points largely fell away Thursday as the federal leaders challenged each other directly on some of the touchiest topics in Canadian politics — minority rights, human rights and Quebec sovereignty, to name a few. The third debate of the election campaign, this one in French, also proved to be the most lively, with one-on-one exchanges filled with sharp accusations and forceful declarations.

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JEWISH GROUPS DISMAYED BY AUSCHWITZ IGNORANCE

Jewish groups said they were astonished that a school trustee running for the NDP in the federal election reportedly said she was unfamiliar with a notorious Nazis death camp. Leaders in the Jewish community reacted with dismay on Thursday after it was revealed that Alex Johnstone, the NDP candidate in Hamilton, Ont., referred to fence posts at Auschwitz as being phallic on Facebook in 2008.

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FIRED BUS DRIVER TO RUN FOR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE PARTY

A former Calgary transit driver who was fired amid a controversy over Calgary's Pride bus says he is running in the federal election as a candidate for the Christian Heritage Party. Jesse Rau says he will run in the riding of Calgary Signal Hill, where other candidates include former provincial cabinet minister Ron Liepert for the Conservatives, Khalis Ahmed of the NDP and Liberal Kerry Cundal.

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END RAPE CULTURE, SAY B.C. MUNICIPAL POLITICIANS

British Columbia municipal politicians Margo Wagner and Joan Sorley had been friends for years before they realized they'd both been raped. On Thursday, they spoke about their experiences before the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, which voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling for a task force to determine how to end a rape culture that is "pervasive in schools, universities, workplaces and elsewhere across Canada."

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CANADA TO ANNOUNCE ITS PICK FOR OSCAR RACE

Canada announces its Oscar hopeful today. Telefilm Canada will hold a press conference in Montreal to reveal the feature film it's submitted for consideration in the best foreign-language film category. Canada has had four nominees in this category in the past six years. Last year, Canada submitted Xavier Dolan's acclaimed feature "Mommy," but it failed to earn a nomination.

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LOTTO-MAX JACKPOT REACHES $60 MILLION FOR FIRST TIME

The Lotto-Max lottery will make history tonight by offering an estimated jackpot of $60 million for the first time. Ticket buyers could also win one of 25 Maxmillions prizes worth $1 million each. The $60 million jackpot follows six weeks in which the main Lotto-Max prize went unclaimed.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY ...

— The trial continues in Saint John, N.B., for Dennis Oland, accused of second-degree murder in the death of his father, Richard Oland.

— Statistics Canada will release national tourism figures for the second quarter. 

 

The Canadian Press

B.C. politicians assaulted decades earlier demand end of rape culture

VANCOUVER — Margo Wagner and Joan Sorley had been friends for years before they realized they'd both been raped.

The British Columbia politicians were drawn to each other, among the few women on the Cariboo Regional District's board of directors, but it took time to share their stories of sexual assault. 

For Sorley, her rape happened 50 years ago when she was 14 and babysitting. Sadly, she said, she wasn't surprised to learn about Wagner's trauma.

"We know how pervasive it is," she said. "I've spent the last 50 years, probably, being ashamed of this without really realizing that's what I was feeling. No one ever told me it wasn't my fault."

On Thursday, the women spoke about their experiences before hundreds of local politicians at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver.

After a rousing and emotional debate, the union voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution calling for a task force to determine how to end the rape culture that is "pervasive in schools, universities, workplaces and elsewhere across Canada."

Delegates also voted to ask the task force to look at ways to improve reporting, arrest and conviction rates across the country.

Sorley said in an interview that rape culture had existed since she was assaulted decades earlier, though the phrase is still new to some people.

While the resolution didn't define rape culture, Sorley cited examples of what it looked like: a Pitt Meadows teenager forced to drop out of school after photos of her alleged assault were circulated, and University of B.C. students singing crude "rape chants."

"Nothing has changed in 50 years," she said. "And so, you know what, now I'm mad. And I think we need to change it."

Wagner told the audience that she didn't report her rape 43 years ago and wouldn't report it if she were raped today because there is no "easy way" to get justice.

After her speech, the 62-year-old said it was incredibly hard to speak publicly about her assault, adding she had been stopped countless times in the convention centre lobby or bathroom by women who recounted being raped, too.

She said the goal wasn't to create a meaningless government task force but to pressure provincial and federal politicians to address the problem.

The passionate discussion stood out among dozens of convention workshops and speeches.

View Royal Mayor David Screech criticized the resolution's wording, saying he didn't believe rape culture was "pervasive."

But Smithers Coun. Greg Brown replied that he had spent enough time in hockey dressing rooms to know the culture was real and casual comments are often left unchallenged.

"These ideas exist and they linger in our culture, in video games, in conversations with boys that are 11 years old using the word 'rape' not even knowing what it means," he said.

Maple Ridge Coun. Kiersten Duncan said it was "ridiculous" to say rape culture wasn't pervasive, noting women must still think about whether the way they dress will draw abuse from men.

"That is a society that we live in. And if you don't think that's real, then you obviously don't know what it's like to live like a woman in today's society."

— Follow @ellekane on Twitter.

Laura Kane, The Canadian Press

RCMP respond to collision on the Alaska Highway

San Diego Padres crowd grows by 1 infant fan in game with San Francisco Giants at Petco Park

SAN DIEGO — A woman who went to see the San Diego Padres left as a brand new madre.

Petco Park announced that a baby boy was born during Thursday night's game against the San Francisco Giants, the first in the ballpark's 11-season history.

Capt. Joe Amador of the city's Fire-Rescue Department tells the San Diego Union-Tribune (http://bit.ly/1KFDBNo) that the baby and mother were taken by ambulance from the park to Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center.

Amador says firefighters had been called for pregnancy medical aid, but the park's own medical system took care of the birth.

The Padres later tweeted that a great crowd of 31,137 enjoyed the game — not including the baby boy born around the third inning.

The Associated Press

No more second-half big blues: Giants hold lead and beat Redskins 32-21

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants do know how to hold onto a lead.

New York didn't let Washington steal a victory late, finishing off a 32-21 decision Thursday night on Odell Beckham Jr.'s 30-yard touchdown catch and Rueben Randle's 41-yarder.

The Giants fell apart in the fourth quarter of losses to Dallas and Atlanta. This time, New York (1-2) dominated most of the action against the injury-plagued Redskins (1-2), who lost veteran cornerback DeAngelo Hall to a right leg injury that looked serious.

"We won," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Smile."

The Giants scored in nearly every way possible, beginning with Rashad Jennings blocking Tress Way's punt for a safety on Washington's opening series. Andre Williams scored on a 1-yard run, Josh Brown kicked three field goals, and Beckham toasted Bashaud Breeland to settle matters. Randle had a 41-yard TD catch in the closing minutes, after which Washington's Rashad Ross returned the kickoff 101 yards for the final score.

New York also led at halftime and through three quarters of its losses to the Cowboys and Falcons.

"Players need the reinforcement that comes with closing out the game with a win," Coughlin said.

Prince Amukamara and Uani Unga had interceptions of Kirk Cousins, who struggled once more against New York. Last season, he threw four picks in a loss to New York.

Washington, which has lost five straight to the Giants, got field goals of 44 and 37 yards from Dustin Hopkins, but any thoughts of a comeback ended when Matt Jones fumbled on his way into the end zone with 9 1-2 minutes remaining. A late 4-yard TD pass to Chris Thompson and 2-point conversion brought the deficit to 11, then Randle made his scoring catch.

The victory provides some optimism for the Giants in the muddled NFC East, where Dallas is 2-0 but missing several stars, and Philadelphia is 0-2.

"I felt bad for the first two games," said Eli Manning, who struggled in key situations in the two losses. "We were right there, could easily have won. To not be at our best in final minutes of a game is frustrating. You have to want to get back in that moment, have success and feel good about yourselves."

Manning was coolly efficient, finishing 23 of 31 for 279 yards. Beckham had seven receptions for 79 yards, and Randle had seven for 116.

The Giants were super-aggressive with the blitz, with inconsistent results. Cousins' mobility helped him avoid sacks, but the sloppy Redskins couldn't find the end zone until it was too late.

New York, meanwhile, was scoring with variety. Jennings, who rushed for only 32 yards on the night, surged through to block Way's punt out of the side of the end zone for a quick 2-0 lead.

"Everyone has to contribute," Coughlin said, "including starters (on special teams)."

That margin increased to 9-0 after Amukamara jumped Pierre Garcon's route and picked off Cousins' pass deep in Washington territory. Williams rushed a yard for the TD four plays later.

Big plays by Randle (30-yard reception) and Daniel Fells (one-handed catch for 23 yards on third down) set up Josh Brown's field goals of 35 and 36 yards in the first half. Brown made a 48-yard in the third period.

New York was missing five starters, including top draft pick Ereck Flowers at left tackle and cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie. Washington was hit with several injuries during the game, the worst of which appeared to be Hall's. He had to be helped to the sideline, unable to put any weight on the leg. The team said he had a toe injury.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Barry Wilner, The Associated Press

Ortio stops 35 shots, Jooris scores lone goal as Flames shut out Avalanche 1-0

DENVER — Joni Ortio stopped all 35 shots he faced as the Calgary Flames blanked the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 on Thursday in NHL pre-season action.

Josh Jooris scored the lone goal midway through the first period for the Flames (1-2-0), with 2015 second-round pick Rasmus Andersson picking up the assist.

Jooris was making his pre-season debut after sitting out split-squad games against the Edmonton Oilers.

Reto Berra made 24 saves for Colorado (1-1-0).

The Canadian Press