Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc Announces Closing of Private Placement of Unsecured Convertible DebenturesLearning a new language has never been easier. We rely on technology so much these days, so why not use it to pick up a new skill? If learning a new language has been on your to-do list, this list covers some of the best apps and services to help you get started, whether your desired language is widely spoken or more exotic. Good to know : check out the best free online translation tools to make sense of a foreign language. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Easily the most popular language-learning app out there, Duolingo has set the tone for many other programs with its exercise-based lessons, light gamification, and freemium learning model. It’s the best place to get started with an online language-learning app, as it’s easy to dive in to see how well it works for you without having to worry about trials or subscriptions. I’ve been using this app for over a year now, and I’ve acquired a pretty large vocabulary so far, just by using the free version. Duolingo has a large selection of languages, ranging from the ever-popular Spanish to the fictional Klingon, and all of the core content is freely accessible. You can also learn two languages at the same time. Although the constant repetition can feel monotonous at times, it remains an effective technique for solidifying what you’ve learned. Duolingo does have a reputation for slightly odd sentences, though, so be prepared to learn phrases like, “The cows enjoy watching funny movies” in Spanish. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Busuu is an app structured in the same way as Duolingo. It follows the same chapter structure for lessons and includes daily challenges and streaks to keep you engaged. But Busuu has fewer languages and feels a bit more like a traditional language-learning course, putting you through several structured units, with specific grammar and vocabulary focuses. The app’s approach to lessons is very different, however. Each unit includes short videos that allow you to listen to real people speaking the language in natural contexts. Afterward, answer questions to test your understanding of the content. What makes this app particularly valuable for me is its emphasis on speaking practice. You can have live chats with AI about everyday topics, like ordering food or discussing hobbies. With Busuu, you can review errors and strengthen your weaker spots through flash and translation exercises. While the app is mostly free to use, occasional ads may appear to unlock certain features. Premium users gain access to additional perks, such as detailed grammar explanations. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Another giant in the world of language-learning apps, Memrise takes a similar approach to Busuu, featuring lessons with videos of people actually talking in the language you’re learning. It’s a great way to beef up your vocabulary, learn a new alphabet, or get comfortable using phrases. I’m a big fan of the app’s interface – it’s incredibly user-friendly and has a gamified feel that makes learning enjoyable. It comes with a few unique language options, such as Incelandic, Persian, and Welsh (South). It’s also great for those looking to learn Asian languages, like Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, or Indonesian. With Memrise, you can chat in real time with AI and immerse yourself in life-like conversations and practice scenarios. Paying for a premium account will get you features like chatbots for grammar, role-play, etc., videos, additional exercises, and personalized learning that adapts to your progress. Tip : ever wanted to learn Morse code ? Check these websites that can help you with that. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Not a fan of exercise-based language apps? Rather than a series of vocabulary and grammar exercises, LingQ is structured around stories and articles that you read and translate at the same time. What I like best about this app is that it asks you about your favorite topics, to serve up stories that you actually want to read. If you don’t know a word when viewing a story, tap it to see the definition and have it added it to your study list. In the Web version, you can install the LingQ extension that can transform any YouTube/Netflix video into a text-based lesson. Although the selection of languages is more limited, it does include some unique options, like Catalan and Cantonese. You can learn multiple languages at the same time, too. The app is free to use just briefly, after which you will have to upgrade to a paid tier to keep using it. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Android , iOS Beelinguapp shares similarities with LingQ but goes a step further. Its primary focus is on text-based learning, as reading is one of the most effective ways to immerse yourself in a new language. I believe this app is great if you’ve found you made some progress in your learning but are not yet ready to jump into reading full-fledged novels. Beelinguapp offers access to short and long stories, as well as news articles from areas you’re interested in. You have a pretty great selection of topics, too. The app displays both the text in your native language and the language you’re trying to learn. You can have the app read out the text for you and modify the text size or speed to suit your preferences. As you progress through the stories, you’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your understanding with interactive games of vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening. Unsurprisingly, this is a paid app, so if you want to be able to access all its features in full, you’ll need to upgrade. Price : Free with premium features Platforms : Web , Android , iOS Prefer learning with a tutor’s help? Babbel has you covered with its extensive lineup of live classes, led by knowledgeable tutors eager to assist with your questions. While some classes are free, the majority require a premium subscription. The same applies to lessons: after completing the introductory one, you’ll be prompted to upgrade right away. Beyond tutor support, the app boasts a user-friendly interface, opportunities to hone your speaking skills, and access to podcast episodes and audio tracks. Naturally, Babbel includes options for reviewing the material you’ve already covered. If you decide to subscribe, you’ll gain access to some entertaining language games as well. Price : Free with premium options Platforms : Web , Android , iOS LingoPie offers an approach to language learning that you might have used in your youth. I, for example, picked up quite a bit of Italian by watching TV shows and cartoons on Italian channels when I was young. With LingoPie, you can select a language you wish to learn, and start watching videos in that language. Of course, LingoPie puts a few tools at your disposal to facilitate learning, such as subtitles in both your native tongue and the language you’re learning and the ability to slow the video feed down to your level of comprehension. Even better, LingoPie lets you learn through music. The app breaks down songs’ lyrics, helping you finally understand what your favorite artists are singing about. There’s also a kids section. For those who prefer to use LingoPie on PC, you can also install a Chrome extension and access Netflix powered by Lingopie. The app has some features that aren’t accessible in the free version, such as flashcards, and you only get 10 minutes of watch time per day. Tip : take a look at the reasons you need to learn Linux . Price : Free with premium features Platforms : Android , iOS Drops is a unique language-learning app that uses pictograms to introduce new vocabulary. Its gamified design makes it engaging and a great choice for children. Many exercises in Drops involve matching terms to pictograms, but there are also mini-games, like spotting words in a grid of letters. If you’re feeling competitive, the app’s multiplayer feature lets you challenge others learning the same language – a rare option I haven’t seen in other apps. Like the other language apps mentioned here, Drops has a premium tier. Upgrading may be necessary for quicker progress, given the long waits between lessons in the free plan. The paid version also grants access to challenges and comprehensive progress review tools. If you’re comfortable with the languages you know but want to expand your skills in another direction, learn how to cook with these apps . If you want your child to learn something new, programming with Scratch is an interesting option. Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots by Alexandra Arici. Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has asked for her views on assisted dying to be respected (Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live) A Northern Irish MP has asked for her views to be respected as she is set to vote against the Private Members Bill on assisted dying when it comes before the House of Commons this week. The Alliance Party MP for Lagan Valley, Sorcha Eastwood, whose husband has been undergoing treatment for a rare form of blood cancer, took to social media to explain her decision to vote against the bill which is a conscious issue for her party. Setting out her position, Sorcha Eastwood raised concerns about the competence of the Bill and what she described as "inadequate levels of scrutiny". "I have been lobbied strongly by doctors, consultants, disability groups and thousands of people across Lagan Valley to oppose this and I will do so," she said. "On a personal level, I have huge concerns that palliative care is not adequately funded and many hospices are reliant on charity fundraising. Palliative care needs to be funded properly and staffing also needs to reflect this. "I also have concerns about the competence of the bill and how it is drafted- it is not something I could support at second reading thinking it could successfully be amended at committee stage. I think the bill is flawed and unclear and with only 5 hours of a debate, I regard this as an inadequate level of scrutiny. "I appreciate there are many views on this difficult and highly emotive issue that is literally life and death and I have given a lot of thought to it over the last months- this is not a decision I take lightly, but I respect all views on this and ask that my own view be respected too." The bill, which would allow some terminally-ill people to have medical assistance to end their lives, will be debated by MPs on Friday. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On Alliance Party Politics Lagan Valley (Constituency)ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Maddie Zimmer and Ilse Tromp both had two goals and an assist in the first half and Northwestern beat Saint Joseph's 5-0 in the championship match of the NCAA Division-I women's field hockey tournament at Phyllis Ocker Field on Sunday. It was the second championship for the second-seeded Wildcats (23-1-0), who have played for the title in four straight seasons. Northwestern beat Liberty 2-0 in 2021 before losing to North Carolina the past two seasons. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
A suspected Chinese spy with business ties to Prince Andrew is barred from UKFans of The Voice are fuming over a major error they noticed during the singing competition show's latest episode of Season 26 . They also claim this isn't the first time the hit NBC show has made the massive mistake, as it apparently occurs "every season." December 2's episode saw the top eight artists, Adam Bohanan, Christina Eagle, Danny Joseph, Jan Dan, Jeremy Beloate, Shye, Sydney Sterlace, and Sofronio Vasquez perform for viewers and coaches Reba McEntire , Snoop Dogg , Gwen Stefani, and Michael Bublé. First, the eight contestants sang a solo song and then a second track with rockstar Sting - who served as a Mega Mentor for Team Snoop and Team Gwen. However, viewers shared the same complaint once again: the episode's sound was off. Taking to social media, fans slammed the show for being "so loud" which impacted how they heard the singers. On X one wrote: "#thevoice Why tf this 'background' music so loud? I can’t even hear the singers." Another added: "They always have the music way too loud during the lives for whatever reason. So loud I couldn’t even hear Carson taking us to commercials." A third said: "The audio is awful on the show tonight. All you can hear is echo and background music." Meanwhile, on Reddit , fans shared similar sentiments. One penned: "Maybe I need a new TV, I’m also kind of grateful because I’m not enjoying the singers, but I also can’t hear them sing. Turn up the mics." DON'T MISS: Fathers Day 2024 sees Hollywood celebrate loving dads including Tom Brady [LATEST] Blake Shelton's favorite snack only has three ingredients [REVEALED] Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's duet at the ACM's labeled 'bold' for one reason [BACKLASH] A second wrote: "Happens every season for some reason." A third added: "The Voice is always like that. I have to max my speakers to hear. Every other show I have the volume at like 60%." A fourth commented: "The band is so loud OR the singers are so bad they are covering them up. Annoying that the background drowns the voices." During the episode, Sting played bass for pairs of contestants, as they performed his hits, including Every Breath You Take, Fields of Gold, Roxanne, and If You Love Somebody Set Them Free. After viewers vote, the list of eight contestants remaining will be slashed to five on Tuesday's episode. Four will be the top four, and the others will be the sole winner of the season's Instant Save. Five artists will move forward to next week's final two shows, with the winner being named on December 10. Whoever wins Season 26 will secure a recording contract with Universal Music Group and a cash prize of $100,000. The hit singing competition debuted back in 2011 and the current season premiered on NBC on September 23. Season 27 will see a new cast of coaches guiding the singers through their journey. The Voice airs Monday night at 8pm ET/PT for performances and on Tuesday night at 8pm ET/PT for results on NBC.
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OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he won’t play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion that quotes Singh’s own criticism of the Liberals, and asks the House of Commons to declare that it agrees with Singh and has no confidence in the government. The motion is expected to be introduced on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday. Singh said he is not going to trigger an election when he believes Poilievre would cut programs the NDP fought for. “I’m not going to be playing Pierre Poilievre’s games. I have no interest in that. We’re frankly not going to allow him to cut the things that people need. I want to actually have dental care expanded, I want people to actually start to benefit from the pharmacare legislation we passed,” Singh said. With the NDP’s expected support, the Liberals should survive this next confidence vote brought forward by the Conservatives. The Tories have vowed to bring forward non-confidence motions every chance they get. The party will have two more opposition motions after this one, which are expected to continue to call for non-confidence. The NDP are scheduled to have their opposition day on Friday. Earlier on Tuesday, Singh did acknowledge that the Conservatives have a sizeable lead on the NDP in public opinion polls, while giving a campaign-style speech to visiting party staffers from across the country. Most pollsters in Canada have recorded a roughly 20 point lead for the Conservatives over both the Liberals and NDP for the last few months. The non-confidence vote was scheduled after Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause a filibuster on a privilege debate about a green technology fund. The Conservatives have said they would only end that debate if the NDP agree to topple the government or if the Liberals turn over unredacted documents at the centre of the parliamentary gridlock. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024.Hybrid classes coming to Surrey high schools to combat overcrowding
The Opposition NDP says it is prepared to support the Saskatchewan Party’s legislation to lower personal income taxes — but people need more to help with the cost of living. Premier Scott Moe’s government on Monday introduced The , which is to raise personal income tax exemptions while indexing tax brackets to match inflation, saving an average family of four more than $3,400 over four years. “We certainly won’t hold this up, but what we need is much more than that,” Opposition NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said. “We need action now to save families’ hard-earned dollars as they head into the holiday season.” The Opposition has been and axe the provincial sales tax on ready-to-eat grocery items. Two of their emergency motions on those issues have failed to pass in the house. Speaking with reporters, Wotherspoon stood behind a table of groceries to which provincial sales taxes apply, including a cooked rotisserie chicken, granola bars, pre-made salads and cut fruit and vegetables. “Oftentimes people are going to (the grocery store) picking up a rotisserie chicken. This fruit (platter) is taxed; same with a veggie platter,” he said. “These are the kinds of staples that families are relying on. We need to provide some relief.” Finance Minister Jim Reiter told reporters an estimated 54,000 Saskatchewan residents will not pay provincial income tax once the changes are in place. The Saskatchewan Party had proposed the measures during the October election campaign. The legislation introduced Monday also includes a tax credit for first-time homebuyers, along with a credit for home renovations that would provide savings of up to $420 per year. The bill also promises a 25-per-cent increase in tax credits for children under 18 who have disabilities, and for caregivers. It keeps the small business tax rate at one per cent while doubling benefits to help families put their children in sports and arts programs. Reiter said the province won’t support the NDP’s proposals, arguing the government needs revenues for services. “I don’t like taxes. I’d love to cut taxes everywhere, but we have to have revenue to operate,” he said. Reiter said he will write a letter to the federal government to fast-track approval of the personal income tax changes so residents can start seeing a break in January. He said the tax reduction will cost $140 million in the first year. The Sask. Party on Tuesday followed Monday’s announcement with Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy Jeremy Harrison introducing The SaskEnergy Amendment Act, which will extend the carbon tax exemption on home heating — another of the Sask. Party’s promises during the recent provincial election campaign. The bill would amend The SaskEnergy Act and The SaskEnergy Amendment Act to ensure the provincial government remains the sole registered distributor of natural gas for the purposes of the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. “Our government is protecting Saskatchewan families’ ability to affordably heat their homes this winter and ensuring fairness for those same families who were left out in the cold by (Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s) decision to exempt the carbon tax from home heating oil,” Harrison said in a statement. “Our government will keep fighting until the carbon tax is removed everywhere, on everything, for everyone.” Harrison was not made available Tuesday after question period to speak to the bill. Saskatchewan on Jan. 1 stopped collecting the carbon tax on natural gas used for home heating. The move was in response to what Moe called an “unfair” exemption granted by the Liberal government on home heating oil, which primarily benefits people in Atlantic Canada. The CRA then issued a collection notice in June for $28 million — a portion of the unpaid carbon levies. In response, the province filed an injunction request and judicial review challenging the CRA by arguing that it is unconstitutional to collect from Saskatchewan but not Atlantic Canada. A Federal Court justice on July 5 granted a temporary interim injunction to stop collection, pending a hearing on a formal stay order, both at Saskatchewan’s request. The hearing was eventually adjourned when negotiations between the two levels of government put a pause on efforts to collect the payments. At the time, Saskatchewan agreed to establish a line of credit which will remain in place while it argues The province says the removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills is saving the average Saskatchewan family around $400 this year. Due to the expected increase in the carbon tax on April 1, 2025 from $80 to $95 per tonne, the continued removal of the federal carbon tax from residential SaskEnergy bills will save the average Saskatchewan family approximately $480 in 2025, the province says. — With Postmedia Network files
TIMMINS - A Northern Ontario healthcare leader has been recognized with a prestigious provincial award. Lynne Innes, president and CEO of the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), has received the 2024 Premier’s Award in the health sciences category. Innes, a graduate of Northern College’s nursing program, was selected from 18 nominees in her category. She accepted the award on Nov. 25 during a ceremony in Toronto. “It’s a really special and humbling feeling to be recognized for all the hard work that not only I participated in, but our entire team, to better the health of our region,” Innes told TimminsToday. The award includes a bursary in Innes’ name for health sciences students at Northern College. The inaugural bursary, funded with a $5,000 investment from Ontario Colleges, will be awarded in the New Year. Annual bursaries of $500 will follow and Innes will help create the criteria for recipients. The bursary will be part of the winter awards at Northern College. For those considering a career in healthcare, Innes said her journey is an example of how starting at a small, local college can lead to success. “Starting in Northern Ontario and being as accomplished as I am today, and knowing that that’s where I started, I think is something that can resonate with many people,” she said. “People don’t have to go to Harvard or McGill, they can go to Northern College and be just as successful and accomplished.” Innes hopes her award will inspire Indigenous advocates and frontline healthcare workers to drive positive change. “I hope my recognition from this award inspires any Indigenous advocate and frontline healthcare worker to think outside the box, to be innovative, to constantly put the pressure on, be resilient, and ensure we are working toward the betterment of our people who are the hardest to reach in this province,” she said. “Setting it up with the seven grandfather teachings, or seven sacred teachings, to always be kind, to always be humble and to do everything with love and compassion.” For those aspiring to make a difference in healthcare, Innes said education is key. “I think the most important thing that we can do as people is to continuously educate people about our history and a path forward, ensuring we are moving forward in a good way,” she said. “I’m very proud to have started my educational journey at Northern College, and very proud to be a northerner and still living and working in the north.” This marks the second consecutive year a Northern College alum has received the Premier’s Award, following Christina Kioke’s win in 2023. SEE: Premier’s Award: Christina Kioke supports Indigenous students Launched in 1992, the Premier’s Awards honour graduates across seven categories: business, community services, creative arts and design, health sciences, recent graduates, skilled trades, and science, technology, and engineering.With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Mr Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Mr Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned that “this was just a first run”. “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Mr Milanovic, the most popular politician in Croatia, has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, the 58-year-old has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has been a recent hallmark of Croatia’s political scene. Mr Plenkovic has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and Nato. He has labelled Mr Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him (Mr Primorac) and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme commander of the military. Mr Milanovic has criticised the Nato and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, thought it is a member of both Nato and the EU. Mr Milanovic has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a Nato-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war”. His main rival in the election, Mr Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East”. However, his bid for the presidency has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and which featured prominently in pre-election debates. Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.