News from November 20, 2025

EU proposes adjustments to AI Act in digital overhaul

The European Commission on Wednesday proposed changes to the European Union's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act as part of a wider digital package designed to cut red tape for businesses, reported Xinhua. The "digital omnibus" would adjust the timeline and implementation of rules for high-risk AI systems, tying their application to the availability of technical standards and support tools, and extending simplified obligations for small and medium-sized enterprises. Under the proposal, the deadline for applying the high-risk requirements would be capped at 16 months after the relevant technical standards are in place. The first obligations under the EU AI Act took effect on Feb. 2, 2025, banning certain AI practices and uses and underscoring the need for AI literacy in organisations. Most other obligations, including the full compliance framework for high-risk AI systems, are due to apply from Aug. 2, 2026. The Commission says the changes are intended to make the AI rulebook more innovation-friendly while maintaining safeguards for safety and fundamental rights. The AI adjustments form part of a broader package that also seeks to streamline cybersecurity and data rules and to introduce "European Business Wallets," unified digital identities that would allow companies to sign, store and exchange verified documents and interact with public authorities across all 27 EU member states. Overall, the Commission estimates the simplification measures in the digital omnibus could save firms up to 5 billion euros in administrative costs by 2029. To reduce overlapping obligations, the omnibus would create a single entry point for companies to report cybersecurity incidents currently covered by several laws, including the NIS2 Directive, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act, according to the proposal. Targeted amendments to the GDPR seek to harmonise and clarify certain provisions, including cookie rules, which the Commission says will both support innovation and improve the online user experience. The proposals now go to the European Parliament and EU member states for negotiation and adoption.

Unknown 7 hours ago

Technology

EU unveils ´Military Schengen´ plan to speed troop movement

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a new package on military mobility and a defense industry transformation roadmap, as part of its broader push to strengthen Europe's defense readiness, reported Xinhua. The proposed package on military mobility aimed to create a European Union (EU)-wide military mobility area by 2027, a step toward establishing what the bloc describes as a "Military Schengen," so that troops and military equipment can move faster across the EU, according to a press release by the Commission. Under the proposal, the EU would adopt its first EU-level rules on military mobility and cut the processing time for cross-border military movements to a maximum of three days. It would also set up a system for fast-track procedures and priority access to infrastructure and support forces operating under EU or NATO frameworks. The EU also plans to introduce a capability-sharing mechanism to improve member states' overall military preparedness and availability of mobility capabilities, according to the release. In the roadmap, the EU noted that it will promote closer integration between technology and defense, step up the use of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, drones and space systems in military capabilities, and boost Europe's production capacity through innovation. The Commission said it will present the proposed regulation on military mobility to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament for adoption, and will immediately start work on the roadmap.

Unknown 7 hours ago

World

US renews push for Ukraine peace with new 28-point plan

The Trump administration has drafted a new 28-point plan and held quiet and deep consultations with Russia in a renewed push to restart peace talks aimed at ending the Ukraine crisis, according to U.S. online media outlet Axios on Wednesday, reported Xinhua. The plan is inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump's push for the deal in Gaza, Axios said. According to the report, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is leading the effort to craft the plan, which is organized into four broad sections: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine. "The president has been clear that it is time to stop the killing and make a deal to end the war. President Trump believes that there is a chance to end this senseless war if flexibility is shown," a White House official told Axios. How the plan addresses some of the most contentious issues, particularly territorial control in eastern Ukraine, remains unclear, as does the reaction from Kiev and its European allies, said the report. In late October, Witkoff and other members of Trump's team discussed the plan extensively with Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami, Florida, said the report. In an interview with Axios on Monday, Dmitriev expressed optimism about the deal's chances of success, saying that unlike past efforts, "we feel the Russian position is really being heard." Witkoff discussed the plan with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's national security adviser Rustem Umerov in a meeting earlier this week in Miami, a Ukrainian official confirmed to Axios. Peace talks on Ukraine have stalled since Trump and Putin met in August in Alaska. Moscow rejected Trump's proposal for an immediate freeze in fighting last month, prompting Trump to cancel a planned summit in Hungary and impose sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies.

Unknown 7 hours ago

Health

Okanagan Humane Society rescues 21 abandoned cats from Cariboo property

The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) has taken 21 cats into its care, after their previous caretaker left them behind when they moved from their Cariboo property. “We recently received a call from a woman in Lone Butte requesting support,” said Romany Runnalls, executive director of OHS. “Her neighbour had moved and left behind twenty-one cats and kittens. She was concerned for their well-being, explaining that the animals were not feral but under-socialized, and she had found all of them still on the property.” The woman who called the cats in believed her neighbour had been caring for only four feral cats. Upon visiting the property, she discovered an additional 17 cats in need of help. “OHS worked closely with the rescuer to bring all of the cats and kittens to safety,” Runnalls said. “They were immediately transported to our veterinary partners for medical assessments and care. Thankfully, all of the animals are in relatively good health.” Each cat will receive full veterinary services, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, deworming and identification. “This rescue will cost the society roughly $8,000, and situations like this are becoming increasingly common,” Runnalls noted. “Pet overpopulation remains a significant challenge. In fact, many humane societies throughout B.C. are seeing similar cases, and we’ve lost ground since COVID.” OHS has hit another record high for demand in the Okanagan. Since January, the organization has already rescued, treated and supported 4,322 animals, an average of 14 a day. The OHS is on track to help more than 5,000 animals this calendar year, which is double the number of animals it helped in 2023. “We see it all, and have dozens of requests for help every day, 365 days a year, because you cannot schedule a rescue,” Runnalls said. “Honestly, the stories are never-ending of suffering by animals in our community. Animals breeding and dying on our streets, guardians that simply cannot afford the cost of living, so their animals cannot receive proper medical care and animals being dumped as guardians have nowhere to turn for support.” The charity has seen an uptick in both of its main programs in 2025. The rescue program has helped 2,322 animals to date, including large colonies of 20 to 40 animals in Tappen, Merritt, Vernon, Kelowna, Osoyoos and Enderby. The pet assistance program has seen a need for 2,000 animals, including large litters, being surrendered by people who can no longer care for them. The organization has adopted 1,120 animals to new homes this year. With the average cost per animal around $300, the charity has needed to raise a record amount of funding to answer this record need. “As long as we have volunteer fosters and funding, we can continue to save the lives of local animals,” Runnalls said. In response to the growing need, OHS has launched its largest giving campaign throughout the Okanagan, Angels for Animals. “Our Angels for Animals campaign is an opportunity for the community to help OHS say ‘yes’ to saving lives and giving animals the second chance they deserve,” said Marni Adams, fund development specialist at OHS. Adams continues, “We had three generous donors step up to match all donations from now until December 31 up to $150,000 so those that donate can double their impact for animals.” To donate and double your donation, visit okanaganhumanesociety.com/angels-for-animals.

None 7 hours ago

Technology

VIDEO: Honouring the memory of loved ones

There were many names on the memorial ornament Langley City Councillor Rosemary Wallace made for National Grief and Bereavement Day at Langley’s Derek Doubleday Arboretum on Tuesday. “It’s a beautiful event to remember people that you’ve lost but it also brings up a lot of emotions,” Walllace said. “I lost my mom when she was 53, and my mother-in-law, and I’ve lost my dad six years ago,” Wallace told the Langley Advance Times.” “I lost my son-in-law at the age of 26, and a sister-in-law, lost a nephew a few years ago at the age of 33 and a brother-in-law two years ago, and of course grandparents and friends and other people that I couldn’t fit on this,” Wallace said as she held the ornament. About 150 people attended the event organized by the Langley Hospice Society to hang memorial ornaments, with many taking part in a candlelight walk through the park in memory of loved ones. It was the fifth annual Walk to Remember, led a by a piper and volunteers guides with flashlights. Walk to remember at Derek Doubleday Arboretum organized by Langley Hospice Society pic.twitter.com/2TCaMllhnQ — Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) November 19, 2025 Shannon Todd Booth, Langley Hospice Society Executive Director, said many people were “intermittent’ visitors who dropped by to chat and hang ornaments without talking part in the walk. “Honestly, we’re just happy to hold space in meaningful ways for those who show up,” Todd Booth said. One of the participants, Stephannie Rosencrans, Adult Bereavement Coordinator at the hospice, described the event as a “really beautiful community event.” “To just reflect on those that have had a big influence on my life that have gone on and that I miss and love and it’s a way to honor them and remember them,” Rosencrans said. On Tuesday, she was thinking about “my friend Beth [Whitehead] who always asks me every year to put up ornaments for her parents and she passed away last December. So this year I put up an ornament in remembrance of her.” Angela Elemans, Palliative Support Coordinator with Langley Hospice Society, valued the opportunity “for our clients, our families, to remember their loved one in a setting with people like them who have also lost a loved one. It’s just a quiet, special way to remember somebody.”

Dan Ferguson 7 hours ago

Sports

Maple Leafs hope home ice favors them vs. Blue Jackets

(Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images) The Toronto Maple Leafs will have one more chance to take advantage of the home-heavy portion of their schedule Thursday night in their clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Toronto is 8-4-2 in 14 home games this season, playing over two-thirds of its schedule to date on home ice. The Maple Leafs then will embark on a stretch of six straight games on the road, where they are 1-5-0. Toronto lost 6-3 to Columbus on Oct. 29 in one of those road defeats and will again visit Columbus on Nov. 26 during its upcoming trip. Despite the home-friendly schedule, the Maple Leafs lost five straight games before snapping the streak Tuesday with a 3-2 overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues. The Blue Jackets have had a more balanced schedule and opened a four-game road trip Tuesday with a 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. They are 5-5-1 on the road. William Nylander, who batted the puck into his own goal early in the game against the Blues, scored in overtime for Toronto. 'I think it was a nice win after the tough stretch,' Nylander said. 'Just battling and competing to grind out a win, it was nice. I think that's what is needed to be a good team and to be able to win those kinds of games. We were losing a lot of games, losing guys. That's a lot of adversity right there.' Matthew Knies joined Toronto's injury list when he was a late scratch Tuesday with a lower-body injury. The list includes Auston Matthews, Chris Tanev and Anthony Stolarz. 'When I look at the team and everything going on with the injuries and everything, it could have been easy for our guys to say, 'Well, we're all banged up, we got nobody,'' Toronto coach Craig Berube said. 'But I didn't get that at all. Our guys competed really hard. I'm proud of them, the way they competed and stuck together.' Nylander's game-winner was his 14th career overtime goal, matching Matthews and Mats Sundin for the most in team history. Nylander has recorded 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 17 games. Defenseman Troy Stecher played his first game with Toronto after he was claimed off waivers Saturday from the Edmonton Oilers. He played 13:31 and had one shot on goal. The Blue Jackets had a five-game points streak (3-0-2) end with the loss to the Jets. They were completing a back-to-back after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Monday in a shootout. 'It just seemed like every time we had a little push, then it sagged again on us a little bit,' Columbus coach Dean Evason said. 'We'll have a look at the tape and figure that out. But again, we're in the hockey game for the most part early. Like I said, it just got away from us at the end.' Zach Werenski scored on Tuesday to become the first Blue Jackets defenseman to reach 400 career points (119 goals, 281 assists). 'I felt like we had some jump tonight,' Werenski said. 'I felt like it wasn't for lack of effort. It was tough to create. They didn't really give us much. A couple breakdowns here and there, and it's in the back of our net. So I didn't hate the way we worked or played, but we can eliminate some of those breakdowns and we're probably in a closer game.' --Field Level Media

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Sports

Panthers' productive offense to test Devils' defense

(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images) Coming off their best offensive performance of the season, the Florida Panthers look to keep rolling when they host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers' 8-5 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday saw Florida post season bests in goals, shots (41), and fewest shots allowed (15). Sixteen different Florida players recorded at least one point, setting a new franchise record. The performance was far from perfect, however, given that the Canucks still managed five goals despite their low shot total. It was the third time this season that Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has allowed five or more goals in a game. Bobrovsky (9-5-0, 2.80 goals-against average, .883 save percentage) has generally played well despite these occasional blowups. Bobrovsky likely will start again Thursday, as the Panthers will want their regular goalie on the ice against a Devils team that has been one of the NHL's best squads over the first six weeks of play. New Jersey earned a 3-1 win over Florida in the teams' first meeting on Oct. 16. The Devils head into this latest statement game against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions looking for a bounce-back, as New Jersey fell flat on Tuesday in a 5-1 road loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite outshooting the Lightning 27-17 in the first two periods, the Devils still allowed the game's first three goals. Tampa Bay was 2-for-3 on power play in the game, while New Jersey was 0-for-4 with the extra attacker. 'We didn't give ourselves a chance to win the 5-on-5 game with the two goals we gave up and how those materialized, and then our power play didn't take hold of the game,' Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. The Devils are only 2-for-20 on the power play over their last eight games. By contrast, the Panthers' power play has been on a heater, going 6-for-19 over their last four games. New Jersey's Jacob Markstrom allowed five goals on 29 Tampa Bay shots, and the struggling goalie now has a 3.83 GAA and an .864 save percentage over nine games this season. Teammate Jake Allen probably will face the Panthers given the Devils' unofficial timeshare in net, and Allen's superior numbers (2.24 GAA, .916 save percentage in 10 games) could make him more of a regular No. 1 goalie going forward. Jesper Bratt has 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) to lead the active portion of New Jersey's roster. Jack Hughes leads the Devils with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists), but the star center is sidelined until January due to finger surgery. The Panthers have lost two more players to significant injuries. Florida coach Paul Maurice said forward Cole Schwindt broke his arm in a collision with Bobrovsky during the Canucks game, while forward Eetu Luostarinen is week-to-week after sustaining burns during a barbecue accident. Forward Jack Devine was called up from the AHL to help fill these holes in the roster. The seventh-round pick from the 2022 draft will be making his NHL debut on Thursday. 'Obviously, something I've been working a long time for,' said Devine, 22. '(I'm) just grateful for the opportunity to be here. Super excited to get my first day going.' Brad Marchand leads the Panthers in goals (13) and points (23). Marchand has amassed 12 of those points (eight goals, four assists) over the course of his ongoing eight-game point streak, which started after he missed a game on Oct. 28. --Field Level Media

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