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CFMEU Victoria branch threatens to cut financial support to ALP if John Setka is expelled

The Victorian branch of the CFMEU threatens to immediately cease all financial support for the ALP if Labor leader Anthony Albanese's push to expel union leader John Setka goes ahead.




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John Setka decries "false allegations" against him as he vows to stay on at the CFMEU (Photo: AAP/Stefan Postles)

John Setka has denied he made disparaging remarks about Rosie Batty, saying the allegations were made as part of a political campaign against him and there was "no reason" for him to resign.




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Albanese responds to Victorian CFMEU's threat to sever financial ties with Labor

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese told Afternoon Briefing host Patricia Karvelas he was not concerned by the Victorian construction union's threat to cut financial ties with Labor.




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SA Emergency Services Minister defends CFS appointment amid criticism about local experience

South Australia's Emergency Services Minister says the Country Fire Service's new chief officer has "experience right across the world", as volunteers criticise their new head for his lack of experience of catastrophic fire conditions.




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CFMEU calls out Gunner Government's policy 'disarray' at NT Labor conference

One of the nation's most powerful trade unions lashes the Northern Territory Government for its "unacceptable" lack of a policy platform in the lead up to the 2020 Territory election.



  • ABC Radio Darwin
  • darwin
  • Government and Politics:Forms of Government:All
  • Government and Politics:Political Parties:All
  • Government and Politics:States and Territories:All
  • Government and Politics:Unions:All
  • Australia:NT:Darwin 0800

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Leafs assistant McFarland taking job as OHL Frontenacs head coach




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2019 CFL Awards: Banks takes MOP, Jefferson named top defender




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Cardinals sign ex-CFL quarterback Streveler




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Calgary's public-event ban until June 30 includes NHL, CFL games




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CFL delays beginning of season due to COVID-19




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CFL asks government for $150M in financial assistance amid shutdown




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Lions trade up, take ECU's Williams with No. 1 pick in CFL draft




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CFL commissioner: 'Our most likely scenario is no season'




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CFTC v. Monex Credit Co.

(United States Ninth Circuit) - Reversed district court’s dismissal of Plaintiff’s enforcement action against Defendant for alleged fraud in precious metal sales. Defendant maintained that there was an exception in the Commodity Exchange Act for retail commodity sales. Held that the burden was on the Defendant to prove that the exception applied and the exception could be satisfied if the commodity sat in a third-party depository. However, that was not the case in this suit. Plaintiff was not barred from bringing suit and the action should not have been dismissed. Remanded for further proceedings.




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New Course ‘How To Be A Music Supervisor, Or Get Heard By One” Launches On The MusicFirst Platform

The Second Edition Of The Book Music Supervision, And The Newly Launched ‘How To Be A Music Supervisor’ Online Learning Platform, Introduces A Much-needed Educational Resource




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Argo Appoints Carol McFate To Board

Argo Group International Holdings announced the appointment of Carol A. McFate to its Board of Directors. “We’re honored to welcome Carol to our Board,” said Argo Group Chairman, Gary Woods. “This is a year of renewed opportunity for Argo Group, and strong, independent oversight is crucial to taking full advantage of it. “Carol’s impressive background and […]

(Click to read the full article)




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Monument Re Donates $120,000 To BCF

Monument Re has donated $120,000 to the Bermuda Community Foundation’s [BCF] Emergency Fund, with contributions from individual staff members matched by the company. A spokesperson said, “Monument Re announced today that the company is donating $120,000 to the Bermuda Community Foundation’s Emergency Fund. “The donation represents contributions from the company together with generous contributions from […]

(Click to read the full article)




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IBM 2010 Global CFO Study: Sixty Percent of Finance Organizations Plan Significant Changes to Adapt to New Economic Demands

IBM today announced the findings of a major new study of over 1,900 Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and senior finance executives from 81 countries and 35 industries worldwide, which reveals that more than 60 percent of CFOs plan major changes to respond to the new economic climate.



  • Media & Entertainment

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HCF innovates for the future by investing in IBM’s technology portfolio today

HCF and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today jointly announced a multi-million dollar deal that will see them working together in Australia to continue to transform HCF’s IT systems, streamline processes and deliver a tailored experience for its members.




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ICFP Programming Contest 2018

Yep, it on!




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Jo McFarlane's journey to recovery

Building the future: shaping our social work identity newly qualified social worker conference was held on 31 May 2018 in Edinburgh. Delivered with the University of Edinburgh (in partnership with the Higher Education Heads of Social Work Group), Iriss, Scottish Social Services Council, the Scottish Association of Social Workers, Social Work Scotland and the Scottish Government, it provided an opportunity for newly qualified social workers to come together to connect and reconnect.

In this episode, we hear the moving story of Jo McFarlane, a writer, poet and public speaker. She provides an engaging story of her early life and journey to recovery, peppered with powerful, and often comic, poetry.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes




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DSCF0936 OSAKA NISHINARI

Robert SASAKI has added a photo to the pool:




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DSCF0971 OSAKA NODA

Robert SASAKI has added a photo to the pool:




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DSCF0982 OSAKA NODA_HANSHIN

Robert SASAKI has added a photo to the pool:




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DSCF0991 OSAKA UMEDA

Robert SASAKI has added a photo to the pool:




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Fergus McFadden to retire at the end of the season

Leinster back Fergus McFadden has today confirmed his intention to retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.




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London Fire Brigade responds to HMICFRS report

Andy Roe, who was appointed as the new London Fire Commissioner, responds to report




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COVID-19 bigger threat to CFL than 90s bankruptcy scare, former Riders' CEO says

As COVID-19 continues to shut down sporting events across the globe, a former Roughriders’ CEO says it could be the greatest threat the CFL has ever faced.




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JCF distribute PSOJ COVID-19 food packages

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force on Thursday, distributed more than 300 food packages to individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 in St. James, under the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)-led COVID-19 Response Fund...




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18F-DCFPyL PET/CT Imaging in Patients with Biochemical Recurrence Prostate Cancer after Primary Local Therapy

Objective: To investigate the lesion detection rate of 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT, a prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted PET agent, in biochemical relapse prostate cancer patients after primary local therapy. Methods: This is a prospective institutional review board-approved study of 90 patients with documented biochemical recurrence (median PSA 2.5 ng/mL, range 0.21-35.5 ng/mL) with negative conventional imaging after primary local therapies, including radical prostatectomy (n = 38), radiation (n = 27) or combination (n = 25). Patients on androgen deprivation therapy were excluded. Patients underwent whole-body 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT (299.9±15.5 MBq) at 2 h p.i. PSMA-PET lesion detection rate was correlated with PSA, PSA kinetics and original primary tumor grade. Results: Seventy patients (77.8%) showed a positive PSMA-PET scan, identifying a total of 287 lesions: 37 prostate bed foci, 208 lymph nodes, and 42 bone/organ distant sites; 11 patients had a negative scan and 9 patients showed indeterminate lesions, which were considered negative in this study. The detection rates were 47.6% (n = 10/21), 50% (n = 5/10), 88.9% (n = 8/9), and 94% (n = 47/50) for PSA >0.2 to <0.5, 0.5 to <1.0, 1 to <2.0, and ≥2.0 ng/mL, respectively. In post-surgical patients, PSA, PSAdt and PSAvel correlated with PET results but the same was not true for post-radiation patients. These parameters also correlated with the extent of disease on PET (intrapelvic vs. extrapelvic). There was no significant difference between the rate of positive scans in patients with higher grade vs lower grade primary tumors (Gleason score ≥4+3 vs <3+4). Tumor recurrence was histology confirmed in 40% (28/70) of patients. On a per-patient basis, positive predictive value was 93.3% (95% CI, 77.6-99.2%) by histopathologic validation, and 96.2% (95% CI, 86.3-99.7%) by the combination of histology and imaging/clinical follow-up. Conclusion: 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT imaging offers high detection rates in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer patients; and is positive in about 50% of patients with PSA <0.5 ng/mL, which could substantially impact clinical management. In post-surgical patients, 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT correlates with PSA, PSAdt and PSAvel suggesting it may have prognostic value. 18F-DCFPyL-PET/CT is highly promising for localizing sites of recurrent prostate cancer.




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Repeatability of Quantitative 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT Measurements in Metastatic Prostate Cancer.

Quantitative evaluation of radiolabeled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) PET scans may be used to monitor treatment response in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). To interpret longitudinal differences in PSMA uptake, the intrinsic variability of tracer uptake in PCa lesions needs to be defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability of quantitative 18F-DCFPyL (a second generation 18F-PSMA-ligand) PET/CT measurements in patients with PCa. Methods: Twelve patients with metastatic PCa were prospectively included, of which 2 were excluded from final analyses. Patients received two whole-body 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT scans (median dose 317 MBq; uptake time 120 min), within median 4 days (range 1-11 days). After semi-automatic (isocontour-based) tumor delineation, the following lesion-based metrics were derived: Tumor-to-Blood ratio (TBRmean, TBRpeak, and TBRmax), Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmean, SUVpeak, SUVmax, normalized to bodyweight), tumor volume, and total lesion tracer uptake (TLU). Additionally, patient-based Total Tumor Volume (sum of PSMA-positive tumor volumes; TTV) and Total Tumor Burden (sum of all lesion TLUs; TTB) were derived. Repeatability was analyzed using repeatability coefficients (RC) and intra-class correlations (ICC). Additionally, the effect of point spread function (PSF) image reconstruction on the repeatability of uptake metrics was evaluated. Results: In total, 36 18F-DCFPyL PET positive lesions were analyzed (up to 5 lesions per patient). RCs of TBRmean, TBRpeak, and TBRmax were 31.8%, 31.7%, and 37.3%, respectively. For SUVmean, SUVpeak, SUVmax the RCs were 24.4%, 25.3% and 31.0%, respectively. All ICC were ≥0.97. Tumor volume delineations were well repeatable, with RC 28.1% for individual lesion volumes and RC 17.0% for TTV. TTB had a RC of 23.2% and 33.4%, when based on SUVmean and TBRmean, respectively. Small lesions (<4.2mL) had worse repeatability for volume measurements. The repeatability of SUVpeak, TLU, and all patient-level metrics were not affected by PSF-reconstruction. Conclusion: 18F-DCFPyL uptake measurements are well repeatable and can be used for clinical validation in future treatment response assessment studies. Patient-based TTV may be preferred for multicenter studies since its repeatability was both high and robust to different image reconstructions.




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18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in Patients with Subclinical Recurrence of Prostate Cancer: Effect of Lesion Size, Smooth Filter and Partial Volume Correction on Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation (PROMISE) criteria

Purpose: To determine the effect of smooth filter and partial volume correction (PVC) method on measured prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) activity in small metastatic lesions and to determine the impact of these changes on the molecular imaging (mi) PSMA scoring. Materials & Methods: Men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer with negative CT and bone scintigraphy were referred for 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT. Examinations were performed on one of 2 PET/CT scanners (GE Discovery 610 or Siemens mCT40). All suspected tumor sites were manually contoured on co-registered CT and PET images, and each was assigned a miPSMA score as per the PROMISE criteria. The PVC factors were calculated for every lesion using the anatomical CT and then applied to the unsmoothed PET images. The miPSMA scores, with and without the corrections, were compared, and a simplified "rule of thumb" (RoT) correction factor (CF) was derived for lesions at various sizes (<4mm, 4-7mm, 7-9mm, 9-12mm). This was then applied to the original dataset and miPSMA scores obtained using the RoT CF were compared to those found using the actual corrections. Results: There were 75 men (median age, 69 years; median serum PSA of 3.69 ug/L) with 232 metastatic nodes < 12 mm in diameter (mean lesion volume of 313.5 ± 309.6 mm3). Mean SUVmax before and after correction was 11.0 ± 9.3 and 28.5 ± 22.8, respectively (p<0.00001). The mean CF for lesions <4mm (n = 22), 4-7mm (n = 140), 7-9mm (n = 50), 9-12 mm (n = 20) was 4 (range: 2.5-6.4), 2.8 (range: 1.6-4.9), 2.3 (range: 1.6-3.3) and 1.8 (range 1.4-2.4), respectively. Overall miPSMA scores were concordant between the corrected dataset and RoT in 205/232 lesions (88.4%). Conclusion: There is a significant effect of smooth filter and partial volume correction on measured PSMA activity in small nodal metastases, impacting the miPSMA score.




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Senzel expected to compete for starting CF gig

As the Reds consider their regular center-fielder options, they are not just humoring career infielder Nick Senzel by letting him compete for the spot. Senzel believes he can do it. Perhaps more importantly, so does new manager David Bell.




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Marte confident transition to CF will be smooth

Ketel Marte does not lack for confidence when it comes to switching from second base/shortstop to center field, which is where he's expected to see a lot of time this season.




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Prospective Evaluation of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer in an Academic Center: A Focus on Disease Localization and Changes in Management

18F-DCFPyL (2-(3-{1-carboxy-5-[(6-18F-fluoropyridine-3-carbonyl)-amino]-pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid) is a promising PET radiopharmaceutical targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). We present our experience with this single-academic-center prospective study evaluating the positivity rate of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT in patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PC). Methods: We prospectively enrolled 72 men (52–91 y old; mean ± SD, 71.5 ± 7.2) with BCR after primary definitive treatment with prostatectomy (n = 42) or radiotherapy (n = 30). The presence of lesions compatible with PC was evaluated by 2 independent readers. Fifty-nine patients had scans concurrent with at least one other conventional scan: bone scanning (24), CT (21), MR (20), 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT (18), or 18F-NaF PET (14). Findings from 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT were compared with those from other modalities. Impact on patient management based on 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT was recorded from clinical chart review. Results: 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT had an overall positivity rate of 85%, which increased with higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (ng/mL): 50% (PSA < 0.5), 69% (0.5 ≤ PSA < 1), 100% (1 ≤ PSA < 2), 91% (2 ≤ PSA < 5), and 96% (PSA ≥ 5). 18F-DCFPyL PET detected more lesions than conventional imaging. For anatomic imaging, 20 of 41 (49%) CT or MRI scans had findings congruent with 18F-DCFPyL, whereas 18F-DCFPyL PET was positive in 17 of 41 (41%) cases with negative CT or MRI findings. For bone imaging, 26 of 38 (68%) bone or 18F-NaF PET scans were congruent with 18F-DCFPyL PET, whereas 18F-DCFPyL PET localized bone lesions in 8 of 38 (21%) patients with negative results on bone or 18F-NaF PET scans. In 8 of 18 (44%) patients, 18F-fluciclovine PET had located the same lesions as did 18F-DCFPyL PET, whereas 5 of 18 (28%) patients with negative 18F-fluciclovine findings had positive 18F-DCFPyL PET findings and 1 of 18 (6%) patients with negative 18F-DCFPyL findings had uptake in the prostate bed on 18F-fluciclovine PET. In the remaining 4 of 18 (22%) patients, 18F-DCFPyL and 18F-fluciclovine scans showed different lesions. Lastly, 43 of 72 (60%) patients had treatment changes after 18F-DCFPyL PET and, most noticeably, 17 of these patients (24% total) had lesion localization only on 18F-DCFPyL PET, despite negative results on conventional imaging. Conclusion: 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT is a promising diagnostic tool in the work-up of biochemically recurrent PC, given the high positivity rate as compared with Food and Drug Administration–approved currently available imaging modalities and its impact on clinical management in 60% of patients.




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Introduction to The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot by Robert Macfarlane

My first exposure to Robert Macfarlane happened a year ago when I picked up a battered copy of The Wild Places in order to shelve it. Instead, I checked it out from my branch and stayed up past midnight to read it. Thanks to Macfarlane, I was exposed to Roger Deakin's Wild Wood and Notes from Walnut Tree Farm. I found photos of Walnut Tree Farm, the late Deakin's house, much visited by Macfarlane, while searching for more information about both of them online.

I am from probably the last generation of American children to be raised on English children's books. I know that there is a generation of Quidditch-playing adults that were weaned on the Harry Potter books of British-born J. K. Rowling. While the Harry Potter books are gripping, they lack an essential British characteristic shared by many successful authors of British children's books:

  • Rudyard Kipling - the two Puck of Pook's Hill books
  • Rosemary Sucliff - all of her books
  • Elizabeth Goudge - Rowling helped get Linnets & Valerians and The Little White Horse republished
  • L. M. Boston - the Greene Knowe series
  • William Mayne
  • Robert Westall
  • Diana Wynne Jones - the British landscape of an alternative Britain
  • J. R. R. Tolkein -The Hobbit
  • Kenneth Graham - The Wind in the Willows
  • T. H. White - The Once and Future King
  • Susan Cooper - The Dark is Rising series
I'm sure that there are many more. What these authors and books have in common is a palpable sense of landscape; the English and Welsh earth itself is as present and influential as any of the characters. In any Harry Potter book I had the sense that the only character connected to the land was Hagrid; the rest of the wizards were interested in nature only insofar as they could exploit it for magical potions or familiars.

Both Macfarlane and his late mentor Deakin possessed the same sense of awareness of the land as these children's authors. Deakin kept his hedgerows alive to shelter birds and let animals wander at will through his house. Macfarlane travels, mostly on foot, as he did while he hiked and climbed in both The Wild Places and The Old Ways.




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CfP: Shaping the ‘Socialist Self’? The Role of Psy-Sciences in Communist States of the Eastern Bloc (1948–1989)

CALL FOR PAPERSINTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP Shaping the ‘Socialist Self’? The Role of Psy-Sciences in Communist States of the Eastern Bloc (1948–1989) Date: 6 November 2020 Venue: Prague, Czech Republic Deadline for applications: 30 June 2020 Organizing institutions: CEFRES (French Research Center in Humanities and Social Sciences in Prague) Institute of Contemporary History of the Czech Academy of Sciences Collegium Carolinum … Continue reading CfP: Shaping the ‘Socialist Self’? The Role of Psy-Sciences in Communist States of the Eastern Bloc (1948–1989)




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Dreaming / by A.W. MacFarlane.

Edinburgh : printed by Oliver and Boyd, 1891.




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Administrative control of the purity of food in England : / A. W. J. MacFadden.

England : Society of Medical Officers of Health in England, [192-?]




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Former CFL star Doug Flutie feels commissioner Ambrosie's pain

Doug Flutie can feel CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie's pain as Ambrosie continues to discuss potential contingency plans for the 2020 CFL season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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Anthony LeBlanc leaves Halifax CFL group to take executive role with Senators

The Ottawa Senators have named Anthony LeBlanc as their president of business operations. LeBlanc was most recently a founding partner of Schooner Sports and Entertainment, a group trying to bring a CFL team to Halifax.



  • Sports/Hockey/NHL

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CFL, CFLPA at impasse over contingency plan as sides grapple with unique circumstance

The CFL and CFL Players' Association have halted discussions on potential contingency plans for the 2020 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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CFL's Tackle Hunger program holds special meaning for Argos' Jamal Campbell

Jamal Campbell was never quite sure how the box of food ended up at his home while growing up in the community of Jane and Finch in Toronto, but he understood what it meant to his family.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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Alouettes GM Maciocia gears up for CFL draft under COVID-19 isolation measures

The new reality of life under COVID-19 means Montreal Alouettes GM Danny Maciocia will be physically alone in his basement while he and his staff participate in the CFL draft.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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CFL asks federal government for $150 million to help cope with shutdown

The Canadian Football League is asking the federal government for up to $150 million in financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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Trudeau says federal officials in talks with CFL about $150M request

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is in discussions with the CFL, which is seeking financial support to help with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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CFL's request for government loan a 'Hail Mary pass,' says expert

An associate professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management calls the CFL's bid for securing financial aid from the Canadian government a "Hail Mary pass."



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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CFL, CFLPA agree to rekindle talks on 2020 season contingency plans: report

The CFL and CFL Players' Association are going to get back to talking. A league source said Monday the two sides have agreed to resume discussions on potential contingency plans for the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



  • Sports/Football/CFL

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Los Angeles Rams sign former CFL all-star kicker Lirim Hajrullahu

Former CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu signed with the NFL's Los Angeles Rams on Monday to potentially replace veteran Greg Zuerlein.



  • Sports/Football/NFL

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UEFA pleased with CAS decision on Málaga CF