YORKTON —
A Kelowna man walking across Canada to raise awareness for veteran’s issues travelled through southeastern Saskatchewan on Wednesday.
Warren Michael was working on a reserve when he decided that he had enough. In an effort to raise awareness of social issues that are close to his heart, he built a veteran’s cross.
Once he finished. He knew what he had to do — march across Canada.
“These men and women are ready to give the ultimate sacrifice — their lives. They do this for me and many others that they do not know,” Michael said.
Despite a broken ankle, Michael refused to stop walking with the cross until he sees a difference.
To Michael, this march is not just for veterans but also for First Nations and those suffering from mental illness.
“There are ninety-one reserves without clean drinking water,” Michael said. “When I was working on a reserve [for] a few months, The water there was just undrinkable.”
Word quickly spread about his mission, and others joined to march along with him, including Henri-Paul Gilbert.
“I, myself dealing with mental illness being a veteran, I figured it was a good chance for me to team up with a young man that’s taking up for us veterans and Natives as well,” Gilbert, who is a Public Relations Officer for the Veterans Coalition Party, said.
The veterans cross is also a donation box, which allows individuals to support the cause.
Michael said the only way we can overcome these issues is by staying united.
“We are Canadians. We are the true north strong and free. We come from far and wide. And we will stand on guard for thee,” he said.
Michael plans to walk to Ottawa, however, he does not intend on stopping there. He promised to continue his march until he is heard.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — New Zealand won the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time, beating South Africa by 32 runs on Sunday after a standout performance from Amelia Kerr with bat and ball.
South Africa’s chase was held to 126-9 in 20 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in reply to New Zealand’s 158-5 in the final of the 18-day tournament.
South Africa was also seeking to become a first-time champion.
After South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bowl, Kerr top scored for New Zealand with a 38-ball 43. Brooke Halliday hit 38 runs in 28 deliveries and opener Suzie Bates scored 32 in 31. Nonkululeko Mlaba took 2-31 in four overs for South Africa.
South Africa made a strong start to its chase, reaching 51-1 in 6.5 overs but never really threatened afterward, reaching the halfway stage of its innings at 64-3.
Wolvaardt top scored for South Africa with a 27-ball 33.
Kerr took 3-24 in her four overs, including Wolvaardt’s wicket.
This was South Africa’s second straight final appearance in the tournament. Losing to Australia by 19 runs, it had finished runners-up in its home tournament in 2023, its best result in the tournament.
New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the tournament final for the first time since 2010. In the first two editions – 2009 and 2010 – it had lost to England by six wickets in London, and to Australia by three runs in Barbados.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Sunday canceled his trip to Russia for a BRICS summit after an accident at home that left him with a cut in the neck, his office said.
The 78-year-old leader was scheduled to attend a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies in the city of Kazan from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
Hospital Sirio Libanês in Sao Paulo said in a statement that the leftist leader was instructed not to take long distance trips, but can keep his other activities. Doctors Roberto Kalil and Ana Heleno Germoglio said they will regularly check on Lula’s recovery.
Brazil’s presidency said in a separate statement that Lula will take part in the summit by videoconference and will continue his work in capital Brasilia this week. It did not disclose details about what caused the president’s injury.
