The capacity to double the population in 13 southeastern Manitoba communities is a step closer after they signed a contract to build a $205-million wastewater treatment plant.

The plant will be just north of Niverville, where it’s desperately needed, says Mayor Myron Dyck.

Currently, the six municipalities — with a total of 13 communities — that are part of the project rely on lagoons to handle wastewater. With the population quickly growing in the area, those lagoons are reaching capacity.

“Let’s just put it this way, because the province was aware of this project coming on, they’ve given us a little grace [with our lagoon],”said Dyck.

Along with Niverville, the municipalities of Hanover, Ritchot, La Broquerie, De Salaberry and Taché will own the facility as the Red-Seine-Rat Wastewater Cooperative.

The plant, to be built by Toronto-based Aecon, will be able treat and send effluent to the Red River for up to 70,000 people, with a modular design that makes it easier to expand the plant’s capacity even further.

Just over 30,000 people currently live in the six municipalities, which include Hanover, Manitoba’s largest rural municipality.

Hanover Reeve Jim Funk says the RM’s five communities needed to do something quickly, with so many people moving into the area and filling the lagoons.

Bothwell Cheese is also in the RM, and has expressed interest in expanding after the wastewater plant is running.

Providence University College is also connecting to the plant.

Business and residential growth estimated at $1.9 billion will help ease the sticker shock of the plant’s cost, said Funk, comparing the project to the Red River Floodway — a massive project built in the 1960s that now protects Winnipeg from flooding.

“It was a huge amount of money” to build the floodway, said Funk. “And yet how many times have they … been saved by having that floodway?”

Saving farmland

Funk, who chairs the co-op, says more than 700 hectares (about 1,800 acres) of farmland will be saved from turning into lagoons because of the new treatment plant.

“In some of our communities, [it’s] prime ag land,” said Funk. “And land is not replaceable.”

The plant is also expected to lower emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas, by 90 per cent compared to lagoons.

The final design of the plant is expected to be completed by March, with construction to begin this year.

But a builder is still needed for the 100 kilometres of pipes connecting the large swath of southeast Manitoba.

That hire is expected in April and will bring the total price tag to an estimated $235 million.

It’s a cost Niverville Mayor Dyck insists will make his town, just over 30 kilometres south of Winnipeg, more self-sustaining.

“We still are a commuter community, but we can have less reliance on that, more people living and working in Niverville,” said Dyck.

The provincial and federal governments are contributing $40 million for the project.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank is loaning up to $93 million.

About $100 million will come from the six municipalities in the co-op through loans from Access Credit Union, increased sewer rates, or by selling any extra capacity at the plant to neighbours.

WATCH | $205M deal to build new southeastern Manitoba wastewater plant:

$205M wastewater deal signed for 13 southeast Manitoba communities

A contract signed for a $205-million wastewater treatment plant near Niverville, Man., allows 13 communities to double their populations and bring in heavy industry. Fast growth in southeast Manitoba has left lagoons full, and the plant will avoid converting farms to effluent pits.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor vouched for Jeffrey Epstein during a UK state visit to the United Arab Emirates with Queen Elizabeth II in 2010, according to newly released emails.

The email was sent from “The Duke” to Epstein on 24 November of that year, with the subject listed as “Abdullah” – an apparent reference to the UAE foreign affairs minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“You are in big time,” the Duke wrote to Epstein. “He thinks you are great and would like to introduce you to Sheikh Mohammed, the Crown Prince.

“Doesn’t think it can be done before the end of the year though. I will discuss further and report back.”

The date of the email coincides with Mountbatten-Windsor’s trip to the UAE alongside his mother, the queen; his father, Prince Philip; and the then UK foreign secretary, William Hague.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the crown prince of Abu Dhabi at the time.

In 2022, he assumed the role of Abu Dhabi’s ruler and president of the UAE.

Epstein appeared to respond to Mountbatten-Windsor’s email about his meeting with the UAE foreign minister by suggesting that they arrange a holiday together.

“Ask Abdullah for a date when we can all go on vacation,” Epstein wrote.

A separate email appeared to show that Epstein himself met Sheikh Abdullah and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, just weeks earlier.

“I met with both abdulla -aby dhabi, and mahammed -dubai [sic] today,” read the email, which was sent from Epstein to The Duke on 7 November 2010.

A third email appeared to show Epstein guiding Mountbatten-Windsor on how to vouch for him during his meeting with Sheikh Abdullah.

Epstein told the Duke to tell the UAE foreign minister about qualities including “trust”, “financial expertise”, “funder of extreme science”, and “fun” with the UAE foreign minister.

The emails, released by the US Department of Justice, do not imply any wrongdoing by the UAE officials.

All emails appear to have been sent when Mountbatten-Windsor served as special representative for UK trade and investment – a role he held from 2001 until 2011.

In a separate exchange, Mountbatten-Windsor appeared to discuss how to circumvent restrictions on making investments with Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy.

The emails suggest that the former prince considered himself barred from making personal business investments or taking seats on company boards while serving in the role. But the documents also show he discussed ways around the restrictions with Epstein.

In one email exchange dated May 2010 – when Epstein was under house arrest after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution – Mountbatten-Windsor appeared to refer to an earlier phone call about potential investments and restrictions on making them.

He wrote to Epstein: “So long as I delegate any responsibility to invest then there are no problems.

“So Trusts are delegated responsibility as to [too] are any Banks or Investment Vehicles or for that matter Trusted individuals.”

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein’s crimes.

A leader in the Lutheran church was recently arrested and accused of producing child pornography in Springfield, Illinois.

The suspect in the case was identified as 54-year-old Michael William Mohr, who is president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced January 29.

He was charged by complaint in St. Louis with a single count of producing child pornography.

The attorney’s office detailed the case against him:

The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that a court-approved search of Mohr’s home in Springfield found storage devices that contained videos of three juveniles in the bathroom. A search of a residence used by Mohr in Vandalia uncovered a hidden camera disguised as a wall clock and one disguised as a Bluetooth speaker, the affidavit says. The investigation began after one of the juveniles told the Vandalia Police Department that he discovered a camera disguised as an electronic device charger in a hotel bathroom. The discovery happened the morning after the juvenile awoke to discover Mohr standing above him and masturbating, believing the victim was asleep, the affidavit says. The juvenile was in shock and acted like he was still asleep, the affidavit says.

Regarding the hotel bathroom, Fox 2 reported Mohr was on a church trip with a group when they decided to stay at the hotel due to the winter weather conditions. The outlet said Mohr reportedly stayed in a room at the site with two juveniles.

In a social media post on January 29, a Lutheran pastor, Rev. Jim Pierce, said the news about Mohr was “absolutely appalling and his actions against children are demonic.”

Swedish skier Elis Lundholm will make history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics.

The Swedish ski team announced last month that Lundholm, a biological female who identifies as a man, is competing in the women’s freestyle skiing division under current International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines.

Lundholm is also the only openly transgender athlete competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

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The International Olympic Committee currently allows transgender athletes to compete after being cleared by their respective sports federations. (Peter Kneffel/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The Swedish skier’s inclusion follows the IOC’s 2021 “Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations.” The framework includes a 10-principle approach in recommendations for each sport to consider for eligibility requirements.

“This Framework recognizes both the need to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their gender identity or sex variations, can practice sport in a safe, harassment-free environment that recognizes and respects their needs and identities, and the interest of everyone – particularly athletes at elite level – to participate in fair competitions where no participant has an unfair and disproportionate advantage over the rest,” the document reads.

Under the current framework, transgender athletes can compete in the Olympics after being cleared by their respective sports federations.

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The IOC have allowed Elis Lundholm to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in the women’s division. (Yara Nardi/Reuters)

In November, reports circulated that the IOC is considering broader transgender eligibility standards that could bar biological male athletes from competing in women’s sports. The claims came after a presentation from Dr. Jane Thornton, the IOC’s medical and scientific director, which showed physical advantages in males even after extensive testosterone treatments.

However, as of Thursday, a new policy has yet to be officially announced.

Fox News Digital reached out to the IOC for comment.

Gender guidelines for the Olympics faced scrutiny during the 2024 Paris Olympics where Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, who previously failed gender tests, won gold medals in their respective weight classes in the women’s division despite major uproar. Khelif has insisted that they were female. Lin has not commented on the controversy since the Olympics ended.

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The IOC will reportedly update its guidelines to bar transgender female athletes from competing in women’s divisions. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

Though the IOC has yet to announce a formal policy, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) updated its policies in July to coincide with President Donald Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order. 

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The U.S. will host the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

Broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher has called for more police on the streets and greater action on violence against women and girls after she was attacked last year.

Gallacher said she was assaulted by a man as she walked to her car after work in central London – but he has never been found.

“He turned around and kicked me – really kicked me – like he would kick a football,” she told the UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee.

The former Sky Sports presenter said violence against females had almost become acceptable and was treated as “one of those things”.

“That’s why that’s why women don’t report these crimes because also not enough is being done about it,” she said.

Gallacher said police were “fantastically supportive” at the time and she felt “we’re going to get this guy” – especially as the CCTV was said to be clear – but the attacker appears to have evaded justice.

The 50-year-old presenter said she’d been shocked by how few police were around at the time of the assault.

“My biggest sadness or anger was there was not enough of a police presence. And we’re in central London and I was looking everywhere, like I almost wanted to shout, ‘please help me!'”, said Gallacher.

“I would love a bigger police presence on the streets [to make women feel safe],” she added.

“And also I would like the police to take it seriously when women go ‘I’ve just been assaulted’ – even the most minor of assaults.”

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In full: Thursday’s UK Tonight

A Met Police spokesperson told Sky News it was “committed to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls”.

“Officers spoke with the victim in this case on several occasions to share updates as the investigation progressed,” they added.

“Our last contact with them was at the end of December when they were informed the investigation had been filed, but would be reopened if the suspect was identified. The suspect’s image remains in circulation across the Met.

“The investigation is closed at this time but will be reviewed if new information comes to light.”

Tinnitus after tumour

Gallacher also spoke to Sky News about living with tinnitus, a condition where a person hears sounds such as ringing and buzzing that don’t come from an outside source.

She told Sarah-Jane Mee she had “a low level buzzing and it’s just always there” and on some days, depending on what’s going on, “it can be really loud”.

“It can be quite low where it’s manageable,” she said. “So it really is about navigating day by day – and some days it can drive you a bit mad.”

Read more from Sky News:
Boy arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of teacher
Student stabbed to death in Leicester is named

Gallacher developed the condition after having a benign tumour in her ear – which has left her almost deaf on one side – and now works as an ambassador for the charity Tinnitus UK.

Tinnitus affects one in seven UK adults and varies in intensity and the sounds people hear.

“It can be caused by, for example, stress, anxiety,” Gallacher explained. “It can be through loud music, having spent years in a band, lots of musicians have tinnitus.”

Gallacher said she wanted to raise awareness because “it can devastate lives” of those who suffer from it badly and “some people can’t cope”.

“It’s really very sad and very emotional when you hear some stories,” she added.

Authorities searching for the missing mother of a US TV host have said they believe “she’s still out there” but have no suspects.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday evening after being dropped off by family.

She was reported missing the next day after she did not appear at church, and a ransom note demanding Bitcoin was sent to several media outlets.

Latest updates on missing mother

Blood belonging to Ms Guthrie – whose daughter Savannah Guthrie is co-anchor of the Today show – was found in the porch area.

Her family have released a video pleading with whoever might have her to get in touch and provide proof she is alive.

The FBI said on Thursday that no further contact had been made since the ransom note was sent – as it also announced a $50,000 (£37,000) reward.

Local sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters the case was being treated as kidnapping but said they hadn’t yet identified any suspects.

However, he said he believes Ms Guthrie – who needs daily medication – “is still out there”.

There were several cameras at her home including a doorbell cam, and one detected movement at 2.12am, but the sheriff said they hadn’t been able to retrieve the footage.

Ms Guthrie’s pacemaker app also disconnected from her phone at 2.28am, the sheriff added.

The ransom note gave a 5pm deadline (midnight UK time) on Thursday for payment to be made, and a second deadline on Monday, said lead FBI agent Heith Janke.

Mr Janke urged the perpetrator to change course and let Ms Guthrie go.

“This is an 84-year-old grandma that needs vital medication for her well-being. You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes a much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home,” he urged.

‘We need to know she’s alive’

The huge publicity over the case in the US has also caught Donald Trump’s attention.

The president said on Truth Social that he had spoken to Savannah Guthrie and directed all federal law enforcement to be available.

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NBC host’s emotional plea to mum’s kidnapper

The Guthrie family’s video, recorded with FBI assistance, spoke directly to the kidnapper.

It urged: “We are ready to talk… We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”

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Epstein files: The key findings so far

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Flanked by her sister and brother, a tearful Savannah Guthrie added: “Her health, her heart, is fragile. She lives in constant pain. She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive, she needs it not to suffer.

“Mummy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter.”

The amount demanded in the note has not been disclosed and FBI agent Mr Janke said any decision on whether to pay is “ultimately decided by the family”.

He added that agents had also arrested a “total imposter” on Thursday morning who had sent a ransom note and was looking to profit from the case.

Peter Mandelson, former UK ambassador to the United States, is currently under investigation by the Metropolitan Police concerning an allegation of criminal misconduct in public office.

The allegation centres on evidence that Mandelson passed sensitive, confidential information – received in his capacity as a minister – to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.

If that is true, then it is, of course, not the first time that ministerial confidences have been breached. However, what makes this case potentially serious is the possibility that the information passed to Epstein was known to be likely to assist Epstein financially and that this favour may have been bound up with a relationship between the men in which Epstein conferred financial benefits on Mandelson.

The offence of misconduct in public office – described by famous legal commentator Sir William Blackstone in 1765 as “a crime of deep malignity” – dates back many centuries. It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In most cases, a significant prison sentence is imposed on a convicted offender – and there are around 25 to 50 convictions each year. Misconduct in public office is what lawyers call a common law offence. That is to say, it is an offence invented and developed (like the definition of murder) by judges, without parliamentary intervention.

In its modern form, the offence has three main elements. The accused must have been acting in an official capacity at the time of the alleged offence, they must have wilfully misconducted themselves and their conduct must have fallen “so far below acceptable standards that it amounts to an abuse of the public’s trust”.

Prosecutors must be confident that the evidence for these elements points to a reasonable prospect of conviction and separately that there is sufficient public interest in prosecution.

A typical case might be one in which a prison officer accepts money for passing information to a prisoner on the whereabouts of the latter’s former criminal associates. Such cases are ones in which the offence operates in a broadly top-down manner: servants of the state entrusted with powers are called to account for the knowing misuse of those powers.

However, the offence can also operate in a more bottom-up manner. Those holding the highest elected or judicial offices can themselves be criminally accountable for misuse of power, if need be, through a private prosecution launched by an ordinary citizen or a pressure group. For example, the MPs in the so-called expenses scandal who knowingly made false claims were convicted of false accounting, but they could all equally have been charged with misconduct in public office.

Corruption in public office?

In Mandelson’s case, there seems to be evidence that while acting in a public capacity as a minister (element one), he wilfully – knowingly – misconducted himself (element two). He must have known that it was wrong to share confidential information with Epstein if he received it in a ministerial capacity.

The key is probably element three: did his wilful misconduct fall so far short of what is expected of a holder of ministerial office as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust? Misconduct in public office is a serious offence, and so this is a high bar to surmount. Central to the determination of element three will be whether information was wrongly disclosed for a purpose itself involving significant impropriety, such as benefiting a private individual financially.

There is also the possibility that such an improper purpose was also associated with corruption. If the information was disclosed as part of an exchange of favours, that makes the case stronger for saying that there was an abuse of the public’s trust. Corrupt activity has long been equated in law with the abuse of public trust. Proof of both improper purpose and corruption would be very serious indeed.

The lapse of time, and his political disgrace, may have diminished the public interest in prosecuting Mandelson; and it should be noted that public outrage is not the same as public interest. Even so, he would be well advised to find himself a first-rate lawyer.

Police found the vehicle in the early hours of the morning, with no driver to be seen.

An abandoned lorry was found blocking both lanes on a Cambridgeshire road. Cambridgeshire Police were called to the abandoned vehicle on Toll Bar Way, Sawtry, at around 3.20am on January 26.

Officers found the lorry in an unsuitable condition. It had a flat tyre, split to the side of it and a mini digger in the back.

No driver was found for the vehicle. An investigation is being carried out to try and find the owner of the vehicle.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to Toll Bar Way in Sawtry [on January 26]. This lorry had been left abandoned and was blocking both lanes.

“It had a split to the side of it, a flat tyre and a mini digger in the back, but no driver to be seen. Officers searched the area, but unfortunately there was no one found. The investigation continues.”

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