Queen Elizabeth II addressed Britain, the Commonwealth and the world in a statement issued today, calling for unity in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Promising ``we will meet again,'' the Queen thanked front-line workers fighting the global pandemic and encouraged people to stay home. Although the Queen addresses the Commonwealth every Christmas morning, it's only the fifth time in her 68-year reign that she has spoken specifically to rally Britons. The statement, which was under five minutes, was recorded Thursday at Windsor Castle, the Queen's main residence.

Canada's public health chief says hospitals should not throw away used masks and other protective equipment because experts are looking to see if they can be disinfected and reused. Dr. Theresa Tam says protecting health care workers is one of her top priorities in the COVID-19 pandemic. She says there is work underway looking for the best science that can be used to decontaminate used masks and other equipment.

Another 25 people in Ontario have died after testing positive for COVID-19, bringing the provincial death toll for the virus to 119. The fatalities come as the overall known caseload jumped past the 4,000 mark with more than 400 new ones reported. More than 150 people were on ventilators. More than three dozen outbreaks have been reported in nursing homes across the province. The frail elderly are at particular risk for coronavirus, which can produce no or mild symptoms, but can also cause lethal pneumonia.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced details for a cash payment for Canadians out of work because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit will be accepted starting Monday, offering Canadians who have lost their jobs because of the crisis $2,000 a month. Trudeau says it will take three to five days for the money to arrive by direct deposit or 10 days by mail.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault is extending the closure of non-essential businesses in the province to May 4. Legault says COVID-19 is still on an upward slope in Quebec and it would be unrealistic to keep to the original April 13 end date. The premier announced there were 19 new deaths in Quebec, for a total of 94, and 947 new cases for a total of 7,944. He says he hopes the number of new cases in the province will peak in the coming weeks.

The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador says he's furious with U.S. President Donald Trump for suggesting the country could ban exports of medical supplies to Canada. Dwight Ball told a news conference today that the province gained international acclaim for the way its residents helped thousands of stranded airline passengers after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. Ball says that when the United States was in crisis, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians ``acted fast and did what was necessary.'' The premier said even though he was ``infuriated'' with Trump's actions, he i

Canada is increasing its international aid to help stop COVID-19 by more than $100 million. International Development Minister Karina Gould said Sunday another $109.5 million will be allocated, on top of $50 million the government announced earlier in March. She said $30 million will respond to requests for help from specific countries, $40 million will go to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations co-oridinating the world's efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19. And $84.5 million will be split between a number of international groups including the World Health Organization, U

President Donald Trump is warning that the U.S. is facing the ``toughest'' weeks ahead as the rise in coronavirus cases accelerates. He says,``There will be a lot of death.'' But after the sombre start to his daily briefing on Saturday, he has come back again and again to his desire to get the country open for business. He said, ``We have to open our country again. We don't want to be doing this for months and months and months. This country wasn't meant for this.'' Trump, who met earlier Saturday with the heads of major sports leagues, said he wants to get the fans back in arenas as soon as

The Vancouver Park Board is deploying more than two dozen of its staff to patrol city parks and beaches, making people aware of physical distancing and public etiquette around sharing outdoor space during the COVID-19 pandemic. The board says in a release that the workers will help park rangers who have issued more than 1,400 warnings for people to adhere to the two-metre distance rule. Camil Dumont, chairman of the board, says recreational areas remain open in recognition of the important role outdoor spaces play in health and wellness. However, he says public safety is the highest priority