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WorldMar 24, 2020

250 Canadians scheduled to return to Canada on a flight from Kyiv to Toronto

Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko says about 250 Canadians are scheduled to return to Canada on a flight from Kyiv to Toronto that is scheduled for Wednesday. The Ukraine International Airlines flight was organized by the Canadian and Ukrainian governments. Shevchenko says the plane will then load up with Ukrainians, some of whom are on their way to Toronto Pearson International Airport from as far as Vancouver, and return to Kyiv on Thursday. He says future flights are possible depending on demand.
westjet-to-layoff-6-900-employees
WorldMar 24, 2020

WestJet to layoff 6,900 employees

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says roughly half of its 14,000 employees will leave the company some temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 6,900 departures comprise early retirements, resignations and both voluntary and involuntary leaves after WestJet asked staff to choose one of those options or reduce their hours or pay, said CEO Ed Sims. Up to 600 Air Canada pilots will also go on unpaid leave in the coming months due to the fallout from the virus, their union said Tuesday.
tokyo-olympics-officially-postponed-until-2021
WorldMar 24, 2020

Tokyo Olympics officially postponed until 2021

The Tokyo Olympics have been officially postponed until 2021. The International Olympic Committee along with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and local organizers have decided that the Tokyo Games cannot go ahead as scheduled this year because of the coronavirus outbreak. The IOC says the games will be held “not later than summer 2021” but they will still be called the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
who-wants-young-people-to-know-they-are-not-invincible-from-coronavirus
WorldMar 20, 2020

WHO wants young people to know they are not invincible from coronavirus

The head of the World Health Organization wants young people to know they are not invincible when it comes to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says older people are hardest hit by COVID-19, but data from many countries shows people aged 50 and under make up a ``significant proportion'' of patients who need hospitalization. He is also advising people to be mindful of mental health at a time of rising anxiety about the outbreak.
italy-sees-biggest-day-to-day-rise-in-coronavirus-deaths
WorldMar 20, 2020

Italy sees biggest day to day rise in coronavirus deaths

Italy has recorded its highest day to day rise in the number of deaths of people infected with the new coronavirus. Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Friday the country recorded 627 more deaths in the 24 hours since Italy surpassed China on Thursday as the nation with the most COVID 19 related deaths. The total now stands at 4,032. Authorities said most of the people who died had existing health problems such as heart disease and diabetes before they were infected with the virus. Borrelli says Italy also saw a staggering increase of 5,986 cases from a day earlier, bringing the offic
italy-has-surpassed-china-as-the-country-with-the-most-coronavirus-related-deaths
WorldMar 19, 2020

Italy has surpassed China as the country with the most coronavirus related deaths

Italy has surpassed China as the country with the most coronavirus related deaths. Officials in Rome say 3,405 people in the country have died of COVID-19. That's as the epicentre of the pandemic, Wuhan, China, recorded no new infections. Italy has recorded 41,035 infections, more than half of the world's positive cases.
cruise-ship-with-covid-19-cases-and-canadians-on-board-docks-in-france
WorldMar 19, 2020

Cruise ship with COVID-19 cases and Canadians on board docks in France

A trans-Atlantic cruise ship carrying several COVID-19 cases among its passengers and with dozens of Canadians aboard has docked in the French Mediterranean port city of Marseille.Global Affairs Canada says at least 77 Canadians are on the Costa Luminosa.The ship has more than 1,400 passengers.French authorities have allowed the ship to stay for up to four days under strict conditions.It is not known whether passengers will be allowed off, given the current stringent restrictions imposed in France amid the coronavirus pandemic.Global Affairs Canada has said officials are standing ready to pro
WorldMar 19, 2020

COVID-19 has now infected more than 200,000 people around the world

The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 207,000 people and killed more than 8,200. The COVID-19 illness causes mild or moderate symptoms in most people, but severe symptoms are more likely in the elderly or those with existing health problems. More than 82,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
WorldMar 18, 2020

Vancouver man in northern Italy gives suggestions on social distancing

A Vancouver man in northern Italy says social distancing directives from the Italian government felt like ``suggestions'' when they were first made several weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic flared. But with Italy now within the European epicentre of the outbreak, Alex Grant says Italians now consider self-isolation a ``sacred responsibility.'' Grant and his partner live in a one-bedroom apartment in Milan and he says they are both practising self-isolation. He says he goes out once a week to grocery shop, there are no shortages, no hoarding, and his advice is ``take the situation seriously,

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BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
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BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
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CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
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BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in