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WorldJun 20, 2022

President Macron loses absolute majority in French parliamentary elections

French voters have denied the re-elected President Emmanuel Macron an absolute majority. The result announced in the early hours of Monday. According to the result, Marcon secured 245 out of a total 577, however, it still fell short of the 289-seat threshold for an absolute majority in the National Assembly, France's lower house. After the new result, Macron became the first sitting French president to not win a parliamentary majority since a 2000 electoral reform. According to the publication, it is expected to try and form alliances with other political parties, including the traditional rig
WorldJun 20, 2022

Israel coalition agrees to dissolve, hold new elections

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office announced Monday that his weakened coalition will be disbanded and the country will head to new elections. Bennett has struggled to keep his unruly coalition of eight parties together, and defections have left the crumbling alliance without a majority in parliament for over two months. Bennett and his main coalition partner, Yair Lapid, decided to present a vote to dissolve parliament in the coming days, Bennett's office said. Lapid is then to serve as caretakever prime minister. The election, expected in the fall, would be Israel's fifth in thre
WorldJun 20, 2022

Philippines health official says COVID-19 cases start to peak

The steady uptick in the COVID-19 infections in the Philippines signals the start of the peak of cases, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday. "Right now, (we see) that the number of cases is continuously increasing," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a television interview. "We can see that this is really the start in the peak in the number of cases." Vergeire said the Southeast Asian country is seeing a trend similar to what happened in September 2021 and January 2022. The Philippines reported the highest single-day tally on Jan. 15 this year, with 39,0
WorldJun 17, 2022

European Union commission: Make Ukraine a member candidate

The European Union's executive arm on Friday recommended making Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, a first step on what was expected to be a long road forthe war-torn countryto join the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission delivered its proposal to award Ukraine candidate status after a fast-tracked analysis of answers to a questionnaire. The Ukrainian government applied for EU membership less than a week after Russia invaded the country. “Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “We want them to live with us, the E
irelands-william-porterfield-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket
WorldJun 16, 2022

Ireland's William Porterfield announces retirement from international cricket

After leading the Ireland team through a successful era, former Ireland captain William Porterfield announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, calling time on a 16-year career. He was appointed as Ireland captain in 2008 and led his team over 250 times. "It's been an honour to represent my country for 16 years. It's something I had always wanted to do since I was a child," Porterfield said in an official statement released by Ireland Cricket. Andrew Balbirnie, the current Ireland captain, said Porterfield would be "a huge loss."
WorldJun 16, 2022

Ferrari to make 80% hybrid and full-electric range by 2030

Italian luxury sportscar maker Ferrari has outlined an electrification strategy that calls for 40% full-electric and 40% hybrid models by 2030. CEO Benedetto Vigna confirmed Thursday that the first electric car will be presented in 2025, with the first deliveries the following year. Now, just four Ferrari models, or 20% of the range, are hybrid cars. Its first hybrid model was the limited edition La Ferrari launched in 2013, capitalizing on Formula 1 technology. Vigna, a former technology entrepreneur who joined Ferrari as CEO nine months ago, said the electrification strategy is ``highly r
WorldJun 15, 2022

Pakistani govt chided for 'Drink less tea, save money' plea

A minister in Pakistan's newly elected government faced criticism Wednesday following his plea to the nation to drink less tea to help save on imports amid a deepening economic crisis. Pakistan is among the world's top tea importers, a hugely popular drink among both the rich and the poor in this country of 220 million people. The government has to spend about $600 million dollars from the central bank's hard currency reserves for tea imports annually. A Pakistani is believed to drink at least three cups of tea a day on average, the nation's caffeinated drink of choice. Prime Minister Shahbaz
WorldJun 14, 2022

Mexican government prodding its farmers to grow more food

Mexico's government wants citizens to produce more of their own food in a move toward self-sufficiency and lower prices in key products. The idea isn't new, but the ravages of the pandemic, climate change and the market turmoil created by the war in Ukraine have given it new urgency. The government wants to head off food insecurity in a country where 44% of its population lives in poverty and where 27.5 million tons of corn are produced, but more than 40 million tons are consumed. Some farmers are hopeful about additional government financial help and subsidized fertilizer. Others are suspic
WorldJun 10, 2022

US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus. A senior administration official said the mandate expires Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it's no longer necessary. The official, speaking Friday on the condition of anonymity to preview the formal announcement, said that the agency would reevaluate the need for the te

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AlbertaMay 27, 2026

Alberta judge calls for stronger vaccination outreach, improved housing conditions after death of First Nations boy

A provincial court judge is recommending stronger vaccination campaigns and action on overcrowded housing conditions following the 2020 death of a six-year-old Indigenous boy in northern Alberta. In a fatality inquiry report released Tuesday, provincial court Justice Claus Thietke said the boy died on Nov. 13, 2020, at a local nursing station after experiencing abdominal pain and hours of vomiting. Evidence presented during the inquiry found meningococcus bacteria in the child’s bloodstream caused an infection that led to organ failure. According to the report, the boy lived with about 20 re
ottawa-enters-negotiations-with-saab-for-airborne-surveillance-fleet-carney-says
CanadaMay 27, 2026

Ottawa enters negotiations with Saab for airborne surveillance fleet, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is entering contract negotiations with Swedish defence company Saab to acquire a new fleet of airborne surveillance aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The federal government has previously said it plans to procure six radar-equipped aircraft intended to strengthen Canada’s aerospace surveillance capabilities and support continental defence operations. According to Carney, the aircraft are needed to address emerging threats, including hypersonic missile technology. Saab manufactures the GlobalEye surveillance aircraft in partnersh
WorldMay 27, 2026

Gaza strike kills senior Hamas military commander, Israeli military says

A strike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday killed Mohammed Odeh, a commander linked to Hamas’s military wing, according to the Israeli military and local family members. Local doctors and witnesses said at least three Palestinians were killed and dozens more injured after a residential building in Gaza City was struck in one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods. In a statement, the Israeli military said the operation targeted buildings allegedly being used by Odeh as hiding locations. Israeli officials said the strike followed months of intelligence monitoring and tracking of Odeh’s movements
alberta-constitutional-affairs-adviser-jason-stephan-resigns-from-role
AlbertaMay 26, 2026

Alberta constitutional affairs adviser Jason Stephan resigns from role

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s office says Jason Stephan has resigned as the government’s parliamentary adviser on constitutional affairs. Stephan, the United Conservative Party MLA for Red Deer-South, remains a member of the government caucus, according to the premier’s office. No reason was provided for the resignation, which the office said was submitted earlier this year. The constitutional affairs advisory role was created by the Alberta government last year and was described at the time as “critically important” to advancing the province’s interests in federal-provincial re
firearms-prohibited-weapons-seized-after-lake-country-rcmp-search-warrant
BCMay 26, 2026

Firearms, prohibited weapons seized after Lake Country RCMP search warrant

Lake Country RCMP say officers seized multiple firearms, including prohibited and restricted weapons, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 12000 block of Shoreline Drive on May 25. According to an RCMP news release, the warrant was obtained following reports that a firearm had been discharged in a Lake Country neighbourhood earlier this month. The search was carried out with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Police said officers seized eight firearms along with ammunition from the property. The residence was unoccupied at the time the war