Canada & World

Aa patient receives an influenza vaccine in Mesquite, Texas, on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. At least five children died in British Columbia from influenza last month alone, a rise that comes as an early season of respiratory illnesses adds strain to the beleaguered health-care system.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/LM Otero

Children’s deaths from influenza up in B.C., with five mortalities last month

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of five to six kids died per flu season across Canada

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. Families Minister Karina Gould is expected to introduce legislation today to strengthen child care in Canada, which is likely to include an effort to secure a long-term role for Ottawa in the new national daycare system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Liberals aim to secure long-term role for feds in national child-care system

New legislation introduced, does not make any specific financial promises

The gravesite of a small boy whose battered body body was found abandoned in a cardboard box decades ago is seen in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. Nearly 66 years after the boy was found, Philadelphia police are set to reveal the identity of the victim in the city’s most notorious cold case. Police say detective work and DNA analysis helped them learn the name of a youngster who’d been known to generations of Philadelphians as the “Boy in the Box.” Authorities are set to publicly release the victim’s name on Thursday. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Police reveal identity of Philly’s slain ‘Boy in the Box’

66 years later, authorities hope revelation will bring them a step closer to the boy’s killer

People check the damage at their apartments hit by a Russian missile in Mykolaiv, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. This was the year war returned to Europe, and few facets of life were left untouched. Russia’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine unleashed misery on millions of Ukrainians, shattered Europe’s sense of security, ripped up the geopolitical map and rocked the global economy. The shockwaves made life more expensive in homes across Europe, worsened a global migrant crisis and complicated the world’s response to climate change.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Putin vows to persist with strikes in Ukraine, ignoring West

Kremlin demands Kyiv recognize Crimea and other land gains in Ukraine as part of Russia

People check the damage at their apartments hit by a Russian missile in Mykolaiv, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. This was the year war returned to Europe, and few facets of life were left untouched. Russia’s invasion of its neighbor Ukraine unleashed misery on millions of Ukrainians, shattered Europe’s sense of security, ripped up the geopolitical map and rocked the global economy. The shockwaves made life more expensive in homes across Europe, worsened a global migrant crisis and complicated the world’s response to climate change.(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Former B.C. minister of state for child care Katrina Chen speaks as then-premier John Horgan listens during an announcement in Vancouver, on Thursday July 4, 2019. Chen says she took herself out of contention for a new ministerial position in order to deal with “long-standing trauma” suffered as a result of gender-based violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Katrina Chen exits B.C. cabinet, citing ‘long-standing trauma,’ gender-based violence

Chen focusing on herself and her son, taking ‘time and space to heal’

Former B.C. minister of state for child care Katrina Chen speaks as then-premier John Horgan listens during an announcement in Vancouver, on Thursday July 4, 2019. Chen says she took herself out of contention for a new ministerial position in order to deal with “long-standing trauma” suffered as a result of gender-based violence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on November 5, 2013. Veteran journalist Dean Beeby says reporters are abandoning the federal Access to Information Act as a research tool because turnaround times are terrible and getting worse.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Media shunning transparency law due to worsening delays, journalist says

Users complain of lengthy delays, heavily blacked-out documents or full denials

The Peace Tower is seen on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on November 5, 2013. Veteran journalist Dean Beeby says reporters are abandoning the federal Access to Information Act as a research tool because turnaround times are terrible and getting worse.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Debris believed to be from the 2021 Zim Kingston freighter spill is shown being collected off Palmerston Beach, on Vancouver Island B.C. in this handout image provided by the by the environmental organization Epic Exeo from February 2022. Those who walk the beaches say debris from the 109 shipping containers that went overboard is still washing up onshore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Epic Exeo **MANDATORY CREDIT**

From urinal mats to unicorns, cargo from 2021 spill still washes up on B.C. shores

Advocates still awaiting solutions in the wake of the MV Zim Kingston spill

Debris believed to be from the 2021 Zim Kingston freighter spill is shown being collected off Palmerston Beach, on Vancouver Island B.C. in this handout image provided by the by the environmental organization Epic Exeo from February 2022. Those who walk the beaches say debris from the 109 shipping containers that went overboard is still washing up onshore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Epic Exeo **MANDATORY CREDIT**
FILE - WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing in Khimki just outside Moscow, on July 7, 2022. Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

American WNBA star Griner freed in swap for Russian arms dealer Bout

2-time US Olympic medallist exchanged for Russian felon once nicknamed ‘the Merchant of Death’

FILE - WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner is escorted to a courtroom for a hearing in Khimki just outside Moscow, on July 7, 2022. Russia has freed WNBA star Brittney Griner on Thursday in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange, with the U.S. releasing notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)
Participation rates of girls in Canadian sport have returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent study, despite fears that one in four would not return post-COVID. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Eric Gay

Study finds that Canadian girls and their parents want a better, safer sport system

Rally Report finds Canadian girls want a better sport system than the pre-pandemic one

Participation rates of girls in Canadian sport have returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to a recent study, despite fears that one in four would not return post-COVID. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Eric Gay
Social Development Minister Karina Gould says 35,000 families have applied for the new dental benefit for their children since applications opened a week ago. Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Tens of thousands of families have applied for federal child dental benefit: Gould

Eligible families can get up to $650 per child per year

Social Development Minister Karina Gould says 35,000 families have applied for the new dental benefit for their children since applications opened a week ago. Gould stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a discussion with members of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council in Montreal on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Trudeau says 120 countries are ready to agree to 30 by 30 framework at COP15

PM acknowledges some of the world’s five biggest countries pose challenges at nature summit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a discussion with members of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council in Montreal on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
FILE- A woman has her routine COVID-19 throat swab at a coronavirus testing site in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. China on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, announced new measures rolling back COVID-19 restrictions, including limiting lockdowns and testing requirements. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)

China eases anti-COVID measures following protests

China last major country trying to stamp out virus while many switch to trying to live it

FILE- A woman has her routine COVID-19 throat swab at a coronavirus testing site in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. China on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, announced new measures rolling back COVID-19 restrictions, including limiting lockdowns and testing requirements. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, RoseAnne Archibald, speaks during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Murray Sinclair to help AFN with conflict resolution after ‘turmoil’: national chief

Conflict played out in public during the last AFN gathering in Vancouver in July

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, RoseAnne Archibald, speaks during the AFN Special Chiefs Assembly (SCA) in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during the annual meeting of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights via videoconference in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Putin denies Western accusations of nuclear sabre-rattling

Russian leader says country’s nuclear doctrine based on the so-called ‘launch on warning’ concept

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking during the annual meeting of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights via videoconference in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Bank of Canada building is pictured in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. The Bank of Canada is expected to raise its key interest rate today, making it the seventh consecutive time this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Bank of Canada hikes key rate by half percentage point, signals possible pause

Seventh consecutive hike in an effort to bring inflation down may be the last

The Bank of Canada building is pictured in Ottawa on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. The Bank of Canada is expected to raise its key interest rate today, making it the seventh consecutive time this year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
B.C. Premier David Eby speaks after being sworn in as the province’s 37th premier during a ceremony at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Premier David Eby will appoint a new cabinet today in a move pundits are saying will be a blend of old and new faces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. finance minister replaced in Premier David Eby’s cabinet shuffle

Former forests minister Katrine Conroy will take over finance portfolio from Selina Robinson

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks after being sworn in as the province’s 37th premier during a ceremony at the Musqueam Nation, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Premier David Eby will appoint a new cabinet today in a move pundits are saying will be a blend of old and new faces. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Renting increased by three times the rate of home ownership in last decade: RBC

Millennials born between 1981 and 1996 are fuelling some of the renting growth

A rental housing development is shown in Vancouver, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Royal Bank of Canada economists say the country has reached a record number of renters as the number of people renting has increased at three times the rate of homeowners in the past decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 9, 2022. Time Magazine on Wednesday Dec. 7, 2022 named Zelenskyy its person of the year, awarding him the accolade “for proving that courage can be as contagious as fear.” (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)

Zelenskyy and ‘spirit of Ukraine’ named Time person of year

Zelenskyy has worked to inspire Ukraine’s resistance to Russian attack and marshal global support

FILE - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 9, 2022. Time Magazine on Wednesday Dec. 7, 2022 named Zelenskyy its person of the year, awarding him the accolade “for proving that courage can be as contagious as fear.” (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File)
Workers set up the Montreal Convention Centre in preparation for the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. A major international conference on preserving the world’s biodiversity is to open Tuesday with speakers including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Nature ‘under attack’ says Trudeau as UN biodiversity conference opens in Montreal

196 countries being asked to hammer out a deal to save and restore ecosystems

Workers set up the Montreal Convention Centre in preparation for the COP15 UN conference on biodiversity in Montreal, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. A major international conference on preserving the world’s biodiversity is to open Tuesday with speakers including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
FILE - Diana Scott holds up a sign while taking part in a demonstration about the use of robots by the San Francisco Police Department outside of City Hall in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. San Francisco supervisors have voted put the brakes on a controversial policy that would let police use robots for deadly force. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send the issue back to a committee for further discussion. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Amid outcry, San Francisco pauses on ‘killer police robots’

San Francisco supervisors voted Tuesday to put the brakes on a controversial…

FILE - Diana Scott holds up a sign while taking part in a demonstration about the use of robots by the San Francisco Police Department outside of City Hall in San Francisco, Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. San Francisco supervisors have voted put the brakes on a controversial policy that would let police use robots for deadly force. The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send the issue back to a committee for further discussion. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)