OTTAWA --Canada's anxiety-laden COVID-19 vaccine programs are facing further threats as Europe warns drug makers it might impose export controls on European-made vaccine doses.All of Canada's current vaccine doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are made in Europe, potentially putting at risk the entirety of Canada's vaccine deliveries.Europe -- like Canada -- is being shorted on deliveries from Pfizer as the company slows production to expand its plant in Belgium.But AstraZeneca has also now informed Europe productions issues will reduce initial deliveries of its vaccine, which Europe is...…OTTAWA --Canada's anxiety-laden COVID-19 vaccine programs are facing further threats as Europe warns drug makers it might impose export controls on European-made vaccine doses.All of Canada's current vaccine doses from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are made in Europe, potentially putting at risk the entirety of Canada's vaccine deliveries.Europe -- like Canada -- is being shorted on deliveries from Pfizer as the company slows production to expand its plant in Belgium.But AstraZeneca has also now informed Europe productions issues will reduce initial deliveries of its vaccine, which Europe is...WW…

AdvertisementWASHINGTON --The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday brought an end to lawsuits over whether Donald Trump illegally profited off his presidency, saying the cases are moot now that Trump is no longer in office.The high court's action was the first in an expected steady stream of orders and rulings on pending lawsuits involving Trump now that his presidency has ended. Some orders may result in dismissals of cases since Trump is no longer president. In other cases, proceedings that had been delayed because Trump was in the White House could resume and their pace even quicken.The justices...…AdvertisementWASHINGTON --The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday brought an end to lawsuits over whether Donald Trump illegally profited off his presidency, saying the cases are moot now that Trump is no longer in office.The high court's action was the first in an expected steady stream of orders and rulings on pending lawsuits involving Trump now that his presidency has ended. Some orders may result in dismissals of cases since Trump is no longer president. In other cases, proceedings that had been delayed because Trump was in the White House could resume and their pace even quicken.The justices...WW…

TORONTO --A review of 61 studies and reports comprising more than 1.8 million people suggests that at least one in three people infected with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, according to a .Authors from Scripps Research in San Diego, California, reviewed global studies and reports published through Nov. 17, 2020 – including two large surveys in England and Spain – that tested the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in over one million people.The researchers compiled 43 studies that used PCR testing and 18 studies that used antibody testing to cross reference their data.The compiled data...…TORONTO --A review of 61 studies and reports comprising more than 1.8 million people suggests that at least one in three people infected with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms, according to a .Authors from Scripps Research in San Diego, California, reviewed global studies and reports published through Nov. 17, 2020 – including two large surveys in England and Spain – that tested the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in over one million people.The researchers compiled 43 studies that used PCR testing and 18 studies that used antibody testing to cross reference their data.The compiled data...WW…

AdvertisementMONTREAL --A team of researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute believe they have found an effective weapon against COVID-19: colchicine, an oral tablet already known and used for other diseases.For Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, who led the study, this is a "major scientific discovery," he said. Colchicine is the first "effective oral drug to treat out-of-hospital patients.""To be able to offer this, from Quebec, and for the planet, we are very happy," said Tardif.involved 4,159 patients whose diagnosis of COVID-19 had been confirmed by a nasopharyngeal test (PCR).Analysis of the...…AdvertisementMONTREAL --A team of researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute believe they have found an effective weapon against COVID-19: colchicine, an oral tablet already known and used for other diseases.For Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, who led the study, this is a "major scientific discovery," he said. Colchicine is the first "effective oral drug to treat out-of-hospital patients.""To be able to offer this, from Quebec, and for the planet, we are very happy," said Tardif.involved 4,159 patients whose diagnosis of COVID-19 had been confirmed by a nasopharyngeal test (PCR).Analysis of the...WW…

AdvertisementMONTREAL --A team of researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute believe they have found an effective weapon against COVID-19: colchicine, an oral tablet already known and used for other diseases.For Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, who led the study, this is a "major scientific discovery," he said. Colchicine is the first "effective oral drug to treat out-of-hospital patients.""To be able to offer this, from Quebec, and for the planet, we are very happy," said Tardif.involved 4,159 patients whose diagnosis of COVID-19 had been confirmed by a nasopharyngeal test (PCR).Analysis of the...…AdvertisementMONTREAL --A team of researchers from the Montreal Heart Institute believe they have found an effective weapon against COVID-19: colchicine, an oral tablet already known and used for other diseases.For Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, who led the study, this is a "major scientific discovery," he said. Colchicine is the first "effective oral drug to treat out-of-hospital patients.""To be able to offer this, from Quebec, and for the planet, we are very happy," said Tardif.involved 4,159 patients whose diagnosis of COVID-19 had been confirmed by a nasopharyngeal test (PCR).Analysis of the...WW…

WASHINGTON --The words of Donald Trump supporters who are accused of participating in the deadly U.S. Capitol riot may end up being used against him in his Senate impeachment trial as he faces the charge of inciting a violent insurrection.At least five supporters facing federal charges have suggested they were taking orders from the then-president when they marched on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6 to challenge the certification of Joe Biden's election win. But now those comments, captured in interviews with reporters and federal agents, are likely to take centre stage as Democrats lay out their...…WASHINGTON --The words of Donald Trump supporters who are accused of participating in the deadly U.S. Capitol riot may end up being used against him in his Senate impeachment trial as he faces the charge of inciting a violent insurrection.At least five supporters facing federal charges have suggested they were taking orders from the then-president when they marched on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6 to challenge the certification of Joe Biden's election win. But now those comments, captured in interviews with reporters and federal agents, are likely to take centre stage as Democrats lay out their...WW…

AdvertisementDAMASCUS, SYRIA --Syrian state media said Israeli warplanes fired several missiles toward central Syria early on Friday, killing a family of four -- including two children -- and wounding four other people. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the claim.Separately, the Israeli military said it downed a drone that had crossed into Israel from Lebanon. It did not say how the aircraft was brought down. There was no immediate word from the Lebanese side but the militant Hezbollah group has sent drones into Israel's airspace in the past.Syria's state-news agency SANA quoted...…AdvertisementDAMASCUS, SYRIA --Syrian state media said Israeli warplanes fired several missiles toward central Syria early on Friday, killing a family of four -- including two children -- and wounding four other people. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the claim.Separately, the Israeli military said it downed a drone that had crossed into Israel from Lebanon. It did not say how the aircraft was brought down. There was no immediate word from the Lebanese side but the militant Hezbollah group has sent drones into Israel's airspace in the past.Syria's state-news agency SANA quoted...WW…

AdvertisementWASHINGTON --U.S. Capitol Police are investigating an incident in which a Republican lawmaker was blocked from entering the House chamber after setting off a metal detector while apparently carrying a concealed gun.Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., set off the metal detector while trying to enter the chamber Thursday afternoon. The metal detectors were installed after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, which left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. The incident was witnessed by a reporter from the HuffPost website.After setting off the machine, Harris was asked to...…AdvertisementWASHINGTON --U.S. Capitol Police are investigating an incident in which a Republican lawmaker was blocked from entering the House chamber after setting off a metal detector while apparently carrying a concealed gun.Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., set off the metal detector while trying to enter the chamber Thursday afternoon. The metal detectors were installed after the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, which left five people dead, including a Capitol police officer. The incident was witnessed by a reporter from the HuffPost website.After setting off the machine, Harris was asked to...WW…

AdvertisementTORONTO --An Ontario barbershop has reopened during the provincial lockdown using a loophole that the owner claims allows them to operate legally.in St. Catharines is cutting hair again after they said they revamped their salon to become a production and film studio. Owner Alicia Hirter set up cameras, lights and microphones in her shop and said people who come in for haircuts are now auditioning for a part in a future TV show or podcast. Under , which came into effect on Dec. 26, film and television productions are allowed to continue operating."We're not offering haircut...…AdvertisementTORONTO --An Ontario barbershop has reopened during the provincial lockdown using a loophole that the owner claims allows them to operate legally.in St. Catharines is cutting hair again after they said they revamped their salon to become a production and film studio. Owner Alicia Hirter set up cameras, lights and microphones in her shop and said people who come in for haircuts are now auditioning for a part in a future TV show or podcast. Under , which came into effect on Dec. 26, film and television productions are allowed to continue operating."We're not offering haircut...WW…

AdvertisementCALGARY --Alberta NDP energy critic Kathleen Ganley is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to publicly disclose details of the Keystone XL deal signed by the province in March.The Kenney government has invested $1.5 billion in the project and provided $6 billion in loan guarantees.U.S. President Joe Biden revoked the permit for the US$8-billion pipeline hours after being sworn into office on Wednesday, a move Kenney called "a gut punch" to Albertans."This news is a devastating blow to our province, especially to those Albertans working on the project, and to the towns benefiting...…AdvertisementCALGARY --Alberta NDP energy critic Kathleen Ganley is calling on Premier Jason Kenney to publicly disclose details of the Keystone XL deal signed by the province in March.The Kenney government has invested $1.5 billion in the project and provided $6 billion in loan guarantees.U.S. President Joe Biden revoked the permit for the US$8-billion pipeline hours after being sworn into office on Wednesday, a move Kenney called "a gut punch" to Albertans."This news is a devastating blow to our province, especially to those Albertans working on the project, and to the towns benefiting...WW…

AdvertisementDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES --Saudi Arabia, for years one of the world's most prolific executioners, dramatically reduced the number of people put to death last year, following changes halting executions for non-violent drug-related crimes, according to the government's tally and independent observers.The Saudi government's Human Rights Commission said Monday it documented 27 executions in 2020. That's compared to an all-time high of 184 executions the year before as documented by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The change represents an 85% reduction in the number...…AdvertisementDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES --Saudi Arabia, for years one of the world's most prolific executioners, dramatically reduced the number of people put to death last year, following changes halting executions for non-violent drug-related crimes, according to the government's tally and independent observers.The Saudi government's Human Rights Commission said Monday it documented 27 executions in 2020. That's compared to an all-time high of 184 executions the year before as documented by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The change represents an 85% reduction in the number...WW…

AdvertisementEDMONTON --The University of Alberta is touting a new drug that could treat breast and blood cancers.The new drug, PCLX-001, is set to begin human trials later this year, in three Canadian centres, including the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. “It’s another exciting stepping stone to finding out if this is going to be a new cancer treatment,” John Mackey, professor and director of oncology trials in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, said. “We can’t guarantee results,” he said. “But I can tell you hope is what is driving this whole program.”Patients with advanced and...…AdvertisementEDMONTON --The University of Alberta is touting a new drug that could treat breast and blood cancers.The new drug, PCLX-001, is set to begin human trials later this year, in three Canadian centres, including the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton. “It’s another exciting stepping stone to finding out if this is going to be a new cancer treatment,” John Mackey, professor and director of oncology trials in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, said. “We can’t guarantee results,” he said. “But I can tell you hope is what is driving this whole program.”Patients with advanced and...WW…

TORONTO --Gov. Gen. Julie Payette has resigned from her post following reports of a "damaging" workplace harassment investigation.“Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It appears this was not always the case at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General,” Payette said in a statement Thursday.“Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry.”Payette’s resignation come hours after sources told CTV News that an independent review into workplace harassment allegations against her was...…TORONTO --Gov. Gen. Julie Payette has resigned from her post following reports of a "damaging" workplace harassment investigation.“Everyone has a right to a healthy and safe work environment, at all times and under all circumstances. It appears this was not always the case at the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General,” Payette said in a statement Thursday.“Tensions have arisen at Rideau Hall over the past few months and for that, I am sorry.”Payette’s resignation come hours after sources told CTV News that an independent review into workplace harassment allegations against her was...WW…

AdvertisementCALGARY, ALBERTA --U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday formally revoked the permit needed to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline (KXL), dashing Ottawa's hopes of salvaging the $8 billion project that the struggling Canadian crude sector has long supported.The move represents another set-back for the beleaguered Canadian energy industry, kills thousands of jobs and marks an early bump in Biden's relationship with Canada, a key trading partner. Biden had long promised to scrap the permit.Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to Washington, told CTV that Ottawa was "very...…AdvertisementCALGARY, ALBERTA --U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday formally revoked the permit needed to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline (KXL), dashing Ottawa's hopes of salvaging the $8 billion project that the struggling Canadian crude sector has long supported.The move represents another set-back for the beleaguered Canadian energy industry, kills thousands of jobs and marks an early bump in Biden's relationship with Canada, a key trading partner. Biden had long promised to scrap the permit.Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to Washington, told CTV that Ottawa was "very...WW…

MONTREAL --Two days after a homeless man died outside in Montreal, possibly while hiding from police during Quebec's nightly COVID-19 curfew, the city's mayor called on on the province to exempt the homeless from the curfew.But Quebec Premier François Legault said no, responding that if the homeless get an exception, other Quebecers might pretend they're homeless when stopped by police after 8 p.m."I was told that if we change the decree, there's a risk that people would use this excuse as a way to walk around in the streets after 8 p.m.," Legault said.He said he doesn't want to risk this...…MONTREAL --Two days after a homeless man died outside in Montreal, possibly while hiding from police during Quebec's nightly COVID-19 curfew, the city's mayor called on on the province to exempt the homeless from the curfew.But Quebec Premier François Legault said no, responding that if the homeless get an exception, other Quebecers might pretend they're homeless when stopped by police after 8 p.m."I was told that if we change the decree, there's a risk that people would use this excuse as a way to walk around in the streets after 8 p.m.," Legault said.He said he doesn't want to risk this...WW…

AdvertisementVICTORIA --A woman who was arrested and spent several days in police custody in Langford last week sent a homemade thank-you card to her jailers, and even positively reviewed the accommodations at the RCMP cells.The West Shore RCMP would not say why the woman was arrested, saying such information could potentially identify her. But, they did confirm that she was arrested and spent “a number of days” in the police lockup.The card was sent to the RCMP detachment after the woman left police custody. The Mounties do not provide craft supplies to persons in custody at the Langford...…AdvertisementVICTORIA --A woman who was arrested and spent several days in police custody in Langford last week sent a homemade thank-you card to her jailers, and even positively reviewed the accommodations at the RCMP cells.The West Shore RCMP would not say why the woman was arrested, saying such information could potentially identify her. But, they did confirm that she was arrested and spent “a number of days” in the police lockup.The card was sent to the RCMP detachment after the woman left police custody. The Mounties do not provide craft supplies to persons in custody at the Langford...WW…

AdvertisementA commission stood up by U.S. President Donald Trump as a rebuttal to schools applying a more accurate history curriculum around slavery in the U.S. issued its inflammatory report on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.Trump announced that he was establishing the commission last fall, following a slew of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country. He blamed the school curriculum for violence that resulted from some of the protests, saying that "the left-wing rioting and mayhem are the direct result of decades of left-wing indoctrination in our schools."The commission...…AdvertisementA commission stood up by U.S. President Donald Trump as a rebuttal to schools applying a more accurate history curriculum around slavery in the U.S. issued its inflammatory report on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.Trump announced that he was establishing the commission last fall, following a slew of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country. He blamed the school curriculum for violence that resulted from some of the protests, saying that "the left-wing rioting and mayhem are the direct result of decades of left-wing indoctrination in our schools."The commission...WW…

AdvertisementTropical Storm Alex has moved into the Gulf of Mexico after dumping rains that left at least four people dead.The storm, centred about 90 kilometers south-southwest of Campeche, Mexico on Sunday afternoon, is tracking west-northwest at approximately 15 kph.That means, for now, the first named storm of the season is not taking direct aim at the massive Gulf oil spill, but the U.S. Coast Guard says the storm could change course and speed up by mid-week.However, if Tropical Storm Alex does become a hurricane in the coming days, it will be far from the BP oil leak.The storm hit...…AdvertisementTropical Storm Alex has moved into the Gulf of Mexico after dumping rains that left at least four people dead.The storm, centred about 90 kilometers south-southwest of Campeche, Mexico on Sunday afternoon, is tracking west-northwest at approximately 15 kph.That means, for now, the first named storm of the season is not taking direct aim at the massive Gulf oil spill, but the U.S. Coast Guard says the storm could change course and speed up by mid-week.However, if Tropical Storm Alex does become a hurricane in the coming days, it will be far from the BP oil leak.The storm hit...WW…

AdvertisementSANTIAGO, CHILE --A powerful earthquake struck in northwestern Argentina near the border with central Chile just before midnight Monday, shaking people in parts of both countries. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage, though some power outages were reported in the quake area.The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4. Its epicenter was 27.6 kilometres (17 miles) southwest of the Argentine town of Porcito and struck at a depth of 14 kilometres (nearly nine miles).The quake was followed by a magnitude 5.0 aftershock about a...…AdvertisementSANTIAGO, CHILE --A powerful earthquake struck in northwestern Argentina near the border with central Chile just before midnight Monday, shaking people in parts of both countries. There were no reports of injuries or serious damage, though some power outages were reported in the quake area.The U.S. Geological Survey said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4. Its epicenter was 27.6 kilometres (17 miles) southwest of the Argentine town of Porcito and struck at a depth of 14 kilometres (nearly nine miles).The quake was followed by a magnitude 5.0 aftershock about a...WW…

MONTREAL --A man froze to death overnight on Saturday just steps from the downtown Montreal shelter where he’d been keeping warm.Now that shelter’s staff is speaking out against Quebec’s current regime of public health rules, which had forced them to kick the man out at night even when there were beds available -- and which Montreal authorities said they had been trying to tweak to reopen the shelter at night, even if that didn't happen in time.The man was Innu, said the director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, Nakuset. She first said on Twitter on Monday that he was Inuk.The...…MONTREAL --A man froze to death overnight on Saturday just steps from the downtown Montreal shelter where he’d been keeping warm.Now that shelter’s staff is speaking out against Quebec’s current regime of public health rules, which had forced them to kick the man out at night even when there were beds available -- and which Montreal authorities said they had been trying to tweak to reopen the shelter at night, even if that didn't happen in time.The man was Innu, said the director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, Nakuset. She first said on Twitter on Monday that he was Inuk.The...WW…

U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to issue around 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after...…U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to issue around 100 pardons and commutations on his final full day in office Tuesday, according to three people familiar with the matter, a major batch of clemency actions that includes white collar criminals, high-profile rappers and others but -- as of now -- is not expected to include Trump himself.The White House held a meeting on Sunday to finalize the list of pardons, two sources said.Trump, who had been rolling out pardons and commutations at a steady clip ahead of Christmas, had put a pause on them in the days leading up to and directly after...WW…

AdvertisementIn a new criminal court case against a woman alleged to have entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the FBI noted that a tipster raised the possibility of a laptop being stolen from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to potentially sell to Russia.There's no indication a laptop was actually taken from Pelosi's office. And the FBI says in the court record the "matter remains under investigation."It's one of the more bizarre details to emerge in the avalanche ofagainst people accused of storming the Capitol.In this case, a person who said they are the former romantic partner of...…AdvertisementIn a new criminal court case against a woman alleged to have entered the U.S. Capitol on January 6, the FBI noted that a tipster raised the possibility of a laptop being stolen from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to potentially sell to Russia.There's no indication a laptop was actually taken from Pelosi's office. And the FBI says in the court record the "matter remains under investigation."It's one of the more bizarre details to emerge in the avalanche ofagainst people accused of storming the Capitol.In this case, a person who said they are the former romantic partner of...WW…

AdvertisementMONTREAL --As high schoolers across Quebec return to class, teachers at Westmount High School in the Montreal area showed up to work Monday dressed in all black.According to a statement from a group of teachers, they’ll be wearing black to, among other things, “mourn the inevitable deaths that will occur due to the increased transmission caused by school reopenings.”As of Jan. 3, the province reported nearly 1,500 active cases across all public and private schools in Quebec, with more than 200 affected schools in Montreal alone.“It’s just unbelievable,” said science author and...…AdvertisementMONTREAL --As high schoolers across Quebec return to class, teachers at Westmount High School in the Montreal area showed up to work Monday dressed in all black.According to a statement from a group of teachers, they’ll be wearing black to, among other things, “mourn the inevitable deaths that will occur due to the increased transmission caused by school reopenings.”As of Jan. 3, the province reported nearly 1,500 active cases across all public and private schools in Quebec, with more than 200 affected schools in Montreal alone.“It’s just unbelievable,” said science author and...WW…

AdvertisementTORONTO --Canada's biggest cities are experiencing a record-breaking loss of people as urbanites move to smaller bedroom communities in search of affordable homes., Montreal and Toronto both saw a record loss of people from July 2019 to July 2020 as urban-dwellers moved to the suburbs, smaller towns and rural areas. Toronto lost 50,375 people over those 12 months while nearby Oshawa, Ont. saw its population grow by 2.1 per cent — the fastest population growth in the country. Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo in Ontario and Halifax were tied for the second-fastest growth, at 2 per...…AdvertisementTORONTO --Canada's biggest cities are experiencing a record-breaking loss of people as urbanites move to smaller bedroom communities in search of affordable homes., Montreal and Toronto both saw a record loss of people from July 2019 to July 2020 as urban-dwellers moved to the suburbs, smaller towns and rural areas. Toronto lost 50,375 people over those 12 months while nearby Oshawa, Ont. saw its population grow by 2.1 per cent — the fastest population growth in the country. Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo in Ontario and Halifax were tied for the second-fastest growth, at 2 per...WW…

OTTAWA --The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's former head of counter-intelligence says it fell to him to tell the RCMP about a spy in the Canadian navy, even though the Canadian Security Intelligence Service was already well aware of Jeffrey Delisle's sale of sensitive secrets to the Russians.In a newly published book, Frank Figliuzzi casts a critical eye on the Delisle case, pointing to the episode as a prime illustration of systemic problems with how Canadian agencies investigate espionage.As a sub-lieutenant at the Trinity intelligence centre in Halifax, Delisle had access to a...…OTTAWA --The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's former head of counter-intelligence says it fell to him to tell the RCMP about a spy in the Canadian navy, even though the Canadian Security Intelligence Service was already well aware of Jeffrey Delisle's sale of sensitive secrets to the Russians.In a newly published book, Frank Figliuzzi casts a critical eye on the Delisle case, pointing to the episode as a prime illustration of systemic problems with how Canadian agencies investigate espionage.As a sub-lieutenant at the Trinity intelligence centre in Halifax, Delisle had access to a...WW…