Here are the latest Top News stories from The Canadian Press. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are subject to change as news develops.
IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO mainslots@thecanadianpress.com and we'll get back to you right away.
TOP HEADLINES:
Iqaluit water plant shut down over fuel
Feds retiring science vessel, replacement delayed
Antiviral on its way to provinces and territories
Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir
Annual inflation hits 30-year high in December
Russian aggression absolutely unacceptable: Trudeau
Indigenous entrepreneurs to compete on new TV show
---
NEW TOP STORIES SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY:
Iqaluit water plant shut down over fuel
Iqaluit-Water
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada -- The City of Iqaluit shut down its water treatment plant Wednesday after the water was contaminated last week with fuel for the second time. By Emma Tranter. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Feds retiring science vessel, replacement delayed
Coast-Guard-Ship
Ottawa, , -- The federal government is being forced to retire one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s important science vessels, dealing a blow to the country’s ocean research capabilities for at least the next few years. By Lee Berthiaume. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
B.C. nations, forestry firm make deal on big trees
Old-Growth-Logging
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- Four Vancouver Island First Nations have reached an agreement with forestry firm Western Forest Products Inc. to defer harvesting of 25 square kilometres of rare, ancient and priority old-growth trees. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Coyotes edging out wolverines, study suggests
Alta-Coyotes-Wolverines
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Industrial development is helping coyotes move into wolverine country and edge out the rare carnivore despite its fierce reputation, newly published research suggests. By Bob Weber. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Torn water line prompts emergency in B.C. village
Pipe-Damaged
Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada -- A First Nation on Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency and banned the use of water for everything except flushing toilets after a barge severed a water supply line. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Saskatchewan working on new carbon plan submission
Sask-Carbon-Pricing
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada -- Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan will submit another carbon pricing plan to the federal government in the coming months. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
UPDATED OMICRON and COVID-19:
Antiviral on its way as hospitalizations vary
COVID-Cda
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the first shipment of an oral COVID-19 pill is making its way across Canada but is no substitute for vaccination against the rapidly spreading virus. By Alanna Smith. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Canadian trial suggests benefits of remdesivir
COVID-Treatment-Remdesivir
A Canadian study suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a "modest but significant effect" on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. By Melissa Couto Zuber. Wire: Lifestyle. Photos: 1
–
Manitoba reports 12 new COVID-related deaths
COVID-Mba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- Manitoba recorded another 12 COVID-19-related deaths and saw hospitalizations rise again Wednesday, as the province's top doctor said the peak of the Omicron wave might be close at hand. By Steve Lambert. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Ontario sees 'glimmers of hope': Elliott
COVID-Ont
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Ontario is seeing "glimmers of hope" in its fight against the Omicron variant, the health minister said Wednesday, setting the stage for what the premier has called a positive announcement on restrictions later this week. By Allison Jones. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
–
Toronto students head back to in-person learning
COVID-Ont-Schools
Toronto, , -- Parents in Toronto expressed mixed emotions as they dropped their kids off at school for the first time in weeks on Wednesday, saying they were worried about COVID-19 but glad to have their children get back to in-person learning. By Noushin Ziafati. Wire: Ontario/Quebec.
–
Edmonton school board requests vaccine clinics
COVID-Alta-Education
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- One of Alberta's largest school boards wants the province to open vaccine clinics in schools as the number of students and staff infected with COVID-19 rises. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Quebec needs action, not another COVID-19 inquiry
COVID-Que-Health-Report
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Quebec’s health and welfare commissioner says the province doesn't need a public inquiry into the high death toll in long-term care homes during the pandemic's first wave. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Food manufacturers cut capacity amid challenges
Food-Supplier-Problems
Canada's food manufacturers are starting to cut capacity and focus on key products as they confront labour shortages and supply chain problems that show no signs of easing. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Unvaccinated military face uphill battle: lawyer
Vaccine-Mandates
Ottawa, , -- Unvaccinated military members are in for a tougher fight than a retired airman who was disciplined for refusing an anthrax vaccine 20 years ago, his former lawyer warns. By Stephanie Taylor. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
B.C. doubles relief grants for certain businesses
COVID-BC
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- More financial help is on the way for British Columbia businesses forced to stay closed for at least another month as the province tries to contain the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
UPDATED OTHER TOP NEWS STORIES:
Annual inflation hits 30-year high in December
StatCan-Inflation
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Headline inflation in Canada hit a 30-year high at the end 2021 with warnings from economists that the pace of price increases could rise even higher and stirring expectations of a central bank response before the month is over. By Jordan Press. Wire: National, Business. Photos: 1
–
PBO report questions need for stimulus spending
PBO-FedBudget
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is giving no indications of plans to rein in government spending after a critical report by the parliamentary budget officer questioned the Liberals' case to spend tens of billions in planned stimulus. By Jordan Press. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Trudeau vows to support Ukraine as frigate departs
NATO-Frigate-Departs
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- A Canadian warship departed for Europe and the Black Sea near Russia on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted to fears of a Russian invasion in Ukraine. By Michael Tutton. Wire: Atlantic, National. Photos: 1
–
Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard denied bail
Fashion-Nygard-Arrest
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard will remain behind bars in Toronto as he awaits trial on sexual assault charges after an Ontario court rejected his bid to be released on bail. By Paola Loriggio. Wire: National, Ontario/Quebec.
–
Feds retiring science vessel, replacement delayed
Coast-Guard-Ship
Ottawa, , -- The federal government says it is being forced to retire one of the country's most important science vessels, even as work on its replacement has hit yet another snag. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
China Mobile presses for info in security case
China-Cda-Security
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- A Chinese state-owned telecom firm is pressing for disclosure of federal information to help the company fight Ottawa's order that its Canadian subsidiary be sold or shut down on national security grounds. By Jim Bronskill. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Review of assisted dying law delayed again
Assisted-Dying
Ottawa, , -- The federal Liberal government appears to be in no hurry to complete a legally required parliamentary review of Canada's law on medical assistance in dying, which is already 18 months overdue. By Joan Bryden. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Residential school investigation decision coming
CRIME-Residential-School
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- A decision whether to lay charges following a decade-long investigation into a residential school in Manitoba is expected in the coming weeks. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Alberta minister says not guilty of traffic ticket
Alta-Madu-Ticket
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, , -- Kaycee Madu says he understands why Alberta Premier Jason Kenney relieved him as justice minister after Madu phoned Edmonton’s police chief about a traffic ticket. By Dean Bennett. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Two men charged in botched Calgary home invasion
Calgary-Home-Invasion
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- A Calgary family was terrorized on the weekend in what police are calling a violent home invasion gone wrong. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Service resumes at St. John's airport — for now
NL-Airport-Dispute
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada -- A rotational worker in Newfoundland says a swath of flight cancellations at the St. John's airport prompted by a labour dispute with firefighters has cost him at least a day's pay. By Sarah Smellie. Wire: Atlantic, Business. Photos: 1
–
B.C. welcomes more than 200 Afghan refugees
Refugees-Vancouver
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Over 200 Afghan refugees have arrived in Vancouver, the most to reach the province since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan last August. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
–
Major step forward for new national park in P.E.I.
PEI-New-National-Park
Lennox Island, Prince Edward Island, Canada -- Parks Canada signed a provisional agreement today with two First Nations to establish a new national park reserve on a pristine chain of islands along the northwest coast of Prince Edward Island. Wire: Atlantic, National. Photos: 1
–
Ontario holds virtual housing summit
Ont-Housing-Summit
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched a virtual housing summit with a promise of funds to help the province's largest municipalities speed up development approvals. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
–
Quebec to fence in isolated caribou herds
Que-Caribou-Capture
Montreal, , -- The Quebec government says it is moving forward with its plan to capture and fence in animals from two isolated caribou herds in a bid to save them from dying out. Wire: National. Photos: 1
–
Canadian flights unaffected by 5G turmoil in U.S.
Airlines-5G
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Canadian airlines say flights to the U.S. remain unaffected by the rollout of new 5G wireless technology. By Christopher Reynolds. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Toronto's 1Password lands star-powered investment
1Password-Investment
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- A slew of celebrities and venture capital firms have thrown their support behind 1Password with a US$620-million investment the company says is a new Canadian record. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
–
Indigenous entrepreneurs to compete on new TV show
TV-Indigenous-Business-Competition
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- A new reality show is inviting Indigenous entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses to a group of sharp-toothed investors. Wire: Entertainment. Photos: 1
---
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE STORIES:
The LJI is a federally funded program to add coverage in under-covered areas or on under-covered issues. This content is delivered on the CP wire in the "Y" or spare news category, or you can register to access it at https://lji-ijl.ca. This content is created and submitted by participating publishers and is not edited by The Canadian Press. Please credit stories to the reporter, their media outlet and the Local Journalism Initiative. Questions should be directed to LJI supervising editor Amy Logan at amy.logan@thecanadianpress.com. Below is a sample of the dozens of stories moved daily:
Coal phase-out funds earmarked for studies, infrastructure projects
LJI-ON-COAL-PHASEOUT-FUNDS-FOR-PROJECTS
Canada is putting more than $19-million into studies and infrastructure projects aimed at helping communities move away from coal. Two funds will help impacted communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan shift their economies away from coal-fired electricity generation. 500 words. PHOTO. Natasha Bulowski/Canada's National Observer
----
New grand chief wants action taken on agreements signed with Alberta, Edmonton
LJI-Alta-Treaty6-agreements-Edmonton
New Treaty 6 Grand Chief George Arcand Jr. wants to put into action agreements signed with the province of Alberta and the City of Edmonton a couple years back. But first, he wants to get all 17 members of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations on the same page. 800 words. Shari Narine/Windspeaker.com
----
N.L. Health Minister explains rapid-test allocations
LJI-NL-18012022-COVID-Haggie
Newfoundland and Labrador Health Minister Dr. John Haggie says anyone who thinks there’s a bottomless supply of rapid antigen tests in the province is sadly mistaken. Not only is there a global and national shortage, he said, but the province has already allocated hundreds of thousands of the tests for specific uses. 550 words. PHOTO. Peter Jackson/The Telegram
---
FROM AP:
The latest AP News Digest is unavailable. This is the previous version.
—————————
TOP STORIES
—————————
CONGRESS-VOTING BILLS — Senators opened an emotional, raw debate on voting legislation that Democrats and civil rights leaders say is vital for protecting democracy but that’s almost certain to be defeated without a filibuster rules change. It’s a stunning setback for President Joe Biden and his party. By Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro. SENT: 930 words, photos, video. Developing from 6:30 p.m. vote. WITH: CONGRESS-VOTING BILLS-HIGHLIGHTS — The sweeping elections bill now in the Senate deals with much more than voting changes. SENT: 780 words, photos.
BIDEN — President Joe Biden will try to talk anxious Americans through the challenges of delivering on his lengthy to-do list as he holds a rare news conference to mark his first year in office and asks for patience with recent setbacks to his lofty agenda. By Zeke Miller. SENT: 990 words, photos. UPCOMING: 1,100 words after 4 p.m. news conference. WITH: BIDEN-ONE YEAR-PROMISES — Tracking Biden’s first-year progress delivering on promises. SENT: 1,145 words, photos.
UNITED STATES-UKRAINE — The United States and Russia dug in their heels over Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s border with no sign either will relent from entrenched positions that have raised fears of a Russian invasion and a new war in Europe. Ahead of critical talks Friday between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the two sides appeared no closer to any compromise that might ease tensions and avert the threat of a Russian invasion By Matthew Lee. SENT: 970 words, photos. WITH: UNITED STATES-EUROPE-SANCTIONS — U.S., allies pledge unity on Russia; to do what isn’t as clear. SENT: 1,105 words, photos.
5G-AIRLINES — Major international airlines canceled flights heading to the U.S. or changed the planes they’re using, the latest complication in a dispute over concerns that new 5G mobile phone service could interfere with aircraft technology. By Jon Gambrell. SENT: 1,080 words, photo.
MED-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-IMMUNITY — A new study in two states that compares coronavirus protection from prior infection and vaccination concludes getting the shots is still the safest way to prevent COVID-19. The study examined infections in New York and California last summer and fall and found people who were both vaccinated and had survived a prior bout of COVID-19 had the most protection. By Mike Stobbe. SENT: 605 words, photos.
REL--TEXAS-SYNAGOGUE-STANDOFF-JEWISH REACTION -- For many Jewish leaders, the hostage standoff in a Texas synagogue was all too familiar. They’ve seen a rise in antisemitism and high-profile synagogue attacks. An initial FBI statement said the attack was “not specifically related to the Jewish community,” but the agency later clarified that the community was targeted. Survivors said the captor voiced antisemitic views that Jews “control everything” and believed they could get top U.S. officials to free a prisoner he wanted released. By Peter Smith. SENT: 960 words, photos. WITH: TEXAS-SYNAGOGUE-STANDOFF — A White House spokeswoman says an armed British man who took four people hostage during a 10-hour standoff at a Texas synagogue that ended in his death entered the United States without raising any red flags during multiple checks. SENT: 765 words, photos.
————————————
TRENDING NEWS
————————————
ERRANT HIGHWAY PATROL ALERT-MISSOURI — The Missouri State Highway Patrol alert sent cellphones blaring statewide: Authorities in Gotham City, Missouri, were searching for a purple and green 1978 Dodge 3700GT. SENT: 135 words.
APARTMENT-FIRE-CARDI-B— Cardi B has offered to pay the burial costs for all 17 people killed in a fire in a New York City high-rise. SENT: 240 words, photos.
SUPERBUG-FUNGUS-LOUISIANA — A hospital in New Orleans says it has identified two patients infected with a rare, drug-resistant fungus — the first time it’s been found in Louisiana. SENT: 440 words.
FRANCE-SKIING-ACCIDENT -- French actor Gaspard Ulliel has died after a skiing accident in the Alps, according to his agent’s office. SENT: 510 words, photos.
FORD-RECALL— Ford is recalling about 200,000 cars in the U.S. to fix a problem that can stop the brake lights from turning off. SENT: 120 words, photo.
FLORIDA-CITRUS — Florida is on pace to produce the smallest crop of oranges in more than 75 years, according to a forecast released this month. SENT: 250 words, photo.
————————————————————————
MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
————————————————————————-
VIRUS-OUTBREAK — For the first time, people across the U.S. can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. But the White House push may do little to ease the omicron surge, and experts say Washington will have to do a lot more to fix the country’s long-troubled testing system. SENT: 970 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BIDEN-MASKS — The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week, now that federal officials are emphasizing their better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. SENT: 390 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VIRAL QUESTIONS-MASKS — Health experts suggest stepping up protection against omicron with N95s, KN95s or similar masks. SENT: 390 words, illustration.
STARBUCKS-VACCINE-MANDATE — Starbucks is no longer requiring its U.S. workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, reversing a policy it announced earlier this month. SENT: 190 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-BRITAIN — Face masks will no longer be mandatory in public places and schools in England and COVID-19 passports will be dropped for large events as infections level off in large parts of the country, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. SENT: 475 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-POLAND — Doctors and medical workers in Poland fear the country’s health care system may not be able to cope with the latest surge of COVID-19 infections. More than 30,000 new cases in 24 hours were reported in this nation of 38 million people. SENT: 435 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-CHINA — With just over two weeks before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, residents of the Chinese capital say they’re disappointed at not being able to attend events because of coronavirus restrictions that have seen parts of the city placed under lockdown. SENT: 740 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAPAN — Tokyo and a dozen other areas in Japan will face new COVID-19 restrictions effective Friday, with local leaders shortening hours for restaurants, as omicron cases hit a record high in the capital. SENT: 730 words, photo.
VIRUS OUTBREAK--WHO PANDEMIC REPORT — The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20% last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the omicron variant’s spread, according to the World Health Organization. SENT: 280 words, photos.
—————————————————-
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
——————————————————
TRUMP-LEGAL-TROUBLES — The New York attorney general’s office tells a court that its investigators had uncovered evidence that former President Donald Trump’s company used “fraudulent or misleading” asset valuations to get loans and tax benefits. SENT: 900 words, photos.
SUPREME COURT-GORSUCH-SOTOMAYOR — Two Supreme Court justices say a media report they were at odds over the wearing of masks during the surge in coronavirus cases is false. NPR’s longtime Supreme Court correspondent Nina Totenberg reported on an alleged conflict between Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch. SENT: 415 words, photos.
SUPREME COURT-CAMPAIGN FINANCE-CRUZ — Members of the Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday seemed sympathetic Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in a case in which he’s asking the justices to strike down a narrow provision of campaign finance law. The Texas senator says the provision involving paying back money candidates loan to their campaigns has the effect of discouraging the loans. UPCOMING: 450 words, photos by 3 p.m.
YELLEN-MAYORS CONFERENCE — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told a gathering of America’s mayors on Wednesday that the Biden administration’s coronavirus relief bill was like a vaccine preventing catastrophic economic damage that could have returned the nation to the financial woes seen at the beginning of the pandemic. SENT: 450 words, photos.
BIDEN-AMBASSADORS — President Biden announced his intention to nominate prominent Democratic fundraiser Jane Hartley to serve as ambassador to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and major donor Alan Leventhal to serve as his envoy to Denmark. SENT: 410 words, photo.
—————————
NATIONAL
—————————
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DOCTOR-ASSAULT -- The University of Michigan has agreed to a $490 million settlement with more than 1,000 people who say they were sexually assaulted by a former sports doctor during his nearly four-decade career at the school, the university and those involved in the settlement announced. SENT: 600 words, photos.
GEORGE FLOYD-OFFICERS-CIVIL RIGHTS — The federal trial for three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin when he pinned George Floyd to the street is expected to be complex as prosecutors try to prove each officer willingly violated the Black man’s constitutional rights. Jury selection begins Thursday in the federal case against J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, who also face a state trial later this year on counts of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death. SENT: 1,000 words, photos.
CALIFORNIA WATER-STOPPING WASTE — In a wealthy enclave along the Santa Monica Mountains that is a haven for celebrities, residents are now facing more aggressive consequences for wasting water. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
TEEN’S DEATH-POLICE CUSTODY — A federal judge has refused to throw out a lawsuit’s claims that police on Maryland’s Eastern Shore used excessive force on a 19-year-old Black man who died in 2018 during a struggle with officers who handcuffed him and shackled his legs. SENT: 800 words, photos.
CALIFORNIA BAR SHOOTING — Video from cameras worn by deputies who responded to a mass shooting at a Southern California bar in 2018 and recordings of calls for help captured the chaos, horror and confusion of the massacre that left a dozen people dead. SENT: 830 words, photos.
COAL-TOWN-UNCERTAIN-FUTURE — Craig, a small town in northwest Colorado is losing its coal plant, and residents fear it is the beginning of the end for their community. The same scenario is playing out in other small towns across the U.S. After decades of relying on coal for their workforce, tax base and way of life, the towns face uncertain futures as new state and national legislation forces the retirement of fossil fuels because of the worsening effects of human-caused climate change. SENT: 2,200 words, photos.
SLAIN-SUNDAY-SCHOOL-TEACHER — An Air Force airman convicted of kidnapping a woman from a Mennonite community in New Mexico and fatally shooting her in northern Arizona is set to be sentenced. SENT: 665 words, photos.
———————————-
INTERNATIONAL
———————————-
BRITAIN-POLITICS — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson defied calls to resign in a feisty performance in Parliament — but it may be too little to prevent his Conservative Party’s lawmakers from trying to oust him over a string of lockdown-flouting government parties. Pressure on the prime minister grew as one Conservative lawmaker defected to the opposition Labour Party and a former member of Johnson’s Cabinet told him: “In the name of God, go!” SENT: 690 words, photos.
TONGA-VOLCANO-ERUPTION — Three of Tonga’s smaller islands suffered serious damage from tsunami waves, officials and the Red Cross say, as a wider picture begins to emerge of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific archipelago nation. By Moussa Moussa and David Rising. SENT: 950 words, photos. WITH: TONGA-VOLCANO-ERUPTION-EXPLAINER — Why Tonga eruption was so big and what’s next. SENT: 830 words, photos.
MEXICO-US-ABORTION — Decades ago, Mexican activists drove women into the United States to terminate their pregnancies at clinics. Now it’s women in the U.S. who are facing more challenges to accessing abortion services and again Mexican activists are stepping up to offer support. SENT: 1,125 words, photos.
MIDEAST-WEATHER — A snowstorm in the Middle East has left many Lebanese and Syrians scrambling to find ways to survive. Some are burning old clothes, plastic and other hazardous materials to keep warm as temperatures plummet and poverty soars. The storm began Tuesday night and is expected to peak on Thursday. SENT: 850 words, photos.
EMIRATES-PERSIAN-GULF-TENSIONS — A United Arab Emirates ambassador says Yemen’s Houthi rebels used cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones in an attack on Abu Dhabi this week that killed three people and set off fires at a fuel depot and an international airport. The remarks by the Emirati ambassador to Washington came at virtual event. SENT: 765 words, photos.
———————————————
HEALTH & SCIENCE
———————————————
SCI—TAHITI-CORAL-REEF, HFR — A team of scientists has explored a rare, pristine coral reef off the coast of Tahiti. The rose-shaped corals seem to be untouched by climate change or human activity. Coral reefs around the world have been depleted by overfishing and pollution. Climate change has also caused major bleaching events. This reef was studied late last year during a dive expedition supported by UNESCO. Scientists hope to learn how the reef stays resilient. UPCOMING: 450 words. Eds: This story may not be published or used online until after 6:01 p.m.
———————————————-
BUSINESS/ECONOMY
————————————————
MICROSOFT-ACTIVISION-EXPLAINER — Microsoft stunned the gaming industry when it announced this week it would buy game publisher Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, a deal that would immediately make it a larger video-game company than Nintendo. Microsoft, maker of the Xbox gaming system, said the deal would be good for gamers and advance its ambitions for the metaverse — a vision for creating immersive virtual worlds for both work and play. But how will the deal affect for the millions of people who play video games? SENT: 840 words, photos.
FINANCIAL MARKETS — Stocks were mixed on Wall Street as investors reviewed the latest corporate earnings and prepare for higher interest rates. SENT: 460 words, photos.
————————————-
ENTERTAINMENT
—————————————
KENNEDY CENTER--JON STEWART— Comedian, talk show host and political influencer Jon Stewart has been named the 23rd recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Award for lifetime achievement in comedy. The 59-year-old Stewart, whose real name is Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, rose to prominence as a standup comic and host of multiple failed talk shows before taking over Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” in 1999. SENT: 350 words, photo.
OBIT-ANDRE-LEON-TALLEY — André Leon Talley, a towering and highly visible figure of the fashion world who made history as a rare Black editor in an overwhelmingly white industry, has died. He was 73. SENT: 850 words, photos.
———————
SPORTS
————————
TEN-AUSTRALIAN-OPEN — After beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets to win a match at the Australian Open for the first time in five years, Andy Murray is aiming to make it two victories in three days. The five-time runner-up at Melbourne Park plays Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel. Second-seeded Daniil Medvedev will have a big test against local hope Nick Kyrgios, although it will be on Rod Laver Arena rather than the raucous environment of the mercurial Australian’s preferred John Cain Arena. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 8 p.m.
——————————————
The Canadian Press
