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.
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TOP HEADLINES:
-- Ottawa, other cities endure escalating protests
-- Judge to rule on B.C. Liberal leader vote
-- Brain injury endemic among homeless: researcher
-- First Nations leaders recall meeting the Queen
-- Weidemann, Kingsbury earn Canada's first medals
TOP NEWS STORIES:
Ottawa, other cities endure escalating protests
Trucker-Protest
Protesters opposed to vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions held rallies in cities across Canada on Saturday in a show of solidarity with a week-long demonstration in the national capital, while the effort to end the newly re-energized demonstration in Ottawa prepared to shift to the legal arena. By Mike Blanchfield and Christopher Reynolds. Words: 840. Will be writethru.
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Judge to rule on B.C. Liberal leader vote
Liberal-Leadership-BC
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- A judge was expected to deliver her decision today on a petition that asks the British Columbia Supreme Court to delay the release of results from the B.C. Liberal party's leadership vote. Words: 313, Photos: 1. Will be writethru.
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Brain injury endemic among homeless: researcher
Homeless-Brain-Injuries
Vancouver, , -- Traumatic brain injury is so common among the homeless that prevention should be prioritized for people facing multiple challenges and worse outcomes compared with "affluent populations," says the lead author of a study in Vancouver that monitored participants for symptoms every month for a year. By Camille Bains. Words: 872, Photos: 1
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First Nations leaders recall meeting the Queen
Queen-Jubilee-Indigenous
Dave (Sabe) Courchene remembers first hearing in his early teens the story of how his grandfather met the Queen during her 10-day tour of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories in 1970. By Brittany Hobson. Words: 711, Photos: 1
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Inside the great canned potato debate of 2022
Potato-Secrecy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency wants to know what people think about the size of canned, cubed, white potatoes — but if you want to know exactly who asked for the change or why this is a priority exercise, you're out of luck. By Mia Rabson. Words: 776, Photos: 1
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Power outages, clean-up continue after storm
ATL-Storm
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada -- The clean-up continues after a nasty winter storm lashed the Maritimes between Thursday night and mid-day Saturday. Words: 128
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Einarson, Fleury face off in Scotties playoffs
CUR-Scotties
Playoffs continue today at the Canadian women's curling championships in Thunder Bay. The action starts with two-time defending champion Kerri Einarson taking on Tracy Fleury of Wild Card 1. Later, Northern Ontario's Krista McCarville will face Andrea Crawford of New Brunswick. 500 words. ETA 5 p.m. ET. PHOTOS Words: 60
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Weidemann, Kingsbury earn Canada's first medals
OLY-Canada-Roundup
Beijing, Beijing, China -- Canada made its mark on the medal table early at the Beijing Olympics, as speedskater Isabelle Weidemann raced to bronze in the women's 3,000 metres on Saturday. Words: 714, Photos: 1
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FROM AP:
Here are the AP’s latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.
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TOP STORIES
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BIDEN-TRUST-US — President Joe Biden’s administration has refused to share evidence for national security claims in recent days, and officials have even accused reporters of buying into foreign propaganda. Administration officials wouldn’t reveal what led them to say they knew that Russia was plotting a false flag operation as a pretext to invade Ukraine. And they wouldn’t explain their confidence that civilian casualties were caused by a suicide bombing rather than U.S. special forces during a raid in Syria. SENT: 1,035 words, photos.
REPUBLICAN MEETING — This week at the Republican National Committee’s winter meeting, party leaders made clear through their actions, if not words, that the GOP is choosing to serve former President Donald Trump and his political interests ahead of the next presidential election. That’s even as the RNC’s rules require the committee not to pick favorites in a contested primary. By Sam Metz and Steve Peoples. SENT: 1,210 words, photos.
ABORTION-PREGNANCY-CENTERS —Anti-abortion clinics across the country are receiving tens of millions of tax dollars to talk women out of ending their pregnancies. An Associated Press tally shows that the spending is a nearly fivefold increase from a decade ago. It’s the result of an often-overlooked effort by mostly Republican-led states that have restricted access to abortion. State budget figures reviewed by the AP show that nearly $89 million has been allocated across about a dozen states this fiscal year to fund the nonprofits known as crisis pregnancy centers. A decade ago, the annual funding for the programs hovered around $17 million in about eight states. By Kimberlee Kruesi. SENT: 1,510 words, photos. An abridged version of 900 words is available.
SOCIAL-MEDIA-CONSERVATIVE-VOICES — A decision by Twitter and Facebook to ban former President Donald Trump a year ago has prompted many conservative social media users to join new platforms that claim to offer a refuge from overzealous content moderation. A year later, so-called alt-tech platforms like Gab, Parler and Gettr are growing fast. And while they’ve failed to replicate the success of the major sites, experts in extremism see their growth as a cause for concern and possibly leading to radicalization and even violence. By David Klepper and Barbara Ortutay. SENT: 995 words, photos. Eds: This story has moved as the Sunday Spotlight.
REL-HOLOCAUST-REMARKS-JEWISH-IDENTITY — The uproar over Whoopi Goldberg’s remarks about the Holocaust has catalyzed somber reflections by many American Jews, and not just about the Holocaust’s legacy. They also have recalled anti-Jewish discrimination in the United States and pondered the Jewish community’s sense of collective identity. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
OLY-QUARANTINE-HOTELS — Not enough food. Inedible meals. No training equipment. Some Olympic athletes unlucky enough to test positive for the coronavirus at the Beijing Olympics feel their quarantine conditions are making a bad situation much worse. “My stomach hurts, I’m very pale and I have huge black circles around my eyes. I want all this to end. I cry every day. I’m very tired,” Russian biathlon competitor Valeria Vasnetsova posted on Instagram. By James Ellingworth. SENT: 565 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE OLYMPICS
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OLY-AUTHORITARIAN-OLYMPICS? — Thomas Bach, the head of the International Olympic Committee, says the Olympic ideals show that even in a world full of conflict, people can build bridges and live in peace. Critics of Bach and the IOC say those ideals are nonsense, and talk of respect and bridge-building is overshadowed by Olympic officials cozying up to some of the world’s most powerful authoritarian rulers, and holding this year’s Games in a country accused of widespread human rights violations. SENT: 1,11O words, photos. WITH: OLY-BEIJING-OLYMPICS-THE-LATEST.
OLY-SPD-WHITE'S LAST RIDE — This really is it for Shaun White. The three-time gold medalist made it clear that not only will the Beijing Games be his last Olympics, they’ll mark his final contest, too. SENT: 845 words, photos.
OLY-SKI-SHIFFRIN’S-SKIING — Mikaela Shiffrin will defend her giant slalom gold medal in the first women’s Alpine skiing event of the Beijing Olympics. The 26-year-old from Colorado already has won three Olympic medals for the U.S. and three overall World Cup titles. SENT: 1,025 words, photos.
OLY-UYGHUR-TORCHBEARER — Facing international criticism over it treatment of minorities, China’s selection of a member of the Uyghur Muslim group to help deliver the Olympic flame was a show of defiance, a message from Communist authorities that they won’t be swayed. But some critics say the choice shows that the government has been affected by complaints. SENT: 890 words, photos.
OLY-BEIJING-SNOWMAKING — Dry Beijing barely gets any winter precipitation, making this year’s Winter Games the first to rely almost entirely on artificial snow. Organizers are touting the event’s green credentials, but experts do worry about the environmental impact of such a massive snowmaking operation given the huge amounts of water and electricity it takes. SENT: 840 words, photos.
OLY-BEIJING-OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE — Beijing residents gathered outside in droves on a below-freezing Friday night to try for a glimpse of the lit-up Olympic stadium and the fireworks during the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Games. Tickets are not being sold because of the pandemic, and only selected spectators are able to attend. To contain any outbreaks, authorities have also walled off the venues to prevent participants from coming in contact with the general public. SENT: 450 words, photos.
OLY-BEIJING-SNAPSHOT-TOGETHER-APART — The ever-present slogan that governs these Winter Olympics is meant to evoke the ideal of one world. In reality, it’s two. Bus shelters, buildings and the walls that form the membrane of the Olympic bubble all exhort: “Together for a shared future.” But the Chinese residents waiting in front of these hoardings, bundled up against the frigid temperatures, are solidly out of the loop. SENT: 300 words, photos.
OLY-WHAT-TO-WATCH — Mikaela Shiffrin’s first event of the Beijing Olympics is the one she won four years ago. The American star is set to defend her title in the giant slalom, which will be part of prime-time coverage of the Winter Games on Sunday on NBC. SENT: 680 words, photos.
OLY-DAY-1-PHOTO-GALLERY — Medals and more at Day 1 of the Beijing Olympics. SENT: 230 words, photos.
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TRENDING NEWS
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MOROCCO BOY-TRAPPED — Attempts to rescue a 5-year-old boy trapped in a Moroccan well stretched into a fourth day, with unstable soil threatening the painstaking work of trying to digging him out safely. SENT: 445 words, photos.
FRANCE-DEAD-FISH — France’s maritime minister has ordered an investigation after environmental group Sea Shepherd released video and photos of a massive swarm of dead fish released by a huge trawler in the Atlantic Ocean. SENT: 210 words, photos.
SOUTHERN-AFRICA-CYCLONE —- Weather officials forecast that the full force of Cyclone Batsirai is to hit Madagascar. SENT: 245 words, photos.
PEOPLE-HASTY-PUDDING-GARNER — Jennifer Garner celebrated as Hasty Pudding’s Woman of Year. SENT: 240 words, photo.
BRITAIN-QUEEN-PLATINUM JUBILEE —Queen Elizabeth II has attended her largest public engagement since a recent health scare, mingling with guests at a reception ahead of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne. SENT: 185 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-TURKEY-ERGODAN — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has tested positive for COVID-19. He tweeted Saturday that he and his wife, Emine, both had mild symptoms and that they were infected with the omicron variant, which is highly transmissible. SENT: 230 words, photos.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ILLINOIS-SCHOOLS — An Illinois judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prevents school districts from complying with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate that requires students to wear masks in the classroom. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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DEMOCRATS-FRAGILE-MAJORITY — More than 600 sitting senators have died or resigned since the first Congress met in 1789. That doesn’t mean another will happen soon. But it does underline the precarious position that President Biden and Senate Democrats face after the stroke by New Mexico Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján. Democrats control the 50-50 Senate because of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote. With Luján weeks away from returning, his party is outnumbered and can’t approve bills or nominations without Republican support. SENT: 980 words, photos.
MAYORAL-RACE-CONSERVATIVES — Tough restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic and debates over police funding have sparked conservative movements in traditionally liberal cities, including Norman, Oklahoma. Supporters of Unite Norman say the group has galvanized conservatives in the college town just south of Oklahoma City. But opponents say it has exacerbated divisions in the community. SENT: 790 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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POLICE-SHOOTING-MINNEAPOLIS-LOCKE — Before he was fatally shot by a Minneapolis police officer, Amir Locke had been making plans. The 22-year-old Black man had filed paperwork to start a music business, his mother said, and had already designed a logo. Next week, he planned to move to Dallas, where he would be closer to his mom and — he hoped — build a career as a hip-hop artist, following in the musical footsteps of his father. SENT: 595 words, photos.
HAWAII-TAINTED-WATER — The Navy is scrambling to contain a major crisis in Hawaii after jet fuel leaked from an 80-year-old Hawaii tank farm, sickening thousands. The problem isn’t solved yet but the Navy has spent more than $250 million to address it so far. SENT: 1,180 words, photos.
AHMAUD ARBERY-HATE CRIMES — There’s a new complication in the federal hate crime trial for the men who chased and killed Ahmaud Arbery. Two of the defendants offered to plead guilty before a deal reached with prosecutors fell apart. That news could make it tougher to select a jury. SENT: 945 words, photos.
WINTER-WEATHER — The winter storm that caused hundreds of thousands of power outages and contributed to hundreds of traffic accidents from Texas to Maine had moved out to sea Saturday, and while most locations were returning to normal, many people in the Memphis, Tennessee, area were without electricity and could be in the dark for a full week. SENT: 360 words, photos.
BLACKSBURG SHOOTING — Authorities in Virginia say one person was killed and another four people were injured during a shooting at a hookah lounge. SENT: 110 words, photos, video.
FIVE DEAD-TEXAS — Police in Texas say a gunman killed four members of his own family, including a child, before fatally shooting himself as officers approached. SENT: 200 words.
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INTERNATIONAL
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UKRAINE-TENSIONS — Russia has sent a pair of long-range nuclear-capable bombers on patrol over its ally Belarus amid spiraling tensions over Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two Tu-22M3 bombers practiced interaction with the Belarusian air force and air defense during a four-hour mission. SENT: 710 words, photos.
UKRAINE-NATO-EXPLAINER — At the core of the Ukraine crisis is a puzzle: Why would Russian President Vladimir Putin push Europe to the brink of war to demand the West not do something that it has no intention of doing anyway? Russia says NATO must never offer membership to Ukraine — but NATO is not even close to making such an offer. SENT: 940 words, photos.
For full coverage of Ukraine.
PERSIAN-GULF-TENSIONS-ANALYSIS — The wars of the wider Middle East that long surrounded the United Arab Emirates now have encroached into daily life in this U.S.-allied nation. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched missile and drone attacks since January targeting the Emirates. American forces at Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi twice have opened fire with their own Patriot missiles to help. Now more U.S. personnel and equipment are on the way there. This has American troops in the crosshairs of the Houthi attacks. SENT: 1,030 words, photos.
UNITED-NATIONS-SUDAN-DARFUR-LIBYA — U.N. experts say rebel groups in Darfur that signed a peace agreement with the Sudanese government in 2020 continue to operate in Libya and profit from opportunities provided by the civil war and lack of government control in the oil-rich north African nation. SENT: 730 words, photo.
CHINA-XI'S-MEETING — China and Egypt “share similar visions and strategies in defending their own interests,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping says in a meeting with Egypt’s authoritarian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. SENT: 650 words, photos.
FRANCE-ISLAM — The French government has forged ahead with efforts to reshape Islam in France and rid it of extremism, introducing a new body made up of clergy and laymen — and women — to help lead the largest Muslim community in western Europe. SENT: 680 words, photos.
BRAZIL-VIOLENCE — Demonstrators gather in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and other Brazilian cities to protest the killing of a 24-year-old Congolese refugee who was beaten to death on Jan. 24, and which sparked outrage and revulsion across the nation. SENT: 920 words, photos.
AUSTRIA-AVALANCHES — Authorities in Austria are warning of “considerable” risk of avalanches in the west of the country after nine people were killed within 24 hours. SENT: 110 words.
KASHMIR-JOURNALIST-ARRESTED — Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir have arrested a young journalist on accusations of publishing “anti-national content,” police say, in a widening crackdown against media in the disputed region. SENT: 600 words, photos.
FRANCE-ELECTION — France’s dueling far-right presidential candidates are holding back-to-back campaign rallies, trying to steal each other’s thunder and keep their anti-immigration, anti-Islam agenda front and center in the race for the April presidential election. SENT: 500 words, photos.
AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT — African leaders are meeting at a summit that is expected to discuss the continent’s most pressing challenges, including a new wave of coups in West Africa and a slow response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SENT: 410 words.
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BUSINESS
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DELTA-NO-FLY-LIST — Delta Air Lines has requested that the U.S. Department of Justice put any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight to the national “no fly” list. In a letter to the Justice Department Attorney General Merrick Garland dated Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said there should be “zero tolerance” for any behavior that affects flight safety. SENT: 305 words, photo.
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SPORTS
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HKN-NHL-ALL-STAR-GAME — Connor McDavid leads the Pacific Division team and Auston Matthews captains the Atlantic Division squad in the NHL’s annual midseason showcase. At least 21 first-time All-Star selections dot the rosters for the three-game, 3-on-3 tournament in Sin City. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. Starts at 3 p.m.
FBN-BRIAN-FLORES-LAWSUIT — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told teams that the league will look to bolster policies meant to encourage hiring of minorities, particularly as head coaches, and he pledged an investigation into tanking allegations raised by Brian Flores in his discrimination lawsuit against the NFL. SENT: 310 words, photos.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Richard A. Somma can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Donald E. King (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.
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