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:
-- Windsor blockade ends, border traffic to restart
-- Canada pulls military troops out of Ukraine
Industry, provinces weaken coal proposals: critics
-- Honouring Black women in Quebec health care
-- Fund plans IPO to bring impact investing to masses
-- Steven Dubois wins second short-track medal
TOP NEWS STORIES:
Windsor blockade ends, border traffic to restart
Trucker-Protest
Police worked to reopen traffic across a key border crossing with the United States on Sunday, while kilometres away residents of the national capital decided to take matters into their own hands as convoys clogged . By Noushin Ziafati and Jordan Press. Words: 617
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Canada pulls military troops out of Ukraine
Cda-Ukraine
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The military is moving troops out of Ukraine in one of the strongest signals yet that a Russian invasion is imminent. Words: 348, Photos: 1
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Industry, provinces weaken coal proposals: critics
Coal-Effluent-Regulations
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- The federal government has bowed to provincial and industry lobbying in weakening proposed standards for coal mining effluent, critics say. By Bob Weber. Words: 638, Photos: 1
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Guardians do more than protect land
NWT-Guardians
Twyla Edgi-Masuzumi was the first person to get a call when a family of six disappeared on the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories while travelling by boat to a funeral last summer. By Emma Tranter. Words: 561, Photos: 1
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Honouring Black women in Quebec health care
Black-History-Health-Workers
Montreal, , -- When 26-year-old nurse Stephanie Bumba looks at herself in the mirror wearing her uniform, she feels pride and sees a past she wants to honour. By Virginie Ann. Words: 817, Photos: 1
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2nd of 5 whales brought from Canada to Mystic Aquarium dies
US-Aquarium-Belugas
Mystic, Connecticut, United States -- MYSTIC, Conn. (AP) — The second of five whales brought from Canada to Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium last year for research purposes has died. Words: 360
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Fund plans IPO to bring impact investing to masses
Kizmet-Impact-Investing
Toronto, , -- For average investors entering the responsible investing space, many of the options most focused on making a measurable impact are out of reach. By Ian Bickis. Words: 682, Photos: 1
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Five things to watch for in Canadian business
Cda-Business-5-Things
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Words: 254, Photos: 1
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Steven Dubois wins second short-track medal
OLY-Canada-Roundup
Beijing, Beijing, China -- One of Canada's first-time Olympians is now a two-time medallist. Words: 1002, Photos: 1
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Bayern Munich says Davies' recovery is going well
SOC-Bayern-Davies
Munich, Bavaria, Germany -- Canadian star fullback Alphonso Davies is on the mend, according to Bayern Munich. Words: 362, 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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UKRAINE-TENSIONS — Ukraine’s president is playing down intensified warnings of a possible Russian invasion within days, saying he had yet to see convincing evidence. The comments come as the U.S. updated its estimate of how many Russian troops are now poised near Ukraine’s borders to more than 130,000. President Joe Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for nearly an hour Sunday. By Jim Heintz and Ellen Knickmeyer. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. WITH: UKRAINE-TENSIONS-INFLECTION POINT — Even if a Russian invasion of Ukraine doesn’t come in the next few days, the crisis is reaching a critical inflection point with European stability and the future of East-West relations hanging in the balance. By Matthew Lee and Vladimir Isachenkov. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos by 2:30 p.m.
For full coverage of Ukraine.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-PROTESTS — Police have moved in to clear and arrest the remaining protesters near the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, trying to end a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions that has hurt the economy of both nations. But they’ve held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa, where local and national police formed a joint command center. By Rob Gillies and Corey Williams. SENT: 950 words, photos, videos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-CANADA TRUCKERS-PROTESTERS — Canadians who have occupied downtown Ottawa, disrupted travel and trade with the U.S. and inspired copycat protests from New Zealand to the Netherlands sound a common note when asked about their motivation: Decisions about their health shouldn’t be made by the government. UPCOMING: 970 words by 3 p.m., photos.
SUPER-BOWL — Playing as the “visiting” team in their new home, SoFi Stadium, the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams take on the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl. Cincinnati is 0-2 in the big game, both losses coming in the 1980s to San Francisco. The Rams are 1-3, their only victory in 2000 while representing St. Louis. By Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner. UPCOMING: Game begins 6:35 p.m. WITH: FBN—Super Bowl-The Latest.
See full Super Bowl advisory.
COLLEGES-LEGACY ADMISSIONS — America’s elite colleges are facing growing calls to end the decades-old tradition of giving an admissions boost to the relatives of alumni. On campuses across the Ivy League, students have pushed officials to end legacy admissions, saying it’s rooted in racism.Many colleges defend legacy admissions, saying it helps build an alumni community and encourages donations. But two colleges have ended the practice recently, giving opponents hope that others will follow. By Collin Binkley. SENT: 1,280 words, photos. This is the Monday Spotlight.
LEBANON-HAMRA STREET — Hamra Street at one time represented everything that was glamorous about Beirut. Now, many of its stores are shuttered. Poverty-stricken Lebanese and Syrian refugees beg on its sidewalks. The streetlights barely come on. Like the rest of the country, Lebanon’s economic crisis swept through the street like a destructive storm. By Bassem Mroue. SENT: 1,290 words, photos, 920-word abridged version.
OLY-ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN — Across two pandemic Olympics set in Asian countries, Asian American women fronting the Games have encountered a whiplashing duality — prized on the global stage for their medal-winning talent, buffeted by the escalating crisis of racist abuse at home. The world’s most elite and international sporting event underscores along the way the crude reality that many Asian women face: of only being seen when they have something to offer. By Sally Ho. SENT: 1.040 words, photos. WITH OLY-BEIJING-OLYMPICS-THE LATEST (sent).
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MORE ON THE OLYMPICS
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OLY-FIG-WATCHING VALIEVA — Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva is set to testify by video at the appeal hearing that will decide if she can still compete at the Beijing OIympics. Court of Arbitration for Sport director general Matthieu Reeb says the 15-year-old Russian star is scheduled to speak to the judges on video through an interpreter. Three CAS judges will hear arguments in a closed-door session at a hotel in Beijing. SENT: 890 words, photos.
OLY-SPD-SPEEDSKATING — Erin Jackson has become the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal at the Winter Olympics. A gold one. Jackson won the 500 meters with a time of 37.04 seconds to give the American speedskating program its first speedskating medal of the Beijing Games and first individual medal since 2010. SENT: 800 words, photos.
OLY-OLYMPICS SNOW-PHOTO GALLERY — A sustained, heavy snowfall delighted — and disrupted — the Winter Olympics on Sunday. Fat flakes fell at all three locations that are hosting the Beijing Games. It wouldn’t normally be that novel to see snow at the Winter Olympics, but China’s capital city and the mountain venues get precious little of the stuff usually, making these the first Winter Games to rely almost entirely on artificial snow. SENT: 150 words, photos.
OLY-BEIJING DIARY-SEGMENTED CITY — Some Olympics signs in Beijing talk of staying “together for a shared future.” Others warn: “Don’t cross the line.” This might seem ironic, but it isn’t. For the Chinese capital, it’s natural. The Olympics are the latest, most modern incarnation of something that has been true about the Chinese capital for decades, even centuries. Beijing is a compartmentalized city full of tiny gated, fenced and subdivided ecosystems that have made it strangely appropriate for a locked-down, tightly regulated COVID Olympics. SENT: 1,180 words, photos.
OLY-HALFWAY THERE-EXPLAINER — COVID restrictions. A “closed loop” restricting everyone’s movements. Some most excellent athletic achievement and, yes, a Russian doping scandal. The Beijing Winter Olympics have reached the halfway point. SENT: 540 words, photos.
OLY-SKI-WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? EXPLAINER — As in many sports, and plenty of other fields, Alpine skiing has a lingua franca — those are the words and phrases that allow folks from various places to communicate in a shared language. This helps Olympic ski racers better understand the conditions they are competing under. For example, ‘grippy’ is used to describe snow that really grabs at your edges. That makes it easier for them to make the turns they want. SENT: 980 words, photos.
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TRENDING NEWS
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MEXICO-AVOCADOS-VIOLENCE — The U.S. government has suspended imports of Mexican avocados, after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat. SENT: 760 words, photos.
SWITZERLAND-MEDIA-SUBSIDIES — Exit polls suggest that Swiss voters have rejected the government’s plan to inject more than 150 million francs (about $163 million) into broadcast and print media every year. SENT: 330 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NYC-SUBWAY — Transit officials in New York are hoping a recent uptick in subway ridership is a sign that the city is bouncing back from the omicron surge. SENT: 190 words.
AQUARIUM-BELUGAS — The second of five whales brought from Canada to Mystic Aquarium last year for research purposes has died. SENT: 350 words.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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SUPREME COURT VACANCY-GRAHAM — Lindsey Graham is someone to watch in Washington these days. The South Carolina senator, who tied himself closely to Donald Trump, is among a handful of Republicans declaring their willingness to break with party lines and vote for the White House’s yet-to-be-announced nominee to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. SENT: 1,040 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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MINNEAPOLIS-POLICE SHOOTING-CHIEF — The fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Black man by police in Minneapolis is turning up the heat on the city’s police chief. Amelia Huffman was elevated to the top job on an interim basis just weeks before Amir Locke was slain by officers serving a search warrant. SENT: 1,120 words, photos.
REL-GAY BLACK PRIEST PROFILE — Among Catholic priests in the United States, few are African American and few are openly gay. Bryan Massingale is both, using his platform as a priest and professor to teach about racial injustice within the U.S. and urge the Catholic Church to be more welcoming to LGBTQ Catholics. SENT: 1,150 words, photos.
CHURCH IN SCHOOOL-WEST VIRGINIA — A West Virginia school superintendent is investigating a Feb. 2 religious revival that occurred at Huntington High School, saying he believes students’ rights have been violated. It was advertised as a voluntary event but two teachers took their entire classes. SENT: 250 words, photo.
SCHOOL SHOOTING-TEXAS — A man accused of fatally shooting 10 people at a Texas high school in 2018 will continue receiving treatment in a state mental health facility as doctors say he remains incompetent to stand trial. SENT: 280 words.
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INTERNATIONAL
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KOREAS-JAPAN — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Hawaii to discuss the threat posed by nuclear-armed North Korea after Pyongyang began the year with a series of missile tests. Blinken told journalists at a news conference after Saturday’s meeting that North Korea was “in a phase of provocation” and the three countries condemned the recent missile launches. SENT: 710 words, photos.
FRANCE ELECTION-SHADOW CAMPAIGN — French President Emmanuel Macron hasn’t officially declared that he’s a candidate for April’s presidential election yet. But he already has a full campaign team and makes speeches about his plans for the country in the upcoming years. Critics say he’s unfairly using his taxpayer-funded presidential pulpit to campaign for a second term while dragging out his widely expected announcement as long as possible. SENT: 790 words, photos.
FRANCE-ELECTION-PECRESSE — A conservative politician who is vying to become France’s first female president is hoping to boost her declining fortunes with her first major campaign rally, less than 60 days from the April 10 first round of France’s presidential election. SENT: 470 words, photos.
AFGHANISTAN-US-KARZAI — Afghanistan’s former president has called a White House order to unfreeze $3.5 billion in Afghan assets held in the U.S. for families of 9/11 victims an atrocity against the Afghan people. SENT: 910 words, photos.
PAKISTAN BLASPHEMY — Police say an enraged mob has stoned to death a middle-aged man for allegedly desecrating the Quran in a remote village in eastern Pakistan. SENT: 420 words, photos.
GERMANY-PRESIDENT ELECTION — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been re-elected for a second term of five years by a special parliamentary assembly. Steinmeier had been endorsed by most mainstream political parties ahead of the election for the office as the largely ceremonial head of state. SENT: 520 words, photos.
INDONESIA-SWIMMERS DROWNED — Eleven people have drowned after being dragged by big waves on a beach in Indonesia’s East Java province despite warnings to avoid the sea. SENT: 150 words.
IBERIA-DROUGHT — Large sections of Spain are experiencing extreme or prolonged drought, with rainfall this winter at only one-third of the average in recent years. The situation is similar in neighboring Portugal, where 45% of the country is now enduring “severe” or “extreme” drought. Farmers fear that crops could be ruined this season. SENT: 860 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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SUPER BOWL ADS-WRAPUP — Super Bowl ads were chock full of celebrities, singing and dancing and light humor, staying away from anything controversial or edgy to appeal to Americans weary of two years of pandemic life. Here’s a look at some standouts. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos by 10:30 p.m.
SUPER BOWL-DRAKE — Among the stars, Drake still shined the brightest. In an all-white outfit, the multi-Grammy winner had many concertgoers jostling for position to watch him perform at the Super Bowl-week party dubbed “Homecoming Weekend” on Saturday night. SENT: 520 words, photos.
SUPER BOWL-GREEN DAY-MILEY CYRUS — Miley Cyrus has only been alive for about half the Super Bowls ever played, but her setlist on the eve of the 56th spanned the whole history of the big game and then some. Cyrus mashed up songs on Saturday night from the 60s, 80s and 90s with her own at the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest. SENT: 600 words, photos.
FILM-BOX OFFICE — Hollywood’s Super Bowl weekend largely fizzled with the muted debut of Kenneth Branagh’s long-delayed Agatha Christie whodunit, “Death on the Nile,” a tepid reception for the Jennifer Lopez romantic-comedy “Marry Me” and modest box-office bumps for Oscar nominees. SENT: 780 words, photos.
FASHION WEEK-BRANDON MAXWELL — Brandon Maxwell ended his Fashion Week runway show with silence — to pay emotional homage to his grandmother, who has Alzheimer’s, and her influence on his life. With the help of supermodel Karlie Kloss, Maxwell left behind the bright colors for neutral tones and simplicity this season. SENT: 450 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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UNIONS-YOUNG WORKERS — After decades of decline, U.S. unions have a new reason for hope: younger workers. Workers in their 20s and even in their teens are leading ongoing efforts to unionize Starbucks and other companies. The Alphabet Workers Union, formed last year and now representing 800 Google employees, is run by five people who are under 35. Multiple polls show union approval is high and growing among the youngest workers. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
SAUDI ARABIA-ARAMCO — Saudi Arabia says it will transfer 4% of the stock in the state-run oil giant Aramco to a sovereign wealth fund. Sunday’s infusion, valued at nearly $80 billion, comes as the kingdom tries to overhaul its energy-dependent economy in part with the fund. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the assertive son of King Salman, made the decision to transfer the stock. SENT: 400 words, photo.
GAS PRICES — The average U.S. price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline spiked 15 cents over the past three weeks to $3.55 per gallon. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that the price jump comes after a rise in crude oil costs. SENT: 90 words.
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HOW TO REACH US
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At the Nerve Center, Elise Ryan can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, (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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