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:
O'Toole opposes Quebec's plan to tax unvaccinated
Three Canadian regiments lose prince as patron
Delays increase cost to rebuild Lytton, B.C.
Saskatchewan premier tests positive for COVID-19
Omicron upends mathematical models tracking COVID
Ottawa to go ahead with trucker vaccine mandate
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NEW TOP STORIES SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY:
O'Toole opposes Quebec's plan to tax unvaccinated
O'Toole-Vaccines
Ottawa, , -- Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says while he respects provincial jurisdiction, he opposes Quebec's plan "to tax and target" those who are unvaccinated against COVID-19. By Stephanie Taylor. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Three Canadian regiments lose prince as patron
Cda-Prince-Andrew
Ottawa, , -- Three Canadian regiments were left without a patron Thursday after the Queen stripped Prince Andrew of all his military titles and royal patronages. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Delays increase cost to rebuild Lytton, B.C.
Wildfires-BC-Lytton
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Insurance losses from a wildfire that wiped out most of Lytton, B.C., have surged to $102 million. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Transition can include cleaner Canadian oil: IEA
Cda-Energy
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The executive director of the International Energy Agency says Canadian oil and gas can be part of the transition to a clean-energy future if the industry can cut its carbon footprint. By Mia Rabson. Wire: National.
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Human rights report cites Canadian shortcomings
Cda-Human-Rights
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- An international watchdog is taking Canada to task in a new report over what it says are serious domestic and foreign policy challenges on human rights. By Mike Blanchfield. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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B.C. funds OD prevention in construction industry
Overdose-Crisis-Construction
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- The British Columbia government is providing a $1-million grant to expand access to resources aimed at preventing overdose deaths in the construction industry. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Murder convictions in stabbing deaths upheld
Alta-Kahsai-Appeal
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Alberta’s highest court has upheld first-degree murder convictions against a man who stabbed his mother and a woman with a developmental disability his mother was caring for in her home. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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B.C. Liberals to review memberships ahead of vote
Liberal-Leadership-BC
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- A review of more than 3,000 new applications for membership in the British Columbia Liberal Party is underway as the Feb. 5 leadership vote approaches. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Nova Scotia says study to protect isthmus complete
Climate-Risk-Isthmus
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- The Nova Scotia government says a study looking at options to protect the province from potentially being cut off by flooding at the Chignecto Isthmus has been completed and is being reviewed. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Class is back as 'Degrassi' plans new series
TV-Degrassi
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Beloved Canadian teen drama "Degrassi" will be back in session next year as a new hour-long TV series. By David Friend. Wire: Entertainment.
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UPDATED COVID AND OMICRON:
New Brunswick tightens, Nunavut lifts COVID rules
COVID-Cda
New Brunswick announced tougher public health measures Thursday as COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to climb in several provinces and the Omicron variant fuelled more infections across Canada. By Alanna Smith. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Health Canada decision on Pfizer antiviral close
COVID-Treatments
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Health Canada should be ready to make an authorization decision about Pfizer's Paxlovid antiviral treatment for COVID-19 in a week to 10 days, chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma said Thursday. By Mia Rabson. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Ottawa to go ahead with trucker vaccine mandate
Truckers-Vaccination
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- The federal government says the vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States will come into effect this Saturday as planned, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
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Manitoba cuts COVID contact notification in school
COVID-Mba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- Manitoba schools will no longer notify close contacts of those infected with COVID-19 when students return to class next week. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Indigenous inmates have high rates of COVID-19
COVID-Inmates
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Indigenous federal inmates are infected with COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates. By Erika Ibrahim. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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New Brunswick imposes new COVID-19 lockdown
COVID-NB
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada -- New Brunswick will enter a new lockdown at midnight Friday to curb rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations — a decision Premier Blaine Higgs said was a last resort. By Kevin Bissett. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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COVID wave 'like continuous, unrelenting pressure'
COVID-NS-ICU
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- For intensive care doctor Sarah McMullen, the Omicron wave of COVID-19 seems like a twisting, turning carnival ride, leaving her wondering when she'll get to step off. By Michael Tutton. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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B.C. school district wants staff proof of vaccine
COVID-BC
Delta, British Columbia, Canada -- The school board in Delta, B.C., is requiring all its employees to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19 and is giving them less than two months to disclose their status. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Saskatchewan premier tests positive for COVID-19
COVID-Sask-Moe
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada -- Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer says he's considering whether to revise the province's public health order on masks in light of Premier Scott Moe testing positive for COVID-19 after a news conference. By Mickey Djuric. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Food industry calls for emergency access to TFWs
Food-Industry-TFWs
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Canadian food processors hard-hit by labour shortages are asking the federal government for emergency access to more temporary foreign workers. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
See also:
Windsor-Essex halts arrival of temporary workers
COVID-Ont-Temporary-Workers
Windsor, Ontario, Canada -- Health officials in the Windsor, Ont., region have issued an order halting the arrival of temporary foreign workers for several weeks in light of COVID-19 outbreaks in the agricultural sector. Wire: Ontario/Quebec.
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Businesses call for clarity around reopening plan
COVID-Ont-Business
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- Ontario businesses are calling on the provincial government to announce if establishments shuttered under the latest pandemic restrictions will be allowed to reopen on Jan. 26. By Allison Jones. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
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Some Ontario school boards to report COVID data
COVID-Ont-Schools
Some school boards in Ontario say they're going to report available COVID-19 data to families now that the province has said it will no longer be regularly reporting or tracing cases of the virus in schools. Wire: Ontario/Quebec.
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Quebec curfew has hit hardest among marginalized
Que-Curfew-Impact
Montreal, , -- The Quebec government said it introduced a curfew as a common sense way to reduce COVID-19 transmission and ease pressure on hospitals, but women facing violence, young people and low-income residents say the health order has left them behind. By Virginie Ann. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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N.L. aiming to have kids back in school Jan. 24
COVID-NL
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada -- The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it's hoping to have students resume in-person learning on Jan. 24. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Public health restrictions extended in P.E.I.
COVID-PEI
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada -- The government of Prince Edward Island said Thursday it would extend public health measures, including remote learning for schoolchildren, until at least Jan. 24, because the peak of the Omicron wave is likely still ahead. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Nunavut to lift COVID-19 lockdown Monday
COVID-Nunavut
Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada -- Nunavut will lift its lockdown Monday as COVID-19 case counts continue to drop across the territory. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Omicron upends mathematical models tracking COVID
COVID-Omicron-Mathematics
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada -- The highly transmissible Omicron variant is forcing mathematicians to rework the models that have helped shaped Canada's understanding of COVID-19, as well as the country's response to the pandemic. By Sarah Smellie. Wire: Atlantic, National. Photos: 1
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Fourth doses not yet needed for most: experts
COVID-Vaccine-Fourth-Doses
Many jurisdictions have extended fourth-dose boosters to their most vulnerable populations as Canada's third-dose COVID-19 vaccine rollout ramps up, leading some to wonder whether we'll all need another shot to protect against the virus in the near future. By Melissa Couto Zuber. Wire: Lifestyle. Photos: 1
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UPDATED OTHER TOP NEWS STORIES:
Canadian troops watching Ukraine-Russia tensions
Cda-Ukraine
Ottawa, , -- The commander of Canadian troops in Ukraine says his soldiers are pressing ahead with their mission — preparing the eastern European country’s military for war — amid the looming threat of a Russian invasion. By Lee Berthiaume. Wire: National.
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Canada lacks data to help adapt to climate change
Climate-Adaptation
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- A new report suggests Canada is not doing enough to adapt to and prevent the effects of climate change and is lacking the critical data it needs to do so. By Mia Rabson. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Human rights report card on Canada
Cda-Human-Rights
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Canada faces serious domestic and foreign policy challenges on human rights, says a new report. Wire: National.
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Committee summons Duclos on phone data collection
COVID-Privacy
Ottawa, , -- The House of Commons ethics committee is calling on the federal health minister to explain the Public Health Agency of Canada’s collection of data from millions of mobile phones to understand travel patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Top court to weigh B.C. trustee's defamation case
SCOC-Defamation
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Supreme Court of Canada will look at whether a defamation lawsuit by a school trustee in Chilliwack, B.C., should proceed against the former president of a teachers union. Wire: National, Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Ugly winter storm headed for Atlantic Canada
WEA-Atlantic-Storm
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- A major winter storm is expected to descend on Atlantic Canada on Friday, delivering an ugly mix of powerful winds, heavy snow, freezing rain and storm surges. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Rainstorms slink out of B.C., leaving few effects
WEA-Storms-BC
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Rain and weather warnings have been lifted across British Columbia as the latest atmospheric river departs, leaving most regions generally unscathed despite predictions of severe rainfall during the multi-day storm. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Design led to collapse of N.B. wind turbine
NB-Wind-Turbine
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada -- An investigation into the collapse of a large wind turbine in southeast New Brunswick last October is blaming the design of the structure. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Drones used to drop drugs into prisons: police
CRIME-Drug-Arrest
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- Police in Winnipeg say a multi-jurisdictional investigation has found drones have been used to drop large quantities of drugs into federal prisons. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Co-ops get extra federal cash to ease rental costs
Housing-Funding
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The federal government is giving co-operative housing providers millions in funding to ease rental costs, pledging relief for a sector that has sought to find new ways to provide help to tenants. By Jordan Press. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Calgary council not closing door on Flames arena
HKN-Flames-Arena
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- Calgary's city council has voted unanimously to see if it's possible to breathe new life into the lifeless deal to build a new arena for the Calgary Flames. By Bill Graveland. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Olympic athletes warned about Chinese cyber spies
Cda-Olympics-Security
Ottawa, , -- Athletes representing Canada in the Beijing Winter Olympics next month are being told to take extra precautions against Chinese cyber surveillance, including the danger of electronic devices being infected with spyware. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Canada, Mexico dispute USMCA auto rules of origin
US-Cda-USMCA-Autos
Washington D. C., Washington, D.C., United States -- Still licking its wounds from a dispute over dairy imports, Canada teamed up with Mexico on Thursday to challenge how the United States is interpreting North American trade rules that govern duty-free cars and trucks. By James McCarten. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Canadians learn draw at Australian Open
TEN-Australian-Draw-Canada
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia -- Felix Auger-Aliassime, the top-ranked Canadian at the Australian Open, will face Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round of the first tennis major of the year. Wire: Sports. Photos: 1
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Alberta sports leagues, events continue amid COVID
COVID-Alta-Sports
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- It's a game of chance for thousands of Albertans playing group sports as the Omicron COVID-19 variant rips through the province. By Alanna Smith. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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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:
Downburst obliterates Northwest Territories forest
LJI-NT-NWT-FOREST-DOWNBURST-RARE
An extremely rare weather event turned kilometres of Northwest Territories forest into matchsticks last year. Researchers only noticed because of the sheer scale of the damage. 750 words. PHOTO. Sarah Sibley/Cabin Radio
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London's downtown office vacancy rate hits record high
LJI-ONT-DOWNTOWN
London’s downtown office vacancy rate hit a record high as businesses continue to move out of the core, new commercial real estate figures show. The office vacancy rate in the core soared to 26.1 per cent in the fourth quarter from 19.3 in the third quarter of 2021. 600 words. PHOTO. Calvi Leon/London Free Press
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COVID-19 numbers up nearly 300 per cent this week in First Nations communities
LJI-QC-indigenous
The number of new COVID-19 cases in Indigenous communities from coast to coast to coast has once more risen at an alarming rate in the past week, Indigenous Services Canada reported. 500 words. Marc Lalonde/Iori:wase
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UPDATED FROM AP:
NEW/DEVELOPING
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Adds: VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINES; SIRHAN-SIRHAN-PAROLE; BRITAIN-CHINA-INFLUENCE; CAPITOL RIOT RAPPER CHARGED; VIRUS OUTBREAK-NYC SCHOOLS; SHOPLIFTING RING-OKLAHOMA; PEOPLE-YE; TEENAGE TRUCKERS; CAPITOL RIOT-INVESTIGATION-TECH
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ONLY ON AP
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BRAZIL-TARNISHED GOLD-ILLEGAL MINING — An investigation by The Associated Press has found that a Sao Paulo-based company Marsam, known for its commitment to the responsible sourcing of precious metals, processes gold for, and shared ownership links to, an intermediary accused by prosecutors of buying gold mined illegally on Indigenous lands and other areas deep in the Amazon rainforest. Critics say an international certification program used by manufacturers to show they aren’t using minerals that come from conflict zones is an exercise in greenwashing. By David Biller and Joshua Goodman. SENT: 3,010 words, photos.
AP POLL-DEMOCRATS-ABORTION — Democrats increasingly view protecting abortion rights as a high priority as Roe v. Wade faces its strongest threat in decades. In a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 13% of Democrats mention abortion or reproductive rights as one of the issues they want the federal government to address in 2022. Less than 1% of Democrats named it as a priority for 2021. By Hannah Fingerhut. SENT: 850 words, photo.
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TOP STORIES
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINES — The Supreme Court stops a major push by the Biden administration to boost the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rate, a requirement that employees at large businesses get a vaccine or test regularly and wear a mask on the job. At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers. By Mark Sherman and Jessica Gresko. SENT: 810 words, photos.
CONGRESS-VOTING BILLS — All but acknowledging defeat, President Biden says he’s “not sure” his elections and voting rights legislation can pass Congress this year. He spoke at the Capitol after a key fellow Democrat, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, dramatically announced her refusal to go along with changing Senate rules to muscle past a Republican filibuster blockade. By Brian Slodysko and Alexandra Jaffe. SENT: 1,000 words, photos, video.
VIRUS-OUTBREAK — Two brand-new COVID-19 pills that were supposed to be an important weapon against the pandemic in the U.S. are in short supply and have played little role in the fight against the omicron wave of infections. The problem is that production is not yet at full strength, and that the pill considered to be far superior, Pfizer’s, takes six to eight months to manufacture. The supply is expected to improve dramatically in the coming months. By Matthew Perrone. SENT: 1,075 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-BIDEN — President Joe Biden announces that the government will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with the most protective N95 masks, as he highlights his efforts to “surge” resources to help the country weather the spike in coronavirus cases. By Zeke Miller. SENT: 1,070 words, photos, video.
CAPITOL RIOT-SEDITION — Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group, and 10 other members or associates are charged with seditious conspiracy in the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol. By Michael Balsamo, Colleen Long and Alanna Durkin Richer. SENT: 1,240 words, photos. With CAPITOL RIOT-SEDITION-NOTABLE CASES — Sedition charges are rarely used because they’re hard to prove and harder to win. SENT: 810 words, photo.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DJOKOVIC — Novak Djokovic remained in limbo even after he was included in the draw for the Australian Open, with the tennis star still awaiting a government decision on whether to deport him for not being vaccinated for COVID-19. SENT: 830 words, photos. WITH: AUSTRALIAN-OPEN-DJOKOVIC-EXPLAINER — How will Australian visa ruling impact Djokovic? SENT: 1,055 words, photos.
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TRENDING NEWS
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SIRHAN-SIRHAN-PAROLE — California’s governor rejected releasing Robert F. Kennedy assassin Sirhan Sirhan from prison more than a half-century after the 1968 slaying left a deep wound during one of America’s darkest times. SENT: 715 words.
BRITAIN-PRINCE-ANDREW — Queen Elizabeth II has stripped Prince Andrew of all his honorary military titles and royal roles in charities and other civic groups, Buckingham Palace said, amid a growing furor over allegations he sexually abused a teenage girl supplied to him by financier Jeffrey Epstein. SENT: 390 words, photos.
STUDENT-LOANS-SETTLEMENT —Navient, a major student loan collecting company, agreed to cancel $1.7 billion in debt owed by more than 66,000 borrowers across the U.S. and pay over $140 million in other penalties to settle allegations of abusive lending practices. SENT: 490 words, photos.
PEOPLE-YE — Los Angeles police investigate Ye after battery complaint. SENT: 120 words, photo.
MEDIA-60-MINUTES — The Paramount+ streaming service has shut down its “60 Minutes+” spinoff that debuted only last year. SENT: 175 words.
AHMAUD-ARBERY-DEPUTY-SUSPENDED — A Georgia sheriff’s deputy has been suspended and faces being fired over comments posted on social media after a judge sentenced three white men to life imprisonment in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. SENT: 285 words.
ARKANSAS-JAIL-IVERMECTIN — Four inmates at a northwest Arkansas jail have filed a lawsuit after they said they were unknowingly prescribed an anti-parasitic drug to treat their COVID-19. SENT: 445 words.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS-OUTBREAK-SCHOOLS — Teachers around the U.S. are confronting classrooms where as many as half of students are absent because they have been exposed to COVID-19 or their families kept them at home out of concern about the surging coronavirus. The widespread absences have only added to the difficulty of keeping students on track in yet another pandemic-disrupted school year. SENT: 850 words, photos. With: VIRUS OUTBREAK-NYC SCHOOLS — New York City Mayor Eric Adams is considering allowing the nation’s largest school district to return to some form of virtual instruction as the city weathers a wave of coronavirus cases, a reversal from his pledge a week ago to keep children in schools. SENT: 490 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK CHINA — Just weeks before the Winter Olympics, China is battling multiple COVID-19 outbreaks in half a dozen cities with the one closest to Beijing driven by the highly transmissible omicron variant. With the success of the games and China’s national dignity at stake, Beijing is doubling-down on its “zero-COVID” policy by imposing sometimes draconian restrictions to snuff out new cases. SENT: 800 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-VARIANT HUNTERS — British scientists hunting down coronavirus variants have a new mission: sharing their expertise with others around the world. SENT: 1,020 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-FRANCE — French teachers have walked out in a nationwide strike to express anger at the way the government is handling the virus situation in schools, denouncing confusing rules and calling for more protection. SENT: 360 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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CAPITOL RIOT-INVESTIGATION — House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy’s refusal to cooperate with the Jan. 6 investigation poses a new test for lawmakers leading the probe, fueling questions about whether they will take the extraordinary step of issuing subpoenas to lawmakers. SENT: 840 words, photos. With CAPITOL RIOT-INVESTIGATION-TECH — The Jan. 6 committee issues subpoenas to Twitter, Meta, Reddit and YouTube. SENT: 560 words, photo.
CAPITOL RIOT-RAPPER-CHARGED — A South Dakota man charged this week with storming the U.S. Capitol last year performed rap songs about the riot in videos posted on his YouTube channel, federal authorities say. SENT: 430 words.
ELECTION 2024-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES — The Republican National Committee says it is planning a rule change that would force presidential candidates seeking the party’s nomination to sign a pledge saying they will not participate in any debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. SENT: 840 words, photo.
REMOTE VIDEO TESTIMONY — An overturned conviction in Missouri is raising new questions about video testimony in criminal court cases, a ruling that could have ripple effects through a justice system that’s exponentially ramped up the use of remote testimony nationwide as it struggles under a backlog of cases during the coronavirus pandemic. SENT: 950 words.
FEDERAL-PRISONS -- The Justice Department will begin transferring thousands of inmates out of federal prisons this week as part of a sweeping criminal justice overhaul signed by President Donald Trump more than three years ago. The department is now spelling out how “time credits” for prisoners will work. SENT: 840 words, photos.
ELECTION 2022-COURTING TRUMP — In her quest to be Nevada’s next governor, Las Vegas city councilwoman Michele Fiore has been spending thousands on television ads. But instead of airing them only in Nevada media markets, she’s also targeting an audience of one: former President Donald Trump. SENT: 930 words, photo.
BIDEN-HEALTH INSURANCE — People looking for health insurance in the midst of the omicron surge have through Saturday to sign up for taxpayer-subsidized private coverage under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act. SENT: 370 words, photo.
UNITED STATES-RUSSIA-PIPELINE — Senate Democrats are expected to defeat a bill by Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz that would have heaped sanctions on businesses involved in a Russian natural-gas pipeline to Germany. UPCOMING: 700 words, photo by 7 p.m.
ELECTION 2022-OHIO-GOVERNOR — GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he has no regrets about his response to the coronavirus pandemic, even if Republican voters who thought he went too far are angry enough to vote him out in the upcoming May primary. DeWine is running for a second four-year term, which he has said will mark the end of his career in politics. SENT: 635 words, photos.
WISCONSIN ELECTION-BALLOT BOXES — The conservative push to effectively end absentee ballot drop boxes in Wisconsin is scheduled to return to a courtroom in a case that seeks to prohibit dropping ballots off anywhere other than at the local clerk’s office. SENT: 565 words.
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NATIONAL
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SHOPLIFTING RING-OKLAHOMA — State and federal authorities announced that they arrested and charged more than two dozen people for taking part in a multistate shoplifting ring that made off with more than $10 million in stolen goods over the past few years, most of which was over-the-counter medications. SENT: 310 words, photo.
WATER FIGHT-NEBRASKA — Colorado’s governor is warning he will “protect and aggressively assert” his state’s water rights after Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced a plan to spend $500 million on a canal and reservoir project that includes claiming access to land in Colorado under a 99-year-old compact between the states. SENT: 530 words.
MISSING-TRAVELER — An investigation has found that Utah police made “several unintentional mistakes” when they stopped Gabby Petito and her boyfriend before she was killed in what became a high-profile missing person case. SENT: 710 words, photo.
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INTERNATIONAL
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RUSSIA-US-NATO — Russia raised the stakes in its dispute with the West over Ukraine and NATO’s expansion when a top diplomat refused to rule out a military deployment to Cuba and Venezuela if tensions with the United States escalate. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.
GAZA-RECYCLING RUBBLE — The Gaza Strip has few jobs, little electricity and almost no natural resources. But after four bruising wars with Israel in just over a decade, it has lots of rubble. Local businesses are now finding ways to cash in on the chunks of smashed concrete, bricks and debris left behind by years of conflict. SENT: 990 words, photos.
EUROPE-GAS CRUNCH — Europe’s natural gas crisis isn’t letting up. Reserves are low. Prices are high. Utility customers are getting hit with higher bills. It raises the question: how exactly is Europe, which imports most of its energy, going to make it through the winter without a gas disaster, especially if the season turns out to be colder or longer than usual? SENT: 880 words, photos.
BRITAIN-POLITICS — With varying degrees of enthusiasm, senior British government ministers expressed support for Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson and rejected demands he resign for attending a garden party during the country’s first coronavirus lockdown. SENT: 710 words, photos.
BRITAIN-CHINA-INFLUENCE — Britain’s domestic intelligence service has warned lawmakers that a London-based lawyer is trying to “covertly interfere in U.K. politics” on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. SENT: 430 words.
ITALY-SHIPWRECK ANNIVERSARY — Italy honored the 32 victims of the Costa Concordia shipwreck on the 10th anniversary of the disaster with a commemoration on the Tuscan island of Giglio, which recalled the horror of the night the cruise ship struck a reef and capsized. SENT: 950 words, photos. WITH: ITALY-SHIPWRECK-ANNIVERSARY-TIMELINE. SENT: 645 words, photos.
SOUTH-KOREA-BUILDING-COLLAPSE — South Korean rescuers located a man under a pile of debris and broken concrete at the construction site of a 39-floor building that partially collapsed three days earlier, leaving six workers missing, officials say. SENT: 560 words, photos.
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HEALTH & SCIENCE
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SCI-HOT-YEAR — Two U.S. science agencies say 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record globally, part of a long-term warming trend. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released measurements showing how hot last year was. It wasn’t record hot, but the year’s 58.5 degree average is not much behind the record. The last eight years have been the eight hottest years on record. By Seth Borenstein. SENT: 740 words, photos, video.
MED--MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS-VIRUS — A new study offers stronger evidence that one of the world’s most common viruses may set some people on the path to developing multiple sclerosis. The Epstein-Barr virus has long been a suspect. Harvard researchers tracked blood testing of 10 million U.S. military recruits over 20 years and concluded Epstein-Barr — and no other virus — greatly increased the risk of later MS. It’s not the only factor because just about everybody gets Epstein-Barr but only a small fraction develop potentially disabling MS. But it may spur vaccine development. SENT: 500 words, photo.
DYING-MANATEES — An unprecedented, experimental attempt to feed manatees facing starvation in Florida has started slowly but wildlife officials expressed optimism it will work as cold weather drives the marine mammals toward warmer waters. Officials said that a feeding station established along the state’s east coast has yet to entice manatees with romaine lettuce even though the animals will eat it in captivity. SENT: 490 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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TEENAGE TRUCKERS — The federal government is moving forward with a plan to let teenagers drive big rigs from state to state in a test program. Currently, truckers who cross state lines must be at least 21 years old, but an apprenticeship program required by Congress to help ease supply chain backlogs would let 18-to-20-year-old truckers drive outside their home states. SENT: 590 words, photo.
FEDERAL RESERVE-BRAINART — Lael Brainard, President Joe Biden’s nominee for the Federal Reserve’s No. 2 spot, said that combating high inflation is the Fed’s top priority and promised the Fed could bring it down without sacrificing job growth. SENT: 640 words, photos.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to the highest level since mid-November. U.S. jobless claims climbed by 23,000 last week to 230,000, still low by historic standards. The four-week moving average, which smooths out week-to-week blips, was up nearly 6,300 to almost 211,000. SENT: 365 words, photos.
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ENTERTAINMENT
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MEDIA-ABC- VIRUS — ABC News is under fire for how it edited an interview that CDC Director Rochelle Walensky gave to “Good Morning America.” By Media Writer David Bauder. SENT: 760 words, photos.
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SPORTS
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BBO-LOCKOUT — Major League Baseball labor negotiations on economics resume for the first time since talks broke off Dec. 1, hours before management locked out players in the sport’s first work stoppage since 1995. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos, by 5 p.m.
The Canadian Press
