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:
China's Omicron claim on Canada deemed 'ludicrous'
Four-year-old dies of COVID-19 in Quebec City
Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 drug
Winter storm pummels large stretch of Ontario
Airlines seek end to mandatory arrival testing
First Nations get lower emergency care: study
BoC: Inflation expectations on the rise
'I’m out of gas:' Leadership burnout on the rise
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NEW TOP STORIES SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY:
China's Omicron claim on Canada deemed 'ludicrous'
Cda-China
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada was dismissed Monday as being ludicrous and comical. By Mike Blanchfield. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Four-year-old dies of COVID-19 in Quebec City
COVID-Que-Child-Death
Québec, Quebec, Canada -- A Quebec City hospital announced today that a four-year old girl has died from causes linked to COVID-19. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Copycat fear after Texas synagogue hostage siege
Synagogue-Security
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Jewish community leaders have advised Canadian synagogues to increase their level of vigilance in case of a copycat attack following a hostage taking at a Texas synagogue this weekend. By Marie Woolf. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Scientists study meteorite that landed in B.C.
Meteor-BC
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Scientists studying a meteorite that landed next to a British Columbia woman's head last year say it was diverted to that path about 470 million years ago. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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B.C. Premier Horgan completes cancer treatment
Horgan-Health
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada -- British Columbia Premier John Horgan says he is "less robust" but he's feeling better every day after completing 35 radiation sessions for throat cancer. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Fish processing plant to close in Surrey, B.C.
Fish-Plant
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada -- One of the largest farmed salmon producers operating in B.C. says it's permanently closing its processing plant in Surrey, B.C., because of a federal government decision to phase out some fish farms. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Teck, Steelworkers mull mediator's proposal
Teck-USW-Labour
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -- Talks between Teck Resources Ltd. and the United Steelworkers union at a British Columbia copper mine have ended as the two sides consider a mediator's proposals to resolve a labour dispute. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
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UPDATED COVID-19 AND OMICRON:
Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 drug
COVID-Cda
Health Canada added another tool to its pandemic-fighting arsenal Monday, approving Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 as the rapid spread of the Omicron variant continued to tax the country's health-care system and millions of students returned to in-person learning. By Melissa Couto Zuber. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Pfizer antiviral approved in Canada
COVID-Treatments
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Health Canada approved Pfizer's antiviral treatment for COVID-19 Monday which could help cut pressure on the health-care system by preventing high-risk patients from ending up in the hospital. By Mia Rabson. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Snow hampers school reopening in parts of Ontario
COVID-Ont
Toronto, Ontario, Canada -- A winter storm delayed the return to in-person school across many Ontario school boards Monday, with some deciding to hold classes online in place of a snow day, to the disappointment of families and educators. By Holly McKenzie-Sutter. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
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N.S. schools reopen today amid COVID-19 concerns
COVID-NS
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- Nova Scotia became the first province in Atlantic Canada today to reopen its schools to in-person learning. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Some students walk out as Manitoba schools resume
COVID-Mba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada -- Some Manitoba students walked out of classes Monday, the first day back after an extended holiday break, to protest what they said was an unsafe environment as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. By Steve Lambert and Kelly Geraldine Malone. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Quebec reports 54 more COVID-19 deaths
COVID-Que
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Quebec is reporting 54 more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus today and a rise of 81 COVID-19-related hospitalizations. By Jacob Serebrin. Wire: Ontario/Quebec.
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'I’m out of gas:' Leadership burnout on the rise
Leadership-Burnout
Workers turn to them for support, clients rely on them for answers, companies lean on them in crisis. By Brett Bundale. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
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Airlines seek end to mandatory arrival testing
COVID-Airlines-Testing
Montreal, Quebec, Canada -- Canada's largest airlines and its busiest airport asked the federal government Monday to drop its rule requiring vaccinated travellers to test on arrival for COVID-19. By Christopher Reynolds. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
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OTHER TOP STORIES:
Winter storm pummels large stretch of Ontario
WEA-Winter-Storm
A winter storm plowing through a large swath of southern Ontario caused widespread school closures and transportation disruptions Monday, and prompted some communities to cancel COVID-19 immunization clinics. By Paola Loriggio. Wire: Ontario/Quebec. Photos: 1
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Ottawa, Ontario should fund reserve fire services: association
Ont-First-Nations-Fire
An organization representing First Nations in northwestern Ontario is calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide better fire prevention and protection funding in Indigenous communities after three children died in a house fire. Wire: National.
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Iqaluit sets up water-filling station
Iqaluit-Water
Iqaluit, Nunavut, , -- The City of Iqaluit has set up a water-filling station after traces of fuel were found in the Nunavut capital's drinking water last week for a second time in recent months. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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BoC: Inflation expectations on the rise
BoC-Outlook-Survey
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- Canada's central bank says businesses and consumers are increasingly believing that the pace of price increases will continue on its hot rate for longer. By Jordan Press. Wire: Business.
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First Nations get lower emergency care: study
Indigenous-Emergency-Care
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada -- Hospital emergency rooms in Alberta are likely to assess complaints from First Nations people as less urgent than those from other patients, even when their problems are the same, says a new study that looked at millions of such visits. By Bob Weber. Wire: National. Photos: 1
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Tories question pending lithium mine sale to China
Cda-China
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada -- The Conservatives are reviving questions about the reported pending sale of a Canadian lithium mine to a Chinese company. Canada has designated lithium a critical mineral and key to its future resilience against supply chain disruptions. 600 words. By Mike Blanchfield. Wire: National.
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Report on defunding Halifax police released today
NS-Defunding-Police
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada -- A wide-ranging report on defunding the Halifax police force is recommending a shift away from a "reactive" enforcement-based policing model. Wire: Atlantic. Photos: 1
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Canada Post recognizes Eleanor Collins with stamp
MUSIC-Eleanor-Collins-Stamp
Toronto, , -- "Canada's first lady of jazz" Eleanor Collins is getting her own commemorative stamp. By Sadaf Ahsan. Wire: Entertainment. Photos: 1
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Court upholds sentence in football player's death
CFL-Player-Killed-Appeal
Calgary, Alberta, Canada -- The Alberta Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence of a man who killed a player with the Calgary Stampeders football team outside a nightclub. By Bill Graveland. Wire: Prairies/BC. Photos: 1
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Renewable diesel, canola-crushing plant in Regina
Sask-Diesel-Plant
Regina, , -- Federated Co-operatives Ltd. has announced a project that is to include a renewable diesel facility and a canola-crushing plant. By Mickey Djuric. Wire: Business. Photos: 1
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2021 home sales set new record: CREA
CDA-Home-Sales
The Canadian Real Estate Association says annual home sales reached a new high in 2021, eclipsing the previous record set in 2020 by about 20 per cent. By Tara Deschamps. Wire: Business. 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:
'Trying to gouge us': Couple hit with 61-per-cent rent hike
lji-nb-housing
A Saint John resident on a disability pension is the latest tenant to go public about being forced to leave his long-term apartment because he can’t afford the astronomical rent bump. 700 words. PHOTO. Robin Grant/Telegraph-Journal
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‘Best gift ever!’: Dartmouth’s Lindell Wigginton makes his NBA debut on his mother’s birthday
LJI-NS-LindellWiggingtonMother
When she woke up on her birthday Thursday, Nicole Wigginton-Downey had no idea about the surprise her youngest of five sons had in store for her. Earlier that morning, unbeknownst to his family back in Nova Scotia, Dartmouth’s Lindell Wigginton underwent a physical exam in preparation for signing a two-way contract with the defending NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. 900 words. Matthew Byard/Halifax Examiner
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N.L. Premier defends VaxPass system, saying it successfully modifies behaviours
LJI-NL-17012022-vaxpass
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier admits VaxPass is as much about incentivizing vaccination as preventing spread. 550 words. PHOTO. Peter Jackson/The Telegram
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UPDATED FROM AP:
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NEW/DEVELOPING
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Adds NETHERLANDS-ANNE FRANK, COLOMBIA-GARCIA MARQUEZ’S DAUGHTER, CARDINALS-RAMS.
CARDINALS-RAMS — Game starts 8:15 p.m.
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TOP STORIES
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TEXAS SYNAGOGUE-STANDOFF — The rabbi of a Texas synagogue says he threw a chair at a gunman and then escaped with two other hostages after a 10-hour standoff, crediting past security training for getting himself and his congregation out safely. By Jake Bleiberg and Eric Tucker. SENT: 1,040 words, photos, videos. With TEXAS SYNAGOGUE-STANDOFF-CONGREGATION — Support flows to “changed" Texas synagogue after standoff. SENT: 720 words, photos.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY — A day before the U.S. Senate is expected to take up legislation on voting rights that is looking likely to fail, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s eldest son condemns federal lawmakers over their inaction. Martin Luther King III spoke in Washington, D.C., marking the federal holiday named for his father. By Jeff Martin and Michael Warren. SENT: 830 words, photos. With PHARRELL WILLIAMS-ECONOMIC EQUITY — Pharrell Williams calls for economic equity during MLK event. SENT: 170 words.
BIDEN-ONE YEAR-AMERICAN VOICES — President Joe Biden took office at a particularly polarized time in American history, so it’s not surprising that citizens are divided on his performance at the one-year mark. SENT: 1,920 words, photos. With BIDEN-ONE YEAR-FIRST LADY — Jill Biden: I didn’t expect “healing role” as first lady. SENT: 1,160 words, photos, video.
BRITAIN-POLITICS-INVESTIGATION — As he fights for his career, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has one constant refrain: Wait for Sue Gray. Gray is a senior but previously obscure civil servant who may hold Johnson’s political future in her hands. She has the job of investigating allegations that the prime minister and his staff attended lockdown-flouting parties on government property. By Jill Lawless. SENT: 970 words, photos.
DJOKOVIC — Novak Djokovic returns home after being thwarted from defending his Australian Open title only to face a new predicament: He could be barred from the French Open this year, too, if he’s still not vaccinated against COVID-19. By Darko Bandic. SENT: 910 words, photos, video. With AUSTRALIAN OPEN-DJOKOVIC-POLITICS — Tennis star’s deportation exposes Australian border debate. SENT: 990 words, photos.
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TRENDING
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NETHERLANDS-ANNE FRANK — A cold case team that combed through evidence in a bid to unravel one of World War II’s enduring mysteries reachs what it calls the “most likely scenario” of who betrayed Jewish teenage diarist Anne Frank and her family. SENT: 540 words, photos.
OLY-BEIJING-TICKET SALES — Only “selected” spectators will be permitted at next month’s Beijing Olympics because of the pandemic, organizers say. SENT: 220 words, photo.
EMIRATES-BLACK-DIAMOND — Auction house Sotheby’s Dubai unveils a diamond that’s literally from out of this world — a 555.55-carat black gem called “The Enigma.” SENT: 240 words, photos.
T25-COLLEGE BKB POLL — Preseason No. 1 Gonzaga climbs back to the top of the AP men’s basketball poll, ending Baylor’s five-week run. SENT: 630 words, photos.
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MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK
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VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILLEY — Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing very minor symptoms, a spokesperson says. The Marines say commanding Gen. David Berger also has COVID-19. SENT: 200 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-SOUTH AMERICA — The omicron variant is pressuring hospitals in South America. Employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed. SENT: 970 words, photos.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-GREECE — Greece imposes a vaccination mandate for people 60 and older. SENT: 370 words, photos. With VIRUS OUTBREAK-PHILIPPINES — People who are not fully vaccinated are banned from riding public transport in the Philippine capital region. SENT: 470 words, photos.
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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TIM SCOTT-RACE — Via video, the U.S. Senate’s only Black Republican puts forth what he characterizes as a positive response to partisan rhetoric on race that he’s best-positioned to rebut. SENT: 770 words, photos.
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INTERNATIONAL
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TONGA-VOLCANO ERUPTION — New Zealand and Australia send military surveillance flights to Tonga to assess the damage a huge undersea volcanic eruption left in the Pacific island nation. SENT: 1,060 words, photos, video. With PERU-OIL SPILL-TONGA — Waves from eruption in Tonga cause oil spill in Peru. SENT: 160 words.
EMIRATES-PERSIAN GULF TENSIONS — A drone attack claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting a key oil facility in Abu Dhabi kills three people. SENT: 1,000 words.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE — Russia’s top diplomat rejects U.S. allegations that Moscow is preparing a pretext to invade Ukraine. SENT: 740 words, photos.
FRANCE-ELECTION-ZEMMOUR TRIAL — French far-right presidential candidate Éric Zemmour is convicted of inciting racial hatred over his comments about unaccompanied migrant children. SENT: 500 words, photos.
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NATIONAL
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WINTER WEATHER — A dangerous winter storm brings significant snowfall, strong thunderstorms and blustery winds to the northeastern U.S. SENT: 480 words, photos.
PHILADELPHIA FIRE — Funeral services are held for nine children and three adults who died in a Philadelphia fire five days into the new year. SENT: 370 words, photos.
PRESERVING BLACK CHURCHES — A new effort to preserve historic Black churches in the U.S. receives a $20 million donation that will go to help congregations. SENT: 560 words, photos.
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BUSINESS/ECONOMY
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DAVOS FORUM — Chinese President Xi Jinping calls for greater world cooperation against COVID-19 and says China will send an additional 1 billion doses of vaccine to other countries. SENT: 770 words, photos.
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SCIENCE/HEALTH
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PINELANDS-VEHICLE DAMAGE — Advocates for New Jersey’s Pinelands say the state is not doing enough to protect the ecologically sensitive region from vehicle damage. SENT: 980 words, photos.
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ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
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COLOMBIA-GARCIA MARQUEZ'S DAUGHTER — For decades, Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez kept the public from knowing about an intimate aspect of his life: He had a daughter with a Mexican writer, with whom he had an extramarital affair in the early 1990s. SENT: 380 words, photo.
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SPORTS
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CARDINALS-RAMS — Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford both go after their first playoff victories when the fifth-seeded Arizona Cardinals (11-6) visit the fourth-seeded Los Angeles Rams. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos. Game starts at 8:15 p.m.
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The Canadian Press
