Why an Alaska island is using peanut butter and black lights to find a rat that might not exist

Why an Alaska island is using peanut butter and black lights to find a rat that might not exist

On an island of windswept tundra in the Bering Sea, hundreds of miles from mainland Alaska, a resident sitting outside their home saw — well, did they see it? They were pretty sure they saw it.  A rat. The purported sighting would not have gotten attention in many places around the world, but it caused a … Read more

China ended its international adoption program. Prospective parents want Canada to intervene

China ended its international adoption program. Prospective parents want Canada to intervene

The Current24:51China suddenly ends international adoptions A Quebec man and his wife are devastated after China suddenly stopped most international adoptions, dashing their hopes of adopting a little boy they’ve spent years getting to know.  “We feel that we have a special connection with him,” said Pierre LeMay from Quebec City.  “We receive pictures, we … Read more

TD Bank shakes up leadership amid scandal around anti-money-laundering program

TD Bank shakes up leadership amid scandal around anti-money-laundering program

TD Bank Group, which is mired in a money-laundering scandal in the U.S., said Raymond Chun will replace chief executive Bharat Masrani, who is retiring next year. Chun, who stepped into the role of head of Canadian personal banking last December, will become chief operating officer on Nov. 1 before taking over the top job … Read more

AI tool cuts unexpected deaths in hospital by 26%, Canadian study finds

AI tool cuts unexpected deaths in hospital by 26%, Canadian study finds

Inside a bustling unit at St. Michael’s Hospital in downtown Toronto, one of Shirley Bell’s patients was suffering from a cat bite and a fever, but otherwise appeared fine — until an alert from an AI-based early warning system showed he was sicker than he seemed. While the nursing team usually checked blood work around noon, … Read more

Why some Canadian insurance companies are bringing in a wildfire tactical team

Why some Canadian insurance companies are bringing in a wildfire tactical team

When Joelle Fraser-McGaghey had to evacuate her home during the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, she only had a few minutes to pack before her family had to get out the door. Trying to pull outdoor furniture away from her house was not at the top of her list. “Honestly, I’m not thinking ‘Should I remove … Read more

Washington’s indictment shines a bright light on the dark corners of Russian disinformation operations

Washington’s indictment shines a bright light on the dark corners of Russian disinformation operations

The affidavit of an FBI special agent, and the Russian documents attached to it, offer a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a vast Russian network of disinformation. Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted two Russians — both employees of state broadcaster RT — accused of illegally funnelling $9.7 million into a Tennessee media company. … Read more

Russian ‘spy whale’ Hvaldimir found dead near Norway

Russian ‘spy whale’ Hvaldimir found dead near Norway

A beluga whale that was suspected of spying for Russia after being discovered in Norwegian waters five years ago has been found dead, according to the non-profit organization that had been monitoring the whale. The body of Hvaldimir — a combination of the Norwegian word for whale and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin — was spotted floating in the … Read more

Trudeau announces reduction in temporary foreign workers, suggests more immigration changes to come

Trudeau announces reduction in temporary foreign workers, suggests more immigration changes to come

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday the federal government will reduce the number of temporary foreign workers in Canada after a historic surge that some experts say has fuelled unemployment among immigrants and young people. Trudeau also said the government is considering a reduction to the number of permanent residents Canada accepts each year — a potentially major policy … Read more

Canada to pause approval of temporary foreign workers for low-wage jobs in Montreal

Canada to pause approval of temporary foreign workers for low-wage jobs in Montreal

Canada will freeze the approval of new temporary foreign workers in low-wage jobs in the Montreal area starting in September, CBC News has learned. A senior government source said the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications will be suspended for six months, starting on Sept. 3, for job offers with wages below $27.47 per hour … Read more

Phil Donahue, talk show pioneer, dead at 88

Phil Donahue, talk show pioneer, dead at 88

Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88. NBC’s Today show said Donahue died on Sunday after a long illness. Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, … Read more