CAPE TOWN — It was no ordinary library. The University of Cape Town’s Jagger Reading Room, destroyed by a runaway fire this week, was a beacon of African history and intellect. The African studies section of the 1930s library was engulfed by flames on Sunday when a fire sparked on the foothills of the city’s…
Category: News
Thousands take to London streets to protest racism, George Floyd death
LONDON — After almost a week of violence in cities across the United States following the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis, thousands took to the streets of central London on Wednesday to protest racism and show solidarity with their American counterparts. On a gray and dreary day in Britain’s capital, the crowd met…
Who was Iran’s Qassem Soleimani and why does his death matter?
The death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a United States airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday will likely unite Iran and its allies in mourning the man some considered to be Tehran’s second most powerful leader. But little is known outside the Middle East about the man who played such a key role in shaping conflicts across the…
Up to 114 degrees in France: Record-breaking heat in Europe forces tourists to adapt
PARIS — Europeans aren’t breathing a sigh of relief just yet following a day of record-breaking heat, with temperatures soaring once again on Saturday. The unusual heat has left many struggling to cope in the French capital where homes and buildings are not designed for steamy conditions or equipped with air conditioning. “We were not expecting…
Workers, seniors face health risks amid extreme heat wave in Europe
PARIS — In clear view of the Eiffel Tower, Chaima Boutouil and her colleagues have no way of keeping cool while hovering over hot plates making crepes in the midst of a heat wave spreading across Europe on Thursday. “In the morning, I drank six or seven bottles of water,” Boutouil, 25, told NBC News while working…
B.C. First Nations evade evacuation orders to fight fires
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Emergency officials and police are urging British Columbia residents to respect evacuation orders ahead of fast-moving wildfires, but some First Nations are standing their ground, successfully protecting their homes and property. The chief of the Tl’etinqox First Nation said RCMP officers told them to leave or risk having their children taken away….
B.C. Greens, riding high in polls, make election hard to call
VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s Green Party has turned the province’s election campaign into an unpredictable three-way race as polls show a phenomenal rise in support. The centre-right Liberal Party, led by Premier Christy Clark, is seeking to hang on to power after 16 years. Clark has repeatedly attacked the temperament of her main opponent, NDP Leader John Horgan,…
B.C. climate plan needs carbon tax hikes, major policy changes: experts
VANCOUVER — Experts say they’re not sure British Columbia’s overdue climate change plan will go far enough in increasing carbon taxes and tightening environmental policies to reach the province’s long term goals to reduce emissions. B.C.’s Liberal government is scheduled to announce its Climate Leadership Plan on Friday, but Green party Leader Andrew Weaver said…
Canada needs to invest in new hospitals, says health care association
Dr. Richard Johnston knew the health care system was in trouble when he walked down a hallway at University of Alberta Hospital and saw an older woman housed in a linen closet instead of a proper room.
Enrolment at private schools growing after B.C. teachers’ strike
Enrolment at independent schools across British Columbia has spiked this year, and the 2014 five-week public-school teachers’ strike is part of the reason, says a spokesman for a group representing private institutions.
Open enrolment policies raise test scores, report says
Apolicy change that gave parents greater choice in where to enroll their children encouraged B.C. schools to “up their game” and improved students’ test results, a new report says.
Downtown Eastside businesses look to improve relations with residents
Businesses in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside are collaborating with local activists and community groups to improve relations with local residents.
Ministry questioned over $350,000 social media campaign during BCTF strike
Teachers and politicians are questioning the B.C. Ministry of Education for spending more than $350,000 on a digital media campaign during the teachers strike last year.
Yes campaign looks to student voters for support in transit plebiscite
About 105,000 students are eligible to vote in the transit plebiscite, and many of them use public transit, said Bahareh Jokar, co-chair of the Better Transit and Transportation Coalition.
First Nations leaders highlight ‘massive need’ for reform in mining industry
First Nations leaders say regulatory changes for the mining industry are needed to prevent a repeat of the Mount Polley tailings dam collapse.
Vancouver clinic looks to recruit sexually active gay men for blood donations
Despite decades of being banned from giving blood, sexually active gay men are now being asked to donate to a Vancouver clinic that is doing research into blood products.
Neighbours raise new barn for family devastated by fire
The fire that started in a dairy barn at 1636 Lobsinger Line the evening of July 12 consumed the barn, some cattle and killed two-year-old Steven Martin. The cause of the blaze was unclear and the boy’s body was never found.
Saturday night storm slams Kitchener
A series of thunderstorms passed through the region late Saturday night but one storm cell in particular caused a downburst over an isolated area of the city just before midnight.
Visiting Kitchener worker trapped by Calgary flooding
Trapped in a friend’s home watching the constant downpour, Adam Vuylsteke didn’t expect his getaway from Guelph would look quite like this.
Boy, 2, feared lost in barn blaze
A two-year-old boy was missing as fire crews battled a barn fire Friday evening on Lobsinger Line.