News Room
Canada to extend work permits in Quebec
Photo credit: CBC Authorities in Canada have agreed to Quebec’s demand to extend temporary work permits for skilled workers while the province processes their permanent residency applications. The Canadian Press reports that Joel Ligtbound, federal minister and the prime minister’s Quebec lieutenant, said those eligible for an extension will be able to continue working with their current employer…
France mends fences with CAR
Photo credit: Shutterstock Relations between France and the Central African Republic (CAR) have been restored, the French Foreign Minister said on Friday during a visit to Bangui, which has become a key Russian ally. Jean-Noel Barrot’s visit to the CAR, a former French colony, was the first by a top-level French official in seven years. It followed a relaunch…
Food preservatives linked to cancer and type 2 diabetes (Part 1)
Photo credit: CNN Common preservatives used to keep food safe and extend shelf life may be linked to a higher risk of several cancers and type 2 diabetes, according to two new studies from France. CNN reports that senior author Mathilde Touvier, who is the principal investigator of the NutriNet-Sante study used to conduct the…
Toronto food banks’ rice shipment struck near Iran
Photo credit: The Star Effects of the Mideast conflict are now reverberating in Toronto after a shipment of rice meant for the city’s Daily Bread Food Bank was struck on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran, the food bank’s CEO says. CBC News reports that, according to the CEO, Neil Hetherington, “All of the details are still being…
Cuba to release 51 people from prison
Photo credit: NPR Cuba’s government said on Thursday that it would release 51 people from prison in an unexpected move. The Canadian Press reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the release in the upcoming days stems from a spirit of goodwill and close relations with the Vatican. The government did not identify who it would release except to…
Migrant surge heats up New Zealand’s housing market
Photo credit: moamag New Zealand’s migration cycle is turning higher again, with ASB highlighting that stronger-than-expected inflows could add to demand and inflation pressures, which in turn may influence mortgage rates and borrowing capacity. NZA reports that ASB economist Wesley Tanuvasa notes that “there is growing evidence that the migration cycle is on the up” with permanent…
UN condemns “$1 billion-a-day” cost of war in Middle East
Photo credit: Economic Times The UN’s emergency relief chief on Wednesday condemned the “$$1 billion-a-day” cost of the war in the Middle East, at a time when humanitarian needs are soaring, and aid funding is falling dangerously short. “We’re seeing the consequences spread faster than we can respond”, warned the UN emergency relief chief, Tom Fletcher, as violence…