Dilemma of what to do with Winnipeg’s Hudson’s Bay building

The Winnipeg building where the Hudson’s Bay Company transitioned from fur trader to iconic retailer now sits empty, having been deemed too expensive to redevelop.

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  • AP source: Lawmakers threatened ahead of impeachment trial

    WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement officials are examining a number of threats aimed at members of Congress as the second trial of former President Donald Trump nears, including ominous chatter about killing legislators or attacking them outside of the U.S. Capitol, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. The threats, and concerns that armed protesters could return to sack the Capitol anew, have prompted the U.S. Capitol Police and other federal law enforcement to insist thousands of National Guard troops remain in Washington as the Senate moves forward with plans for Trump's trial, the official said Sunday. The shocking insurrection at the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob prompted federal officials to rethink security in and around its landmarks, resulting in an unprecedented lockdown for Biden's inauguration. Though the event went off without any problems and armed protests around the country did not materialize, the threats to lawmakers ahead of Trump's trial exemplified the continued potential for danger. Similar to those intercepted by investigators ahead of Biden’s inauguration, the threats that law enforcement agents are tracking vary in specificity and credibility, said the official, who had been briefed on the matter. Mainly posted online and in chat groups, the messages have included plots to attack members of Congress during travel to and from the Capitol complex during the trial, according to the official. The official was not authorized to not discuss an ongoing investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. Law enforcement officials are already starting to plan for the possibility of armed protesters returning to the nation's capital when Trump’s Senate trial on a charge of inciting a violent insurrection begins the week of Feb. 8. It would be the first impeachment trial of a former U.S. president. Thousands of Trump’s supporters descended on the Capitol on Jan. 6 as Congress met to certify Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential race. More than 800 are believed to have made their way into the Capitol during the violent siege, pushing past overwhelmed police officers. The Capitol police said they planned for a free speech protest, not a riot, and were caught off guard despite intelligence suggesting the rally would descend into a riot. Five people died in the melee, including a Capitol police officer who was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher. Though much of the security apparatus around Washington set up after the riot and ahead of Biden’s inauguration — it included scores of military checkpoints and hundreds of additional law enforcement personnel — is no longer in place, about 7,000 members of the National Guard will remain to assist federal law enforcement, officials said. The Guard Bureau said that the number of Guard members in D.C. is less than 20,000 as of Sunday. All but about 7,000 of those will go home in the coming days. The Guard Bureau said that the number of troops in D.C. would then continue to decline in the coming weeks to about 5,000. They are expected to stay in D.C. until mid-March. At least five people facing federal charges have suggested they believed they were taking orders from Trump when they marched on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6 to challenge the certification of Biden’s election victory. But now those comments, captured in interviews with reporters and federal agents, are likely to take centre stage as Democrats lay out their case. More than 130 people have been charged by federal prosecutors for their roles in the riot. In recent weeks, others have been arrested after posting threats against members of Congress. They include a Proud Boys supporter who authorities said threatened to deploy “three cars full of armed patriots” to Washington, threatened harm against Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and who is accused of stockpiling military-style combat knives and more than 1,000 rifle rounds in his New York home. A Texas man was arrested this week for taking part in the riot at the Capitol and for posting violent threats, including a call to assassinate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y ___ Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report. Michael Balsamo, The Associated Press

  • Mexican president contracts COVID-19 after worst week of pandemic

    Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19 amid the country's deadliest week yet in the coronavirus pandemic, which has pushed the health system of the Mexican capital to its limits. "As always, I am optimistic," said Lopez Obrador, who has resisted wearing a face mask in public since the virus reached Mexico over 10 months ago. The president, who is back in Mexico City after a three-day visit to parts of northern and central Mexico, said he would continue working, and still planned to take part in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday morning.

  • 26 people infected in COVID-19 outbreak at Surrey emergency shelter

    Fraser Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Surrey Emergency Response Centre after two staff members and 24 clients tested positive for the virus. The unused rec centre was set up as an emergency space last April able to shelter up to 110 homeless people needing to self-isolate during the pandemic. Staff and clients are now being screened for symptoms while those who tested positive and their close contacts have been instructed to self-isolate. Fraser Health says in a news release from Saturday that it is working on-site with the Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use team to implement COVID-19 mitigation strategies and infection control measures. The release also reminded people living in the Fraser Health region to use the COVID-19 assessment tool and get tested as soon as they feel COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. "Please don't wait, and book or drop by one of our collection centres which are operated in partnership with local Divisions of Family Practice," reads the statement. Meanwhile, outbreaks at Menno Home in Abbotsford and The Harrison at Elim Village in Surrey have been declared over.

  • New Zealand confirms first COVID-19 case in months, sparking Australia travel halt

    New Zealand on Monday confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in the community in months in a 56-year-old woman, but said close contacts of the recently returned traveller had so far tested negative. The woman, who returned to New Zealand on Dec. 30, had tested positive for the South African strain of the virus after leaving a two-week mandatory quarantine where she had twice tested negative, COVID-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said. No other community cases had been reported since the woman's case was disclosed on Sunday and authorities said the source of the infection was probably a fellow returnee at the quarantine facility.

  • Stolen but not silent: Indigenous Australians protest national celebrations

    As Australia prepares for its national day of festivities on Jan. 26, Indigenous woman Rita Wright will be protesting the celebrations at a march in Sydney. Australia Day marks the date the British fleet sailed into Sydney Harbour in 1788 to start a penal colony, viewing the land as unoccupied despite encountering settlements. For Wright, holding national celebrations on the highly sensitive date reinforces a legacy of mistreatment of Indigenous people.

  • Jessica Korda rallies to beat Kang in playoff at LPGA opener, Henderson ninth

    LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — For Jessica Korda, the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions was all about her ability to just hang in there. Trailing by three shots headed to the back nine at Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando on Sunday, she first caught Danielle Kang with a late four-birdie burst to shoot 5-under 66, then won with a curling 30-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole. Kang shot 68. The leader after each of the first three rounds, she had a chance to extend the playoff, but missed her 18-foot birdie putt on the low side at the 185-yard 18th. Smiths Falls, Ont. native Brooke Henderson finished in ninth place at 13-under par. She shot a 70 in her final round Sunday. It was the sixth LPGA victory for the 27-year-old Korda, her last one coming nearly three years ago. She and Kang finished at 24-under 260 to eclipse the previous tournament record by 10 shots. Korda, ranked 23rd in the world, also had to turn back her younger sister, Nelly Korda, 22, who at No. 4 in the world ranking was the top player in the elite winners-only field. “I knew I was going to have to go low today,” said Jessica Korda. Half of her six victories have arrived at season-opening events. “It was a crazy day ... A crazy two days. A crazy week!” Nelly Korda started her round six shots back Sunday and shot a 64 –- which included a missed 3-footer for birdie at 16 –- that left her two shots out of the playoff. Saturday, Jessica Korda became the sixth player in LPGA history to shoot 60 or better with her sparkling 11-under 60. A day later, she was slow to build any sort of momentum, playing her first 12 holes in 1 under. At one point early in the opening nine, Kang had a 7-foot putt to stretch her lead to five shots, and she was threatening to leave the field way behind. Jessica Korda had owned the back nine all week (she would play it in 21-under par despite her three closing bogeys Friday). Trailing by two shots while standing on the par-5 13th tee, and relaxed as she chatted to three celebrity players on the tee, she knew she needed to be more aggressive –- especially because Kang had yet to make a single bogey all week. “When you’re chasing, you need to keep the pedal to the metal,” Korda said, “and I wasn’t doing that.” Kang went 68 holes in the tournament without a bogey (and 84 holes overall, dating to December’s CME Group Championship) her streak ending when she three-putted for bogey at the rugged 419-yard 15th. She followed that with her loosest swing of the day, a driver flared right, into the trees and pine straw at the drivable par-4 16th. She did well to scramble for par. Jessica Korda, meanwhile, made an easy birdie after hitting a drive onto the front apron, and with two holes to play, the pair were tied at 23 under. Both birdied the par-5 17th. Kang, also seeking her sixth LPGA victory, had spoken all week about not being able to prepare for the event as she normally would. That caught up to her down the stretch. Though she never tested positive for COVID-19, she twice was exposed, and took six tests before getting on a plane from Las Vegas to Orlando, landing late Monday night. Still, she’d played flawlessly. But when she needed to make clutch shots down the stretch, she discovered something was missing. “’I’m not disappointed in that I didn’t win,” Kang said. “It’s not about winning and losing for me. It’s about being able to execute when I want to –- and having a feeling when I feel like I can’t do something is something I don’t like.” In the Diamond Resorts’ 53-player celebrity division, tennis player Mardy Fish, captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, finished on top with 158 points, beating Chad Pfiefer, an inspirational former military serviceman who competes with a prosthetic leg. With his victory Fish became the event’s first three-time winner. He also won the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe in July. Jeff Babineau, The Associated Press

  • Makers of Sophia the robot plan mass rollout amid pandemic

    HONG KONG (Reuters) - "Social robots like me can take care of the sick or elderly," Sophia says as she conducts a tour of her lab in Hong Kong. Since being unveiled in 2016, Sophia - a humanoid robot - has gone viral. Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, said four models, including Sophia, would start rolling out of factories in the first half of 2021, just as researchers predict the pandemic will open new opportunities for the robotics industry.

  • L’usage de colchicine efficace dans le traitement de la COVID-19, selon des chercheurs québécois

    Une étude de l’Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal (ICM) lancée au début de la pandémie semble avoir trouvé une importante solution à un grand problème, le traitement de la COVID-19 auprès de patients non hospitalisés. Ses résultats montrent que la colchicine, un anti-inflammatoire, est efficace pour prévenir les complications liées au virus. Selon le docteur Jean-Claude Tardif, principal chercheur de l’étude, ceci serait une « découverte scientifique majeure », car la colchicine est le premier médicament oral au monde qui pourrait traiter les patients et prévenir les hospitalisations, les intubations et les décès. En effet, les conclusions de l’étude, nommée COLCORONA, ont établi que la colchicine a pu réduire de 21 % le risque de décès ou d’hospitalisation pour 4488 patients atteints du virus. « Nous sommes heureux de [présenter] le premier médicament oral dont l’utilisation pourrait avoir une incidence importante sur la santé publique et potentiellement prévenir les complications de la COVID-19 chez des millions de patients », a lancé Tardif, aussi directeur du Centre de recherche de l’ICM et professeur de médecine à l’Université de Montréal. Chez 4159 patients de la même étude, mais pour lesquels le diagnostic de COVID-19 avait été prouvé par un test naso-pharyngé (PCR), la colchicine a entraîné « des réductions des hospitalisations de 25 %, du besoin de ventilation mécanique de 50 %, et des décès de 44 %. » D’après le professeur et chercheur, la prescription de la colchicine aux patients pourrait rapidement contribuer à atténuer les problèmes d’engorgement des hôpitaux et de réduire les coûts liés aux systèmes de santé des gouvernements, ici comme ailleurs. « Notre étude a montré l’efficacité du traitement utilisant la colchicine pour prévenir le phénomène de “tempête inflammatoire majeure” et réduire les complications liées à la COVID-19 », a indiqué le Dr Jean-Claude Tardif. Cette « percée scientifique » telle que décrite par l’ICM offre donc une option accessible et économiquement viable pour les patients, comme ce médicament est déjà vendu en pharmacie. Le colchicine est extraite du colchique d’automne, une plante se trouvant partout en Europe et découverte au XIXe siècle dans le traitement de la goutte et des péricardites.  « C’est donc un puissant anti-inflammatoire avec un bon profil de sécurité », a ajouté le Dr Guy Boivin, microbiologiste-infectiologue et chercheur pour l’étude COLCORONA. Il devrait être leur premier espoir pour ceux ayant contracté la maladie et qui anticipent des complications. Ce sera désormais la responsabilité du gouvernement du Québec, des autorités de santé publique et du corps médical de décider de la suite des choses pour le traitement de la COVID-19 par la colchicine, a pointé le Dr Jean-Claude Tardif. COLCORONA est une étude clinique « sans contact » qui se déroulait à la maison, randomisée, à double insu et contrôlée par placebo. Elle a été déployée au Canada, aux États-Unis, en Europe, en Amérique du Sud ainsi qu’en Afrique du Sud. Sur près de 4500 participants, 3000 étaient au Québec, et ils devaient répondre à des critères précis dans un souci d’homogénéité. Il s’agit de la plus grande étude à l’échelle mondiale testant un médicament administré oralement chez les patients non-hospitalisés avec la COVID-19. Au coût d’environ 14 millions de dollars, elle a été financée et coordonnée par le gouvernement du Québec et différents organismes et entreprises internationaux.Claudie Arseneault, Initiative de journalisme local, Mon Matane

  • AP Source: Sarah Sanders running for Arkansas governor

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sarah Sanders, Donald Trump’s former chief spokeswoman and one of his closest aides, is running for Arkansas governor, a senior campaign official told The Associated Press on Sunday night. Sanders, who left the White House in 2019 to return to her home state, planned to announce her bid on Monday, according to the campaign official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the formal announcement The former White House press secretary is launching her bid less than a week after the end of Trump’s presidency and as the ex-president faces an impeachment trial. But Sanders is also running in a solidly red state where Republicans tend to embrace the former president. The daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sanders had been widely expected to run for the office after leaving the White House — and Trump publicly encouraged her to make a go. She’s been laying the groundwork for a candidacy, speaking to GOP groups around the state. Sanders joins an expensive Republican primary that already includes two statewide elected leaders, Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. The three are running to succeed current Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican who is unable to run next year due to term limits. No Democrats have announced a bid to run for the seat. Sanders launched her bid weeks after a riot by Trump’s supporters at the U.S. Capitol left five people dead. More than 130 people have been charged in the insurrection, which was aimed at halting the certification of President Joe Biden’s win over Trump. Sanders was the first working mother and only the third woman to serve as White House press secretary. But she also faced questions about her credibility during her time as Trump’s chief spokesperson. During her nearly two-year tenure as Trump’s chief spokeswoman, daily televised briefings led by the press secretary ended after Sanders repeatedly sparred with reporters who aggressively questioned her about administration policy and the investigation into possible co-ordination between Trump’s campaign and Russia. But Sanders earned reporters’ respect working behind the scenes to develop relationships with the media. Trump’s tumultuous exit from the presidency may do little damage to Sanders in Arkansas. Republicans hold all of Arkansas’ statewide and federal seats, as well as a solid majority in both chambers of the Legislature. Griffin and Rutledge have combined raised more than $2.8 million in the race, which could get even more crowded. Republican state Sen. Jim Hendren, who is also a nephew of Hutchinson's, is considering a run. Sanders, who published a book last year and joined Fox News as a contributor after leaving the White House, enters the race with a much higher profile than any of the candidates. But she remains an unknown on many of the state’s biggest issues and has said she doesn't want to distract from Hutchinson's agenda. Andrew Demillo, The Associated Press

  • Teen who worked at long-term care home dies of COVID-19

    Yassin Dabeh, 19, who worked as a cleaner at a long-term care home in Ontario, died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. The Middlesex-London Health Unit said the teen is the youngest person in the region diagnosed with the virus to die.

  • Un roman jeunesse sur la route des baleines

    À la retraite, l’enseignante et orthopédagogue Christine Valois s’est mise à suivre les baleines en voilier, notamment sur la Côte-Nord. Elle partage ses aventures dans son roman Milagro, inspiré par de réelles baleines qui naviguent dans le Saint-Laurent. Mme Valois a navigué de nombreuses heures sur le Fleuve Saint-Laurent. Elle a décidé, maintenant à la retraite, d’écrire un roman sur les baleines, l’écosystème et l’environnement. Le but étant de comprendre la biodiversité marine et l’importance de nos océans pour la planète. Le roman n’est pas seulement pour les jeunes, car les adultes peuvent également y trouver leur compte. Il a pour but de sensibiliser oui, mais également de divertir et faire sourire. Tous les textes ont été vérifiés par un biologiste, et toutes les baleines du roman existent réellement. Il y a, entre-autres, Tic-tac-toe, une baleine très populaire dans le Saint-Laurent, nommée ainsi dû au motif ressemblant à ce jeu populaire sur le bout de sa queue.   Le personnage principal, Américo, est également une personne réelle, demeurant sur la Côte-Nord. Les personnes intéressées peuvent se procurer le roman dans les librairies de Sept-Îles et dans plusieurs autres endroits.Karine Lachance, Initiative de journalisme local, Ma Côte-Nord

  • A little luck propels Toronto Maple Leafs to 3-2 win over Calgary Flames

    CALGARY — The Toronto Maple Leafs enjoyed puck luck scoring three goals off deflections in a 3-2 win Sunday over the host Calgary Flames. Wayne Simmonds scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf, Jake Muzzin earned his first of the season and Auston Matthews also scored for Toronto (5-2-0) in an afternoon matinee. Toronto defenceman Morgan Reilly assisted on three goals, Mitch Marner had two assists and Jack Campbell turned away 31 of 33 shots for his second win in as many starts this season. The Maple Leafs played their seventh game in 12 days after travelling Saturday to Calgary. Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm countered for the Flames (2-1-1), who were coming off a five-day break without a game. Jacob Markstrom turned away 29 of 32 shots in the loss. Two Toronto goals caromed off Flames bodies and another off a Leaf skate. "It was a pretty ugly game to be honest for us," Matthews said. "I think there was a lot of things we could have done better. "Obviously a couple of solid, lucky bounces that went our way." Matthews returned to the lineup after sitting out Friday's 4-2 win over the visiting Edmonton Oilers with a hand injury. "I'll obviously have to take care of it in the next couple of weeks, but it feels a lot better and feels more than good enough to play and good enough to go out there and contribute," Matthews said. Down 3-2, Calgary pulled Markstrom for an extra attacker with 1:49 remaining. The Flames also called a timeout with 37 seconds to play, but couldn't produce the equalizer. "That's hockey. Bounces go each way throughout a game," Monahan said. "We've got to clean up a few areas and I think we've got to be around their net a little bit more to get those bounces." Campbell appeared to be in some pain in the final minute after Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk landed on him in a goal-mouth scrum. "I was just really focused on trying to get out of this place with two points," Toronto's goalie said. Both teams scored one power-play goal on four chances. With Tkachuk providing a screen, Lindholm's wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle beat Campbell short side for a power-play goal at 6:33 of the third period. Matthews was in the slot waiting for a play to develop when the puck deflected off him and Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson for the eventual game winner at 2:42. Simmonds, who signed with Toronto as a free agent in October, earned his 500th career NHL point and gave the Leafs a 2-1 lead late in the second period. Simmonds was parked in front of Markstrom when what appeared to be his between-the-legs backhand pass deflected off the inside of his right skate for a power-play goal 32 seconds before the second-period buzzer. Calgary drew even at 1-1 when Monahan on Campbell's right had time to bank his own rebound off the goaltender's back and into the net at 12:53. Muzzin's long snapshot from just inside the blue-line deflected off Flames forward Dominik Simon and by Markstrom's glove at 7:16 of the first period. "We had some unlucky bounces, but I think we're playing good," Markstrom said. "If you keep working hard in practice, and keep working hard in games and doing the right things, hopefully these bounces are going to stop. Just got to work a little bit harder and create your own luck." Marner circling down low fed the puck up to Muzzin to collect his 300th career NHL point in his 307th game with the assist. Toronto defenceman T.J. Brodie, who was a Flame for a decade before signing with Toronto in the off-season, faced his former club for the first time Sunday. After a gentle schedule to open their season, the Flames will play at least every second day for two weeks, including back-to-back road games in Winnipeg next week against the Jets. The Maple Leafs remain in Calgary for Tuesday's rematch before heading to Edmonton on a four-game road trip. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2021. Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

  • Indonesia seizes Iran, Panama-flagged tankers over alleged illegal oil transfer

    Indonesia said its coast guard seized the Iranian-flagged MT Horse and the Panamanian-flagged MT Freya vessels over suspected illegal oil transfer in the country's waters on Sunday. Coast guard spokesman Wisnu Pramandita said the tankers, seized in waters off Kalimantan province, will be escorted to Batam island in Riau Island Province for further investigation. "The tankers, first detected at 5:30 a.m. local time (2130 GMT on Jan. 23) concealed their identity by not showing their national flags, turning off automatic identification systems and did not respond to a radio call," Wisnu said in a statement on Sunday.

  • The latest numbers on COVID-19 in Canada for Jan. 24, 2021

    The latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday Jan. 24, 2021. There are 747,383 confirmed cases in Canada. _ Canada: 747,383 confirmed cases (63,668 active, 664,621 resolved, 19,094 deaths).*The total case count includes 13 confirmed cases among repatriated travellers. There were 4,852 new cases Sunday from 51,308 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 9.5 per cent. The rate of active cases is 169.38 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 37,536 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 5,362. There were 120 new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 1,054 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 151. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.4 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 50.8 per 100,000 people. There have been 17,050,539 tests completed. _ Newfoundland and Labrador: 398 confirmed cases (eight active, 386 resolved, four deaths). There were zero new cases Sunday from 346 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 0.0 per cent. The rate of active cases is 1.53 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of two new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 0.77 per 100,000 people. There have been 78,133 tests completed. _ Prince Edward Island: 110 confirmed cases (seven active, 103 resolved, zero deaths). There were zero new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 4.46 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of six new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is one. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people. There have been 88,407 tests completed. _ Nova Scotia: 1,571 confirmed cases (19 active, 1,487 resolved, 65 deaths). There was one new case Sunday. The rate of active cases is 1.96 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there has been 14 new case. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is two. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 6.69 per 100,000 people. There have been 200,424 tests completed. _ New Brunswick: 1,124 confirmed cases (335 active, 776 resolved, 13 deaths). There were 20 new cases Sunday from 819 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 2.4 per cent. The rate of active cases is 43.12 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 177 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 25. There were zero new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there has been one new reported death. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is zero. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.02 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 1.67 per 100,000 people. There have been 135,109 tests completed. _ Quebec: 253,633 confirmed cases (16,940 active, 227,215 resolved, 9,478 deaths). There were 1,457 new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 199.65 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 10,719 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 1,531. There were 41 new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 423 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 60. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.71 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 111.7 per 100,000 people. There have been 2,695,925 tests completed. _ Ontario: 255,002 confirmed cases (24,153 active, 225,046 resolved, 5,803 deaths). There were 2,417 new cases Sunday from 48,947 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 4.9 per cent. The rate of active cases is 165.81 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 17,216 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 2,459. There were 50 new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 394 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 56. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.39 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 39.84 per 100,000 people. There have been 8,944,809 tests completed. _ Manitoba: 28,697 confirmed cases (3,521 active, 24,377 resolved, 799 deaths). There were 221 new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 257.11 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,186 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 169. There were two new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 30 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is four. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.31 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 58.34 per 100,000 people. There have been 448,638 tests completed. _ Saskatchewan: 22,177 confirmed cases (3,251 active, 18,673 resolved, 253 deaths). There were 260 new cases Sunday from 1,196 completed tests, for a positivity rate of 22 per cent. The rate of active cases is 276.81 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 1,905 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 272. There were three new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 38 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is five. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.46 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 21.54 per 100,000 people. There have been 329,702 tests completed. _ Alberta: 120,793 confirmed cases (9,511 active, 109,733 resolved, 1,549 deaths). There were 463 new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 217.58 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 3,956 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 565. There were 24 new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 113 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is 16. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.37 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 35.44 per 100,000 people. There have been 3,061,844 tests completed. _ British Columbia: 63,484 confirmed cases (5,901 active, 56,455 resolved, 1,128 deaths). There were zero new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 116.36 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 2,338 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is 334. There were zero new reported deaths Sunday. Over the past seven days there have been a total of 55 new reported deaths. The seven-day rolling average of new reported deaths is eight. The seven-day rolling average of the death rate is 0.15 per 100,000 people. The overall death rate is 22.24 per 100,000 people. There have been 1,044,931 tests completed. _ Yukon: 70 confirmed cases (zero active, 69 resolved, one deaths). There were zero new cases Sunday. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of zero new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 2.45 per 100,000 people. There have been 6,216 tests completed. _ Northwest Territories: 31 confirmed cases (seven active, 24 resolved, zero deaths). There were zero new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 15.62 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of three new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is zero. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is zero per 100,000 people. There have been 9,064 tests completed. _ Nunavut: 280 confirmed cases (15 active, 264 resolved, one deaths). There were 13 new cases Sunday. The rate of active cases is 38.68 per 100,000 people. Over the past seven days, there have been a total of 14 new cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases is two. There have been no deaths reported over the past week. The overall death rate is 2.58 per 100,000 people. There have been 7,261 tests completed. This report was automatically generated by The Canadian Press Digital Data Desk and was first published Jan. 24, 2021. The Canadian Press

  • PORTRAIT | Un musée dédié au King, Elvis Presley, dans le sous-sol de Jean-Marie Dumas

    En janvier 2021, Elvis Presley aurait eu 86 ans. Le culte du King se sera transposé jusqu’à Matane, car l’extase et la félicité que Jean-Marie Dumas porte pour Elvis ne seront jamais essoufflées, même après plus de 60 ans. À sa résidence de l’avenue Jacques-Cartier, il cache une vaste collection d’objets à l’effigie ou dédiés à l’image d’Elvis Presley. L’adoration de Jean-Marie Dumas pour Elvis a commencé un peu avant 1960, lorsqu’il a vu son premier film d’Elvis. Jean-Marie n’avait que 17 ans et un après-midi, alors que lui et son ami étaient ennuyés puisqu’il n’y avait rien de bon à faire cette journée-là, ils se sont rendus au cinéma à Matane pour aller voir le film Bagarres au King Créole.  Après tout, à l’époque, le cinéma coûtait 25 cents. Ils s’y sont donc rendus, sans avoir d’attentes. Dès la première chanson d’Elvis, Jean-Marie Dumas a eu la piqûre. Il adorait sa voix, et comment il se comportait sur la scène, et la chanson Trouble l’a particulièrement marqué. Après le film, il est revenu en courant chez ses parents partager la bonne nouvelle. La folie d’Elvis s’est déclenchée : Jean-Marie s’achète un phonographe automatique et commence à débourser pour de nouveaux disques. « Elvis jouait le matin, le midi puis le soir. Et de temps en temps, ça cognait contre le mur et je me disais, « ce n’est pas assez fort », a-t-il ri. Avant le début des années 1950, le monde n’avait pas entendu parler d’Elvis. Il est arrivé comme une bombe dans les vies de milliers de jeunes, marquant une génération après-guerre entière. Le début de la carrière du King est d’ailleurs la décennie musicale de Jean-Marie, avec les chansons spéciales That’s All Right Mama, Blue Moon of Kentucky, Mystery Train ou Heartbreak Hotel, qui sont toutes près de son cœur. En 60 ans d’écoute d’Elvis, Jean-Marie Dumas ne s’est jamais tanné d’écouter. Ce qu’il apprécie le plus, c’est sa voix unique et son déhanchement. « Et je vais mourir avec ça, c’est certain. Ils finiront par mettre des objets à l’effigie d’Elvis dans ma tombe », rigole-t-il.  D’ailleurs, son héritage perdurera selon M. Dumas, car il « a été un pionnier de la musique moderne. Il fait partie de l’histoire culturelle commune et l’initiateur d’un genre unique. » Il a fait scandale au début des années 50, sa musique était « le diable en personne » comme Dumas dit. « C’est sa voix qui fait que la légende perdure », a ajouté Dumas. Dès 1960, Jean-Marie commence sa collection, et ne ralentit jamais pour les années suivantes. Aujourd’hui, il affirme posséder plus 5000 objets en lien avec Elvis, une collection évaluée à plus de 75 000 $. Selon lui, il aurait plus de 600 vinyles ou moins d’un huitième de ce qui est offert dans le monde, 200 cassettes, 700 CDs et 600 DVDs, offrant le visionnement de plusieurs spectacles. Il a plusieurs costumes d’Elvis Presley également qu’il ne porte pas, mais qu’il est ravi de posséder. Également, Jean-Marie fait des collages qu’il place dans des albums. Aussitôt qu’il passe quelque chose sur Elvis, il le découpe et le colle. Il tient désormais plus d’une quinzaine d’albums. Certains produits à l’effigie d’Elvis sont vendus trop chers selon Jean-Marie, comme des bouteilles de vin à 45 $ sans le prix du transport. Il juge alors que la dépense n’en vaut pas la peine. Sa possession la plus chère est le portrait d’Elvis sculpté dans le bois, remis par son frère à l’une de ses fêtes il y a déjà plusieurs années. « C’est une pièce de collection, c’est unique. Ça a été fait à Québec par un artiste local », a-t-il expliqué. Des livres et des disques sur Elvis Presley continuent d’être lancés continuellement, même 40 ans après la mort d’Elvis. « Il sort environ 2 ou 3 livres sur Elvis par semaine. C’est difficile à croire, mais c’est vrai, et ils se vendent entre 200 et 300 dollars », a-t-il lancé. « Et ça doit se vendre, parce que ça n’arrête pas. » Il commande parfois des disques d’Elvis de pair avec un ami collectionneur de Sainte-Anne-des-Monts pour un coût de livraison moins onéreux. N’ayant pas arrêté de chercher de nouvelles pièces de collection depuis 1960, il assure d’être arrivé à rassembler autant d’objets en 2010 qu’en 1970. Tout de même, l’arrivée de l’internet a facilité l’acquisition et la recherche active. Sa dernière commande date d’il y a un mois, un nouvel album venant de France : « C’est mon dernier petit bébé », dit-il. Avant le World Wide Web, M. Dumas recevait une tonne de revues et de journaux chez lui pour s’informer. En 1992, lui et sa conjointe ont participé à un voyage organisé en autocar jusqu’à Memphis au Tennessee. Ils ont traversé le Midwest américain pour se rendre jusqu’au sud. « Nous étions une grosse gang de craqués qui n’avaient jamais vu Elvis en personne », s’est-il bidonné. Là-bas, ils ont visité Graceland et l’école de son enfance, et le soir, ils ont assisté au Candlelight. Ils ont aussi déboursé de l’argent un livre souvenir, mais il y avait tellement de monde qu’ils ne s’y trouvent pas. Jean-Marie Dumas se dit d’ailleurs très fier du disque d’or acheté lors de son voyage à Memphis. « C’est un long jeu de 45 tours acheté pour 250 dollars américains. Ça a été une grosse dépense, mais je suis vraiment heureux de l’avoir », a-t-il indiqué. Jean-Marie et sa conjointe viennent tous les deux de Matane. Leurs parents restaient l’un en arrière de l’autre et leurs pères travaillaient ensemble dans un garage sur l’avenue du Phare Est. Cette année, cela fera 54 ans qu’ils sont mariés, et ils ont aussi une fille de 52 ans demeurant à Drummondville, qui elle, plus jeune, a toujours préféré Michael Jackson à Elvis. Sa femme l’a toujours appuyé dans sa passion. Elle l’aide même à fournir sa collection, en écoutant par exemple des émissions d’information à la télévision. Ensemble, ils sont allés voir les spectacles de Martin Fontaine, « Elvis Story », au Capitole de Québec, 9 années de file sur 10. Ils ont manqué le spectacle de 1998 car Jean-Marie était aux prises avec des problèmes de santé. À l’avenir, Jean-Marie continuera à collectionner, sauf si un jour, un futur fan d’Elvis l’approche pour acheter sa collection. « Rendu à mon âge, si quelqu’un arrivait chez moi et me proposait 100 000 $, c’est sûr que je donnerais tout, même si ça me ferait un peu de peine », a-t-il dit. Au décès d’Elvis, le 16 août 1977, Jean-Marie Dumas a été très triste. C’était même une catastrophe selon lui. « Je ne m’y attendais pas, même s’il était malade. En juillet 1977, on était en vacances à Old Orchard et on est allés visiter Portland. Un spectacle se préparait pour août 1977, on a vu des affiches publicitaires, mais finalement il est décédé avant. » M. Dumas n’est pas convaincu par les théories du complot à son sujet. « Il aimait trop sa fille. Et on s’en serait sûrement aperçu s’il n’était pas mort, j’en suis certain », a-t-il avancé. Et selon Jean-Marie Dumas, bien que le King soit décédé depuis des années, ce n’est que son enveloppe corporelle, car son essence continue de vivre. À jamais.Claudie Arseneault, Initiative de journalisme local, Mon Matane

  • Mexico's president says he's tested positive for COVID-19

    MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said Sunday he has tested positive for COVID-19 and that the symptoms are mild. Mexico's president, who has been criticized for his handling of his country's pandemic and for not setting an example of prevention in public, said on his official Twitter account that he is under medical treatment. “I regret to inform you that I am infected with COVID-19,” he tweeted. “The symptoms are mild but I am already under medical treatment. As always, I am optimistic. We will all move forward.” José Luis Alomía Zegarra, Mexico’s director of epidemiology, said López Obrador had a “light” case of COVID-19 and was “isolating at home.” Mexico's president wrote that while he recovered Interior Secretary Olga Sánchez Cordero would be taking over for him in his daily news conferences, at which he usually speaks for two hours without breaks each weekday. López Obrador, 67, has rarely been seen wearing a mask and continued to keep up a busy travel schedule taking commercial flights. He has also resisted locking down the economy, noting the devastating effect it would have on so many Mexicans who live day to day, despite that the country has registered nearly 150,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 1.7 million infections. Last week, the country registered its highest levels of infections and deaths to date. Early in the pandemic, asked how he was protecting Mexico, López Obrador removed two religious amulets from his wallet and proudly showed them off. “The protective shield is the ‘Get thee behind me, Satan,’” López Obrador said, reading off the inscription on the amulet, “Stop, enemy, for the Heart of Jesus is with me. In November, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, urged Mexico's leaders be serious about the coronavirus and set examples for its citizens, saying that “Mexico is in bad shape” with the pandemic. He didn’t name López Obrador, but said: “We would like to ask Mexico to be very serious.” “We have said it in general, wearing a mask is important, hygiene is important and physical distancing is important and we expect leaders to be examples,” he added. At the start of the pandemic López Obrador was criticized for still leaning into crowds and giving hugs. The eternal campaigner, López Obrador’s style of politics has always been very hands on and personal. As the pandemic grew he began limiting attendance to his events and maintaining his distance from supporters. But on Friday, López Obrador posted a photo of him, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, a translator and former chief of staff Alfonso Romo, all gathered around a table for a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden. None were wearing masks; the foreign relations department has not answered questions about whether Ebrard has been tested. Despite his age and high blood pressure, as well as undergoing surgery after a heart attack, López Obrador has said he won’t jump the line for a vaccination. But he was getting tested for the coronavirus once a week. At his age and with his existing health conditions López Obrador’s turn for a vaccine could still be weeks away as the country still works to vaccinate front line health workers. As of Sunday night, Mexico had given nearly 630,000 doses of vaccine. López Obrador's announcement came shortly after news emerged that he would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday about obtaining doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Mexico Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said via Twitter the two leaders would speak about the bilateral relationship and supplying doses of the vaccine. The vaccine has not been approved for use in Mexico, but the government is desperate to fill supply gaps for the Pfizer vaccine. Besides López Obrador, other Latin American leaders who have tested positive for the coronavirus are Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, Guatemala’s Alejandro Giammattei, Honduras’ Juan Orlando Hernández and Bolivia’s then-interim President Jeanine Ánéz. All have recovered. Christopher Sherman, The Associated Press

  • American defender McKenzie debuts for Belgium's Genk

    American central defender Mark McKenzie made his debut for Belgium’s Genk on Sunday in a 3-2 loss at first-place Club Brugge in Belgium's first division. McKenzie transferred on Jan. 7 from Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union. Genk is second to Club Brugge after 23 league matches. The 21-year-old made his Union debut in 2018 and his U.S. national team debut last Feb. 1 against Panama. He has two appearances for the national team. Born in New York City, McKenzie moved at age 5 to Bear, Delaware. He spent one season at Wake Forest, then signed with Philadelphia in January 2018. ___ More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports The Associated Press

  • Japanese PM faces mounting pressure over pandemic response

    Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga faced renewed pressure on Monday over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with a new opinion poll showing many believed the government was too slow to respond to the latest wave of infections. Opposition lawmakers were also increasingly frustrated with Suga's taciturn leadership style, demanding he provide detailed answers to questions about the COVID-19 crisis and the Tokyo Olympics set to start in less than six months. Suga is struggling to halt a steady decline in support for his four-month-old government even after launching a raft of measures to contain a third wave of coronavirus infections with the Olympics due to begin on July 23.

  • Burnaby youth with Down syndrome asks for fast-tracked vaccination against COVID-19

    As B.C. rolls out its COVID-19 immunization program, there are concerns vulnerable populations are being left behind. On Friday, the premier and health officials revealed its plans for a four phase timeline for the vaccine based on age, which has a family in Burnaby, B.C. pleading for swifter access for their teenage son and others with Down syndrome. "We think it's a fairly straightforward decision to be made to protect a vulnerable community," said Mike Waddingham. His 17-year-old son Aaron has Down syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality, which is the most common congenital anomaly in Canada. The Government of Canada says one in every 750 live born babies in Canada is diagnosed with Down syndrome, which can result in physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. As a result, people with the condition can have complex health and mental health needs. Waddingham's mother Sue Robbins says he has been rushed to hospital with pneumonia several times. She said she felt helpless watching her son's lips turn blue as he struggled to breathe on one of those occasions. "When covid came along and presented primarily as a respiratory disease, that was terrifying to us. No one would want to relive that again," she said. Vaccination based on age B.C's approach is to immunize more than four million people against COVID-19 by September, vaccinating the high-risk and most elderly populations by April, before reaching younger adults in the summer. On Friday, the province broke down the vaccination plan into four phases. Those going first include residents, staff, and essential visitors at long-term care and assisted living residences; people waiting for long-term care; people in remote Indigenous communities and hospital workers caring for patients with COVID-19. Phase 2, from February to March, includes seniors over 80; Indigenous seniors over 65, Indigenous elders; more health-care workers; vulnerable populations and nursing-home staff. Phase 3, includes members of the general public aged 60 to 79, and Phase 4 if for those aged 18 to 59. 'Got me all worried' At 17, Aaron Waddingham isn't even included in the province's vaccination plans based on his age, but he says he wants to be vaccinated as soon as possible so he can get back to school, and back to his routine. "This thing with covid has got me all worried because it's taking forever," said Aaron. "Disabled people need to have the vaccine quicker." In a letter addressed to Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry earlier this month, the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation appealed to the province to recognize those with the condition as a group with increased risk, and hasten their vaccinations. Phase 2 please In part, the letter says individuals with Down Syndrome are "at four times higher risk of hospitalization and ten times higher risk of death from COVID-19 than the typical population." Wayne Leslie, the CEO of the foundation says there are approximately 4000 people with Down Syndrome in the province, a small cohort that he says could easily be prioritized to be included in Phase 2, which begins in February. "We're not talking about a number of vaccinations that would swamp the roll out program. It would be a relatively small number," Leslie said. He's encouraged the foundation's recommendations are being considered by the provincial health office, and he has been told to expect a response.

  • Community holds virtual vigil for Port Moody woman missing since Monday

    Family and friends are holding a virtual vigil Sunday afternoon for Trina Hunt, a 48-year-old woman who went missing from her Port Moody home last Monday. A large community search to find Hunt was put on hold this week as police look for more evidence about what happened to her. Lorne Johnston, a friend and former co-worker of Hunt's, says the vigil was organized to keep the hope alive that she will be found. "We've got to keep the search alive. We've got to keep looking because you have to be optimistic." Starting at 4:30 p.m. PT, participants are being asked to light a candle and share a picture of it on social media sites using the hashtags "FindTrinaHunt" and "ComeHomeTrina." "We just want to get the word out too to everybody that if you see anything, if you hear anything, contact the Port Moody police right away," said Johnston. Last seen at home The Port Moody Police Department says Hunt was last seen Monday morning by her husband at her home in the Heritage Mountain area as he left for work. When he returned to find her missing, he immediately called 911. According to Sgt. Ian Morrison with Port Moody police, her disappearance is out of character. Since then, the community has rallied to organize their own search efforts. Large groups of volunteers spent several days last week combing through the dense forest and parks of the Heritage Mountain area for any sign of Hunt. On Thursday night police and the family announced that the community ground search is on hold. Johnston says the search efforts are a testament to the kind of person Hunt is. "She's a wonderful woman, just really down to earth, really personable," he said. "She's a diamond in the rough is the way I see her and I'm just shocked as to what's happened." The police department has put out a call for anyone who may have dashcam footage taken on Heritage Mountain on Jan. 18 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. to come forward, along with anyone with relevant home surveillance footage who has not yet spoken with investigators. Hunt is described as five feet, four inches or 1.6 metres tall and weighing 120 pounds or 54 kilograms. Police believe she is wearing a black North Face jacket with a teal green collar and pink and purple shoes.