It’s shaping up to be a critical week in defining exactly what school will look like come September, with several provinces making final adjustments to their reopening plans ahead of September. But class sizes and the ability to maintain distance remains a key concern in many parts of this country and some teachers say if they don’t feel safe, they simply won’t be returning to the classroom. Heather Yourex-West reports.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in the capital of Belarus on Sunday in what’s believed to be the largest protest in that country’s history. The unrest started last week after President Alexander Lukashenko’s landslide victory in the country’s election. His administration is now facing its biggest threat since coming to power nearly three decades ago. As Redmond Shannon explains, Russia is now offering to help.
One of two Canadians killed in the massive blast in Beirut earlier this month has been identified as three-year-old Alexandra Naggear. She died in hospital from a head injury she suffered in the explosion. Her grandfather says she was with her mother in their home which faces the port and were blown away by the force of the blast. Her grandfather also said the family planned to move to Montreal by the end of September. Canadian aid agencies are working on the ground now in Beirut but warn that basic supplies of food and water are running out. Crystal Goomansingh reports.
With the U.S. presidential election less than three months away, there is growing controversy amid reports the U.S. Postal Service is removing mail-sorting machines. President Donald Trump denied his administration is deliberately trying to undermine the postal service’s operations at a time when demand for mail-in ballots is surging due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Johnson explains.
Since the start of the pandemic in Canada, 8.5 million Canadians who lost income due to lockdowns in the country have received assistance from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). But that benefit is set to come to an end next month and the federal NDP wants the CERB to become permanent in the form of a guaranteed basic income. Mike Le Couteur explains.
It’s easy to see why the entertainment industry has been singing the blues during the pandemic, with concerts and festivals cancelled to curb the spread of COVID-19. As some countries ease restrictions, some organizers have been finding new, creative ways to help the show go on safely. Felicia Parrillo reports.
