Five stories in the news for today, July 21

Five stories in the news for Friday, July 21

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B.C. WILDFIRE STATE OF EMERGENCY HITS TWO-WEEK MARK

Today marks two weeks since raging wildfires that have displaced thousands of people British Columbia forced the province to call a state of emergency. Premier John Horgan has said he would extend the order for an additional two weeks since many of the 43,000 people who had to flee their homes in the province’s Interior will not yet be able to return. More than 100 fires are still active.

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Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

2h ago

iconic voice

Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, a welcome voice for a half-century, dead at 90

9h ago

first response

New staffing model on Gabriola Island hires local paramedics for enhanced patient care

14h ago

OMAR KHADR QUARREL TESTS BIPARTISANSHIP ON NAFTA

Federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer is unrepentant about complaining in the American media about the Omar Khadr payment. Members of the Trudeau government have accused him and other Conservatives of poisoning Americans against Canada on the brink of the North American Free Trade Agreement talks. But Scheer says any American backlash over the Khadr payment is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s fault.

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SEARCH ON FOR 2 BURUNDI TEENS SEEN ENTERING CANADA

U.S. authorities say two of six Burundi teenagers who went missing after an international robotics competition in Washington, D.C., have been seen crossing the border into Canada. Police say they have no indication of foul play in their disappearance. Canadian officials would not say if the two students reported to have been seen crossing the border — a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old — had made refugee claims.

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AGRICULTURE MINISTERS WRAP UP TWO DAYS OF TALKS

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay wraps up talks with his provincial and territorial counterparts today in St. John’s, NL. One topic being discussed is the AgriStability program, which provides support for farmers experiencing crop failures or large losses. MacAuley says he’s heard from farmers who want assurances there won’t be a lapse in the program, adding he’s confident that won’t take place.

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QUEBEC GAS VENDOR PREPARES FOR ELECTRIC CARS

One of the largest gas retailers in Canada is looking to Norway for guidance on how to adapt to growing electric car sales. Alimentation Couche-Tard, a Quebec-based convenience store company, established a foothold in the Scandinavian country five years ago with its purchase of Statoil ASA’s fuel and retail operations. It says it wants to ensure it will still appeal to customers if they no longer need to fill up on gas.

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ALSO IN THE NEWS TODAY:

— Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will appear at a Liberal Party reception in Halifax.

— Statistics Canada will release the retail trade figures for May and the consumer price index for June.

The Canadian Press