MONTREAL — There were heirs to Canadian fortunes who lived in hillside mansions and arrived at their high school in luxury cars.

There were children of Caribbean immigrants who commuted by bus or subway from a historically Black neighborhood.

There were Anglophones, Francophones and kids from Chinatown.

And then there was Kamala Harris, an extroverted American teenager who had moved to Montreal from California at age 12, dreamed of becoming a lawyer and liked dancing to Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.

Thrown into one of Montreal’s most diverse public high schools, the young Harris — whose father was from Jamaica and mother from India — identified as African American, her friends from high school recalled. At the same time, they said, she deftly navigated the competing racial and social divisions at the school.

“In high school, you were either in the white or the Black group,” said Wanda Kagan, her best friend from Westmount High School, who had a white mother and an African American father. “We didn’t fit exactly into either, so we made ourselves fit into both.”

The future senator spent her formative adolescent years in a multicultural environment typical of many Canadian public schools. As she makes history as the first woman of color on a presidential ticket, Canadians have claimed her as a native daughter, seeing her as an embodiment of the country’s progressive politics.

“Joe Biden’s new running mate, Kamala Harris, is a Westmount High graduate,” gushed the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Such is the Kamala mania here that the school has designated an official to field media calls, which have come from across Canada as well as Latin America and Japan.

Some also have a sense that if her ticket wins, it could mend Canada’s fraught ties with a once dependable ally.

“She got educated in her earliest years through a Canadian lens and that was bound to have rubbed off,” said Bruce Heyman, a former ambassador to Canada under President Barack Obama.

Harris came to Montreal with her sister, Maya, and her mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a breast cancer researcher who was divorced from the girls’ father, an eminent economist, and moved the family to pursue her career.

Harris, who was born in 1964, has downplayed her time in Canada amid a racist misinformation campaign that she was not born American. She declined to comment for this article.

But in her memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” she described the culture shock of the move.

“I was 12 years old, and the thought of moving away from sunny California in February, in the middle of the school year, to a French-speaking foreign city covered in 12 feet of snow was distressing,” she wrote.

“My mother tried to make it sound like an adventure, taking us to buy our first down jackets and mittens, as though we were going to be explorers of the great northern winter,” she wrote. “But it was hard for me to see it that way.”

(BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.)

Her mother initially sent the sisters to a Francophone school. It was a tumultuous time in Quebec, with an ascendant nationalist party and culture wars over language.

“I used to joke that I felt like a duck, because all day long at our new school I’d be saying, ‘Quoi? Quoi? Quoi?’” — What? What? What? — Harris wrote in her memoir.

At age 13, childhood friends said, Kamala mobilized local children to demonstrate in front of their apartment building because the owner had banned children from playing on the lawn. He backed down.

Eventually the family settled on the top floor of a spacious Victorian home in an affluent neighborhood bordering Westmount, one of Canada’s wealthiest districts.

“It was a comfortable home, with high ceilings, hardwood floors, Persian carpets,” recalled Kagan, who first met Harris in eighth grade and lived with her family for a time to escape an abusive stepfather.

In September, Harris wrote a tweet about her friend’s abuse, saying, “One of the reasons I wanted to be a prosecutor was to protect people like her.”

Westmount High, which counts Leonard Cohen among its alumni, was founded in 1874. Its catchment included not only the moneyed Westmount municipality, but also Little Burgundy — once known as “the Harlem of the North” — whose Black churches, Black community center and storied jazz clubs made it a center for Black culture.

The school was roughly 60% white and 40% Black in 1978-81, when Harris attended it, said Garvin Jeffers, a former principal who then led the math department.

Still, Kagan said the school’s divisions “were more about who had the latest Jordache jeans than about race.”

Harris straddled the school’s diverse worlds, her friends said.

Hugh Kwok, the child of Chinese immigrants, can be seen in a 1981 yearbook photo with Harris’ arm leaning on his shoulder. Harris, he said, “melted in with everyone.”

Anu Chopra Sharma, who was in Harris’ French and math classes, recalled the two bonding over having Indian names.

“She said to me, ‘You have an Indian name but you don’t look Indian,’ and I said the same to her,” she said.

“You couldn’t easily label her,” Sharma added.

Although Harris mingled widely, Kagan said “she identified as being African American.” She found belonging in the Black community, and “was drawn to the Little Burgundy kids.”

She recalled that she and Harris attended Black community dance parties and griped about having to be home by 11 p.m.

Above all, she found sisterhood in an all-female dance troupe, Super Six, later Midnight Magic. The girls wore glittering homemade costumes and performed aerobically charged disco moves in front of the school and at homes for the elderly. Harris was called Angel.

Kagan said she and Harris spent long hours rehearsing, inspired by “Solid Gold,” a 1980s pop music television show featuring performers lip-syncing, surrounded by writhing dancers in shiny Lycra.

“We were six girls with big personalities who were every shade of brown and Black, and Kamala could hold her own on the dance floor,” Kagan said.

Trevor Williams, a former basketball player on the Canadian Olympic team, dated Maya Harris in high school. He recalled Maya as more bookish and shy, and Kamala as more outgoing.

“Maya was more of the brainiac, every test 100%, Kamala was a bit more laid back,” he said. “They were always so organized compared to the rest of us.”

He recalled that the Harris sisters played down their relative affluence. “I didn’t even realize at the time that their mother was this high-powered doctor.”

Harris was prepared and forceful in intellectual discussions, her classmates recalled. She was also active — performing in fashion shows, working on the yearbook and part of the Pep Club, whose members yelled and sang at school events accompanied by a rabbit mascot, Purple Peter.

At the heart of it all, however, was her family life.

Harris’ mother was an abiding influence. Kagan recalled the warmth of their home, where Indian rice dishes simmered and studying was mandatory.

“Her mom was strong and instilled that in Kamala,” she said.

Every summer, the girls filled a freezer chest with blanched tomatoes in plastic bags, sucking the air out with straws. The tomatoes were used for soups and sauces.

Dr. Gopalan Harris, who had a doctorate in endocrinology and nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley, spent 16 years in Montreal, at the Jewish General Hospital and McGill University Faculty of Medicine. She developed a method for assessing cancerous breast tissue that became a standard procedure nationwide.

As high school drew to a close, the Canadian version of the prom arrived. Harris was part of a group of girls who attended without dates so that girls who hadn’t been asked out wouldn’t feel excluded.

“We decided that we were going to change the culture,” Kagan said. “Kamala was, like, ‘Let’s do it!’”

The next step for Harris was Howard University in Washington. She had already been pining for home.

In the high school yearbook she described her most cherished memory as a 1980 trip to Los Angeles. She thanked her mother and encouraged her sister: “Be cool MA YA!” Her favorite expression? “Naw, I’m just playing.”

“By the time I got to high school, I had adjusted to our new surroundings,” she wrote in her memoir. “What I hadn’t gotten used to was the feeling of being homesick for my country. I felt this constant sense of yearning to be back home.”

MONTREAL — There were heirs to Canadian fortunes who lived in hillside mansions and arrived at their high school in luxury cars. There were children of Caribbean immigrants who commuted by bus or subway from a historically Black neighborhood.

MONTREAL — There were heirs to Canadian fortunes who lived in hillside mansions and arrived at their high school in luxury cars. There were children of Caribbean immigrants who commuted by bus or subway from a historically Black neighborhood. There were Anglophones, Francophones and kids from Chinatown. And then there was Kamala Harris, an extroverted American teenager who had moved to Montreal from California at age 12, dreamed of becoming a lawyer and liked dancing to Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Thrown into one of Montreal’s most diverse public high schools, the young Harris — whose father was from Jamaica and mother from India — identified as African American, her friends from high school recalled. At the same time, they said, she deftly navigated the competing racial and social divisions at the school. “In high school, you were either in the white or the Black group,” said Wanda Kagan, her best friend from Westmount High School, who had a white mother and an African American father. “We didn’t fit exactly into either, so we made ourselves fit into both.” The future senator spent her formative adolescent years in a multicultural environment typical of many Canadian public schools. As she makes history as the first woman of color on a presidential ticket, Canadians have claimed her as a native daughter, seeing her as an embodiment of the country’s progressive politics. “Joe Biden’s new running mate, Kamala Harris, is a Westmount High graduate,” gushed the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Such is the Kamala mania here that the school has designated an official to field media calls, which have come from across Canada as well as Latin America and Japan. Some also have a sense that if her ticket wins, it could mend Canada’s fraught ties with a once dependable ally. “She got educated in her earliest years through a Canadian lens and that was bound to have rubbed off,” said Bruce Heyman, a former ambassador to Canada under President Barack Obama. Harris came to Montreal with her sister, Maya, and her mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a breast cancer researcher who was divorced from the girls’ father, an eminent economist, and moved the family to pursue her career. Harris, who was born in 1964, has downplayed her time in Canada amid a racist misinformation campaign that she was not born American. She declined to comment for this article. But in her memoir, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey,” she described the culture shock of the move. “I was 12 years old, and the thought of moving away from sunny California in February, in the middle of the school year, to a French-speaking foreign city covered in 12 feet of snow was distressing,” she wrote. “My mother tried to make it sound like an adventure, taking us to buy our first down jackets and mittens, as though we were going to be explorers of the great northern winter,” she wrote. “But it was hard for me to see it that way.” (BEGIN OPTIONAL TRIM.) Her mother initially sent the sisters to a Francophone school. It was a tumultuous time in Quebec, with an ascendant nationalist party and culture wars over language. “I used to joke that I felt like a duck, because all day long at our new school I’d be saying, ‘Quoi? Quoi? Quoi?’” — What? What? What? — Harris wrote in her memoir. At age 13, childhood friends said, Kamala mobilized local children to demonstrate in front of their apartment building because the owner had banned children from playing on the lawn. He backed down. Eventually the family settled on the top floor of a spacious Victorian home in an affluent neighborhood bordering Westmount, one of Canada’s wealthiest districts. “It was a comfortable home, with high ceilings, hardwood floors, Persian carpets,” recalled Kagan, who first met Harris in eighth grade and lived with her family for a time to escape an abusive stepfather. In September, Harris wrote a tweet about her friend’s abuse, saying, “One of the reasons I wanted to be a prosecutor was to protect people like her.” Westmount High, which counts Leonard Cohen among its alumni, was founded in 1874. Its catchment included not only the moneyed Westmount municipality, but also Little Burgundy — once known as “the Harlem of the North” — whose Black churches, Black community center and storied jazz clubs made it a center for Black culture. The school was roughly 60% white and 40% Black in 1978-81, when Harris attended it, said Garvin Jeffers, a former principal who then led the math department. Still, Kagan said the school’s divisions “were more about who had the latest Jordache jeans than about race.” Harris straddled the school’s diverse worlds, her friends said. Hugh Kwok, the child of Chinese immigrants, can be seen in a 1981 yearbook photo with Harris’ arm leaning on his shoulder. Harris, he said, “melted in with everyone.” Anu Chopra Sharma, who was in Harris’ French and math classes, recalled the two bonding over having Indian names. “She said to me, ‘You have an Indian name but you don’t look Indian,’ and I said the same to her,” she said. “You couldn’t easily label her,” Sharma added. Although Harris mingled widely, Kagan said “she identified as being African American.” She found belonging in the Black community, and “was drawn to the Little Burgundy kids.” She recalled that she and Harris attended Black community dance parties and griped about having to be home by 11 p.m. Above all, she found sisterhood in an all-female dance troupe, Super Six, later Midnight Magic. The girls wore glittering homemade costumes and performed aerobically charged disco moves in front of the school and at homes for the elderly. Harris was called Angel. Kagan said she and Harris spent long hours rehearsing, inspired by “Solid Gold,” a 1980s pop music television show featuring performers lip-syncing, surrounded by writhing dancers in shiny Lycra. “We were six girls with big personalities who were every shade of brown and Black, and Kamala could hold her own on the dance floor,” Kagan said. Trevor Williams, a former basketball player on the Canadian Olympic team, dated Maya Harris in high school. He recalled Maya as more bookish and shy, and Kamala as more outgoing. “Maya was more of the brainiac, every test 100%, Kamala was a bit more laid back,” he said. “They were always so organized compared to the rest of us.” He recalled that the Harris sisters played down their relative affluence. “I didn’t even realize at the time that their mother was this high-powered doctor.” Harris was prepared and forceful in intellectual discussions, her classmates recalled. She was also active — performing in fashion shows, working on the yearbook and part of the Pep Club, whose members yelled and sang at school events accompanied by a rabbit mascot, Purple Peter. At the heart of it all, however, was her family life. Harris’ mother was an abiding influence. Kagan recalled the warmth of their home, where Indian rice dishes simmered and studying was mandatory. “Her mom was strong and instilled that in Kamala,” she said. Every summer, the girls filled a freezer chest with blanched tomatoes in plastic bags, sucking the air out with straws. The tomatoes were used for soups and sauces. Dr. Gopalan Harris, who had a doctorate in endocrinology and nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley, spent 16 years in Montreal, at the Jewish General Hospital and McGill University Faculty of Medicine. She developed a method for assessing cancerous breast tissue that became a standard procedure nationwide. As high school drew to a close, the Canadian version of the prom arrived. Harris was part of a group of girls who attended without dates so that girls who hadn’t been asked out wouldn’t feel excluded. “We decided that we were going to change the culture,” Kagan said. “Kamala was, like, ‘Let’s do it!’” The next step for Harris was Howard University in Washington. She had already been pining for home. In the high school yearbook she described her most cherished memory as a 1980 trip to Los Angeles. She thanked her mother and encouraged her sister: “Be cool MA YA!” Her favorite expression? “Naw, I’m just playing.” “By the time I got to high school, I had adjusted to our new surroundings,” she wrote in her memoir. “What I hadn’t gotten used to was the feeling of being homesick for my country. I felt this constant sense of yearning to be back home.”

Kamala Harris, a disco-dancing teenager, yearned for home in Canada

Toronto lawyer Annamie Paul was Saturday named head of the Green Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead a national political party in Canada.

The 47-year-old mother of two, the daughter of immigrants from the Caribbean, described herself as a "descendant of slaves."

Paul hailed her victory as a "historic moment" during her speech after the announcement of the results of the internal ballot in Ottawa.

"We have done something that has never been done before in Canadian politics," said the Jewish lawyer, who has reported being the victim of anti-Semitic attacks on social media.

"Colonialism has robbed me of my original identity," Paul added in her speech, saying she was ready to support indigenous peoples in particular in their fight against systemic racism within the police.

She succeeds Elizabeth May, who led the Greens for 13 years before stepping down at the end of 2019, following a federal legislative election where her party won only three seats in the House of Commons.

Paul said that under her leadership the party would have two priorities: building a social security net for all Canadians and tackling "the existential crisis of our time, which is the climate emergency."

"This is the chance of a lifetime for us to move towards a more just, a more resilient society," she said. "We believe it can be done."

To repair the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, Paul said the government needed to invest in a "green transition" for a path to the future.

"The choice is yours, if we want different outcomes then we need to make different choices," said Paul, who previously worked at the International Criminal Court.

The new leader of the Greens said she will run in a legislative by-election in Toronto at the end of October, in the constituency vacated after the surprise resignation of former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau.

Toronto lawyer Annamie Paul was Saturday named head of the Green Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead a national political party in Canada. The 47-year-old mother of two, the daughter of immigrants from the Caribbean, described herself as a "descendant of slaves.

Toronto lawyer Annamie Paul was Saturday named head of the Green Party, becoming the first Black woman to lead a national political party in Canada. The 47-year-old mother of two, the daughter of immigrants from the Caribbean, described herself as a "descendant of slaves." Paul hailed her victory as a "historic moment" during her speech after the announcement of the results of the internal ballot in Ottawa. "We have done something that has never been done before in Canadian politics," said the Jewish lawyer, who has reported being the victim of anti-Semitic attacks on social media. "Colonialism has robbed me of my original identity," Paul added in her speech, saying she was ready to support indigenous peoples in particular in their fight against systemic racism within the police. She succeeds Elizabeth May, who led the Greens for 13 years before stepping down at the end of 2019, following a federal legislative election where her party won only three seats in the House of Commons. Paul said that under her leadership the party would have two priorities: building a social security net for all Canadians and tackling "the existential crisis of our time, which is the climate emergency." "This is the chance of a lifetime for us to move towards a more just, a more resilient society," she said. "We believe it can be done." To repair the economic ravages of the coronavirus pandemic, Paul said the government needed to invest in a "green transition" for a path to the future. "The choice is yours, if we want different outcomes then we need to make different choices," said Paul, who previously worked at the International Criminal Court. The new leader of the Greens said she will run in a legislative by-election in Toronto at the end of October, in the constituency vacated after the surprise resignation of former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau.

Lawyer named as first Black woman to lead national party in Canada

Canada has decided to re-open its borders for international students and&nbsp;couples who had been separated due to the ongoing pandemic.

On Friday, the immigration minister announced that after months of ban, Canada will allow international students as well as non-citizens who are in exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen.

"We recognize that travel restrictions should not keep loved ones apart," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-reintroduces-bill-to-ban-lgbt-conversion-therapy-331860">Also read:&nbsp;Canada reintroduces bill to ban LGBT conversion therapy</a>

"In these challenging times, we know those challenges are best met with the strength and support of those we love by our side," he said.

However, the students will have to show proof of being registered in a Canadian college/university, and only the universities that have&nbsp;an approved COVID-19 readiness plan in place will be allowed to admit students. The couples, too, will have to prove the authenticity of their&nbsp;relationship to the Canadian government.

The announcement after the ban on non-essential international crossings across the border were extended for another month.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-to-investigate-use-of-its-tech-in-armenia-azerbaijan-clash-332133">Also read:&nbsp;Canada to investigate use of its tech in Armenia-Azerbaijan clash</a>

This decision was hugely appreciated by the locals who rejoined on being able to meet their loved ones once again. Recently, pictures on social media showed couples having dates along the Canadian border. The couples, however, were questioned by the local authorities.

As per the new regulations,&nbsp;foreign nationals who suffer from&nbsp;a life-threatening illness, critical injury or death will also be allowed to enter.

Travellers will be asked to apply and gain authorisation before arriving in the country. They will also be asked to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days.

The decision has been taken considering the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country. Considering the same, the closure of the US-Canada border might continue for the remaining year.

Canada has decided to re-open its borders for international students and couples who had been separated due to the ongoing pandemic. On Friday, the immigration minister announced that after months of ban, Canada will allow international students as well as non-citizens who are in exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen.

Canada has decided to re-open its borders for international students and couples who had been separated due to the ongoing pandemic. On Friday, the immigration minister announced that after months of ban, Canada will allow international students as well as non-citizens who are in exclusive dating relationship with a Canadian citizen. "We recognize that travel restrictions should not keep loved ones apart," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters. Also read: Canada reintroduces bill to ban LGBT conversion therapy "In these challenging times, we know those challenges are best met with the strength and support of those we love by our side," he said. However, the students will have to show proof of being registered in a Canadian college/university, and only the universities that have an approved COVID-19 readiness plan in place will be allowed to admit students. The couples, too, will have to prove the authenticity of their relationship to the Canadian government. The announcement after the ban on non-essential international crossings across the border were extended for another month. Also read: Canada to investigate use of its tech in Armenia-Azerbaijan clash This decision was hugely appreciated by the locals who rejoined on being able to meet their loved ones once again. Recently, pictures on social media showed couples having dates along the Canadian border. The couples, however, were questioned by the local authorities. As per the new regulations, foreign nationals who suffer from a life-threatening illness, critical injury or death will also be allowed to enter. Travellers will be asked to apply and gain authorisation before arriving in the country. They will also be asked to self-quarantine themselves for 14 days. The decision has been taken considering the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country. Considering the same, the closure of the US-Canada border might continue for the remaining year.

Canada to reopen borders for students and couples

Canada has reintroduced a bill to criminalise LGBT conversion therapy in the country, after the earlier trial to ban the therapy faied due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new bill will include five&nbsp;amendments to Canada's Criminal Code and will include forcing a minor to undergo the therapy in the list of criminal offences.

With the help of this bill, anyone who forces someone to un dergo the conversion therapy or profits&nbsp;off from the practice will be treated as a criminal in the eyes of law.

The bill was previously introduced in the House of Commons in March.

"Conversion therapy is harmful, degrading, and has no place in Canada … I hope that all parties will do the right thing by supporting this bill," Prime Minster Justin Trudeau told reporters on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-us-presidential-debate-google-search-surge-for-how-to-apply-for-canadian-citizenship-331656">Also read:&nbsp;After US presidential debate, Google search surge for ‘how to apply for Canadian citizenship’</a>

The bill was a promise made by Trudeau in&nbsp;during an unveiling of the party's election platform last year. This year, the party tried to get the bill passed but failed to do so as the Parliament was shut down due to the novel coronavirus.

Conversion therapy is any practice designed to change a person's sexual orientation, which especially harms and stigmatizes those belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans community.

As per the government data, around 20 per cent of sexual minority men in Canada have undergone some form of conversion therapy.&nbsp;Lower income, indigenous and trans people are disproportionately exposed to the practice, the data shows.

However, the&nbsp;bill will not apply to those seeking guidance and support from counselors or faith leaders.

As of now,&nbsp;Vancouver in British Columbia and Calgary in Alberta will be banning the practise in the states.

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada has reintroduced a bill to criminalise LGBT conversion therapy in the country, after the earlier trial to ban the therapy faied due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Canada has reintroduced a bill to criminalise LGBT conversion therapy in the country, after the earlier trial to ban the therapy faied due to the coronavirus pandemic. The new bill will include five amendments to Canada's Criminal Code and will include forcing a minor to undergo the therapy in the list of criminal offences. With the help of this bill, anyone who forces someone to un dergo the conversion therapy or profits off from the practice will be treated as a criminal in the eyes of law. The bill was previously introduced in the House of Commons in March. "Conversion therapy is harmful, degrading, and has no place in Canada … I hope that all parties will do the right thing by supporting this bill," Prime Minster Justin Trudeau told reporters on Thursday. Also read: After US presidential debate, Google search surge for ‘how to apply for Canadian citizenship’ The bill was a promise made by Trudeau in during an unveiling of the party's election platform last year. This year, the party tried to get the bill passed but failed to do so as the Parliament was shut down due to the novel coronavirus. Conversion therapy is any practice designed to change a person's sexual orientation, which especially harms and stigmatizes those belonging to the lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans community. As per the government data, around 20 per cent of sexual minority men in Canada have undergone some form of conversion therapy. Lower income, indigenous and trans people are disproportionately exposed to the practice, the data shows. However, the bill will not apply to those seeking guidance and support from counselors or faith leaders. As of now, Vancouver in British Columbia and Calgary in Alberta will be banning the practise in the states. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada reintroduces bill to ban LGBT conversion therapy

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations.

Lukashenko and seven other individuals will be subject to an immediate travel ban and asset freeze, in response to the disputed recent elections and crackdown on protesters.

"The travel ban and asset freeze on a total of eight individuals sent a clear message to Lukashenko's violent and fraudulent regime that we don't accept the results of this rigged election," UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

He added, "We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarussian people to account and we will stand up for our values of democracy and human rights."

Raab, who is currently on a visit to South Korea, has previously threatened sanctions against the Belarussian strongman as a result of the August 9 vote.

He has denounced what he said was the "grisly repression" of unprecedented protests over the result, and demanded an independent international investigation.

The 27-member European Union has also threatened Lukashenko's regime with sanctions, but efforts to impose them have been vetoed by Cyprus.&nbsp;

The restrictions against Lukashenko are the first against a country's leader under the new sanctions regime, and stops him from travel to the UK and Canada, or channelling money through banks.

They come as French President Emmanuel Macron promised to help with mediation in the political crisis, earning a strong rebuke from Russia's Vladimir Putin at "external pressure".

Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, has been rocked by street protests since authorities said Lukashenko won an August&nbsp;9 election by a landslide.

More than 12,000 protesters have been arrested since the election that the opposition denounced as rigged.

The European Union had earlier&nbsp;said Lukashenko was not the president of Belarus.

But Russia, Belarus’s closest ally, said the EU decision not to recognise Lukashenko amounted to indirect meddling in the country.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron became on Tuesday the highest-profile Western leader to visit the exiled opposition leader of Belarus, pledging European support for the country’s people.

Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhounskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania after the election. She has met the prime ministers of Lithuania, Norway and Poland, but Macron is the first leader of a major Western power to meet her.

“We had a very good discussion but now we need to be pragmatic and to support the Belarusian people and we will do our best, believe me”, Macron said after the 45-minute meeting at his hotel in Vilnius.

Tsikhanouskaya said Macron had promised “to do everything to help with negotiations, (during) this political crisis in our country ... and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners.”

Moscow has made clear it continues to back Lukashenko as leader of Russia’s closest ally. The West has had to balance its sympathy for the pro-democracy movement with its reluctance to provoke Moscow.

On Monday, Macron urged Belarus authorities to stop unlawful arrests, release protesters detained arbitrarily and respect election results.

(with inputs from agencies)

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations.

UK and Canada have slapped sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior figures in the regime for a string of human rights violations. Lukashenko and seven other individuals will be subject to an immediate travel ban and asset freeze, in response to the disputed recent elections and crackdown on protesters. "The travel ban and asset freeze on a total of eight individuals sent a clear message to Lukashenko's violent and fraudulent regime that we don't accept the results of this rigged election," UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday. He added, "We will hold those responsible for the thuggery deployed against the Belarussian people to account and we will stand up for our values of democracy and human rights." Raab, who is currently on a visit to South Korea, has previously threatened sanctions against the Belarussian strongman as a result of the August 9 vote. He has denounced what he said was the "grisly repression" of unprecedented protests over the result, and demanded an independent international investigation. The 27-member European Union has also threatened Lukashenko's regime with sanctions, but efforts to impose them have been vetoed by Cyprus. The restrictions against Lukashenko are the first against a country's leader under the new sanctions regime, and stops him from travel to the UK and Canada, or channelling money through banks. They come as French President Emmanuel Macron promised to help with mediation in the political crisis, earning a strong rebuke from Russia's Vladimir Putin at "external pressure". Belarus, a former Soviet republic closely allied with Russia, has been rocked by street protests since authorities said Lukashenko won an August 9 election by a landslide. More than 12,000 protesters have been arrested since the election that the opposition denounced as rigged. The European Union had earlier said Lukashenko was not the president of Belarus. But Russia, Belarus’s closest ally, said the EU decision not to recognise Lukashenko amounted to indirect meddling in the country. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron became on Tuesday the highest-profile Western leader to visit the exiled opposition leader of Belarus, pledging European support for the country’s people. Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhounskaya fled to neighbouring Lithuania after the election. She has met the prime ministers of Lithuania, Norway and Poland, but Macron is the first leader of a major Western power to meet her. “We had a very good discussion but now we need to be pragmatic and to support the Belarusian people and we will do our best, believe me”, Macron said after the 45-minute meeting at his hotel in Vilnius. Tsikhanouskaya said Macron had promised “to do everything to help with negotiations, (during) this political crisis in our country ... and he will do everything to help to release all the political prisoners.” Moscow has made clear it continues to back Lukashenko as leader of Russia’s closest ally. The West has had to balance its sympathy for the pro-democracy movement with its reluctance to provoke Moscow. On Monday, Macron urged Belarus authorities to stop unlawful arrests, release protesters detained arbitrarily and respect election results. (with inputs from agencies)

UK, Canada impose sanctions on Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections.

The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave.

But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament, as the Tories and Bloc Quebecois withheld their support and the New Democratic Party (NDP) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government.

With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen.

In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support, the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, including to care for children or relatives.

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And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being exposed to the new coronavirus.

In exchange, the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks.

"If this agreement is reflected in the bill," NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference, "we will support the bill, and we will also support the throne speech."

The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday.&nbsp;

Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it, except to say Liberal concessions will mean "millions rather than thousands" more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave.

Singh called the agreement a "historic moment" and "a major victory for Canadian workers."

"People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes, that there will be paid sick leave for them," he said.

Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP, saying in a Twitter message the bill "will deliver the help that Canadians need."

"We are entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet," he said. "It's by working together that we will get through this pandemic."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday reached a deal with the opposition leftist New Democrats on paid sick leave for all Canadian workers during the pandemic, avoiding possible snap elections. The minority Liberal government earlier this week had in a so-called throne speech proposed sweeping new measures to help Canadians weather a second Covid-19 wave. But its agenda and a bill to enact key parts of it faced possible defeat in parliament, as the Tories and Bloc Quebecois withheld their support and the New Democratic Party (NDP) made demands for increased social spending to prop up the government. With the defeat of the bill -- and its agenda -- the government would have fallen. In a last-ditch effort to gain NDP support, the Liberals boosted a weekly benefit for those unable to work during the Covid-19 outbreak, including to care for children or relatives. × And it agreed to NDP demands for the two week paid sick leave for workers who must isolate after being exposed to the new coronavirus. In exchange, the NDP said it would back the bill as well as support the government's agenda in a confidence vote that is expected to follow in the coming weeks. "If this agreement is reflected in the bill," NDP leader Jagmeet Singh told a news conference, "we will support the bill, and we will also support the throne speech." The bill is to be presented to parliament on Monday. Singh would not disclose the specific amendments to it, except to say Liberal concessions will mean "millions rather than thousands" more Canadians will have access to paid sick leave. Singh called the agreement a "historic moment" and "a major victory for Canadian workers." "People who are worried about getting sick in this pandemic will now know when this legislation passes, that there will be paid sick leave for them," he said. Liberal House of Commons leader Pablo Rodriguez also touted the agreement with the NDP, saying in a Twitter message the bill "will deliver the help that Canadians need." "We are entering the second wave and millions of Canadians are still struggling to make ends meet," he said. "It's by working together that we will get through this pandemic."

Deal on paid sick leave for all Canadians should avert snap elections

The United States, United Kingdom and Canada plan to impose sanctions on Belarusian individuals following what they view as a rigged election and violence against peaceful protesters.

UK, US, Canada to impose sanctions on Belarusians

Former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner, who was in office for just 11 weeks and led his Liberal Party to a massive electoral defeat in 1984, died on Saturday aged 91.

Turner took over from Pierre Trudeau in late June 1984 at a time of increasing voter fatigue with the Liberals, who had been in power for 20 of the previous 21 years. Before becoming prime minister, he had held the posts of finance and justice minister.

Current Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pierre`s son, offered his condolences and called Turner "a humble man with a strong social conscience."

"His contributions to Canada will not be forgotten," Trudeau said in a statement.

In 1984, Turner called an election for September and then presided over what many political observers consider to be one of the worst campaigns in Canadian history, marred by a series of gaffes.

One turning point came during a televised debate when Turner, under fire from Conservative leader Brian Mulroney, said he had no option but to approve a mass of patronage appointments proposed by Trudeau before he left office.

"You could have said `I am not going to do it. This is wrong for Canada` ... you had an option, sir, to say no. And you chose to say yes," responded Mulroney in one of the most memorable moments in Canadian politics. The Conservatives swept to power with 211 seats of the 282 in the House of Commons.

The Liberals fell to just 40 seats from 135 but Turner hung onto his position. His 79-day tenure as prime minister is the second shortest in Canadian history.

In the 1988 election campaign he took a strong stance against a proposed free trade agreement with the United States but lost again to Mulroney, although not as badly.

He resigned as Liberal leader in 1990 and was replaced by Jean Chretien, who led the Liberals to victory in 1993. 
Turner, a lawyer by training, served as finance minister from 1972 to 1975 but quit amid disagreements over policy with Trudeau. He returned to legal work for nine years before winning the Liberal Party leadership in June 1984.

John Napier Wyndham Turner was born on June 7, 1929. He is survived by his wife Geills and four children.

Former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner, who was in office for just 11 weeks and led his Liberal Party to a massive electoral defeat in 1984, died on Saturday aged 91.

Former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner, who was in office for just 11 weeks and led his Liberal Party to a massive electoral defeat in 1984, died on Saturday aged 91. Turner took over from Pierre Trudeau in late June 1984 at a time of increasing voter fatigue with the Liberals, who had been in power for 20 of the previous 21 years. Before becoming prime minister, he had held the posts of finance and justice minister. Current Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Pierre`s son, offered his condolences and called Turner "a humble man with a strong social conscience." "His contributions to Canada will not be forgotten," Trudeau said in a statement. In 1984, Turner called an election for September and then presided over what many political observers consider to be one of the worst campaigns in Canadian history, marred by a series of gaffes. One turning point came during a televised debate when Turner, under fire from Conservative leader Brian Mulroney, said he had no option but to approve a mass of patronage appointments proposed by Trudeau before he left office. "You could have said `I am not going to do it. This is wrong for Canada` ... you had an option, sir, to say no. And you chose to say yes," responded Mulroney in one of the most memorable moments in Canadian politics. The Conservatives swept to power with 211 seats of the 282 in the House of Commons. The Liberals fell to just 40 seats from 135 but Turner hung onto his position. His 79-day tenure as prime minister is the second shortest in Canadian history. In the 1988 election campaign he took a strong stance against a proposed free trade agreement with the United States but lost again to Mulroney, although not as badly. He resigned as Liberal leader in 1990 and was replaced by Jean Chretien, who led the Liberals to victory in 1993. Turner, a lawyer by training, served as finance minister from 1972 to 1975 but quit amid disagreements over policy with Trudeau. He returned to legal work for nine years before winning the Liberal Party leadership in June 1984. John Napier Wyndham Turner was born on June 7, 1929. He is survived by his wife Geills and four children.

Former Canada PM Turner, who was in office for just 11 weeks, dies aged 91

A 20-year-old man was charged and his license suspended for 24 hours after he was found asleep sitting on the drivers' seat in a Tesla car that was travelling at 150 km/hr at a highway in Canada.

Royal Canadian Mounted police on Thursday said that they received a complaint on July 9 that a Model S Tesla car was speeding on the highway near the town of Ponoka.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/tesla-seeks-approval-for-sensor-that-could-detect-child-left-in-hot-cars-322129">Tesla seeks approval for sensor that could detect child left in hot cars</a>

"The car appeared to be self-driving, travelling over 140km/h, with both front seats completely reclined and both occupants appearing to be asleep," said the police in a statement, reported The Guardian.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/german-court-rules-teslas-assistance-feature-including-autopilot-as-false-advertising-313308">German court rules Tesla's assistance feature including 'Autopilot' as false advertising</a>

The police said after they flashed a light on the car, it picked up the speed and reached "exactly" 150 km/hr.&nbsp;

The 20-year-old driver was charged with speeding and his license was suspended for 24 hours.&nbsp;

The province of Alberta, where the incident occurred, will also charge the driver with dangerous driving.&nbsp;

With the arrival of self-driving vehicles, spearheaded by Tesla, maintaining road safety has become a challenge.&nbsp;

An Ontario driver in January was charged with speeding after he was found flossing his teeth using both his hands as the vehicle was running at a speed of 135 km/hr.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A 20-year-old man was charged and his license suspended for 24 hours after he was found asleep sitting on the drivers' seat in a Tesla car that was travelling at 150 km/hr at a highway in Canada.

A 20-year-old man was charged and his license suspended for 24 hours after he was found asleep sitting on the drivers' seat in a Tesla car that was travelling at 150 km/hr at a highway in Canada. Royal Canadian Mounted police on Thursday said that they received a complaint on July 9 that a Model S Tesla car was speeding on the highway near the town of Ponoka. Also read | Tesla seeks approval for sensor that could detect child left in hot cars "The car appeared to be self-driving, travelling over 140km/h, with both front seats completely reclined and both occupants appearing to be asleep," said the police in a statement, reported The Guardian. Also read | German court rules Tesla's assistance feature including 'Autopilot' as false advertising The police said after they flashed a light on the car, it picked up the speed and reached "exactly" 150 km/hr. The 20-year-old driver was charged with speeding and his license was suspended for 24 hours. The province of Alberta, where the incident occurred, will also charge the driver with dangerous driving. With the arrival of self-driving vehicles, spearheaded by Tesla, maintaining road safety has become a challenge. An Ontario driver in January was charged with speeding after he was found flossing his teeth using both his hands as the vehicle was running at a speed of 135 km/hr.

Canada: 20-year-old driver sleeps as Tesla car travels at 150 km/hr, charged

Canada reported zero COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours for the first time since March 15, according to public health agency data released late on Friday.

Canada's death toll from the pandemic stood at 9,163 as of Sept. 11, the same as the number of the deaths reported on Sept. 10, government data showed. The number of positive cases rose by 702 to 135,626 on Sept. 11 from the previous day, the data showed.

With most provinces easing lockdown restrictions and as schools reopen for in-person classes, Canada's infections have seen a mild pick-up in recent days. Authorities have been on high alert to avoid fresh outbreaks, and provinces including British Columbia have imposed new curbs to tackle the spread of the virus.

Still, Canada's situation looks relatively healthy compared to its southern neighbor. Across the border in the United States, more than 190,000 people have died from the pandemic and more than 6.38 million people have been infected.

Canada's experience dealing with SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, helped health officials be better prepared. SARS killed 44 people in Canada, the only country outside Asia to report deaths from that outbreak in 2002-2003.

Canada's first recorded case of coronavirus was in Toronto, on Jan. 25. Both Ontario, the country's most populous province, and neighboring Quebec turned into the hot spots for COVID-19 infections.

Both provinces struggled with outbreaks in long-term care homes. Canada's first COVID-19 death was reported on March 9 at a British Columbia long-term care facility.

As COVID-19 cases began to spike in mid-March, Canada shut its international borders to all foreign nationals and ramped up tests in an effort to isolate infected patients. Ontario and Alberta faced outbreaks among temporary foreign workers on farms and meat-processing plants, which slowed reopening in certain regions.

Canada reported zero COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours for the first time since March 15, according to public health agency data released late on Friday. Canada's death toll from the pandemic stood at 9,163 as of Sept.

Canada reported zero COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours for the first time since March 15, according to public health agency data released late on Friday. Canada's death toll from the pandemic stood at 9,163 as of Sept. 11, the same as the number of the deaths reported on Sept. 10, government data showed. The number of positive cases rose by 702 to 135,626 on Sept. 11 from the previous day, the data showed. With most provinces easing lockdown restrictions and as schools reopen for in-person classes, Canada's infections have seen a mild pick-up in recent days. Authorities have been on high alert to avoid fresh outbreaks, and provinces including British Columbia have imposed new curbs to tackle the spread of the virus. Still, Canada's situation looks relatively healthy compared to its southern neighbor. Across the border in the United States, more than 190,000 people have died from the pandemic and more than 6.38 million people have been infected. Canada's experience dealing with SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, helped health officials be better prepared. SARS killed 44 people in Canada, the only country outside Asia to report deaths from that outbreak in 2002-2003. Canada's first recorded case of coronavirus was in Toronto, on Jan. 25. Both Ontario, the country's most populous province, and neighboring Quebec turned into the hot spots for COVID-19 infections. Both provinces struggled with outbreaks in long-term care homes. Canada's first COVID-19 death was reported on March 9 at a British Columbia long-term care facility. As COVID-19 cases began to spike in mid-March, Canada shut its international borders to all foreign nationals and ramped up tests in an effort to isolate infected patients. Ontario and Alberta faced outbreaks among temporary foreign workers on farms and meat-processing plants, which slowed reopening in certain regions.

Canada reports zero COVID-19 deaths for first time since March

In a report for the period ending in June, 2020, the panel included Canada on a list of countries selling arms to those waging the conflict in Yemen

West, Iran is fueling war in Yemen with arms sales, says UN report

A recent survey has revealed that three out of four people will be willing to take the vaccine for coronavirus, if it is rolled out this year.

On behalf of World Economic Forum, Ipsos MORI conducted a survey&nbsp;of nearly 20,000 adults from 27 countries.&nbsp;

As per the results compiled, around 74 per cent people said that&nbsp;they would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available saying “if a vaccine for COVID-19 were available, I would get it”. However, 59 per cent people said they had no hope that the vaccination will be rolled out by the end of this year.

Out of people who said they would not want to get their hopes high for the vaccination, 56 per cent said they would be scared about the side effects of the vaccination, and 29 per cent said they are not sure if the vaccine will be effective.

Out of 74 per cent who agreed to use the vaccine,&nbsp;only 37 per cent strongly agree while 37 per cent somewhat agree.

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The number of people who agreed to using the vaccine is significantly more than those who doubt the effectiveness of it. Countries such as China (97 per cent), Brazil (88 per cent), Australia (88 per cent), and India (87 per cent) are the main countries where people showed more confidence in the vaccine.

However, residents of countries such as&nbsp;Russia (54 per cent), Poland (56 per cent), Hungary (56 per cent), and France (59 per cent) said that they would not use the vaccine even if it is available.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/widespread-covid-19-vaccinations-not-expected-until-mid-2021-who-325216">Also read|&nbsp;Widespread Covid-19 vaccinations not expected until mid-2021: WHO</a>

Globally, on an average, 56 per cent people said they would not use the vaccine, fearing the side effects of it. Out of the 56 per cent,&nbsp;70 per cent were from Spain, 68 per cent&nbsp;in Sweden,&nbsp;41 per cent in Argentina and 40 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

Further, 29 per cent people said they are not sure the vaccine will be effective and the&nbsp;third most common reason is the perception of not being enough at risk from COVID-19, cited by 19 per cent globally, with majority of these people being in India.

China tops the list of countries where the citizens believe that the vaccine will be available this year, with 87 per cent showing a positive attitude, followed by 75 per cent in&nbsp;Saudi Arabia and 74 per cent in India. However, residents of&nbsp;Germany, Belgium, Japan, and Poland have less or no hope about the vaccine being ready this year.

The survey was&nbsp;conducted by Ipsos between July 24 and August 7, 2020 on its Global Advisor online survey platform among a total of 19,519 adults, aged 18-74 in United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, and aged 16-74 in 22 other countries.

A recent survey has revealed that three out of four people will be willing to take the vaccine for coronavirus, if it is rolled out this year. On behalf of World Economic Forum, Ipsos MORI conducted a survey of nearly 20,000 adults from 27 countries.

A recent survey has revealed that three out of four people will be willing to take the vaccine for coronavirus, if it is rolled out this year. On behalf of World Economic Forum, Ipsos MORI conducted a survey of nearly 20,000 adults from 27 countries. As per the results compiled, around 74 per cent people said that they would get a vaccine for COVID-19 if it were available saying “if a vaccine for COVID-19 were available, I would get it”. However, 59 per cent people said they had no hope that the vaccination will be rolled out by the end of this year. Out of people who said they would not want to get their hopes high for the vaccination, 56 per cent said they would be scared about the side effects of the vaccination, and 29 per cent said they are not sure if the vaccine will be effective. Out of 74 per cent who agreed to use the vaccine, only 37 per cent strongly agree while 37 per cent somewhat agree. × The number of people who agreed to using the vaccine is significantly more than those who doubt the effectiveness of it. Countries such as China (97 per cent), Brazil (88 per cent), Australia (88 per cent), and India (87 per cent) are the main countries where people showed more confidence in the vaccine. However, residents of countries such as Russia (54 per cent), Poland (56 per cent), Hungary (56 per cent), and France (59 per cent) said that they would not use the vaccine even if it is available. Also read| Widespread Covid-19 vaccinations not expected until mid-2021: WHO Globally, on an average, 56 per cent people said they would not use the vaccine, fearing the side effects of it. Out of the 56 per cent, 70 per cent were from Spain, 68 per cent in Sweden, 41 per cent in Argentina and 40 per cent in Saudi Arabia. Further, 29 per cent people said they are not sure the vaccine will be effective and the third most common reason is the perception of not being enough at risk from COVID-19, cited by 19 per cent globally, with majority of these people being in India. China tops the list of countries where the citizens believe that the vaccine will be available this year, with 87 per cent showing a positive attitude, followed by 75 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 74 per cent in India. However, residents of Germany, Belgium, Japan, and Poland have less or no hope about the vaccine being ready this year. The survey was conducted by Ipsos between July 24 and August 7, 2020 on its Global Advisor online survey platform among a total of 19,519 adults, aged 18-74 in United States, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey, and aged 16-74 in 22 other countries.

Three in four adults would get a COVID-19 vaccine, if available: Survey

The popular cab service Uber has decided to take employment safety a notch higher. Since the pandemic began, uber has been making sure that all drivers wear face mask, avoid any close contact and follow all other safety and health precautions to keep the passengers safe and comfortable.

However, Uber is now worried about its partner drivers. It has come to Uber's notice that a lot of passengers have not been wearing face masks. So, Uber has now decided to roll out a new verification system for passengers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/california-uber-to-continue-food-delivery-services-despite-rides-business-forced-shut-321396">Also watch|&nbsp;California: Uber to continue food delivery services despite rides business forced shut</a>

Specific passengers, when requesting the next ride,&nbsp;will be asked to compulsorily send a selfie wearing masks. These passengers will be the ones who have been previously reported by the partner drivers for not wearing face masks.

Since May, the Uber drivers have been sending masked selfies before picking up their passenger. Before starting to drive passengers or deliver food, they are asked to take a selfie showing their mouth and nose are covered. Now, the same technology will be extended to the passengers too. "If a driver reports to us that a rider wasn’t wearing a mask, the rider will be required to take a selfie with their face covered before they’re able to take another trip with Uber. With the addition of this new feature, one driver’s feedback can help ensure the safety of Uber for the next driver," the company said in a statement on its blog.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-charges-former-uber-security-chief-with-covering-up-massive-2016-hacking-322032">Also read|&nbsp;US charges former Uber security chief with covering up massive 2016 hacking</a>

The feature will be first launched in the&nbsp;US and Canada by the end of September, and across Latin America and other countries later.

In addition to this, Uber is also urging the passengers to follow "Wash, wear, air" policy to ensure that the passengers and the drivers stay safe from the virus. As per the "Wash, wear, air" policy, the riders are urged to wash and/or sanitise their hands properly before boarding the car, wear face masks during the journey and&nbsp;sit in the back seat and roll down the window for airflow.

The popular cab service Uber has decided to take employment safety a notch higher. Since the pandemic began, uber has been making sure that all drivers wear face mask, avoid any close contact and follow all other safety and health precautions to keep the passengers safe and comfortable.

The popular cab service Uber has decided to take employment safety a notch higher. Since the pandemic began, uber has been making sure that all drivers wear face mask, avoid any close contact and follow all other safety and health precautions to keep the passengers safe and comfortable. However, Uber is now worried about its partner drivers. It has come to Uber's notice that a lot of passengers have not been wearing face masks. So, Uber has now decided to roll out a new verification system for passengers. Also watch| California: Uber to continue food delivery services despite rides business forced shut Specific passengers, when requesting the next ride, will be asked to compulsorily send a selfie wearing masks. These passengers will be the ones who have been previously reported by the partner drivers for not wearing face masks. Since May, the Uber drivers have been sending masked selfies before picking up their passenger. Before starting to drive passengers or deliver food, they are asked to take a selfie showing their mouth and nose are covered. Now, the same technology will be extended to the passengers too. "If a driver reports to us that a rider wasn’t wearing a mask, the rider will be required to take a selfie with their face covered before they’re able to take another trip with Uber. With the addition of this new feature, one driver’s feedback can help ensure the safety of Uber for the next driver," the company said in a statement on its blog. Also read| US charges former Uber security chief with covering up massive 2016 hacking The feature will be first launched in the US and Canada by the end of September, and across Latin America and other countries later. In addition to this, Uber is also urging the passengers to follow "Wash, wear, air" policy to ensure that the passengers and the drivers stay safe from the virus. As per the "Wash, wear, air" policy, the riders are urged to wash and/or sanitise their hands properly before boarding the car, wear face masks during the journey and sit in the back seat and roll down the window for airflow.

'It's a two-way street': Uber asks passengers to send masked selfie before booking rides

Canada's chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

"Sex can be complicated in the time of Covid-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for Covid-19," Theresa Tam said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/uks-strictly-come-dancing-to-feature-first-same-sex-dance-partners-324871">UK's 'Strictly Come Dancing' to feature first same-sex dance partners</a>

"The lowest risk sexual activity during Covid-19 involves yourself alone," she added.

But those having sex with a partner who is at risk or from &nbsp;outside their household should be "skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness (and) consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth."

Tam said people should also limit their consumption of alcohol or "other substances so you and your partner(s) are able to make safe decision."

She noted that there is a "very low likelihood" of transmission of the new coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. But she still urged condom use.

The number of Covid-19 cases rose on Wednesday to 129,705, including 9,171 deaths. Almost 90 percent of the people who fell sick have recovered.

Canada's chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. "Sex can be complicated in the time of Covid-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for Covid-19," Theresa Tam said in a statement.

Canada's chief public health officer on Wednesday urged couples to wear masks during sex to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. "Sex can be complicated in the time of Covid-19, especially for those without an intimate partner in their household or whose sexual partner is at higher risk for Covid-19," Theresa Tam said in a statement. Also read | UK's 'Strictly Come Dancing' to feature first same-sex dance partners "The lowest risk sexual activity during Covid-19 involves yourself alone," she added. But those having sex with a partner who is at risk or from outside their household should be "skipping kissing and avoiding face-to-face contact or closeness (and) consider using a mask that covers the nose and mouth." Tam said people should also limit their consumption of alcohol or "other substances so you and your partner(s) are able to make safe decision." She noted that there is a "very low likelihood" of transmission of the new coronavirus through semen or vaginal fluids. But she still urged condom use. The number of Covid-19 cases rose on Wednesday to 129,705, including 9,171 deaths. Almost 90 percent of the people who fell sick have recovered.

Wear masks during intercourse? Canada's top doctor makes absurd claim

Three months after the stand-off at the Galwan valley, a&nbsp;survey was conducted on India-China relationship by the Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times., and the results show that the Chinese citizens are not happy with the actions of their leaders.

In this survey, it has been revealed that the Chinese citizens like India with more than 50 per cent holding a favorable impression of China. Almost 51 per cent respondents appreciate the Modi government.

Nearly 70 per cent believe the anti-China sentiment in India is excessive. More than 30 per cent feel the ties will improve, and almost nine per cent of the respondents said they see improvement in the short term, while 25 per cent feel&nbsp;things will improve in the long term.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-ambassador-wins-seat-international-tribunal-for-law-on-the-sea-323276">Also read: Chinese ambassador wins seat International Tribunal for Law on the Sea</a>

Meanwhile, China’s biggest tech company Huawei is trying to woo India by running big advertisements on all leading dailies of India. Huawei claims to as committed as ever, with india, for India and&nbsp;says it has been doing business in India for 20 years now.

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The reason behind this gesture by Huawei may lie in a report published by the Financial Times earlier this week. The report claims&nbsp;that India is looking to phase out equipment from Huawei and other Chinese players.

Instead of a formal ban, India has reportedly indicated to telecom companies that they should stay away from Chinese gear.

Huawei is already facing a complete ban in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also partially banned in New Zealand.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-court-blocks-release-of-intelligence-documents-to-huaweis-meng-wanzhou-323085">Also read:&nbsp;Canada court blocks release of intelligence documents to Huawei's Meng Wanzhou</a>

Canada might soon join this list as a Reuters' report states that the country will soon be deciding the fate of Huawei.

But, Canada has delayed a final verdict --- the delay is long enough for huawei to get the message.

Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou is facing extradition proceedings in Canada, with the US hoping to get her custody over alleged violations of Iran sanctions.

While Canada and China are fighting a diplomatic war, Huawei is caught in the crossfire.

So, the advertisements and gestures may be Huawei's trial of saving its position and relationship with India. With Global Times recent survey, Huawei is expected to make a major PR push and they seem to be regretting the decisions of the Communist Party.

Three months after the stand-off at the Galwan valley, a survey was conducted on India-China relationship by the Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times., and the results show that the Chinese citizens are not happy with the actions of their leaders.

Three months after the stand-off at the Galwan valley, a survey was conducted on India-China relationship by the Chinese mouthpiece, Global Times., and the results show that the Chinese citizens are not happy with the actions of their leaders. In this survey, it has been revealed that the Chinese citizens like India with more than 50 per cent holding a favorable impression of China. Almost 51 per cent respondents appreciate the Modi government. Nearly 70 per cent believe the anti-China sentiment in India is excessive. More than 30 per cent feel the ties will improve, and almost nine per cent of the respondents said they see improvement in the short term, while 25 per cent feel things will improve in the long term. Also read: Chinese ambassador wins seat International Tribunal for Law on the Sea Meanwhile, China’s biggest tech company Huawei is trying to woo India by running big advertisements on all leading dailies of India. Huawei claims to as committed as ever, with india, for India and says it has been doing business in India for 20 years now. The reason behind this gesture by Huawei may lie in a report published by the Financial Times earlier this week. The report claims that India is looking to phase out equipment from Huawei and other Chinese players. Instead of a formal ban, India has reportedly indicated to telecom companies that they should stay away from Chinese gear. Huawei is already facing a complete ban in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. It is also partially banned in New Zealand. Also read: Canada court blocks release of intelligence documents to Huawei's Meng Wanzhou Canada might soon join this list as a Reuters' report states that the country will soon be deciding the fate of Huawei. But, Canada has delayed a final verdict --- the delay is long enough for huawei to get the message. Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou is facing extradition proceedings in Canada, with the US hoping to get her custody over alleged violations of Iran sanctions. While Canada and China are fighting a diplomatic war, Huawei is caught in the crossfire. So, the advertisements and gestures may be Huawei's trial of saving its position and relationship with India. With Global Times recent survey, Huawei is expected to make a major PR push and they seem to be regretting the decisions of the Communist Party.

More than 50% Chinese citizens like Modi government: Global Times

Canada has called for the release of two of its citizens detained in China on a top priority. Watch this video to know more.

Canada calls for immediate release of its nationals

A staggered reopening from lockdowns, supported by fiscal stimulus, is likely paying off for Canada's economy, with activity forecast to rebound in the current quarter twice as fast as in the United States. Watch report.

Canada's economic growth to outpace US: Recovery twice as fast as in US

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Chrystia Freeland to be Canada's first female finance minister on Tuesday as an ethics scandal that clipped her predecessor's wings reverberates through the government.

Freeland, 52, a former journalist and foreign minister, replaced&nbsp;Bill Morneau who resigned on Monday amid friction with Trudeau.

Freeland, who is considered Trudeau's most likely successor as Liberal Party leader, spearheaded negotiations of the United States-Mexico-Canada&nbsp;(USMCA) trade pact in 2017 and 2018 as&nbsp;Canada's foreign minister.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-finance-minister-resigns-amid-controversies-and-scandals-321370" hreflang="en">Canadian Finance Minister resigns amid controversies and scandals</a>

She will be tasked with reviving an economy crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the budget deficit this fiscal year forecast to hit $253.4 billion. That would be the largest shortfall since World War Two.

"We need a long term plan for recovery, a plan that addresses head-on the fundamental gaps that this pandemic has unmasked," Trudeau told a news conference.

Canada&nbsp;should embrace "bold new solutions", he said, citing the need to do a better job of protecting the vulnerable and greening an economy that relies heavily on fossil fuel exports.

Parliament has been suspended until September 23, when Trudeau is due to formally outline his plan. It will be subject to a confidence vote and if the minority Liberal administration loses,&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;will head into an election.

Freeland has written about the need to address growing inequality, in part by making the rich pay more. Trudeau, though, insisted taxes would not be going up, saying this was the last thing Canadians needed.

Freeland's appointment comes after a tumultuous week for the government that ended in Morneau's departure.&nbsp;Morneau and Trudeau had clashed over pandemic spending, including on green initiatives the prime minister views as key for the economy.

Freeland had previously been minister for international trade. That experience and her relationships with provincial premiers make her a good choice for finance minister, economists said.

After the Liberals won an election last year, Freeland was named deputy prime minister, a position she will keep.

"The restart of our economy needs to be green. It also needs to be equitable and inclusive," she told reporters, declining to give more details of her policies.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Chrystia Freeland to be Canada's first female finance minister on Tuesday as an ethics scandal that clipped her predecessor's wings reverberates through the government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tapped Chrystia Freeland to be Canada's first female finance minister on Tuesday as an ethics scandal that clipped her predecessor's wings reverberates through the government. Freeland, 52, a former journalist and foreign minister, replaced Bill Morneau who resigned on Monday amid friction with Trudeau. Freeland, who is considered Trudeau's most likely successor as Liberal Party leader, spearheaded negotiations of the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade pact in 2017 and 2018 as Canada's foreign minister. Also read: Canadian Finance Minister resigns amid controversies and scandals She will be tasked with reviving an economy crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the budget deficit this fiscal year forecast to hit $253.4 billion. That would be the largest shortfall since World War Two. "We need a long term plan for recovery, a plan that addresses head-on the fundamental gaps that this pandemic has unmasked," Trudeau told a news conference. Canada should embrace "bold new solutions", he said, citing the need to do a better job of protecting the vulnerable and greening an economy that relies heavily on fossil fuel exports. Parliament has been suspended until September 23, when Trudeau is due to formally outline his plan. It will be subject to a confidence vote and if the minority Liberal administration loses, Canada will head into an election. Freeland has written about the need to address growing inequality, in part by making the rich pay more. Trudeau, though, insisted taxes would not be going up, saying this was the last thing Canadians needed. Freeland's appointment comes after a tumultuous week for the government that ended in Morneau's departure. Morneau and Trudeau had clashed over pandemic spending, including on green initiatives the prime minister views as key for the economy. Freeland had previously been minister for international trade. That experience and her relationships with provincial premiers make her a good choice for finance minister, economists said. After the Liberals won an election last year, Freeland was named deputy prime minister, a position she will keep. "The restart of our economy needs to be green. It also needs to be equitable and inclusive," she told reporters, declining to give more details of her policies.

Trudeau names Chrystia Freeland as Canada's first female finance minister

Canada's Finance Minister&nbsp;Bill Morneau has resigned amid controversies of charity scandal and fallout with the Canadian Prime Minister.

"This morning I went to the prime minister and I tendered my resignation," Morneau announced on Monday morning.

He claims the reason behind this decision is that he does not plan to run for the parliament again and would prefer if the PM Justin Trudeau finds someone for long term.&nbsp;"It`s appropriate that the prime minister find someone with a longer term approach for the role, since I`m not running for office," he said.

However, his reason is being seen as a cover-up for the real issues. Morneau, the 57-year-old minister, had been on this job since 2015. However, recently there had been rumours about his falling out with Trudeau, after which the PM had expressed confidence in his finance minister.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-refuses-to-release-emails-over-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhous-arrest-321356">Also read:&nbsp;Canada refuses to release emails over Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest</a>

Morneau, who claims to aim to become&nbsp;the next secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) rather than the Finance Minister, was also surrounded by controversies of a charity scandal after he&nbsp;disclosed he had forgotten to repay travel expenses covered for him by a charity at the heart of an ethics probe. This upset several cabinet members and led to an investigation on Morneau and the PM from the Ethics body of the charity.

His decision to step down, when the country is facing economic challenges in a pandemic, has not been appreciated by the opposition.&nbsp;"I doubt you`ll be seeing other finance ministers around the world step down at this time of elevated economic and fiscal uncertainty," David Rosenberg, chief economist at Rosenberg Research and Associates. "It`s like a boxer being forced to take his gloves off in the fifth round."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-9000-canadian-government-accounts-hacked-320943">Also read:&nbsp;Over 9,000 Canadian government accounts hacked</a>

The opposition has labelled this step-down as a proof of the government facing an inner chaos.

Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer took to Twitter to condemn this resignation. Calling it a 'scapegoat' move, he claimed that the&nbsp;"government is so consumed by scandal that Trudeau has amputated his right hand to try and save himself."

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Bill Morneau’s “resignation” is further proof of a government in chaos. 
 
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"We had a little bit of a sell-the-rumour type weakness in the lead up to the resignation," said Ray Attrill, head of forex strategy at National Australia Bank in Sydney. "There doesn’t seem to be any suggestion at this stage that this any broader implications for the Canadian government."

Justin Trudeau, however, thanked the minister and his friend for his service over the past five years and assured that he will be lending his full support to Morneau in his bid to head the OECD.

Possible replacements for the key post include Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and President of Canada`s Treasury Board Jean-Yves Duclos.

While the resignation became a point of debate among the two political parties,&nbsp;the Canadian dollar showed little reaction to the news.

Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau has resigned amid controversies of charity scandal and fallout with the Canadian Prime Minister. "This morning I went to the prime minister and I tendered my resignation," Morneau announced on Monday morning.

Canada's Finance Minister Bill Morneau has resigned amid controversies of charity scandal and fallout with the Canadian Prime Minister. "This morning I went to the prime minister and I tendered my resignation," Morneau announced on Monday morning. He claims the reason behind this decision is that he does not plan to run for the parliament again and would prefer if the PM Justin Trudeau finds someone for long term. "It`s appropriate that the prime minister find someone with a longer term approach for the role, since I`m not running for office," he said. However, his reason is being seen as a cover-up for the real issues. Morneau, the 57-year-old minister, had been on this job since 2015. However, recently there had been rumours about his falling out with Trudeau, after which the PM had expressed confidence in his finance minister. Also read: Canada refuses to release emails over Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest Morneau, who claims to aim to become the next secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) rather than the Finance Minister, was also surrounded by controversies of a charity scandal after he disclosed he had forgotten to repay travel expenses covered for him by a charity at the heart of an ethics probe. This upset several cabinet members and led to an investigation on Morneau and the PM from the Ethics body of the charity. His decision to step down, when the country is facing economic challenges in a pandemic, has not been appreciated by the opposition. "I doubt you`ll be seeing other finance ministers around the world step down at this time of elevated economic and fiscal uncertainty," David Rosenberg, chief economist at Rosenberg Research and Associates. "It`s like a boxer being forced to take his gloves off in the fifth round." Also read: Over 9,000 Canadian government accounts hacked The opposition has labelled this step-down as a proof of the government facing an inner chaos. Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer took to Twitter to condemn this resignation. Calling it a 'scapegoat' move, he claimed that the "government is so consumed by scandal that Trudeau has amputated his right hand to try and save himself." Bill Morneau’s “resignation” is further proof of a government in chaos. At a time when Canadians are worried about their health and their finances , Justin Trudeau’s government is so consumed by scandal that Trudeau has amputated his right hand to try and save himself. 1/3 — Andrew Scheer (@AndrewScheer) August 18, 2020 × "We had a little bit of a sell-the-rumour type weakness in the lead up to the resignation," said Ray Attrill, head of forex strategy at National Australia Bank in Sydney. "There doesn’t seem to be any suggestion at this stage that this any broader implications for the Canadian government." Justin Trudeau, however, thanked the minister and his friend for his service over the past five years and assured that he will be lending his full support to Morneau in his bid to head the OECD. Possible replacements for the key post include Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and President of Canada`s Treasury Board Jean-Yves Duclos. While the resignation became a point of debate among the two political parties, the Canadian dollar showed little reaction to the news.

Canadian Finance Minister resigns amid controversies and scandals

Canada has released as much information as it legally can about the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, the government's lawyers said on Monday, as she sought more confidential documents relating to her 2018 detention.

Meng, the Chinese telecom giant's chief financial officer, was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver.&nbsp;

She is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition ever since.

On the first day of hearings expected to last up to three days, Meng's lawyer said a "flurry of emails" between Canadian and American officials around the time of Meng's arrest should not all be covered by privilege, as Canadian prosecutors have argued.

Meng's lawyers have pushed for the release of more documents to support their assertion that Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng before her arrest, including the improper sharing of identifying details about her electronic devices.

Canadian government lawyer John Gibb-Carsley retorted that all relevant documents were given to the defense.

"The Attorney General of Canada cast the net very wide to capture all documents," said Gibb-Carsley.

Meng's defense team alleges that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conspired with Canadian authorities to collect evidence and interrogate her, in violation of her rights.

Specifically, they point to her detention and questioning without a lawyer over the three hours after she disembarked a flight from Hong Kong, but before she was charged, as well as the illegal seizure of her electronic devices.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the defense says, noted the serial numbers and technical specifications of her smartphones, tablet and laptop computer and improperly gave these details to the FBI.

Most of the almost 400 documents sought concern communications between Canadian and US agencies prior to and after Meng's arrest.

The hearings will continue in a closed session on Tuesday, potentially stretching into Wednesday. Meng will not be present.

A schedule proposed jointly by lawyers for the prosecution and defense said that a decision on the issue by Oct. 2 would allow the rest of the trial to proceed as planned, with hearings wrapping up in April 2021.

Canada has released as much information as it legally can about the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, the government's lawyers said on Monday, as she sought more confidential documents relating to her 2018 detention.

Canada has released as much information as it legally can about the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, the government's lawyers said on Monday, as she sought more confidential documents relating to her 2018 detention. Meng, the Chinese telecom giant's chief financial officer, was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver. She is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition ever since. On the first day of hearings expected to last up to three days, Meng's lawyer said a "flurry of emails" between Canadian and American officials around the time of Meng's arrest should not all be covered by privilege, as Canadian prosecutors have argued. Meng's lawyers have pushed for the release of more documents to support their assertion that Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng before her arrest, including the improper sharing of identifying details about her electronic devices. Canadian government lawyer John Gibb-Carsley retorted that all relevant documents were given to the defense. "The Attorney General of Canada cast the net very wide to capture all documents," said Gibb-Carsley. Meng's defense team alleges that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conspired with Canadian authorities to collect evidence and interrogate her, in violation of her rights. Specifically, they point to her detention and questioning without a lawyer over the three hours after she disembarked a flight from Hong Kong, but before she was charged, as well as the illegal seizure of her electronic devices. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the defense says, noted the serial numbers and technical specifications of her smartphones, tablet and laptop computer and improperly gave these details to the FBI. Most of the almost 400 documents sought concern communications between Canadian and US agencies prior to and after Meng's arrest. The hearings will continue in a closed session on Tuesday, potentially stretching into Wednesday. Meng will not be present. A schedule proposed jointly by lawyers for the prosecution and defense said that a decision on the issue by Oct. 2 would allow the rest of the trial to proceed as planned, with hearings wrapping up in April 2021.

Canada refuses to release emails over Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest

A strip club employee who tested positive for novel coronavirus in the Canadian city of Toronto has exposed 550 people to the deadly virus, according to the health officials.&nbsp;

The incident took place just days after the Brass Rail Tavern, one of the city's famous strip clubs reopened.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-pm-justin-trudeaus-life-story-to-be-turned-into-comic-book-320121">Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s life story to be turned into comic book</a>

The health officials said the Brass Rail Tavern employee worked four shifts at the beginning of August but did not provide any information on the role of the employee in the club.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/record-arctic-heat-continues-canadas-last-intact-ice-shelf-collapses-into-the-sea-319285">Record Arctic heat continues, Canada’s last intact ice shelf collapses into the sea</a>

They added that the clients who came in contact with the employee were asked to watch out for COVID-19 symptoms, however public health experts argue how many people have given legitimate contact information.&nbsp;

"You know how long it’s going to take them to chase down 550 guys, half of which probably gave fake ID or information," said Andrew Morris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto told news agency Associated Press.

Toronto health authorities said their initial probe found the club not fully following required protocols, including social distancing between staff and customers among others.&nbsp;

"There are 500 people – you’ve got to practice social distancing, you’ve got to put on a mask – I know it sounds ironic talking about that – you have to," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford, reported The Guardian.&nbsp;

Several people also questioned the move to reopen clubs, when the deadly virus has led to over 40,000 infections in the country.&nbsp;

A strip club employee who tested positive for novel coronavirus in the Canadian city of Toronto has exposed 550 people to the deadly virus, according to the health officials.

A strip club employee who tested positive for novel coronavirus in the Canadian city of Toronto has exposed 550 people to the deadly virus, according to the health officials. The incident took place just days after the Brass Rail Tavern, one of the city's famous strip clubs reopened. Also read | Canada PM Justin Trudeau’s life story to be turned into comic book The health officials said the Brass Rail Tavern employee worked four shifts at the beginning of August but did not provide any information on the role of the employee in the club. Also read | Record Arctic heat continues, Canada’s last intact ice shelf collapses into the sea They added that the clients who came in contact with the employee were asked to watch out for COVID-19 symptoms, however public health experts argue how many people have given legitimate contact information. "You know how long it’s going to take them to chase down 550 guys, half of which probably gave fake ID or information," said Andrew Morris, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Toronto told news agency Associated Press. Toronto health authorities said their initial probe found the club not fully following required protocols, including social distancing between staff and customers among others. "There are 500 people – you’ve got to practice social distancing, you’ve got to put on a mask – I know it sounds ironic talking about that – you have to," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford, reported The Guardian. Several people also questioned the move to reopen clubs, when the deadly virus has led to over 40,000 infections in the country.

Canada: Coronavirus-positive strip club employee may have exposed nearly 550 more

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers are set to attend hearings in a Canadian courtroom via telephone on Monday, arguing for the Canadian attorney general to release more confidential documents relating to her arrest.

Meng, 48, was arrested in December 2018 at Vancouver International Airport on a U.S. warrant charging her with bank fraud for allegedly misleading HSBC about Huawei's business dealings in Iran.

She has said she is innocent, and is fighting extradition to the United States while under house arrest in Vancouver.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/huawei-to-halt-production-of-flagship-chipsets-in-september-as-pressure-against-company-mounts-319356" hreflang="en">Huawei to halt production of flagship chipsets in September as pressure against company mounts</a>

Meng's lawyers are set to push in British Columbia's Supreme Court for the release of more documents to support their assertion that Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng before her arrest, including the improper sharing of identifying details about her electronic devices.

Meng's legal team argue that her extradition proceedings should be stayed as a result.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have denied any abuses.

Lawyers representing David Lametti, Canada's justice minister and attorney general, have handed over some documents requested by Meng's lawyers, but have declined to release others on the basis of privilege, a claim which will be argued in court this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/amid-tensions-over-huawei-chinese-court-sentences-canadian-national-to-death-318573" hreflang="en">Amid tensions over Huawei, Chinese court sentences Canadian national to death</a>

Several of the privilege claims were litigated in a federal court in Ottawa in late July, because they were made on the basis of national security.

The hearings in Vancouver are expected to last five days. A schedule proposed jointly by lawyers for the prosecution and defense said that a decision on the issue by Oct. 2 would allow the rest of the trial to proceed as planned, with hearings wrapping up in April 2021.

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers are set to attend hearings in a Canadian courtroom via telephone on Monday, arguing for the Canadian attorney general to release more confidential documents relating to her arrest.

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers are set to attend hearings in a Canadian courtroom via telephone on Monday, arguing for the Canadian attorney general to release more confidential documents relating to her arrest. Meng, 48, was arrested in December 2018 at Vancouver International Airport on a U.S. warrant charging her with bank fraud for allegedly misleading HSBC about Huawei's business dealings in Iran. She has said she is innocent, and is fighting extradition to the United States while under house arrest in Vancouver. Also read: Huawei to halt production of flagship chipsets in September as pressure against company mounts Meng's lawyers are set to push in British Columbia's Supreme Court for the release of more documents to support their assertion that Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng before her arrest, including the improper sharing of identifying details about her electronic devices. Meng's legal team argue that her extradition proceedings should be stayed as a result. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have denied any abuses. Lawyers representing David Lametti, Canada's justice minister and attorney general, have handed over some documents requested by Meng's lawyers, but have declined to release others on the basis of privilege, a claim which will be argued in court this week. Also read: Amid tensions over Huawei, Chinese court sentences Canadian national to death Several of the privilege claims were litigated in a federal court in Ottawa in late July, because they were made on the basis of national security. The hearings in Vancouver are expected to last five days. A schedule proposed jointly by lawyers for the prosecution and defense said that a decision on the issue by Oct. 2 would allow the rest of the trial to proceed as planned, with hearings wrapping up in April 2021.

Huawei CFO to push for release of classified documents in Canadian court

Thousands of user accounts for online government services in Canada were recently hacked during cyber attacks, authorities said Saturday.

The attacks targeted the GCKey service, used by some 30 federal departments and Canada Revenue Agency accounts, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat explained in a press release.

The passwords and usernames of 9,041 GCKey account holders "were acquired fraudulently and used to try and access government services," the authorities said.

All affected accounts have been cancelled.

About 5,500 Canada Revenue Agency accounts were targeted in this and another attack, the authorities said, adding that access to these accounts has been suspended to protect taxpayer information.

An investigation was launched by the government and the federal police to determine whether there were any breaches of privacy and whether information was obtained from these accounts, the authorities said.

According to the CBC, a number of Canadians have reported since the beginning of August that their banking information associated with their Canada Revenue Agency accounts has been altered.

Payments related to the Canadian Emergency Benefit, a financial assistance package put in place by the government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, have also been issued in their names without their request.

Thousands of user accounts for online government services in Canada were recently hacked during cyber attacks, authorities said Saturday. The attacks targeted the GCKey service, used by some 30 federal departments and Canada Revenue Agency accounts, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat explained in a press release.

Thousands of user accounts for online government services in Canada were recently hacked during cyber attacks, authorities said Saturday. The attacks targeted the GCKey service, used by some 30 federal departments and Canada Revenue Agency accounts, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat explained in a press release. The passwords and usernames of 9,041 GCKey account holders "were acquired fraudulently and used to try and access government services," the authorities said. All affected accounts have been cancelled. About 5,500 Canada Revenue Agency accounts were targeted in this and another attack, the authorities said, adding that access to these accounts has been suspended to protect taxpayer information. An investigation was launched by the government and the federal police to determine whether there were any breaches of privacy and whether information was obtained from these accounts, the authorities said. According to the CBC, a number of Canadians have reported since the beginning of August that their banking information associated with their Canada Revenue Agency accounts has been altered. Payments related to the Canadian Emergency Benefit, a financial assistance package put in place by the government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, have also been issued in their names without their request.

Over 9,000 Canadian government accounts hacked

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau's life story is being told in comic book form. Tidalwave Productions, which specializes in giving well-known figures the comic book treatment, has added the Canadian media sensation to its "Political Power" series, set to be released on September 16.

Justin Trudeau's personal and political journey told in comic book form 

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