Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Canada is planning to send 600 troops on a UN peacekeeping mission to Africa for three years, a spokesperson for the defense minister told AFP Friday. However, the plan still requires cabinet approval, said Jordan Owens, the spokeswoman for Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan. In a …
Read More »Canada PM: Changes likely in relations with US regardless of vote outcome
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he is ready to work with whoever becomes the next US president, and predicted “adjustments” in Canada’s relationship with its southern neighbor after the election. “Every time the Americans elect a new president there are a certain number of …
Read More »Drake plans new release and takes shot at rival
New York, United States | AFP | Drake, the rapper who has dominated the charts with his latest album, celebrated his 30th birthday Monday by announcing a new release that includes a song dissing a critic. The Toronto rapper said he would release “More Life” in December and described it …
Read More »End of an era: BlackBerry to outsource handsets, halts production
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | BlackBerry announced Wednesday it would halt in-house production of smartphones, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant Canadian tech firm. Ontario-based BlackBerry said it had reached a deal to outsource production of its phones to an Indonesian partner, and would instead concentrate on …
Read More »Q&A: Bill Gates on why disease fight is tough but progress is ‘incredible’
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Through his foundation, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates is the top nongovernmental donor to the Global Fund against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with plans to give $600 million between 2017-2019. In an interview with AFP, Gates said the Global Fund’s successes have given him hope, even …
Read More »Global Fund collects $13 bln to end AIDS, malaria, TB by 2030
Montreal, Canada | AFP | An international donor conference in Montreal reached its goal of raising $13 billion for the fight to eradicate AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great Honour to announce that for the fifth …
Read More »At Canada conference, $13 billion sought for AIDS, malaria fight
Montreal, Canada | AFP | International donors gather in Montreal this weekend with a goal of raising another $13 billion for the fight to eradicate AIDS and two other major deadly diseases — tuberculosis and malaria — by 2030. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is chairing the conference, held every …
Read More »Celine Dion to release first album since husband’s death
Montreal, Canada | AFP | Canadian singer Celine Dion will release Friday her first album produced without direct input from her longtime manager and husband Rene Angelil, who died in January. Dion has sold more than 220 million albums worldwide since 1981 when Angelil discovered her powerful voice and helped …
Read More »Montreal concert aims to end AIDS, malaria and TB
Montreal, Canada | AFP | US R&B star Usher and Canadian indie rock groups Metric and Half Moon Run will headline a free concert in Montreal next month aimed at ending AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Advocacy group Global Citizen, the concert sponsor, said the September 17 show would be held …
Read More »Canada promotes first female combat general
Ottawa, Canada | AFP | A Canadian woman who fought insurgents in Afghanistan became the country’s first female combat officer to rise to the rank of general. Colonel Jennie Carignan, 47, was promoted to brigadier-general (one star) and put in charge of the Canadian army’s day-to-day operations including training and …
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