Author: Sophie Mitchell

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Corteva Agriscience has formally cancelled its Enlist Duo herbicide, ending the product’s run in the U.S. market after more than a decade of legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny. The decision follows sustained litigation and advocacy from the Center for Food Safety and its allies, who argued the pesticide posed risks to human health and the environment. The cancellation, announced alongside the Environmental Protection Agency, marks a significant development for the agricultural chemical sector, where herbicide-tolerant crop systems have played a central role in modern farming practices. Enlist Duo combined glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), two widely used…

ORILLIA, Ont. — A youth-focused concert initiative aimed at developing emerging musicians and strengthening the local cultural economy is returning to downtown Orillia this spring, as Arts Orillia and the Orillia Opera House prepare to host the next installment of the Forever Young Mentorship Concert. Scheduled for March 5, 2026, at the Gordon Lightfoot Theatre, the event continues a series that organizers say is designed to connect young performers with established local acts while giving them practical experience producing and performing live shows. Launched on May 15th, 2025, Forever Young began as Arts Orillia’s first-ever youth-driven mentorship concert – a…

The City of Prince Albert has extended its current Snow Route Parking Ban, requiring residents and visitors to keep vehicles off designated streets for an additional 48 hours as municipal crews continue winter maintenance operations. The re-declared ban took effect at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, and will remain in place until 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, according to a city notice. The measure is intended to allow snow removal equipment to operate safely and efficiently along priority routes following recent snowfall. Municipal officials said parking is prohibited on all designated snow routes whenever a ban is declared. These routes…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Center for Food Safety sharply criticized a new executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump concerning glyphosate, the world’s most widely used herbicide, arguing the move carries little legal weight and appears aimed at influencing ongoing litigation involving agrochemical giant Monsanto and its parent, Bayer. The order, signed Feb. 18, 2026, addresses glyphosate regulation and liability — an issue that has major financial implications for Bayer, which has faced billions of dollars in legal claims over its Roundup herbicide. The company acquired Monsanto in 2018 and inherited extensive litigation alleging the product causes cancer, claims…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Snow removal operations remain in full force across Prince Albert following a major winter storm, with municipal crews working extended shifts, re-clearing key routes and preparing a downtown snow lift to support local businesses and restore transportation services. The City of Prince Albert said in a statement that its roadways team continues to focus on priority emergency corridors after prolonged and heavy snowfall forced crews to revisit streets that had already been cleared to maintain safe access for emergency vehicles and commuters. “Our Roadways crew has been working long hours to keep up with the heavy…

The Ontario government is moving ahead with plans to expand and renovate a specialised diabetes clinic in Whitby, a project expected to significantly increase patient capacity and improve access to care for thousands across Durham Region, as part of a multibillion-dollar health infrastructure strategy. In a news release, the Ministry of Health said the expansion of The Charles H. Best Diabetes Centre will allow the facility to serve up to 3,800 patients annually, up from its current capacity of around 2,000. The project forms part of Ontario’s broader plan to invest nearly $60 billion in more than 50 hospital developments…

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing more than $2 million in community accessibility upgrades across the province, funding over 40 projects aimed at helping seniors and people with disabilities more fully participate in public life. The funding, delivered through the province’s new Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, will support municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous governing bodies in improving physical access to community facilities and outdoor spaces. The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen communities and respond to the needs of Ontario’s growing and aging population. “We are creating communities where everyone can…

OTTAWA — A legal challenge in British Columbia over whether faith-based hospitals must provide medical assistance in dying is drawing renewed attention to the role of MAiD-free healthcare spaces in Canada and raising broader questions about patient trust and access to care, according to a new report from Cardus. The British Columbia Supreme Court recently concluded hearings in a case involving transfer policies connected to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. The hospital, which operates under Catholic sponsorship, is permitted under provincial rules to remain a MAiD-free facility, meaning patients seeking assisted death must be transferred elsewhere. The case has become…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Public transit service in Prince Albert is operating on a reduced schedule after significant snowfall forced the temporary suspension of several major routes, highlighting the operational and economic ripple effects extreme winter weather can have on municipal services and commuters. Prince Albert Transit announced Thursday that service is “temporarily limited” due to heavy snow accumulation and deteriorating road conditions across the city. The disruption affects some of the system’s busiest corridors, leaving only modified service on select routes. According to the transit update, the West Hill and East Flat routes are currently operating but with reduced…

LOS ANGELES — Amazon MGM Studios rolled out the red carpet this week for the world premiere of its upcoming action-adventure film The Bluff, underscoring the company’s continued investment in original feature-length content for its streaming platform, Prime Video. The film debuted Feb. 17 at the TCL Chinese Theatre, drawing cast members, filmmakers and high-profile guests ahead of its scheduled global release on Prime Video on Feb. 25, 2026. Directed by filmmaker Frank E. Flowers, The Bluff stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden, alongside Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison and Vedanten Naidoo, with supporting performances from Ismael Cruz…