A coalition of governments and international energy leaders will gather in Nairobi in 2026 for a high-level summit aimed at accelerating clean cooking access for the one billion Africans who still rely on traditional, polluting fuels. The announcement, made Friday, positions Kenya, Norway, the United States and the International Energy Agency (IEA) at the centre of a renewed global push to turn commitments from earlier meetings into tangible progress on the ground. The 2026 event will build on what organizers describe as strong momentum from the inaugural Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, held in Paris in May 2024. That…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a business correspondent for Wire Service Canada, reporting on corporate developments, market trends, and economic news with clarity and accuracy. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has covered stories ranging from financial results and trade agreements to emerging innovations, offering readers both local insight and global context. Known for his balanced and engaging reporting style, Sam is committed to delivering reliable, relevant, and timely business news that helps audiences make informed decisions.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is preparing to release its Coal 2025 annual market report, offering one of the most comprehensive global assessments of coal demand and supply heading into the next decade. Ahead of the publication, the agency will host an under-embargo press webinar on Tuesday, 16 December, providing journalists with early insight into the findings that will be formally published the following day. The briefing, scheduled for 15:00 Paris time, will be led by Keisuke Sadamori, Director of the IEA’s Energy Markets and Security Directorate, and Carlos Fernández Alvarez, the report’s lead author. The agency is inviting accredited…
PRINCE ALBERT — Families in Prince Albert will have significantly more opportunities to secure swim lesson spots this winter, as the City prepares to open registration for an expanded slate of aquatic programs at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. Winter lesson schedules—covering January through March—will be posted online on December 12, giving parents and caregivers several days to review options and plan before registration begins. City officials say they expect heavy interest again this season, but a major increase in available spots should relieve some of the pressure seen during earlier intakes. Registration for Prince Albert residents opens December…
CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. — The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) is urging patience as it continues to assess community feedback on Phase Two of its REC-REATE project, the proposed redevelopment of the Rod Brind’Amour Arena. The regional district says it has received a high volume of public input over recent weeks, reflecting deep community interest in the future of the Strathcona Gardens recreation complex. In a statement issued Dec. 11, the SRD thanked residents, arena users, and other stakeholders for taking time to share their perspectives on the multi-year recreation renewal project. Officials say public engagement has been robust and wide-ranging,…
TORONTO — Ontario has closed its fall legislative session after passing a dozen government bills the Ford government says will bolster the province’s competitiveness, strengthen key sectors and advance long-term economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. Premier Doug Ford framed the fall sitting as a decisive period of action as the province responds to mounting economic pressures, including trade tensions triggered by U.S. tariffs. “As Ontario workers and businesses continue to face down the uncertainty and upheaval caused by President Trump’s tariffs, our government is focused on protecting our province by creating a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant…
Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner will convene a six-day inquest early in the new year to examine the circumstances surrounding the 2017 death of Raymond Alliman, a 31-year-old man who died following an interaction with Ottawa police. The announcement, released Thursday by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, formally sets the timeline for a proceeding mandated under provincial law and expected to draw public attention to long-standing questions about police-involved deaths. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, said a date has now been scheduled. “The inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday,…
Fraser Health is urging residents across the region to prioritize influenza immunization this fall as a new flu variant begins circulating in local communities. Health officials say the annual flu vaccine remains the strongest defence against infection and severe illness, even as the H3N2 variant emerges. In a statement, the health authority emphasized that the updated flu shot protects against multiple strains and is expected to provide at least partial coverage against the new variant. “Because of the new H3N2 variant showing up this flu season, people have asked if it’s worth it or not to get the flu vaccine…
Prince Albert families eager to get their children into swim lessons will see significantly expanded options this winter, as the City of Prince Albert prepares to open registration for a greatly enlarged session at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. The City confirmed this week that hundreds of new lesson spots will be made available between January and March, marking the largest aquatic program offering since the facility opened. According to a municipal news release, the City will publish its full list of winter course offerings online on December 12, giving parents several days to review schedules and plan ahead.…
The Ontario government has expanded its network of Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs with the opening of a new site in Sault Ste. Marie, part of a province-wide strategy to increase access to mental health, addictions, and social supports. The launch marks a significant step in the province’s nearly $550-million plan to establish 28 HART Hubs across Ontario, aimed at improving safety, strengthening community services, and delivering integrated supports for people facing homelessness, substance-use challenges, and mental health needs. The announcement was made December 11, 2025, as the Ministry of Health highlighted its ongoing effort to build a…
The City of Brantford is marking more than two decades of community investment supported by revenues from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), recognizing the substantial role gaming funds have played in strengthening local programs, services, and nonprofit organizations. Officials gathered at Brantford’s historic City Hall for a community recognition event, where municipal leaders and OLG representatives reflected on the legacy and ongoing impact of OLG contributions. Since becoming a host community in 1999, Brantford has received nearly $109 million in gaming revenue payments from OLG, including $4,818,867 in the 2024–25 fiscal year alone. These funds form the backbone…