By Jake Coyle
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) – Following protests of Spotify kicked off by Neil Young over the spread of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, the music streaming service said that it will add content advisories before podcasts discussing the virus. In a post Sunday, Spotify chief executive Daniel Ek laid out more transparent platform […]

By Jordan Press
THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – The Canada Revenue Agency is sending out a new round of letters to pandemic aid recipients to verify they were eligible for the help, and warning of potential need for repayments. It’s the second time the agency is mailing Canada Emergency Response Benefit recipients as part of a […]

By Matt Ott
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) – Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week following three straight increases amid a surge in cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Jobless claims fell by 30,000 to 260,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday, fewer than the 265,000 analysts were expecting. The four-week average […]

By Mogomotsi Magome
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – The African continent is on course to reach its target of vaccinating at least 70% of its population against COVID-19 by the end of 2022, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters on Thursday. The continental public health agency said it […]

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING (AP) – For journalists covering the Beijing Winter Olympics, China’s strict pandemic measures are creating a surreal and somewhat frustrating experience. China requires electronic confirmation of the health status of those participating in or covering the Games and shunts them into a closed loop bubble upon arrival. That kept […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The Fort Frances and District Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee issued an urgent plea for help to district government representatives. A letter sent to MPP Greg Rickford and MP Marcus Powlowski is urging the provincial and federal government to assist the region in securing more doctors. “The status of physician […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

Financial support flowing through the Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC) was a factor in the survival of many small businesses across the District, according to a report presented to the Rainy River District Municipal Association annual meeting by RRFDC Executive Director Geoff Gillon. The organization has dispersed $2.9 million […]

By Allan Bradbury
Staff Writer
abradbury@fortfrances.com

The national women’s curling championship will take place over the next week at Thunder Bay’s Fort William Gardens as planned – but with virtually no live spectators, at least at the outset. The tournament was given the go-ahead last week from the Ontario Health Ministry, following a modified plan proposed […]