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*How to West Nile-proof your kids *
A point-form guide. [More]

Alberta consumers buy up cheap beef *
Alberta feedlot owners set up shop in two provinces Friday and sold hamburger for just over $2 a kilogram in an effort to get the beef industry moving despite the mad cow scare. [More]

Approval of peanut-allergy drug could protect millions against allergic reactions *
Researchers are raving about a new drug, TNX-901, that could turn life-threatening allergic reactions to peanuts into a thing of the past. [More]

Aylmer meat got B grade in last audit *
But food-safety check showed major flaws [More]

Aylmer owner has troubled history *
Records reveal financial, legal problems [More]

B.C. issues warning over precooked chicken *
Wait -- don't eat that chicken strip: Consumers are being warned that chicken nuggets or strips bought in the freezer section of grocery stores aren't always precooked, even though they look that way. [More]

B.C. optometrists remind parents to keep safety in sight when choosing Christmas presents *
Couple safety eyewear with sports equipment; avoid toys that may cause eye injury; here's a safety checklist. . . [More]

Baby walkers still sold despite perils *
Nearly one-third of Canadian parents still allow their infants to teeter around in baby walkers even though they cause injuries to more than 1,000 babies a year, half of them potentially debilitating head injuries, a new survey reveals. [More]

Beef recall ordered in Ontario *
A recall notice has been issued on all beef and beef products from a meat-packing plant in southern Ontario, following suspicions the company had not followed proper inspection procedures. [More]

Beware of online bird-flu remedies *
Online sellers of prescription drugs and supplements are trying to cash in on bird-flu fears by promoting treatments that are unnecessary, ineffective, or potentially harmful. [More]

Black henna ink unsafe, Health Canada warns *
The ingredient para-phenylenediamine, or PPD, in black henna temporary tattoo ink and paste is unsafe and shouldn't be used, Health Canada has warned. [More]

Blood officials knew in '81 of hep-C test, memos show *
Senior officials at the Canadian Red Cross knew in 1981 that a test was available that could prevent transmission of some cases of hepatitis C through blood transfusions, according to newly obtained documents. [More]

Boil-water alert issued for Vancouver *
The ban also applies to brushing teeth and washing food; Showers are okay. [More]

BSE: Seek and ye shall find *
If Canada tests widely for BSE, another case will turn up. Can we convince consumers that this means the system works? asks doctor VIVIAN McALISTER [More]

Canada to change beef slaughtering practices *
Canada's beef industry must change its slaughtering practices by removing material from cattle that may transmit mad cow disease, federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said Friday. [More]

Cancer-causing agents found in everyday items, says expert *
It's the little things in your life that will hurt you, says a medical professor from Chicago: your shampoo, your cologne, the baby's powder, the stuff on your garden, or on your neighbour's. Maybe even your milk. [More]

Carcinogen discovered in soft drinks *
Consumer alert: Health Canada has found benzene in about 20 per cent of the soft drinks and other beverages it analyzed in a spot check earlier this year. [More]

Chemical used in water bottles linked to prostate cancer *
Researchers in the U.S. have linked exposures to trace amounts of bisphenol A, a widely used chemical that leaks from many plastics products, to prostate cancer in animal experiments. [More]

Chickens poxed in B.C. *
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Thursday that it has confirmed a case of low-risk H7 avian flu on a chicken farm in British Columbia. [More]

Children may outgrow peanut allergies: study *
Children with peanut allergies may outgrow their allergy over time, says a new study published in the July issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. [More]

Cholesterol drugs may do harm, doctors say *
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may do more harm than good, according to a group of drug specialists at the University of British Columbia. [More]

Coke withdraws Dasani water from Britain *
Coca-Cola Co. said yesterday that it is withdrawing its Dasani bottled water from sale in Britain after finding that samples contained higher-than-permitted levels of the chemical bromate. [More]

Dangerous fats lurk in seemingly healthy snacks *
Granola bars, microwave popcorn among foods found loaded with trans fatty acids. [More]

Dangerous supplements *
While most supplements are probably fairly benign, consumer watchdogs have identified a dozen that according to government warnings, adverse-event reports and top experts are too dangerous to be on the market. [More]

Drug may harm liver, asthma patients warned *
The maker of the asthma drug Accolate is advising patients using it and their doctors to be on the lookout for signs of liver problems, after reports of adverse reactions. [More]

E. coli fear prompts massive beef recall *
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Westfair Foods Ltd. warned the public Saturday not to eat certain Westfair Foods Ltd. ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. [More]

Early reading confirms U.S. mad-cow case *
Agriculture officials said Thursday they have received preliminary independent confirmation that the United States has its first case of mad cow disease as federal investigators laboured to trace the path the infected cow took from birth to slaughter. [More]

Easing the pain of arthritis *
Following the recall of Vioxx and subsequent safety concerns over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other COX-2 medications, Canadian arthritis sufferers may be looking for alternatives for pain relief. [More]

Emergency declared to deal with dead fowl *
B.C.'s Emergency Preparedness Act was invoked Saturday to enable officials to begin disposing of the potentially millions of carcasses of poultry infected with Avian flu. [More]

Environment: The killing fields *
This weekend, Canadians pull out the stops in pursuit of the perfect lawn. But does their secret weapon in the war on weeds know the difference between friend and foe? MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT on the case against 2,4-D [More]

EU bans U.S. poultry products *
The European Union banned the import of all poultry products from the United States on Tuesday following the outbreak of a highly contagious strain of avian influenza in Texas. [More]

FDA bans antibiotic use for poultry *
According to Pharmaceutical News, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of a poultry antibiotic made by German-based multi-national, Bayer, effective September 12, 2005. [More]

Fire Safety Tips -- for holidays and every day *
The editors of evalu8.org urge you to carefully read this helpful family guide to preventing home fires. [More]

Food agency launches probe into power bars, sports drinks *
Internal report by federal inspectors questions safety of consumer fad foods. [More]

Garber Gastronomic: Treats Without Allergies *
Restructed diet? No reason to swear off the sweets now! [More]

Global vitamin program to reduce infant mortality *
A Canadian-backed global plan to add vitamins to food should result in an immediate reduction in infant mortality and crippling diseases, its organizers say. [More]

GMO wheat risky, study asserts *
Genetically modified wheat is "environmentally unsafe" and, if approved for use in Canada, could close markets to this country's multibillion-dollar crop, Canadian scientists have found. [More]

Health Canada dope stinks, patients say *
Cannabis emptor: Medical marijuana called disgusting, weak and ineffective [More]

Hefty fine for superstore for rewrapping old meat *
The Real Canadian Superstore in Langford has been fined $100,000 for rewrapping old meat with new labels. [More]

Hepatitis outbreak prompts onion warning *
Consumers are urged to not eat raw green onions due to a U.S. outbreak of hepatitis A that has been traced to the vegetable. [More]

Higher risk of dementia linked to HRT *
Post-menopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's as those who do not, according to new research. The combination of estrogen and progestin also increases the risk of women suffering from stroke, a related study found. [More]

Holiday Toy Safety Alert *
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers that dangerous children's products may still be in their homes. [More]

IBM recalls notebook adapters *
IBM Corp. is recalling some 553,000 notebook computer adapters sold worldwide because they can overheat and pose fire and shock hazards, the company and the government said Thursday. [More]

If you smoke and drink, beta-carotene may give you cancer *
Smoking and drinking alcohol may reverse the anti-cancer effect of beta-carotene, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. [More]

Illnesses traced to Aylmer meat plant *
Some people in the Windsor, Ont., area who ate meat processed by a slaughterhouse that the province shut last week have reported stomach ailments, the official directing the investigation into Aylmer Meat Packers Inc. says. [More]

Insulation may be doing more than you think *
When you talk about insulation you tend to think about it keeping the cold out and the heat in. Do you ever think that it may be contaminating the indoor air quality of your home? [More]

Kids and contacts not always a perfect pair: B.C. optometrists *
Parents should closely monitor cleaning and wear of lenses... [More]

Lead, cadmium in food, environmental group says *
The typical Canadian diet has been criticized for being too rich in calories, but a report warns of another weighty food problem to worry about: elevated amounts of two heavy metals. [More]

Mad cow hunt moves south *
Investigators revealed Wednesday the search for the birth farm of the original mad cow has now expanded into the United States. [More]

Mad-cow hits Alberta *
A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, better known as BSE or mad-cow disease, has been found in Alberta, federal Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said Tuesday. [More]

Mad-cow quarantine grows *
northern Alberta cow infected with mad cow disease was stumbling and unable to stand before it was shipped off for slaughter, says the farmer who owned the animal. [More]

Malaria: 'Forgotten epidemic' rears head *
Shivering and sweating feverishly, Felicia Egbuchue took the malaria medicine her doctor prescribed. Although it had cured her in years past, this time it didn't. She was rushed to the hospital and hooked up to an intravenous drip. [More]

Meat-packer procedures questioned *
Search warrants served to Aylmer's plant and to Oxford Deadstock Removal Inc. [More]

Mission accomplished: a nut-free PB&J sandwich *
The much-maligned lunchbox staple could be on the verge of a comeback, writes STEPHEN STRAUSS. And this time it's allergy-free. [More]

Mosquitoes aren't the only bugs at a barbecue *
It's that time of year -- time to leave the kitchen behind and fire up the grill. Just throw on your burgers, give them a flip, and they're ready to serve, right? Unfortunately, safe grilling isn't quite that simple. [More]

New study drives nail in coffin of HRT therapy *
Estrogen-progestin pills may cause an aggressive form of breast cancer and make it harder to find tumors until they have reached a later, less-curable stage, according to one of the biggest, most authoritative analyses yet. [More]

New study says OTC cough medicines do not work *
Despite the billions of dollars spent every year in this country on over-the-counter cough syrups, most such medicines do little if anything to relieve coughs, U.S. chest physicians say. [More]

No more chickens for every pot *
Amid warnings that a mass poultry slaughter in B.C. will cause shortages and higher prices, representatives from the industry are to meet in Ottawa on Tuesday to discuss how best to fill the gap. [More]

Ontario mum on beef hazard alert *
Few details released about shutdown, recall at Aylmer, ON, slaughterhouse [More]

OPP begins Aylmer meat probe *
Consumers warned to avoid products [More]

Peanut allergies: In a nutshell *
Confused about peanut allergies? ANDRÉ PICARD sifts through the research [More]

Peanut-allergy vaccine offers sufferers hope *
A vaccine that seems to help tone down the body's overreaction to peanuts may offer the first real hope of protecting children with peanut allergies, U.S. researchers say. [More]

Poll shows huge support for GMO labelling *
An overwhelming majority of Canadians thinks that the government has provided insufficient information about genetically modified organisms (GMO) in food and believes that all foods containing GMOs should be labelled as such. [More]

Pregnant women urged to avoid ginseng *
Pregnant women are being advised to avoid ginseng after scientists in Hong Kong discovered that rat embryos developed abnormally when exposed to a root ingredient of the popular herbal remedy. [More]

Risky salmon *
Re: Farm-raised Salmon Called Cancer Danger (on-line edition, July 30). [More]

Rocket fuel in produce from U.S. spurs tests *
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it plans to start testing winter lettuce and other fruits and vegetables imported from California to check whether they are contaminated with dangerous levels of a rocket-fuel component. [More]

Salmonella concerns trigger Hersheys recall *
A notice released by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency today warned the public not to consume certain chocolate products from the company due to salmonella fears. [More]

Sample of allergy pictures for France *
Here's a sample of allergy pictures you could replicate (or adjust, as appropriate for you) and print out for your next trip. [More]

Sample of allergy pictures for Germany *
Here's a sample of allergy pictures you could replicate (or adjust, as appropriate for you) and print out for your next trip. [More]

Sample of allergy pictures for Russia *
Staying allergy-free in Mother Russia. . . [More]

Sample of allergy pictures for Spain *
Spanish is easy, but you don't have time to figure out the right words where food allergies are concerned! [More]

SARS: Peeling away the mysteries of a virus *
Findings suggest SARS may have jumped from rare animal species such as civet cat [More]

Seeds of doubt over the Monsanto decision *
On Monday morning, Monsanto Corp. blinked. After more than three years of an increasingly tense debate over its genetically modified (GM) Roundup Ready (RR) wheat, the company announced that it has suspended all further research and commercialization efforts, in all countries, effective immediately. [More]

Something new under the sun *
Maybe all those chemicals in sunscreen aren't good for you. ANNE McILROY tells how Canadian scientists have figured out how to keep them off your skin [More]

Sources of dioxin *
When it comes to dioxin, although we need to limit our animal-fat consumption, we also need go beyond beef and start looking at the burger box, too (Girls Urged To Limit Dioxin-Laced Foods -- July 3). [More]

Study backs use of deet on young children *
Parents anxious to protect their children against West Nile virus may be able to safely use deet more frequently than Health Canada recommends, a medical article rushed to print yesterday suggests. [More]

Study links aspirin to pancreatic cancer *
U.S. researchers have found evidence that long-term use of aspirin increased the risk of pancreatic cancer in a large group of women. [More]

Study says modified wheat causes 'unacceptable' risk *
Genetically modified wheat poses an unacceptable risk to the environment, says a University of Manitoba study released Wednesday. [More]

Sunblock and bug repellent -- a dangerous cocktail? *
Just when you thought it was safe to go outside this summer, swabbed in DEET and smeared in sunblock, a new health alert about mixing the two has come out of the University of Manitoba. [More]

Team links farmed fish to outbreak *
A team of research scientists says it has conclusively linked the transmission of lethal sea lice from farmed to wild salmon, a finding that raises questions about the future of BC's $400-million salmon farming industry. [More]

The dilemma: trans-free or tastier food *
Ingredient is hazardous to health, but it makes edibles stay fresh longer. [More]

The meat of the matter *
Food-safety officials in the United States have long been on the lookout for mad-cow disease. Now that they have finally found it, they should note how Canada managed a similar scenario just a few months ago. [More]

The perils of sharing bed with baby *
SATURDAY SPECIAL: Exhausted from childbirth, Miranda Halladay took a nap with her healthy new son. When she awoke three hours later, he didn't. [More]

Three BC farms quarantined over mad-cow *
Three farms in British Columbia have been added to a widening cattle quarantine by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as part of an effort to contain the spread of mad-cow disease in Canada. [More]

Toy (and household product) recall update *
It surprised us to learn -- here at evalu8.org's Quality Control Centre -- that there are many, many toys, children's items and household products currently under recall. [More]

U.S. bans ephedra *
The U.S, government announced on Tuesday a ban on the sale of ephedra, an herbal supplement used for weight control that has been linked to a number of deaths and harmful side effects. [More]

U.S. official gets Wal-Mart to suspend N.Y. toy gun sales *
After bringing Wall Street's titans to heel last year, New York State's ambitious Attorney-General Eliot Spitzer has won round one against the world's biggest retailer in a showdown over toy guns... [More]

UK offers practical solution to high nutrient levels *
New supplement labels that advise consumers of the possible risks of high strength vitamins will show European regulators that such products do not need to be reformulated and can remain on the market, say UK supplement makers. [More]

West Nile Virus: No spray of hope *
Massive insecticide spraying of adult mosquitoes won't stop West Nile virus, says pesticide expert BARRIE WEBSTER. Let's get them when they're young [More]

When food can kill your child *
Being the parent of a child with severe allergies is heart-wrenching, harrowing and labour-intensive. But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. [More]

Secondary Sites:
'Be seen. Be safe' stickers a must this Halloween *
The B.C. Association of Optometrists is providing free Halloween "Be seen. Be safe." reflective stickers for trick-or-treaters to ensure that children have fun and remain safe during this festive period. [More]

A crystal ball for allergies? *
Reactine launches new cell phone text message service to help Canadians take control of their allergies. . . [More]

A Q-and-A session with allergy specialist, Dr. Karen Binkley *
Some of my preconceptions about allergy control and pollutants were challenged by Toronto allergy expert, Dr. Karen Binkley. . . [More]

A tiny pinprick, a deadly outcome *
Health-care workers launch campaign to prevent needle-stick deaths and injuries. [More]

Allergies in the home -- a checklist for prevention *
Allergies? Blame it on pollen, right? Wrong. One of the worst breeding grounds for allergies is your own home. [More]

An ordinary morning that turned into a nightmare *
The story that has had parents lying awake at night all week worrying without resolution appears to go like this. [More]

Ape diet a cholesterol-buster, researcher says *
Study finds it as effective as popular drug [More]

Avoiding spoiled meat that appears fresh *
Recent tests found that meat packaged using a gas-preservative method stayed red -- even if the meat was spoiled -- or on the verge of spoiling. [More]

BC optometrists offer 10 tips to relieve eye allergies *
For thousands of British Columbians, the budding of trees doesn't signal spring as much as the onset of seasonal allergies that make their eyes irritable, watery and red. Add swelling or puffiness of the eye, itching, mucous discharge, contact lens discomfort, or the sensation of something foreign in your eye - and they're a miserable sight. [More]

BSE: Huge costs and mistakes led to crisis of confidence *
Tough steps, including mass slaughter, are now having an effect in battling BSE [More]

Canada joins global pact against use of tobacco *
Amid cheers and clapping, representatives of more than 190 countries approved the world's first public health treaty yesterday in Geneva. It is aimed at controlling and diminishing tobacco use. [More]

Children's allergies overestimated, study finds *
Up to 30 per cent of parents believe their children have food allergies when in fact only between 4 and 8 per cent of children do, a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says. [More]

Citizens asked to help control mosquitoes *
Officials want property owners to remove water to fight West Nile [More]

Dangerous supplements -- the 12 supplements to avoid *
The 12 supplement ingredients in this table have been linked to serious adverse events or, in the case of glandular supplements, to strong theoretical risks. [More]

Decoding of SARS virus reveals animal origins *
The prime viral suspect behind the worldwide SARS outbreak is a measly microbe of no more than 10 genes that began its life in an animal long ago, mutating millions of times before picking up the power to infect people... [More]

Drug tests favour sponsor's product, study says *
Drug testing funded by the pharmaceutical industry is four times more likely to show results favouring the sponsor's product than publicly funded research, a new report has found. [More]

Europe's latest ruse to bar modified foods *
GMO restrictions in Europe -- Note: This story does not reflect the editorial stance of evalu8.org [More]

Farm lifestyle linked to fewer allergies *
Growing up around farm animals may protect children from allergies and asthma, a Canadian study presented to the American Thoracic Society says. [More]

Fear factor: So just how big a risk is SARS? *
Severe acute respiratory syndrome is an international bug of mystery. By hitching a ride with travellers, it has caused thousands of cases around the world -- so many, in fact, that it has been dubbed the most significant outbreak ever spread through air travel. [More]

Garber Gastronomic: Holiday Food Safety Tips *
Canadians enjoy celebrating holidays with friends, family -- and food. You can stop food-borne illness from spoiling your holiday by following these tips from our food safety experts... [More]

Genetic damage linked to chemical found in chips *
A compound common in potato chips, French fries and many other foods can cause genetic damage in animal cells even in very low levels, a new study has found. [More]

German worker questioned over tainted baby formula *
German prosecutors said yesterday they have opened a criminal investigation against an employee of a company that made a kosher baby formula linked by Israeli authorities to two deaths. [More]

Glitch prompts Apple to pull OS update *
Apple Computer on Tuesday withdrew a system software update it had issued a day earlier, saying the software caused a networking problem for some Macs. [More]

GMOs: Let them eat what they want *
Canada should not stand in the way of Europeans making their own decisions about genetically modified foods, says political scientist DAVID WELCH [More]

Go ahead — have some fries *
Pass the fries. Researchers say new findings about genetic mutations caused by a compound in French fries, potato chips and other foods are not worrisome enough to warn people off some of their favourite snacks. [More]

Health Canada launches West Nile phone line *
The toll-free line is 1-800-816-7292. Information on the virus can also be found on the Health Canada Web site at www.westnilevirus.gc.ca. [More]

IKEA soft toy recall *
Safety concern for small children [More]

Isolation period extended in BC *
New Westminster hospital closes a floor, puts suspected cases off-limits for 12 days [More]

Mad cow confirmed again in Alberta *
Canada's newest case of mad-cow disease was found in a six-year-old animal from central Alberta, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed today. [More]

Pack bug repellent, camp parents asked *
Officials say West Nile risk to children extremely low, but revise some programs. [More]

PM urges Bush to reopen border to Canadian beef *
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and U.S. President George W. Bush managed Monday to clear their schedules and discuss the continued ban on beef exports from that has crippled the Canadian beef industry. [More]

Prostate cancer drug shows promise, risk *
Scientists have discovered the first drug that promises to prevent prostate cancer, but deciding who should use it won't be easy: Sexual side effects aside, it may actually increase aggressive tumours in some men. [More]

Protect against summer's parade of pests *
Mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and spiders -- summer's parade of pests have made their debut. With fears of West Nile virus and other diseases, cottagers can do several things to protect themselves against insect intruders. [More]

Province of Ontario launches West Nile plan *
With the battle against SARS far from over, Ontario health officials launched a plan yesterday to head off a return this year of West Nile virus... [More]

RCMP investigate alleged turkey-tampering *
The Mounties are investigating a Christmas turkey-tampering scare in the Vancouver area. [More]

Read the fine print on GMO labels *
Don't swallow the EU way. Let's push for multilateral rules on how we label what we eat, say PETER PHILLIPS and ROBERT WOLFE -- Note: This story does not reflect the editorial stance of evalu8.org [More]

Sample of allergy pictures for Holland *
"Going Dutch" means never having to say you're sorry you ate something you're allergic to! [More]

SARS: Disease update *
adapted from the Health Canada Web site... [More]

Season for 'SMOLLEN' has arrived *
Record smog and pollen significantly impacts allergy sufferers' overall quality of living ... and suffering. [More]

Spread the word: Fear and coughing in Hong Kong *
Canadian novelist CHARLES FORAN has been a Hong Kong resident for two years. He returned there from a trip this week to a panicked place of closed schools, food hoarding and Hello Kitty medical masks. 'Hong Kongers,' a neighbour sighs, 'they go crazy sometimes' [More]

Study slams anti-depressant research *
Report finds 'disturbing shortcomings' in earlier trials on drugs for kids. [More]

Summer heat can irritate dry eyes says B.C. Optometrists Assn *
If you find yourself tearing up during a dry summer hot spell, ironically, you may be suffering from a condition known as dry eye says the B.C. Association of Optometrists. [More]

Sun-allergic family to have case reviewed *
A South African family whose members suffer a genetic allergy to sunlight won a reprieve in their fight to stay in Canada. [More]

Tests leave Hemosol in critical condition *
Results of U.S. trials for the firm's blood substitute threaten the biotech's very survival, LEONARD ZEHR writes [More]

Tests reveal no further sign of mad-cow *
Tests done on cattle from a quarantined herd in Alberta have come back negative, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced Wednesday, and the remaining cattle will be released from quarantine. [More]

The young, hockey and the bodycheck *
Are Canada's young people paying for the national obsession with hockey -- in debilitating head injuries? [More]

U.S. does about-face on beef *
American officials did an about-face Monday, saying some permits to allow truckloads of Canadian beef across the U.S. border will be issued this week. [More]

U.S. to lift Canadian beef ban *
Relief for the Canadian beef industry could be just days away. [More]

U.S. warns of co-ordinated hacking 'contest' *
The U.S. government and private technology experts warned yesterday that hackers plan to attack thousands of Web sites Sunday in a loosely co-ordinated "contest" that could disrupt Internet traffic. [More]

Vitamin pills may not reduce risk of key diseases *
But it's okay to take them, task force says [More]

Watch OUT for Kim's Jewellers & Watchmakers -- it's a rip-off *
Perhaps this has happened to you: You take your item to a trusted service outlet -- a drycleaners, a repair shop, a car service place for an oil change -- and when you pick up your item, it is not working as expected. Or worse, it was working before, and now, something is definitely wrong with it! It's a BOMB!
[More]

West Nile found in crow in Ottawa *
The discovery of the carcass of a crow in Ottawa not far from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's residence and Parliament Hill is increasing concern that the deadly West Nile virus is hitting Canada earlier this year than in the past. [More]

WHO approves anti-tobacco accord *
The World Health Organization adopted a sweeping anti-tobacco treaty Wednesday in an unprecedented global push to regulate a product it says kills half of its regular users. [More]