In the news today: Hantavirus cruise ship, Air Canada flights, Playoffs ER stats

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The World Health Organization has said it has received reports of eight cases, including three deaths, from the outbreak of the rodent-borne Andes virus.

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They say that while more cases are possible in the coming weeks, hantaviruses do not spread easily between people, and the outbreak will likely not turn into an epidemic.

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Air Canada slashes summertime flights to U.S. due to soaring jet fuel costs

Air Canada says it’s cutting the number of flights to the United States this summer as the war in Iran creates jet fuel shortages that have sent prices soaring.

The airline says in a statement that flights from Toronto to Sacramento, Calif., will cease Aug. 1, and service to Charleston, S.C., will end Sept. 6.

It says flights from Vancouver to Raleigh, N.C., will be halted beginning July 29, and service from Montreal to Austin, Texas, will be suspended Sept. 7.

Air Canada says the decision to end the seasonal flights early was due to the current price of jet fuel, but added that they will resume next summer.

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Former U.S. president Barack Obama in Toronto for keynote speech

Former U.S. president Barack Obama is in Toronto today to deliver a keynote speech at Canada 2020’s gala at the Fairmont Royal York.

The think tank says the event aims to advance policy thinking to “drive a more just, inclusive and forward-thinking Canada.”

Obama made three official visits to Canada while he was president, first coming to Ottawa in 2009 to meet with former prime minister Stephen Harper.

Obama later came to Canada for G8 and G20 summit meetings and the North American Leaders’ Summit.

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Statistics Canada to release April labour force survey today

Statistics Canada is expected to release its latest reading on the job market this morning when it publishes its labour force survey for April.

A Reuters poll suggests economists expect the economy added 15,000 jobs in the month, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7 per cent.

Employers added 14,000 jobs in March as the unemployment rate held steady.

The jobs report comes as Canadian businesses deal with high oil prices caused by the war in the Middle East that has pushed the cost of gasoline up across the country.

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Emergency rooms are getting some relief during Habs games in Stanley Cup playoffs

Health officials say the Montreal Canadiens may be causing a temporary side-effect in the region’s hospitals.

Quebec health officials say about 100 fewer people came to the emergency room in multiple regions during nights when the Habs take to the ice in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

A doctor at the McGill University Health Centre says the drop is noticeable in real time, providing some temporary relief to overcrowded E-Rs.

But the Montreal Heart Institute reports its staff have observed a notable increase in cases on game nights of almost 20 per cent, and one doctor says strong emotions and anxiety can create real risks, and urges people with underlying conditions not to watch games alone.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press