24News.ca

Host cities spend years preparing for the Olympics — along with billions of dollars and a lot of political capital en route to the finish line. That's the case in Tokyo, where the 2020 Olympic Games are now underway — a year late amid a pandemic and at higher cost than forecast, with many questioning the decision to hold them under the circumstances. Source

ROME -- Pope Francis on Monday decried as criminal the existence of hunger in a world which can produce enough food for all, building on a warning from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that climate change and conflict are a consequence and driver of poverty and income inequality. Source

New York City will require all of its municipal workers — including teachers and police officers — to get coronavirus vaccines by mid-September or face weekly COVID-19 testing, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday. The rule is expected to affect about 340,000 city employees, making the city one of the largest employers in the U.S. Source

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- The Roman Catholic archdiocese in Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city is selling properties to pay survivors of abuse at the former Mount Cashel orphanage. Archbishop of St. John's Peter Hundt said in a news release Sunday several parcels of vacant land in St. Source

Above average temperatures for many parts of British Columbia aren't expected to ease soon — and Environment Canada says there is no hint of showers until at least the weekend for some southern regions hit hard by wildfires. Source

U.S. pop singer Pink has offered to pay a fine given to the Norwegian female beach handball team for wearing shorts instead of the required bikini bottoms. On social media Saturday, Pink said she was "very proud" of the team for protesting the rule that prevented them from wearing shorts like their male counterparts. Source

Air quality statements to more northwestern Ontario communities have been issued by Environment Canada as they deal with smoke and poor visibility due to over 140 forest fires burning Monday in the region as well as in Manitoba. Source

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi are expected to announce on Monday that they've agreed to end the U.S. military's combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year, according to a senior Biden administration official. Source

GARDEN HILL FIRST NATION, MANITOBA -- On the nights Lena Harper can't sleep, she stares out a window in her home on Wasagamack First Nation hoping to one day see her granddaughter walk up the driveway. Source

The World Bank and the COVAX global vaccine distribution program unveiled on Monday a financing mechanism to speed the supply of doses to developing countries, where COVID-19 inoculation rates lag far behind those of richer nations. Source