Three stories in the news today, July 11

Three stories in the news today from The Canadian Press:

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TRUDEAU VISITS UKRAINE

Justin Trudeau is visiting Ukraine, where this morning he and his eldest son, Xavier, paid tribute to the country’s victims of mass atrocities committed duringthe 20th century. The prime minister will later meet with Ukrainian leaders and sign a free trade deal that Ukrainians hope will help move the country’s trade ties toward Europe and away from Russia.

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MAIL KEEPS MOVING AS TWO SIDES KEEP TALKING

A threatened lockout today at Canada Post has been averted. And there are signs the crown corporation and the union representing 50,000 of its workers may be making some progress in contract negotiations.Canada Post announced last night that it was withdrawing its lockout notice to keep the postal system open for business and allow the two sides to focus all their efforts on reaching an agreement.Talks have been deadlocked on the issues of employee pension plans and wage parity.

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FORT MAC FIREFIGHTERS CHECKED FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS

Many firefighters in Fort McMurray are being checked for health problems because they couldn’t wear their usual air masks while battling the giant wildfire that heavily damaged the northern Alberta city. They spent several days breathing in hazardous smoke and some have developed a persistent cough. They’re undergoing lung and blood tests, and Nick Waddington, the president of the Fort McMurray branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters, predicts many will need ongoing support. Waddington says he fears some of their lives will be shortened by the toxic smoke.

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