'I do not use crack cocaine': Ford ends week of silence on crack video scandal

'I do not use crack cocaine': Ford ends week of silence on crack video scandal TORONTO - Mayor Rob Ford broke his week-long silence Friday to deny he smokes crack cocaine and to lambaste the media for judging him, but his assertions seemed unlikely to douse the raging flames of scandal that have engulfed him.

NKorean envoy delivers letter from Kim Jong Un to Chinese President Xi, commits to new talks

NKorean envoy delivers letter from Kim Jong Un to Chinese President Xi, commits to new talks

BEIJING, China - A top North Korean envoy has delivered a letter from leader Kim Jong Un to Chinese President Xi Jinping and told him Pyongyang would take steps to rejoin stalled nuclear disarmament talks, in an apparent victory for Beijing's efforts to coax its unruly ally into lowering tensions.


Active hurricane season expected, centre tells Atlantic residents to get ready

Active hurricane season expected, centre tells Atlantic residents to get ready

HALIFAX - The Canadian Hurricane Centre is backing U.S. predictions of an active season this year, telling residents in the Atlantic provinces to brace themselves for a handful of major hurricanes.


Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river

Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - The trucker was hauling a load of drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed into the water behind him. Two vehicles fell into the icy Skagit River.


Kinder Morgan takes next step in its Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion plan

Kinder Morgan Canada's proposal to increase the capacity of its Trans Mountain pipeline calls for 30 oil tankers a month to load up with Alberta crude at its terminal in Burnaby, B.C., — up from about one per week.


Health officials investigating complications with compounded drugs from Tennessee pharmacy

WASHINGTON - Health officials are investigating cases involving patients who suffered complications after being injected with potentially contaminated medications made by a Tennessee specialty pharmacy.


Saskatchewan premier no longer believes Senate can be reformed

SASKATOON - Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, once a staunch supporter of a reformed federal Senate, has given up the fight.


Canadian Press

National Bank considering new acquisitions in Canadian wealth management

National Bank considering new acquisitions in Canadian wealth management

National Bank (TSX:NA) says it's interested in new acquisitions but will be very selective about which sectors it looks to.


MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market

MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market

WINNIPEG - Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. has agreed to sell its Allstream business telecommunications arm to an Egyptian investment group and use about half of the $405 million in proceeds to reduce its pension obligations and debt.


Valeant shares soar amid report drug firm near $9B deal to buy Bausch and Lomb

MONTREAL - Valeant Pharmaceuticals shares hit an all-time high Friday amid reports that it is in talks to expand its eye-care business by buying Bausch and Lomb.


Retired Vancouver police officer dead in Mexico recalled as friend, animal lover

A retired Canadian police officer slain in Mexico is being remembered as a generous and loving woman who dedicated a lot of her time to helping animals.


Ethics investigations can only go so far, commissioner reminds Canadians

Ethics investigations can only go so far, commissioner reminds Canadians

OTTAWA - As the federal ethics commissioner readies for a third look at Stephen Harper's former right-hand man, Mary Dawson is reminding Canadians her office can only look so far.


Royal Bank releases supplier code of conduct after outsourcing backlash

TORONTO - The Royal Bank (TSX:RY), which faced a fierce backlash earlier this year over an outsourcing arrangement involving the use of temporary foreign workers, said Friday it won't send work offshore just to save on salaries.


Rio Tinto titanium subsidiary workers fear up to 400 jobs to be cut

MONTREAL - The weak demand and prices that prompted Rio Tinto's titanium subsidiary to abandon a $4-billion expansion is now threatening hundreds of jobs at its Quebec plant.


IMF chief Lagarde named key witness in investigation of payoff to French business tycoon

IMF chief Lagarde named key witness in investigation of payoff to French business tycoon

PARIS - After two days of intense questioning from French magistrates, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said Friday a court named her as a key witness in an investigation into a controversial payoff to an outspoken businessman that was arranged while she was France's finance minister — stopping short of charging her outright.