National News

OTTAWA — France's ambassador for LGBTQ+ rights says Russia is helping sow a global backlash against gender and sexual minorities, and argues francophone countries should work together to counter growing polarization.

Some Canadians said they were stuck in Israel amid deadly fighting Sunday, as airlines cancelled flights out of the country and reaching the Canadian Embassy on a holiday weekend proved difficult.

Afghans across Canada have gathered together to support one another and plan fundraisers as they scour the news for details about an earthquake that rocked their home country on Saturday, reportedly killing more than 2,000 people.

MONTREAL — From green roofs in Toronto to Vancouver's rain city strategy, Canadian cities are looking to become "sponges" in order to help mitigate some of the effects of extreme rainfall events.

OTTAWA — A Secwépemc law called X7ensq't says that if you disrespect the land and don't take care of it properly, the land and the sky will turn on you. "It's a serious law," said Mike McKenzie, a Secwépemc knowledge keeper.

VANCOUVER — When the University of British Columbia announced the launch of Vantage College in 2013, the school said it envisioned the program for fee-paying international students would have enrolment of 1,000 by August 2016.

VANCOUVER — Food banks across Canada continue to face soaring need this Thanksgiving, with one executive warning that things could quickly get worse.

HERZLIYA, Israel — A Toronto man staying in a city minutes away from Tel Aviv said Saturday that he and his wife have taken refuge multiple times in bomb shelters as unprecedented and multifront violence continues between Israel and Gaza.

MONTREAL — Rain drenched much of Quebec on Saturday, leading to minor flooding that partially submerged several roadways and seeped into some basements, says a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

HALIFAX — The customary reds, oranges and yellows of the trees, marking the arrival of fall, may have appeared early this year, or not at all.