Beyond Local

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A report issued on the eve of the first major U.N. conference on water in over 45 years says 26% of the world’s population doesn’t have access to safe drinking water and 46% lacks access to basic sanitation.

WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says the province's minimum wage will rise to $15.30 an hour on Oct. 1.

OAKVILLE, Ont. — Ontario manufacturers would be able to get up to $2 million a year through a new tax credit the government is proposing in its upcoming budget.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping just concluded a three-day visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin , a warm affair in which the two men praised each other and spoke of a profound friendship.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday defended his decision to allow a larger United States military presence in the country as vital to territorial defense despite China's fierce opposition and warning that it would “drag the Philippines into the abyss of geopolitical strife.”

WASHINGTON — TikTok's CEO plans to tell Congress that the video-sharing app is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence .

EDMONTON — Premier Danielle Smith says laggardly public notification of Imperial Oil oilsands wastewater spills has illuminated the need for Alberta to ensure future alarms are sounded quicker.

WASHINGTON — A high-tech industry coalition in the United States is urging President Joe Biden to take a hard line against Canada's approach to digital services.

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia salmon farming company is going to court to challenge the federal government's decision not to renew the licences for its open-net farms off Vancouver Island.

GENEVA (AP) — Fury at top Credit Suisse managers. Lament over damage to Switzerland's image as a stable, reliable banking center.