NEWS
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Health Canada. Morningafter pill to be studied due to questions over efficacy Health Canada says it is studying the effectiveness of the so-called “morning after” contraceptive pills in the wake of news they aren’t as effective in larger women. The federal drug regulator says it is assessing new data that suggests a higher body weight could reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraceptives. Health Canada says it is also looking at whether labelling changes are needed for all brands of the pills to reflect the problem. The department’s statement comes two months after French manufacturer HRA Pharma announced its emergency contraception pill doesn’t work in women who weigh more than 176 pounds. There are four brands of morning-after pills available without prescription in Canada: Next Choice, from Cobalt Pharmaceuticals; HRA Pharma’s NorLevo; Option 2, from Perrigo
International and Plan B from Women’s Health Inc. Health Canada says if it decides action needs to be taken, it will work with manufacturers to update labels and inform consumers. The pills contain higher levels of levonorgestrel than standard oral contraceptives and work by preventing ovulation or fertilization of an egg. They can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or a contraceptive accident such as a condom breaking. The pills do not have any impact if a woman has already become pregnant. Health Canada says it is aware of a recent statement from the European Medicine’s Agency alerting consumers to the fact that NorLevo’s labelling had been altered to make reference to the observation that weight affects the efficacy of the medication. the canadian press
metronews.ca WEEKEND, January 31-February 2, 2014
Ford: I’m no fan, but Bieber’s not that bad ‘He’s a young guy.’ Despite a preference for Rush, Zeppelin, Toronto mayor sticks up for pop star recently charged with assault in his city
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is questioned by reporters at city hall in Toronto on Thursday. Chris Young/tHE CANADIAN PRESS
Let’s Chat: Have Your Say Join the ongoing conversation about Racial profiling and the next phase of the Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project
Thursday, February 06, 2014 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM Clark Hall, RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive Get involved, provide feedback, and remain engaged. For more information contact us at 613-236-1222 Ext. 5028 or by E-mail PIA@ottawapolice.ca
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Toronto Mayor Rob Ford is sticking up for another headline-grabbing Canadian — Justin Bieber. Ford was asked about the pop singer when he spoke by phone today to the Washington, D.C.-based Sports Junkies radio show. Ford said Bieber is only 19 and asked the radio personalities, who called Bieber “Canada’s worst export,” to think back to when they were that age. On Wednesday, Bieber was charged in Toronto with assault. Ford’s comment on Bieber
Bieber’s toxicology report
A toxicology report released Thursday shows that Justin Bieber tested positive for marijuana and Xanax after his arrest on DUI charges in Florida last week. • The report also shows no presence of other illicit drugs in Bieber’s system. • A previous report found that breath tests placed Bieber’s blood-alcohol content below the .02 level considered intoxicated for under-21 drivers.
was: “He’s a young guy, 19 years old. I wish I was as successful as he was.” Ford says he’s never met Bieber and is not a fan of his music, preferring Rush and Led Zeppelin. the canadian press
Syrian toddler rescued from rubble of building Fourteen-month-old Ghina Khalil is recovering with her family in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo after being buried in rubble. The stunning rescue, caught on video, corresponds to Associated Press reporting of events. The footage shows a group of men frantically digging in the dusty rubble of her home after an alleged air strike on Jan. 22. Amid cries of “God is greatest,” the toddler’s curly-haired head can be seen emerging from the dust, as the men scoop away handfuls of crumbled concrete with their bare hands. With her arms freed, the girl reaches up to wipe her eyes in a sign of life. According to the activist who filmed the video, uploaded to the Internet by the Nur Media Centre, the girl was completely buried for at least three minutes and her mother was killed in the attack. A video taken later showed Khalil in new clothes, with no visible injuries. The Syrian govern-
In this image taken from a Jan. 22 video, men dig 14-month-old Ghina Khalil out of rubble in Aleppo, Syria. The toddler was pulled out after men pulled aside rocks, concrete and dust to free her from under a smashed building bombed by government forces. Nur Media Center/the associated press
ment has been accused of using airstrikes and rocket attacks indiscrim-
inately against residential areas. the associated press