Robert Laprade, country representative for Canadian Red Cross in Ukraine, observes the continuing construction at Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...

Canadian cash helps rebuild kids hospital in Kyiv

Workers dangle from ropes as they brush the last bit of white paint on the trim of the Okhmatdyt children’s cardiac hospital in Kyiv.

Below them, a damaged children's stroller and construction supplies sit atop a tree-covered garbage heap. Windows of some surrounding buildings are still boarded up with plywood.

One year after a devastating rocket attack on Ukraine's largest children's hospital that killed four and injured a dozen, the century-old facility is getting ready to reopen — with help from the Canadian Red Cross.

"The rocket actually fell to that building," said Mykyta Ilin from the Red Cross, pointing to a smaller building 100 metres away from the cardiac centre.

Smith punts criticism at Fort McMurray town hall

Danielle Smith's Alberta Next panel in Fort McMurray Tuesday night drew more approval than pushback, and the premier insisted Ottawa is the rightful target of much of the criticism coming her way.

The panel is gathering feedback for potential referendum questions. Smith has said it also aims to address grievances with the federal government that are inspiring separatist sentiment.

Unlike at the panel's three town halls held so far, there were no placards of protest outside the front doors prior to the event.

Most of the nearly 250 people who came were there to express approval for its six proposals, including pulling out of the Canada Pension Plan and creating a provincial police force to replace the RCMP.

Unofficial results: Tories on top in Manitoba vote

Elections Manitoba has released the unofficial numbers from the Spruce Woods riding byelection, which show Progressive Conservative candidate Colleen Robbins has received the majority of votes.

The numbers also suggest it was a tight race for the largely rural riding, which has strongly voted PC since being formed in 2011.

The New Democrats' Ray Berthelette came in a very close second.

With the initial count complete, Robbins had 2,805 votes, while Berthelette tallied with 2,735 -- a difference of just 70 votes.

Vancouver airport reports delays, cites staffing

Vancouver International Airport is reporting that some of its flights are being delayed, citing staffing shortfalls with NAV CANADA.

A media release from the airport says that due to unexpected staffing constraints at the country’s air navigation service provider, passengers may experience changes to their flights.

That includes delays that may affect connecting flights and cancellations, particularly on regional routes around B.C.

NAV CANADA issued its own statement on the social media platform known as X, saying it regrets the impact the disruption may have on travellers.

Small businesses brace for latest trade barrier

As the latest change to the Canada-U.S. trade relationship is about to take effect, Melissa Caracas Le-Fort is facing a deadline of her own.

After Caracas Le-Fort announced on social media mid-August that her business would no longer take orders from American customers after Aug. 26, requests for custom-made pet tags began pouring in.

Now, she and her husband, Carlos, are putting in 12-hour days to fulfil over 300 orders before Friday, when the costs of shipping items south of the border will go up exponentially.

The United States is eliminating what's known as the de minimis exemption, which had allowed packages worth $800 or less to ship south of the border without duties, on Aug. 29.

Some adolescents harmed by workout substances: survey

Researchers say pediatricians, family doctors and parents need to learn more about what kind of performance-enhancing substances kids are using when they work out or play sports.

Seventeen per cent of more than 800 Canadian pediatric specialists surveyed say they saw adolescents who needed medical attention due to dietary supplements or performance drugs over the previous year.

The majority of cases were boys and more than half of them were between 13 and 15 years old.

Almost a third of the patients were even younger — between 10 and 12 years old.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 27, 2025

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025