Global National: Dec. 26

Ontario’s Niagara Region is entering its third day under a state of emergency due to severe winter weather, as thousands of people are left without electricity in frigid temperatures. Seán O’Shea reports from Ridgeway, Ont., on the treacherous conditions, how he also became caught up in the storm, and how a big box retailer became a refuge and hosted a Christmas dinner for some stranded shoppers. Some Canadian travellers were able to escape the severe winter weather by vacationing in sunny Mexico. But not all of them could escape the headaches of travelling after Sunwing cancelled their flights home. The angry demonstration and demand for answers at Cancun International Airport, and Sunwing’s response to the complaints. China is marking a new step in pivoting away from its strict zero-COVID policy. The restrictions being lifted for foreign arrivals, when, and the fears about a current surge in infections and deaths. Plus, out-of-this-world contributions: a look at Canada’s key role over the past year in exploring space.