Global National: Aug. 16

The Northwest Territories has declared a state of emergency as hundreds of wildfires have now decimated more 2.1 million hectares of land so far. The fire fight in some of Canada’s most remote communities, and the mounting anxiety among people over the looming threat. The road to Lahaina, Hawaii has reopened. Neetu Garcha gets a first-hand look at the destruction, and explains why the public still isn’t allowed in some areas. While authorities are beginning to investigate the exact cause of that fire, there’s video evidence suggesting windy weather knocked down power lines, contributing to the disaster. What’s known about the timeline of the catastrophe, and the tough questions directed at Hawaiian Electric, the utility company. Housing starts in Canada fell by 10 per cent in July, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). What’s behind the troubling trend during the housing crisis, what cities have been hardest hit, and how this could affect real estate prices. And what’s on your mind? How artificial intelligence could answer that question one day.