CTV National News

The Desk: Canada's News Forum

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  Tom Walters: Trigger-finger jitters cost L.A. millions

  Tom Walters on the $4.2 million settlement with two women who were mistakenly shot by police in February. 1

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  Genevieve Beauchemin: On being lucky enough to keep on running

  CTV News' Genevieve Beauchemin, a reporter, mother and runner, reflects on covering the Boston bombings last week, and on being lucky enough to keep on running. 2

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  Lisa LaFlamme's Vatican Notebook: Day One of the conclave

  In the cab today on the way to our rooftop studio overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica, I asked the taxi driver who he wanted to see elected as the next Pope -- without skipping a beat he said he wanted an American pope! Why? 6

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  Lisa LaFlamme's Vatican Notebook: Setting up for smoke signals

  The "Papal Paparazzi" -- teams of still photographers from all over the world with hyper-long lenses -- have descended on Vatican Square to document the work being done to prepare for the start of the papal conclave. First up, work on the chimney where smoke signals will announce the selection of a new Pope. 3

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  Snakes, Sales & Celine Dion: it’s Lunar New Year in China

  Blog by Janis Mackey Frayer on CTVNews.ca: This weekend marks the Chinese New Year, a time when the world’s second largest economy grinds to a halt and millions empty from cities to villages and towns to visit family. 6 3

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  Are we looking for heroes in the wrong places?

  In the wake of Lance Armstrong's admission, CTV's Tom Walters suggests in his essay on CTVNews.ca that perhaps we're looking for heroes in the wrong places. 23

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  Chinese lessons: A simplified guide to China’s 18th Congress

  CTV's Janis Mackey Frayer on decoding the 18th Congress.

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  China's predetermined politics leave public disinterested

  China is undergoing a political transition that happens only once every decade and, when it is complete, one of the world’s most influential countries will be ruled by new generation of leaders. 3

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  Amanda Todd: another child who just fell through the cracks

  It breaks my heart to think that no one stepped up to help Amanda Todd. Another child just fell through the cracks. 91 9

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  A remarkable optimist’s invention for CF patients

  Marten DeVlieger is an overachiever. The 31-year-old has run the Boston Marathon, flown helicopters professionally and is vice president of his town's Chamber of Commerce. He also has cystic fibrosis. 2 1

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  Beijing Journal: There's no place like...Ikea?

  Beijing Ikea dwellers drink coffee or tea at dining room mock-ups, or watch their kids rearrange various playrooms. Couples make out and take glam shots of each other with their mobile phones. Visitors jump on beds, have pillow fights, or crawl under the covers. Welcome to Ikea. 4

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  Janis Mackey Frayer's ASIA, etc: News, notes & otherwise

  How a flag on a car and a territorial dispute are raising tensions between Japan and China, along with India's censorship of certain Internet sites and social media. 1

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  Freeing the Press: The 'end' of censorship in Myanmar

  In a tiny converted garage near a Buddhist temple, members of the band “Side Effect” pushed through a ritual of rehearsal. Guitars were plugged in and twanged and speakers were adjusted. They did not talk much. The drummer hiked up his jeans before rattling his sticks along the drum kit borrowed from another band until they can afford their own.

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  Janis Mackey Frayer: The trials of China's influential women

  When Gu Kailai was indicted last month for the fatal poisoning of a British businessman, there were swift and almost inevitable comparisons drawn to the country's “other” high-stakes trial that featured a woman at its notorious centre.

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  Canadian Original: Metis siblings reach back to their roots to make a fashion footprint

  In this Canadian Original segment, Jill Macyshon features the brother and sister team behind Manitobah Mukluks -- whose shoes and boots have become wildly popular and don the feet of people worldwide. Read Jill's blog on CTVNews.ca and tune in to CTV National News at 11pm for her report. 4 1

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  We salute you, Class of 2012

  To the graduates of Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, may your grand plans come true, but if they don't, sometimes things that get in the way ultimately steer you in a better direction. 1 4

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  The Twitter reaction to '#Obamacare'

  The meme to move to Canada is echoing in the Twitterverse, thanks to a few Americans who are upset at the U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold #Obamacare -- and by those making fun of them. 12

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  Canadian Original: from starving artist to sports stars' sketcher of choice

  In our latest Canadian Original segment, Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis turns the easel on Robb Scott, a once struggling artist now rubbing shoulders with some big sports stars. Read the blog on CTVNews.ca and tune in to CTV National News with Lisa LaFlamme at 11pm to watch his report. 1 1

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  Teen makes big strides in battle against brain disease

  For Aidan Munn, playing hockey again is both a miracle and a risk. Two-and-a-half years ago, on the day Canada beat the U.S. to win hockey gold at the Vancouver Olympics, he fell ill. Instead of watching the game, his parents rushed him to hospital. He was diagnosed with viral encephalitis, fell into a coma, and doctors gave him a 50-50 chance of survival. 5 1

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  Craig Oliver enters new chapter in journalism career

  Longtime political correspondent and co-host of CTV's Question Period Craig Oliver announced on Sunday that he is stepping back from his hosting duties, but is looking forward to new and exciting challenges. 7