The weekend is in sight and CTV News has collected the day’s top stories. Here are the five things you need to know: Uber’s Chief Adviser sat down for an exclusive interview and defended the company’s practices; Doctors in Ontario are upset with fee cuts, and in some cases have threatened to leave the province; two federal election candidates are under scrutiny after making controversial statements; Canadian Mohamed Fahmy has been freed from an Egyptian jail; and Pope Francis is set to give a historic speech to Congress this morning, become the first pontiff to ever do so.
Plus for “Life Hack Thursday,” we’ve taken a look at what you need to know to help your health if you spend your day sitting at a desk.
1. Uber’s Canada campaign: Uber’s Chief Adviser sat down for an exclusive interview with CTV’s Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme. David Plouffe defended his company against mounting protests from taxi drivers across the country. He insisted that the ridesharing company's growth is not only good for customers and cities but also for other "for-hire vehicle transportation."
2. Doctors up in arms: Beginning on Oct. 1, physicians in Ontario will see their fees slashed by 1.3 per cent. The upcoming fee cut comes on the tails of a 2.6 per cent cut in January. News of the cut has some doctors frustrated and angry with some saying they will either retire early or leave the province.
3. Latest gaffes: An NDP candidate and a Conservative candidate are facing a backlash after they both made controversial statements this week. Alex Johnstone, who is running for the NDP in the Ontario riding of Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas says she didn’t know what Auschwitz – the infamous Nazi concentration camp – was until she was told this week. Conservative Joe Daniel, who is running for reelection in Don Valley North, was caught on video saying the migrants flooding into Europe were part of an agenda.
4. Fahmy freed: Canadian Mohamed Fahmy was granted a pardon and freed from an Egyptian jail on Wednesday. The journalist was serving a three-year sentence on widely denounced charges. Fahmy said he was "very happy to be free" and "can't wait" to get back to Canada. Fahmy said he should be able to return to Canada after Eid -- a public holiday in Egypt -- ends in three days.
5. Historic address: Pope Francis is set to become the first pontiff to ever address the U.S. Congress today. Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to watch from the West Lawn of the Capitol.
And for “Life Hack Thursday,” a tip for anybody planning to spend their day sitting at a desk:
Research has shown that sitting for long periods can hurt your health, but a new study suggests that extra exercise may not be the best way to cancel out the effects of sitting.
