Pfizer claims 3rd dose 'strongly' boosts protection against Delta variant

A third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine can "strongly" boost protection against the Delta variant -- beyond the protection afforded by the standard two doses, suggests new data released by Pfizer on Wednesday.

The data posted online, which are expected to be discussed in a company earnings call on Wednesday morning, suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant in people ages 18 to 55 who receive a third dose of vaccine are greater than five-fold than following a second dose.

Among people ages 65 to 85, the Pfizer data suggest that antibody levels against the Delta variant after receiving a third dose of vaccine are greater than 11-fold than following a second dose.

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There's "estimated potential for up to 100-fold increase in Delta neutralization post-dose three compared to pre-dose three," researchers wrote in the Pfizer data slides.

The data have not yet been peer-reviewed or published.

The data also show that antibody levels are much higher after a third dose than a second dose against the original coronavirus variant and the Beta variant, first identified in South Africa.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.

Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children

Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.

B.C. mayor stripped of budget, barred from committees over Indigenous residential schools book

A British Columbia mayor has been censured by city council – stripping him of his travel and lobbying budgets and removing him from city committees – for allegedly distributing a book that questions the history of Indigenous residential schools in Canada.

OPP's mandatory alcohol screening during traffic stops 'not acceptable': CCLA

A spike in impaired driving-related collisions has caused Ontario’s provincial police to begin enforcing mandatory alcohol screening (MAS) at all traffic stops in the Greater Toronto Area -- a move one civil rights group says is ‘not acceptable.’

Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7

William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.

Jurors in Trump hush money trial hear recording of pivotal call on plan to buy affair story

Jurors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump heard a recording Thursday of him discussing with his then-lawyer and personal fixer a plan to purchase the silence of a Playboy model who has said she had an affair with the former president.

Southern Alberta store broken into by burly black bear

Staff at a small southern Alberta office supply store were shocked to find someone had broken into the business last week, but they were even more confused when they discovered the culprit was a bear.

Captain sentenced to 4 years for criminal negligence in fiery deaths of 34 aboard scuba boat

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a scuba dive boat captain to four years in custody and three years supervised release for criminal negligence after 34 people died in a fire aboard the vessel.

New scam targets Canada Carbon Rebate recipients

Fake text message and email campaigns trying to get money and information out of unsuspecting Canadian taxpayers have started circulating, just months after the federal government rebranded the carbon tax rebate the Canada Carbon Rebate.

Canada

Police order B.C. woman who praised Hamas not to protest for 5 months, says her group

A pro-Palestinian activist group says its international co-ordinator, who was arrested in a Vancouver hate-crime investigation, was released with an order not to attend any protests for the next five months.
N.B. plans to dissolve education council

The Province of New Brunswick will attempt to dissolve an education council over litigation fees.
B.C. man convicted of fentanyl trafficking after judge rejects claim drugs belonged to a friend

A B.C. man has been convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking despite claiming the drugs were not his – a defence the judge said he could not "accept or even entertain."
London Drugs stores remain closed for 5th straight day, phone lines operating

London Drugs stores in Western Canada remained closed Thursday due to a "cybersecurity incident," marking the fifth straight day of closures.
1 person in custody after man, woman found dead in St. Catharines, Ont., home

One person is in custody after two people were found dead in a home in St. Catharines.
OPP's mandatory alcohol screening during traffic stops 'not acceptable': CCLA

A spike in impaired driving-related collisions has caused Ontario’s provincial police to begin enforcing mandatory alcohol screening (MAS) at all traffic stops in the Greater Toronto Area -- a move one civil rights group says is ‘not acceptable.’

World

DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Police officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say

A police officer who was involved in clearing protesters from a Columbia University administration building earlier this week fired his gun inside the hall, a spokesperson for District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office confirmed Thursday.
Georgia parliament cancels session after building damaged during huge protests

The parliament of Georgia cancelled its Thursday plenary session following massive protests against a proposed law that critics fear will stifle media freedom and endanger the country's bid for membership in the European Union.
Pennsylvania nurse who gave patients lethal or possibly lethal insulin doses gets life in prison

A Pennsylvania nurse who administered lethal or potentially lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and other charges Thursday and was sentenced to life in prison.
Hamas is sending a delegation to Egypt for further ceasefire talks in the latest sign of progress

Hamas said Thursday that it was sending a delegation to Egypt for further ceasefire talks, in a new sign of progress in attempts by international mediators to hammer out an agreement between Israel and the militant group to end the war in Gaza.
Gangs in Haiti launch fresh attacks, days after a new prime minister is announced

Gangs in Haiti laid siege to several neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince, burning homes and exchanging gunfire with police for hours as hundreds fled the violence early Thursday in one of the biggest attacks since Haiti's new prime minister was announced.
EU announces 1 billion euros in aid for Lebanon amid a surge in irregular migration

The European Union announced Thursday an aid package for Lebanon of 1 billion euros — about US$1.06 billion — much of which will go to boost border control to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants from the small, crisis-wracked country across the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and Italy.

Politics

Conservative MP says Chinese hacking attack targeted his personal email

A Conservative MP is challenging claims by House of Commons administration that a China-backed hacking attempt did not impact any members of Parliament, because the attack was on his personal email.
Forcing public servants back to downtown Ottawa harms satellite communities: North Grenville mayor

The mayor of North Grenville, just south of Ottawa, says hybrid work has been a boon to her community, and a recent move by the federal government to force public servants back to downtown Ottawa office buildings is misguided.
Vets Affairs 'March holidays' post: 'In trying to be apolitical we became political'

Veterans Affairs staff found themselves working over the Easter weekend, trying to explain why one of the department's social media posts didn't actually mention the holiday.

Health

Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of U.S. dairy farms and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on our side of the border too.
Halle Berry shouts from the Capitol, 'I'm in menopause' as she seeks to end stigma and win funding

Halle Berry is joining a group of bipartisan senators to push for legislation that would put US$275 million toward research and education around menopause, the significant hormone shift women go through in middle age.
Doctors dealing with at least 160 Canadians suffering eye damage possibly linked to looking at the eclipse

Nearly a month after the total solar eclipse, at least 160 cases of eye damage have been reported across the country.

Sci-Tech

Orangutan observed treating wound using medicinal plant in world first

Scientists working in Indonesia have observed an orangutan intentionally treating a wound on their face with a medicinal plant, the first time this behaviour has been documented.
Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like

Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
B.C. man awarded $5,000 in damages in first-of-its-kind intimate image case

In a first-of-its-kind case, a B.C. tribunal has ruled on a dispute involving the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, awarding damages and issuing orders that the photos be destroyed and taken offline.

Entertainment

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are officially divorced and single

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari are officially divorced and single.
The first wrongful-death trial in Travis Scott concert deaths has been delayed

The start of the first civil trial stemming from the 2021 Astroworld festival, at which 10 people were killed in a crowd surge, has been delayed.
Groundbreaking American guitarist dies age 86

Guitarist Duane Eddy, best known for twangy riffs on hits such as 'Rebel Rouser' and 'Cannonball,' has died at the age of 86.

Business

'SIM swap' that enabled theft of $63K in bitcoin at centre of B.C. court case

A Freedom Mobile customer who sued the company for negligence after a "SIM swap" scam cost him more than $63,000 in bitcoin will have to go through the company's arbitration process to pursue his claim, a B.C. court has ruled.
TD Bank hit with $9.2M penalty after failing to report suspicious transactions

Canada’s financial-crime watchdog has levied a $9.2-million penalty against The Toronto-Dominion Bank for non-compliance with money laundering and terrorist financing measures as the bank also faces compliance investigations in the U.S.
N.S. Power wants ratepayers to cover $22M bill for last year's storm damages, repairs

Nova Scotia Power has filed an application with the province's Utility and Review Board to have ratepayers cover the cost of last year's storm damage to the tune of $22 million.

Lifestyle

Planets aligned for Quebec astrologer's lottery win

A Montreal astrologer and horoscope writer just got a boost on his retirement budget, after winning Loto-Quebec’s Grande-Vie prize, which comes in the form of $1,000 a day for life.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025

What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.
Imagine living in a 4-foot body that doesn't develop chronic diseases

Nathaly Paola Castro Torres has a rare disorder called Laron syndrome that is caused by a genetic mutation. It stunts her growth but also provides a hidden silver lining: Her body is protected from chronic diseases such as cancer that often take life away long before old age.

Sports

Oilers await second-round opponent, plan to use rest as a weapon

During what they hope is a deep run through the gruelling Stanley Cup playoffs this spring, the Edmonton Oilers will take all the time off they can get.
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7

William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Billie Jean King is getting the Breakfast of Champions treatment. She'll appear on a Wheaties box

Billie Jean King is a 39-time Grand Slam champion and an equal rights champion — and now she's getting the Breakfast of Champions treatment. The twice-inducted tennis Hall of Famer will appear on a limited-edition box of Wheaties.

Autos

These driving offences now come with an automatic impoundment, licence suspension in Sask.

Drivers in Saskatchewan will now lose their licence for a week and their vehicle for a month if they are caught committing certain high-speed and dangerous offences on the road.
April auto sales jump 14 per cent; still below pre-pandemic levels: DesRosiers

Auto sales last month totalled 164,000 units, higher than April 2023, which was the weakest month for sales last year.
Rolls-Royce is growing its factory so it can build its 'bespoke' cars more slowly

Rolls-Royce is vastly expanding its factory in Chichester, England. The BMW subsidiary is adding five new buildings with construction planned to start next year.

'SIM swap' that enabled theft of $63K in bitcoin at centre of B.C. court case

A Freedom Mobile customer who sued the company for negligence after a "SIM swap" scam cost him more than $63,000 in bitcoin will have to go through the company's arbitration process to pursue his claim, a B.C. court has ruled.
Surrey crash leaves pedestrian with 'significant injuries': RCMP

A pedestrian was seriously injured when they were struck by a vehicle in Surrey Thursday, according to authorities.
Vancouver to consider loosening moratorium on gambling expansions

A long-standing freeze on the number of gambling tables and machines allowed in Vancouver could be relaxed on behalf of the Parq Casino and Hastings Racecourse.

Toronto

Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7

William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Progressive Conservatives win both Ontario byelections

Premier Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative candidates have won both Ontario byelections by convincing margins.

Calgary

Suspect sought following arson at northeast Calgary church

Police are looking for a man who set a nativity scene on fire at a church in northeast Calgary.
Ottawa announces emissions progress as Capital Power cancels $2.4B carbon capture project

Ottawa released its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report on Thursday, less than a day after a major carbon capture and storage project was scrapped by Edmonton-based Capital Power.
Fuel tanker and pickup collide on Highway 2 near Okotoks, injuring 2

The southbound lanes of Highway 2 are closed near Okotoks after RCMP say a fuel tanker and pickup truck collided.

Ottawa

NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 3-5

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at things to do in Ottawa during the first weekend of May.
Forcing public servants back to downtown Ottawa harms satellite communities: North Grenville mayor

The mayor of North Grenville, just south of Ottawa, says hybrid work has been a boon to her community, and a recent move by the federal government to force public servants back to downtown Ottawa office buildings is misguided.
Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans in palliative care

Former Ottawa city councillor Diane Deans is in palliative care after a five-year battle with ovarian cancer, according to Gloucester-Southgate Coun. Jessica Bradley.

Montreal

Counter-protesters face off with pro-Palestinian encampment group at McGill University

A heavy police presence was at McGill University on Thursday morning, as counter-protesters assembled opposite the pro-Palestinian encampment at the school.
Planets aligned for Quebec astrologer's lottery win

A Montreal astrologer and horoscope writer just got a boost on his retirement budget, after winning Loto-Quebec’s Grande-Vie prize, which comes in the form of $1,000 a day for life.
Quebec premier asks police to dismantle camp at McGill University

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has called on the police to dismantle the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the lower field of McGill University's downtown campus in Montreal.

Edmonton

Ottawa announces emissions progress as Capital Power cancels $2.4B carbon capture project

Ottawa released its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report on Thursday, less than a day after a major carbon capture and storage project was scrapped by Edmonton-based Capital Power.
'Nothing into something': Little potatoes turn into big success for Edmonton company

A produce company with Edmonton roots has found big success with tiny potatoes.
'I'm coming here every day': Edmonton shoppers lukewarm on Loblaw boycott

A campaign that started online has many Canadian shoppers promising to boycott Loblaw companies in May, but a local expert says the boycott is unlikely to take off.

Atlantic

Airport, airline officials react to WestJet CEO’s comments about one major N.B. airport

Airport officials disagree with idea of one centralized airport in New Brunswick.
Men in SUV approached children, offered candy: N.S. RCMP

The Nova Scotia RCMP is investigating a “suspicious incident” involving men allegedly approaching children in St. Croix on Tuesday.
'It’s not part of the job': ER violence on the rise in P.E.I.

Two recent violent incidents in Prince Edward Island are an example of the danger health-care workers face in crowded emergency rooms.

Winnipeg

'System failures': Starbucks to close its doors amid recent violence in Osborne Village

The long-standing Starbucks in Osborne Village is set to close its doors next week – it comes one day after a man was attacked next door.
Manitoba looking to crack down on sex trafficking in hotels

Manitobans are being invited to weigh in on a hospitality regulation designed to prevent sexual exploitation in the industry.
Jets enter off-season in disbelief, wanting more after early playoff exit

Disbelief seemed to be the overriding emotion among the Winnipeg Jets after their early exit from the NHL playoffs.

Regina

Indian Head RCMP respond to 'serious' collision on Highway 1

A serious collision at the intersection of Highway #1 and Highway #606 near Sintaluta, Sask. has reduced traffic to one lane.
Sask. harm reduction workers feeling the effects of 'recovery-based' strategy

Three months since the Government of Saskatchewan stopped funding single use pipes and needles for safe consumption sites – those working on the ground with people battling addiction say the effects are clear.
'Progressing the right way': Regina Airport back to pre-pandemic traveller numbers, annual report says

Passenger volumes have returned to near pre-pandemic levels at Regina’s International Airport (YQR).

Kitchener

Magic mushroom shops in Kitchener and Cambridge raided – again

Police have once again raided magic mushroom dispensaries in Kitchener and Cambridge.
New Hamburg, Ont. family can't get truck's faulty transmission fixed due to aftermarket attachment

A New Hamburg family is feeling deflated after buying a new Toyota hybrid truck.
Sexually transmitted infection rates rising in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph

Doctors in Guelph and Wellington County are seeing more sexually transmitted infections post-pandemic.

Saskatoon

'Absolutely necessary': Snow, rain easing concerns for Sask wildfire season, farmers

If April showers bring May flowers, then what does snow in May bring?
An 18-year-old was stabbed on a Saskatoon bus, police say

Saskatoon police are investigating an assault on a city bus after an 18-year-old man was stabbed on Wednesday afternoon.
'Healthy, happy calves': Cow gives birth to rare set of quadruplets in Saskatchewan

A Saskatchewan family won the bovine lottery after their cow gave birth to a rare set of quadruplets.

Northern Ontario

Triple murder or manslaughter? Sudbury jury deliberating fate of man responsible for fatal firebombing

After a lengthy series of instructions from Justice Dan Cornell, a Sudbury jury is deliberating whether to find a suspect guilty of three counts of manslaughter or three counts of murder.
Northern Ont. police forced into the river to save intoxicated swimmer

An intoxicated man wearing only his underwear and a lifejacket had to be pulled from the Thessalon River early Wednesday evening.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it

A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.

London

Progressive Conservatives hold seat in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex byelection

The Progressive Conservatives have won their seat in the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex provincial riding.
Three people in hospital following crash east of London, Ont.

A two-vehicle crash involving a transport truck and a passenger vehicle closed Dundas Street, just west of Thamesford, late Thursday afternoon.
Witness testifies about being sexually assaulted by others as well as parents

A London, Ont. jury heard evidence that the children of a London family were sexually assaulted by other people besides their parents on different occasions.

Barrie

Barrie's photo radar cameras are moving to new locations: Here's where

Barrie's photo radar cameras will relocate to new community safety zones this month to curb speeding on neighbourhood roads.
Man charged with attempted murder after assault allegations

Police in Barrie charged one man with attempted murder after an alleged assault sent one individual to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries on Tuesday.
Family of man killed in Wasaga Beach crash breaks silence ahead of trial

The family of Jim Lynne is speaking out for the first time since his death in a crash in Wasaga Beach two years ago as the man accused of drunk driving that night prepares to head to trial.

Windsor

Trucker convicted of importing $29M in meth across Ambassador Bridge

A truck driver has been convicted of importing $29 million in methamphetamine across the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
Sinkhole fixed on University Avenue

The intersection of University Avenue at Church Street has reopened after crews repaired a large sinkhole.
'It’s unfortunate': Vandals cut wires to window washer aerial lift truck

Men in Kilts owner Ben Snow is frustrated after discovering an aerial lift truck his window washing team had been using at a two-day job near downtown Windsor had been vandalized sometime overnight earlier this week.

Vancouver Island

B.C. First Nation urges boaters to stay away from recently freed orca calf

The Ehattesaht First Nation is urging boaters to steer clear of a young orca calf that recently escaped a B.C. lagoon where she had been stranded for weeks after her pregnant mother died.
B.C. man convicted of fentanyl trafficking after judge rejects claim drugs belonged to a friend

A B.C. man has been convicted of possessing fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking despite claiming the drugs were not his – a defence the judge said he could not "accept or even entertain."
Metro Vancouver police seize several kilos of drugs in raids connected to B.C. gang conflict

Mounties are recommending charges against several people after officers seized more than 10 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and opioid pills during a series of raids in Metro Vancouver.

Kelowna

B.C. breweries take home awards at World Beer Cup

Out of more than 9,000 entries from over 2,000 breweries in 50 countries, a handful of B.C. brews landed on the podium at the World Beer Cup this week.
B.C. man rescues starving dachshund trapped in carrier: BC SPCA

An emaciated dachshund is now recovering thanks to a Good Samaritan who found the pup near a biking trail in Kelowna, according to the BC SPCA.
Search crews called in after missing Kelowna senior's truck found

Search and rescue crews have been called in after a vehicle belonging to a missing senior was located near a rural intersection outside of Kelowna Tuesday.

Lethbridge

Contractors want to repurpose Milk River high school rather than see it demolished

The bell at Erle Rivers High School in Milk River, Alta., will ring for the last time on June 26, as the 114-year-old school is scheduled to be torn down to make way for a new K-12 school.
Lethbridge football player Tanner McLachlan drafted by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals

Years of hard work paid off for Tanner McLachlan after he heard his name called at the NFL draft last Saturday.
'Here to help': The Watch celebrating 5 years of patrolling Lethbridge streets

Volunteers with ‘The Watch’ program in Lethbridge have been patrolling the city centre rain or shine for five years.

Sault Ste. Marie

Northern Ont. police forced into the river to save intoxicated swimmer

An intoxicated man wearing only his underwear and a lifejacket had to be pulled from the Thessalon River early Wednesday evening.
Northwestern Ont. police seize cash and weapons in $126k cocaine bust

A 54-year-old suspect has been charged after Ontario Provincial Police capped a three-month investigation with a raid of a residence in Schreiber, Ont.
Northern homelessness services facing deep cutbacks on federal funding

Social services in the north are bracing for deep funding cuts to homelessness services and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is calling on the federal government to explain why it is scaling back at a time when the north is facing a social disaster.

N.L.

Newfoundland fisherman says police broke his leg during protest that delayed budget

Richard Martin is spending this year's fishing season on land after he says a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer broke his left leg in three places during a protest last month that shut down the provincial legislature.
'I feel honoured to say I was his friend': Wayne Gretzky remembers Bob Cole

Tributes continue to pour in for Bob Cole as his family has confirmed a funeral will be held for the legendary broadcaster Friday in St. John's, N.L.
Voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole never considered moving out of St. John's

Legendary sportscaster Bob Cole was a Newfoundlander through and through, and his daughter says his connection to the province was 'everything' to him.

Pfizer claims 3rd dose 'strongly' boosts protection against Delta variant

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

DEVELOPING | Police officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say

NEW THIS MORNING | What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 3-5

DEVELOPING Police officer fired gun while clearing protesters from Columbia building, prosecutors say

NEW THIS MORNING What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: May 3-5