Global National: Feb. 13, 2021 | N.L. election extended as UK variant causes surge in COVID-19 cases

In our top story: Election day in Newfoundland and Labrador has been derailed by COVID-19 with the province now at its highest alert level. Health officials have confirmed a surge in new cases is linked to the new variant that first emerged in the United Kingdom. Twelve hours before polls opened, the province's chief electoral officer called off in-person voting, switching gears to allow mail-in voting only. As Ross Lord reports, that's a first in Canadian election history.

The U.S. Senate has voted to acquit former president Donald Trump on Saturday. The president was accused of inciting the insurrection at the American Capitol in January. A conviction was unlikely but the Democrats were determined and at the last minute even tried to call in witnesses. Reggie Cecchini explains.

Chinese telecom giant Huawei is suing the British bank HSBC in a bid to stop the extradition of CFO Meng Wanzhou to the U.S., Meng was arrested in Vancouver at the request of the American government. She's accused of misleading the bank about the relationship between Huawei and its subsidiary SkyCom, which was allegedly doing business with Iran. In retaliation, China arrested two Canadian men. Mercedes Stephenson has spoken with Huawei Canada's VP of government affairs about the company's response to those arrests.

The federal government is preparing to table its first budget since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has spent the past several weeks talking with economists, mayors and Canadians from all walks of life to find out what they want to see in the next fiscal update. David Akin explains.

It's long been known that pollution from burning fossil fuels is extremely harmful to our health. A new report paints a much darker picture, estimating almost eight million people die every year after breathing the emissions left in the air. As Redmond Shannon reports, experts believe making the move to renewable energy is more critical than ever before.

Often, Canadians have to make it in the U.S. before their talent is recognized and celebrated here at home. That problem is significantly worse for Black creators in this country. A lack of support and opportunity in Canada has led to a gap in Black representation in the arts. As Kayla McLean explains, it's why two brothers are stepping up to help the next generation.

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