Global National: Feb. 23, 2024 | Canadian government reaches national pharmacare program deal

In tonight’s top story: After months of negotiations, the minority Liberal government and the NDP say they have reached a deal to start a new national pharmacare program in Canada, according to NDP leader Jagmeet Singh. The deal is a critical piece of the supply-and-confidence agreement between the two parties and comes ahead of a March 1 deadline to table legislation. The final details of the offer will be presented soon, and will include coverage for birth control and diabetes medication. David Baxter has the details.

Canada also announced major sanctions on Friday against Russian individuals and entities supporting the war in Ukraine. The decision follows suit with the U.K. and U.S. As the latter's Congress struggles to reach a deal on providing more aid to Ukraine, the U.S. has turned to other ways to slow Russia's war machine and apply pressure to its economy. Redmond Shannon reports.

As Russia continues its war against Ukraine, those not killed are at risk of being captured, and rarely do we hear from those who have lived through such torment. In this exclusive, Crystal Goomansingh spoke with a Ukrainian soldier who endured more than 10 months inside a Russian camp.

The scars of war remain clear in cities all across Ukraine. Not only are residential areas obliterated, but hundreds of cultural and historical sites lay in ruins. According to the United Nations, the cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine is estimated at US$486 billion dollars over the next decade. That number will likely grow as Russian forces seize more territory, like Avdiivka, where Ukrainian troops recently retreated. Around a fifth of Ukraine remains under Russian control. Eric Sorensen looks at Moscow's endgame, and if peace can be achieved.

Less than two years after it landed as another low-cost alternative, Lynx Air is set to roll off the runway, after obtaining an order for creditor protection. The Calgary-based company says it has faced “significant headwinds” in the past year, including rising operating costs, high fuel prices, and a difficult economy and regulatory environment. The airline's final flights are set for Sunday, and as Anne Gaviola reports, it's leaving the Canadian airline industry with one less contender.

Lastly, Canada's intelligence community is raising the alarm about attacks motivated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. In documents obtained by Global News, government analysts warned of what they called possibilities of “mass violence” spilling into the country. As Mercedes Stephenson reports, some are now calling on the federal government to be more transparent and proactive about the warnings.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10313661/pharmacare-ndp-liberals-deal-reached/

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