The U.S. Department of Justice released a batch of Jeffrey Epstein–related documents on January 30 that included email drafts referencing Bill Gates, and Bill Gates’ spokesperson has denied the claims. Melinda French Gates told NPR the disclosures recalled “very, very painful times” in her marriage and will discuss the matter on an upcoming Wild Card episode airing February 5.
Susan Bryan, a volunteer nature reserve liaison with the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists, was named a community champion by Ontario Nature on World Wetlands Day for her long-standing work protecting local wetlands; the group protects more than 11,000 acres in the district.
British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Imperative was approached and challenged by small armed boats identified as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Strait of Hormuz, and Vanguard Tech said the ship is now being escorted by a U.S. warship.
China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office warned Panama of "heavy prices" after Panama's Supreme Court annulled CK Hutchison's contract to operate two Panama Canal ports; Panamanian authorities had not responded and the next steps are undetermined at this time.
A study of more than 600 residents in the Dehcho and Sahtu regions and Old Crow, Yukon found that traditional foods such as lake trout, ducks and geese are linked to higher hair mercury measurements, but overall mercury exposure remained relatively low and within health guidelines.
Transport Canada said it is monitoring Air India's decision to ground Boeing 787 Dreamliners over reports of a possible fuel control switch defect and noted the U.S. FAA is the State of Design regulator with authority to issue airworthiness directives.
The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association recommended expanding the country's strategic copper reserves and boosting commercial inventories, and experts suggested adding copper concentrates to those reserves.
Calgary's executive committee narrowly voted down a motion that would have supported the provincial plan to close the Safeworks supervised consumption site and instead asked for clearer details; the province announced plans to replace the site with a treatment program and has not released full details.
Ottawa has flagged a proposal called Port of Churchill Plus to upgrade the northern Manitoba port into a year-round, multi-commodity hub; the port currently operates about four months a year. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is visiting Churchill to meet residents and discuss the port and related announcements.
A Delta, B.C. woman says her two-year-old husky swallowed a napkin and later overdosed on cocaine but recovered after veterinary treatment. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association says it does not collect data on pet overdoses, though veterinarians report seeing more cases.
