|
Written by Jane Gerster Copy Editor, Digital News
|
|
|
|
Good morning. The cruise ship hantavirus outbreak was not contained, but you don't need to brace for a pandemic. We'll explain. We'll also look at why boys are struggling more than girls in school, and tee up U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEATURED STORIES
|
|
|
 |
(Arturo Rodriguez/The Associated Press)
|
|
|
The cruise ship hantavirus outbreak offered a real-life simulation exercise. Did we pass?
|
|
|
Health officials couldn't contain the rodent-borne illness. Still, experts say it could have been way worse.
What's happening: A Dutch passenger died on board the cruise and dozens of infected people travelled through airports and on planes well before global health officials knew they were dealing with hantavirus. The outbreak has since grown to involve nearly 150 people from at least 23 different countries.
Why it matters: Questions remain, including how exactly hantavirus got on the ship, but experts say if the virus's human-to-human spread was anything like COVID or the flu, we'd be looking at a very different situation right now. Instead, while they expect the case count to grow, they also expect the outbreak to peter out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As Trump and Xi meet, is the biggest 'win' the summit itself?
|
|
|
Donald Trump's arrival in Beijing will mark the first time a U.S. president has stepped foot in China since his last visit in 2017.
What's happening: Trump is en route for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. The agenda is expected to include restrictions on the sale of advanced AI chips, Taiwanese independence and the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, though experts are moderating their expectations.
Why it matters: The U.S. and China had fought a trade war for nearly a decade before Trump and Xi, leaders of the world's two largest economies, agreed to a truce last fall. This trip was meant to happen on March 31, but was delayed by the Iran war. Trump is expected to ask China to influence Iran to end the conflict. Regardless of the outcome, one China expert in Washington says just the meeting is "a pretty major breakthrough."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boys are falling behind in school, and experts say it starts in kindergarten
|
|
|
A new Quebec report says boys are at a systemic disadvantage in the school system.
What's happening: In Quebec, the annual high school dropout rate for boys is 27.1 per cent, while for girls it's 19.9 per cent. That's according to a white paper prepared by Quebec Solidaire MNA Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois. And it's not the only data point in which girls fare better.
It's not a revelation to some parents and experts, who told CBC News that traditional schools operate contrary to typical boy behaviour: too much sitting and not enough higher-energy activities.
Why it matters: The issue is "a systemic failure" right across Canada and around the world, according to a Montreal-based economist who specializes in early childhood education and development. "There is an impact on their mental health, future job prospects and our economy as a whole," Catherine Haeck said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PICTURE THIS
|
|
|
 |
(Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
|
|
| | | |
