Global National

Russia regroups and refocuses its war in Ukraine, as a major battle begins for the Donbas region. The new brutality, bombardments, and bloodshed; and why the long-contested region is so important to the Kremlin. Canada's housing market seems to be cooling off for now. How efforts to stop prices from hitting the roof may backfire. Also, cleared for takeoff: passengers aboard U.S. airlines don't have to wear masks anymore. What does this mean for Canadian travellers? And the sounds of solidarity: how Ukrainian rock star-turned-soldier Andriy Khlyvnyuk turned one of his country's folk songs into an international rallying cry.

A new, deadly barrage of missiles kills seven people in Lviv, Ukraine, as Russian forces ramp up their assault. The new anxiety Russia may have captured some Canadians inside a steel plant in the besieged city of Mariupol and why their options for help may be limited. France's tight presidential election has the West worried about the potential impacts on both Ukraine and Russia. A new Angus Reid poll shows Canadians are losing their religion. Why faith has become less important and how some religions are seen in a poorer light than others. Plus, the recent deaths of some Canadian teenagers are amplifying calls for tougher action against bullying. And hope floats: the 'Ever Forward' container ship finally lives up to its name again. How the massive vessel got moving after it was stuck for five weeks in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

Canada is deploying up to 150 Canadian Armed Forces members to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees. The three components of this mission, and how long troops could be on it. Russian President Vladimir Putin's prized warship, the Moskva, has sunk. The differing claims about what brought down the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, and why it's a big blow to Moscow. At the public inquiry into the 2020 Nova Scotia massacre, RCMP constables Craig Hubley and Ben MacLeod gave powerful testimony about how they ended the gunman's killing spree, and the memories that still haunt them. Also, a look at the punishing storm pummelling the Prairies and wrecking Easter plans. Plus, a controversial one-way ticket called cruel: the United Kingdom's multi-million dollar plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. And #HostileTakeover: why billionaire Elon Musk wants to buy and change Twitter.

The Bank of Canada has hiked its benchmark interest rate to one per cent. It last raised the rate by 0.5 per cent in May 2000. What this could mean for your bottom line, and the hopes this will curb inflation. In New York, police have arrested the prime suspect in Tuesday's shooting inside a Brooklyn subway car. What police sources are saying about a phone call Frank James made to officers, and what investigators are saying about his social media history. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pleading with the West for weapons to stop the "endless bloodbath" in his country. The fears Mariupol is nearly in Russia's grips, and how the controversial Azov Battalion has been defending Ukraine. Plus, say it ain't snow: how Manitobans are coping as they get slammed with an April snowstorm. And at 101 years old, she's the unstoppable Hurricane Hazel: the job contract extension former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion has signed.

As Ukraine readies for a heightened Russian offensive, Canadians are heading into the war zone to offer their support to Ukrainians. More horrors and atrocities are discovered in areas where Russian forces have withdrawn, as unverified accusations surface they may have unleashed chemical weapons. Back in Canada, Manitobans are stocking up and hunkering down ahead of what forecasters call the "worst blizzard in decades." A manhunt is underway in New York, after a man opened fire inside a packed subway car during the morning rush hour. What police have discovered, and the 62-year-old man identified as a person of interest. The future of discount carrier Flair Airlines is up in the air. Why regulators are concerned the company is not Canadian enough. And from raunchy standup comedy to some very "fowl" voices, we remember comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who has died at 67.

As eastern Ukraine is warned Russia will ramp up its offensive, people are dreading what's to come. The countries sending weapons to Ukraine; the Russian reinforcements apparently on the way to war-torn Mariupol; and the grim assessment from Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. New research looks at the immunity of COVID-19 survivors and why they can catch the illness more than once, as Queen Elizabeth reveals what she endured after contracting it. Plus, Pakistan's latest political turmoil: why Imran Khan was ousted as prime minister, how Shehbaz Sharif replaced him, and the challenges Sharif faces. Also, smells like a lot of money: how one of Kurt Cobain's guitars is on the auction block. And one hell of a task for Turkmenistan: why the country is seeking to seal the smouldering crater known as the "Gates of Hell."

The federal government unveils the 2022 budget, as plenty of Canadians worry about the rising cost of living. The new measures to help existing homeowners, first-time homebuyers, the step towards national dental care, the money earmarked for the Indigenous community and the military, and how the opposition Conservatives feel about the plans. Global National anchor and executive editor Dawna Friesen speaks one-on-one with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland about whom she thought about while crafting the budget, the tax on the profits of big banks, and whether Canada is doing enough to help war-torn Ukraine. The United Nations has suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council. How Moscow responded, and how Ukraine is urgently issuing fresh pleas for more military aid from NATO. And ready for blast off: what the first all-civilian spaceflight to the International Space Station could mean for commercializing space.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pleads with the West to take tougher action against Russia, his citizens are running out of time and out of places to bury their loved ones. The new U.S. sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters; which countries still have no problem doing business with Russia; and the criticism Western allies are prioritizing business losses before human lives. Ottawa has approved Equinor's Bay du Nord oil project off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. How this project clashes with Canada's climate commitments. Plus, how different provinces have different strategies on dealing with the sixth COVID-19 wave, as medical experts dish out urgent advice about vaccine doses. And Canadian hotshot: Nova Scotia's Mattea Roach becomes the newest champion on "Jeopardy!" and brings hometown pride to the hugely popular quiz show.

WARNING: This video contains disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised. As more gruesome evidence of Russian atrocities emerges from the city of Bucha, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is questioning the UN's purpose if it won't hold Moscow accountable. The new insight into Russia's chilling plans to erase Ukraine as a country, and the latest round of sanctions from the European Union. In this sixth COVID-19 wave, Canadians are getting new guidance on a fourth vaccine dose. The province that's already outlined details on administering the second booster, and where mask mandates are being extended. With China locking down millions of people to fight a new surge in COVID-19 infections, experts say there are more effective and feasible strategies. Plus, like oil and water: how Canada's climate goals are clashing with new global energy demands. And evolving story: the mysterious reappearance of Charles Darwin's priceless notebooks, two decades after they vanished.

WARNING: This video contains disturbing content. Viewer discretion is advised. Evidence is mounting Russian forces are slaughtering innocent civilians in Bucha, Ukraine. The hundreds of corpses and mass graves discovered, the outrage against Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin's denials, the questions about what the West is prepared to do, and the agony Ukrainians are feeling. "Now or never": the urgent new warning calling for immediate action to avert a climate disaster, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change outlines the litany of broken promises from world leaders to get greener. What the proposed solutions are. Plus, as COVID-19 restrictions are dropped, a new, highly transmissible variant called XE has surfaced. And connection problems: who's being left out of Ottawa's plan to make high-speed internet cheaper for low-income Canadians.