News for July 27th 2015

LOCAL
by Patricia Petit Liang

 

Two expensive hepatitis C medications will be covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec’s public health plan in the near future.

According to CBC News, the drugs, specifically Harvoni and Holkira Pak, cost about $60,000 per person and have the potential to cure hepatitis C within 8 to 12 weeks.

For now, only the sickest people will be treated because the Quebec government cannot afford to cover the cost of the medications for all of the Quebecers who have hepatitis C.

 
 
 
 
NATIONAL
by Catlin Spencer
 
 
Months after his home burned down, a man in British Columbia received an electricity bill for over four thousand dollars.
 
According to CTV news, Gary Fong says the bill claims that he used over 25 000 kilowatts an hour for a period six months after his log home was lost. 
 
The electric company that sent the bill, FortisBC, initially responded to Fong saying that they stood by their billing- claiming that they had just installed a smart meter and that it was working properly.
 
Upon review however, the company acknowledged that the smart meter had burned down with the home, apologized, and has given Fong a credit for the unused electricity. 
 
 
 
 
 
INTERNATIONAL
by Saturn de Los Angeles
 

The Turkish government is calling for a last-minute diplomatic talk with NATO as the conflict between the Islamic State militants and Kurdish rebels escalates. 

In a report by BBC News, the move is in response to ongoing bombings from both parties near the Turkish-Syrian border - most notably, the suicide bombing leaving 34 civilians dead. 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says it is time for Turkey to ask for help as they have their hands tied - in fixing their civil conflict, and in helping capture jihadi militants in the Middle East. 

Ambassadors will meet in the Belgian captial of Brussels on Tuesday.