Could this be the end to blind bidding?

Plus, claims of Canadians in Mariupol and the data on wasted COVID vaccines [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on claims Canadian soldiers are surrounded in Mariupol, increased transparency in real estate, and Canada’s wasted COVID vaccines. DON’T MISS Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images war in ukraine [Russia claims Canadians are among the fighters surrounded in Mariupol]( Approximately 2,500 soldiers, including Ukrainians and allied foreign volunteers, are holed up in a Soviet-era plant in Mariupol that’s surrounded by Russian troops — and the Russian Defence Ministry says the group includes Canadians. The breakaway administration in eastern Ukraine has since repeated claims that Canadian “instructors” are among the besieged fighters, though they have not been supported by evidence, Allan Woods reports. [Here’s what we know](. - More: “There are no Canadians, as far as we know (in) the International Legion for the Territorial Defence of Ukraine, but that doesn’t preclude the possibility that there are Canadians who may have just gone over on their own without notification or registering with the Ukrainian Embassy in Ottawa,” said a former Liberal MP assisting in the creation of a foreign legion. - Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has referred to Mariupol as the “heart” of the war, stressing the importance of controlling the city. Now, Russian forces are pushing to occupy the entire Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. - Another angle: [Here’s why sanctions on Russia can’t be lifted]( even in the event of a truce. Richard Lautens/The Star real estate [Ontario will allow buyers to see all bids on real estate sales — if the seller agrees ]( Part of the reason home prices in the Greater Toronto Area have spiked is the common practice of blind bidding, in which buyers make their best offer without actually knowing how much money others have offered to put down. Ontario is introducing regulations today that could allow the process to be more transparent; if a seller chooses, they can share some information on competing offers with other buyers, which was previously prohibited. The option would be available next April, Tess Kalinowski reports. [Here’s what it could mean for buyers and sellers](. - More: It’s not clear how many sellers would participate, since they benefit from the soaring prices that result from blind bidding. Plus, sellers will be able to disclose details, such as closing dates or financing options, but not the prices. - What we know: Despite a cooling market, [Royal LePage is seeing rising house prices](. - Go deeper: The sky-high costs of real estate have led to a [widening wealth gap that threatens the security and long-term prosperity of individuals in the GTA](. Canadian Press/Nathan Denette The rollout [How much COVID-19 vaccine is Canada throwing out? Secrecy surrounds the real answer]( Almost two million vaccine doses have ended up in the trash, according to data provided by Health Canada and individual provinces. But with some jurisdictions unwilling to shed light on the matter — Ontario is refusing to provide any wastage data — the actual number is unknown, Alex Boyd reports. With many Canadians already vaccinated and others firmly unwilling to be, demand for the jab has dropped, leaving critics questioning why Canada isn’t managing its supply better or using surplus vials to meet its international commitments. [Here’s what you need to know](. - More: COVID shots have expiry dates; once they begin to thaw, they have to be used within about a month. - Why it matters: Vaccine wastage is becoming a growing issue as demand dwindles in wealthy countries. Canada has pledged to donate 38 million vaccine doses to other countries by the end of the year, and has delivered about 15 million, so far. - Listen: [Alex Boyd joined the This Matters podcast to talk vaccine inequity](. WHAT ELSE [Police made an arrest]( after a woman was pushed off a TTC subway platform. Here’s what you should do if you find yourself [in the path of a subway train](. Struggling to find Paxlovid? [Here’s where you can find it in Toronto or the GTA](. Highway 413 was always a bad idea. [Now we know it’s even worse](. Doug Ford is being accused of [“campaigning ahead of governing”]( an extended Easter break. [$30,000 in payments to a Tory MPP]( raises “troubling questions,” Ontario’s Liberal leader says. Nova Scotia’s mass killer was aided by police incompetence — [their list of failures is long](. I have a home equity line of credit and rates are heading up fast. [Am I in trouble?]( [Fans shared words of support]( after Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez announced his cancer diagnosis. The Red Sox can whine if they want, but the [Jays are at the biggest disadvantage with border restrictions](. Mattea Roach defeated fellow Canadian Caitlin Hayes on Monday night Jeopardy!, [securing her 10th straight win](. CoMotion Festival brings [deaf and disabled arts]( to Toronto. POV Randy Risling/The Star [Canada’s banks are trying to position themselves as part of the climate solution without addressing how they are part of the problem.]( CLOSE-UP Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo BUCHA: Ukrainians on the outskirts of Kyiv wait for food being distributed by the Red Cross on Monday. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_118819). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 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