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WorldMar 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia warns Iran after reported drone strike on Yanbu oil facility

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has issued a warning to Iran following reports of a drone strike targeting a major oil refining facility in Yanbu amid escalating regional tensions. According to regional media reports, the Samref oil refinery in Yanbu, a key Red Sea export hub, was hit in an aerial attack during ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The extent of damage and any disruptions to production have not been independently confirmed. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom has the capability to respond, cautioning Iran against test
police-seek-video-multiple-suspects-after-milton-home-invasion
BCMar 19, 2026

Police seek video, multiple suspects after Milton home invasion

Halton Regional Police say they are searching for several suspects after a home invasion in Milton early Wednesday that left one person with minor injuries. According to a Halton Regional Police Service news release, officers were called to a residence near Rose Way and Wellwood Terrace at about 2:45 a.m. on March 18. Police say approximately five male suspects wearing face coverings forced entry through the front door and confronted an adult female inside the home. Investigators say the suspects demanded money and stole cash along with designer clothing before fleeing the scene. The victim wa
b-c-raises-damages-cap-to-75-000-for-non-consensual-intimate-image-cases
BCMar 19, 2026

B.C. raises damages cap to $75,000 for non-consensual intimate image cases

British Columbia has increased the maximum damages available in civil cases involving non-consensual sharing of intimate images, raising the cap from $5,000 to $75,000, according to a provincial government news release. The change comes through amendments to the Intimate Images Protection Act, which allows individuals to apply to the Civil Resolution Tribunal for orders to remove images, stop further distribution and seek compensation from people or platforms alleged to have shared or threatened to share the content. The tribunal process applies to individuals, social media companies and websi
alberta-bill-would-limit-medically-assisted-dying-eligibility-to-those-near-natural-death
FeaturedMar 19, 2026

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would significantly narrow who qualifies for medical assistance in dying, or MAID, limiting access to those expected to die of natural causes within a year. According to the provincial bill tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, eligibility would be restricted to patients whose deaths are considered reasonably foreseeable within 12 months. The proposal mirrors the narrower criteria in place when Canada first legalized MAID in 2016. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government is positioning the change as a return to ea
abbotsford-teen-suspended-after-crash-at-180-km-h-prompts-police-warning
BCMar 18, 2026

Abbotsford teen suspended after crash at 180 km/h prompts police warning

A 16-year-old Abbotsford driver is serving a licence suspension after being found guilty of multiple driving offences following a high-speed crash on Highway 1, according to a release from BC Highway Patrol. Police say the incident occurred July 21, 2025, near Popkum, where a BMW sedan was recorded travelling about 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. According to BC Highway Patrol, the teen failed to stop for police and continued driving with two teenage passengers before colliding with a parked dump truck. Cell phone video voluntarily provided to investigators shows the moments leading up to the cra
sikh-organization-calls-for-hate-crime-probe-in-fatal-shooting-near-leduc-alta
BCMar 18, 2026

Sikh organization calls for hate crime probe in fatal shooting near Leduc, Alta.

A national Sikh advocacy group is urging police to examine whether a fatal shooting of a 22-year-old man near Leduc, Alta., was motivated by hate. In a statement, the World Sikh Organization of Canada said Birinder Singh was killed on March 14 while travelling on Highway 2, south of Edmonton. According to the organization, occupants of a pickup truck opened fire on Singh’s vehicle in what it described as a daytime, unprovoked attack. Singh died at the scene. The group is calling on the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit to investigate the killing as a potential hate-motivated crime. Police have
canadas-population-declines-in-late-2025-amid-slowdown-in-non-permanent-residents-statcan
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Canada’s population declines in late 2025 amid slowdown in non-permanent residents: StatCan

Canada’s population declined in the final months of 2025, driven largely by a drop in non-permanent residents, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada. The agency reports the country’s population fell by approximately 102,000 people over the year. The decline coincides with a decrease of more than 171,000 non-permanent residents between Oct. 1, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026, including international students and temporary workers. Statistics Canada cautioned that the figures should be interpreted carefully, noting that fluctuations in work and study permit renewals could result in larger-
montreal-building-owner-charged-in-2023-old-montreal-fire-that-killed-seven
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Montreal building owner charged in 2023 Old Montreal fire that killed seven

Montreal police say they have arrested a 63-year-old building owner in connection with a 2023 fire in Old Montreal that killed seven people. Police allege Emile Benamor faces 15 charges, including seven counts of manslaughter and eight counts of criminal negligence related to the March 16, 2023 blaze at a heritage property on Place D’Youville. The allegations have not been tested in court. According to a Montreal police service news conference, investigators had previously identified traces of an accelerant at the scene, prompting a criminal investigation into the fire. Chief-Insp. David Sha
ontario-urges-b-c-quebec-to-drop-ev-sales-targets-citing-competitiveness-concerns
CanadaMar 18, 2026

Ontario urges B.C., Quebec to drop EV sales targets, citing competitiveness concerns

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on the governments of British Columbia and Quebec to eliminate their electric-vehicle sales targets, arguing the policies are undermining Canada’s economic competitiveness. According to letters sent Wednesday to the two premiers, Ford said Ontario’s auto sector employs nearly 100,000 people and remains a key economic driver. He warned that differing provincial mandates on zero-emission vehicles risk creating what he described as a “fragmented and uncompetitive” national environment. Ford’s request follows recent changes in both provinces. Quebec h

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AlbertaJul 21, 2026

New Ivor Strong Bridge to open Monday, Alberta says

The Alberta government says Calgary drivers will be able to use the new Ivor Strong Bridge beginning Monday, marking a key milestone in the ongoing Deerfoot Trail improvement project. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the new bridge will carry all southbound traffic. Once rehabilitation work on the existing bridge is complete, it will be dedicated to northbound traffic. According to the Alberta government, each bridge will provide four traffic lanes, increasing overall capacity for commuters. The province says the completed project is expected t
three-men-arrested-after-vancouver-police-seize-fentanyl-cocaine-and-methamphetamine-in-downtown-investigation
BCJul 21, 2026

Three men arrested after Vancouver police seize fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in downtown investigation

Three men have been arrested after a Vancouver Police Department investigation into suspected drug trafficking led to the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and cash from a downtown Vancouver hotel. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, patrol officers launched "Project Atlas" earlier this month after observing what police described as suspicious activity at the Murray Hotel, located at 1117 Hornby St. Officers later executed a search warrant at the property. Police said they seized approximately 344 grams of fentanyl, 336 grams of cocaine, 75 grams of methampheta
IndiaJul 21, 2026

P.M. Modi Assures Farmers Their Interests Will Be Protected in Trade Deals

Amid a march by farmers from Punjab and Haryana toward Delhi to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement and heightened tensions at the Shambhu border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the central government remains fully committed to the welfare of farmers. The Prime Minister said farmers' interests would be given top priority in any trade agreement. He added that the government would take decisions after considering the concerns of the agricultural community. Modi also addressed students protesting over the NEET-UG paper leak case. He said the government is treating the
trump-says-canada-depends-on-u-s-poilievre-calls-proposed-50-tariff-unjustified
CanadaJul 21, 2026

Trump says Canada depends on U.S.; Poilievre calls proposed 50% tariff 'unjustified'

U.S. President Donald Trump and Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre have exchanged sharply contrasting messages as trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue to escalate. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he "loves the people of Canada" but claimed the country "would not exist without the United States" and needs the U.S. to survive. The remarks come amid an ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. Poilievre, meanwhile, criticized Trump's proposed 50 per cent tariff, calling it "unjustified" and harmful to both Canadian workers and American consumers. According
b-c-wildfire-crews-use-drone-for-canadas-first-controlled-burn-operation
BCJul 21, 2026

B.C. wildfire crews use drone for Canada's first controlled burn operation

Firefighters battling an active wildfire in British Columbia have successfully used a drone to carry out a controlled burn for the first time in Canada, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The agency said crews working near Boston Bar used the drone to ignite a planned section of dry forest that was in the path of the advancing wildfire. The controlled burn was intended to remove available fuel and help slow the fire's spread. According to the BC Wildfire Service, controlled burns are typically conducted using helicopters or ground crews, both of which can expose firefighters to greater risk