Canada’s federal privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into sexualized deepfakes circulating on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Philippe Dufresne, who oversees federal private sector privacy compliance, has expanded an existing probe into X and opened a separate inquiry into xAI, the company behind Grok, the artificial intelligence tool used to generate the content. The office of the privacy commissioner said the investigations will determine whether X and xAI collected, used, or disclosed personal information without valid consent in the creation of deep

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by two pit bulls at a rural property near Vermilion, east of Edmonton, according to RCMP. Mounties say officers were called Wednesday to a home in the Vermilion area, roughly 190 kilometres east of Edmonton, after the dogs turned on their caretakers. Police did not release details about the extent of the injuries but confirmed both victims required medical treatment. Following the attack, the dogs escaped from the property, prompting authorities to warn residents about the potential risk of the animals being loose in

Surrey Police Service is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood early Thursday morning, part of what police believe may be an ongoing pattern of extortion-related violence in the city. Officers were called to the 13400 block of 56 Avenue shortly before 1 am after reports of gunfire. Police say they found evidence of shots fired at a residence and a nearby vehicle. No injuries were reported. The SPS Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Police say the case r

Alberta health officials are expected to provide an update today on hospital capacity pressures as concerns grow over emergency room overcrowding across the province. The briefing comes amid renewed calls from physicians for structural changes to how patient flow is managed within Alberta’s health-care system. Hospital and Surgical Services Minister Matt Jones is scheduled to appear alongside senior health leaders. Officials are also expected to address the death last month of a man who died while waiting for care in an Edmonton emergency department, a case that has intensified scrutiny of w

Amid reports of a threat to the life of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, his wife Ganieve Kaur Majithia visited him at Nabha jail on Wednesday and urged the Punjab government to treat the matter with seriousness. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said concerns over her husband’s safety could not be ignored. Ganieve Kaur Majithia said that if any harm comes to Bikram Majithia inside the jail, responsibility would lie with the Punjab Director General of Police, the Additional Director General of Police, and the jail superintendent. She alleged that she has no

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has put a halt to carrying out death sentences against protesters who were detained during recent unrest, while warning that Washington is still weighing possible military action. Speaking to reporters, Trump said his administration is closely monitoring the actions of the Iranian government and assessing its response to international pressure over the treatment of detainees. He described the reported pause in executions as a temporary development and said further steps by Tehran would influence U.S. decision-making. The heightened tensions have prompted p

Canada’s foreign affairs department has confirmed the death of a Canadian citizen in Iran as widespread anti-government protests continue across the country. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the federal government has received information indicating the individual died at the hands of Iranian authorities. Anand said Canada strongly condemns the use of violence by the Iranian government against protesters and civilians, and is calling for an immediate end to the crackdown. The confirmation comes amid heightened international concern over arrests, injuries, and deaths linked to demons

A Bathinda court on Thursday granted actor and MP Kangana Ranaut exemption from personal appearance in a defamation case linked to her controversial remarks during the farmers’ protest, allowing her to attend future hearings through video conferencing. The case was filed by Mahinder Kaur, an elderly woman from Punjab, who alleges she was defamed after Ranaut made public comments identifying her during the 2020–21 farmers’ agitation. The matter has been under hearing in a Bathinda court, drawing attention due to its political and social context. During arguments, Ranaut’s legal counsel

British Columbia will allow its three-year drug decriminalization pilot project to expire at the end of this month, with the provincial government confirming it will not seek an extension from Health Canada. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the pilot, which was launched to encourage people to seek help without fear of criminal penalties, did not produce the outcomes the province had hoped for. The exemption from the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is scheduled to end on Jan. 31. The decriminalization initiative began in January 2023 and permitted adults to possess up to 2.5 grams