Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India during the first week of March, as part of Canada’s broader effort to strengthen economic partnerships beyond the United States. Government sources indicate discussions during the visit could focus on cooperation in uranium, energy, critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The proposed trip is seen as a key step in Ottawa’s strategy to diversify trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. market. India’s growing economy and demand for energy and advanced technology make it a strategic partner for Canada, particularly as global supply

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a temporary increase to the federal GST credit on Monday, positioning the move as targeted relief for Canadians struggling with the rising cost of groceries and other essentials. The measure includes a 25 per cent increase to the GST credit, rebranded as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. The enhanced credit is set to begin this year and remain in place for five years, aimed primarily at lower-income households most affected by food inflation. In addition to the annual increase, the federal government will issue a one-time payment in 2026 valued a

Police in Kelowna say a joint enforcement and training effort with a provincial gang unit has led to dozens of arrests and the removal of weapons and drugs from the community. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team worked alongside Kelowna RCMP and officers from across the Okanagan between January 12 and January 16. The operation focused on identifying repeat violent offenders while also providing specialized training to local officers on weapons, firearms, and drug interdiction. According to police, the multi day initiative resulted in more than 20 new

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants across multiple departments have been notified in recent days that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions, according to the unions representing them. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 5,000 of its members received workforce adjustment notices over the past week. Those notices were issued to employees working in several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Health Canada. Workforce adjustment notices signal that positions

Spain has declined an invitation to participate in a proposed international initiative known as the ‘Board of Peace,’ which was launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing its long-standing commitment to the United Nations system. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Madrid respects the invitation extended by President Trump but will not take part in the initiative. He stated that Spain’s foreign policy remains firmly anchored in multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, which Spain views as the central forum for global peace and conflict resolution. Sánchez

A Russian drone attack late Thursday in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region killed four people, including a five-year-old child, according to Ukrainian local authorities. Officials confirmed the deaths on Friday, saying the strike hit a residential area. Authorities said five other people were injured in the attack, while at least two homes were completely destroyed. Emergency crews were deployed overnight to assist residents and assess damage in the affected community. Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to press for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donetsk, a region that has remained a

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to take a decision within seven days on a parole petition filed by Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, who is seeking permission to attend Parliament’s upcoming budget session. The order was passed on Friday during a hearing on Singh’s petition, in which he requested temporary release to participate in the budget session scheduled to begin on January 28. The court instructed the state government to make a timely decision and disposed of the petition after issuing the direction. The case has drawn attention

Former Canadian Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wadding has been arrested in connection with an international drug trafficking operation, U.S. authorities say. Wadding had been living under the protection of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel prior to his capture. According to reports, the 44-year-old is accused of running a large-scale drug smuggling network in the United States, moving an estimated 60 metric tons of cocaine annually from Mexico to the Los Angeles area using semi-trucks. The FBI added Wadding to its 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March last year. A $15 million reward was offered for inform

The British Columbia government is committing $600,000 to expand its forensic firearms laboratory, saying the investment is aimed at strengthening police efforts as extortion-related violence escalates in parts of the province. The Ministry of Public Safety says the funding will improve the lab’s capacity and speed in processing firearms evidence tied to gun crime, allowing investigators to prioritize high-risk files and move extortion-related charges through the justice system more quickly. The expanded lab is also expected to generate data that can better support coordinated policing strat