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WorldFeb 20, 2026

Bangladesh restores visa services for Indian nationals days after new government takes office

Bangladesh has reinstated visa services for Indian citizens just three days after a new government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party took office. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced Friday that all visa categories for Indian nationals have been restored, reversing a suspension imposed nearly two months ago. The earlier halt to visa processing had been introduced under the administration of former prime minister Muhammad Yunus. At that time, Bangladeshi authorities cited administrative and diplomatic considerations for pausing services. The decision had affected travellers seeking med
canada-welcomes-u-s-supreme-court-ruling-striking-down-trump-emergency-tariffs-but-sector
CanadaFeb 20, 2026

Canada welcomes U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down Trump emergency tariffs, but sector

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, says a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn tariffs imposed under former president Donald Trump’s emergency powers validates Canada’s long-standing position that the measures were unjustified. In a statement responding to the ruling, LeBlanc said the court’s decision confirms Canada’s argument that duties introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were not legally sound. Ottawa had previously raised concerns that the tariffs created uncertainty for cross-border trade and
u-s-supreme-court-blocks-trumps-use-of-emergency-powers-to-impose-tariffs
CanadaFeb 20, 2026

U.S. Supreme Court blocks Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose tariffs

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that president Donald Trump could not rely on a national emergencies statute to impose sweeping tariffs on several countries, including Canada, during his time in office. In a decision released Friday, the court found that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify what he called “Liberation Day” tariffs exceeded the scope of the law. The measures had targeted imports from Canada, Mexico and China, and were also linked to fentanyl-related trade actions. The tariffs were introduced as part of a broader strategy to ad
alberta-to-hold-october-referendum-on-immigration-policy-and-senate-reform
AlbertaFeb 20, 2026

Alberta to Hold October Referendum on Immigration Policy and Senate Reform

Alberta residents will be asked to weigh in this October on two policy questions dealing with immigration and constitutional reform, the provincial government has announced. One of the proposed referendum questions will ask voters whether non permanent residents should be required to pay to access Alberta’s publicly funded health care and education systems. The issue comes amid ongoing debate across Canada about how provinces manage service costs as population growth increases. A second question will ask Albertans whether the province should advocate for abolishing the Senate as part of broa
AlbertaFeb 20, 2026

Alberta issues standing measles exposure advisory for Parkland County

Alberta health officials have issued a standing measles exposure advisory for Parkland County, west of Edmonton, as confirmed cases continue to be reported across the province. Alberta Health says individuals who live, work, attend school or travel in the Parkland County area should monitor for symptoms and ensure their immunizations are up to date. A standing advisory means residents should remain alert for potential exposure rather than focusing on a single location or date. As of Thursday, Alberta has recorded 71 confirmed measles cases in 2026. Health authorities say the majority of cases
CanadaFeb 20, 2026

Canada men’s hockey team faces Finland in Olympic semifinal as short track finals offer medal

Canada’s men’s hockey team is set to face Finland in the semifinal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, with puck drop scheduled for 10:40 a.m. ET. The matchup will determine who advances to the gold medal game as Canada looks to add to its medal total at the Milan Cortina Games. There is uncertainty surrounding the availability of team captain Sidney Crosby, whose status for the semifinal remains unclear. Team officials have not confirmed whether the veteran forward will dress for the game, a development that could influence Canada’s lineup against a strong Finnish side. Canada will also h
canadian-evacuation-flights-from-cuba-conclude-amid-severe-fuel-shortage
CanadaFeb 20, 2026

Canadian evacuation flights from Cuba conclude amid severe fuel shortage

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the final Canadian airline evacuation flights from Cuba have now concluded, as the country faces a deepening aviation fuel crisis that has disrupted international travel. According to the federal government, approximately 27,900 Canadians were safely transported home through coordinated efforts involving major carriers. Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat have officially suspended their services to Cuba until further notice due to the ongoing shortage of aviation fuel, which has made refuelling for international flights difficult. Minister A
CanadaFeb 20, 2026

United States defeats Canada 2-1 in overtime to win gold in women’s hockey at Winter Olympics

The United States captured the gold medal in women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday, edging Canada 2-1 in a tightly contested final that extended into overtime. Canada opened the scoring early in the second period when Kristin O’Neill capitalized on a shorthanded breakaway, giving her team a 1-0 lead. The advantage held for much of the game as both sides traded chances in a fast-paced and physical matchup that reflected the long-standing Olympic rivalry between the two programs. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation time, veteran forward Hilary Knight tied the ga
b-c-commits-50-million-to-expand-nasal-naloxone-access-amid-ongoing-overdose-crisis
BCFeb 19, 2026

B.C. commits $50 million to expand nasal naloxone access amid ongoing overdose crisis

The British Columbia government says it will invest $50 million over the next two years to increase access to nasal naloxone kits as part of its response to the province’s ongoing overdose emergency. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the funding will allow nasal naloxone to account for roughly half of the more than 400,000 take home naloxone kits distributed each year in B.C. The province first declared the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency in April 2016, and officials say it continues to have widespread impacts on families and communities. According to the Health Ministry, inject

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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
WorldMar 18, 2026

Israel claims senior Iranian intelligence officials killed in overnight strikes

Israeli authorities say a series of overnight airstrikes on Iran targeted senior intelligence leadership and key energy infrastructure, as hostilities continue between Israel and Iran. According to a statement from Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, the strikes killed Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, along with several senior officials from the ministry. The claim has not been independently verified, and Iranian authorities have not confirmed any casualties as of publication time. Israeli officials also said their aircraft struck gas infrastructure in southern Iran. The re