Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is set to deliver a televised address this evening focusing on immigration and its impact on provincial services, as her government prepares to table the 2026 budget next week. Speaking Wednesday, Smith said Alberta’s public finances are facing strain partly due to rapid population growth. The province has led the country in interprovincial migration in recent years, driven by relatively affordable housing and job opportunities in energy and construction sectors. Smith said some newcomers have been “heavy users” of public services without yet contributing t

At least 16 people, including several children, were killed and 14 others injured after a gas leak triggered an explosion in a residential building in Karachi early Thursday morning, according to local police officials. Authorities said the blast occurred around 4:30 a.m. on the first floor of a building located in the Old Soldier Bazaar area. Investigators believe the explosion was caused by an accumulation of gas inside the structure. Officials added that the building was already in a deteriorated condition, and part of its structure collapsed following the explosion, complicating rescue eff

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested Thursday in the United Kingdom amid an investigation into alleged misconduct during his time as a government trade representative. The development marks a significant escalation in longstanding scrutiny surrounding his past associations and official conduct. Police are examining whether Andrew, while serving in 2010 as the U.K.’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, improperly shared confidential commercial reports with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein. The documents in question

Canada’s minister responsible for Canada–U.S. trade says he plans to meet with the United States trade representative in the coming weeks as both countries prepare for the scheduled review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. Dominic LeBlanc said he recently spoke by phone with Jamieson Greer following public remarks from Washington suggesting that Canadian trade barriers have complicated bilateral discussions. The talks come as the United States signals it may seek changes to the trilateral pact. The trade agreement, commonly known as Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement

Burnaby RCMP are warning residents to remain vigilant after an elderly couple lost approximately $300,000 in a fraud scheme involving someone posing as a police officer. Police say the couple, both in their 80s, reported the incident on January 28 after being contacted by an individual claiming to be an RCMP officer. The caller allegedly told them their bank account had been compromised and instructed them to transfer their money to protect it. Over several weeks, the victims moved funds through multiple deposits and were directed to purchase gift cards as part of the scheme. They were also to

A court in Bathinda on Wednesday granted bail to two senior leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan who had been lodged in the Bathinda Central Jail during ongoing farmer protests in Punjab. Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said while the bail of the two leaders has been approved, demonstrations across the state will continue until all workers detained during the protests are released. He stated that the union will organize “victory rallies” across Punjab on Thursday. The arrests came as authorities moved to prevent a large-scale protest planned for

The federal government is expanding Canada’s express entry immigration system to include new permanent residency pathways for researchers, senior managers and certain military recruits, Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced this week. The changes introduce three additional streams under the federal express entry program, aimed at attracting skilled professionals to address labour shortages and support what the minister described as a strategy to bring top talent to Canada. Among those newly eligible are researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience. The transport sector wi

Two Palestinians were killed in separate shooting incidents in Gaza on Wednesday, according to local hospital officials, as tensions continue despite a ceasefire announced in mid October. Medical authorities reported that the shootings occurred in the Al Mughraqa area of central Gaza and in Al Mawasi, west of Rafah in the south. At least three other Palestinians were injured in the incidents and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The violence comes as Israeli forces attempt to restrict movement near the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a critical route for patients seeking urgent medica

Traffic-related deaths in Calgary are drawing renewed concern from municipal leaders after eight people were killed in collisions during the first seven weeks of the year. Three of the victims were pedestrians, according to city data, prompting calls for stronger safety measures on local roads. The most recent fatalities occurred over the Family Day weekend, when a child and a senior lost their lives in separate incidents. City officials say that if the current pace continues, the number of deaths in 2026 could exceed last year’s total of 38 traffic fatalities, marking a troubling trend for