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WorldApr 17, 2026

U.K., France signal joint maritime mission after leaders’ meeting on Strait of Hormuz access

Leaders from multiple countries met Friday under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to a statement from the U.K. prime minister’s office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said participating countries welcomed Iran’s decision to keep the waterway open. He said leaders agreed the route must remain accessible without tolls or restrictions, citing its importance to global trade and energy supply. Starmer said reopening and maintaining shipping through the strait is critical to stabilizing economic pressur
BCApr 17, 2026

Vancouver Canucks fire GM Patrik Allvin after last-place NHL finish

The Vancouver Canucks have fired general manager Patrik Allvin following a last-place finish, the team announced Friday. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford confirmed the move a day after the club closed its season with a 6–1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. According to the team, Vancouver finished the 2025–26 campaign at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 25–49–8 record, despite preseason expectations of a playoff push. Injuries and ongoing defensive struggles contributed to the slide, as the club fell out of contention early in the year. A key turning point came in Decembe
one-time-federal-affordability-payment-to-be-issued-june-5-ottawa-says
CanadaApr 17, 2026

One-time federal affordability payment to be issued June 5, Ottawa says

The federal government says a one-time affordability payment tied to the GST/HST credit will be issued June 5 to eligible low- and modest-income households. According to a federal announcement made in January, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the payment will equal 50 per cent of the annual value of the existing GST/HST credit. The program is being renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Eligibility is tied to the current GST/HST credit system. Ottawa says households that have filed their 2024 income tax return and already receive the quarterly credit will automatically receive the
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Youth arrested after alleged Snapchat threats targeting Alberta high school

A youth is in custody after police say threats were made on social media to shoot students at a high school in Stettler, Alta. According to a release from Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers received reports Wednesday night about messages sent over the Snapchat platform involving a school in the central Alberta town, located east of Red Deer. Police say they launched an investigation shortly after the report was received. RCMP say a youth has been arrested and a charge of uttering threats is pending. The identity of the youth cannot be released under youth justice laws. Police have not con
court-orders-amritpal-singh-to-remain-in-assam-jail-after-nsa-term-ends
IndiaApr 17, 2026

Court orders Amritpal Singh to remain in Assam jail after NSA term ends

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh will remain lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam even after the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act, following an interim order by the High Court. According to court proceedings, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that Singh not be transferred to Punjab and that hearings in the cases registered against him will continue to be conducted within the Assam jail premises. The interim order came in response to a petition filed by the Punjab government. Singh’s legal counsel argued before the court that he does not pose any threat in
carney-announces-toronto-investment-summit-targeting-1t-in-projects-over-five-years
CanadaApr 17, 2026

Carney announces Toronto investment summit targeting $1T in projects over five years

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government will host a new Canada Investment Summit in Toronto this fall, aimed at attracting up to $1 trillion in investment for major projects over the next five years. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the summit will bring together global investors, chief executives and business leaders on Sept. 14 and 15 to advance what it describes as “nation-building projects.” The federal government is organizing the event in partnership with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board
poilievre-criticizes-carney-economic-record-outlines-conservative-agenda-in-toronto-speech
CanadaApr 16, 2026

Poilievre criticizes Carney economic record, outlines Conservative agenda in Toronto speech

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre used a speech to a business audience in Toronto on Friday to criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney’s economic record and promote his party’s approach to taxation and regulation. Speaking at the Canadian Club Toronto, Poilievre said the federal government has not delivered on key economic commitments since Carney took office more than a year ago. He told attendees that his party would focus on reducing taxes and cutting regulations, arguing that government should play a smaller role in the private sector. Poilievre claimed economic conditions have worsene
surrey-traffic-stop-leads-to-seizure-of-fentanyl-cocaine-and-meth-two-arrested
BCApr 16, 2026

Surrey traffic stop leads to seizure of fentanyl, cocaine and meth, two arrested

A proactive traffic stop in Surrey by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team resulted in the seizure of more than 3.5 kilograms of suspected illicit drugs, according to a police release. CFSEU-BC said the stop took place on March 24 as part of ongoing enforcement targeting organized crime. Officers located bulk quantities of drugs packaged in vacuum-sealed bags. The substances were processed and identified as approximately 1.293 kilograms of fentanyl, 1.064 kilograms of cocaine and 1.149 kilograms of methamphetamine. Police said the f
canada-post-begins-transition-from-door-to-door-delivery-to-community-mailboxes
CanadaApr 16, 2026

Canada Post begins transition from door-to-door delivery to community mailboxes

Canada Post says it has begun preliminary work to phase out most door-to-door mail delivery, starting consultations with unions and communities as part of a multi-year transition. According to a Canada Post news release, the Crown corporation plans to convert approximately four million addresses to community mailboxes over the next five years. The change will be rolled out in stages, with different regions shifting to centralized mail delivery each year. The corporation says discussions are underway with 13 communities across the country, including Ottawa and Winnipeg. The first phase is expec

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b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in