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WorldMar 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia warns Iran after reported drone strike on Yanbu oil facility

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has issued a warning to Iran following reports of a drone strike targeting a major oil refining facility in Yanbu amid escalating regional tensions. According to regional media reports, the Samref oil refinery in Yanbu, a key Red Sea export hub, was hit in an aerial attack during ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The extent of damage and any disruptions to production have not been independently confirmed. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom has the capability to respond, cautioning Iran against test
police-seek-video-multiple-suspects-after-milton-home-invasion
BCMar 19, 2026

Police seek video, multiple suspects after Milton home invasion

Halton Regional Police say they are searching for several suspects after a home invasion in Milton early Wednesday that left one person with minor injuries. According to a Halton Regional Police Service news release, officers were called to a residence near Rose Way and Wellwood Terrace at about 2:45 a.m. on March 18. Police say approximately five male suspects wearing face coverings forced entry through the front door and confronted an adult female inside the home. Investigators say the suspects demanded money and stole cash along with designer clothing before fleeing the scene. The victim wa
b-c-raises-damages-cap-to-75-000-for-non-consensual-intimate-image-cases
BCMar 19, 2026

B.C. raises damages cap to $75,000 for non-consensual intimate image cases

British Columbia has increased the maximum damages available in civil cases involving non-consensual sharing of intimate images, raising the cap from $5,000 to $75,000, according to a provincial government news release. The change comes through amendments to the Intimate Images Protection Act, which allows individuals to apply to the Civil Resolution Tribunal for orders to remove images, stop further distribution and seek compensation from people or platforms alleged to have shared or threatened to share the content. The tribunal process applies to individuals, social media companies and websi
alberta-bill-would-limit-medically-assisted-dying-eligibility-to-those-near-natural-death
FeaturedMar 19, 2026

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would significantly narrow who qualifies for medical assistance in dying, or MAID, limiting access to those expected to die of natural causes within a year. According to the provincial bill tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, eligibility would be restricted to patients whose deaths are considered reasonably foreseeable within 12 months. The proposal mirrors the narrower criteria in place when Canada first legalized MAID in 2016. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government is positioning the change as a return to ea
abbotsford-teen-suspended-after-crash-at-180-km-h-prompts-police-warning
BCMar 18, 2026

Abbotsford teen suspended after crash at 180 km/h prompts police warning

A 16-year-old Abbotsford driver is serving a licence suspension after being found guilty of multiple driving offences following a high-speed crash on Highway 1, according to a release from BC Highway Patrol. Police say the incident occurred July 21, 2025, near Popkum, where a BMW sedan was recorded travelling about 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. According to BC Highway Patrol, the teen failed to stop for police and continued driving with two teenage passengers before colliding with a parked dump truck. Cell phone video voluntarily provided to investigators shows the moments leading up to the cra
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

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BCSep 08, 2026

Surrey Police Board Begins Nationwide Search for New Chief Constable

The Surrey Police Board has officially launched a nationwide search for a new chief constable to lead the Surrey Police Service (SPS). The board has hired PFM Executive Search to manage the recruitment process and help identify a qualified candidate for the top position. The move comes nearly three months after former Chief Constable Norm Lipinski was dismissed in early June. His termination led to the resignation of two board directors, including the board’s then-chair, in protest. Since Lipinski’s departure, Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto has been serving as interim chief. The sel
CanadaSep 08, 2026

Canada and China Resume Military Talks After More Than Eight Years

Canadian and Chinese military officials have held their first defence coordination talks in more than eight years, with the meeting taking place privately in Ottawa. China’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the meeting was held on September 4, saying the talks were aimed at restoring military-level communication between the two countries. The ministry described the discussions as a clear dialogue intended to improve mutual understanding and build trust between the two militaries. Notably, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government did not issue any public statement about the meeting, while Bei
western-countries-take-major-step-against-israeli-settlements-in-west-bank
CanadaSep 08, 2026

Western Countries Take Major Step Against Israeli Settlements in West Bank

Canada, France, Britain and more than a dozen other Western countries have decided to impose a complete ban on all imports originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the countries strongly condemned the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and rising violence in the West Bank. They said the ongoing settlement expansion amounts to the seizure of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joined European countries in reaffirming Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution
AlbertaSep 08, 2026

10 Alberta International Students Facing Deportation Get Support From Migrant Rights Group

An organization representing labour and community groups has spoken out in support of 10 international students in Alberta who are facing deportation proceedings. The Migrant Rights Network, an organization advocating for migrant rights, alleges that the students were deliberately targeted after taking part in a protest with about 1,500 Portage College graduates in Calgary. According to the organization and the students, they had successfully completed programs that were eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) when they enrolled. However, their work permit applications were later rej
AlbertaSep 08, 2026

Lloydminster Hit-and-Run Claims One Life

A person has died following a hit-and-run collision in Lloydminster, located on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, early Monday morning. Lloydminster RCMP were called at around 6:30 a.m. after an injured person was found unconscious on the roadway near 49 Avenue and Highway 16. Police and emergency crews responded to the scene and the victim was taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Investigators say they have identified the suspected vehicle and driver involved in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the circumstances surrounding the inciden