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WorldFeb 27, 2026

Pakistan and Afghanistan exchange heavy fire after cross-border attacks, officials report casualties

Pakistan has announced a state of open hostilities with Afghanistan following reported cross-border attacks late Thursday night that sharply escalated tensions along the frontier. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the government would respond decisively after Afghan-based Taliban fighters allegedly targeted Pakistani military checkpoints near the border. Taliban officials claimed they launched attacks around 8 p.m., capturing 19 Pakistani military posts and two bases, and said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed. Those figures have not been independently verified. Pakistan
vancouver-police-to-establish-new-training-academy-at-woodwards-site
BCFeb 27, 2026

Vancouver Police to Establish New Training Academy at Woodward’s Site

The Vancouver Police Department says it will open a new in-house training facility in the Woodward’s building in Gastown, aiming to strengthen officer preparation and expand its training capacity amid ongoing concerns about the provincial police academy model. Chief Constable Steve Rai said discussions about municipal police training reform in British Columbia date back to 2017, but key challenges remain. He noted that while the Justice Institute of British Columbia has increased class sizes at its Police Academy, the model does not fully meet Vancouver’s operational needs. The province pr
AlbertaFeb 27, 2026

Alberta finance minister to outline budget plan in Calgary amid projected $9.4B deficit

Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner is in Calgary today to outline the province’s newly tabled budget and discuss the economic outlook with business leaders, including a scheduled appearance at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Budget 2026 projects a $9.4 billion deficit for 2026–27 as the province increases spending in key areas while forecasting lower resource revenues tied to weaker oil prices and ongoing population growth pressures. The government says the budget increases funding for major public services and includes new education spending aimed at enrolment growth, teacher compens
canadian-prime-minister-mark-carney-begins-four-day-india-visit-focused-on-trade-and-economic-ties
CanadaFeb 27, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney begins India visit focused on trade, investment, and rebuilding ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney has begun a visit to India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific trip aimed at expanding Canada’s trade and investment partnerships. In a statement issued ahead of the trip, the Prime Minister’s Office said Carney will travel to India, Australia and Japan from Feb. 26 to March 7, 2026 to deepen partnerships across sectors including trade, energy, technology and defence.India’s Ministry of External Affairs published the official schedule for the visit, stating Carney arrives in Mumbai on Feb. 27 and then travels to New Delhi on March 1, with delegation-level talks
public-safety-minister-says-more-safeguards-needed-against-alleged-foreign-interference-linked-to-india
CanadaFeb 26, 2026

Public Safety Minister says more safeguards needed against alleged foreign interference linked to India

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says Canada still has work ahead to ensure individuals acting on behalf of India are not intimidating or coercing people on Canadian soil. Speaking to reporters during Mark Carney’s visit to India, Anandasangaree said there remain unresolved concerns related to the safety and security of Canadians. His comments follow questions about whether agents connected to the Indian government are currently involved in extortion or threats of violence in Canada. A senior federal official, speaking on background during the same briefing, said Ottawa believes su
AlbertaFeb 26, 2026

Human remains found near Eden Valley identified as 24 year old Calgary man, RCMP say

Alberta RCMP say human remains discovered earlier this month near a historic site south of Eden Valley have been identified as a 24 year old man from Calgary. Officers were called on February 4 after emergency crews responded to a grass fire in the rural area. Once the flames were extinguished, first responders located a burned out vehicle at the scene. A body was later found inside the vehicle. Mounties have not publicly released the man’s name, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to notify family members. Police also have not confirmed the cause of death. RCMP say the circumstanc
u-s-vice-president-says-federal-medicaid-payments-to-minnesota-paused-amid-fraud-probe
WorldFeb 26, 2026

U.S. Vice-President says federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota paused amid fraud probe

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily suspend part of Minnesota’s Medicaid funding while federal officials investigate suspected fraud, Vice-President JD Vance said on Wednesday. Vance described the step as part of a broader effort by the administration to address what it calls “waste, fraud and abuse” in federally supported programs. The funding pause affects certain federal matching dollars that help the state deliver Medicaid services to eligible residents. Medicaid is the principal public health insurance program for low-income Americans. According to fede
b-c-urges-swift-senate-approval-of-bill-c-12-amid-concerns-over-extortion-cases
BCFeb 26, 2026

B.C. urges swift Senate approval of Bill C-12 amid concerns over extortion cases

The British Columbia government is calling on federal lawmakers to move quickly on proposed legislation aimed at preventing organized crime groups from exploiting Canada’s immigration system while involved in extortion and other serious offences. Public Safety and Solicitor General Nina Krieger has written to federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, urging the Senate to advance Bill C-12 without delay. The province says the proposed reforms would address legal gaps that have been used by some i
iran-and-united-states-to-resume-nuclear-talks-in-switzerland-amid-rising-regional-tensions
WorldFeb 26, 2026

Iran and United States to Resume Nuclear Talks in Switzerland Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Iran and the United States are preparing to begin a third round of negotiations in Switzerland aimed at reviving discussions around Tehran’s nuclear program, even as tensions between the two countries continue to rise. Officials from both sides say they prefer a political and diplomatic resolution to the long running dispute. The talks are scheduled to begin in Geneva, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a meeting Wednesday with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi. Oman has previously played a mediating role between Washington and Tehran. Iranian officials described the m

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BCMar 31, 2026

Police investigate suspected extortion-linked shots fired at Cloverdale business

Surrey RCMP’s Provincial Operations Support Unit is investigating after shots were fired at a business in the 5400 block of Production Boulevard, with police saying the incident is believed to be linked to extortion. According to RCMP, officers were called on March 30 at about 9 a.m. after a report that multiple gunshots had been fired sometime overnight. Investigators have since confirmed the shooting occurred at approximately 12:49 a.m. that morning. Police and the business owner reported damage to the exterior of the property. No one was inside the business at the time and no injuries wer
former-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-remanded-for-three-more-days-in-suicide-case-probe
IndiaMar 30, 2026

Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar remanded for three more days in suicide case probe

A court in Punjab has extended the police remand of former Aam Aadmi Party minister Laljit Singh Bhullar by three days after his initial five-day custody period ended. He was produced in court following the expiry of the earlier remand. According to police, investigators have not yet recovered key evidence, including a mobile phone, during questioning. Authorities told the court that further custodial interrogation is required as part of the ongoing investigation. Bhullar was arrested in connection with the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corpo
b-c-union-calls-for-expanded-work-from-home-policy-amid-rising-fuel-costs
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. union calls for expanded work-from-home policy amid rising fuel costs

The B.C. General Employees’ Union is urging the provincial government to allow full-time remote work for provincially regulated employees as fuel prices rise, citing financial pressure on workers. In a statement, the union – which represents about 35,000 public service workers among more than 95,000 members – said a temporary work-from-home policy would help offset costs linked to higher gasoline prices. The increase is tied to global supply concerns amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to the union. The union also called on the province to consider additional relief measures for em
b-c-conservative-leadership-candidate-fulmer-signs-electoral-pact-with-onebcs-brodie
BCMar 30, 2026

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Fulmer signs electoral pact with OneBC’s Brodie

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer has entered into a “unite the right” agreement with former Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie, aimed at preventing vote-splitting if Fulmer becomes leader of the Opposition. According to a joint statement released by the two camps, Brodie’s OneBC party would refrain from running candidates in 88 of British Columbia’s 93 ridings. In exchange, the Conservatives would not field candidates in five unspecified ridings. Brodie, who was removed from the Conservative caucus last year by then-leader John Rustad, said she is offering her “full sup
authorities-warn-of-world-cup-related-fraud-schemes-as-tournament-approaches
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Authorities warn of World Cup-related fraud schemes as tournament approaches

Canadian authorities are warning residents and international visitors to be alert to fraud schemes linked to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, as demand grows for tickets, travel and accommodations. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, along with policing partners in host cities Toronto and Vancouver, issued the advisory, saying fraudsters may attempt to exploit interest in the tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the United States and Mexico. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, investigators are tracking several types of suspected scams, including fake ticket sales, fraudulent short-ter