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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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how-to-build-a-successful-business-exclusive-with-dragons-den-star-manjit-minhas
BCApr 17, 2026

How to build a successful business? Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)How to make start-ups successful?In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many peopl
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against an Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Friday. Johannes “John” de Ruiter and Leigh Ann de Ruiter each faced six counts of sexual assault and were scheduled to stand trial in September. The charges, first laid in 2023, will not proceed after prosecutors determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction, according to a statement from the Crown. Police previously alleged that John de Ruiter, described as the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, also ca
students-abducted-after-gunmen-attack-passenger-bus-in-central-nigeria
WorldApr 17, 2026

Students abducted after gunmen attack passenger bus in central Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state on Thursday, abducting several students who were travelling to sit for university examinations, according to a statement from the state government. Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia said the attack occurred along the Otukpo–Makurdi highway. The number of people taken has not been officially confirmed. Local media reports indicate there were 14 passengers on board at the time of the напад. “The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of hum
air-canada-to-suspend-toronto-montreal-flights-to-new-york-jfk-over-fuel-costs
CanadaApr 17, 2026

Air Canada to suspend Toronto, Montreal flights to New York JFK over fuel costs

Air Canada says it will suspend flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1 through Oct. 25, citing rising jet fuel prices. In a statement, the airline said fuel costs have “doubled since the start of the Iran conflict,” making some lower-profit routes no longer economically viable. The company said it is adjusting its schedule accordingly. The suspension affects service to JFK from Canada’s two largest cities, key routes for business and international connections. Air Canada said customers with affected bookings will be contact
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