Hong Kong authorities say 13 people have died after a fast-moving fire swept through a cluster of high-rise residential towers in the Tai Po district of the New Territories. Emergency officials confirmed that nine residents were found dead at the scene, while four others later died in hospital. Officials say roughly 700 people living in the affected housing complex were forced to leave their homes and have since been moved to temporary shelters. Local authorities are assessing the safety of nearby buildings, as several structures were wrapped in construction scaffolding and netting that helped

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to introduce a package of federal supports aimed at stabilizing Canada’s steel industry as companies continue to absorb the economic impact of steep U.S. tariffs. A federal official, speaking to The Canadian Press, said the measures are designed to protect domestic producers while keeping national supply chains functioning. According to the official, the federal government plans to restrict steel imports from countries without free-trade agreements with Canada. Those import levels would be reduced from 50 per cent to 20 per cent of what entered the coun

A broad group of Alberta health professionals, including frontline paramedics, has voted to ratify a new four-year contract with Alberta Health Services. The Health Sciences Association of Alberta says roughly two-thirds of participating members supported the mediator-recommended agreement after a weeklong vote. The deal provides general wage increases totalling 12 per cent over the life of the contract. Several classifications will also receive additional one-time adjustments to bring salaries in line with market conditions. The union says the agreement marks progress for workers who have fac

Six additional members of Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative caucus are now the subject of recall petitions, according to Elections Alberta, marking a significant expansion of efforts to challenge sitting government lawmakers. The new approvals bring the total number of UCP MLAs under recall to nine. The most recent petitions target four cabinet ministers – Rajan Sawhney, Myles McDougall, Dale Nally and RJ Sigurdson – along with House Speaker Ric McIver and Associate Minister for Multiculturalism Muhammad Yaseen. Earlier this month, petitions were authorized against Education M

Migrant rights organizations are urging the federal government to abandon Bill C-12, legislation they warn could severely limit access to Canada’s refugee system. The proposed border security bill is currently before House of Commons committees, with clause-by-clause review scheduled at the national security committee this week. The bill features several significant changes to immigration and asylum procedures, including a provision that would prevent people who have lived in Canada for more than a year from submitting a refugee claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Groups working with

Surrey Police Service is examining a neighbourhood in the city’s north end after a woman was hurt in a shooting outside a home late Sunday night. Officers were called around 9:11 p.m. to the 12100 block of 101B Avenue following reports of gunfire near the residence. Police say the woman, who was inside the home at the time, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not considered life threatening. Several other people were present but were not harmed. Investigators remained on site through Monday to review physical evidence and gather any available security footage. SPS reports that the m

British Columbia conservation officers say they are continuing to search the Bella Coola Valley for the grizzly bear involved in a sudden attack on an elementary school group last week. Three students and a teacher were hospitalized on Thursday after the bear charged a group of about 20 people who had stopped for lunch during a field trip. Officials now believe the incident likely involved a mother grizzly with two cubs, a situation that can increase defensive behaviour. Conservation officers have placed traps in the area and are urging residents and visitors to avoid nearby forested trails wh

Environment Canada is cautioning travellers in southeastern British Columbia as a winter storm brings up to 20 centimetres of snow to the Elk Valley region near the Alberta border. The agency says the heaviest bands are expected around Fernie, with conditions easing later this evening as the system moves east. The advisory stretches across Alberta’s southern boundary with the United States and into parts of southern Saskatchewan. The weather office says the snowfall is tied to a low-pressure system tracking across the Prairies, creating challenging conditions on highways frequently used by t

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is travelling to South Korea this week for a series of meetings aimed at expanding Canada’s defence-related industrial partnerships and attracting new foreign investment. The five-day mission includes stops in Seoul and Busan before continuing on to Tokyo. Her visit comes as Ottawa works to broaden its export markets beyond the United States and accelerate long-term procurement planning. A key stop on the trip includes discussions with executives at Hanwha, one of two companies bidding on Canada’s multibillion-dollar project to build a new fleet of up to 12