Annual inflation rate hits 4.4 per cent

The U.S. Department of Defense has submitted a request to the White House seeking an additional $200 billion in funding tied to the ongoing Iran conflict, according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal deliberations, said the request has not yet been formally transmitted to Congress for consideration. It remains unclear whether the White House will advance the proposal. According to the official, the funding request would come on top of supplemental defence spending approved last year as part

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has begun discussions to establish a dealership network in Canada following a federal decision to reduce tariffs on Chinese-made EVs to 6.1 per cent, according to media reports. The company is planning to open as many as 20 dealerships within a year, starting in the Greater Toronto Area. Expansion could follow in Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary as part of a broader national rollout strategy. Reports indicate BYD may introduce several of its popular models in Canada, including the Seal, Dolphin and Seagull, though no official launch timeline has been co

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday called on the central government to introduce legislation guaranteeing minimum support price for farmers, saying a commitment made during the farmers’ protest remains unfulfilled. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Warring said the Centre had assured protesting farmers that a legal framework on MSP would be brought forward, but “several years have passed” without action. According to parliamentary proceedings, he also raised concerns that cases registered against farmers during the agitation have not been withdrawn despite earlie

British Columbia’s population declined by 0.4 per cent in the final three months of 2025, according to new data released by Statistics Canada, driven largely by a drop in non-permanent residents. Statistics Canada reports that over the full year, B.C.’s population fell by about 41,000 people – roughly equivalent to the population of Mission. The agency attributes much of the decline to a reduction in non-permanent residents, which decreased by 6.7 per cent in the fourth quarter alone. Ontario and British Columbia both recorded overall population declines of 0.7 per cent in 2025, reflecti

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