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pentagon-submits-request-for-additional-200-billion-tied-to-iran-conflict-official-says
WorldMar 19, 2026

Pentagon submits request for additional $200 billion tied to Iran conflict, official says

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-ev-maker-byd-eyes-canadian-dealership-rollout-after-tariff-cut
CanadaMar 19, 2026

Chinese EV maker BYD eyes Canadian dealership rollout after tariff cut

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-chief-urges-msp-law-flood-aid-in-lok-sabha
IndiaMar 19, 2026

Punjab Congress chief urges MSP law, flood aid in Lok Sabha

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proceedings, he also raised concerns that cases registered against farmers during the agitation have not been withdrawn despite earlie
BCMar 19, 2026

B.C. population declines 0.4 per cent in late 2025 as non-permanent resident numbers fall

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
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

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evacuation-alert-issued-for-10-properties-as-konni-lake-wildfire-burns-out-of-control-in-b-c
BCApr 24, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for 10 properties as Konni Lake wildfire burns out of control in B.C.

An evacuation alert has been issued for 10 properties in British Columbia’s Cariboo region as a wildfire burns out of control early in the province’s wildfire season. According to a joint notice from the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation, the Tsilhqot’in National Government, and the Cariboo Regional District, the alert was issued late Thursday for properties near the Konni Lake wildfire, located about 200 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake. The alert advises residents to be prepared to leave on short notice. BC Wildfire Service information indicates the Konni Lake fire was measured at about
WorldApr 24, 2026

Ceasefire extension in Lebanon followed by continued strikes in southern areas

An announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump to extend a ceasefire in Lebanon by three weeks has not been reflected in conditions on the ground, according to field reports from southern parts of the country. An airstrike was reported in the village of Deir Aames in southern Lebanon, where residents were instructed by the Israeli military to move approximately one kilometre away before the strike. Witnesses reported hearing warplane activity shortly after the warning was issued. The developments come about 10 days after a ceasefire was said to have taken effect. Despite that agreement, airstr
abbotsford-police-arrest-repeat-break-and-enter-suspect-allege-breaches-of-court-ordered-conditions
BCApr 24, 2026

Abbotsford police arrest repeat break and enter suspect, allege breaches of court-ordered conditions

A 35-year-old man is in custody following a second alleged residential break and enter in Abbotsford, months after being charged in a similar incident, according to a police news release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers first responded in November 2025 to a reported break and enter in progress in the 32500 block of Peardonville Road. Police allege Jaskaran Singh was identified, arrested and charged in that case. According to police, Singh was released from custody in March 2026 under several court-ordered conditions, including 24-hour house arrest, and relocated to anothe
federal-deficit-reaches-25-5b-in-first-11-months-of-2025-26-fiscal-year
CanadaApr 24, 2026

Federal deficit reaches $25.5B in first 11 months of 2025–26 fiscal year

The federal government recorded a budgetary deficit of $25.5 billion for the April to February period of its 2025–26 fiscal year, according to the latest monthly fiscal monitor from the Department of Finance. The result compares with a deficit of $19.3 billion reported during the same 11-month period in 2024–25, indicating a year-over-year increase in the shortfall. According to the Finance Department report, total revenues reached $453.2 billion, up 0.8 per cent from $449.8 billion a year earlier. Program expenses, excluding net actuarial losses, rose to $424.9 billion, a 2.1 per cent inc
AlbertaApr 24, 2026

Flood alert issued for downtown Peace River as Heart River levels rise

The Town of Peace River has issued a flood alert for areas including its downtown, warning residents to be ready to leave on short notice due to rising water levels on the Heart River. According to a municipal notice, the alert covers the area between the Highway 2 bridge and 104 Avenue in the town’s south end. Officials say the alert is precautionary but reflects the potential for flooding if river conditions worsen. Residents in the affected zone are being advised to prepare for a possible evacuation by fuelling vehicles and gathering essential items, including identification, medications