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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
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
WorldApr 15, 2026

Student shooting at middle school in Kahramanmaras kills 9, injures 13

A shooting at a middle school in Kahramanmaras on Wednesday left at least nine people dead, including students, and 13 others injured, according to Turkish officials. Interior Minister Mustafa Sifti said six are in serious condition, with three in critical condition. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims. Governor Mukerem Unluar said the suspected shooter, an eighth-grade student at the school, was also killed. According to the governor, the student used a firearm belonging to his father, a former police officer. Officials said the student brought the weapon into the scho
trump-says-u-s-iran-talks-could-resume-within-days-after-failed-round-in-pakistan
WorldApr 14, 2026

Trump says U.S.–Iran talks could resume within days after failed round in Pakistan

U.S. President Donald Trump says stalled negotiations with Iran could resume within the next two days, following an unsuccessful round of talks held in Pakistan. Speaking Tuesday, Trump indicated the next meeting is also likely to take place in Pakistan. He did not provide a confirmed date or agenda but said discussions remain ongoing. According to statements from both sides, disagreements over nuclear weapons have been the primary obstacle. Iranian officials are seeking firm guarantees that any agreement would prevent renewed military conflict or future airstrikes after a deal is reached. Ira
italy-suspends-automatic-renewal-of-defence-agreements-with-israel-amid-middle-east-tensions
WorldApr 14, 2026

Italy suspends automatic renewal of defence agreements with Israel amid Middle East tensions

Italy has halted the automatic renewal of its defence agreements with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the need to support diplomatic efforts. According to statements from the Italian government, the decision comes as conflict dynamics involving Iran and the United States continue to raise concerns about regional stability. Meloni said advancing peace talks remains a priority and stressed the importance of reopening key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. The Italian government said the suspension applies specifically to th
kamala-harris-says-she-is-considering-a-2028-presidential-run
WorldApr 10, 2026

Kamala Harris says she is considering a 2028 presidential run

Former U.S. vice-president Kamala Harris says she is considering a bid for the presidency in 2028, according to recent public remarks made during appearances tied to her national book tour. Harris, who was the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in the 2024 election, said she is weighing her next political steps amid what she described as ongoing challenges facing the country. She noted that “a lot of work” remains to be done and that current conditions are not working for many Americans. The comments come as Harris travels across the United States following the release of her 2025 c
vance-heads-to-pakistan-for-iran-talks-warns-tehran-against-playing-u-s
WorldApr 10, 2026

Vance heads to Pakistan for Iran talks, warns Tehran against “playing” U.S.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance says Iran should not attempt to “play” the United States as he departs for Pakistan to lead negotiations aimed at ending a six-week war between Washington and Tehran. According to White House officials, Vance will participate in mediated talks in Islamabad as part of an effort directed by President Donald Trump to seek a resolution to the conflict, which began Feb. 28. The administration has not confirmed whether the will be conducted directly with Iranian officials or through intermediaries. The talks come amid signs that a temporary ceasefire could collapse.
WorldApr 09, 2026

Spain to reopen Tehran embassy after reported ceasefire; European officials raise concerns over violations

Spain says it will reopen its embassy in Tehran following a reported ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a statement from the country’s foreign minister. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the diplomatic mission would resume operations after the pause in hostilities. He also accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire and violating international law, though no independent verification of those claims was immediately available. Reactions from European officials have emerged alongside the announcement, reflecting broader concern about the situation in the r
WorldApr 09, 2026

Uncertainty persists over U.S.–Iran ceasefire terms ahead of possible Islamabad talks

Differences between the United States and Iran over the terms of a recently announced ceasefire continue to raise uncertainty, with officials indicating there is no clear agreement on key conditions. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, said in London that he remains “optimistic” about a potential meeting between the two sides in Islamabad later this week. According to his remarks, efforts are underway to turn the current two-week ceasefire into a more durable arrangement. Faisal said that despite reported violations, the ceasefire is largely holding.

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T