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federal-ministers-signal-possible-ai-safety-reforms-after-openai-handling-of-b-c-shooting-case
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Federal ministers signal possible AI safety reforms after OpenAI handling of B.C. shooting case

Federal ministers say Ottawa is prepared to consider new safeguards around artificial intelligence tools following questions about how OpenAI handled warning signs linked to a deadly shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. The issue has drawn national attention after reports revealed that the accused shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, had been removed from OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform months before the February 10 killings. According to reporting first published by The Wall Street Journal, the account was shut down over troubling posts that referenced violent scenarios, including gun use. Howe
canada-pledges-8-million-in-food-aid-for-cuba-as-u-s-fuel-blockade-continues
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

Canada pledges $8 million in food aid for Cuba as U.S. fuel blockade continues

The Government of Canada has announced an $8 million food assistance package for people in Cuba in response to mounting shortages of basic goods aggravated by a tightened U.S. oil blockade, federal officials said Wednesday. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said the funding is intended to help address urgent needs for food and nutrition among vulnerable communities on the Caribbean island. The aid will be delivered through United Nations partners, including the World Food Programme and UNICEF, rather than through the Cuban
u-s-signals-no-full-tariff-relief-for-canada-in-future-trade-talks
CanadaFeb 25, 2026

U.S. signals no full tariff relief for Canada in future trade talks

The United States is signalling that Canada should not expect full relief from American tariffs in any future trade agreement, according to comments from President Donald Trump’s chief trade representative following the State of the Union address. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill after President Donald Trump’s speech Tuesday night, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said any new trade arrangement with Canada would likely include tariff measures. He indicated that even a renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement may not guarantee a fully tariff-free framework. Greer su
first-ever-punjabi-broadcast-of-vancouver-whitecaps-game
BCFeb 24, 2026

First ever Punjabi broadcast of Vancouver Whitecaps game

Last Saturday, on International Mother Language Day, Punjabi (speaking and understanding) audience for the first time, got to hear commentary of a Major League Soccer match in Punjabi. Connect 91.5 FM aired the Vancouver Whitecaps game live in Punjabi. In addition to the game, there was a pre-game show and a post-game show. On this historic occasion, the commentary was handled by Connect FM's News Director Parvez Sandhu, and young commentators Jagraj Lali and Shubham Arora. This Punjabi commentary partnership between Connect FM and the Whitecaps was not limited to a single match, but rather th
carney-announces-2b-in-military-aid-for-ukraine-expands-sanctions-on-russian-vessels
CanadaFeb 24, 2026

Carney announces $2B in military aid for Ukraine, expands sanctions on Russian vessels

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will provide $2 billion in additional military assistance to Ukraine and impose new sanctions targeting vessels linked to Russia’s oil trade, as Kyiv marks four years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. Speaking on the anniversary of Russia’s 2022 attack, Carney said the funding will support Ukraine’s defence efforts as the war continues. He also announced sanctions against 100 ships described as part of a so-called “shadow fleet” used to transport Russian oil in ways intended to bypass existing international sanctions. Canada has bee
canada-weighs-assistance-for-cuba-amid-escalating-u-s-oil-sanctions
CanadaFeb 24, 2026

Canada Weighs Assistance for Cuba Amid Escalating U.S. Oil Sanctions

Canada’s federal government says it is preparing a plan to assist Cuba as the island nation faces mounting energy shortages linked to renewed U.S. oil sanctions. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed Ottawa is developing options to provide support but did not outline what form the assistance might take. Her comments come as Cuba grapples with prolonged power outages and rising food prices following U.S. measures aimed at restricting oil supplies from Venezuela and other sources. The sanctions were imposed under the administration of former U.S. president Donald Trump, which tightene
canadian-airlines-resume-puerto-vallarta-flights-after-mexico-violence-prompts-temporary
CanadaFeb 24, 2026

Canadian airlines resume Puerto Vallarta flights after Mexico violence prompts temporary

Canadian airlines have restarted service to Puerto Vallarta after suspending flights over the weekend amid violence in parts of Mexico linked to a government security operation. Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Porter Airlines confirmed they are resuming flights to and from the popular resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. WestJet has also restored service to Guadalajara and Manzanillo, destinations that were affected as authorities responded to unrest following the reported death of a cartel leader during a federal operation. Mexican officials urged residents and tourists in several re
registration-numbers-rise-as-canada-monitors-situation-affecting-canadians-in-mexico
CanadaFeb 23, 2026

Registration numbers rise as Canada monitors situation affecting Canadians in Mexico

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the number of Canadians registering with federal officials while in Mexico has increased sharply, as Ottawa works to assess the situation and provide assistance. Anand said 26,305 Canadians have now registered with Global Affairs Canada. As of the previous day, that number was approximately 8,000. She cautioned that the actual number of Canadians currently in Mexico could be significantly higher, as not everyone has completed registration with the federal government. According to the minister, Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre r
prime-minister-mark-carney-announces-india-visit-as-part-of-indo-pacific-tour
CanadaFeb 23, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney announces India visit as part of Indo Pacific tour

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to visit India next week as part of a broader trip to the Indo Pacific region that will also include stops in Australia and Japan. The tour is scheduled to run from February 26 to March 7 and is aimed at strengthening trade, energy, technology and defence partnerships. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will begin his visit in Mumbai, where he is expected to meet business leaders to promote investment opportunities in Canada. He will then travel to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Discussions are expect

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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