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

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

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

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’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 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

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 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

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is moving new legislation and resources to address extortion-linked threats and violence affecting the Lower Mainland and other parts of Canada. In an interview with Connect Newsroom host Vijay Saini at the B.C. RCMP Headquarters (E Division) in Surrey on Feb. 19, 2026, Carney said his government is “toughening bail” and “toughening sentencing,” and expanding investigative tools aimed at tracking extortion activity, including online communications and financial flows. PM Carney said police leaders told him they support the legisla