CanadaApr 20, 2026
Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China
The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January.
According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t
AlbertaApr 20, 2026
Alberta government meets grocers on food prices as affordability concerns grow
The Alberta government says it is meeting with major grocery retailers as part of an effort to address rising food costs, according to a statement from Service Alberta.
Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally said food prices have increased across Canada and globally, and the province is engaging with grocery operators to explore ways to reduce costs for Albertans. The statement did not outline specific measures under consideration or a timeline for potential changes.
Premier Danielle Smith also addressed the issue during her provincewide radio show on Saturday, saying many residents are frustrate
CanadaApr 20, 2026
Canadian Armed Forces exceed recruitment targets for second straight year, defence minister says
Canada’s military has surpassed its annual recruitment targets for a second consecutive year, according to Defence Minister David McGuinty, signalling renewed interest among younger Canadians in joining the armed forces.
McGuinty said more than 7,300 people enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces over the past year. According to the Department of National Defence, the recruitment goal for 2025–26 was 6,957 new members, which has now been exceeded. The previous year also saw higher-than-expected intake, with 6,706 recruits joining against a target of 6,496.
The federal government attributes t
IndiaApr 20, 2026
Bus crash in Indian-administered Kashmir kills 21, dozens injured
At least 21 people were killed and about 45 others injured after a passenger bus veered off a mountainous highway and plunged down a steep slope in Indian-administered Kashmir on Monday, according to local authorities.
Civil administrator Prem Singh said the 42-seat bus was carrying more than 60 passengers from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it collided with an auto-rickshaw at a sharp curve. The impact caused the bus to lose control and fall approximately 30 metres onto a lower road.
Officials said 19 people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries after being transported to
WorldApr 20, 2026
7.4-magnitude earthquake off northern Japan prompts tsunami alert
A powerful offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 struck near Japan’s northern coast on Monday afternoon, prompting a tsunami alert for parts of the region.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake occurred at approximately 4:53 p.m. local time off the Sanriku coast, at a depth of about 10 kilometres beneath the seabed. Authorities issued a tsunami alert shortly after the tremor, warning of potentially hazardous sea-level changes along affected coastal areas.
Public broadcaster NHK reported that waves of up to three metres could reach parts of the northeastern
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