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gas-leak-explosion-in-karachi-residential-building-kills-16-injures-14
WorldFeb 19, 2026

Gas leak explosion in Karachi residential building kills 16, injures 14

At least 16 people, including several children, were killed and 14 others injured after a gas leak triggered an explosion in a residential building in Karachi early Thursday morning, according to local police officials. Authorities said the blast occurred around 4:30 a.m. on the first floor of a building located in the Old Soldier Bazaar area. Investigators believe the explosion was caused by an accumulation of gas inside the structure. Officials added that the building was already in a deteriorated condition, and part of its structure collapsed following the explosion, complicating rescue eff
WorldFeb 19, 2026

Prince Andrew arrested in U.K. amid renewed scrutiny over Epstein-linked allegations

Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested Thursday in the United Kingdom amid an investigation into alleged misconduct during his time as a government trade representative. The development marks a significant escalation in longstanding scrutiny surrounding his past associations and official conduct. Police are examining whether Andrew, while serving in 2010 as the U.K.’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, improperly shared confidential commercial reports with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein. The documents in question
leblanc-to-meet-u-s-trade-representative-ahead-of-cusma-review
CanadaFeb 19, 2026

LeBlanc to meet U.S. trade representative ahead of CUSMA review

Canada’s minister responsible for Canada–U.S. trade says he plans to meet with the United States trade representative in the coming weeks as both countries prepare for the scheduled review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. Dominic LeBlanc said he recently spoke by phone with Jamieson Greer following public remarks from Washington suggesting that Canadian trade barriers have complicated bilateral discussions. The talks come as the United States signals it may seek changes to the trilateral pact. The trade agreement, commonly known as Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement
burnaby-rcmp-warn-seniors-after-couple-loses-300-000-in-impersonation-scam
BCFeb 19, 2026

Burnaby RCMP warn seniors after couple loses $300,000 in impersonation scam

Burnaby RCMP are warning residents to remain vigilant after an elderly couple lost approximately $300,000 in a fraud scheme involving someone posing as a police officer. Police say the couple, both in their 80s, reported the incident on January 28 after being contacted by an individual claiming to be an RCMP officer. The caller allegedly told them their bank account had been compromised and instructed them to transfer their money to protect it. Over several weeks, the victims moved funds through multiple deposits and were directed to purchase gift cards as part of the scheme. They were also to
IndiaFeb 18, 2026

Court Grants Bail to BKU Ekta Ugrahan Leaders, Protests to Continue Across Punjab

A court in Bathinda on Wednesday granted bail to two senior leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan who had been lodged in the Bathinda Central Jail during ongoing farmer protests in Punjab. Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said while the bail of the two leaders has been approved, demonstrations across the state will continue until all workers detained during the protests are released. He stated that the union will organize “victory rallies” across Punjab on Thursday. The arrests came as authorities moved to prevent a large-scale protest planned for
ottawa-expands-express-entry-system-to-include-researchers-and-military-recruits
CanadaFeb 18, 2026

Ottawa expands express entry system to include researchers and military recruits

The federal government is expanding Canada’s express entry immigration system to include new permanent residency pathways for researchers, senior managers and certain military recruits, Immigration Minister Lena Diab announced this week. The changes introduce three additional streams under the federal express entry program, aimed at attracting skilled professionals to address labour shortages and support what the minister described as a strategy to bring top talent to Canada. Among those newly eligible are researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience. The transport sector wi
israeli-gunfire-incidents-in-gaza-leave-two-dead-several-injured-amid-medical-evacuation-delays
WorldFeb 18, 2026

Israeli gunfire incidents in Gaza leave two dead, several injured amid medical evacuation delays

Two Palestinians were killed in separate shooting incidents in Gaza on Wednesday, according to local hospital officials, as tensions continue despite a ceasefire announced in mid October. Medical authorities reported that the shootings occurred in the Al Mughraqa area of central Gaza and in Al Mawasi, west of Rafah in the south. At least three other Palestinians were injured in the incidents and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. The violence comes as Israeli forces attempt to restrict movement near the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a critical route for patients seeking urgent medica
AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Traffic fatalities in Calgary raise renewed safety concerns as city reviews enforcement measures

Traffic-related deaths in Calgary are drawing renewed concern from municipal leaders after eight people were killed in collisions during the first seven weeks of the year. Three of the victims were pedestrians, according to city data, prompting calls for stronger safety measures on local roads. The most recent fatalities occurred over the Family Day weekend, when a child and a senior lost their lives in separate incidents. City officials say that if the current pace continues, the number of deaths in 2026 could exceed last year’s total of 38 traffic fatalities, marking a troubling trend for
alberta-mp-matt-jeneroux-joins-liberal-caucus-after-leaving-conservatives
CanadaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux joins Liberal caucus after leaving Conservatives

Alberta Member of Parliament Matt Jeneroux has crossed the floor in the House of Commons, leaving the Conservative Party to sit with the Liberal caucus. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the move on social media Tuesday morning, saying he was honoured to welcome Jeneroux as the newest member of the government caucus. Jeneroux, who represents an Edmonton-area riding, had previously indicated he intended to resign his seat later this year. The decision follows recent caucus changes in Ottawa. Earlier this month, Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont also left the Conservatives to join the Liberals

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defence-minister-says-he-learned-of-possible-damage-to-canadian-assets-in-kuwait-strike-from-media-report
CanadaMar 19, 2026

Defence minister says he learned of possible damage to Canadian assets in Kuwait strike from media report

Defence Minister David McGuinty says he was unaware of potential damage to Canadian military assets in Kuwait following an Iranian airstrike until a media report raised the issue. Speaking to reporters in Kitchener, McGuinty said he learned about the “situation” while travelling overseas with the prime minister, but declined to confirm whether Canadian equipment or facilities were hit, citing operational security concerns. The Quebec newspaper La Presse reported on March 12 that satellite imagery analysis suggested the Canadian section of Ali Al-Salem Air Base may have sustained damage dur
dozens-of-commercial-vehicles-sidelined-after-burnaby-inspection-finds-safety-violations
BCMar 19, 2026

Dozens of commercial vehicles sidelined after Burnaby inspection finds safety violations

A targeted commercial vehicle inspection in South Burnaby last month led to more than half of the trucks checked being taken off the road due to safety concerns, according to a police release. The operation, conducted Feb. 25 by the Lower Mainland Commercial Vehicle Enforcement group, took place along Marine Way near Roseberry Avenue. Authorities said the initiative aimed to both educate drivers and enforce provincial safety regulations. According to a release from Burnaby RCMP, officers carried out 67 inspections, identifying 172 violations and issuing 117 tickets. A total of 35 commercial ve
abbotsford-police-arrest-robbery-suspect-minutes-after-gas-station-incident
BCMar 19, 2026

Abbotsford police arrest robbery suspect minutes after gas station incident

Abbotsford Police say a man has been charged after an alleged robbery at a gas station Tuesday morning in the 2000 block of Clearbrook Road. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, officers were called at about 9:21 a.m. after a suspect reportedly threatened staff with a weapon and fled with cash and merchandise. Police say officers arrived quickly and began searching the area for the suspect, who had left on a bicycle. The release states a traffic officer located the suspect within minutes. When police attempted to stop him, the suspect allegedly refused, leading to a brief
canada-to-spend-307m-on-new-modular-rifles-to-replace-aging-army-weapons
CanadaMar 19, 2026

Canada to spend $307M on new modular rifles to replace aging army weapons

The federal government has approved a $307 million contract to purchase 30,000 new modular rifles for the Canadian Army, replacing weapons that have been in service for more than three decades. According to a federal procurement announcement, the rifles will be supplied by Colt Canada under an initial three-year agreement. The deal includes an option to acquire an additional 35,000 rifles beyond the initial order. Defence procurement Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr said the purchase is intended to modernize frontline equipment and address long-standing concerns about the aging C7 and C8 rifles
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