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AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Jason Kenney urges federal MPs to oppose Alberta separation talk

Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney says federal Members of Parliament should publicly oppose efforts aimed at separating Alberta from Canada, warning that a referendum on sovereignty would create deep divisions across the province and country. Speaking at an event at the University of Calgary on Monday evening, Kenney said a vote on Alberta leaving Confederation would cause a “huge rupture” in society and argued federal politicians need to take a clearer position on national unity. Liberal MP Cory Hogan, who also attended the event, said Alberta MPs and Prime Minister Mark Carney should s
WorldMay 12, 2026

UK junior minister resigns as pressure grows on Starmer after local election losses

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced renewed pressure within the Labour Party on Tuesday after junior housing minister Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned from government following the party’s recent local election losses. Fahnbulleh, who served as a minister in the housing, communities and local government department, said the government had failed to deliver the pace of change voters expected after Labour’s election victory. In a resignation statement, Fahnbulleh said the government had not governed “with the vision, pace and mandate for change” it had been given by voters. She also said
smith-does-not-rule-out-alberta-separation-referendum-as-separatist-pressure-grows
AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Smith does not rule out Alberta separation referendum as separatist pressure grows

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has not ruled out the possibility of holding a referendum on Alberta separation this October, as separatist organizers publicly increase pressure on the provincial government to allow a vote. Asked directly whether she would commit to not holding such a referendum, Smith said the government is still waiting on several developments before making a decision. She said discussions with caucus members and cabinet ministers would help determine the province’s next steps. Some members of Smith’s United Conservative cabinet have publicly distanced themselves from sep
telus-ottawa-announce-ai-data-centre-expansion-in-b-c-to-strengthen-canadian-computing-capacity
BCMay 11, 2026

Telus, Ottawa announce AI data centre expansion in B.C. to strengthen Canadian computing capacity

The federal government and Telus announced plans Monday for a multi-site artificial intelligence data infrastructure project in British Columbia that officials say is intended to expand Canada’s domestic computing capacity and support what they described as “sovereign” AI infrastructure. Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon joined Telus representatives in Vancouver to outline the project, which includes an expansion of Telus’ existing data centre in Kamloops and two new facilities planned for Vancouver – one in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood and another in the downtown core. According
bc-conservatives-criticize-ndp-government-following-two-surrey-shooting-incidents
BCMay 11, 2026

BC Conservatives criticize NDP government following two Surrey shooting incidents

The BC Conservative Party is criticizing the provincial NDP government following two separate shooting incidents in Surrey that left two people dead and two others injured. BC Conservative representative Harman Bhangu questioned the province’s approach to public safety, saying shootings, gang violence and homicides are increasingly affecting residential neighbourhoods. Bhangu said residents are frustrated by repeated political statements following violent incidents and are demanding stronger action to address public safety concerns. Surrey–Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko also called on the p
aap-protests-outside-bjp-offices-in-punjab-over-ed-action-against-sanjeev-arora
IndiaMay 11, 2026

AAP protests outside BJP offices in Punjab over ED action against Sanjeev Arora

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests outside Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) district offices across Punjab on Monday following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) arrest of Punjab cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora in a money laundering case. Party workers raised slogans against the BJP and accused the central government of using investigative agencies for political purposes. Tense situations were reported in several locations where AAP and BJP workers gathered during the demonstrations. However, no major clashes or arrests had been officially confirmed at publication time. Punjab Finance Mini
WorldMay 11, 2026

American cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus after Canary Islands evacuation

A U.S. passenger evacuated from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak in the Canary Islands has tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said a second American passenger who was onboard the ship is also being monitored after showing mild symptoms. Both individuals returned to the United States overnight and are being observed at the U.S. National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska. Health officials have not released additional details about the patients or confirmed how many total cases have been linked to the cruise ship outbrea
bhagwant-manns-cousin-gyan-singh-mann-joins-bjp
IndiaMay 11, 2026

Bhagwant Mann’s cousin Gyan Singh Mann joins BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s cousin, Gyan Singh Mann, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party. Gyan Singh Mann was inducted into the BJP in Chandigarh in the presence of Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Speaking after joining the party, Gyan Singh Mann said he had joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014 but claimed the party changed after forming the government in Punjab in 2022. He alleged that the AAP had shifted from being “a party of ordinary workers to a party of special interests” and crit
mps-expand-proposed-deepfake-law-to-include-nearly-nude-images
CanadaMay 11, 2026

MPs expand proposed deepfake law to include ‘nearly nude’ images

A House of Commons justice committee has amended proposed federal legislation targeting non-consensual sexual deepfakes to include images depicting people as “nearly nude,” following concerns the original wording may not have covered some AI-generated content circulating online. The amendment to Bill C-16 was approved by MPs studying the legislation after witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s earlier definition of “intimate image” was too narrow. The original version focused on images showing a person nude, exposing sexual organs, or engaged in explicit sexual activity. Committee

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pedestrian-critically-injured-after-collision-with-translink-bus-in-surrey
BCJul 13, 2026

Pedestrian critically injured after collision with TransLink bus in Surrey

A pedestrian was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision involving a TransLink bus in Surrey on Saturday night, according to the Surrey Police Service. Police said frontline officers responded at about 9:41 p.m. on July 11 after BC Emergency Health Services reported a seriously injured man lying on the roadway near the intersection of 128 Street and 96 Avenue. Officers found the adult pedestrian receiving emergency medical treatment at the scene. He was transported to hospital in critical condition. The TransLink bus involved in the collision remained at the scen
carney-staffer-braeden-caley-to-seek-nomination-in-b-c-byelection
BCJul 13, 2026

Carney staffer Braeden Caley to seek nomination in B.C. byelection

One of Prime Minister Mark Carney's key staffers says he'll be stepping away from his role as he considers running for a seat in Parliament. Braeden Caley, Carney’s deputy chief of staff, thanked the prime minister in a letter posted to social media for what he called "the honour of a lifetime." A forthcoming byelection in British Columbia will see the seat for North Vancouver—Capilano in Caley's home province up for grabs. The riding had been held by former cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson, who resigned this spring to become Canada's ambassador to the European Union. North Vancouver=Ca
27-killed-in-bangkok-pub-fire-as-authorities-investigate-cause
WorldJul 13, 2026

27 killed in Bangkok pub fire as authorities investigate cause

A fire that broke out at a pub in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, early Monday has killed 27 people and injured several others, according to Thai authorities. Officials said the fire started around midnight. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after an extensive response, while emergency crews transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Videos shared on social media appeared to show flames engulfing the entrance of the pub in northern Bangkok, with patrons fleeing the building as thick black smoke rose into the air. Connect Newsroom has not independently verified the authe
trump-proposes-charging-other-countries-for-strait-of-hormuz-security
WorldJul 13, 2026

Trump proposes charging other countries for Strait of Hormuz security

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States could assume responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz and should charge other countries that rely on the strategic waterway for its protection. According to Trump, the financial burden of safeguarding the route should not fall solely on the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and natural gas shipments. Tensions between the United States and Iran over security in the waterway have intensified in recent months. Meanwhile, Iran has w
two-killed-four-injured-in-shooting-at-torontos-salsa-on-st-clair-festival
CanadaJul 13, 2026

Two killed, four injured in shooting at Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair festival

Two people were killed and at least four others were seriously injured after a shooting during Toronto's Salsa on St. Clair street festival on Saturday evening, according to Toronto Police. Police said the shooting occurred at about 8 p.m. near St. Clair Avenue West and Arlington Avenue while approximately 13,000 people were attending the annual Latin street festival. Deputy Chief Frank Barredo said the preliminary investigation indicates the gunfire erupted during an exchange of shots between two groups who targeted each other. The sound of gunfire sent festivalgoers, including families, chil