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canadian-foreign-affairs-minister-anita-anand-begins-official-visits-to-oman-and-qatar
CanadaMay 12, 2026

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand begins official visits to Oman and Qatar

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand has begun official visits to Oman and Qatar aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation on regional and economic priorities. According to Global Affairs Canada, Anand will remain in Muscat and Doha until May 15 for meetings with senior government officials focused on defence cooperation, trade, and people-to-people connections between Canada and Gulf states. In Oman, Anand is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and other senior officials. Discussions are expected to include economic
oakridge-park-mall-in-vancouver-to-open-may-28-as-major-redevelopment-project-advances
BCMay 12, 2026

Oakridge Park mall in Vancouver to open May 28 as major redevelopment project advances

Oakridge Park, the retail and residential redevelopment under construction in Vancouver, is scheduled to open its shopping mall component on May 28, developers QuadReal Property Group and Westbank announced. The project, located at the former Oakridge Centre site, is part of a broader redevelopment expected to total about five million square feet by its planned completion in 2029. Developers have previously estimated the full project cost at approximately $6.5 billion. According to project details released by QuadReal and Westbank, the first phase opening later this month will include about 2.
alberta-ndp-accuses-smith-government-of-avoiding-accountability-in-privacy-breach-response
AlbertaMay 12, 2026

Alberta NDP accuses Smith government of avoiding accountability in privacy breach response

Alberta’s Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith of allowing a United Conservative caucus staffer to take responsibility for a privacy breach involving Albertans’ personal information. The issue stems from an April meeting where private information was allegedly displayed through an app used during discussions attended by UCP caucus members and staff. According to the UCP caucus, a staffer present at the meeting later briefed the caucus executive director about the incident. Smith said the information was not passed on to her office by the executive director, resulting in a dela
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

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40-arrested-in-prince-george-retail-theft-crackdown-stolen-property-and-suspected-drugs-seized
BCJul 14, 2026

40 arrested in Prince George retail theft crackdown, stolen property and suspected drugs seized

Prince George RCMP say 40 people have been arrested and more than $3,400 worth of stolen merchandise recovered during a targeted enforcement operation aimed at retail theft across the city. According to RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, officers carried out the "Boost and Bust" project in partnership with retailers including Pine Centre Mall, Parkwood Place, Walmart and Real Canadian Superstore. Police said the operation focused on addressing shoplifting and related criminal activity. RCMP also conducted a series of traffic stops at locations throughout the city during the enf
AlbertaJul 14, 2026

Truck crashes into Edmonton apartment building, explosion kills one and injures several

One person was killed and several others were injured after a truck crashed into a three-storey apartment building and struck a gas line in north Edmonton Tuesday night, triggering an explosion and a large fire. According to preliminary information from emergency responders, the crash occurred at about 9:20 p.m. The truck collided with the building and a gas line, leading to an explosion and fire. Authorities said the truck driver died at the scene. Several people were taken to hospital with injuries. Officials have not confirmed the full cause of the fire, and the investigation remains ongoin
IndiaJul 14, 2026

Congress leadership discusses Punjab unit as speculation grows over state president's future

Senior Congress leaders held a high-level meeting on Tuesday to discuss organisational matters, including the party's Punjab unit, following Rahul Gandhi's return from an overseas visit. Gandhi met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge amid continuing reports of internal differences within the Punjab Congress. Speculation has intensified over the future of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. However, the Congress has not made any official announcement regarding a change in the state leadership. According to party sources, feedback submitted by Punjab Congress in-charge Bhup
death-toll-rises-to-30-after-bangkok-music-bar-fire-investigation-committee-formed
WorldJul 14, 2026

Death toll rises to 30 after Bangkok music bar fire; investigation committee formed

The death toll from a fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao music bar in Bangkok's Chatuchak district has risen to 30, according to Thai authorities. Officials said Tuesday that 24 people remain in critical condition in hospital, while several other injured victims have been discharged following treatment. The fire broke out late Sunday night at the entertainment venue. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after about 30 minutes. Police are investigating the cause of the fire and whether any negligence contributed to the incident. According to investigators, preliminary findings suggest the
CanadaJul 14, 2026

Two men killed in Toronto festival shooting were allegedly armed

Toronto Police say two men killed during a shooting at the Salsa on St. Clair festival on Saturday night have been identified as 20-year-old and 25-year-old victims. Police also confirmed that two firearms were recovered from the scene as the investigation continues. According to a Toronto Sun report citing an anonymous law enforcement source, both deceased men were allegedly armed and were involved in the exchange of gunfire. The source further claimed that no innocent bystanders were killed in the incident. Connect Newsroom has not independently verified those claims, and Toronto Police have