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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
chinese-ev-maker-byd-eyes-canadian-dealership-rollout-after-tariff-cut
CanadaMar 19, 2026

Chinese EV maker BYD eyes Canadian dealership rollout after tariff cut

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has begun discussions to establish a dealership network in Canada following a federal decision to reduce tariffs on Chinese-made EVs to 6.1 per cent, according to media reports. The company is planning to open as many as 20 dealerships within a year, starting in the Greater Toronto Area. Expansion could follow in Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary as part of a broader national rollout strategy. Reports indicate BYD may introduce several of its popular models in Canada, including the Seal, Dolphin and Seagull, though no official launch timeline has been co
punjab-congress-chief-urges-msp-law-flood-aid-in-lok-sabha
IndiaMar 19, 2026

Punjab Congress chief urges MSP law, flood aid in Lok Sabha

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday called on the central government to introduce legislation guaranteeing minimum support price for farmers, saying a commitment made during the farmers’ protest remains unfulfilled. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Warring said the Centre had assured protesting farmers that a legal framework on MSP would be brought forward, but “several years have passed” without action. According to parliamentary proceedings, he also raised concerns that cases registered against farmers during the agitation have not been withdrawn despite earlie
BCMar 19, 2026

B.C. population declines 0.4 per cent in late 2025 as non-permanent resident numbers fall

British Columbia’s population declined by 0.4 per cent in the final three months of 2025, according to new data released by Statistics Canada, driven largely by a drop in non-permanent residents. Statistics Canada reports that over the full year, B.C.’s population fell by about 41,000 people – roughly equivalent to the population of Mission. The agency attributes much of the decline to a reduction in non-permanent residents, which decreased by 6.7 per cent in the fourth quarter alone. Ontario and British Columbia both recorded overall population declines of 0.7 per cent in 2025, reflecti
WorldMar 19, 2026

Saudi Arabia warns Iran after reported drone strike on Yanbu oil facility

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has issued a warning to Iran following reports of a drone strike targeting a major oil refining facility in Yanbu amid escalating regional tensions. According to regional media reports, the Samref oil refinery in Yanbu, a key Red Sea export hub, was hit in an aerial attack during ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The extent of damage and any disruptions to production have not been independently confirmed. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the kingdom has the capability to respond, cautioning Iran against test
police-seek-video-multiple-suspects-after-milton-home-invasion
BCMar 19, 2026

Police seek video, multiple suspects after Milton home invasion

Halton Regional Police say they are searching for several suspects after a home invasion in Milton early Wednesday that left one person with minor injuries. According to a Halton Regional Police Service news release, officers were called to a residence near Rose Way and Wellwood Terrace at about 2:45 a.m. on March 18. Police say approximately five male suspects wearing face coverings forced entry through the front door and confronted an adult female inside the home. Investigators say the suspects demanded money and stole cash along with designer clothing before fleeing the scene. The victim wa
b-c-raises-damages-cap-to-75-000-for-non-consensual-intimate-image-cases
BCMar 19, 2026

B.C. raises damages cap to $75,000 for non-consensual intimate image cases

British Columbia has increased the maximum damages available in civil cases involving non-consensual sharing of intimate images, raising the cap from $5,000 to $75,000, according to a provincial government news release. The change comes through amendments to the Intimate Images Protection Act, which allows individuals to apply to the Civil Resolution Tribunal for orders to remove images, stop further distribution and seek compensation from people or platforms alleged to have shared or threatened to share the content. The tribunal process applies to individuals, social media companies and websi
alberta-bill-would-limit-medically-assisted-dying-eligibility-to-those-near-natural-death
FeaturedMar 19, 2026

Alberta bill would limit medically assisted dying eligibility to those near natural death

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would significantly narrow who qualifies for medical assistance in dying, or MAID, limiting access to those expected to die of natural causes within a year. According to the provincial bill tabled by Justice Minister Mickey Amery, eligibility would be restricted to patients whose deaths are considered reasonably foreseeable within 12 months. The proposal mirrors the narrower criteria in place when Canada first legalized MAID in 2016. Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party government is positioning the change as a return to ea
abbotsford-teen-suspended-after-crash-at-180-km-h-prompts-police-warning
BCMar 18, 2026

Abbotsford teen suspended after crash at 180 km/h prompts police warning

A 16-year-old Abbotsford driver is serving a licence suspension after being found guilty of multiple driving offences following a high-speed crash on Highway 1, according to a release from BC Highway Patrol. Police say the incident occurred July 21, 2025, near Popkum, where a BMW sedan was recorded travelling about 180 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. According to BC Highway Patrol, the teen failed to stop for police and continued driving with two teenage passengers before colliding with a parked dump truck. Cell phone video voluntarily provided to investigators shows the moments leading up to the cra

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manslaughter-charge-laid-after-fatal-fight-in-maple-ridge-home
BCMar 24, 2026

Manslaughter charge laid after fatal fight in Maple Ridge home

A 45-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal altercation at a home in Maple Ridge earlier this month, according to police. Investigators say officers responded to a residence at حوالي 7:30 p.m. on March 16, where they found a 49-year-old man in medical distress. The man was treated at the scene but later died from his injuries. Police said the BC Prosecution Service approved a manslaughter charge on Monday, upgrading an earlier charge of assault causing bodily harm that had been laid the previous week. According to investigators, the two men were known to each ot
american-academic-released-by-taliban-authorities-in-afghanistan-officials-say
WorldMar 24, 2026

American academic released by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, officials say

Afghanistan’s Taliban government says it has released American academic Dennis Coyle, who had been held in the country since January 2025. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Coyle was released in Kabul on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The ministry said the decision followed an appeal from Coyle’s family and came after the country’s Supreme Court determined that his time in custody was sufficient. Afghan authorities had previously detained Coyle on allegations of violating local laws, but did not publicly spe
b-c-considers-changes-to-indigenous-rights-law-raises-concerns-among-first-nations-leaders
BCMar 24, 2026

B.C. considers changes to Indigenous rights law, raises concerns among First Nations leaders

The British Columbia government is considering amendments to its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act that could alter how the province aligns its laws with Indigenous rights, according to a confidential letter shared with some First Nations leaders. According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the proposed changes would shift the province’s obligation from taking “all measures” to align laws with the declaration to supporting “ongoing processes” to align selected legislation. The letter was distributed Monday to some First Nations leadership. The
man-dies-after-late-night-shooting-at-abbotsford-park-and-ride-homicide-team-takes-over
BCMar 24, 2026

Man dies after late-night shooting at Abbotsford park-and-ride, homicide team takes over

A man has died after a reported shooting at a park-and-ride lot in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to a police news release. Abbotsford Police say patrol officers were called to the Whatcom Road Park & Ride at about 11:11 p.m. on March 23, where a large encampment is currently located. Officers found a man with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital but later died. Police say the investigation is in its early stages and the case is being treated as a targeted incident. No arrests have been made. The Abbotsford Police Department Major Crime Unit is handing the investiga
WorldMar 24, 2026

Iran launches new missile strikes on Israel as cross-border attacks continue into day 25

Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting Israel from Monday night into Tuesday, marking the 25th day of ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to statements attributed to Israeli authorities, Iran carried out seven missile attacks during that period. Israeli officials did not immediately release independent verification of damage or casualties from the latest strikes. In response, Israel continued its counter-offensive operations. The Israeli Air Force said it struck more than 50 Iranian-linked targets overnight, including missile launch sites an