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trump-administration-cuts-u-s-refugee-admissions-to-7-500-with-priority-for-white-south-africans
WorldOct 30, 2025

Trump administration cuts U.S. refugee admissions to 7,500, with priority for white South Africans

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees the United States will accept in the coming fiscal year, setting a cap of 7,500 – the lowest in the country’s modern history. A notice published Thursday in the Federal Register confirmed the decision, which also prioritizes applications from white South Africans, a move critics say signals a major shift in U.S. refugee policy. The new ceiling marks a drastic decline from the 125,000 refugee limit set under President Joe Biden’s administration. The White House offered no detailed explanation for the cut, s
WorldOct 28, 2025

Plane crashes in Kenya while flying to Maasai Mara National Reserve, killing 11 people

A plane crash killed 11 people, mostly foreign tourists, in Kenya's coastal region of Kwale. The crash occurred early Tuesday while the group was en route to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Mombasa Air Safari said eight Hungarian and two German passengers were onboard and that the Kenyan pilot was also killed. The plane crashed in a hilly, forested area about 25 miles from Diani airstrip. The pilot failed to communicate after departure, and the tower tried to reach him for 30 minutes, according to the airline. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, which ha
WorldOct 28, 2025

Amazon to cut 14,000 corporate jobs amid shift toward AI investments

Amazon says it plans to lay off about 14,000 corporate employees this year as part of a restructuring effort tied to the company’s growing use of artificial intelligence. The move marks one of the largest workforce reductions in the tech giant’s history and reflects the company’s transition toward greater automation. In a statement, Amazon said it will continue to hire for roles in key growth areas, including AI development and cloud services, and that laid-off employees will be given priority for those positions. The company added that additional job cuts could follow as it continues to
trump-meets-japans-new-prime-minister-calls-u-s-japan-partnership-strongest-level
WorldOct 28, 2025

Trump meets Japan’s new prime minister, calls U.S.–Japan partnership ‘strongest level’

Former U.S. president Donald Trump met Japan’s newly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday during his visit to Asia. Takaichi, who recently became Japan’s first female leader, joined Trump aboard an American aircraft carrier where he addressed U.S. troops stationed in the region. Both leaders signed agreements aimed at deepening the U.S.–Japan alliance, including cooperation on critical minerals and economic development. Trump’s team said the talks were tied to a broader trade framework that could bring up to $490 billion in Japanese investment to the United States. Taka
trump-halts-trade-talks-with-canada-over-ontarios-anti-tariff-ads
WorldOct 24, 2025

Trump halts trade talks with Canada over Ontario’s anti-tariff ads

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is ending trade negotiations with Canada, citing anger over an Ontario-funded television campaign opposing his tariff policies. The announcement, made on social media Thursday, declared that “all trade negotiations with Canada are hereby terminated” due to what he called “egregious behavior.” The decision follows a high-profile advertising campaign paid for by the Ontario government, reportedly costing about $75 million. The ads, broadcast across major U.S. networks, feature archival audio and video of former president Ronald Reagan warning against t
WorldOct 22, 2025

At least 46 dead after multi-vehicle crash on Uganda highway

Uganda police say at least 46 people have died following a collision involving two buses and two other vehicles on a highway in the country’s west early Wednesday. The accident occurred shortly after midnight on the main route to Gulu, a major city in northern Uganda. Authorities say the crash happened when one of the buses attempted to overtake other vehicles. Several passengers sustained injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police initially reported 63 deaths, but later revised the figure downward after discovering that some of those believed to be dead were unconscio
sanae-takaichi-becomes-japans-first-female-prime-minister-amid-political-uncertainty
WorldOct 21, 2025

Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister amid political uncertainty

Japan has appointed its first woman prime minister, marking a historic political shift in a country long dominated by male leadership. Lawmakers elected Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, ending a three-month leadership gap following the resignation of former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi, a veteran member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), is known for her socially conservative views, including support for male-only imperial succession and opposition to same-sex marriage. While she has pledged to expand women’s participation in government, her initial Cabinet lineup includes ju
trump-expresses-caution-on-missile-sales-as-zelenskyy-visits-washington
WorldOct 17, 2025

Trump expresses caution on missile sales as Zelenskyy visits Washington

U.S. President Donald Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, signalling reluctance to approve Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles. The talks focused on military aid and the ongoing war with Russia, as Kyiv continues to seek advanced weapons to bolster its defence. The meeting followed a lengthy phone conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier, during which the two discussed the conflict in Ukraine. While Trump had recently indicated a willingness to consider missile sales, he appeared to scale back exp
u-k-man-faces-charges-in-quebec-city-after-missing-british-teen-found-safe
WorldOct 15, 2025

U.K. man faces charges in Quebec City after missing British teen found safe

A 42-year-old man from Birmingham, England, has been charged in Quebec City in connection with the disappearance of a 16-year-old girl from the United Kingdom. Quebec City police arrested the man on Monday near Montmorency Falls, a well-known tourist site north of the city, after a request for assistance from West Midlands Police in England. Authorities say the teenager was located with the accused and is in good physical condition. The man has been charged with sexual touching of a person under 18 while in a position of authority. His arrest followed a coordinated international investigation

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city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,