Taiwan Proposes $35 Billion in Defense Spending as Drone Funding Fight Continues
The Defense Ministry would get a 23 percent increase as Taipei pushes ahead with weapons purchases and an expansion of unmanned forces.
State Department OKs Possible $4.5 Billion Military Refueling Aircraft Sale to Qatar
The sale isn't expected to impact America's current military needs.
Quebec Median ER Wait Times Up 41 Minutes Since 2018, Exceeded 14 Hours at One Hospital: Report
Quebec emergency room patients are waiting longer than they did several years ago, with the provincial median ER stay increasing by 41 minutes since 2018 and exceeding 14 hours at one Montreal hospital this year, according to a new report from the Montreal Economic Institute (MEI). The report examines wait times at 115 emergency rooms […]
BC Court Ruling Reveals Drug Suspects Sought by US Could Seek Trial in Canada
Three men facing extradition to the United States over their alleged involvement in transnational drug trafficking may seek to be tried in Canada, but the British Columbia Supreme Court says the prospect is “speculative at this point.” Gurtej Smagh, Jaskarn Baghri, and Ravinder Dhanda were arrested last month in B.C. and are being pursued by […]
Italy Blocks Germany’s First Illegal Immigrant Returns Under New EU Asylum Rules
Rome said German NGOs have brought 22,500 illegal migrants to its shores since late 2022.
Provinces Have Agreed to Restock US Alcohol, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Says
Canada’s premiers have agreed to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s request to put U.S. alcohol back on their store shelves, as part of the trade deal with the United States. Speaking to reporters on Aug. 20, Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham said Carney is “confident” that Washington and Ottawa will reach a trade agreement. “As part of this agreement, he asked all of the provinces—as a sign of good faith—to put U.S. liquor back on the shelves, and we all agreed,” he said. Following a series of U.S. tariffs being placed on Canada in 2025, the provinces and territories took steps to limit the purchase or sale of U.S. alcohol products in March.
AI Labelling Rules Are Spreading. Where Does Canada Stand?
A global patchwork of rules is emerging over how AI-generated content must be identified, with Canada taking a lighter approach than several jurisdictions that have imposed binding labelling and disclosure requirements. Generative AI tools have made convincing text, images, audio, and video cheap enough to produce at scale, prompting some governments to require disclosure rather […]
More Than Half of Canadians Struggling to Meet Financial Commitments: Federal Memo
More Canadians owe more money than ever before and use debt to survive, with millions of people having “no margin for error” if a financial crisis strikes, a new document suggests. “Many Canadians are under financial strain … over half of Canadians (53%) report that they struggle to keep up with financial commitments,” the Financial […]
A Tale of 2 Straits: Global Shippers Prefer Washington’s Version Over Tehran’s
Increasing ‘dark transit’ traffic undermines Iran's claim it controls Hormuz, but an Aug. 18 missile attack undermines U.S. assurances of safe passage.
LeBlanc Says Canada ‘Very Close’ to Deal With US Ahead of Aug. 22 Deadline
Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the two countries are close to reaching a trade agreement, as talks in Washington continue ahead of the Aug. 22 deadline for 50 percent U.S. tariffs. “We’re very close. We continue to make progress, and we’re going to stay here and do the work that is necessary until we [...]
Trigger Warnings Don’t Protect Students, They Make Education Worse
Commentary It is easy to understand the desire to help those who are vulnerable or weaker than ourselves. Those with PTSD, for example, go through their days with a heavier burden than the rest of us. So when educators encounter material that might remind a traumatized student of a traumatic experience, why not provide a [...]
Conference of Catholic Bishops Calls on Armed Forces to Reconsider Prayer Ban
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is urging the Canadian Armed Forces to reconsider a recent directive banning members from using religious language at official military events, saying the policy violates Charter-protected rights. The CCCB said in an Aug. 18 statement that it “stands in solidarity” with concerns recently raised by Bishop Scott McCaig, […]
New Aircraft Carrier Arrives in the Middle East, Relieving Lincoln
The USS George Washington is the fourth aircraft carrier to cycle through the region amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
At Least 16 Dead, Dozens Injured After Russian Strikes on Kyiv
The Russian defense ministry said it had struck a transport and logistics hub, military industrial facilities, and warehouses in Kyiv.
Irish Lawmakers Seek TikTok Explanation About Wrong-Way Illegal Driving Trend
This is not the first time footage related to criminal activity in Ireland has appeared on TikTok.
Kelowna Woman Charged With Arson in Connection With Two Grass Fires in BC Interior
Mariah Banning Baer, 33, of West Kelowna is facing six charges in connection with fires and is awaiting a bail hearing.
UK Home Office Guidance Warns Asylum Seekers Rape Is Illegal
The government has published official behavior guidelines for asylum claimants, outlining the meaning of consent and equality.
Quebec Conservatives Unveil Election Platform Focused on ‘Pro-Family’ Policies
The Quebec Conservative Party unveiled its election campaign platform on Wednesday, promising tax cuts for families and businesses. The party says its top priorities are increasing Quebecers’ wealth, expanding health care services, giving families breathing room and strengthening the province’s autonomy within Canada. It is also promising large cuts in personal income taxes and consumption [...]
Ottawa's Housing Push May Not Show Results Until 2033: Finance Memo
It may take until 2033 for the federal government’s measures to spur housing construction to show their full impact, according to an internal Finance Department memo. The estimate was cited in a Jan. 30 briefing note to Deputy Housing Minister Paul Halucha, which was recently obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter through the access to information regime. [...]
US Government Says Hackers Attacking Vulnerable Water Systems With AI Help
'This is not a theoretical risk—it is an active threat,' a multi-agency advisory warned.
