Politics

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will meet international counterparts in Washington for talks hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as the U.S. presses for cooperation on critical minerals. The meeting follows the Trump administration's announcement of 'Project Vault,' a reported $12-billion strategic reserve of rare earths.

Israeli tank shelling and airstrikes reportedly killed at least 20 Palestinians, including children, health officials said; Israeli forces said the strikes followed militants firing on troops and the Rafah crossing's operation was disrupted.

Envoys from Russia and Ukraine will meet in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday for a second round of U.S.-brokered talks; officials say the meeting comes after renewed Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy system and follows last month's talks that produced some progress but no breakthrough.

A volunteer-run effort that began in British Columbia is connecting U.S. health‑care workers with Canadian communities, and organizers say a Newfoundland and Labrador chapter launched in January; the founder reports roughly 30 U.S. health workers have moved to Vancouver Island.

President Trump urged Republicans to "take over" elections in some states and called for federal involvement in vote counting, and the White House said he was referring to the proposed SAVE Act; critics and some election officials have expressed concern about possible federal interference ahead of the midterms.

Stephen Harper's official prime ministerial portrait was unveiled in Ottawa as part of events marking the 20th anniversary of his party's 2006 government, and he and other former leaders used the occasions to call for national unity amid strained Canada–U.S. ties.

Liberal MP Nate Erskine-Smith says he will seek the Ontario Liberal nomination in Scarborough Southwest and is "exploring" a run for the provincial party leadership. Doly Begum has resigned her provincial seat to run federally and neither by-election has been called.

Halifax Regional Police has agreed to join the federal Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program and is one of only three municipal police forces to participate; the federal government is providing $650,000 for operational costs.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper urged political parties to work together to preserve Canada’s independence during the unveiling of his official prime ministerial portrait, an event attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney and former leaders and officials.

At a parliamentary ceremony in Ottawa, former prime minister Stephen Harper urged Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre to work together to protect Canada's independence and unity; Prime Minister Carney also praised Harper's leadership during the 2008 financial crisis.

Calgary's executive committee voted 13-2 to forward a 27-action implementation plan responding to the 2024 Bearspaw feeder main failure and the independent panel's findings of systemic issues; total costs are not yet known and city council will consider the plan on Feb. 17.

President Trump asked the House to approve a funding package to end a partial government shutdown; lawmakers remain divided over immigration enforcement changes, and a House vote could begin as soon as Tuesday.

A Hamilton soldier who died while serving in Latvia will be honoured in a repatriation ceremony Tuesday, and an investigation into his death is ongoing.

B.C. Premier David Eby said two people arrested in Surrey on extortion-related allegations claimed refugee status and called that outcome 'ludicrous'; he said Bill C-12 would close the loophole and officials are coordinating police response.

A flag‑draped casket carrying Gunner Sebastian Halmagean arrived at CFB Trenton after he died near Riga, Latvia on Jan. 29; military police and Latvian State Police are investigating his death.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian instructed the foreign minister to pursue fair and equitable negotiations with the United States, and regional actors including Turkey are reported to be working to arrange talks while the U.S. has not publicly confirmed them.

Halifax Regional Police will participate in the federal assault-style firearms buyback and begin collecting eligible firearms this spring, and owners must register by the end of March to take part.

The House cleared a procedural hurdle and is expected to vote soon on a bill that would end the partial government shutdown and fund most agencies through Sept. 30.

A federal judge has paused the planned termination of Temporary Protected Status for about 350,000 Haitians, finding it likely that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acted with "racial animus"; further legal steps are undetermined.

Lawyers for Bill and Hillary Clinton told House Oversight staff the couple will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates, after Rep. James Comer continued to press for criminal contempt charges over earlier noncompliance with a congressional subpoena.

President Donald Trump is hosting Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House after months of diplomatic strain; officials say the leaders will discuss drug trafficking and bilateral trade.

Bolivia's former president Evo Morales has not appeared publicly for nearly a month; police say he has not left Bolivia and his allies say he is recovering from dengue.

Governor General Mary Simon said Canada supports Greenland's sovereignty and that Greenlanders should determine their own future; she made the remarks at the Arctic Frontiers conference ahead of a planned visit to Denmark and Greenland this week.

British Columbia premier David Eby called meetings between a small Alberta separatist group and U.S. officials 'treason'; the separatists reportedly sought U.S. financial and political support while federal leaders responded cautiously.

Janice Kennedy writes that recent separatist rhetoric in Alberta comes from a small, vocal minority while most Canadians and many Albertans remain attached to the province; she points to taxes, equalization and representation as sources of discontent reported in the debate.

An opinion piece argues Canada should halt further F-35 purchases and instead buy Saab Gripen jets with Canadian assembly, citing recent U.S. trade threats and reported comments by U.S. officials; Canada has agreed to buy 16 F-35s, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.

U.S. warships have moved toward the Gulf as U.S. and Iranian leaders exchange public threats; whether diplomatic talks will resume is undetermined at this time.

A small protest in Surrey called for greater public safety amid a wave of extortion; Surrey police said three men were charged after an extortion-related shooting and have been remanded into custody.

Former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Jean Chrétien urged Canadians to stand united and reduce economic dependence on the United States while speaking at a Royal Canadian Geographical Society event where Mr. Harper was presented with a gold medal.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is reluctant to call a spring election, and the recent floor crossing that might give Prime Minister Mark Carney a working majority could provide him extra time to regroup.