Politics

Senate Democrats say they will block a funding package unless the Trump administration agrees to reforms for ICE, and talks between the White House and Senate leaders intensified ahead of a scheduled Senate vote.

The European Union has designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization and sanctioned 15 Iranian officials, EU foreign ministers said unanimously.

An internal ICE memo directed officers in Minneapolis to avoid engaging 'agitators' and to focus arrests on people with criminal records, amid weeks of clashes and criticism that the agency has violated federal court orders.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford pressed Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to denounce separatist activists after reports they met U.S. officials, and noted Alberta's government has passed a law that opens the door to a possible separation referendum.

Tom Homan, described as the administration's 'border czar,' held a press conference in Minnesota after arriving this week and said federal and local officials discussed coordination on public safety; he noted county jails may notify ICE about detainee release dates.

President Trump said he will not ask DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to step down, while officers involved in a Minneapolis shooting were placed on administrative leave and Democrats have threatened impeachment.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Beijing and said their countries would work toward a long-term, comprehensive strategic partnership; the talks reportedly included progress on whisky tariffs, visa-free travel, and cooperation on irregular migration, and Starmer raised the case of Jimmy Lai.

The European Union announced sanctions on 15 Iranian officials and six organizations in response to Tehran's crackdown on nationwide protests, and EU officials said further measures — including a likely listing of the Revolutionary Guard — were under consideration.

Reports say U.S. officials met multiple times with organizers of an Alberta separatist group, and the group has discussed seeking a large credit facility if a separation referendum succeeds.

The FBI searched Fulton County's main election office in Union City and removed boxes of 2020 election materials; officials described the action as a court-authorized law enforcement step and related federal litigation over the records is pending.

South Africa is facing internal debate over its foreign policy after Iranian naval ships took part in a BRICS-billed exercise at Simon's Town; the Defence Ministry has opened a board of inquiry and coalition partners have agreed to hold a high-level conference.

A survivor of the 2017 Quebec City mosque attack says recent provincial secularism laws have increased Islamophobia and complicated efforts at community healing, and the ninth anniversary will include municipal and mosque commemorations.

Ottawa granted conditional approval for Marineland to export 30 belugas and four dolphins to specific U.S. institutions, pending final information and written veterinary assessments, the fisheries minister said.

Hanover County officials said they oppose the sale and conversion of a Pattison-owned warehouse into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility; the Department of Homeland Security intends to buy the site but the sale is subject to approvals and the county attorney is reviewing legal options.

Ontario's education minister has assumed control of the Peel District School Board and halted a planned layoff of 60 teachers; the board is under provincial supervision and has been given two weeks to respond.

The federal government will send 20 additional officers and helicopter support to British Columbia, and Premier David Eby said a national summit of police leaders will be held in Surrey within two weeks; Surrey police are investigating a possible extortion-related shooting at a strip mall with no injuries reported.

Israel's prime minister says the Rafah crossing will reopen this week as part of the ceasefire's second phase, but officials say daily passage will be limited and no goods will move for now.

After a cold snap left the provincial emergency shelter open 24 hours for several days, Summerside’s mayor and local advocates are asking the province to make the facility available around the clock year-round; the province says it opens shelters for full days only during extreme weather and relies on community partners for broader supports.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said she and B.C. Premier David Eby share common ground on expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline, and Smith said Alberta will present a project proposal in June.

A Government of Alberta panel held a public meeting in Fort McMurray to gather views on using nuclear power; about 30 people attended and raised questions about safety, water use, waste storage and public education.

Natan Obed told an Arctic security symposium that recent U.S. rhetoric about Greenland could be redirected at Canada’s North, and he urged that Inuit and other Indigenous leaders be included in sovereignty and security discussions.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Senate committee that U.S. forces seized President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 and the administration is now engaging with interim leader Delcy Rodriguez while saying it does not expect further U.S. military action; congressional efforts to limit such action have so far failed.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said technical talks between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland have begun to pursue an Arctic security deal, after a working group was created following a Washington meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Rubio.

Italy says U.S. ICE agents travelling to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will remain at U.S. diplomatic premises and serve in support roles; U.S. Homeland Security said HSI will assist U.S. Diplomatic Security while Italian authorities retain operational control.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said technical talks between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland over an Arctic security agreement have begun. Denmark and Greenland ministers agreed earlier this month to form a working group after a Washington meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Rubio.

The premier and mayor signalled a Feb. 8 opening, but TTC leaders say specific details of a phased launch — including reduced hours and partial sections — are not yet public; the TTC is targeting full service by late May.

Several Democratic-led states are pursuing measures to allow state-court lawsuits against federal agents after protests over ICE tactics; Illinois passed such a law and the U.S. Justice Department has sued to block it.

Staff at Ecuador's consulate in Minneapolis prevented U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from entering, the Foreign Ministry said. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry sent a formal note of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Quito.

City manager Paul Johnson and Mayor Olivia Chow said crews have been sent to clear sidewalks after a winter storm and that snow removal began near hospitals and will expand to highways, bridges and narrow local roads; orange signs will be posted 24 hours before residential street clearance.

Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand told a symposium that NATO needs to give more attention to Arctic defence amid Russian activity and debate over Greenland, and she will travel next week to open a Canadian consulate in Nuuk.