Politics

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa visited Moscow for a second meeting in under four months, and President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to help rebuild Syria's economy.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada has completed its internal review of the Canada‑U.S.‑Mexico Free Trade Agreement and is ready to meet with the United States and Mexico; U.S. and Mexican reviews are still underway.

A large landslide in Niscemi, Sicily forced the evacuation of about 1,500 people; Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the town.

Greenland's prime minister said there were red lines that could not be crossed in discussions with the United States, and talks between Greenland, Denmark and the United States are due to take place to try to find a solution.

China removed Generals Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the Central Military Commission, leaving the body reduced to two members; analysts say the purge tightens Xi Jinping's control and may change how Beijing approaches Taiwan.

Algoma Steel signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, which has pledged $345 million toward a new beam mill in Sault Ste. Marie if its submarine bid is approved; federal officials say the mill could restore up to 500 jobs.

Mi'kmaw chiefs in Nova Scotia are developing their own cannabis law while the province has announced an enforcement crackdown and reported more than 100 unlicensed outlets.

Alberta’s three chief justices issued a rare public statement defending judicial independence after Premier Danielle Smith said she wished she could "direct" judges.

More than 100 people gathered in Toronto for a vigil for people killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles called for ending an Ontario manufacturer's contract with ICE after reports of a vehicle order.

Federal agents say a 34-year-old man fired at a Border Patrol helicopter and agents near Arivaca, Arizona; agents returned fire and the man was wounded and taken to hospital. The FBI asked the Pima County Sheriff's Department to lead a use-of-force investigation.

Chief justices from Alberta's three court levels issued a rare public statement affirming judicial independence after Premier Danielle Smith said she 'wishes' she could direct judges; government spokespeople said they respect the separation of powers.

A federal judge has issued a temporary order preventing removal of a five-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father, who were taken into custody in Minnesota and are being held at a family detention facility in Texas.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma said Canadian companies should think about their role when doing business with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and said her government is watching related U.S. actions with concern. Her remarks came as public scrutiny grew over a possible sale of a Virginia warehouse owned by Jim Pattison Developments to U.S. Homeland Security.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he did not direct or know about a reported U.S. order for armoured 'Senator' vehicles from Brampton-based Roshel, after earlier praising the deal; the order and Ford's remarks have drawn political attention.

Surrey city council unanimously approved a motion asking the federal government to declare a state of emergency over rising extortion, citing dozens of suspected incidents this month and 132 attempts in 2025. The mayor will put the requests in writing and is scheduled to raise the issue with federal officials while city staff report developments to council within 30 days.

Neil Young announced a one-year offer of free online access to his full music catalogue for people in Greenland, posted on his NYA Times-Contrarian site; the offer requires a cellphone with a Greenland country code and was framed as a response to reported U.S. interest in the territory.

Composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the Kennedy Center, saying the center's values conflict with the symphony; the premiere had been scheduled for June.

U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents will assist the State Department with security for U.S. delegations at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 6–22, and several Italian politicians and groups have publicly objected to their presence.

A one-block closure of East Broadway between Main and Quebec will last about four months for work on the Broadway Subway Project, and local business leaders say owners are anxious and are due to meet the transport minister Tuesday.

More than 3,000 people attended a Calgary rally calling for an Alberta independence referendum, and organizers are collecting signatures ahead of a May 2 deadline.

Robert Kyagulanyi escaped house arrest on Jan. 17 and remains at large while security forces conduct a nationwide search; senior military officials have publicly vowed to capture him.

U.S. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis as the administration named Tom Homan to lead federal immigration operations and report directly to the White House; the change follows a second fatal shooting by federal officers and a legal challenge to the enforcement surge.

A U.S.-based activist group reported at least 6,126 deaths and more than 41,800 arrests in Iran after nationwide protests, while Iranian officials give a lower figure and independent verification is limited.

Public support for aggressive ICE operations has weakened after recent deadly encounters during protests, and the administration has moved to place a border official on the ground in Minnesota while facing possible congressional objections to funding.

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed capping credit card interest at 10 per cent, which the article says could provide short-term relief but experts warn it may reduce credit availability and harm lower-income households over time.

Hundreds queued in Calgary to sign a Stay Free Alberta petition that organizers say aims for almost 178,000 signatures by May to prompt a referendum on Alberta leaving Canada, while opposition NDP leaders criticized the premier's comments.

A national report says cutting unnecessary paperwork could free the equivalent of 326 full-time doctors in Manitoba, where physicians spend about 9.7 hours per week on administrative tasks; the province says it is advancing work on eliminating sick notes and improving digital health systems.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a multibillion-dollar boost to the GST credit, including a one-time top-up in June and a 25% increase phased in over five years; the credit will be renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and is said to reach up to 12 million Canadians.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced GST rebate payments will rise by 25% over five years with a one-time 50% increase in June, and the federal government says the change will affect about 12 million Canadians.

Many Gazans are hoping the Rafah crossing will reopen after Israel said it recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza; officials have not given a reopening date.