Business

A reciprocal trade agreement signed by the United States and Taiwan reduces tariffs on Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15% and exempts generic pharmaceuticals, chips and smartphones; the U.S. Trade Representative said the pact removes trade barriers and will help strengthen high-technology supply chains.

Officials say eight people were killed, about 25 were injured and the suspected shooter died of an apparent self-inflicted injury; leaders and mental-health teams have offered support and plan to visit for a vigil on Friday.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu says an initial federal probe found no broad evidence of unpaid work across the airline sector but investigators need more detailed payroll data from airlines and unions to resolve remaining questions.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is travelling to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., to attend a Friday vigil for victims of Tuesday's shooting that left nine dead and more than 25 injured; other party leaders were invited and the House of Commons paused proceedings for tributes.

The Transportation Safety Board says simulator exercises and metallurgical testing have been done in its investigation of a Delta CRJ900 crash at Toronto Pearson, but investigators have not yet reached a definitive cause and a final report is pending.

Officials say an 18-year-old attacker killed family members and several people at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School before dying; the small mining town, founded in 1981, is grieving and the mayor urged residents to support one another.

Provincial funding for the BC Rent Bank has no guarantee after April 2026, and the organization says it may begin winding down unless the program is included in the province's 2026 budget.

An exhibition at Milan's Palazzo Castiglioni displays 39 photographs by Giampaolo Sgura of volunteers and staff during dress rehearsals for the Feb. 6 Winter Olympics opening ceremony; it runs through Feb. 17 and the images will join the Olympic Museum in Lausanne's permanent collection.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he has heard from numerous world leaders after Tuesday's attacks in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., that officials say left 10 people dead including the suspect. Police are continuing to investigate.

Ontario Power Generation has proposed the New Nuclear at Wesleyville Project, a plan for up to 10,000 MW that could begin construction in the 2030s and operate in the 2040s; the Ontario Clean Air Alliance warns the province's nuclear cost estimates are unreliable and has raised concerns about potential fiscal impacts.

Acting president Delcy Rodríguez said Nicolás Maduro remains Venezuela's legitimate leader while he is being held in the U.S. on federal drug-related charges; Maduro pleaded not guilty in January.

The U.S. Congress passed legislation to end tariffs on Canadian imports, and the article reports the U.S. president is likely to veto the bill. Several Canadian companies reported fourth‑quarter results or announced leadership and operational plans.

DP World has established a fund of more than US$2 million to help 164 workers from its Lirquén terminal whose homes were destroyed in recent wildfires; the company says the fund will finance permanent homes, with initial deliveries expected within 60 days subject to permits and site conditions.

Matt Weston of Britain leads the men's Olympic skeleton after two heats with a combined time of 1:52.09, and Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified before the race began.

The Globe editorial criticizes Pierre Poilievre's request to reduce withholding tax on severance for about 1,200 laid-off GM CAMI workers and notes the finance minister's office rejected the request.

The U.S. House passed a symbolic resolution opposing tariffs on Canada that still needs Senate approval and could be vetoed; Allied Properties shares fell about 28% after a surprise equity sale.

The opinion piece questions claims that AI will cause mass, rapid job losses and notes OECD unemployment is around 5 percent while recent upgrades to ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude prompted sector selloffs.

Police say an 18-year-old killed eight people and then died by suicide in Tumbler Ridge; authorities and national leaders have expressed support while calls for a thorough investigation continue, and next formal steps are undetermined at this time.

Canada has raised its travel advisory for Cuba, advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel amid widespread power outages and shortages, and Canadian airlines have suspended southbound flights while repatriating travellers.

German exports to China fell 9.3% in 2025, and the country's annual trade deficit with China reached about €89 billion.

The Manitoba government has launched a study to examine grocery pricing issues, including differential pricing and possible expansion of milk price controls; Manitoba recorded 5.9% store-bought food inflation in the 12 months to December.

The U.S. House passed a largely symbolic measure to overturn tariffs President Trump imposed on Canada, with six Republicans joining Democrats; the measure lacks the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.

Hearings in Saskatoon are under way for NexGen’s Rook I uranium mine before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, which has 120 days after the hearing concludes to decide whether to grant a licence.

Air Canada ordered eight Airbus A350-1000s, with rights to buy eight more, and says deliveries will begin in the second half of 2030; the airline states the A350‑1000 is about 25% more fuel efficient than older aircraft.

Nathalie Provost says returning to the school weeks after the 1989 École Polytechnique attack helped her reclaim a sense of safety; she shared those reflections as Canadians reacted to a recent school shooting in Tumbler Ridge that left nine people dead.

Heineken said it will cut up to 6,000 jobs after reporting lower beer sales and higher profit; the company plans a significant cost intervention over the next two years.

Kraft Heinz has paused a planned corporate split and signalled that 2026 will be a weaker year as it shifts to reinvest in its U.S. business; the company expects lower sales and profit while funding about US$600 million in pricing, marketing and R&D.

Cha Tra Mue, founded in Thailand in 1945, will open its first Western Canada shop in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 13; the brand says its original Thai tea blend uses selected black tea leaves finished with condensed milk.

Bellingham has partnered with homesharing company Nesterly to match homeowners with renters and to manage screening, payments and agreements. B.C.'s Ministry of Housing said similar platforms, including Kelowna-based Happipad, are already being used in the province and expressed support for safe online matching services.

All six of Canada's major banks have signed on as partners of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, a multinational lender being developed by 13 nations and expected to grow to as many as 40 members.