Politics

Hospital officials said Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 19 people, and Israeli military officials said the strikes followed militant gunfire that wounded a reservist.

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 24 Palestinians, Gaza health officials said, and Israel said some strikes followed a militant attack that wounded a soldier; the fragile ceasefire has been strained.

The B.C. government has appointed Paul Dadwal, a former RCMP officer, to lead a community advisory group on extortion aimed at improving communication between law enforcement and affected communities such as Surrey.

The Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal and allowed a voter-approved California congressional map to be used in this year's elections. Filing for California congressional primaries begins on Monday.

Newly released Epstein files include allegations referencing Bill Gates, which he denies and says he regrets knowing Jeffrey Epstein; Melinda French Gates said she has moved on from their marriage and called the victims' experiences 'beyond heartbreaking.'

Fulton County asked a federal court to order the FBI to return ballots and other 2020 election documents taken in a recent warehouse search. President Donald Trump has said he wants to "take over" elections in some Democratic-run areas, remarks county officials cited in their filing.

Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser said Ottawa will not change the current judicial appointment process after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith demanded more provincial input and warned she would withhold provincial funding for judges.

Residents and officials north of Kingston say a proposed high-speed rail corridor could cut through South Frontenac; Alto says no route has been selected and impact assessments and consultations are ongoing.

Envoys from Russia and Ukraine met in Abu Dhabi for U.S.-brokered talks, and Ukrainian officials reported a cluster munition attack at a market that killed seven people.

Defence Minister David McGuinty said Canada has no intention of developing nuclear weapons and will focus on conventional forces; his remarks responded to former chief Wayne Eyre's suggestion that Canada keep the option open in the future.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser said he will keep the current federal process for judicial appointments after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith asked for a greater provincial role and warned she would withhold some judicial funding if Ottawa did not agree.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered a severe security crackdown on nationwide protests that activists say killed thousands, and he has allowed nuclear talks with the United States as tensions rise with an American flotilla nearby.

Border czar Tom Homan said about 700 federal immigration officers will be withdrawn from Minnesota following two recent fatal shootings involving federal officers. The Justice Department has opened a civil rights review into one of the shootings while the other has not been the subject of the same review.

The High Commission of Canada in Tanzania continues to support Valerie Msoka as a CEFM Champion, and the article reports she empowers young women to oppose female genital mutilation. The story is published by Global Affairs Canada and references an earlier archived account from 2018.

The Trump administration said it will withdraw about 700 immigration officers from Minnesota, reducing a federal deployment of roughly 3,000. Border czar Tom Homan said the move followed agreements with state and local authorities to transfer arrested immigrants to federal custody.

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.