Carney Meets with Indian PM Modi in New Delhi, Touts Energy Partnership
Prime Minister Mark Carney engaged in a significant meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where a series of agreements were announced, focusing on a strategic energy partnership between Canada and India. The discussions consisted of a bilateral meeting attended by respective delegations, followed by a 35-minute one-on-one session. However, the prolonged meetings resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled lunch meeting with additional staff, causing delays in their joint announcement.
This meeting occurred against the backdrop of a report by the Globe and Mail, which alleged that Indian consular staff may have been involved in the 2023 murder of a Canadian Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, B.C. Nijjar was known for advocating an independent Sikh homeland and served as president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. According to anonymous sources cited by the Globe and Mail, consular staff in Vancouver supplied information that may have facilitated the killing. Carney reportedly raised concerns about foreign interference, emphasizing that Canada would continue taking measures to combat transnational repression.
War Widens in Mideast as Saudi Arabia Shuts Down Key Oil Refinery After Attack
In a separate development in the Middle East, Saudi Aramco temporarily shut down its Ras Tanura oil refinery near Dammam following an attack purportedly involving Iranian drones. Saudi state television confirmed the precautionary measure, assuring that no casualties were reported from the incident, which raised alarms due to the refinery's substantial capacity of over half a million barrels of crude oil per day.
The hostilities have escalated, with reports of missiles fired by Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militias targeting Israel and neighboring Arab states, including the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait. A U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran has reportedly claimed at least 555 lives across more than 130 cities in Iran, while eleven fatalities were reported in Israel as the violence intensified.
Submarine Companies Face Deadline for Canadian Fleet Proposals
The competition to construct the Canadian navy's future fleet of submarines is advancing as the deadline for finalists to submit final proposals was set for Monday. Canada has plans to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines, aiming for operational deployment by 2032. The procurement process is expedited due to the aging Victoria-class submarines, which are scheduled for retirement within the next decade.
The two finalists include South Korea’s Hanwha Oceans and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which has partners from Germany and Norway. Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, indicated that an announcement regarding the winning bid is expected later this year.
Saskatchewan Legislative Session Returns with Budget Deficit on the Horizon
Saskatchewan's legislators are reconvening today for the spring session, with Premier Scott Moe announcing plans to introduce a deficit budget later this month. The government cites revenue challenges stemming from trade and market uncertainties as the driving force behind the anticipated deficits. Previous tariffs imposed by China on Canadian canola products have predominantly been lifted, yet revenue shortfalls persist.
The Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) aims to press the government to address deteriorating conditions in healthcare and educational institutions, in addition to advocating for measures to combat rising crime rates in the province.
Increase in Young Men Seeking Gambling Help in Ontario: Study
A new study reveals a staggering increase in young men seeking assistance for gambling-related issues in Ontario, with contacts to the province's mental health helpline rising by more than 300 percent since the province legalized private online gambling. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, highlights the urgent need for enhanced harm-reduction strategies and improved access to treatment.
The researchers examined data from ConnexOntario, the province's free mental health and addictions helpline, from January 2012 to September 2025. They noted a significant rise in contacts following the launch of the gambling platform PlayOLG in January 2015 and the expansion of private online gambling in April 2022. Throughout the 13-year analysis period, ConnexOntario received over 745,700 contacts, with approximately 37,000 related to gambling. Among males aged 15 to 24, the mean monthly rate of gambling-related contacts soared by 317 percent, while men aged 25 to 44 experienced an increase of 108 percent.
