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Republicans plan big spending to keep Ohio’s Senate seat. A bribery scandal adds to their challenges
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — As he seeks to retain his U.S. Senate seat this fall, Ohio Republican Jon Husted has been unable to escape the shadow of a $60 million bribery scandal that has roiled state politics for more than five years. Husted was recently called to testify as a defense witness in the related…
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Ontario to sell $29-million jet bought for Premier Doug Ford after backlash
Ontario is reversing course and will sell the $29-million private jet it bought for Premier Doug Ford. The move comes just days after the purchase of the 2016 Bombardier Challenger 650 jet was revealed on Friday, sparking a wave of backlash from critics who called it a waste of money. Ford acknowledged the criticism in…
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Starmer’s Mandelson nightmare never ends. This time, it may cost him his job as UK leader
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer probably wishes he had never heard the name Peter Mandelson. Starmer is again facing questions over his future. And again, it’s do with his misguided decision to appoint a self-professed “best pal” of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to the plummiest of plum jobs in U.K. diplomacy…
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Former local teacher a convicted sex offender
On February 27, 2026, a northern Alberta teacher, Brock Mackenzie Whalen, was convicted of sex crimes against a minor. He was initially charged on October 1, 2024 with six counts. The offences occurred from September 1, 2018 to August 30, 2022, dates inclusive. The case began in June 2023 when McLennan RCMP, assisted by Alberta’s…
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MD of Pincher Creek council briefs: Wildlife fencing concerns, invasive species prevention, social media policy
Drivers have reported seeing deer trapped on Highway 3 between tall fences installed as part of the Rock Creek wildlife underpass, a resident told Municipal District of Pincher Creek council. In correspondence received at the Feb. 24 regular meeting, David McIntyre raised concerns about the new wildlife fencing. He suggested that several older fences in…
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Manitoba bill targets technology that could alter grocery prices for some shoppers
The Manitoba government says it’s moving to ban what it calls “predatory pricing” on groceries, even though the issue hasn’t been seen locally. Finance Minister Adrien Sala says a bill introduced in the legislature last week is aimed at ensuring shoppers won’t be charged different prices for the same product from the same store. Sala…
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Halton Hills weighs whistleblower policy
Halton Hills is taking its first formal step toward creating a whistleblower policy, following unanimous support from council. Coun. Jason Brass brought forward a resolution March 9 that directs town staff to investigate how whistleblower programs operate in other municipalities and report back on what would be required to implement a similar framework in Halton…
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Hundreds of migrants are vanishing in the Mediterranean. Authorities are withholding information
ROME (AP) — Bodies washing ashore day after day. Phone calls from relatives going unanswered. Migrants’ tents abandoned overnight. Migrants trying to reach Europe are vanishing in droves in what are known as “invisible shipwrecks” but governments responsible for search and rescue are withholding information about what they know. The beginning of 2026 ranks as…
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Ontario plans to open high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all outside peak traffic times
Ontario drivers may soon be able to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes at times, even if they are all by themselves. Premier Doug Ford’s government is proposing to amend the Highway Traffic Act to allow single-occupant vehicles to use the HOV lanes during off-peak hours, saying it would reduce travel times and ease gridlock. “It’s pretty…
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Tax scams are on the rise. Here’s what to know
NEW YORK (AP) — Robocalls, texts, and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared to previous years, with artificial intelligence likely increasing fraud attempts, according to the consumer protection bureau of the Federal Trade Commission. Consumer advocates and government officials urge the public to stay wary, to stop and think before engaging…
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Via Rail ‘needs to improve its service’ despite solid management: auditor general
Via Rail needs to improve its service — punctuality, in particular — according to Canada’s auditor general, who nonetheless gave solid marks to the Crown corporation’s management practices. In a report, Karen Hogan said that over the past decade Via has failed to improve its on-time performance, which sank to a dismal 30 per cent…