North Korea Launches Missiles off Coast, Seoul Says
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said that intelligence agencies from both South Korea and the United States were sharing and tracking developments.
Merz Under Pressure Following AfD Surge in German Regional Elections
The chancellor intends to stay on despite 'disaster' for his conservative CDU party, which was squeezed at the polls by both right- and left-wing parties.
Oil Tanker Hit by Projectile in Strait of Hormuz, Military Organization Says
Similarly, the Yemeni Houthi terrorist organization warned other countries not to get involved in its conflict with Saudi Arabia.
Taiwan Builds Whole-of-Society System to Keep Country Running in Crisis
A forum in Taipei followed a three-day earthquake exercise that tested many of the same civilian systems Taiwan would need during a conflict.
Hormuz Shipping Remains Subdued but Adapts to Iran Conflict: Industry Analysts
Saudi Arabia continues to reroute more crude exports through the strategic waterway after Houthi attacks disrupted its East-West pipeline.
Ontario Court Rejects Reduced Sentence Request From Fentanyl Dealer Facing Deportation
An Ontario judge has rejected a request for a reduced sentence from a convicted drug dealer seeking to avoid deportation. Twenty-eight-year-old permanent resident Hopeton McFarlane pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton to possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking earlier this year. The judge sentenced McFarlane to two years in prison and three years of probation earlier this month. His lawyer had asked for a conditional sentence of two years less a day, arguing in part that a prison sentence could lead to his deportation to his home country of Jamaica. McFarlane’s immigration counsel submitted a letter to the court advising that a conviction for possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking would likely trigger admissibility and deportation proceedings under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Trump Says US to Buy Potash From Belarus in Pivot From Canada
U.S. President Donald Trump says he is in negotiations to buy potash from Belarus at a lower price than what America currently pays for Canadian imports. “The United States is working on a massive Deal with respect to the purchase of Potash from Belarus,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. “The pricing would […]
Smith Gives Emotional Speech at Online Forum Ahead of Referendum
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith became emotional while delivering the opening speech at a virtual forum on Sept. 19, as she described the frustrations driving some Albertans toward separation, while arguing that the province should remain in Canada. Albertans are angry, Smith said, holding back tears on Sept. 19, the first day of the Alberta and the West Assembly. She cited farmers under pressure, young families struggling to afford homes, and parents facing rising grocery and utility costs. The two-day virtual event was co-hosted and co-chaired by former Reform Party leader Preston Manning and former British Columbia premier Gordon Campbell. Alberta will hold a referendum on Oct. 19 featuring 10 questions covering immigration, eligibility for provincially funded programs, voting requirements, provincial control over judges, Senate abolition, federal funding and provincial jurisdiction.
MLA Doerkson Appointed BC Conservative Interim Leader, Rustad and Other MLAs Invited Back to Party
The Conservative Party of BC has appointed MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim leader following the resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Meanwhile, former leader John Rustad, former interim leader Trevor Halford, and some other MLAs who had left the party were invited to rejoin the caucus. The party announced Doerkson’s appointment in a statement a few hours after Findlay stepped down from her position as leader on Sept. 20. “The Party’s Board of Directors has accepted the recommendation and passed a motion to appoint Lorne Doerkson as Interim Leader,” the party said in the statement. “We thank Lorne for stepping forward to serve during this important transition. Our caucus and Party will now move forward together, focused on providing strong opposition and representing British Columbians across the province.”
Trump Says Russia ‘Lost Control’ Over Oil Industry Amid Ukraine Strikes
The president also called for an end to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure while calling for an end to the war.
Officer Injured in Shootout Outside Synagogue in Eastern Ontario During Yom Kippur
A Belleville police officer and a male suspect have been taken to hospital after reports of an evening shootout at a synagogue in the eastern Ontario city as congregants were celebrating Yom Kippur on Sept. 20. The Belleville Police Service has called in the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate after the incident, according to a statement posted to social media. The SIU confirmed the shootout in a statement which also said the 29-year-old male suspect is “in hospital in life threatening condition” and the officer is in “critical-stable condition.” Neither police nor the SIU has said what led to the shooting or if the synagogue was the target, but Police Association of Ontario President Mark Baxter said on social media that the officer was shot while “bravely guarding the Sons of Jacob Synagogue and the Jewish community during Yom Kippur.”
Trump Weighs Iran Options as Tehran Vows to Widen the War
Iran's military central command said on state media that any new attack would trigger sustained retaliation against U.S. bases and interests.
Nvidia CEO Says ‘Zero Percent’ Chance of AI Making Humans Extinct
Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon said earlier this month that 'people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.'
Zelenskyy to Meet Trump in New York Amid Ukraine Peace Push
Zelenskyy thanked Trump for signing the Lindsey Graham bill into law on Sept. 18.
Turkey Backs Saudi Arabia Under Mecca Alliance Amid Ongoing Houthi Attacks
Saudi Arabia and the Houthis continued to exchange attacks, with each side reporting military operations over the weekend.
Diesel Hits Record $6.50 as War Disruptions Squeeze Supplies
One in 10 U.S. service stations now charges more than $7 per gallon for diesel amid a global supply squeeze.
Taiwan Launches World Alliance for Disaster Management
The new intergovernmental organization has 13 founding members and is the first such body initiated by Taiwan in 55 years.
America in Brief
U.S. signs deal with Denmark over Greenland, SCOTUS stalls Trump postal rule for mail-in ballots, and U.S. imposes new sanctions on Russia and Iran.
The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model is projecting 5.
The Atlanta Fed's GDPNow model is projecting 5.1% annualized real growth for Q3. Strongest quarter since the end of 2021. Worth discounting though. Inventories are adding roughly two percentage point...
Australia to Ban Foreign Students From Bringing Family Members Amid Migration Overhaul
The minister also said migration is not the main cause of the housing crisis, pointing to how Australians are just using up more space at home.
