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Retired Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour was sworn in Monday as Canada’s new governor general, becoming the official representative of King Charles III in the country. Arbour, 79, succeeds Mary Simon, who made history in 2021 as Canada’s first Indigenous governor general. The position carries key constitutional responsibilities, although it is largely ceremonial and symbolic. The installation ceremony included the raising of the Governor General’s Flag on Parliament Hill and a performance of “God Save the King” by the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Prime Minister Mark Carney selected Arbour, a prominent Francophone jurist with an extensive record in international law, human rights and justice. Throughout her legal career, Arbour served on the Supreme Court of Ontario, the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. In 1996, she was appointed chief prosecutor for the United Nations tribunals investigating crimes committed in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. During her tenure, she oversaw landmark prosecutions, including the first genocide conviction since the adoption of the 1948 Genocide Convention and the first war crimes indictment of a sitting head of state. Arbour later served as the UN Special Representative for International Migration from 2017 to 2018. In her inaugural address as governor general, Arbour emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law in maintaining a stable and democratic society. She also expressed concern about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, warning that increased reliance on AI could blur the distinction between facts and assumptions and undermine people's ability to control their own future. Arbour highlighted Canada's global significance, noting that the country contains nearly seven percent of the world's land area and 20 percent of its freshwater resources while accounting for only about half of one percent of the global population. She said Canada remains a country that attracts admiration around the world. Ahead of her installation, Arbour met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace last week. Canada remains a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth, with the British monarch serving as the country's head of state.

The US embassy in Iraq on Thursday issued a security alert, warning that Iran-aligned armed groups have carried out “widespread” attacks on American citizens and US-linked sites across the country, including the Kurdish region in the north. The embassy urged all US citizens to leave Iraq immediately and advised against visiting the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil due to ongoing threats from missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace. It recommended that those departing use overland routes to Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, or Turkiye, as Iraqi airspace remains closed. #From Al Jazeera

The US embassy in Baghdad has been targeted by a wave of drone and rocket attacks as tensions escalate across the Middle East amid the ongoing war involving Iran, according to international media reports. Security sources in Iraq said the assault on the heavily fortified International Zone in central Baghdad was the most intense attack since such incidents began. The embassy had earlier issued a security alert warning US citizens that Iran-aligned militias had repeatedly targeted the area. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed its airspace after authorities reported incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. The UAE’s civil aviation authority described the move as an exceptional precautionary measure. The closure came only hours after flights had resumed following a separate disruption at Dubai International Airport. Authorities had earlier suspended operations there after a fire broke out near the airport. Emirates airline later resumed a reduced flight schedule, while Etihad Airways said it was operating a limited number of commercial flights from Abu Dhabi in coordination with relevant authorities after safety and security assessments. The developments come as the wider regional conflict continues to escalate, with missile attacks, air strikes and rising security concerns affecting several countries in the Middle East.   With inputs from BBC

At least 10 people were killed in shootings at a school and a nearby home in northeastern British Columbia, Canadian authorities said Tuesday. Eight people, including the suspected gunman, died at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Two other bodies were later found at a residence believed to be linked to the incident. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said more than 25 people were injured in the school shooting, including two who remain in life-threatening condition. In a statement, the RCMP said officers entered the school after reports of an active shooter. During a search of the building, they found several victims. The suspected shooter was also discovered dead with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Police said six other individuals were found dead inside the school. Two victims were airlifted to hospital with serious or life-threatening injuries, while another person died on the way to hospital. Earlier in the day, the Peace River South School District announced a “lockdown and secure and hold” at both Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and Tumbler Ridge Elementary School. Larry Neufeld, the member of the legislative assembly for Peace River South, told reporters that significant resources, including RCMP officers and ambulance services, had been deployed to the community. He declined to provide further details, citing concerns about operational safety. Tumbler Ridge is a small town of about 2,400 residents, located more than 1,000 kilometers north of Vancouver near the Alberta border. According to the provincial government website, Tumbler Ridge Secondary School serves around 175 students in Grades 7 through 12. School shootings are uncommon in Canada.

A Russian cargo ship captain has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after his vessel collided with a U.S. oil tanker in the North Sea last year, resulting in the death of a crew member. Vladimir Motin, 59, was on sole watch when his ship, the Solong, struck the anchored Stena Immaculate off northeast England on March 10, 2025. Both vessels were carrying flammable cargo, and the crash triggered a massive fire that burned for eight days. Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, who was on the bow of the Solong, died instantly, and his body was never recovered. Prosecutors told the London trial that Motin failed to slow the vessel, sound alarms, call for help, or attempt a crash stop, and accused him of lying about the incident. Iranian protester Erfan released on bail amid conflicting execution claims Senior specialist prosecutor Michael Gregory described the case as “a tragic and entirely avoidable death caused by truly exceptional negligence,” adding, “It is extremely fortunate that no one else was killed.” Motin is due to be sentenced on Thursday. The Solong, 130 meters long, was transporting mainly alcoholic spirits and some hazardous materials en route to Rotterdam, Netherlands. The Stena Immaculate, 183 meters long, was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military. Evidence presented at the trial included CCTV footage showing both ships engulfed in flames from leaking fuel, and a recording of the Stena Immaculate crew reacting in panic: “What just hit us … a container ship … this is no drill, fire fire fire, we have had a collision.” Rescue teams managed to save 36 crew members from both vessels.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an ambitious plan to double Canada’s exports to countries other than the United States over the next decade, saying that rising U.S. tariffs have chilled investment and exposed Canada’s economic vulnerabilities. Carney, who is set to unveil his government’s budget on November 4, said Wednesday that Canada’s decades-long economic dependence on the U.S. has become a liability. “The jobs of workers in our industries most affected by U.S. tariffs — autos, steel, lumber — are under threat. Our businesses are holding back investments, restrained by the pall of uncertainty that is hanging over all of us,” Carney said. U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply increased tariffs on Canadian goods and even suggested that Canada could become “the 51st state,” drawing criticism from Ottawa. In a televised address, Carney said the era of deep economic integration with the U.S. has ended. “The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression,” he said. “We have to take care of ourselves because we can’t rely on one foreign partner.” Although tensions have eased slightly as Carney works to negotiate a trade deal with Trump, tariffs continue to take a toll on key sectors — particularly aluminum, steel, autos, and lumber — with more than 75% of Canada’s exports still going to the U.S. “We are re-engaging with the global giants India and China,” Carney said, emphasizing a new era of trade diversification. Carney described Canada as an “energy superpower,” noting that the country holds the world’s third-largest oil reserves and the fourth-largest natural gas reserves. Canada supplies about 60% of U.S. crude oil imports and 85% of its electricity imports. It is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum, and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals that the Pentagon considers vital for national security. “I will always be straight about the challenges we have to face and the choices we must make,” Carney said. “Transforming our economy won’t be easy or fast — it will take sacrifice and time.” Source: AP  

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday at a time when one of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances has been fractured by Trump's trade war and annexation threats. Carney's second visit to the White House comes ahead of a review next year of the free trade agreement, which is critical to Canada's economy. More than 77% of Canada's exports go to the U.S. Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state and his tariffs have Canadians feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal. Relations with Canada’s southern neighbor and longtime ally haven’t been worse. “We've had ups and downs, but this is the lowest point in relations that I can recall,” said Frank McKenna, a former Canadian ambassador to the United States and current deputy chairman of TD Bank. “Canadians aren't being instructed what to do. They are simply voting with their feet," he said. "I talk every day to ordinary citizens who are changing their vacation plans, and I talk to large business owners who are moving reward trips away or executive business trips. There is an outright rebellion." There is fear in Canada over what will happen to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Carney is looking to get some relief on some sector-specific tariffs, but expectations are low. “Improving relations with the White House ahead of the USMCA review is certainly an objective of the trip, but opposition parties and part of the Canadian public will criticize Prime Minister Carney if he doesn’t achieve some progress on the tariff front at this stage,” said Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Trump said Monday that he anticipated Carney wanted to use the meeting to discuss trade. “I guess he’s going to ask about tariffs, because a lot of companies from Canada are moving into the United States,” Trump, a Republican, told reporters after signing an executive order related to Alaska. “He’s losing a lot of companies in Canada.” Carney has said the USMCA, which is up for review in 2026, is an advantage for Canada at a time when it is clear that the U.S. is charging for access to its market. Carney has said the commitment of the U.S. to the core of USMCA means that more than 85% of Canada-U.S. trade continues to be free of tariffs. He said the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods is 5.6% and remains the lowest among all its trading partners. But Trump has some sector-specific tariffs on Canada, known as Section 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There are 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, for example. McKenna said he is hearing Canada might get some relief in steel and aluminum. “It could be 50% to 25% or agreeing on tariff-free quotas to allow the steel and aluminum to go through at last year's levels,” he said. The ties between the two countries are without parallel. About $2.5 billion (nearly $3.6 billion Canadian) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. There is close cooperation on defense, border security and law enforcement, and a vast overlap in culture, traditions and pastimes. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports are from Canada. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. “The bigger prize would be getting a mutual agreement to negotiate as quickly as possible the free trade relationship,” McKenna said. “If the United States were to threaten us with the six months' notice of termination, I think it would represent a deep chill all across North America."

Air Canada suspended all operations on Saturday as more than 10,000 flight attendants went on strike after a deadline to reach a contract deal passed, leaving travelers stranded during the peak summer travel season. Hugh Pouliot, spokesman for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), confirmed the strike started after no agreement was reached, prompting the airline to halt operations and begin locking flight attendants out of airports. The strike follows a bitter contract dispute between Canada’s largest airline and the union, which rejected the airline’s request for government-directed arbitration. Such arbitration would have removed the union’s right to strike and allowed a third-party mediator to decide the new contract terms. DC sues to block Trump’s federal takeover of police department Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu met with both parties Friday night, urging them to make greater efforts to reach an agreement. “It is unacceptable that so little progress has been made. Canadians are counting on both parties to put forward their best efforts,” Hajdu said in a statement. Air Canada operates around 700 flights daily, and the shutdown could affect about 130,000 passengers each day, including some 25,000 Canadians stranded abroad. Travelers impacted by the strike are eligible for full refunds or alternative travel options, though flights on other carriers are largely full due to the summer travel peak. Air Canada and the union have been negotiating for eight months but remain far apart on pay and unpaid work performed outside flight hours. The airline’s latest offer proposed a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, while the union said the 8% raise in the first year was insufficient to offset inflation. Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr warned it could take up to a week to fully resume operations once a tentative deal is reached.

Eight babies have been born in the UK using DNA from three people in a groundbreaking effort to stop the transmission of severe and often deadly mitochondrial conditions, doctors have confirmed. The approach, developed by UK scientists, involves combining the egg and sperm of the intended parents with a second egg from a donor woman. Though the technique has been legal in the UK for a decade, this is the first confirmed evidence that it has successfully resulted in births free from incurable mitochondrial disease. These inherited conditions typically pass from mother to child and impair the body’s ability to produce energy. The impact can be devastating, often leading to severe disability or death shortly after birth. Couples are often aware of their risk if previous children, family members, or the mother herself have shown symptoms. ‘Love Island’ reignites debate over racial bias, colorism, and misogynoir in dating culture Babies born through this method receive the vast majority of their DNA from their parents, with just about 0.1% coming from the donor woman. This genetic material from the donor includes healthy mitochondria and is passed down to future generations. Families who underwent the procedure have chosen to remain anonymous but shared their experiences through the Newcastle Fertility Centre, where the treatments were performed. Mitochondria are microscopic structures within nearly all human cells that convert oxygen and food into usable energy. Faulty mitochondria can leave the body without sufficient energy to function properly, potentially leading to organ failure, brain damage, seizures, and other serious complications. Roughly one in every 5,000 babies is born with mitochondrial disease. The Newcastle team estimates that 20 to 30 babies could be born each year through this three-person method. Some parents have endured the heartbreak of losing multiple children to these diseases. Because mitochondria are inherited only from the mother, this innovative technique uses healthy mitochondria from a donor woman alongside the parents’ genetic material. The science behind the procedure was developed at Newcastle University and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with a specialised NHS service launching in 2017. Two reports published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that 22 families underwent the process at Newcastle Fertility Centre. The procedures led to the birth of eight babies—four boys and four girls, including a pair of twins—and one ongoing pregnancy. “To see the relief and joy in the faces of the parents of these babies after such a long wait and fear of consequences, it’s brilliant to be able to see these babies alive, thriving and developing normally,” Prof Bobby McFarland, director of the NHS Highly Specialised Service for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, told the BBC. All the babies were found to be free of mitochondrial disease and are developing as expected. One baby experienced epilepsy, which resolved naturally, and another has an irregular heartbeat currently being treated. These issues are not believed to be linked to the mitochondrial replacement process. Stay cool with these heat-fighting gadgets and wearables An important concern has been whether damaged mitochondria might still transfer into the embryo, potentially leading to disease. The findings show that in five cases, defective mitochondria were undetectable. In the remaining three, low levels—ranging from 5% to 20%—were found in samples, which is well below the 80% threshold typically associated with symptoms. Researchers are continuing to investigate why this low-level transfer occurred and whether it can be completely avoided. Source: BBC

The Israeli military reported that dozens of Israeli settlers stormed a military base in the occupied West Bank on Sunday night, setting fires, damaging military vehicles, spray-painting graffiti, and physically assaulting soldiers. The incident followed a string of violent attacks by settlers in recent days and growing tensions over the arrests of several individuals involved. Earlier in the week, over 100 settlers entered the Palestinian town of Kfar Malik, setting buildings on fire and shooting at residents. According to local official Najeb Rostom, three Palestinians were killed after the Israeli army intervened. Five settlers were arrested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, saying that “no civilized country can allow citizens to burn military facilities, damage army property, and attack security forces.” Footage from Israeli media showed young religious settlers—often linked to the extremist “hilltop youth” movement—gathering around the base near Ramallah. Security forces used stun grenades to disperse them. The military released images showing burned equipment used to prevent attacks and maintain security. In a rare rebuke, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hardline stance and past support of such settlers, denounced the attack, calling it a “red line” and urging strong action. Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the rioters as “Jewish terrorists” supported by the current coalition government. Ben-Gvir, a staunch pro-settlement figure, has a history of incitement and links to far-right movements. Though once marginalized in Israeli politics, he has gained prominence alongside a broader rightward shift, which critics say has emboldened violent settler activity. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pledged to crack down on the violence and reminded settlers that many soldiers are exhausted reservists already under heavy strain. In the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Palestinians in the West Bank report increasing Israeli military checkpoints and restrictions, while Israel cites growing security threats from the area. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Today, around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under military rule, alongside roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers. Most of the international community views these settlements as illegal under international law.