Uproar in Germany over law requiring men get military approval for long stays abroad
A little-noticed clause in sweeping changes to Germany’s military service policy has caused uproar after it emerged that the law requires men aged up to 45 to get permission from the armed forces before any significant stay abroad, even in peacetime.
The legislation, which went into effect on 1 January, aims to bolster the military and demands all 18-year-old men fill out a questionnaire to gauge their suitability to serve in the armed forces, but stops short of conscription.
Spy allegations against veteran Ottawa journalist drew attention from RCMP security unit
OTTAWA — A veteran Canadian journalist facing unproven and disputed allegations that he is working as a pro-Russian operative was the subject of several interviews during an investigation involving the RCMP, the Star has learned.
The exact purpose of the inquiries is unclear, but sources familiar with the probe said members of the RCMP-led INSET national security body had conversations with numerous individuals during the past two years that focused on the Ottawa Citizen’s David Pugliese and claims he is linked to Moscow. At one meeting in 2025, INSET officials “made it clear” they were approaching the matter “as a national security issue,” one of the sources said.
What we know so far about rescue of US airman in Iran … and Trump’s “expletive-laden” social media post
The US has rescued the missing crew member of the US F-15 fighter jet which was shot down on Friday over southern Iran.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue on social media on Sunday morning after the US military “pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations” in its history. The officer is “now SAFE and SOUND!” he added.
Two crew members were on board the jet, and both ejected from the plane. One of them had already been rescued by US forces.
Trump issues expletive-laden social media post
Warning: The below post contains very strong, uncensored language that some may find offensive.
US President Donald Trump has published an expletive-laden post on his Truth Social platform, in which he threatens Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Seriously? The BBC is upset about that?
Speaking with Fox News’ Trey Yingst, President Trump said regarding the ongoing Iran War, “If they don't make a deal and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil,” adding that he thinks he can make a deal with Iran by Monday. pic.twitter.com/C3e5G2kpmT
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 5, 2026
War disrupts Irving Oil’s longtime Saudi crude supply
Canada’s largest oil refinery is looking for new supply options as the U.S. war on Iran threatens one of its most reliable, and long-standing, sources of crude oil.
Irving Oil recently got permission from federal regulators to use a foreign-owned ship to bring crude oil from Newfoundland’s offshore fields to Saint John, in southern New Brunswick.
Saudi Arabia has been the most reliable source of crude for Irving’s Saint John refinery since it opened in 1960, but Irving told regulators last month that this is no longer certain.
Sadiq Khan’s bodyguards left bag of guns outside home
Armed police guarding Sir Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, have reportedly left a bag of guns outside his home.
An MP5 semi-automatic Heckler & Koch carbine, Glock pistol, Taser and ammunition were found on the kerb in south London on Tuesday evening.
Five officers have since been removed from front-line duties.
No parallel justice system for immigrants, says Quebec judge in criminal harassment case
A Quebec judge says Canada cannot have a separate judicial system for immigrants who come into conflict with the law amid a national debate over the role immigration status plays in sentencing.
Provincial court Judge Dennis Galiatsatos made the observation in the case of a married immigrant in Montreal who harassed his former girlfriend for six months. The man wanted her as a second wife, which he considered acceptable under Sharia Law.
Prince Harry v the Mail: will ‘Mr Mischief’ regret this £38m gamble?
Ballooning costs, embarrassing disclosure of flirty messages with a journalist… perhaps the duke’s privacy case was a losing bet
It is Prince Harry’s last great gamble in his seven-year war with the tabloids. When the Duke of Sussex decided to take on Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday, he was fuelled by almost three decades of fury at how newspapers had treated his family.
What he perhaps did not envisage was the circus the claim would unleash in the High Court: the release of flirty text messages in which Harry was branded “Mr Mischief” by a journalist; revelations about a meeting on a London roundabout; and eccentric legal analogies involving donkeys. The big question now is, will it pay off?
Conservative MP Says Toronto Venue Should Reverse Decision to Cancel Shen Yun Shows Since Bomb Threat Was Unfounded
Conservative MP Marc Dalton says he hopes Shen Yun’s remaining Toronto performances can proceed, since police have confirmed that the bomb threats against the show are unfounded.
“These threats have been a tactic worldwide to derail this production in the past couple of years. I have tickets to attend next week in Vancouver and look forward to it,” Dalton said on social media on April 2.
Syria Calls Migrants in Germany a “Strategic Asset”—Rejects Returns
Another week, another reminder that the German government’s rhetoric on migration rarely matches reality.
Friedrich Merz was clearly hoping to claw back some support from the anti-migration AfD when he said on Monday that he expected 80% of Syrians in Germany to return home within three years. The only problem is that the figure is disputed—and rapidly unravelling.
How the Middle East war is already impacting mortgage rates in Canada
The Middle East war is impacting something most Canadians may not have expected: the cost of some mortgages.
Last month, three- and five-year fixed mortgages increased by 0.5 per cent in just three weeks, said Marshall Tully, a Toronto-based mortgage broker.
“Unfortunately, it’s possible that trend could continue,” Tully said.
WTF?
Buddy is like a 6'5 Russian dude and they still thought it was smart to attack him.that random overjoy man appeared out of nowhere pic.twitter.com/RLzlXSe0OB
— Sebastian™ (@Azariel91) April 4, 2026
WTF?
NEW – Man tries to STAB random people in Toronto's main square
fortunatley no one was hurt.pic.twitter.com/nUYwrfOuH7
— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) April 4, 2026
Canadians losing faith in Ottawa’s housing plan as crisis deepens
CALGARY — Few Canadians believe Ottawa is getting housing right, with many saying relief is years away despite repeated federal claims of progress, according to internal research obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.
Privy Council Office focus groups found widespread skepticism that Housing Minister Gregor Robertson is making meaningful headway on affordability, with participants overwhelmingly concluding the government is either on the wrong track or failing to show results.
What Happens If States Start Codifying Muslim Holidays In Their Calendars?
Should California codify Islamic religious observances into state-recognized holidays in the United States?
As a nation, the essence of who we are as a People is rooted in our Judeo-Christian values and principles, dating back to the Magna Carta. This shared moral vocabulary has shaped Western thinking since America’s founding. Why, then, would any State in the Union formally endorse or incorporate into our educational and other public institutions a religious doctrine with practices antithetical to the belief system?