Toronto police are searching for four suspects in connection with an armed robbery earlier this month of jewellery valued at more $1 million earlier this month

Toronto Police Service say officers responded to a robbery call around 4:50 a.m. on May 10 near Spadina Avenue and Bremner Boulevard.

According to police, four masked men approached the victims, who were sitting in a parked vehicle, and held them at gunpoint while they took the jewels.

The suspects then fled the area in a blue Nissan Rouge with stolen licence plates. One victim suffered minor injuries.

Police initially estimated the stolen jewellery was worth more than $500,00, but said in an update released Saturday that the items have now been appraised at more than $1 million.

The suspects were described as wearing dark clothing, hoodies and face masks.

Toronto police have released surveillance video and images of the suspects and vehicle as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact investigators at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

There’s free speech — and then there’s the King’s speech.

Global News has learned that the cost to the Canadian treasury to have King Charles III read the speech from the throne in Canada’s Senate a year ago to open the 45th Parliament came close to $900,000.

Still, for the then-just-elected government of Prime Minister Mark Carney, the bill for the King’s two days in Ottawa was priceless.

For Carney, the presence of King Charles III in the Senate reading the speech from the throne — just the third time in Canada’s history a monarch has done that — was an important, symbolic and yet respectful riposte to U.S. President Donald Trump’s then near-constant disrespect of Canada’s sovereignty.

“This is an historic honour which matches the weight of our times,” Carney told reporters in Ottawa on May 2, 2025, just after his election win.

And the King appeared to match the moment, delivering a throne speech written by the government that carefully set out how the Carney government would assert its sovereignty in the face of a bellicose American president.

“As the anthem reminds us, the True North is indeed strong and free,” King Charles said to the applause of those present in the Red Chamber on May 27, 2025.

But bringing a King to the party comes with a hefty price tag.

It started with a six-person advance party from the Royal household, flown over from London to Ottawa at Canada’s expense on a commercial flight — economy class, mind you — who were put up at Ottawa’s economy-class Lord Elgin Hotel, a block away from the National War Memorial, from May 7-9.

Internal government documents provided to Global News by access-to-information researcher Ken Rubin show that the Department of Canadian Heritage would be billed $23,838 for the flights, hotel, meals and transportation for that initial Royal six as they scouted out locations and reviewed the King’s program with Canadian government officials.

Then came the main event itself — the visit of Charles and Camilla from May 26-27.

First, as is the custom, the Canadian government dispatched one of its Royal Canadian Air Force CC-330 jets to London to pick up the royal couple and their delegation. The Department of National Defence did not respond to two emailed requests from Global News to provide the operating costs of the pair of return flights to pick up and return the flights, but a Global News estimate of the cost, based on U.S. Department of Transportation and industry sources, puts the cost of operating such a plane for the two there-and-back flights at about $410,000.

The documents obtained by researcher Rubin detail the costs once the Royal delegation got to Canada.

First, Charles and Camilla travelled with 24 members of the Royal household. Some flew over on commercial flights at Canada’s expense; some travelled on that CC-330 RCAF jet. Some were put up at the “luxury Fairmont Chateau Laurier” hotel, next to Parliament Hill, while others stayed at the government-owned heritage property, 7 Rideau Gate, on the grounds of the Rideau Hall, where Charles and Camilla spent the night. (Rideau Hall is, after all, the property of the monarch!)

Meanwhile, the federal government had to hire the RCMP’s ceremonial team. The horses and their red-serged riders cost $20,605.72. The cost of the additional security for the visit provided by the RCMP was not disclosed.

To close streets around the War Memorial and around Ottawa’s Lansdowne Park — where the Royals did a walk-through upon their arrival in Canada — the City of Ottawa was paid $146,945.

The costs to provide bleachers for the media to sit on during the King’s ceremony at the National War Memorial cost Canada $5,335. Crowd management was billed at $3,500. And sidewalk construction at the memorial had to be completed at a cost of $12,039.70.

All in: The bills presented to the Department of Canadian Heritage totalled $461,940.50.

Add in the estimated $410,000 cost of the RCAF flights to bring the Royals and their household to Ottawa, and the cost of the King’s speech adds up to more than $871,000.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Get your umbrellas back out, and maybe your jackets, too.

Cold, soaking rain sweeping across southern Ontario this weekend has already forced at least one major event in Toronto to postpone.

Organizers announced Saturday that Bruno Mars’ concert at Rogers Stadium would be rescheduled to May 31 due to inclement weather.

“The safety of our guests, artists, crew and staff remains our top priority,” Rogers Stadium said in a statement on social media, adding that all previously purchased tickets will be honoured for the new date.

The postponement comes as Environment Canada warns parts of southern Ontario could see up to 50 millimetres of rain this weekend.

A special weather statement remains in effect across much of the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Oshawa and Halton Hills, as a low-pressure system moves across the region.

Rain and gusting winds had moved into the region early Saturday, making forecasted highs of 13 C feel closer to a chilly 3 C in some areas.

The weather agency says the steady rain will taper off to drizzle as the system moves east on Saturday night and into Sunday morning

Sunday is expected to be slightly warmer with highs near 20 C, though cloudy skies and windy conditions are expected to stick around, making the weather feel cooler.

While flooding is not expected and no flood watches or warnings have been issued, rivers, streams and side-streets could rise and move faster through the weekend.

Residents are being urged to stay away from shorelines and riverbanks, especially if they are with children and pets, and to keep an eye on forecast updates.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Iran on Saturday signaled “narrowing differences” in negotiations with the U.S. after Pakistan’s army chief held more talks in Tehran and the United States weighs a new round of attacks on the Islamic Republic.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists in India that “there’s been some progress made” and “there may be news later today.”

Iran has rebuilt military assets after weeks of war and then a fragile ceasefire, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said after the meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir, state TV reported.

Qalibaf, the lead negotiator in historic face-to-face talks with the U.S. last month, also said the result would be “more crushing and more bitter” than at the start of the war if U.S. President Donald Trump resumes attacks.

Separately, Iran’s official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying that nuclear issues are not part of the current negotiations, as Tehran first seeks to end the war before discussing its nuclear program that has long been at the heart of international tensions.

Baghaei said the sides are trying to finalize a memorandum of understanding and positions have moved closer in recent days.

“Over the past week, the trend has been toward narrowing differences,” he said. “We will have to wait and see what happens over the next three or four days.”

Rubio said that “even as I speak to you now there is some work being done. There is a chance that whether it’s later today, tomorrow, in a couple days we may have something to say.”

Rubio repeated the U.S. stance that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and must turn over its highly enriched uranium, and the Strait of Hormuz must be open.

Trump earlier said he was holding off on a military strike against Iran because “serious negotiations” were underway, and at the request of allies in the Middle East. Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.

The U.S. and Israel sparked the war with attacks on Feb. 28, cutting short talks with Iran. Tehran retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the region’s oil, natural gas and fertilizer, causing global economic pain.

The U.S. then blockaded Iranian ports, and the U.S. Central Command on Saturday said U.S. forces had turned away more than 100 commercial vessels and disabled four since the blockade began April 13.

There was progress in the talks between Pakistan’s army chief and Iran’s leadership, two officials in Islamabad said, describing the discussions as moving “in the right direction.” The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media on the record.

Munir also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, the two officials said, adding that Islamabad continues efforts to arrange a second round of direct negotiations.

It was not clear whether Pakistan’s army chief met with Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who heads Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has become a major player in formulating Iran’s tough stance in talks.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

A wildfire burning near the Rock Ridge area in Maple Ridge prompted an overnight response from firefighters Friday as crews worked to contain the blaze in steep terrain near the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest.

Maple Ridge Fire & Rescue said crews carried out suppression efforts with support from the BC Wildfire Service and UBC Forestry fire crews.

Officials said operations were taking place in “extremely steep and challenging terrain.”

The wildfire is currently listed as “out of control” by the BC Wildfire Service.

Officials say the fire, identified as V10408, was discovered on May 22 and had grown to an estimated 1.5 hectares as of Saturday morning in the Coastal Fire Centre region.

Authorities said there was no immediate risk to homes or the public, though residents sensitive to smoke were encouraged to keep windows and doors closed and limit outdoor exposure.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and emergency officials are asking people to stay clear of the area while of operations continue.

According to the B.C. government, the province experiences an average of roughly 1,600 wildfires every year.

While many are extinguished before threatening communities, officials say wildfire conditions can change quickly and urge residents to stay prepared with evacuation plans, emergency kits and by monitoring alerts throughout the season.

 

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A high-ranking U.S. defence official says the Pentagon gave Ottawa a classified paper laying out priorities for a collective North American defence pact with Canada, but that Ottawa did not deliver a “credible” response.

That lack of response is just one of several irritants the senior Pentagon official said is creating a rift in North American defence co-operation. Canada’s delayed decision around the procurement of F-35 fighter jets was also cited as a source of frustration.

The official from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration briefed a small group of mostly Canadian journalists this week on background in order to speak more candidly about Canada-U.S. relations.

The official said Ottawa’s response to the classified paper was that Canada would try to align with the U.S. position on defence, but Trump administration officials are looking for a more substantial plan.

Defence Minister David McGuinty’s office did not respond to questions about whether it had received the classified paper, which outlines the Trump administration’s expectations around defence, or if Ottawa had responded.

McGuinty’s communications director Alice Hansen said Canada has made “historic investments in continental defence, Arctic security and military readiness.”

Canada spent $63.4 billion on national defence in 2025, meeting its NATO commitment to spend two per cent of gross domestic product on defence for the first time.

In an email, Hansen laid out a list of defence investments and said Canada would spend more than $82 billion over five years in Canadian Armed Forces capabilities.

NATO members met last year in The Hague and agreed to spend the equivalent of five per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.

Hansen said Canada continues to accelerate its path to NATO’s new target of 3.5 per cent on core defence and is optimizing an additional 1.5 per cent of GDP spending on defence and security-related investments.

The Pentagon officials briefing journalists said Canada has not provided a credible plan for how it will meet the new defence-spending commitments.

Elbridge Colby, U.S. undersecretary of defence for policy, announced on Monday that his department was pausing the Permanent Joint Board on Defense “to reassess how this forum benefits shared North American defence.”

The board was established in 1940 and is an advisory forum for U.S.-Canada bilateral defence co-operation.

Pentagon officials said the United States laid out a message to Canada around what it expects based on collective defence requirements under Norad, Arctic security issues and NATO.

It was not clear how they see Canada playing a part in the Trump administration’s Golden Dome plans or what role that played in the discussions. The U.S. Congressional Budget Office last week said the complex multilayered missile defence shield could cost $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years.

When asked about Canada’s defence spending, the Pentagon officials said Canada might have a list of investments but if it doesn’t show how the country will contribute to North America’s defence, it’s not necessarily sufficient. They said the U.S. Department of Defense is looking for a more concrete plan.

Jamie Tronnes of the Center for North American Prosperity and Security, a project of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said the revelation about the classified document is “a prime example of how Canada and the United States continue to fail to communicate.”

“A classified wish list is seen by Canada as a request, but it is seen by the Pentagon as an order,” Tronnes said in an email to The Canadian Press Friday.

She said shared defence priorities must happen through joint discussion and assessment.

“The Canadians are getting to their NATO commitments, but it is true that Canada needs to do more on spending for meaningful defence capabilities that contribute to lethality, deterrence and the shared defence priorities of the continent,” Tronnes said.

The Pentagon’s move to pause the Permanent Joint Board on Defense and to criticize Canada’s defence spending is not happening in a vacuum. Experts have said it’s likely connected to the purchase of F-35 fighter jets and the upcoming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known as CUSMA.

The Liberal government has yet to reach a decision on its order of F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. It has been the subject of a political review for more than a year.

The Pentagon officials criticized the fighter jet review Thursday, calling Canada’s approach dilatory.

The Trump administration is not the first to call out Ottawa on defence investments. Canada has long faced criticism about its lagging defence spending, but with U.S. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House last year it was directly connected to larger trade issues.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has made historic defence investments — meeting the former NATO target for the first time — as Trump rattled the bilateral relationship with his massive tariff agenda and threats of annexation.

Carney has also faced criticism in Canada about the lack of transparency around defence spending moving forward. Former federal spending watchdog Kevin Page on Friday called for the prime minister to present a fiscal road map to meet the new NATO spending commitments.

Page, who was Canada’s first parliamentary budget officer and now heads the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy at the University of Ottawa, said Ottawa has been not fiscally transparent with its math. He said Canada must soon show how it plans to significantly ramp up defence spending through to 2035.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

A gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s northern Shanxi province killed at least 90 people, state media said on Saturday. It was the country’s deadliest mining accident in recent years.

The official Xinhua News Agency said the accident at Changzhi city’s Liushenyu coal mine happened on Friday evening. Around 247 workers were on duty at the time.

Nine miners were still unaccounted for as of Saturday afternoon, Xinhua said, and more than 120 people were hospitalized.

The cause of the explosion was under investigation, Xinhua reported, and rescue work is pressing on with hundreds of rescuers and medical personnel sent to the site. Among the injured, many were hurt by toxic gas, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an all-out effort to rescue the missing, Xinhua reported. Xi also called for the “proper handling of the aftermath of the accident and urged a thorough investigation into its cause, with accountability pursued in accordance with the law.”

Xinhua later reported that those responsible for the company involved in the mine accident have been “placed under control,” citing the local emergency management bureau.

An investigation team sent by China’s powerful State Council, equivalent to the country’s cabinet, would be conducting a “rigorous and uncompromising” probe into the deadly explosion, a separate Xinhua report said following Xi’s remarks.

Wang Yong, one of the hospitalized miners, told CCTV in a video interview that he smelled sulfur “like firecrackers” and saw smoke. “I told people to run,” he said. “As I ran, I saw people being choked by the smoke. And then I blacked out.”

The state broadcaster also reported that blueprints provided by the coal mine did not match the actual layout, hampering rescue efforts.

The coal mine, operated by the Shanxi Tongzhou Coal & Coke Group with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons, was placed on a national list of disaster-prone coal mines by China’s National Mine Safety Administration in 2024 for having “high gas content.”

Shanxi province is known as China’s main coal mining province. With a size larger than Greece and a population of around 34 million, the province’s hundreds of thousands of miners dug 1.3 billion tons of coal last year, almost a third of China’s total.

In China, coal remains a key energy source due to its lower cost and high availability, even as the country accelerates its transition toward green energy. Mining disasters have been common although authorities had implemented measures to improve safety over the past years.

In February 2023, 53 people were killed after a collapse at an open-pit mine in northern China’s Inner Mongolia region. In November 2009, an explosion at a mine in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province killed 108, according to state media.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Choosing the right running shoe can completely change how comfortable, efficient, and enjoyable your runs feel, whether you’re going short distances or training for longer goals. From leading brands like Nike, ASICS, and Lululemon, we’re covering a wide range of needs including everyday trainers, stability support shoes, maximum cushioning for long-distance comfort, trail-ready designs, and lightweight options built for speed. No matter your experience level, these selections highlight some of the most reliable and performance-driven running shoes available today. Read on for the top picks in each category and find the pair that best matches your running style and goals.

Everyday / Neutral Running

Best for most runners who don’t need special support. These are balanced shoes designed for daily training, gym runs, and general fitness.

This reliable everyday running shoe from Nike promises comfort and versatility for both training and casual wear. With responsive cushioning and a lightweight, breathable design, it feels just as good on daily runs as it does for all-day use.[/product_listing]

 

Pick up a pair of these ASICS if you’re looking for a highly energetic shoe with a bouncy, responsive feel. It’s great for runners who want a bit more “spring” in their stride. Despite the softness, it stays lightweight and good for longer daily runs.[/product_listing]

 

Stability / Support

Designed for runners who overpronate or need extra arch support. These help improve alignment and reduce injury risk during running.

This shoe from Books is one of the most trusted stability shoes on the market, featuring structured support without feeling stiff or restrictive—making it ideal for runners who need consistent guidance with every stride. It also features responsive cushioning, a secure midfoot fit, and a durable outsole designed for reliable traction.[/product_listing]

 

These kicks from Under Armour are a stability-focused running shoe with responsive HOVR cushioning that absorbs impact while returning energy for a smoother, more efficient stride. It features structured support (like a medial post and heel counter) to help control overpronation and keep your foot aligned during runs.[/product_listing]

 

Max Cushion Running Shoes

Best for long runs, soft landings, and joint protection.

This premium running shoe has soft, nitrogen-infused cushioning to keep your stride aligned and reduce excess movement. It’s the shoe that will give you a cushioned experience while still providing structured support, making it ideal for runners who want both comfort and control on longer runs.[/product_listing]

 

Engineered for maximum comfort, this highly cushioned running shoe will give you a soft, “cloud-like” feel with every step thanks to its thick foam and GEL-based impact absorption. It provides a smooth, stable ride for both daily and long-distance runs while maintaining a strong balance between comfort and support.[/product_listing]

 

Trail Running (off-road, hiking-style)

Best for dirt paths, gravel, hiking-style runs, and grip.

The Salomon PULSAR is a lightweight trail running shoe designed for speed, using superfoam cushioning to give strong energy return and help you run faster on trails. It also has Salomon’s high-traction grip and stable build, making it good for everything from fast runs to longer, more technical trail routes.[/product_listing]

 

The Women’s Wildfeel Trail Running Shoe from Lululemon is designed specifically for trail running, offering strong grip with multi-directional lugs that help you stay stable on steep climbs and uneven terrain. It also features a cushioned dual-density midsole and a sock-like upper for comfort, protection, and a secure fit on rough trails.[/product_listing]

Speed / Race Shoes (lightweight performance)

Best for fast runs, intervals, and racing.

The Adidas Adizero EVO SL is built for speed, using lightweight Lightstrike Pro foam that helps you run faster with less effort. Its low-weight design and responsive cushioning make it ideal for tempo runs, intervals, and race-day performance when you want maximum pace.[/product_listing]

 

The Nike Vaporfly 4 is an elite racing shoe designed for maximum speed, using ZoomX foam and a carbon fiber plate to give a highly responsive, energy-returning ride. It is built for competitive runners who want to run their fastest times in races like 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, rather than everyday training.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

Cotton Ankle Socks – $25.99

Mini Folding Umbrella – $18.04

Hunter Boots Women’s Original Tall Gloss Boot – $186.64

Sweat Band Waist Trainer – $40.95

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

From books in the classroom to information online, researchers say learning how to think critically about what we read is becoming increasingly important for students.

Researchers at McGill University created a digital literacy program aimed at helping elementary students evaluate sources, question information and recognize misinformation online.

“Students as young as nine years of age search for information on the internet on a daily basis, and it’s a skill that they need to develop right from the beginning,” said Krista Muis, McGill University professor.

“So for us, it was really important to begin to develop curriculum materials for teachers to implement in classrooms so that (teachers) could learn the skills and the students could learn the skills as to how to navigate the internet and how to identify false information from truthful information.”

The study involved more than 200 Quebec students in grades 4 through 6.

Researchers say the lessons became more challenging over time, encouraging students to think more critically about the information they come across online.

“For students, it becomes overwhelming, especially if they have very little prior knowledge to be able to identify what is accurate,” said Muis. “So it’s an important skill for them to develop.”

At Marie-Claire Academy on the West Island, students who weren’t part of the study say figuring out what’s true online can sometimes be difficult — especially with so much information constantly being shared.

“If it’s on YouTube, I usually go see the channel and if it’s verified,” said Grade 6 student Donna Mahmoody. “I also see the followers. If there’s 10 followers, it’s probably fake, versus if it has 1 million followers — that probably tells me it’s a reliable source.”

Researchers say students need skills to be able to decipher information, especially at a time when AI-generated content is becoming harder to identify.

“Kids our age need to know the dangers of being online and what happens when you see fake information and how to check if it’s true and reliable,” said Arianna Cook, another Grade 6 student.

And as students spend more of their lives online, researchers say teaching kids how to question what they see may become just as important as learning the information itself.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

MONTREAL – Keelan White caught a pair of touchdown passes for the Ottawa Redblacks in a 27-12 win over the Montreal Alouettes in a C-F-L pre-season game Friday.

Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier connected with White twice in the first half with on 12-yard and four-yard touchdown throws. Quarterback Bryson Barnes scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown.

Maier completed 10 of 14 pass attempts for 155 yards. Barnes was good on all eight of his throws for 109 yards.

Paul Geelen kicked field goals from 40 and 26 yards for Ottawa, which led 17-4 at halftime at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Cade McDonald had four catches for 73 yards for the Redblacks.

Shomari Lawrence scored a two-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter for Montreal. Kicker Jose Carlos Maltos missed a 52-yard field-goal attempt, but was successful from 21 yards in the first half.

Alouettes quarterback Dustin Crum completed 15 of 20 passes for 130 yards.

CFL pre-season games continue Saturday with the defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders scheduled to host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Edmonton Elks visit the B.C. Lions and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Toronto Argonauts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press