The evenings are quite long now, which makes sitting outside, listening to tunes, all the nicer. Perhaps something on this week’s New Music Friday list that will make things even better.

Singles

1. Almost Monday, No More Regrets (Hollywood Records)

San Diego quartet Almost Monday has been rising through the ranks this year with four non-album singles that are obviously building toward a fourth album (release date and title still TBA). If you’re in Toronto, you’ll have a chance to see them on June 22 with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids.

2. Billy Idol, John Wayne (Dark Horse/BMG)

This is the latest single from Billy’s 2025 album, Dream Into It. That’s Alison Mosshart from The Kills/The Dead Weather helping him out on this one. The first time the two collaborated on this track in 2023 when Billy played that weird (but cool) show at the Hoover Dam.

3. Jane’s Party, Rest of Our Lives (JP Productions)

I’ve been following Jane’s Party (est. London, Ontario) for years, hoping that they’d finally break through to a wider audience. They might do it with this one, a double single (the other track is entitled Relic) that was originally written for Can-Am, the off-road vehicle company. That description alone should give you an idea what things sound like. The group is also continuing an important partnership with Community Music Schools of Toronto.

4. Mastodon, Your Ghost Again (Loma Visa/Concord)

If you guessed that this song has something to do with the death of ex-member Brent Hinds in a motorcycle crash, you’d be correct. The track was written and recorded during the time the band was grieving Brent along with the passing of drummer Brann Dailor’s mother.

5. Pussy Riot, Candy Dopamine ft. Avenged Sevenfold (Independent)

Pussy Riot is probably the world’s most fearless punk band as they continue to spit on Vladimir Putin despite the constant threat exile, imprisonment, and of course, defenestration, a Putin favourite. You do NOT mess with leader Nadya Tolokonnikova. A new album entitled CYKA will be here on June 12. Big Pharma is on notice with this track.

6. Prince, Stone (Legacy Recordings)

It is said that Prince left behind so much music that there’s enough for a new album a year for the next century. Another compilation of previously unreleased songs entitled Timeless will be here August 28. It will be the first archival release sing 2021’s Welcome 2 America. Most of the music dates back to some sessions in the spring of 2010.

7. Weezer + Wednesday, We Might As Well be Strangers (Universal)

What was Weezer teasing on social media this week? A new record that will be forever known as the “gold” album. It comes with a very Led Zeppelin-esque featuring four mysterious symbols, one for each member of the band. Weezer’s 20th (!!!) album will be out August 21. And beware: The mystery/backstory around this album isn’t over yet.

Albums

1. Death Cab for Cutie, I Built You a Tower (ANTI-Epitaph)

The band’s 11th album arrived today (their first after 22 years with Atlantic Records) and comes with a new single that’s “about trying to convince everyone around you and most importantly, yourself, that you are okay when you definitely are not.” Then again, all DCfC albums are full of these kinds of feels, aren’t they?

2. Evanescence, Sanctuary (BMG Rights Management)

Amy Lee will not be rushed. This is just the sixth Evanescence album in 23 years. Things started taking shape during an Australian tour in 2023 when she and the band were despondent over what Donald Trump was doing to the United States. A lot of rage got channeled into these songs.

3. Modest Mouse, An Eraser and a Maze (Glacial Pace Recordings/Virgin Music Group)

What was supposed to be an Isaac Brock solo album turned into a full-fledged Modest Mouse record, making it their first release in five years and eighth overall. The record was made at Leon Russell’s legendary Church Studio in Tulsa. It’s also the first MM album since founding drummer Jeremiah Green died in 2022. His spot has been taken by newcomer Damon Coax while Simon O’Connor (guitarist) and Keith Karman (keyboards) have also joined up.

 

 

 

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

We hear plenty of stories about hackers getting into computer systems and devices—viruses, man-in-the-middle attacks, DDos storms, malware, ransomware and the like. But would you believe the first electronic hack happened in 1903? Guglielmo Marconi, the father of modern radio, had come up with the concept of point-to-point wireless radio transmissions.

“By tuning a transmitter to a specific frequency,” he said, “you can securely reach another party who has tuned to exactly the same frequency.”

This greatly annoyed telegraph companies, who didn’t want to be put out of business. One of these telegraph operators, a guy named Nevil Maskelyne, heard about a demonstration Marconi was giving. Using his own transmitter, he hacked into Marconi’s test broadcast, spelling out the word “rats” over and over in Morse code. Then he keyed in a rude limerick that began “There was a young fellow from Italy, who diddled the public quite prettily.”

I guess this makes Maskelyne the first-ever black hat hacker.

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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Temperatures are rising, but don’t worry—we’ve got the fans to keep you cool and comfortable at home this summer. From compact desktop models to powerful tower and pedestal fans, this 2026 guide highlights the best cooling options for every space and budget, featuring brands like Dyson, Honeywell, Dreo, and more. Whether you’re prioritizing quiet operation, strong airflow, or smart features, these picks break down what truly matters when choosing the right fan for your needs.

Quick pick summary

Best cooling tower fan: Shark TurboBlade Tower Fan – $589.37 

Best budget cooling tower fan: Honeywell HYF290B Quietset 8-Speed Whole-Room Tower Fan – $193.40

Best desktop fan: Amazon Basics Air Circulator Fan – $27.55 

Best quiet / sleep tower fan: Dreo Nomad One – $129.99

Best premium tower fan: Dyson AM07 White – $399.99

Best cooling pedestal fan: DREO Smart Fan – $116.90

 

Best cooling tower fan

The Shark TurboBlade fan is a highly customizable bladeless tower fan that has strong, wide-reaching airflow and multiple speed and noise settings for different comfort levels. Its powerful circulation and flexible design can cool larger spaces effectively, though its premium price means it’s more of a high-end cooling option than a budget pick.[/product_listing]

 

Best budget cooling tower fan

This tower fan from Honeywell is a popular budget-friendly cooling fan known for its strong airflow, quiet operation, and multiple speed settings for different comfort levels. It’s a solid choice for bedrooms or small-to-medium rooms due to it’s useful features like oscillation, a remote control, and a sleep timer at an affordable price.[/product_listing]

 

Best desktop fan

Compact and lightweight, this air circulator fan from Amazon Basics features a 90-degree adjustable tilt that makes it easy to direct airflow exactly where you need it. With three speed settings and an energy-efficient 35-watt motor, it provides effective cooling for bedrooms, offices, and small living spaces.[/product_listing]

 

Best Quiet / Sleep Tower Fan

The DREO tower fan’s 90° oscillating angle helps spread airflow widely across the room, so it cools more evenly instead of blasting one spot. It’s also designed to stay extremely quiet, making it a great choice for bedrooms where you want steady airflow without distracting noise.[/product_listing]

 

Best Premium Tower Fan

This Dyson bladeless tower fan has technology that creates smooth, uninterrupted airflow for fast cooling in indoor spaces. It features oscillation, a sleep timer, and a magnetic remote control, making it a premium, modern option for quiet and efficient room cooling. Its premium feel comes from its minimalist bladeless design, strong build quality, and consistent, engineered airflow performance that prioritizes both safety and aesthetics.[/product_listing]

 

Best cooling pedestal fan

The DREO Smart Fan has powerful whole-room cooling with 120° + 120° omni-directional oscillation, 9 speeds, and 6 modes that adapt airflow while spreading air evenly throughout the space. With quiet performance and smart Wi-Fi or voice control, it keeps bedrooms and living spaces consistently cool, and unlike typical pedestal fans that only oscillate in one direction, it adds dual-direction movement and intelligent automation for a more precise and hands-free cooling experience.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler with DoubleDuty Shoulder Strap – $300.00

Ice Packs for Coolers – $27.95

Patio Umbrella Light – $17.99

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

Curtiss Kelly thought he was beginning a new chapter.

The Kelowna, B.C., construction worker had recently landed a job with Northland Properties and was settling into the role when his life took an unexpected turn.

Just weeks into the job, doctors diagnosed him with Stage 4 lung and brain cancer and was still in his 90-day probation period when he learned of the diagnosis. Along with the  toll of cancer, he worried about what the illness could mean for his career.

“My biggest concern was I wasn’t going to have a job,” he said. “When you have cancer and you apply to a job, the chances are going to be low.”

Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found between 33 per cent and 40 per cent of Canadians experience financial distress after a cancer diagnosis. Researchers also found many workers see their income drop by almost 25 per cent during the first year after being diagnosed.

After learning about his cancer, Northland Properties stepped in and fast-tracked his benefits, moving them ahead before he completed his 90-day probation period.

At the same time, the crew he works with came together to help, organizing a fundraiser that raised nearly $750 for Kelly and his partner.

For Kelly, the support of his employer and co-workers has helped ease some of those concerns. Now, as treatment begins, he’s focused on the fight ahead and taking it one day at a time.

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

Memories of a great trip are something you can always take with you, but Amin Patani specializes in the physical reminders.

Even on a Thursday afternoon, Patani’s Steven Avenue store, Calgary Souvenir & Gift Shop, is teeming with dozens of visitors.

“Stampede T-shirts, hats, all sorts of cowboy accessories, magnets, keychains. The rest of the year, we sell a lot of mountain stuff,” Patani explained.

It’s the type of store that directly benefits from a booming tourism sector — and so far in 2026, business has been good in Calgary.

Tourism Calgary says year-over-year growth visitor spending in the first quarter was up seven per cent, indicating a strong summer season is ahead.

“All of the data is pointing to the reality that more people are choosing Calgary,” explained Alisha Reynolds, Tourism Calgary’s president and CEO. “And when they’re in Calgary, they’re staying longer and spending more.”

2025 already presented a tough act to follow, when 10.5 million people visited the city — generating $3.3 billion in visitor spending.

Tourism groups from across Canada reported a strong year that year, partly attributed to an increase in domestic travel amid anti-American sentiment.

Reynolds says the first three months of the year show that feeling doesn’t seem to be going away, with a four-per cent increase in the first quarter of 2026.

Three-quarters of tourists to Calgary in the first quarter were Canadians, according to Reynolds.

“Calgary ultimately is a destination that people are seeing as a base camp for adventure… a vibrant arts and culture scene, a growing and vibrant culinary scene,” Reynolds explained.

As a man heavily involved in that culinary scene, Ernie Tsu says he sees all kinds walk through the doors of his restaurants and other members of the Alberta Hospitality Association.

“We’ve seen an increase in American tourists and a lot of them have been genuinely awesome,” Tsu remarked. “It’s easy for them, not only because of the exchange of their dollar but how easily accessible it is for them to get over here.”

With a remarkable 45-per cent increase in recreation and entertainment spending so far compared to 2025, Reynolds says it’s a testament to the businesses that help maintain and expand the city’s vibrancy.

And while the city’s tourism crown jewel is still the Calgary Stampede — now less than a month away — the city also has nearly 70 meetings and conferences scheduled between May and September.

“That shows the investments made into our meeting and conventions spaces and building Calgary into a ‘Tier 1’ convention destination (that is) bringing a new set of global dollars.”

International visitor spending also increased by nearly 16 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, including a substantial jump in overseas visitor spending — up 12 per cent.

“We’re increasingly seeing those business travelers extend their trips, coming a little bit earlier, leaving a little bit later, and spending on sports,” Reynolds said.

The city will also see 27 major sporting events this summer and in November, the Grey Cup will be presented at McMahon Stadium.

And while it’s still off in the distance, the construction progress at Scotia Place — the city’s new event centre — is also reminding Calgarians and visitors the city will be one of the hosts for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey in 2027.

Patani plans to be there for every visitor until then and well beyond, with souvenirs at the ready.

“If somebody’s sitting next door having a drink, they say, ‘Oh, there’s a souvenir shop, we should go there.'”

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

B.C.’s mining industry is taking issue with the provincial government over an unexpected announcement on mineral exploration.

A restriction on new mineral claims that was supposed to end this week has been extended into next year.

The government says it needs more time to complete land-use planning and determine where future mining and conservation can occur.

The exploration industry says companies want clearer timelines.

“Explorers are tired of waking up and wondering if government is going to shut them down or restrict their access in more areas around the province,” Todd Stone, president and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC, told Global News.

The Business Council of B.C. says the move only adds to concerns about permitting delays and investor uncertainty.

“If companies are unsure whether they can access land, whether they can advance work, whether they can rely on stable and predictable rules, then that investment becomes much much harder to attract,” Jairo Yunis, director of policy at the Business Council of British Columbia, said.

The province says existing claims and exploration projects are unaffected.

In a statement to Global News, it says the planning process will provide long-term certainty for First Nations, communities and industry.

“You’re going to have a tougher time convincing investors to come to British Columbia if you keep shutting off access to territory for mineral exploration, which is how you find the minerals for future mines,” Stone said.

The pause on new claims has now been extended until Jan. 31, 2027.

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

A former NHL enforcer has been charged in what police say was an unprovoked assault on a taxi driver in Maple Ridge, B.C., last year.

Maple Ridge RCMP said 57-year-old Link Gaetz of Mission is accused of attacking the taxi driver in the city on Sept. 17, 2025.

Police said that at approximately 2:45 p.m. that day, Ridge Meadows RCMP, which is what the detachment was called then, received reports of a taxi driver being assaulted near the intersection of Sheldrake Court and Fern Crescent.

When officers arrived on the scene, they learned that the driver had picked up the suspect at an establishment in the 12900 block of 232 Street.

The driver was near the intersection of Sheldrake Court and Fern Crescent when the suspect told the driver to stop and he began to assault him, police said.

The victim’s face was injured due to multiple punches and the suspect also attempted to break the CCTV camera in the taxi and then broke the taxi’s windshield before fleeing, police added.

A warrant has now been issued for Gaetz’s arrest.

He played 65 games in the NHL with Minnesota and San Jose, accumulating more than 400 penalty minutes during that time.

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

Three separate impaired driving collisions in the span of four hours on Wednesday evening have prompted Calgary police to issue a warning to all drivers.

Police say the first incident happened around 7 p.m. Wednesday along southbound Deerfoot Tr. between 24 Street and Barlow Trail.

Three vehicles were involved in the crash, which officers also say resulted in minor injuries for everyone involved — and the driver believed to be responsible was taken to hospital.

Anyone with dashcam footage of the incident is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234.

Then, just before 10 p.m., another three-vehicle incident occurred which is also being blamed on an impaired driver — this one at the intersection of 88 Avenue and 52 Street NE.

One of the vehicles involved rolled over in the incident and several minor injuries were reported.

Officers arrested one driver suspected of impaired driving.

Then, just minutes later at 10:20 p.m., several vehicles were involved in a crash at Centre Street and 56 Avenue NE. One driver was again taken into custody.

“The consequences of impaired driving can be devastating yet it is an entirely preventable crime,” says CPS Staff Sgt. Rob Patterson.

“We are reminding Calgarians there is never an excuse to drive after drinking and encourage them to catch a ride with a friend, a taxi, or any rideshare option.”

As of April, Calgary police have issued 761 Immediate Roadside Sanctions and laid 32 charges for impaired driving.

Impairment is also believed to have contributed to an alarmingly dangerous year on Calgary roads, suspected as a factor in one of 11 fatal collisions in the city so far this year.

Police say anyone who suspects another driver is impaired should call 911 immediately.

Anyone with further information about these three crashes can also send a tip to Crime Stoppers anonymously.

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

The federal government is pumping the brakes on its proposed changes to how major projects are reviewed, and says it won’t table legislation on the changes until the fall.

Last month Ottawa released two discussion papers which proposed, among other things, approving major projects before they’re reviewed and exempting certain projects from laws meant to protect species at risk.

It also proposed taking the responsibility for reviewing pipelines, transmission lines and offshore renewable energy projects away from the Impact Assessment Agency and handing it to the Canada Energy Regulator.

The federal government has said it has been told by industry that the level of expertise on energy projects that lived at the Canada Energy Regulator couldn’t be found at the Impact Assessment Agency.

It also said its proposed changes are to create a simpler process to shorten approval timelines, particularly as Canada is competing with other countries for investment.

But critics, including Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, have said those changes would put environmental protections in jeopardy. Environment groups were on Parliament Hill Wednesday lobbying Ottawa to reverse course.

The public consultation period on the discussion papers was set to wrap up next week, but today Ottawa is extending the deadline for comments to July 22.

“Extending the consultation may not sound like a big win. But with what I’ve been through in the last year, with the current form of this Liberal government in a minority, they pushed everything through like they had a majority,” May told The Canadian Press outside the House of Commons.

“So I figured it would just be bulldozed through before we were through for the summer.”

The government had said it would introduce legislation soon after the consultation period ended. But moving the consultation end date into July puts it after the House of Commons rises for its summer break in mid-June.

Ottawa now says it will introduce legislation in the fall, giving it an extra few months to work on the proposed changes. The House is set to resume on Sept. 21.

“Look, there are enormous issues at play here,” Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon told The Canadian Press on his way into Question Period.

“We want to make sure we get the full range of views.”

Environment groups met with Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin and officials from the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, where the discussion papers were the main topic of conversation, sources told The Canadian Press.

The sources were not authorized to speak publicly about the private discussions and did not want to be named in order to avoid jeopardizing future meetings with government officials.

One source said a key takeaway from the meeting is that the government had not adequately considered the fallout from policies that roll back environmental regulations.

The sources said the government is most concerned about the public perception that Ottawa would let some species become extinct in order to advance building projects.

On Wednesday, May called on the government to shred both discussion papers altogether.

“Both discussion documents should be completely withdrawn and nothing proposed should ever be brought forward in legislation,” she said.

The discussion papers aimed to streamline regulatory processes for major projects, noting that “some federal laws have rules that can make regulatory processes slow, repetitive, and less flexible.”

On exempting projects from laws meant to protect species at risk, it proposed giving cabinet the power to exempt “limited power, with a high threshold to be met … but only if it’s in the public interest and if the proponent has made all reasonable efforts to avoid or reduce impacts on at-risk species.”

Critics have pointed to the endangered southern resident whales off the B.C. coast as a species which would be put at risk under the legislation, particularly as Ottawa and Alberta are moving to build an oil pipeline to the West Coast.

Yet starting June 1, as part of an interim order by Transport Canada, vessels must stay 1,000 metres away from the whales. The federal government also committed in its spring economic update $95 million over five years, and $16.5 million ongoing, towards enhanced protections for the whales.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

A Toronto police officer is facing multiple criminal charges, including sexual assault and child luring offences, following an investigation by Ontario’s police watchdog.

The Special Investigations Unit said Thursday that Const. Parsa Hazeri has been charged in connection with allegations involving a female youth in Toronto between September and December 2025.

Joseph Martino, SIU director, had reasonable grounds to believe the officer committed criminal offences, according to the news release.

According to the SIU, Hazeri has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching and transmitting sexually explicit material to a person under the age of 16.

Hazeri is also being charged with communicating with a person under the age of 16 for the purpose of facilitating an offence, breach of trust and careless handling of a firearm.

In a statement to Global News, the Toronto Police Service said Hazeri was assigned to 33 Division and has three years of service.

Police said they immediately notified the SIU when they became aware of the complaint in January 2026.

The service said Hazeri was suspended the same day under the Community Safety and Policing Act, removed from operational duties and had his police powers revoked.

Following Thursday’s charges, the police chief has initiated proceedings to seek Hazeri’s dismissal and served him with notice of suspension without pay.

Hazeri was arrested at SIU headquarters on Thursday morning and held for a bail hearing before being released on several conditions, including that he does not communicate directly or indirectly with the complainant.

In a statement, Toronto Police Association president Clayton Campbell said the union is aware of the charges laid by the SIU.

He is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on July 17.

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