A mosque in Regina was granted a permit allowing it to play the Adhan, a call to prayer, outdoors after pausing the ritual due to threats earlier this summer.

In June, the City of Regina granted the Regina City Jamia Masjid a month-long permit to deliver the call to prayer weekly on Fridays, before that day’s midday prayer, known as Jummah.

The recent, week-long permit was issued in accordance with the city’s noise-related bylaw, after members of the mosque surveyed some Regina residents last month. At that time, they said all of the responses received would be turned over to the Regina Police Service (RPS), who granted the permit in late July.

“Based on the information provided to the RPS, the request falls within City of Regina bylaw requirements. As such, the permit was re-issued on a week-to-week basis,” police wrote in an email statement to Global News Tuesday.

This type of permit requires the mosque to apply to be allowed to play the Adhan weekly, the RPS continued. Permits are granted after considering factors — including the length and volume of the audio, the zoning of the area where the sound will be played and the time of day it will be broadcast.

Adhan is recited for less than three minutes. During the past call to prayer at the Regina City Jamia Masjid, it said the sound played from speakers sitting atop the facility.

In a post celebrating the permit approval on Friday, the mosque said the decision helps support “mutual respect” and religious freedoms in Regina.

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

Electric vehicle drivers in New Brunswick will soon have more ports to recharge as the province looks to build up its EV infrastructure.

The New Brunswick government says it’s adding 16 new fast chargers to its eCharge network, a $5 million investment from its emissions reduction fund.

The province says the Energy Department will work with NB Power to install the new fast chargers at underserved areas that the private sector may not see a business case for at this time.

Tourism Minister Isabelle Thériault says the province will improve the visitor experience by adding charging stations to République, Mactaquac and Herring Cove provincial parks, at a cost of $100,000.

The province is also spending $955,000 to expand its electric vehicle fleet and build three regional charging hubs in Moncton, Saint John and Miramichi.

The new chargers are among 72 projects backed by New Brunswick’s nearly $64-million Climate Change Fund for the current budget year, which backs initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gilles LePage said the fund is an important tool to “protect and preserve the environment and transition to a greener economy.”

“Adding more electric vehicle chargers to the network is a positive step toward achieving our 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and our goal of being net zero by 2050.”

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Indonesian police last week said officers had arrested a pilot caught smuggling 26 kg of ecstasy pills and a package of methamphetamine shortly after he arrived at Jakarta’s international airport.

The 39-year-old Malaysian national was also allegedly under the influence of narcotics while on duty, Eko Hadi Santoso, director of narcotics crimes at the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, told the Associated Press.

The drugs were discovered by customs officers at the arrivals terminal at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, after they noticed a suspicious suitcase during an X-ray screening.

The luggage was later collected by the suspect, whom police identified as a pilot for Malaysian Airlines on flight MH727 from Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta, Santoso said, adding that the pilot and the suitcase were escorted to a separate area for further examination.

Police said they found 14 packages containing 70,114 ecstasy pills, weighing about 26 kg (57 pounds), along with a separate stash of methamphetamine.

Police narcotics investigators took over the case.

“He has been named a suspect and detained,” Santoso said during a news conference at the airport on Friday where police had put the seized drugs on display.

“Investigators are still conducting further inquiries to develop the network above him,” he said.

Officers also seized a small bottle of urine that investigators allege was prepared to falsify drug test results if needed during the inspection process, airport authorities said in an Instagram post.

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While being questioned, the suspect allegedly told investigators he had been instructed by an unnamed individual to transport the ecstasy to Jakarta in exchange for 50,000 Malaysian ringgit (about USD $11,700), Santoso said.

The pilot was told he would receive further instructions upon arrival in Jakarta and that the drugs would be collected from his hotel by another individual, investigators say. The pilot also admitted to smuggling drugs on two other occasions, Santoso told the press conference.

The suspect reportedly told investigators that he had previously delivered methamphetamine to Sabah, Malaysia, and on a later occasion trafficked seven kg (15 pounds) of methamphetamine to Jakarta.

Last week’s shipment was intercepted before it could complete its journey. A drug test administered to the suspect showed positive results for methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine, Santoso said.

The pilot is being investigated under Indonesian narcotics laws, which carry severe penalties for smuggling large quantities of drugs, including the possibility of the death penalty.

Malaysia Airlines said it was cooperating with authorities and had launched an internal review of the incident.

“Malaysia Airlines wishes to reiterate that it does not tolerate any form of misconduct and is currently undertaking an internal review of the matter,” the airline said in a statement cited by Malaysian media on Friday.

Airport authorities said they believe traffickers exploited special privileges that are typically granted to airline crews around the world, allowing them to pass through international airports under different procedures from regular passengers.

“At check-in in Kuala Lumpur, the baggage followed a different channel because the claim tag identified it as crew baggage,” Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonga, head of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Customs Office, said.

— with files from the Associated Press

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

Police in Spokane, Wash., have arrested a man they believe started a devastating wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes.

“We executed an arrest warrant and search warrant in the city of Spokane and we took 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci, a convicted felon, into custody on a single charge of arson in the first degree,” Spokane County Sheriff John Nowells said at a press conference.

Police say a tip led them to arrest Farinacci, who was seen where the wildfire initially started on Saturday.

He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday.

The Old Trails Fire is one of three major blazes burning around Spokane, forcing some 67,000 people to evacuate and destroying at least 700 structures.

This remains an active investigation, as does the investigation into the cause and origins of the Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, the sheriff’s office said in a release.

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

Canada’s long-awaited foreign influence registry became active on Tuesday, with a broad mandate of who’s required to log their activities.

The registry will be overseen by foreign influence transparency commissioner Anton Boegman, whose independent office is responsible for ensuring compliance and issuing penalties as high as $1 million.

“The establishment of a public registry of foreign influence activities strengthens transparency, accountability and public trust,” Boegman said in a government statement.

“By making information about foreign influence activities openly available, we are empowering Canadians with greater insight into how influence is exercised, on whose behalf, and how public decision-making may be shaped, while strengthening confidence in our democratic institutions.”

Ottawa passed legislation in 2024 to establish the registry after multiple media reports — including by Global News — exposed gaps in how the federal government combats foreign interference in elections and Canadian society, particularly from China.

As the registry finally takes effect, here’s what to know about it and whether you need to sign up.

The office of the foreign influence transparency commissioner says the obligation to register rests with the individual or entity who enters into an arrangement with a “foreign principal,” rather than the foreign principal themselves.

A foreign principal is defined as including a foreign power or state; a foreign organization, institution or other entity; a foreign economic entity; or an individual acting on their behalf.

Together, the following three factors would require registration:

• There’s an arrangement with a foreign principal.
• The arrangement’s goal is to “influence a political or governmental process in Canada” such as an election or referendum, proposed legislation, or government contracts.
• The arrangement involves “influence activities.”

Influence activities are defined as communicating with a public office holder (including elected officials and government employees); publicly communicating or sharing government or political information; and providing money, services, use of facilities or other items of value.

The commissioner’s office says registration obligations “do not apply to arrangements entered by governments and parliamentary entities acting within their official mandates.”

That includes diplomats from foreign governments and employees of foreign principals who are acting exclusively and openly in their official capacity.

“Other foreign influence activities may be less transparent and can therefore require registration,” the office’s webpage explaining the registration process says.

“For example, a media interview with a foreign principal that is published or streamed may need to be registered. This process ensures these activities are transparent to Canadians.”

Arrangements or activities involving Indigenous public office holders, such as band council and First Nation government members, do not need to be registered as of now. Those rules and definitions under the legislation are not yet in force.

The commissioner’s office has a brief questionnaire on its website that can help people determine if they need to register their activities.

As of Aug. 4, registration is required within 14 days of entering into an arrangement with a foreign principal.

If the arrangement began before Aug. 4, registration is required by Oct. 3.

Once registered, individuals and entities will need to keep their information updated.

Anyone who violates the registry guidelines could face a financial penalty ranging from $250 to $1 million, following an investigation by the commission.

Violations can include:

• Not registering on time when required to do so.
• Not updating their information when it changes.
• Providing false or misleading information to the commissioner.
• Knowingly obstructing the commissioner or anyone working on their behalf.

Information about each violation — including names of individuals, the specific offence and the penalty issued — will be publicly reported by the commissioner, who may also include the reasons behind his decision and “relevant facts” from the investigation.

Canada is an outlier among its close allies in lacking a public-facing registry for foreign agents. The Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA), introduced in 2024, was meant to address that gap.

An independent federal inquiry led by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue — now the deputy minister of the Department of Justice — found that foreign actors’ attempts to meddle in Canadian affairs have been largely unsuccessful.

But she nevertheless warned when issuing her final report in 2025 that Canadian democracy faced an “existential threat” from disinformation and misinformation campaigns, both foreign and domestic.

Establishing the foreign influence registry — and that members of Parliament, senators and their staff should consult it to see if people they interact with are registered — was among Hogue’s final recommendations.

“At the very least they would learn of existing relationships between individuals they interact with and foreign states,” she wrote.

Advocates for the registry, including civil society organizations and diaspora groups, say it’s increasingly needed now as Prime Minister Mark Carney and his government seek to improve ties with China and India — two countries that CSIS says are among the leading purveyors of foreign interference in Canada.

Researchers behind a report released earlier this year on transnational repression have urged the government to quickly set up the registry, saying it would help reduce sometimes violent attempts to influence or suppress opposition in diaspora communities.

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

A divided U.S. federal appeals court on Tuesday said the Trump administration improperly terminated a multi-billion program to boost clean energy projects, handing a win to a coalition of nonprofits picked to run the Biden-era effort.

Climate United Fund and other nonprofits won’t have access to their funds immediately as the decision will be put on hold for several days giving the Environmental Protection Agency time to ask the Supreme Court to step in.

The split ruling by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is a loss for the Trump administration in one of its earliest efforts to dismantle President Joe Biden’s campaign to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gases. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, commonly referred to as a “green bank,” is a congressionally authorized program that provided money to nonprofits that would then make loans and invest in small energy projects, energy-efficient buildings and transportation.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin accused Climate United Fund and other nonprofits picked to run the green bank of mismanagement and potential fraud. He froze billions that had been placed in a Citibank account for the program and then terminated their grants. The groups disputed any wrongdoing and sued, arguing the Trump administration broke the law and violated the Constitution by not spending money authorized by Congress.

In September, a divided three-judge panel of the same appeals court overturned a lower court and said the Trump administration had broad power to cancel grants without having to face charges of illegality in federal court. The full appeals court agreed to revisit that decision, a rare occurrence reserved for the most important cases.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

The chief of the Okanagan Indian Band says that as many as 230 homes may have been lost to the Bradley Creek wildfire.

The fire, burning west of Vernon, started on July 31 and is now measured at 2,852 hectares.

A cold front moved through the area on Aug. 1 and the winds picked up, causing aggressive fire growth, officials said.

“For our community, it’s measured in homes, family histories and places people have spent all of their lives,” Chief Dan Wilson said.

“Over the past several days, our community has experienced one of the most devastating events in our history. Families have been forced from their homes, many have lost everything they own and many are still waiting to learn what remains of their homes and properties.”

Wilson added that it will be days before they are able to properly assess the situation.

He said approximately 30 band members and up to 200 non-band members may have lost their homes.

The fire has now grown in a northwest direction, Jeff Dunne with the BC Wildfire Service said.

The fire has not spotted across Okanagan Lake.

However, there are road closures on Westside Road and Highway 97 due to the fire.

More to come.

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

A Change of Command ceremony was held on July 22, marking the transfer of leadership from Brigadier-General Mark “Buck” Hickey to Col. Tim Woods.

Hickey, who commanded 4 Wing and CFB Cold Lake from July 2024 until July 2026, was promoted from colonel to brigadier-general on the morning of the ceremony.

“BGen Hickey’s major accomplishments while commander of 4 Wing include the opening of the 4 Wing Dependant Medical Clinic, initiation of the expansion of the MFRC Daycare facilities, and facilitating the consolidation of infrastructure projects at the national level to help prepare 4 Wing & CFB Cold Lake to accept the next generation of fighter aircraft,” said 2Lt Matt MacFarlane, acting Wing public affairs officer.

Hickey has since been posted to Hawaii, where MacFarlane said he will serve as the Canadian representative.

Woods arrived at 4 Wing with more than 4,500 hours of flight experience and an extensive background in fighter capability development.

He previously worked in Washington, D.C., on the next-generation fighter program and served in the Fighter Capability Office between 2020 and 2023.

He also completed a master’s degree in national security and strategy at the Australian Defence College in 2024 before serving as the Canadian Armed Forces’ first director of Special Access Programs.

As commander, Woods will be responsible for maintaining 4 Wing’s current operations, while preparing its personnel and infrastructure for the transition to the F-35.

His immediate priorities will include training, deploying and supporting tactical fighter forces for domestic and international operations, continuing preparations for the new aircraft and maintaining 4 Wing’s ability to deploy personnel and equipment from different locations.

The transition is expected to bring visible changes throughout the base and the surrounding region.

“The Lakeland community can expect to see an expansion of base infrastructure, new buildings, an increase of numbers of base personnel as 4 Wing expands; 4 Wings mission and operations will remain the same as the wing prepares to accept the next generation of fighter aircraft and to train, deploy, and support world-class tactical fighter forces in the defense of Canada and Canadians,” said MacFarlane.

Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA and Alberta Military Liaison Scott Cyr attended the ceremony and described it as more than a transfer of command. Cyr said it reflected the continued evolution of one of Canada’s most strategically important military installations.

Cyr thanked Hickey for his leadership and credited him with helping position the wing for a period of substantial growth and modernization.

He also congratulated Woods and expressed confidence that his experience would serve 4 Wing’s members as they protect Canadian sovereignty and support international security.

According to Cyr, the transition to the F-35, along with investments in infrastructure, innovation, workforce development and strategic partnerships, could create new opportunities for communities, businesses and educational institutions across northeastern Alberta.

Cyr said he looks forward to working with Woods, Col. Laura Gagné and the rest of the base’s leadership to strengthen relationships among the Canadian Armed Forces, local communities, Indigenous partners, industry and government.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Health Canada has authorized pharmaceutical company Moderna to move forward with a clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting the Ebola virus strain currently fuelling an explosive outbreak abroad.

Canada is now the second country to authorize a Phase I clinical trial for a Bundibugyo virus vaccine candidate after the U.K., according to federal officials in a news release.

There is currently no licensed vaccine or treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, the strain of Ebola disease that is responsible for the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There have been no cases of Ebola disease in Canada.

Participants in the authorized Phase I clinical trial will “be given a dose of the candidate vaccine and researchers will assess whether the participants’ immune system starts making antibodies to the Bundibugyo virus.”

They will not be injected with the virus itself, Health Canada says.

Following the completion of the trial, Moderna is required to “conduct additional clinical trial phases before it could seek approval from Health Canada for the vaccine.”

Eastern Congo’s remote Ituri province has experienced the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease, with 3,802 cases and 1,707 deaths being recorded as of Tuesday, according to the latest government update.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on May 17.

On May 28, the Canadian federal government announced it would provide $8 million in international assistance funding to support the outbreak.

As of May 27, the Canadian government requires travellers from Ebola-affected regions to self-isolate for 21 days, with immigration authorities temporarily suspending applications from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda, effective until Aug. 29.

All travellers are required to be assessed by border officials. Those who have symptoms will be transferred to hospital for further medical assessment.

Government officials stated on May 26 that on average, 350 people from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan come to Canada each week.

The majority of passengers arrive in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver airports, with about 60 per cent of flights comprised of Canadians or permanent residents and 40 per cent foreign nationals.

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

Seven more whales are on the move from Marineland, headed to a new home at an aquarium in the United States.

Marineland says in a statement that it has begun the second phase of its whale relocation plan, just weeks after successfully transferring six belugas to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and SeaWorld in San Antonio.

It says the whales getting shipped Monday – female belugas named Xena, Gemini, Skyla, Meeka, Eve, Neva and Calypso – are all going to SeaWorld’s San Antonio location.

The park says the health, safety and well-being of the whales remain its top priority throughout the journey.

One of Marineland’s advisers has called the series of moves, a process involving custom slings, dozens of people and ongoing international collaboration, “unprecedented.”

Marineland has been closed to the public since 2024 as it looks to sell the park and its sprawling property a short distance from the famous Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls, Ont.

The park has said it is running out of money and can no longer care for the whales.

The shuttered tourist attraction previously tried to ship its complement of belugas and dolphins to an aquarium in China, but the plan was blocked by the federal fisheries minister.

Not long after, Marineland captured international attention when it threatened to euthanize all of its belugas if it didn’t obtain emergency funding.

The park ended up striking a deal with a consortium of U.S. and Spanish aquariums, which worked out a plan to move the whales.

The first batch of whales was moved on July 20.

Before then, Marineland had 30 belugas and four dolphins, the largest complement of captive belugas in the world as well as Canada’s last remaining captive whales and dolphins.

© 2026 The Canadian Press