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U.S. Threatens Harsher Economic Pressure on Iran as Mediators Rush to Secure Second Ceasefire Talks

  A woman walks past a digital screen displaying news of US-Iran peace talks along a road in Islamabad on April 10, 2026 The United States has warned it will step up economic pressure on Iran while mediators race to arrange a second round of ceasefire talks before the fragile truce expires on April 22, 2026 — a standoff that risks higher oil prices, tighter global markets, and direct costs for Canadian households and investors.   Background and diplomatic timeline A two‑week ceasefire that paused nearly seven weeks of fighting was brokered to create a narrow diplomatic window for talks between Washington and Tehran. The first round of face‑to‑face negotiations in Islamabad lasted more than 20 hours but ended without an agreement, leaving the truce set to expire on April 22, 2026 unless mediators secure a follow‑up session.  Mediators led by Pakistan, with active roles from Turkey, Egypt and other regional actors, have been shuttling between capitals to bridge the remaini...

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Scorching Heat and Raging Flames Blanket Western Canada in Smoke


Western Canada is grappling with a dangerous combination of extreme heat, bone-dry conditions, and a surge in wildfire activity, leaving vast regions shrouded in thick smoke. In British Columbia, a stagnant ridge of high pressure has driven temperatures to record-breaking levels, with Lytton recently tying Canada’s all-time September high of 40°C. The relentless heat has pushed fire danger to extreme levels, sparking dozens of new blazes.

Smoke from these fires has triggered widespread air-quality warnings across B.C., Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan, with officials urging residents to limit outdoor activity. In Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, fine particulate levels have climbed high enough to pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Satellite imagery shows massive plumes rising from the Cariboo region, where lightning strikes ignited several large fires, including the Itcha Lake blaze, which has already consumed more than 17,000 hectares. Evacuation orders remain in place for some communities, and the number of out-of-control fires in B.C. has surged past 60.

With hot, dry weather forecast to persist, fire crews face an uphill battle to contain the flames, and residents are bracing for more days of smoke-filled skies.


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