NATO Chief Calls for Shift to ‘Wartime Mindset’ Amid Increased Security Concerns

Harsimrat Randhawa, a 21-year-old student from Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on April 17, 2025. The incident occurred during a shooting involving two vehicles, as reported by Hamilton Police. Officials confirmed that Randhawa was an innocent bystander and was shot in the chest when a passenger from a black car opened fire on a white sedan. According to the Consulate General of India in Toronto, the consulate expressed deep sorrow over Randhawa's tragic death and stated they are providing support to her family during this difficult time. "We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance," the consulate noted in a post on social media. Hamilton Police have launched a homicide investigation and are seeking information from the public. They request anyone with dashcam or security footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact officials. No other injuries were reported, although shots damaged a nearby residence where occupants were present.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appeared visibly shocked at a campaign event when heckled with a provocative question regarding his alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The incident occurred as Carney was questioned about how many children he “molested” with the disgraced financier, according to a post by social media user Collin Rugg. The comment was spurred by recently circulated AI-generated photos that depicted Carney alongside Epstein's long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell and Hollywood actor Tom Hanks on a beach. Carney's allies criticized the tactic as indicative of fear from opposition parties, stating, “This is another example of how Pierre Poilievre and others have always played politics,” as reported by the Toronto Sun. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence in Florida for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The controversy comes as Canada prepares for its upcoming elections, amplifying scrutiny on Carney’s political campaign.

Canada has condemned the recent executions of four Canadian citizens in China, claiming the actions defy repeated pleas for leniency. Melanie Joly, Canada’s foreign minister, expressed her outrage during a news conference in Ottawa, stating, “We strongly condemn the executions that did happen against Canadians in China.” The identities and details surrounding the cases remain private at the request of the families involved. Chinese authorities assert that the executions were conducted "in accordance with the law" and suggested the Canadians were convicted for narcotics-related offenses. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, emphasized the importance of combating drug crimes, describing them as a "severe crime recognized worldwide." Relations between Canada and China have deteriorated significantly in recent years, particularly following the arrest of a Huawei executive in Canada and subsequent retaliatory detentions of Canadian citizens. This latest incident marks a further decline in diplomatic relations, which have been strained by issues such as alleged electoral interference and human rights violations in China, including the treatment of Uyghur Muslims.