Beyond Local

OTTAWA — The federal government is at a crossroads on replacing Canada's aging submarines, as cost considerations butt up against warnings about the need for such vessels and allies press ahead with their own plans.

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Syrian leader Bashar Assad in the Kremlin on Wednesday for talks that focused on rebuilding Syria after a devastating civil war and efforts to stabilize the region.

BEIRUT (AP) — The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria which caused billions of dollars in damage has boosted the prospects of Syria's once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.

“We are seeing tremendous attacks on First Amendment freedoms across the country right now, at all levels of government. Censorship is proliferating, and it’s deeply troubling,” said Joe Cohn, legislative and policy director with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

Two people are dead and nine others are injured after a pickup truck ran into multiple pedestrians in the eastern Quebec community of Amqui on Monday, with police alleging the driver acted deliberately and with premeditation.

EDMONTON — The Alberta government is planning to require all police services in the province to use body cameras. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said Tuesday that officers often respond to complex calls and make split-second decisions.

EDMONTON — Police in Edmonton say charges are pending after a topless protester interrupted the Juno Awards. Pop-punk star Avril Lavigne was caught off-guard Monday night when the woman leapt on the stage.

KRASNE, Ukraine — The cows on Lyuba Pastushok's farm are like her "cheeky children," she explained in Ukrainian as she walked among her growing herd, gently cooing to them and softly petting their heads.

OTTAWA — The senator who pushed for Canada's assisted dying regime to include people whose only condition is a mental disorder says the debate about that policy is now over.

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Authorities in British Columbia are investigating after 17 wild horses were shot in what Mounties are calling a "disheartening act."