THE ISLAND DEW

P.E.I. budget keeps arts and culture funding, but groups say the fight for it is fiercer

As P.E.I.’s arts and community groups assess the impact of the province’s latest operating budget, many say they face a new reality: fiercer competition for funding that could force them to scale back programs and rethink how they serve Islanders.

P.E.I. player earns prestigious chess master title during tournament in Montreal

Jorge Moreno was in Montreal earlier this month, representing Prince Edward Island through nine rounds of the Canadian Closed Chess Championship. He scored five out of nine points against some of the country’s strongest players to earn a prestigious title —a first for a P.E.I. representative.

P.E.I. no longer accepting heat pump rebate applications

Islanders can no longer apply for heat pump rebates through the provincial incentive program.

City of Charlottetown consulting business owners ahead of major Exhibition Drive rebuild

The City of Charlottetown is preparing to begin a full reconstruction of Exhibition Drive, but officials say they are working with local business owners to address concerns about potential disruptions.

P.E.I. kids won’t receive books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after budget cut

A program that provided Prince Edward Island children with free books in the mail every month is ending as part of cuts in the province’s 2026-27 operational budget.

Our political panel breaks down the P.E.I. budget and a conflict of interest controversy

It was a busy week in the P.E.I. Legislature, including the tabling of the government’s operational budget and questions about cabinet minister Sidney MacEwen’s fishing licence. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke with Sally Pitt and Paul MacNeill to get their takes.

Some bike shop owners worried they’ll lose customers after P.E.I. slashes incentive

Prince Edward Islanders will no longer get money back on their purchase of bicycles and e-bikes after the province’s latest operating budget eliminated a rebate program.

Education minister says P.E.I. school buses are ‘very safe,’ despite some exceeding age limit

The Liberals continued to question the Progressive Conservative government on school bus safety Friday after a Jan. 8 crash revealed that some of the vehicles transporting P.E.I. students are older than what’s allowed under provincial law.

Charlottetown residents weigh in on redesign options for Cody Banks Arena site

The City of Charlottetown is looking into redesigning the site where the Cody Banks Arena is located, and residents had the chance to review some of the options Thursday night.

CBC P.E.I. meteorologist Jay Scotland goes to firefighter school

Does Jay have what it takes to be an elite firefighter? We tagged along with him on his visit to the P.E.I. Firefighters Association’s training facility in Milton Station to find out.

Greens slam PC’s conflict of interest bill as ‘scramble’ to keep MacEwen in cabinet

The P.E.I. Green Party is taking aim at a Progressive Conservative bill aimed at changing the province’s Conflict of Interest Act, calling it a “scramble” to keep Sidney MacEwen in cabinet.

Opposition says government’s climate promises ‘mean very little’ after program cuts

Several programs that fall under P.E.I.’s Department of Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy are being slashed as the provincial department faces a $40-million budget cut.

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EN-TRUDEAU-PERRY-DEC6 Katy Perry shared this photo of her and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau on Instagram on Dec. 6, along with other couple-y photos. The two have been spotted together out in public multiple times since July. Uploaded by:…

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LI-TRUDEAU-KATY-TIMELINE-FEB2 Uploaded by: Yaqoob, Daniyah

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Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds hands with Katy Perry as they leave an event during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Brick by brick: Saskatoon’s historic Lego build begins

A new art installation is taking shape—built by Saskatoon. Families gathered at the Frances Morrison Central Library to help create a massive LEGO mosaic.

Donnarumma mistake gifts Arsenal equalizer in Premier League title showdown with Man City

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — After Rayan Cherki’s moment of magic came Gianluigi Donnarumma’s moment to forget.

Donnarumma mistake gifts Arsenal equalizer in Premier League title showdown with Man City

Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki celebrates with his teammate Erling Haaland after scoring his side’s first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and and Arsenal, in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Donnarumma mistake gifts Arsenal equalizer in Premier League title showdown with Man City

Arsenal’s Kai Havertz celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and and Arsenal, in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Donnarumma mistake gifts Arsenal equalizer in Premier League title showdown with Man City

Manchester City’s head coach Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and and Arsenal, in Manchester, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office

“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and “Project Hail Mary” dominated the North American box office again this weekend, leaving “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” in third place for its debut.

‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office

Ryan Gosling, cast member of the film “Project Hail Mary,” speaks during the Amazon MGM Studios presentation at CinemaCon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Natalie Grace in a scene from “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Robot breaks half-marathon world record by almost seven minutes in Beijing

The result represented spectacular progress from last year, when robot-runners fell repeatedly and the best took more than two hours and 40 minutes to finish

Dominion still has pending lawsuits against election deniers such as Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell

Russia is ‘going backwards’ in equipment and deploying post WWII-era tanks, according to Western officials

• Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich denied detention appeal in Moscow • Putin visits Russian troops at military headquarters in Kherson • Watch moment WSJ journalist appears in Russian court

Podcast: One country musician is calling for other artists to oppose assault rifles

Bidets save you money and reduce waste — we tested the best options out there

50+ products to make your life easier and our planet cleaner

Mother’s Day is around the corner. Here are 50+ thoughtful gifts she’ll love

A head-to-toe guide of how men should dress this spring, and where they should shop

42 of the most useful travel products you can buy on Amazon

The 7 best high-yield savings accounts of April 2023

Taxes are due tomorrow. Here’s how to file for an extension

Composting is an easy way to reduce food waste. Here’s how to do it

We stopped using aluminum foil for cooking and you should too. Here’s what to use instead

Vitol Made About $2 Billion in First Quarter Despite War Losses

Vitol Group has told banks it made a first-quarter profit of roughly $2 billion, as the world’s top energy trader moves to reassure lenders over losses in some parts of its business due to the Iran war.

Cheap Batteries Are Taking Over the World’s Power Grids

Falling costs, rising electricity demand and the Iran War are nurturing a boom in energy storage.

Trump says talks between U.S. and Iran to resume in Pakistan on Monday

Iran’s top negotiator says his government has “no trust” in its enemies, after Trump says the U.S. won’t be blackmailed.

Software stock dogs have joined market rally. There’s a classic investing lesson in the rebound

In a 2026 market that had Microsoft down close to 20%, looking for opportunities to buy after big drawdowns is coming to more tech and software stocks.

Emerging-Market Bond Sales Are Soaring Again as Investors Dive Back Into Risk

Emerging-market bond sales are roaring back from last month’s doldrums, as issuers from Brazil to Turkey take advantage of rebounding markets to raise fresh financing.

Option Traders Chasing Torrid Stock Rally Turn Focus to Earnings

Option traders have flipped from concern that the Iran war will sink the economy to fear of missing out on the torrid equity rebound. That shift away from macro risk to individual stocks is set to continue as corporate earnings take center stage.

Trump to send US officials to Pakistan for fresh peace talks with Iran

President threatens to resume bombing campaign if Tehran does not agree to a deal

Is London ready for the Green Party?

Zack Polanski’s leftwing populists are aiming to eat into Labour’s heartlands

Iran focus of probe into London arson attacks, counterterror police say

Officers threaten to use anti-espionage National Security Act against anyone involved in the incidents

Amazon, USPS and the risk of a widening delivery divide in rural America

The new deal between Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service has many implications, maybe none greater than what it means for package delivery to rural Americans.

Gas prices may not drop below $3 a gallon until next year: Energy Secretary Wright

Gas prices are more than $4 per gallon on average in the U.S. right now, a massive spike from just months ago.

I’m a psychologist who studies couples: People in the happiest relationships do 5 things on Sundays—that most neglect

Before a new week begins, the happiest couples pause. Mark Travers, a psychologist who studies couples, shares the five simple check-ins help them stay close and emotionally in sync.

More babies are born exposed to substances in N.L. as system struggles to keep up, says pediatrician

More babies are being born exposed to substances in Newfoundland and Labrador — 50 to 60, says one pediatrician. The drugs are only part of the problem. A big concern is a system that struggles to support these women and their babies.

Teen’s death prompts push to ban energy drink sales to Quebec youth under 16

The family of a Quebec teen who died after mixing energy drinks and medication is joined by school groups in calling for a ban on energy drink sales to youth under 16, citing health risks and growing support for tighter rules.

Fear of reprisals, isolation, anxiety: Report documents mental health concerns at CSIS

Canadian Security Intelligence Service employees who came forward as part of an external study investigating mental health at the spy agency described a sometimes isolating and bleak environment “laden with stigma.”

Health Canada warned against buying peptides online. CBC News easily bought some

Companies are selling peptides on the grey market, despite warnings from Health Canada.

New B.C. program to ‘track and trace’ origins of illicit drug supply

B.C. officials have announced a new “track and trace” pilot program using technology they say can reveal patterns about the geographic origins and patterns of the illicit drug supply.

After testicular cancer surgery, Forge FC’s Kyle Bekker wants men to ‘listen to their body’

Forge FC midfielder Kyle Bekker gathered recently with teammates to inform them about his recent absence from the Canadian Premier League club. “I had surgery four weeks ago [this past] Monday to remove a tumour after being diagnosed with testicular cancer,” Bekker revealed Thursday to CBC Sports.

Video of woman collapsing in ER waiting room played at Ontario inquest into her sepsis death

QEH installs AI scanner after 2-week pilot project finds more than 30 different weapons

An AI-equipped scanner is now permanently installed at the entrance to the emergency department at Charlottetown’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a short pilot project confirmed potentially dangerous weapons are entering the ER.

Alberta doctors urge province to offer free RSV shot to all newborns to cut health risks, hospital visits

Pediatricians are calling on the Alberta government to provide a preventative RSV shot for free to all newborns this fall, saying the move could spare many babies from getting very sick and reduce pressure on hospitals during the busy respiratory virus season.

Province seeks new home for Saskatoon drug testing machine

The fate of the drug testing machine, which played a major role in toxic drug alerts issued by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, remains uncertain after a financial crisis forced Prairie Harm Reduction to close its doors last week.

5 people died in 2 weeks after using drugs in Winnipeg. ‘The drug supply is poisoned,’ RaY director says

A Winnipeg organization is urging people to get their drugs tested after it says five people connected to its community died after using substances within the last two weeks.

Hospitalization rates for illnesses like COVID, flu have doubled since pre-pandemic, report finds

Striking new data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows hospitalization rates for vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases more than doubled in 2024, compared to pre-pandemic levels, all while vaccination rates are backsliding.

Palantir posts mini-manifesto denouncing inclusivity and ‘regressive’ cultures

Palantir’s ideological bent has come under more scrutiny as it’s worked with ICE and positioned itself as a defender of “the West.”

TechCrunch Mobility: Uber enters its assetmaxxing era

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part. 

Nothing’s modular CMF Headphone Pro are down to their lowest price to date

Over the past several years, Nothing’s budget-centric subsidiary, CMF, has built a reputation for producing attractive, inexpensive products with features often reserved for gadgets that cost twice the price. The CMF Headphone Pro — the company’s first pair of over-ear wireless headphones — fit precisely in that lane, especially now that they’re on sale at

The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk

This might feel like a somewhat obvious recommendation to some, but it flew under my radar until now. Alfred Bester’s The Stars My Destination (originally published as Tiger! Tiger! in the UK) is a 1956 sci-fi novel that some have cited as a precursor to cyberpunk. It’s a work I admit I have some conflicted

Cracks are starting to form on fusion energy’s funding boom

Fusion startups and investors risk deepening fissures if some key disagreements aren’t settled amicably.

The future of local TV news has taken a Trumpian turn

This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more stories on Big Tech versus politics in Washington, DC, follow Tina Nguyen and read Regulator. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here. How it started A long time

Marathon battery life makes Keychron’s Ultra 8K keyboards its best yet

Keychron’s expansive keyboard catalog covers everything from basic full-size mechanical boards to niche layouts like southpaw Alice or a one-handed half-keyboard for gaming. Its Q and V series are among our go-to recommendations for off-the-shelf keyboards, and the latest iterations – the Q and V Ultra models – are a straightforward upgrade to the lineup,

Blue Origin successfully re-uses a New Glenn rocket for the first time ever

It’s a major milestone for the company’s new mega-rocket system, putting it in position to challenge SpaceX’s dominance of the global launch market.

I’ve fired one of America’s most powerful lasers—here’s what a shot day looks like

The laser was used to study the physics of stellar interiors and fusion energy, among other things.

Best Meta Glasses (2026): Ray-Ban, Oakley, AR

Meta is unquestionably winning the face-wearable war. Can you trust the company? Maybe not. But these are some of the nicest glasses I’ve ever worn.

Hisense U7SG TV Review (2026): Better Design, Great Value

Hisense’s midrange U7 TV gets some high-end upgrades, but the competition is only getting stiffer.

The 11 Best Fans to Buy Before It Gets Hot Again (2026)

Swap out your creaky old box fan for a new model that lights up, mists, or even follows you around the room.

Stronger data laws needed as Canada prepares for Chinese EVs: Privacy commissioner

Dufresne’s comments come after Canada reached a deal with China to dramatically lower tariffs on 49,000 EVs a year from the country, a move that has raised concerns about data privacy and surveillance in the heavily connected vehicles.

Export Development Canada announces that $2.1B has been deployed to support businesses facing tariffs

The commercial business support was reportedly provided to Canadian companies from all sectors, with a particular focus on hard‑hit and vulnerable industries, including steel and aluminum, lumber, manufacturing and agri‑food.

Carney calls for resumption of shipping during Strait of Hormuz talks

U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran’s foreign minister declared the strait open to commercial vessels on Apr. 17, but Trump says a U.S. naval blockade will remain in place.

Federal government announces support for Mangrove Lithium’s electrochemical lithium refining facility

Mangrove Lithium has been supported by a conditionally approved investment of up to $21.9 million through the Critical Minerals Research Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) program.

Forests Canada announces that Ontario Envirothon has returned to help students build STEM skills

This year’s Regional Ontario Envirothon events are taking place from March 25 to May 13, culminating with the Ontario Envirothon Championships from May 24 to 27 at the University of Waterloo.

Fastfrate Group completes acquisition of Omnitrans Inc.

The acquisition represents an expansion of Fastfrate Group’s service offering, reportedly extending its capabilities beyond North America into key global trade lanes.

Robert Half Canada Inc. survey reveals what early career workers need to succeed

According to a survey of 1,005 experienced workers, 40 per cent say candidates should be prepared to demonstrate knowledge of AI tools when applying to roles.

United Steelworkers welcome 147 new members from Weyerhaeuser in Kenora, Ont.

Workers voted in favour of joining the union with 97 per cent support.

Spiking FedEx, UPS fuel fees are grabbing shippers’ attention

Customers are looking more deeply at their surcharge spend levels following a record-high quarter for ground delivery costs, per the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index.

What to know about CBP’s tariff refund process launching Monday

The successful recouping of funds paid for International Emergency Economic Powers Act levies will hinge on documentation quality and cross-functional coordination, one expert said. 

Carney announces new summit in Toronto aimed at driving $1 trillion in investment

The goal of the summit is to grow businesses, unlock job opportunities and build a stronger economy.

Home Depot eyes same-day, next-day delivery site in New York

The potential distribution center in Yaphank, which the retailer is seeking a tax break for, would be part of its wider supply chain investment strategy.