NEW CANNED VEGGIES TARIFF

OTTAWA — The federal government is levying a temporary 10 per cent tariff on some imported canned vegetables to help domestic vegetable growers.

The Department of Finance says the move addresses critical circumstances and immediate challenges the Canadian canned vegetable industry faces.

It says canned vegetable imports from the United States, Mexico, Israel, Chile and developing countries will not be subject to the tariff.

The temporary measure, which will remain in place for up to 200 days, will help stabilize market conditions and mitigate the effects of trade diversion on domestic producers, the ministry says.

Meanwhile, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal will continue its inquiry into global imports of canned vegetables, which was launched in March and is expected to conclude in September.

The tribunal is investigating whether increased canned vegetable imports are causing or threatening to cause harm to Canadian vegetable growers and processors.

RABIES cases spread IN QUE.

LONGUEUIL — Quebec public health officials are sounding the alarm as rabies cases continue to spread in regions to the south and east of Montreal.

The province has recorded 76 cases in 2026, only halfway through the year, compared to 93 for all of 2025.

Officials logged 104 cases over three years, during the province’s last outbreak between 2006 and 2009.

Public health officials from the Montérégie and Estrie regions told a media briefing on Thursday that rabies has a 100 per cent mortality rate in humans and animals once symptoms appear.

But they said aggressive treatment can prevent the disease from developing in an exposed person.

They say the best way to stay safe is to avoid contact with unknown domestic and wild animals, and especially with mammals such as raccoons, skunks and foxes.

MALWARE LINKED TO EVIL CORP

The RCMP says it worked with international partners to deal a blow to cybercriminals who trick users into downloading malicious files disguised as legitimate computer updates.

Investigators say SocGholish malware — linked to the Russian cybercriminal group Evil Corp — exploited thousands of WordPress sites with the aim of gaining unauthorized access to computer systems and data.

An RCMP media statement says the force teamed up with counterparts in the Netherlands, the United States and Germany on the joint action, part of an effort known as Operation Endgame.

A notice from the Dutch police says agencies took down 106 servers and domains worldwide, remediated almost 15,000 websites, cleaned infected WordPress sites and notified victims.

Authorities urged owners of WordPress sites to change their login credentials and enable multi‑factor authentication.

They advised people to prevent SocGholish malware infection by never trusting pop-ups that appear in browsers or overly flashy update notices that urge immediate action.

CAR CRASH NEAR WORLD CUP FANS

VANCOUVER — Vancouver police say they arrested a prohibited driver who crashed his car while trying to flee officers, in an incident that unfolded close to World Cup fans in the downtown core on Thursday.

The incident was captured on social media videos that show a black Tesla crashed into a tree, a man lying on the ground being cuffed, and officers with weapons drawn.

Police say the vehicle had been “pinged” for having inactive insurance and being operated by a prohibited driver, and when they tried to stop the car, the driver fled through an underground parking lot then crashed as it emerged at Hornby and Robson streets.

They say the man in his 30s was taken into custody without further incident, and “numerous charges will be recommended.”

The crash site is only a couple blocks from Granville Street, which has been turned into a pedestrian zone for the World Cup tournament and was teeming with fans on Thursday.

» The Canadian Press