Canada Falls Behind 2026 Immigration Target After Admitting 182,100 New Permanent Residents

Canada admitted 182,100 new permanent residents during the first six months of 2026, putting the country below the pace needed to achieve its revised immigration target for the year.

New figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on August 18 showed that 155,800 permanent residents arrived between January 1 and June 30 through the country’s main immigration programmes.

Another 26,300 people obtained permanent residency through two special initiatives created for protected persons and eligible workers already living in Canada.

The combined figure of 182,100 admissions represents about 40.8 per cent of Canada’s adjusted 2026 target of 446,000 permanent residents.

Canada’s original immigration levels plan had set a target of 380,000 permanent resident admissions for 2026. However, the inclusion of the two special initiatives increased the effective target to 446,000.

At the current pace, Canada would need to admit another 263,900 permanent residents between July and December to reach the adjusted annual target.

Economic immigration accounted for the largest proportion of permanent residents admitted during the first half of the year.

IRCC recorded 89,200 economic-class admissions by the end of June, compared with the government’s full-year target of 239,800. At the halfway point of the year, the category was therefore around 30,700 admissions behind the pace required to meet its annual goal.

The economic immigration category includes programmes such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, federal business programmes and several economic pilot schemes.

The family class recorded 45,100 permanent resident admissions during the first six months of the year.

With an annual target of 84,000, the family category was approximately 3,100 admissions ahead of the pace needed by the end of June to reach its full-year target.

The category covers spouses, partners and dependants sponsored by Canadian citizens or permanent residents, alongside parents and grandparents sponsored through the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Canada also admitted 17,900 permanent residents under its refugees and protected persons category by June 30.

The government’s 2026 target for the category is 49,300, leaving admissions about 6,750 below the pace required at the halfway point.

The category includes government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees, as well as people already in Canada who have been granted protection through the Immigration and Refugee Board or the pre-removal risk assessment process.

The country’s 2026 immigration figures also include special measures designed to provide permanent residency to protected persons and workers already established in Canada.

Through the initiatives, Canada aims to admit 46,000 protected persons and 20,000 in-Canada workers during 2026.

By June 30, IRCC had recorded 15,000 admissions under the protected-person initiative and another 11,300 under the in-Canada workers initiative.

That represents approximately 33 per cent of the protected-person target and 57 per cent of the target for eligible workers already living in Canada.

The In-Canada Workers Initiative is designed for qualifying skilled workers who have lived in a rural Canadian community for at least two years and have applied for permanent residence through an eligible programme.

Meanwhile, Canada is also seeking to strengthen French-language immigration outside Quebec.

IRCC reported that 12,400 of the permanent residents admitted outside Quebec during the first half of 2026 were French-speaking or bilingual.

The federal government has set a target for French-speaking immigrants to account for 9 per cent of permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2026.

One of the measures being used to increase francophone immigration is French-language category-based selection through Express Entry.

Of the 114,865 invitations to apply issued through Express Entry during 2026, 39.6 per cent had gone to French-speaking candidates.

With less than half of its adjusted annual target achieved by the end of June, Canada will need to significantly increase permanent resident admissions during the second half of the year if it is to reach its revised target of 446,000 newcomers.

The figures come as Canada continues to adjust its immigration policies amid efforts to balance labour-market needs, population growth and pressure on housing and public services.

Laptop Catches Fire on American Airlines Flight, Passenger Receives Medical Treatment

A passenger received medical treatment after a laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight travelling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

The incident occurred on American Airlines Flight 2398 on Friday, with the aircraft reportedly experiencing smoke from a passenger’s device during the landing process.

According to audio obtained by CBS News, the pilot alerted air traffic control to a “cabin fire in the back of the airplane” and said flight attendants were attempting to put it out. The pilot also reported that several passengers may have been burned by the laptop.

“I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft,” the pilot was heard saying.

The flight subsequently landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where emergency personnel met the aircraft as part of standard procedures.

American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft landed safely following reports of smoke from a customer’s device and praised the cabin crew for their response.

“One passenger received medical attention on site and was released,” the airline said.

The aircraft was later moved to the gate after landing.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in laptops, mobile phones, power banks and other electronic devices carried by passengers.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium batteries can overheat under various circumstances, including when they are damaged, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.

According to the FAA, 58 verified incidents involving lithium batteries and smoke, fire or extreme heat have been recorded so far this year.

The regulator also said that over the past two decades, battery packs have accounted for the highest number of such incidents, while laptops have been involved in 84 recorded cases.

The FAA requires lithium-battery-powered devices and spare batteries to be carried in passengers’ carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage, allowing cabin crew to respond more quickly if a battery begins to overheat or catch fire.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns within the aviation industry over battery-related fires aboard aircraft.

In May, an EasyJet flight travelling from Egypt to the United Kingdom was diverted to Rome after a power bank was discovered charging inside a passenger’s luggage in the aircraft’s hold. The flight was eventually rescheduled for the following day.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has also warned that power banks are contributing to a growing number of serious incidents on flights around the world, urging passengers to understand the risks associated with lithium batteries.

Aviation authorities continue to advise passengers to follow airline and regulatory requirements when carrying electronic devices and power banks, particularly ensuring that spare lithium batteries and power banks are not placed in checked baggage.

13 Workers Killed, Seven Injured in Landslide at Unlicensed Colombian Gold Mine

At least 13 workers have been killed and seven others injured after a landslide struck an unlicensed artisanal gold mine in southern Colombia.

The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at an open-air mine near Policarpa, in Nariño province, where local residents regularly work in search of gold.

Witnesses said they heard what sounded like an explosion shortly before the workers underground were trapped.

However, a local official said the collapse was caused by mining activities at the site.

Emergency responders were deployed to the mine and used excavators to reach the affected workers and recover the bodies of those who died.

Residents said about 50 people, many of them members of the Quillacinga indigenous community, regularly worked at the mine.

The tragedy has highlighted the dangers faced by workers in Colombia’s informal mining sector, where unlicensed operations often take place without the safety standards and oversight required at regulated mines.

Witnesses said four of the 13 people who died belonged to the same indigenous family, further deepening the impact of the disaster on the local community.

Artisanal mining remains an important source of income for thousands of families across Colombia. An estimated 200,000 to 400,000 people are involved in artisanal mining in the country, with many depending on the sale of gold and other precious metals and stones to support their families.

Deadly accidents are relatively common at unlicensed mines, where workers often operate in difficult and hazardous conditions without adequate safety measures.

Authorities are expected to continue assessing the circumstances surrounding the collapse and the safety of mining operations in the area.

US Air Force Major Jason Watson Detained Again After Criticising Trump in CNN Interview

US Air Force Major Jason Watson, who was arrested last month after calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, has been detained again days after publicly criticising the president in a CNN interview.

Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, according to a US Air Force spokesperson. He is currently being held at a county facility in Maryland under a military hold.

The Air Force said Watson’s detention followed probable cause supporting allegations of continued misconduct, although authorities have not disclosed the specific allegations against him.

“Based on probable cause to support allegations of continued misconduct, Maj. Watson was ordered into pretrial confinement on Aug. 18, 2026,” the spokesperson said.

The Air Force also stressed that Watson is presumed innocent and will be afforded his rights as his pretrial confinement is reviewed.

Watson’s attorney, Chris Mutimer, said he had not yet spoken with his client but suspected that the major’s recent appearance on CNN may have contributed to the decision to detain him.

Watson spoke with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Monday, where he strongly criticised Trump and repeated his call for the president to be impeached and removed from office.

“What is happening with President Trump is not normal. He has failed us,” Watson said.

He accused Trump of violating the US Constitution, breaking the law, engaging in corruption and “killing Americans,” saying such conduct should be unacceptable to the public.

Public political dissent by active-duty US military personnel is uncommon because service members are subject to military regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Article 88 of the code criminalises contemptuous words against certain senior US officials, including the president, vice president and members of Congress. The Air Force also distanced itself from Watson’s political statements.

“Maj. Watson’s personal statements do not reflect the views or policies of the Department of the Air Force,” the agency said.

Watson was previously arrested on July 1 on the steps of the US Capitol after delivering a speech calling for the impeachment and removal of Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

US Capitol Police said at the time that members of the public could not demonstrate on the steps of the House unless accompanied by a member of Congress.

Police said Watson had been escorted to the steps by a member of Congress, who subsequently left the area.

Watson was wearing his military uniform during the demonstration, despite military regulations prohibiting service members from wearing uniforms while participating in political activities.

However, he had not been charged at the time with an infraction specifically connected to the demonstration.

Speaking to CNN earlier this week, Watson acknowledged that his decision to publicly oppose the administration could come with serious consequences.

“We just have to be willing to accept that we can change what is happening in our country if we’re just willing to pay a price for it,” he said.

He added that he had considered the highest price he was willing to pay for speaking out and had decided to continue making his position known.

The circumstances surrounding Watson’s latest detention remain unclear, as the Air Force has yet to disclose the specific misconduct allegations against him.

Five Americans, Ecuador Intelligence Chief Killed in Kenya Helicopter Crash

Five Americans and the Director General of Ecuador’s intelligence agency have died in a helicopter crash in Kenya.

The aircraft crashed on Wednesday morning near Mount Ololokwe in central Kenya, with seven people reportedly on board, according to Kenya’s civil aviation authority.

The helicopter was carrying guests from luxury tour company &Beyond. The operator, Lady Lori Helicopters, said the cause of the crash had not yet been determined.

Among those killed was Michele Sensi-Contugi, the Director General of Ecuador’s intelligence agency, who was travelling with his wife, Stephany Sensi, a fashion designer. Ecuadorian state media confirmed their deaths.

José Suárez, an executive with Spanish-language television company Telemundo, was also reported to have died in the crash.

Ecuador’s presidential office expressed condolences to the family of Sensi-Contugi following the incident.

The United States Department of State also confirmed the deaths of five American citizens and said the US Embassy was working with local authorities to provide consular assistance.

“The US Embassy is in touch with local authorities and is providing consular assistance,” a State Department spokesperson said while extending condolences to the victims’ families.

The helicopter, an Airbus Helicopters Eurocopter EC130 B4, was reportedly travelling from the Loisaba wildlife conservancy towards the Ewaso Ngiro River when it crashed.

Images and videos circulating on social media appeared to show smoke rising from the base of a mountain in the area where the aircraft went down.

The Kenya Red Cross said search and recovery operations were launched after the crash, but responders faced difficulties because of the rugged terrain and an active fire at the crash site.

“Search and recovery efforts are ongoing, hampered by difficult terrain access and an active fire at the crash site,” the organisation said.

An additional response team was also dispatched from Isiolo to reinforce the operation. The EC130 B4 is a single-engine helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopters, formerly Eurocopter. The aircraft can carry between five and seven passengers in addition to a pilot and has a maximum speed of about 286 kilometres per hour.

Kenya’s Ministry of Transport has commenced an investigation into the crash to determine what caused the helicopter to go down.

Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation and recovery operations continue.

“You’re a Fake Reporter!” - Trump Blasts CNN Journalist During Tense Oval Office Exchange

US President Donald Trump has clashed with a CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes during a tense exchange at the Oval Office, accusing the journalist of being a “fake reporter” and reporting “fake news.”

The confrontation occurred on Monday, August 17 during an event honouring 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who was being recognised by the president for his heroic actions after rescuing a 10-year-old boy from dangerous waters.

The atmosphere changed when the CNN reporter attempted to ask Trump a follow-up question concerning South Korea and the scaling back of US military exercises.

Trump interrupted the journalist and appeared visibly irritated by the continued questioning.

“You’re a loud, boisterous person,” Trump told the reporter before accusing her of being disrespectful.

The president then went further, saying: “You’re a fake reporter and you report fake news.”

The reporter attempted to continue with her question, but Trump repeatedly pushed back, telling her to be quiet and dismissing her line of questioning.

The heated exchange unfolded in front of Ryder Williams, the teenage lifeguard being honoured at the White House.

Trump’s Long-Running “Fake News” Attacks

Trump’s use of the phrase “fake news” against the media is not new and has been a recurring feature of his relationship with journalists.

In January 2017, during a press conference shortly before his first inauguration, Trump famously refused to take a question from CNN reporter Jim Acosta and dismissed CNN as “fake news.” The confrontation became one of the most notable early clashes between Trump and the White House press corps.

More recently, during his second term, the White House itself published a 2025 statement titled “100 DAYS OF HOAXES: Cutting Through the Fake News,” accusing media organisations and Trump’s political opponents of spreading what it described as false information.

Trump has also repeatedly used the phrase against CNN and other major news organisations during his public appearances, making “fake news” one of his most recognisable descriptions of media coverage he considers unfair or inaccurate.

The latest confrontation therefore fits into a much longer pattern of tense exchanges between Trump and journalists, particularly when reporters challenge him on issues concerning his administration.

While the White House event was intended to celebrate the bravery of a teenage lifeguard, Trump’s clash with the CNN journalist quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the appearance.

The incident has since sparked reactions online, with supporters and critics of the president debating both Trump’s response and the reporter’s decision to persist with her questioning.

Shemariah Newsroom will continue to follow developments surrounding the incident.

Leicester City Put Up for Sale by King Power After 16 Years

Leicester City’s remarkable 16-year era under the Srivaddhanaprabha family could be coming to an end, with the club’s owners reportedly putting the English side up for sale for more than £200 million.

King Power, the Thai retail and travel group that has owned Leicester since 2010, is understood to have begun the process of finding new investors after a dramatic decline in the club’s fortunes.

The news comes just months after Leicester suffered a second successive relegation and dropped into League One, the third tier of English football. The relegation was confirmed in April following a 2-2 draw against Hull City. 

The fall is a stark contrast to the extraordinary success Leicester enjoyed under the Srivaddhanaprabha family.

After King Power took control of the club in 2010, Leicester secured promotion to the Premier League in 2014 before producing one of the biggest shocks in football history by winning the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season.

The club went on to establish itself as a regular Premier League side and later won its first FA Cup in 2021.

However, Leicester’s fortunes changed dramatically in recent years. The club was relegated from the Premier League in 2023, returned to the top flight after winning the Championship in 2024, and was relegated again in 2025.

The latest campaign proved even more damaging, with Leicester dropping straight through the Championship into League One.

The club also faced significant financial problems. Leicester received a six-point deduction in February 2026 after an independent commission found the club had breached the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. 

The financial difficulties have added to the pressure on the ownership. Reports say King Power has engaged investment bank Citigroup as it explores potential buyers for the club. 

The proposed asking price is reportedly above £200 million, although the final value of any transaction could depend on negotiations and the club’s current financial and sporting position. 

The potential sale would bring an end to one of the most memorable ownership stories in modern English football.

The late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha became one of the most popular club owners in English football during Leicester’s rise. His death in a helicopter crash outside the King Power Stadium in October 2018 was a major loss for the club and its supporters.

His son, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, subsequently took over the club’s leadership.

Following Leicester’s relegation to League One, Aiyawatt accepted responsibility for the club’s situation and apologised to supporters, promising to make the necessary decisions to rebuild Leicester and restore the standards expected of the club. 

King Power has not publicly confirmed all the details surrounding the reported sale, but the development signals a potentially significant turning point for Leicester City.

For a club that went from Championship football to Premier League champions within six years, its current position in League One represents a dramatic reversal of fortunes.

If a buyer is eventually found, the next owner will inherit a club with a famous history, substantial infrastructure and a passionate fan base, but also the difficult task of rebuilding Leicester from the third tier.