Multiple people killed as driver ploughs into festival crowd in Vancouver
'A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured,' Vancouver Police posted on X.
'The driver is in custody.'
The incident happened as members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim posted on social media.
The festival, which commemorates a Filipino anti-colonial leader from the 16th century, falls this year on the weekend before Canada's election.
'Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver's Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,' Sim wrote.
Police said the incident happened shortly after 8pm Saturday local time (3am GMT Sunday) in the city's Sunset on Fraser neighborhood.
Photos published by Canadian broadcaster CBC showed emergency crews at the scene as well as large crowds at the block party earlier Saturday.
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Festival security guard Jen Idaba-Castaneto told local news site Vancouver Is Awesome that she saw 'bodies everywhere.'
'You don't know who to help, here or there. It's so shocking,' she said.
British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was 'shocked & heartbroken' by the news in a post on X.
The event featured a parade, a film screening, dancing and a concert, with two members of the Black Eyed Peas featured on the lineup published by the organisers.
'Our thoughts are with the victims and their families — and Vancouver's Filipino community,' Jagmeet Singh, leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party said on social media.
Lapu Lapu Day is celebrated in the Philippines in remembrance of indigenous chief Lapulapu, who led his men to defeat Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in battle in 1521.
The deadly incident comes a year after Canadian Nathaniel Veltman was sentenced to life in prison for running down a Muslim family with his truck on the street in London, Ontario in 2021.
© AFP 2025
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Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
European leaders arrive at White House for ‘historic' summit in bid to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine
live | Zelensky, flanked by Europe, heads to Washington as Trump presses for Russia dealFollow the latest on our Irish Independent live blog below: Today at 12:50 Key updates LATEST: Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea, or joining Nato, as Zelensky arrives in US Here is how the day will roll out (GMT)... Trump-Zelensky meeting to take place at 5:15pm GMT on Monday Today European leaders will join Volodymyr Zelensky for crunch war talks with Donald Trump in Washington Just now Russia rejects NATO troop deployment in Ukraine, slams UK remarks Russia does not consider the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine a viable solution to the conflict, and views recent statements from the UK on the matter as provocative, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "At a time when there is a genuine push for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting resolution to the conflict around Ukraine, including addressing its root causes, statements continue to emerge from London that not only contradict the efforts of Moscow and Washington, but also appear aimed at undermining them," the ministry said. Maxim Rodionov 18 minutes ago Zelensky says Ukraine ready to establish 'new security architecture' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv was seeking a "reliable and lasting peace" in its war with Russia and that it was prepared to establish "a new security architecture". "Our main goal is a reliable and lasting peace for Ukraine and for the whole of Europe. And it is important that the momentum of all our meetings lead to precisely this result," he wrote on X before meeting US President Donald Trump in Washington. "Ukraine is ready for a real truce and for establishing a new security architecture. We need peace." Yuliia Dysa, Reuters 31 minutes ago European leaders begin arriving at the White House for a summit with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Today, I'm in Washington D.C. with @ZelenskyyUA and European leaders. Together, we will meet with @POTUS. We are working to end the bloodshed in Ukraine. And achieve a just and lasting peace. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 18, 2025 Today 11:28 AM Timeline of territorial shifts in Russia's war on Ukraine Russia's troops are continuing their slow war of attrition in eastern and northern Ukraine, even as the conflict enters a pivotal phase with a series of high-level meetings that are part of US President Donald Trump's push for peace. In the three-and-a-half years since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the front line has continued to move slowly with some unexpected strikes also redrawing the map. Here is a look at some of the main events in the conflict: February 24 2022: Russian President Vladimir Putin launches an invasion of Ukraine from the north, east and south. Russian troops quickly reach Kyiv's outskirts, but their attempts to capture the capital and other cities in the north-east meet stiff resistance. March 5 2022: Russian advances toward Kyiv and Kherson reach their height. The port city of Mariupol is surrounded. April 2 2022: Ukraine defeats Russian forces in Kyiv after throwing them back in Chernihiv. August 29 2022: Ukraine's first counter-offensive starts in the east and south. September 30 2022: Russia illegally annexes Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, even though it does not fully control either of the four. September to November 2022: Ukrainian forces reclaim vast parts of the Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions in the first counter-offensive, including the city of Kherson itself. May 22 2023: Russia claims control of Bakhmut after months of fighting. June 6 2023: As Ukraine's long-anticipated second counter-offensive starts, the Russian-controlled Kakhovka Dam explodes, sending a wall of water into southern Ukraine and upending Ukrainian battle plans. Autumn 2023: The second Ukrainian counter-offensive ends, with little change to the front line. February 18 2024: Russian forces take complete control of the eastern city of Avdiivka after months of combat. April 19 2024: The US House of Representatives approves a 61 billion dollar package for Ukraine after months of delay. May 10 2024: Russia launches a new offensive in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv, capturing a string of villages and opening a new front in the war. August 6 2024: Ukraine launches a lightning incursion into Russia's Kursk region, holding territory along the border in an unexpected and embarrassing episode for the Kremlin. 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"Together with the US, the EU will continue working towards a lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's and Europe's vital security interests," Costa wrote in a post on social media platform X. Lili Bayer and Geert De Clercq, Reuters Today 10:53 AM Hamas told mediators it approves latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, group official says Hamas has informed mediators that it approves the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal, a group official told Reuters on Monday. The official did not provide further details. Reuters Today 10:52 AM Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Trump has strength to force Russia into peace President Volodymyr Zelenskiy reiterated that Ukraine is ready to work productively to reach peace, in comments after meeting the U.S. special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Washington. "Russia can only be forced into peace through strength, and President Trump has that strength," he said on X. Reuters Today 09:50 AM Putin discusses Trump summit and Ukraine in call with Brazil's Lula Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva received a phone call from his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, Lula's office said in a statement. During the 30-minute call, the two leaders discussed Putin's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week, the Brazilian government said. "President Lula reaffirmed Brazil's support for all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine," it added. Reuters Today 09:48 AM Zelenskiy meets Kellogg ahead of Trump talks, media report President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is meeting the U.S. special envoy on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in Washington ahead of high-stakes talks on peace with President Donald Trump later on Monday, Ukrinform news agency reported. Reuters Today 09:44 AM Trump, ahead of Ukraine meeting, says 'great honor' to host European leaders U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday foreshadowed his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and top European officials at the White House over Russia's war in Ukraine, posting online: "Let's see what the results will be." "A big day at the White House. We have never had so many European Leaders here at one time. A great honor for America!!" he wrote. Trump is scheduled to first meet with Zelenskiy and then the leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO, days after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who attended Trump's meeting with Zelenskiy in February that ended in a remarkable clash, will also participate in today's talks, a source briefed on the matter said. Reuters Today 07:19 AM Kyiv urges Azerbaijan to respond to Russian attacks on its oil facilities in Ukraine Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Azerbaijan on Monday to respond to Russian attacks on its state-owned oil facilities in Ukraine. "Moscow does this on purpose, acting against Azerbaijan's interests," he wrote on X after what he said was the second strike on SOCAR facilities in recent weeks. "This once again demonstrates the importance of the new level of cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan, as well as the need for appropriate diplomatic and legal responses to such attacks." Reuters Today 06:45 AM Zelenskiy says Russia cynically attacking Ukraine ahead of Washington talks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Russia had carried out "cynical" strikes on Ukraine, including on an Azerbaijani-owned oil facility, ahead of his planned talks in Washington with Donald Trump. "This was a demonstrative and cynical Russian strike. They are aware that a meeting is taking place today in Washington that will address the end of the war," he wrote on X. "Putin will commit demonstrative killings to maintain pressure on Ukraine and Europe, as well as to humiliate diplomatic efforts. That is precisely why we are seeking assistance to put an end to the killings." Reuters Today 06:38 AM Russia attacked Azerbaijan's SOCAR oil depot in Ukraine's Odesa region, Kyiv says Russia attacked an energy facility in Ukraine's southern Odesa region belonging to Azerbaijan's SOCAR, Kyiv's energy minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said on Monday at a press conference in Kyiv. Reuters Today 06:37 AM Germany says it would seek clarity on any US role in Ukraine security guarantees European leaders, scheduled to participate in Ukraine talks in Washington on Monday, will seek to discuss the role the U.S. can play in security guarantees to protect Ukraine after any agreement with Russia, a German government spokesperson said. "We have also seen signals from the U.S. that there may have been concessions or promises from the Americans (...) Of course, this must first be concretised and verified in the talks today," the spokesperson said in a regular government press conference. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will join Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet Donald Trump in Washington on Monday, seeking to shore up Zelenskiy's position as Trump presses Ukraine to accept a quick peace deal with Russia. Reuters Today 06:30 AM Putin to continue informing foreign partners about Russia-US summit, Interfax reports Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue to inform foreign partners about the outcome of the Russia-U.S. summit, Interfax news agency reported on Monday, citing the Kremlin. On Sunday, Putin held phone calls with the presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to discuss the results of Friday's summit in Alaska with President Donald Trump. Reuters Today 06:29 AM Putin discusses Russia-US summit with South Africa's Ramaphosa, Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday to discuss the outcome of last week's Russia-U.S. summit, the Kremlin said. It said Ramaphosa "expressed support for the diplomatic efforts being undertaken to bring about a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis". The two leaders also discussed further development of a "comprehensive strategic Russian-South African partnership", the Kremlin said. Reuters Today 05:11 AM Russian drone attack kills seven in Kharkiv, including two children, Ukraine says A Russian drone attack on a residential area in Kharkiv killed seven people including a toddler and a 16-year-old boy overnight, Ukrainian authorities said on Monday, as the United States presses Kyiv to accept a quick deal to end the war that Moscow started. Six children aged six to 17 were among 20 other people injured in the attack on Ukraine's second largest city, Oleh Synehubov, governor of the wider Kharkiv region, wrote on Telegram. The attack came as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy was preparing for talks with Donald Trump in Washington later on Monday amid European fears the U.S. president could try to pressure Kyiv into accepting a peace settlement favourable to Moscow. The air force said Russia launched 140 drones against Ukraine overnight, the largest total recorded in a single night since August 4. Kharkiv, which lies near northeastern Ukraine's border with Russia, has been the target of Russian drone and missile attacks throughout the war. Reuters Today 05:07 AM Finland says ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine key topics at Washington summit on Monday Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Monday that a ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine are the most important topics at the upcoming meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders. Reuters Today 04:23 AM LATEST: Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea, or joining Nato, as Zelensky arrives in US As Volodymyr Zelensky landed in the US for a vital summit, President Donald Trump said his counterpart could 'end the war with Russia almost immediately'. 'President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight,' he wrote on Truth Social. 'Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY UKRAINE. Some things never change!!!' he added. The US president also said Ukraine would not be able to reclaim the Crimean peninsula, illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014, and ruled out any chance of it joining Nato. Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea, or joining Nato, as Zelensky arrives in US As Volodymyr Zelensky landed in the US for a vital summit, President Donald Trump said his counterpart could 'end the war with Russia almost immediately'.
RTÉ News
a day ago
- RTÉ News
Air Canada grounded as striking union defies order to get back to work
Air Canada's fleet of hundreds of planes remained grounded this morning after striking flight attendants refused a government-backed order to get back to work and called on the airline to return to the bargaining table. The carrier, which normally carries 130,000 people daily and is part of the global Star Alliance of airlines, had planned to start ramping up operations on Sunday evening, after a labour relations board ordered the union to return to work and start binding arbitration. The union said no, setting up an almost unprecedented standoff with the Canadian government, which had requested the back-to-work order. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 10,000 Air Canada cabin crew, had pushed for a negotiated solution, saying binding arbitration would take pressure off the airline. The attendants are striking for better wages and to be paid for work on the ground, such as boarding passengers. They currently are only paid when planes are moving, sparking some vocal support from Canadians on social media. CUPE invited Air Canada back to the table to "negotiate a fair deal," calling the order to end its strike unconstitutional. The airline said it would delay plans to restart operations from Sunday until this evening and described the union as illegally defying the labour board. The government's options to end the strike now include asking courts to enforce the order to return to work and seeking an expedited hearing. The minority government could also try to pass legislation that would need the support of political rivals and approval in both houses of parliament, which are on break until September 15. "The government will be very reticent to be too heavy-handed because in Canada the Supreme Court has ruled that governments have to be very careful when they take away the right to strike, even for public sector workers that may be deemed essential," said Dionne Pohler, professor of dispute resolution at Cornell University's Industrial and Labor Relations School. Another option is to encourage bargaining, Pohler said. The government did not respond to requests for comment. On Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government moved to end the strike by asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to order binding arbitration. The CIRB issued the order, which Air Canada had sought, and unionised flight attendants opposed. The previous government, under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, intervened last year to head off rail and dock strikes that threatened to cripple the economy, but it is highly unusual for a union to defy a CIRB order. The CUPE said its rejection was unprecedented when such an order was made according to rules, known as Section 107, that the government invoked in this case. Travelers at Toronto Pearson International Airport over the weekend said they were confused and frustrated about when they would be able to fly. Italian Francesca Tondini, 50, sitting at the Toronto airport, said she supported the union even though she had no idea when she would be able to return home. "They are right," she said with a smile, pointing at the striking attendants. The dispute between cabin crews and Air Canada hinges on the way airlines compensate flight attendants. Most, including Air Canada, have traditionally paid them only when planes are in motion. In their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in both Canada and the US have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks such as boarding passengers. New labour agreements at American Airlines and Alaska Airlines legally require carriers to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding. American's flight attendants are now also compensated for some hours between flights. United Airlines' cabin crews, who voted down a tentative contract deal last month, also want a similar provision.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Zelenskyy, flanked by Europe, heads to Washington as Trump presses for Russia deal
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Monday to map out a peace deal amid fears the US president could try to pressure Kyivinto accepting a settlement favourable to Moscow. The leaders of Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Finland, the European Union and NATO hope to shore up Mr Zelenskyy at a crucial diplomatic moment in the war and prevent any repetition of the bad-tempered Oval Office encounter between Mr Trump and Ukraine's leader in February. Trump will meet first with Mr Zelenskyy at 1.15 pm Eastern Daylight Time (1715 GMT) in the Oval Office and then with all the European leaders together in the White House's East Room at 3 pm EDT (1900 GMT), the White House said. After rolling out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Trump said an agreement should be struck to end the 42-month-long war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. "President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight," Mr Trump said on his Truth Social platform. US President Donald Trump However, Mr Zelenskyy has already all but rejected the outline of Putin's proposals at that meeting, including for Ukraine to give up the rest of its eastern Donetsk region, of which it currently controls a quarter. "We need real negotiations, which means we can start where the front line is now," the Ukrainian leader said in Brussels on Sunday, adding that his country's constitution made it impossible for him to give away territory. More concerning for him is the fact that Mr Trump, who previously favoured Kyiv's proposal for an immediate ceasefire to conduct deeper peace talks, reversed course after the summit and indicated support for Russia's favoured approach of negotiating a comprehensive deal while fighting rumbles on. "I am grateful to the President of the United States for the invitation. We all equally want to end this war swiftly and reliably," Mr Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app after arriving in Washington late on Sunday. "Russia must end this war — the war it started. And I hope that our shared strength with America and with our European friends will compel Russia to real peace." RUSSIAN PEACE PROPOSAL The outline of Putin's proposals, reported by Reuters earlier, appears impossible for Mr Zelenskyy to accept. Ukrainian forces are deeply dug into the Donetsk region, whose towns and hills serve as a crucial defensive zone to stymie Russian attacks. As part of any peace deal, Kyiv wants security guarantees sufficient to deter Russia, which took Ukraine's Crimean peninsula in 2014 and launched a full invasion in 2022, from attacking again. Fearing that they would be shut out of the conversation after a summit to which they were not invited, European leaders held a call with Mr Zelenskyy on Sunday to align on a common strategy for the meeting with Trump on Monday. The presence of key European allies to back Mr Zelenskyy may alleviate painful memories of Mr Zelenskyy's last Oval Office visit. "It's important for the Europeans to be there: (Trump) respects them, he behaves differently in their presence," Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker from Mr Zelenskyy's ruling party, told Reuters. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Picture: AP Photo US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to CBS, dismissed the idea that the European leaders were coming to Washington to protect Mr Zelenskyy. "They're not coming here tomorrow to keep Zelenskyy from being bullied. They're coming here tomorrow because we've been working with the Europeans," he said. "We invited them to come." Relations between Kyiv and Washington, once extremely close, have been rocky since Trump took office in January. However, Ukraine's pressing need for US weapons and intelligence sharing, some of which have no viable alternative, has forced Mr Zelenskyy and his allies on the continent to appease Trump, even when his statements appear contradictory to their objectives. On the battlefield, Russia has been slowly grinding forward, pressing home its advantages in men and firepower. Mr Putin says he is ready to continue fighting until his military objectives are achieved. Ukraine hopes that the changing technological nature of the war and its ability to inflict massive casualties on Moscow will allow it to hold out, supported by European financial and military aid, even if relations with Washington collapse. - Reuters
