Thousands ready to evacuate as flooding hits Pacific Northwest

Tens of thousands of residents in western North America are under evacuation orders as heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow, particularly affecting Washington state and British Columbia. Authorities continue to warn that water levels are rising, and the risk of flooding remains high following several days of intense storms.

More than 400 civilians have been killed in ongoing fighting in the Uvira region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since December 1st, as reported by regional officials. The violence has escalated despite recent diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the area, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation.

Canada achieved a trade surplus for the first time since the onset of the trade war, with exports increasing and imports decreasing in September, according to Statistics Canada.

Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, publicly confirmed that the United States assisted her in escaping Venezuela to attend the award ceremony in Norway. She expressed support for potential U.S. military action against the Maduro regime, emphasizing her commitment to returning to Venezuela despite the risks involved.

As the United States pressures Ukraine to accept a peace plan favoring Russia, President Zelensky is seeking support from European allies. The UK, France, and Germany are spearheading the 'Coalition of the Willing' to provide military backing and counterbalance U.S. influence, while the EU is advocating for the release of €200 billion in frozen Russian assets to bolster Ukraine's defense.

The Rwanda-backed M23 militia has captured the strategic eastern DR Congo town of Uvira, escalating violence in the region just after a peace deal was signed in Washington between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi. This development has led to significant civilian displacement, with approximately 200,000 people fleeing the area as fighting intensifies.

Canada’s border agency has reported that all suspects involved in the recent extortion cases in British Columbia have claimed refugee status, complicating the deportation process for these foreign nationals. This situation highlights the challenges faced by authorities in addressing the rising extortion boom in the region.

During testimony, Canadian Minister Champagne defended the contracts with Stellantis, stating that the government secured several covenants aimed at protecting workers and ensuring the company's operations in Canada. This comes amid ongoing discussions with MPs regarding job guarantees for employees affected by the agreements.