CTV National News for Wednesday, March 18, 2026: Two teens arrested in separate provinces for allegedly plotting school attacks

Police in Manitoba and Nova Scotia have uncovered an alleged cross-Canada plot by two teens to simultaneously attack two schools. Paul Hollingsworth reports; Two men have been arrested following a response by NORAD to escort two international flights headed to Montreal due to a 'security incident.' ; Abigail Bimman has the latest on a Canadian mother and daughter who are apparently being held in an ICE detention centre following a routine stop in Texas.

U.S. President Donald Trump says America no longer needs allied support in its war with Iran;  British Columbia’s push to recruit U.S. health workers is paying off, but critics say shortages remain; Canadian home sales fell again in February with prices slipping in some regions, though a spring rebound is expected.

Joy Malbon has more on the response from U.S. President Donald Trump after his call on NATO allies to assist in Iran was met with resistance; Annie Bergeron-Oliver examines Canada's inflation numbers from February and why some experts are warning that there could be a spike due to the war in Iran; Genevieve Beauchemin has the details after Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski took home an Oscar for their animated short film.

PM Carney’s Nordic trip focused heavily on safety, Arctic security, sovereignty, and more; Israel says the recent fatal strikes into Lebanon were targeting Hezbollah, a military group backed by Iran; One Alberta family says her family has been feeling ‘hopeless’ as they attempt to leave Qatar; and more.

The controversial annual rally was met with counter protestors and a strong police presence in downtown Montreal; Heather Wright reports from Türkiye, where NATO military technology has been essential in intercepting air-based attacks; Carney’s visit to Norway coincides with the one-year anniversary of the day he was sworn in as prime minister; and more.

Joy Malbon has more on the war in Iran, including America’s grisly message about Iran’s new supreme leader. Heather Wright reports from Istanbul, where NATO says it intercepted an Iranian missile headed toward Turkiye. And as Paul Hollingsworth explains, the spike in global oil prices could soon be felt beyond the pump.

Judy Trinh reports on where the government's ambitious investment into Canada’s northern defences are going and when development will begin; Rachel Aiello examines what's at stake amid the federal government's latest push for a bill that would give police powers to access to online information; Joy Malbon has the latest after an armed shooter reportedly attempted to ram a vehicle with explosives inside into a Detroit synagogue on Thursday.

Mike Le Couteur gauges the reaction in Ottawa following NDP MP Lori Idlout's crossing the floor to the Liberals, putting the party two seats shy of a majority; First Nations chiefs from western Canada met with King Charles on Wednesday to reaffirm their relationships with the crown. Kathy Le explains; Genevieve Beauchemin has the latest on a slow-moving storm across Canada that could affect millions, causing disruptions and delays due to freezing rain.

NDP Leader Don Davies announced Tuesday that Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout has crossed the floor to the Liberals, edging the party closer to a majority; Rahim Ladhani has more on the investigation and the reactions from officials after shots were fired at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto; Joy Malbon examines the mixed messaging from the Trump administration regarding when the war in Iran will end, as U.S. strikes intensify.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the war with Iran will be over 'very soon', adding that 'it's the beginning of building a new country.' Adrian Ghobrial reports from the Kapikoy border crossing between Turkiye and Iran, as hundreds of families, including Canadians, flee to safety; Ottawa announces a nearly billion-dollar pledge by the federal government that aims to grow Canada's domestic drone and aerospace tech sectors. Mike Le Couteur has the details.