Saturday's top stories in 10 minutes

US President Donald Trump warns Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or the United States will "obliterate" Iran's power plants". Six people have been killed in a helicopter crash in Qatari territorial waters. Israel intensifies operations in southern Lebanon. Cuba is suffering through its second nation-wide power outage in a week. Thousands of people in France are voting to choose their mayor today and parties will get a peak into their popularity amongst voters. Ottawa and Alberta are negotiating on a number of energy deals and climate advocates are concerned Canada is sliding back on its climate goals. Donald Trump is sending ICE agents to screen passengers at American airports. And Britain launches it's own version of TV's Saturday Night Live.

Canada's government says it is ready to contribute to efforts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. Trump sends more troops to Middle East while signaling an end to the war. Protests against the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran erupt in London England. Global talks this week in Jamaica aimed at regulating deep-sea mining end in stalemate.  Hawaii's island of O'ahu is dealing with some of its worst flooding in 20 years. The U.S. has presented Hamas with a written proposal on the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. Drummer Andrew Scott, from Canadian rock band Sloan, being honoured by the Halifax university he once dropped out of to pursue music.

Israeli airstrikes pound Tehran on Nowruz as Benjamin Netanyahu claims Iran’s military is "decimated." U.S. deploys 2,500 Marines and three more warships to the Middle East as Iran threatens global tourist sites. Iran’s military warns "parks and tourist destinations" worldwide are no longer safe for its enemies. Hollywood has lost its ultimate tough guy. Martial arts legend Chuck Norris has died at 86. U.S. Republicans introduce a bill to trigger tariffs over Canada's "Netflix tax." Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is battering Australia's northeast coast with powerful wind and heavy rain. For the first time in 43 years, Vancouver has officially ended winter without a single centimetre of snow. An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to Scotland after being accused of sexually and physically assaulting 17 students in 1960s and 1970s.

Middle East energy war looms as Trump issues ultimatum and oil prices test $114. Viktor Orbán blocks 90-billion-euro Ukraine loan at EU summit over ongoing oil pipeline feud. At least 16 dead in Karachi as heavy thunderstorms and high winds trigger wall collapses. Pierre Poilievre hits New York for final tour stop as Joe Rogan interview set for release. Colt Canada wins $307M contract to replace the Canadian military's aging rifle fleet. The Supreme Court hearing Facebook appeal that could change the laws around privacy and consent. New Brunswick teen upset over losing access to her psychiatrist due to inactivity. Canada hits record low of 25th in World Happiness Report as youth well-being plunges.

Iran renews attacks on Israel in retaliation for the death of security chief Ali Larijani.   Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25%, saying war will boost global inflation.  Confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin as Secretary for Homeland Security begins in Washington.  Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard promises to present sober and responsible budget in time of global turmoil.  Montreal Police charge Émile Benamor, owner of Old Montreal building that caught fire in 2023, killing 7. The federal government going to the Supreme Court of Canada to try to justify its use of the Emergencies Act.  Indigenous group raises concerns about Ontario's plan to exempt Premier Doug Ford and cabinet from freedom of information requests. 

Israel strikes targets in Iran and Lebanon, while Iran hits gulf neighbors.  Director of US National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, resigns over ongoing war in Iran.  Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says Strait of Hormuz should not be weaponized.  British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says support for Ukraine must not wane in response to conflict in Iran.  Taliban government accuses Pakistan of targetting a civilian hospital in Kabul with airstrike, killing more than 400 people.  An atmospheric river is bringing heavy rain to British Columbia, increasing the risk of flooding, avalanches and landslides.  Canadian Food Inspection Agency fines another Loblaw store, investigates Sobeys, for promoting imported food as Canadian.  Mayor of Waterloo, Ontario demands answers from police after a sniper was deployed to a St. Patrick's Day street party. 

Japan, Australia say they will not send ships to the Strait of Hormuz, at request of US President Donald Trump.  Beijing is a major exporter to Middle East and China is feeling the squeeze from US-Israel war in Iran. Canada's annual inflation rate fell to 1.8% in February.  Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on the final leg of his overseas tour. Scientists map genome of MSX, a deadly oyster disease that affects the Atlantic oyster industry.  Canadian filmmaking talent bring home Oscars from 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. 

Iran expands threats to UAE ports as the U.S. looks to build a global naval coalition for the Strait of Hormuz. It has been nearly two weeks since the Strait of Hormuz has been closed off by Iran, essentially choking off the world's oil supply. Three Iranian soccer players return home after seeking asylum. President Zelenskyy warns that Russia is supplying Iran with drones and intelligence as Ukraine faces a fresh wave of strikes. Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with Nordic leaders in Oslo to address Arctic security and strategic cooperation. Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty meets with Kashechewan evacuees in Niagara Falls as the community's water crisis enters its third month. The future of a historical courthouse in London, Ontario has locals questioning Canada's preservation of heritage sites. 

President Trump warns he may destroy Iran's oil infrastructure following a major bombing raid on Kharg Island. A missile strike hits the U-S Embassy in Baghdad. PM Mark Carney pitches Canada as a "low-risk" energy partner during a visit to Norway that also included a stop at the Nordic World Cup. Former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warns the war with Iran is a boost for Russia and a threat to Ukraine. War in the middle east continues to spill over, a Jewish school in Amsterdam attacked, adding to multiple attacks on Jewish community across Europe and North America. One year into the review of Canada’s F-35 contract, the government admits relations with the U-S are complicating the deal. Japan's fishing industry is concerned that crude oil shortage due to war in middle east will affect their industry.

Israel renews attacks on Iran and Lebanon as Iran targets financial districts and key energy routes in Gulf region. U.S. officials confirm six airmen are dead after a refueling plane crash. Investigators have ruled out combat fire as the cause remains under review. Global oil prices fluctuate as the G7 releases record reserves and the U.S. considers waiving shipping laws to bypass the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Canada’s economy unexpectedly sheds 84,000 jobs in February — a sharp reversal that pushes the unemployment rate to 6.7 per cent. The widow of an Edmonton man who died in the E-R slams a new provincial report, calling its 16 recommendations "a joke." March is one of the deadliest months for avalanches; predicting them is difficult.