World Report - March 18: Wednesday's top stories in 10 minutes

Episode Date: March 18, 2026

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. 

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This is World Report. Good morning. I'm Martina Fitzgerald. A funeral procession for Ali Larajani makes its way through the streets of Tehran. The Iranian security chief was killed in an Israeli air strike yesterday. Today, Israel says, it killed another leader in an overnight attack, Iran's intelligence minister. Tehran has not confirmed this, but its military is retaliating with. strikes on Israel and Gulf countries. From Doha, the CBC's Katie Simpson has the latest. Early morning, Tel Aviv, sirens, Blair, as missiles with cluster munitions are seen streaking across

the sky. The debris striking an apartment killing two people, Iranian state television, saying the attacks are retaliation for the killing of its security chief, Ali Larajani. But in an interview with Al Jazeera, Iran's foreign minister warned that La Rijani's death will not disrupt the regime. The system will continue. Iran also launched more strikes overnight on its neighbors. Explosions were reported near the American embassy in Baghdad, while defense systems in Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia intercepted a range of Iranian attacks. The U.S. military says it launched new strikes targeting Iranian positions along the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's blockade of the crucial shipping route has disrupted global energy markets, causing gas prices around the world to soar. U.S. Central Command says it took aim at Iranian anti-ship missile sites using multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions, all while Israel says it has continued with its campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Search and rescue crews cleared the site of a strike in Beirut, a building in a residential neighborhood that was nearly demolished. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health says at least 20 people were killed in a series of attacks over the past 24 hours. Katie Simpson, CBC News, Doha.

Donald Trump's nominee to head Homeland Security is facing a confirmation hearing. Mark Wayne Mullen has been tapped by the U.S. President to replace Christy Nome. She was fired by Trump following growing criticism over her leadership and January's ICE protests in Minneapolis. Two U.S. citizens were shot dead by ICE agents. Mullen was asked about his comments following the death of one of them. He called Alex Preti deranged and suggested Preddy was intent on causing massive damage. Those words probably should have been retracted.

I shouldn't have said that and as Secretary, I wouldn't. The investigation is ongoing and there is, like I said, there's sometimes going to make a mistake and I own it. That one, I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That's my fault. That won't happen as Secretary. The Senate hearing is expected to end. tomorrow. The Bank of Canada has made its latest interest rate policy decision. It is keeping the

key lending rate at 2.25%. Let's bring in our senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong. Peter, this was the expected decision, wasn't it? Widely and almost unanimously, frankly. And the reasons for that, I think, are clear to everybody listening. Uncertainty and volatility have been household names in Canada over this past year of tariffs and threats and trade wars, but quite clearly coming in. to this, the Bank of Canada has been worried about this whole new swath of uncertainty caused by the war in Iran. And let me just read to you some of what the Bank of Canada is saying in this, that the war will boost global inflation in the near term. Another, quote, global bond

yields have risen. Equity market prices have declined and credit spreads have widened. The Kennedy U.S. Dollar Exchange has remained relatively stable. So what he's talking about there is the effects we have already seen, not just casting forward. But then you get to the issue of inflation? How will the inflation we're seeing caused by the disruptions in the Middle East spread out into the global economy? And as I'm reading again, in addition to energy supply disruptions, transportation bottlenecks stemming from the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz could impact the supply of other commodities such as fertilizer. The list of that remains very long. But the bank finds itself in a tricky position that if economic growth is

weakening and inflation starts to rise, you're starting to look at stagflation and what do you do then? Well, the opening statement at the news conference reads, Governing Council will look through the war's immediate impact on inflation, but if energy prices stay high, we will not let their effects broaden and become persistent inflation. All right. Thanks a lot, Peter. You bet. Senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong in Toronto. Quebec's finance minister, Eric Gerard, is about to present his last budget before a new Premier takes over from Francois Lago in three weeks, and Quebecers vote in a provincial election this fall. As Katisani reports, in a time of global turmoil, Gerard is promising

a sober and responsible budget. Elaine Coethe is the head of the main food bank in the Quebec City region. The number of people who need help has gone up dramatically in the last few years. She hopes she'll receive funds when Finance Minister Eric Gerard tables Quebec's budget Wednesday. But Gerard warns Quebecers, that they shouldn't expect cash to help fill up their gas tanks. No specific release for gas prices. He believes it's too soon to act on fuel costs,

even if prices at the pump have gone way up in some places due to the war in the Middle East. These are geopolitical and military consideration. And until we know whether this situation is temporary or permanent, we cannot make the decision as to how to react. Gerard remains prudent with future economic growth, as the trade war with Donald Trump's tariffs have been affecting the aluminum and the forestry sectors. The current situation is extremely unstable.

He says he won't present an election budget, even though Quebecers will head to the polls in the fall. What we've done is we've reserved some amount for some announcement by the new leaders. But he is hinting that whoever takes over from Premier Francoise Lago in a few weeks' time won't have their hands too tied. Katsisone, CBC News, Quebec City. Montreal police are pressing charges against the owner of a building in old Montreal that caught fire in 2023.

Seven people died. Emil Ben-Amar was arrested this morning. Here is Chief Inspector David Shane. Mr. Ben-A-Mah will face 15 charges pre-authorized by the DPPC, seven for involuntary manslaughter, and eight for criminal negligence, causing bodily harm. The charges come nearly three years to the day.

The century-old property erupted in flames. Six of the victims had been staying in illegal Airbnbs, and renters had warned the building was a fire trap. Montreal's major crime unit is still examining the cause of the fire which is believed to have been set intentionally. The federal government is going to the Supreme Court of Canada to try to justify its use of the Emergencies Act. In 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,

invoke the Act to clear the convoy protests in Ottawa and at border crossings. A lower court ruled, that decision was unlawful and infringed on protesters' charter rights. A spokesperson for the Justice Minister says he's bringing the case before Canada's top court to ensure the government has the tools it needs to protect public order and national security. The Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians is voicing concerns about Ontario's plan to change its transparency. law. If the revisions pass, Premier Doug Ford, cabinet ministers, and parliamentary aides will be exempt from freedom of information requests. As Michelle Song reports, the association warns that

could erode trust between the government and indigenous communities. The government needs to be transparent. Deputy Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians, Stacia Loft, says freedom of information requests are important for indigenous communities to understand how the government comes to a decision, especially those that affect their communities, such as infrastructure projects like the ring of fire and building high-speed rail.

That is part of good governance. And if First Nations don't see that good governance is happening, well, that is, you know, that just exacerbates that issue of trust. Criticism has been growing since the announcement last week to potentially change Ontario's access to information law. But Premier Doug Ford says he's following the federal standard. 95% will be FOIable, but cabinet confidentiality, personal conversations.

That's not for a public to review. He already has exemptions. Lawyer Jessica Orkin specializes in Aboriginal law and files FOI requests as well. She says under current rules, records that are deemed personal are not disclosed. There are also exceptions for cabinet confidences. I think we know that what is now not going to be disclosed are the things that politicians and ministers in particular most want to hide. The Association is calling on the government to rethink any legislative changes and says if there is any impacts to indigenous rights, it could be challenged. Michelle Song, CBC News, Toronto.

That is the latest national and international news from World Report. I'm Martina Fitzgerald. This is CBC News. For more CBC podcasts, go to cBC.ca.ca slash podcasts.