National News

MONTREAL — Thousands of French citizens hit the polling stations in Montreal Saturday to cast their votes in the first round of France's presidential election.

OTTAWA — The federal government has announced $100 million in additional humanitarian support to respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

Ottawa held celebrations on Saturday to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which stands as one of Canada's most decisive military victories. Confederation Square became silent around 11 a.m.

Montreal police are investigating after a 34-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in the city's east end Friday night. Police say they received a call around 7 p.m. about a conflict between two people in an apartment.

With 10 days left for candidates to enter the Conservative party leadership race — and 20 before $300,000 worth in fees are due — what's capturing the attention of those watching as of late are the crowds.

OTTAWA — Peter MacKay says he was chilled by a memory from his time as Canada's defence minister as he absorbed the recent images of Volodymyr Zelenskyy walking through the corpse-laden streets of Bucha.

TORONTO — No winning ticket was sold for the $44.5 million jackpot in Friday's Lotto Max draw. The jackpot for the next draw on Apr. 12 will grow to an estimated $50 million and there will be two Maxmillions prizes of $1 million each up for grabs.

Canada's foreign affairs minister is travelling to Asia for meetings to expand partnerships and engage with nations as part of the government's forthcoming Canadian Indo-Pacific Strategy. Mélanie Joly says she will visit Indonesia and Vietnam.

EDMONTON — Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has written a letter to his Alberta counterpart to correct what he calls errors in Jason Nixon's recent newspaper column.

OTTAWA — The Canadian auto industry says federal budget programs for electric vehicles and charging stations aren't enough to reach the government's ambitious new sales targets.