Latest news with #PrinceAlbert
CTV News
a day ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Sask.'s 4 major wildfires not growing in size, $1.8M distributed to affected communities, SPSA says
Volunteer firefighters from Davidson, Sask., load up their truck at the Provincial Wildfire Center in Prince Albert, Sask., Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The fire fighters are on their way to Weyakwin. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency's (SPSA) vice president of operations Steve Roberts says that none of the four major wildfires currently burning in Saskatchewan are growing in size or threatening new communities. During an update Wednesday afternoon, Roberts said that thanks to ideal weather conditions, crews have continued to gain ground on fires, a trend that has lasted more than a week. The four major fires are the Pisew fire near La Ronge, the Ditch02 fire near Weyakwin, the Shoe fire east of Candle Lake and the Wolf fire near Creighton, a community that remains evacuated. 'We continue to do those efforts on the ground to secure those areas that is including those communities that have not yet returned,' Roberts said. Communities that remain evacuated as of Wednesday are Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House. 'Our staff are working with community leaders to pass on information on when the situation has been moderated to aid them in making decisions about repatriation,' Roberts said. As of 1:30 Wednesday afternoon, 17 wildfires were burning in Saskatchewan, four are listed as not contained, according to the SPSA's website. SPSA president Marlo Pritchard said the priority remains ensuring financial support is received by evacuees. 'We are continuing to send either retroactive food security support, such as payment for groceries to those that have registered with the SPSA,' Pritchard said, adding that eligible residents must call 1-855-559-5502 to confirm registration or to get assistance in registering as an evacuee. '[That is] so we can get those retroactive payments out which could be up to $200 per household per day,' he said. Pritchard also said the SPSA has identified all eligible communities whose residents will receive $500 in emergency funding that was announced by the Government of Saskatchewan. 'Some of those communities have indicated that they will administer payments themselves and other communities are requesting assistance from us,' he said. Every evacuee who was 18 or older as of June 20 are eligible for the $500 payment. 'I can announce that as of today there has been approximately $1.8 million moved to communities to start distributing to their community members,' Pritchard said.
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
Two charged with murder in connection with Prince Albert homicide
After a lengthy investigation, Prince Albert police have arrested two suspects in connection with the September homicide of Darren Laviolette. Twenty-two-year-old Laviolette was found unconscious on Sept. 1, 2024, and later pronounced dead. An autopsy confirmed his death was a homicide. Following the investigation, police arrested Darrenson Head, 19, in Melfort, and Hayden Joseyounen, 21, in Prince Albert, on June 17. Police say both men have been charged with second-degree murder. They appeared in Prince Albert provincial court Wednesday morning.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
LIVE @ 1:30: Sask. to provide wildfire response update
Volunteer firefighters from Davidson, Sask., load up their truck at the Provincial Wildfire Center in Prince Albert, Sask., Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The fire fighters are on their way to Weyakwin. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) will be providing another update regarding the province's wildfire response Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. The update can be watched live at the top of this article. On Tuesday, the SPSA said that all evacuations had ended except for five communities. Creighton, Denare Beach, East Trout Lake, Whelan Bay and priority individuals in Cumberland House remain evacuated. As of 10:30 Wednesday morning, the SPSA's website said 16 wildfires were burning in the province with three not contained. So far in 2025, the province has seen 261 wildfires, well above the five-year average of 157. The SPSA has confirmed that 350 values have been lost, with the number expected to climb past 500 once more assessments are completed. On Wednesday morning Saskatchewan's Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod said that as many as 30 individuals are currently suspected of intentional arson regarding wildfires, adding that more charges are expected to be laid. The SPSA has said that the majority of wildfires this season have been accidentally started by humans, but that at least 30 were believed to have been ste intentionally. RCMP have charged two individuals with arson regarding the Ditch02 fire near Weyakwin. More to come…
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Princess Charlene of Monaco puts on united front with Albert in Monte Carlo after Palace's money man claimed he sought out 'bachelor pad' for the Prince a year into their marriage
Princess Charlene put on a united front with Prince Albert at the Monte Carlo Television Festival on Tuesday evening amid allegations that her husband had a 'discreet bachelor pad' set up shortly after they wed. The royal mother-of-two, 47, channelled her late-mother-in-law Grace Kelly as she stepped out in a sky blue halterneck ballgown that elegantly fell to the floor paired with silver heels, oozing old Hollywood glamour. Sporting dazzling diamond earrings and a glamorous 20s style flapper girl crimped bob, the former Olympic swimmer appeared to be enjoying the spotlight as she strutted into the prestigious event arm-in-arm with her husband of 14 years, Prince Albert, 67. The pair beamed as they made their way onto the blue carpet and posed alongside stars such as Famke Janssen, Robin Wright and Judith Light for the 64th international Television Festival. Charlene and Albert put on a display of unity as palace sources claim the Princess is seeking solace in Brigitte Macron following explosive claims made by Claude Palmero, the Palace's former money man. French newspaper Le Monde last week published excerpts from a police interview with 68-year-old Palmero, former financial adviser to the Palace of Monaco, who was arrested by Monegasque officials last September and released without charge. Included in Palmero's statements were claims he had prepared a 'bachelor pad' for Prince Albert in 2012 - a year after he married Charlene. The Prince's former confidant claimed he had been 'commissioned' to find his boss 'a discreet pied-á-terre in complete confidentiality'. In 2017, he was also allegedly asked to 'make sure the property was ready' for the Prince to go there. Palmero also claims that Albert had listed him as the official tenant to conceal his true motives. In light of the explosive claims, the Mail's Alison Boshoff has reported that Princess Charlene, who shares 10-year-old twins Jacques and Gabriella with Albert, has been seeking solace in Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel. 'Both are high profile women who are regularly caught up in unpleasant situations,' a senior Palace source in Monte Carlo told the Mail. 'They accordingly had much to discuss, and were very glad to be able to share their experiences. They gave each other advice, while enjoying a very happy time together.' The pair were recently seen cosying up to each other at the start of the month during a visit to the Albert II Nautical Centre for an event organised by the Princess Charlene Foundation. They have also enjoyed a spot of tea in the gardens of the royal palace in Monaco and lunched together at the Colombe D'Or restaurant in France over the past couple of months, echoing their close-knit friendship. Both women are in sizable age gap relationships, as Charlene is 20 years younger than her Albert and Emmanuel is 25 years Brigitte's junior. Brigitte hit headlines after she was caught on camera pushing Emmanuel in the face at the end of a flight on a private jet last month. The images reverberated around the world, however the French politician explained that they were 'just joking around as we do'. And Charlene's marriage was once again thrust into the spotlight last week as it was claimed that Prince Albert - who has at least two illegitimate children - was reportedly on the hunt for a 'love nest' within a year of their wedding. Rumours have been swirling for almost a year since French outlet Le Monde, and other media outlets, first published extracts from his former trusted advisor's 'secret notebooks' in September. Charlene channelled her late-mother-in-law Grace Kelly as she stepped out in a sky blue halterneck ballgown that elegantly fell to the floor paired with silver heels, oozing old Hollywood glamour The recent police transcripts revealed by the outlet included conversations detailing Claude Palmero's running of the royal's 'discreet bachelor pad' and financing his illegitimate children and their mothers. Palmero, 68, looked after the family's money (including their investments, their properties and the main palace) from 2001 to 2023, just as his father, André, had done for Prince Rainier III of Monaco two decades before him. However, he was sacked by Albert in 2023 after being targeted by a mysterious anti-corruption website. A few months later, French newspaper Le Monde published Palmero's 'secret notebooks', which claimed to detail reckless spending by the Royal Family, with a particular spotlight on Charlene. The controversy escalated in September after the former financial adviser was reportedly arrested - and released without charge. The outlet has shared what Palmero reportedly told Monégasque officials - after his successor at the palace Salim Zeghdar accused him of poorly managing assets and 'making himself the economic beneficiary on all the files'. Palmero allegedly told investigators however that the royal is 'only trying to harm and harass me' with 'absurd and slanderous complaints'. Claiming he was a 'victim', the royal's former employee - who is accused by Albert of 'breaching professional secrecy' and 'invading privacy and family life' - Palmero insists he 'was bound by confidentiality, but not by professional secrecy'. He also denied handing notebooks over to Le Monde, as well as the claim that they were written without the Prince's permission. The advisor was asked: 'Do you confirm that these notebooks contain information related to the private life of the princely family?' He replied: 'As I handled all matters for the princely family, some aspects were private.' Palmero also was said to have, in interviews with police, detailed getting a 'bachelor pad' ready for the royal. In 2012, the year after Albert married Charlene, he was reportedly 'commissioned' to 'find him a discreet pied-à-terre in complete confidentiality'. Jazmin, whose mother is estate agent Tamara Rotolo who Albert was seeing in the 90s, was also at the Monte Carlo television on Tuesday evening, seemingly in a show of support for her father In 2017, he was also allegedly asked to 'make sure the property was ready' for him to go there. Palmero also claims that Albert had listed him as the official tenant to conceal his true motives. 'That proves how unusual the missions he assigned to me were,' the former advisor told officials. 'So it is quite inappropriate to claim that I overstepped my duties. Do you think it is the job of a financial asset manager to take care of his bachelor pad and such matters? 'He trusted me... And who else could he have asked for such things, apart from me?' The books also alleged that Albert spends millions every year from a secret French bank account to pay his former mistresses and love children - with Jazmin Grimaldi, 31, and Alexandre Coste-Grimaldi, 20, receiving allowances of £344,000 a year each. Jazmin, whose mother is estate agent Tamara Rotolo who Albert was seeing in the 90s, was also at the Monte Carlo television on Tuesday evening, seemingly in a show of support for her father. In his conversations with the police, as per Le Monde, Palmero claimed that he and Albert's childhood friend and lawyer Thierry Lacoste, who was also dismissed, 'handled' matters in regards to Alexandre's mother Nicole Coste, including the birth and recognition of their son. The Prince was said to be 'very uneasy and wanted to carry out these operations without anyone finding out, which was done successfully'. Palmero claimed he was also tasked with handling the salaries of UK-based Nicole's employees, covering everything from accommodation to dismissals. At one point, about 10 years ago, he detailed a purchase of a £6.5million luxury London apartment for Alexandre's mother. 'So that Charlene would not find out, Albert created a trust for which I was the trustee, which means a trusted person,' Palmero continued. 'HSH signed the trust himself and he kept me as trustee until January 2025. He therefore still trusted me after my dismissal, and you don't trust a crook or a thief. That destroys his argument.' In his conversations with the police, as per Le Monde, Palmero claimed that himself and Albert's childhood friend and lawyer Thierry Lacoste, who was also dismissed, 'handled' matters in regards to Alexandre's mother Nicole Coste (left), including the birth and recognition of their son (centre) In a statement to officials, he added that the royal family's wealth is largely 'in civil companies that, through chains sometimes involving companies in other countries, ultimately lead to Panamanian companies'. The ex-employee explained that these companies are allegedly registered in the names of Albert and his siblings - Princesses Caroline and Stephanie. Dubbing the case 'Monacogate', Le Monde also highlighted an audit from firm Alvarez & Marsal - appointed by the palace after Palmero was dismissed which suspected him of using a 'fake invoicing system' to manipulate funds 'detriment of the princely family'. Palmero allegedly called this 'colossal nonsense', adding that Albert had a 'frequent need for cash' used to 'settle various problems, such as buying back compromising photos'. The outlet also detailed Palmero's denial at creating 'slush funds', which he was by Zeghdar accused of using to 'pay informants and invoices from intelligence agencies'. MailOnline reached out to representatives of the Monaco Royal Family for comment last week when the story was initially published, but did not respond. Charlene and Albert reportedly did not have the easiest start to married life after a Parisian news magazine claimed Charlene had been stopped at Nice airport clutching a one-way ticket to South Africa the week before her wedding day after allegedly learning a 'distressing' revelation about her future husband's private life. Charlene sparked rumours when she was seen crying on her wedding day. She later said: 'There were all the mixed emotions because of the rumours and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears' Princess Charlene was seen shedding a tear on her wedding day to Prince Albert in 2011 A senior Monaco detective told MailOnline at the time: 'Charlene had her passport confiscated so that the Prince's entourage could persuade her to stay.' But she denied that the tears at her wedding were of sadness and instead insisted that she was simply emotional because she was overjoyed at the ceremony. In a rare interview, the South African former swimmer revealed in July 2013 that they were tears of happiness and has described the speculation as 'categorical lies'. 'Everything was just so overwhelming and there were all the mixed emotions because of the rumours, and obviously the tension built up and I burst into tears [immediately after the ceremony],' she said. Millionaire Palmero, who prefers his privacy and is rarely photographed, has vowed to 'restore his honour', his lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard told The Telegraph in September. Palmero, who is now said to work as a freelance financial consultant in Monaco, hasn't heard from Prince Albert since July 2023, according to the publication. Recalling his 'very sudden' dismissal, the former financial advisor's lawyer said: 'Palmero loved his job. It was his life, in fact. His life was Monaco; it was the Prince, the Prince's family, helping and doing everything he could to protect them. 'It was very sudden. He felt completely depressed… it was incomprehensible,' she added, before saying that if Palmero didn't have the support of his family, 'I think he would not be with us.' The lawyer added: 'Three years ago, someone decided to dirty the name of Claude Palmero... At the beginning, the Prince said to Palmero, 'OK, I want to help you, it's horrible, they are lying. I know that you are clean.' And two years later, the Prince says, 'I am fed up of all these stories, and I want you to go away.' A tumultuous two years for Princess Charlene that saw her spend 10 months in South Africa away from her children, admitted to a treatment facility in Switzerland and strike a rumoured £10 million a year deal with Albert 2021: HEALTH ISSUES, 10 MONTHS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND ADMISSION TO A SWISS TREATMENT FACILITY January 27 - Charlene is pictured with Albert for the Sainte Devote Ceremony in Monaco. March 18 - Charlene is pictured at the memorial for the late Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini at the KwaKhethomthandayo Royal Palace in Nongoma, South Africa April 2 - Charlene posts an Instagram picture of herself, Albert and their twins Jacques and Gabriella for Easter from an unknown location. May 8 - Albert, Jacques and Gabriella attend a Grand Prix event in Monaco without Charlene May 18 - Charlene shares her first picture from her conservation trip in South Africa June 3 - New photos emerge of Charlene on her conservation trip June 5 - Charlene puts on a united front as she shares a photo with her family to mark her niece's fifth birthday with her brother's family and Albert and the twins in South Africa June 24 - Charlene's foundation releases a statement saying the royal is unable to travel and is undergoing procedures for an ear, nose and throat infection July 2 - Charlene and Albert mark their 10th anniversary separately. 'This year will be the first time that I'm not with my husband on our anniversary in July, which is difficult, and it saddens me,' Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said in a statement. August 13 - Charlene undergoes a four-hour operation. The reason is not announced August 25 - Charlene shares photos of Prince Albert, Gabriella and Jacques visiting her in South Africa September 1 - Charlene is admitted under an alias to the Netcare Alberlito Hospital after suddenly 'collapsing' September 2 - Charlene is discharged, with a statement from the Palais Princier reading: 'Her Highness is closely monitored by Her medical team who said that Her condition was not worrying' September 30 - Charlene releases a stylish video promoting her anti-poaching campaign from her South African bolthole October 3 - Princess Charlene shares a photograph of herself smiling in front of a bible in her first snap since being discharged from hospital following her health scare October 6 - Albert tells RMC radio Charlene is 'ready to come home' October 8 2021 - Princess undergoes more surgery in South Africa November 8 - Charlene arrives back in Monaco. Prince Albert said within hours it became clear she was 'unwell' November 13 2021 - Prince Albert attends Expo 2020 in Dubai without Princess Charlene. Following his return from the trip, Prince Albert holds an intervention with Charlene's brothers and a sister-in-law in which Charlene 'confirmed' she would seek 'real medically-framed treatment' outside of Monaco November 16 - Royal household confirms Princess Charlene will not attend National Day celebrations on November 19 November 17 - Prince Albert reveals Princess Charlene has left Monaco and is recovering in a secret location November 19 - Prince Albert reveals Charlene is in a treatment facility 'elsewhere in Europe' after a family intervention November 25 - Sources tell Page Six Princess Charlene 'almost died' after sinus surgery and 'lost nearly half her body weight' due to being 'unable to swallow'. They also said it was 'unfair' to portray her as struggling with mental health issues December 11 - Royal breaks her silence on Instagram to wish her twins Jacques and Gabriella a happy seventh birthday December 24 - Princess Charlene of Monaco is still 'months from recovery' but will reunite with Prince Albert and their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriela for Christmas at treatment centre 2022: ROAD TO RECOVERY January 25 - Princess Charlene celebrates her 44th birthday alone: Royal shares slideshow of snaps from happier times featuring Prince Albert, their children and her swimming career as she continues to receive treatment outside of Monaco March 14 - Palace announces that Charlene is back in Monaco but will take time to 'further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties' April 17 - Charlene is pictured for the first time in a family portrait to celebrate Easter April 30 - Charlene makes her first public appearance since leaving a treatment facility as she attends Monaco E-Prix with Prince Albert May 7 - The royal makes her second public appearance at the Sainte Dévote Rugby Tournament May 10 - French media claims Prince Albert has agreed to pay his wife £10million a year to make sure she fulfils her consort role May 25 - Princess Charlene continues her return to public life at Monte Carlo Fashion Awards with daughter Princess Gabriella May 28 - Princess Charlene continues her return to public life as she joins Prince Albert at F1 in Monaco for the first time since 2019 June 6 - Prince Albert says he was hurt by the 'vicious' rumours about his wife's absence from Monaco and his family 'missed the princess a lot' June 16 - Princess Charlene appears sombre in all-black ensemble for Catholic festival June 18 - Princess Charlene of Monaco looks glamorous in all-green ensemble as she steps out with Prince Albert for the Monte Carlo TV Festival opening ceremony June 23 - Albert and Charlene attend a science exhibition opening with their children in Oslo - her first overseas visit since returning to public duties July 4 - Albert and Charlene! Monaco royals hold hands in new portrait to mark 11 years of marriage July 5 - Charlene visits the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in her first solo engagement since her return to Monaco July 9 - Albert attends Monaco's Rose Ball without his wife, despite it being the highlight of the social calendar July 18 - Royal joins Prince Albert at the 73rd Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo July 20 - Couple visit The Vatican for a private audience with Pope Francis September 4 - Charlene joins Prince Albert and their children Gabriella and Jacques for a rare family appearance at traditional picnic in Monaco September 6 - Princess Charlene and Prince Albert of Monaco take their twins Jacques and Gabriella, 7, to class for their first day back after the summer holiday September 12 - Couple attend a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II September 19 - Princess Charlene attends the Queen's funeral in London alongside her husband Prince Albert October 4-5 - Princess Charlene wows on a solo surprise visit to Paris Fashion Week October 21 - Princess Charlene of Monaco makes emotional solo visit to an animal shelter as she sends 'all her love' to fans following her return to royal duties November 8 - Royal couple attend the annual Princess Grace Awards in New York November 16 - Princess Charlene attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with Prince Albert November 19-20 - Princess Charlene attends Monaco National Day celebrations with Prince Albert and presents awards at 2022 World Rugby Awards ceremony December 2 - Princess Charlene takes her seven-year-old twins to Monaco Christmas village along with her model niece Charlotte Casiraghi December 13 - Attends Monaco's Red Cross Christmas gift distribution with her husband Prince Albert December 14 - Family attend Christmas tree ceremony in Monaco December 15 - Princess Charlene of Monaco reveals she feels 'much better' and has 'much more energy' after lengthy health crisis in an interview with Monaco Matin - the first since returning to royal duties
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Globe and Mail
Wildfires are devastating northern Saskatchewan – a place too often ignored by the rest of the country
Bill Waiser is the author of A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan Before 1905, which won the Governor General's Literary Award for Non-Fiction. The out-of-control wildfires raging across northern Saskatchewan have introduced Canadians to a part of the country they may have believed was largely empty. In fact, even people living in the southern part of Saskatchewan view it as the great unknown – or, as provincial cabinet minister Joe Phelps once called it, 'another country altogether.' But northern Saskatchewan matters. It could even be argued that the history of the province has northern beginnings. When the province was carved out of the North-West Territories in 1905, the northern boundary was set at the 60th parallel. That meant that more than half of the new province featured a heavy, mixed-wood forest and thousands of bodies of water, including several large lakes. Saskatchewan's geographical centre at Molanosa, an acronym for 'Montreal Lake, Northern Saskatchewan,' was about 160 kilometres north of the city of Prince Albert, well into the boreal forest. Half of Saskatchewan residents who were forced to flee wildfires can return home this week What's the difference between an evacuation alert and an evacuation order in Canada? The Cree and Dene, who had lived in the region for millennia, were a resourceful, resilient people who adjusted to the arrival of the European fur trade in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The first contact between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples happened in northern Saskatchewan. All major settlements in Saskatchewan were once in the north. Cumberland House, Reindeer Lake (Southend), Lac La Ronge, Pelican Narrows, Green Lake, Île-à-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche, and Fond du Lac all began as fur-trade communities. Many Saskatchewan residents today would be hard-pressed to locate them on a map. By the mid-19th century, a distinct society – one based on hunting and trapping and centred around water-based communities with a trading post and sometimes a mission – had taken shape in northern Saskatchewan. It was largely Indigenous in makeup. It was also separated from the prairie south. The major trade route ran east to west from Cumberland House up along the Churchill River through Île-à-la-Crosse and Portage La Loche to Fort Chipewyan and the Mackenzie River. The region's isolation would become more pronounced in the early 1880s, when the Canadian Pacific Railway was built west from Winnipeg through Regina and Calgary. Settlement and development were largely restricted to the wheat farming on the southern prairies. Northern First Nation and Métis peoples, as vestiges of the old fur trade west, had no part in Saskatchewan's future. That certainly appeared to be the case according to the 1906 western census: less than one per cent of Saskatchewan's population lived in the north. The Saskatchewan government's gaze consequently rarely extended to the north, where it gladly abdicated any meaningful presence in favour of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Hudson's Bay Company. It wasn't until after the Second World War that northern Saskatchewan and its rich and diverse natural resources came to be part of provincial post-war development plans. The Great Depression had staggered Saskatchewan because of its overdependence on agriculture, and after the war, the government began to look for ways to diversify the economy to try to make it less vulnerable. Northern forestry and mining were part of the new Saskatchewan in the latter half of the 20th century, but northern Indigenous peoples initially played little to no role in these resource industries. In effect, there were two northern societies: one that was white and well-off, and another that was Indigenous and poor. This colonialism extended to the provincial government. Saskatchewan may complain about a distant, insensitive Ottawa, but Regina acted much like an imperial government in the province's north. Today, Indigenous peoples are playing an increasingly larger role in new economic development. At the same time, many continue to pursue a traditional lifestyle and practise their cultural traditions as best they can. Theirs is a unique way of life with its own rhythm, centred on the land and water. Indeed, some have never left their home community – at least, up until now, when wildfires have turned them into refugees. People have complained about the wildfire smoke that has drifted southward and made outside activity difficult, if not dangerous. But spare a thought to the thousands who fled on short notice, forced to leave behind a world that has meant so much to them for generations. Thousands have begun to return, but others may not be back for some time, not knowing what the fires will have destroyed. And it will take longer to rebuild what they have lost. That's why the largely Indigenous firefighting crews have battled so hard to save what they can. For Canadians, especially those living in Saskatchewan, this may be 'another country altogether' – but for so many displaced people, it's home.
