Global National: Oct. 19

The stage is set for political drama in British Columbia in tonight’s top story, as voters head to the polls for a provincial election. It’s expected to be a nail-biting finish between the governing BC NDP and the BC Conservatives – who have rapidly risen in popularity in matter of months. Opinion polls have shown the two parties in a neck-and-neck race, one that could have major implications for federal politics. Adding to the uncertainty, the most populated parts of the province have been swamped by a torrential rainstorm, with some residents being warned not to travel. The atmospheric river has triggered numerous flooding alerts and power outages across southern parts of the province. There’s a major criminal investigation underway tonight in the suburban city of Brampton, Ont., west of Toronto. One woman is dead, struck multiple times in an early-morning shooting that left three others injured. Israel has carried out at least 10 air strikes on Beirut today, in the heaviest attack on the Lebanese capital in more than a week. Massive plumes of smoke were seen rising over the city’s southern suburbs. At least five deaths have been reported, but damage there is still being assessed. Canada’s foreign affairs minister says Indian diplomats still in Canada are on notice following the expulsion of six earlier this week. Melanie Joly says Canada won’t tolerate any diplomats putting the lives of Canadians at risk following allegations agents working for India were behind dozens of violent crimes across the country. And, a hurricane is the last thing Cuba needs. The island nation of 11 million people is struggling with yet another nationwide power outage Saturday. The first is happening on Thursday. The entire country, save for hotels and resorts privileged enough to have back-up generators, operating by candlelight.