NEWS FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND 2017

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LOCAL
By Patricia Petit Liang

Montreal city council unanimously declared Montreal a sanctuary city on Monday.

According to CTV News, the city will provide regular services such as food and housing to people without status or documentation and will not report them to federal authorities.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre led this campaign and previously served as Canada's immigration minister.

NATIONAL
By Michael Foldvari

12 venomous snakes were stolen from a home in Thorold, Ontario on Tuesday.

According to CTV News, Ontario has some of Canada's most lenient exotic pet laws, with restrictions being placed only on killer whales and pitbulls.

Niagara Regional Police suspect that the animals were stolen for sale into the exotic animal industry, and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

INTERNATIONAL
By Patricia Petit Liang

The former head of the National Intelligence Agency in Gambia has been detained for torturing and killing the political opponents of former president Yahya Jammeh.

According to Reuters, former directors Yankuba Badgie, Sheikh Omar Jeng and 51 other people working directly for Jammeh were arrested this week.

The National Intelligence Agency was infamous for being the state's most feared institution and is being reformed by the Gambia's new leader, President Adama Barrow.