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canada-prepares-to-name-new-u-s-envoy-as-next-phase-of-trade-talks-approaches
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Canada prepares to name new U.S. envoy as next phase of trade talks approaches

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada’s next ambassador to the United States will have time to get up to speed before North America’s trade relationship enters a new round of negotiations. Carney told reporters that federal consultations on the renewal of the Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement have wrapped up, while officials in Washington are only beginning their own review. He said the three-country assessment of the trade pact is expected to intensify in the new year, a process that could carry major implications for Western Canada’s transportation corridors, agriculture exports, and m
author-sophie-kinsella-known-for-global-shopaholic-series-dies-at-55
WorldDec 10, 2025

Author Sophie Kinsella, known for global ‘Shopaholic’ series, dies at 55

Sophie Kinsella, the British writer whose lighthearted “Shopaholic” novels gained an international readership, has died at the age of 55. Her family confirmed that she passed away this week after living with brain cancer, a diagnosis she made public in 2024. Kinsella, born Madeleine Wickham, became widely recognized for her comic writing style and her ability to connect with readers through stories about everyday pressures, financial missteps, and modern relationships. Beginning in 2000, her “Shopaholic” series grew into 10 bestselling titles that reached audiences across Europe and No
punjab-premier-says-economic-outreach-continues-as-opposition-trades-accusations
IndiaDec 10, 2025

Punjab premier says economic outreach continues as opposition trades accusations

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says his government is focused on attracting international investment even as political tensions in the state intensify following recent remarks from Navjot Kaur Sidhu. Speaking to reporters, Mann said his administration is working to bring global companies to Punjab to expand opportunities in technology, health care, agriculture, and research. He contrasted that with what he described as the opposition Congress party’s focus on internal disputes and claims about the value of political positions. The Chief Minister returned this week from a visit to Japan
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-as-officials-monitor-economic-uncertainty
CanadaDec 10, 2025

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate as officials monitor economic uncertainty

The Bank of Canada has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent in its final policy decision of the year, signalling that borrowing costs remain at a level the central bank views as appropriate for maintaining price stability. Governor Tiff Macklem said major global economies continue to show signs of resilience, even as uncertainty persists and the United States maintains a protectionist approach to trade. He noted that the current policy rate is helping keep inflation near the bank’s two per cent target, suggesting no immediate need to raise or cut interest rates. Mackle
alberta-government-passes-bill-to-expand-use-of-charter-override-drawing-criticism-from-opposition
AlbertaDec 10, 2025

Alberta government passes bill to expand use of Charter override, drawing criticism from Opposition

Alberta’s United Conservative government has approved legislation that reinforces its plan to rely on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause for several measures affecting transgender residents. The vote took place in the early hours of Tuesday after hours of debate in the legislature. The bill confirms the province will invoke the constitutional override to protect three existing laws from legal challenges. Those laws include restrictions on names and pronouns used for students in schools, a prohibition on transgender girls competing in amateur female sports, and limits on gender-affirming
vpd-charges-suspect-in-fatal-downtown-eastside-assault
BCDec 09, 2025

VPD charges suspect in fatal Downtown Eastside assault

Vancouver Police say a two-week investigation has resulted in charges against a man accused in the killing of a Downtown Eastside resident late last month. Detectives from the Homicide Unit began their work on November 28 after a 45-year-old man was found seriously injured near Gore Street and Powell Street in the early morning hours. Investigators allege the victim was assaulted by a stranger around 3 a.m. and later died from his injuries. Police identified a suspect during the investigation and arrested him on Sunday evening near Main Street and Terminal Avenue. Court records show 33-year-ol
coquitlam-rcmp-asks-public-for-video-after-early-morning-fire-at-vacant-apartment-site
BCDec 09, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP asks public for video after early morning fire at vacant apartment site

Coquitlam RCMP is appealing for witnesses and video after an early morning fire damaged a vacant apartment building on North Road over the weekend. Officers were called around 5 a.m. on Sunday to the property at 727 North Road, a site already slated for demolition as part of ongoing redevelopment in the area. Coquitlam Fire and Rescue brought the blaze under control, and investigators with the RCMP’s General Investigation Section are now working to determine how the fire started. Police have not said whether the incident is suspicious, but they are seeking any footage that may show activity
b-c-government-highlights-rental-price-declines-as-new-data-shows-two-years-of-cooling-market
BCDec 09, 2025

B.C. government highlights rental price declines as new data shows two years of cooling market

A new national rental report indicates that British Columbia continues to see some of the sharpest declines in asking rents in the country, marking two consecutive years of easing prices. Data published Monday by Rentals.ca shows average rents for purpose-built and condominium units in the province have fallen 8.5 percent over the past two years, with Vancouver driving much of the downward trend. According to the report, asking rents for purpose-built and condo units in Vancouver are down 15.1 percent from the same period in 2023 and 14.5 percent compared to 2022. November 2025 marked the 24th
punjab-bjp-leader-seeks-time-bound-probe-under-high-court-supervision
IndiaDec 09, 2025

Punjab BJP leader seeks time bound probe under High Court supervision

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar is calling for a time bound inquiry into allegations of corruption in the state, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an investigation under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Jakhar said an independent process is needed to examine all leaders, including himself, so the public can see a full accounting of the claims. He questioned the Chief Minister’s recent remarks suggesting he has files related to wrongdoing, asking why those documents have not been opened or shared with an impartial authority. Jakhar said b

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kelowna-rcmp-provincial-gang-unit-seize-weapons-and-drugs-after-enforcement-operation
BCJan 23, 2026

Kelowna RCMP, provincial gang unit seize weapons and drugs after enforcement operation

Police in Kelowna say a joint enforcement and training effort with a provincial gang unit has led to dozens of arrests and the removal of weapons and drugs from the community. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team worked alongside Kelowna RCMP and officers from across the Okanagan between January 12 and January 16. The operation focused on identifying repeat violent offenders while also providing specialized training to local officers on weapons, firearms, and drug interdiction. According to police, the multi day initiative resulted in more than 20 new
nearly-10-000-federal-public-servants-warned-of-possible-job-cuts-unions-say
CanadaJan 23, 2026

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants warned of possible job cuts, unions say

Nearly 10,000 federal public servants across multiple departments have been notified in recent days that their positions could be affected by upcoming workforce reductions, according to the unions representing them. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 5,000 of its members received workforce adjustment notices over the past week. Those notices were issued to employees working in several federal departments, including Global Affairs Canada, Transport Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and Health Canada. Workforce adjustment notices signal that positions
WorldJan 23, 2026

Spain declines to join Trump-backed ‘Board of Peace’ initiative

Spain has declined an invitation to participate in a proposed international initiative known as the ‘Board of Peace,’ which was launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, citing its long-standing commitment to the United Nations system. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Madrid respects the invitation extended by President Trump but will not take part in the initiative. He stated that Spain’s foreign policy remains firmly anchored in multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations, which Spain views as the central forum for global peace and conflict resolution. Sánchez
WorldJan 23, 2026

Drone strike in eastern Ukraine kills four, including child, as peace talks continue

A Russian drone attack late Thursday in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region killed four people, including a five-year-old child, according to Ukrainian local authorities. Officials confirmed the deaths on Friday, saying the strike hit a residential area. Authorities said five other people were injured in the attack, while at least two homes were completely destroyed. Emergency crews were deployed overnight to assist residents and assess damage in the affected community. Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to press for Ukrainian forces to withdraw from Donetsk, a region that has remained a
high-court-directs-punjab-government-to-decide-amritpal-singh-parole-plea-within-seven-days
IndiaJan 23, 2026

High Court directs Punjab government to decide Amritpal Singh parole plea within seven days

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to take a decision within seven days on a parole petition filed by Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, who is seeking permission to attend Parliament’s upcoming budget session. The order was passed on Friday during a hearing on Singh’s petition, in which he requested temporary release to participate in the budget session scheduled to begin on January 28. The court instructed the state government to make a timely decision and disposed of the petition after issuing the direction. The case has drawn attention