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BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta
IndiaJul 31, 2026

India says Kartarpur Corridor to remain closed amid ongoing security concerns

The Government of India has said the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will remain closed, citing the current security situation despite requests from Sikh religious organizations to reopen the cross-border pilgrimage route. The Ministry of External Affairs said it has received representations from Sikh religious groups seeking the reopening of the corridor. However, the ministry stated that prevailing security conditions have necessitated keeping the corridor closed. The issue was raised during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament by Members of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Gurmeet Sing
CanadaJul 31, 2026

Indian student in Canada sentenced to four years in U.S. senior fraud scheme

A 22-year-old Indian national who was studying in Canada has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United States after being convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud targeting seniors. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Roshan Shah entered the United States multiple times on a visitor visa while studying in Canada and collected approximately US$3.7 million from 15 elderly victims in several states. Authorities allege the scheme relied on callers based in India who falsely claimed the victims' identities had been linked to c
BCJul 31, 2026

Swimmer dies after rescue from Okanagan Lake

A swimmer who was pulled from Okanagan Lake at Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna has died in hospital, marking the sixth drowning-related death in the lake over the past 40 days. According to police, the swimmer suffered a medical emergency while in the water on Wednesday. Bystanders brought the person ashore before emergency crews transported them to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition. The swimmer died in hospital the following day. RCMP Cpl. Steven Lang said investigators have found no evidence to suggest the incident is suspicious or criminal in nature. The B.C. Coroners Service is con
WorldJul 31, 2026

25 killed, 44 injured after passenger bus overturns in Algeria

At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus overturned in Algeria's Boomerdes province on Friday, according to the country's Civil Protection Agency. Officials said the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment following the crash. Authorities have not released details on what caused the bus to overturn. Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Boomerdes University Hospital to meet with those injured in the crash and assess the situation, according to officials. The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. Authorities said an inv
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CanadaJul 31, 2026

Canada's economy grew 0.3% in May, second-quarter annualized growth estimated at 3.4%

Canada's economy expanded by 0.3 per cent in May, exceeding market expectations of 0.1 per cent, according to data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The increase follows a 0.6 per cent gain recorded in April, marking a second consecutive month of economic growth. Statistics Canada said the latest figures point to an estimated annualized growth rate of 3.4 per cent for the second quarter of 2026. The estimate is preliminary and will be updated as additional data become available. According to the agency, growth in May was led by a 1.0 per cent increase in the mining, quarrying, and oil and
AlbertaJul 31, 2026

High River man charged with first-degree murder in woman's death

A 36-year-old High River man has been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a woman in what RCMP are investigating as a domestic homicide. According to High River RCMP, the victim has been identified as Cayla Bleeker. Police identified the accused as Jarrett Stobbe, 36. Both were residents of High River. RCMP said officers responded to two separate calls from a residence on 112 Street East on Tuesday. Police said Stobbe first contacted RCMP at about 6 p.m., making allegations against Bleeker that investigators later determined were unfounded. A second emergency call
WorldJul 31, 2026

Four bodies recovered after Broad Peak avalanche as search continues for missing climbers

Pakistani rescue teams have recovered four bodies from the site of an avalanche on Broad Peak, where 10 international climbers were reported missing, according to two senior Pakistani government officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said search operations continued Friday for the remaining six missing climbers. Recovery efforts have been hampered by severe weather in the mountainous region. Authorities have not identified the four people whose bodies were recovered. According to Pakistani officials, teams are working t
prime-minister-carney-announces-10b-investment-to-expand-port-of-vancouver-capacity
CanadaJul 30, 2026

Prime Minister Carney announces $10B investment to expand Port of Vancouver capacity

Prime Minister Mark Carney visited the Port of Vancouver in Delta on Thursday, where he announced a proposed $10 billion federal investment to expand the port's capacity and strengthen Canada's access to international markets beyond the United States. According to the Prime Minister, the expansion project is intended to increase Canadian exports to non-U.S. markets by 50 per cent, with a focus on agricultural products and other key commodities. The federal government says the investment is aimed at improving Canada's trade infrastructure and supporting long-term economic growth. Carney said th

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BCAug 12, 2026

Charges approved following break-in to Chinatown business

Crown Counsel has approved one count of break-and-enter of a commercial business after Vancouver Police arrested a suspect yesterday. Just after 7 a.m., the Vancouver Police Department responded to a report of a broken window in a business near Georgia Street and Gore Avenue. An employee reported seeing a man smash the window and enter the premises. VPD officers attended and searched the building. After reviewing video footage, they believed the man was still inside. Another witness observed a man matching the description of the suspect on a second-storey fire escape. The officers located
BCAug 11, 2026

B.C. Wildfire Official Warns of Arson Risk as Major Fires Intensify

British Columbia Wildfire Service Director Cliff Chapman has raised concerns over the current wildfire situation in the province and warned about the risk of deliberately set fires. Speaking at a press conference alongside Forests Minister Ravi Parmar and Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene, Chapman said the wildfire service is working closely with the RCMP to investigate any suspicious fires. The department has also partnered with Crime Stoppers to help identify those responsible for deliberately starting fires. Chapman said four major wildfires currently burning across B.C., including
CanadaAug 11, 2026

More Than 29,000 Canadians Sign Petition Calling for Removal of U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra

More than 29,000 Canadians have signed an online petition calling for the removal of U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra over allegations of political interference in Canada and controversial public statements. The petition is expected to be presented in the House of Commons this fall by Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. It was launched by a Calgary woman, who alleges that Hoekstra’s statements have undermined Canada’s sovereignty. The petition calls on the Canadian government to declare Hoekstra persona non grata under the rules of the Vienna Convention and remove him from Canada. It
b-c-man-charged-after-police-find-more-than-14-000-child-exploitation-images-and-videos
BCAug 11, 2026

B.C. Man Charged After Police Find More Than 14,000 Child Exploitation Images and Videos

A 37-year-old man has been charged following a police investigation in Surrey, B.C., that uncovered more than 14,000 images and videos related to child sexual exploitation. According to police, the investigation began in May 2025 after they received reports that a suspect was possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material online. A search warrant was executed at a Surrey residence in August 2025, where investigators discovered thousands of images and videos. Police say the evidence led to charges against Wade Bruce Craig for processing and accessing child sexual exploita
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CanadaAug 11, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Enter Final Stage as Possible Deal Takes Shape

Canada-U.S. trade talks appear to be entering a critical final stage, with Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer potentially presenting the outline of a possible deal to President Donald Trump by Monday. The discussions are part of efforts to avoid new 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports that are set to take effect on August 19. LeBlanc met with Greer in Washington on Tuesday, marking their third meeting in three weeks. According to reports, the two countries are discussing a potential agreement under which Canada could agree to some U.S. demands in ex