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CanadaSep 25, 2025

Starbucks to close stores, lay off 900 workers as part of turnaround plan

Starbucks is laying off around 900 non-retail employees and closing some U.S. and Canadian stores as it focuses more of its resources on a turnaround. The Seattle coffee giant will notify employees whose positions are being eliminated early Friday and said that it plans to close an undetermined number of stores in North America in the coming days. A review of Starbucks locations revealed that many are falling short of financial performance targets or are failing to create the environment customers expect, according to a letter sent by Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Thursday. ``Each
CanadaSep 25, 2025

India's new top envoy to be sworn in today as signs emerge of a thaw in relations

Indian's new high commissioner to Canada is being sworn in this afternoon at Rideau Hall, following a series of high-level visits by Canadian officials. Along with other new envoys, Dinesh Patnaik is set to visit Gov. Gen. Mary Simon today to present his credentials, marking the official start of his term. Relations between Canada and India have been strained since Canadian police accused New Delhi of playing a role in the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver. The chill began to lift slightly in June when Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mo
WorldSep 25, 2025

Paris court sentences Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy

A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy. The court found him guilty of attempting to finance his 2007 campaign with funds from Libya. Sarkozy, who is 70, will be incarcerated even if he appeals. He has denounced the ruling as a scandalous injustice and plans to appeal. The court also found two of his former ministers guilty of criminal association. However, the court cleared Sarkozy of charges including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Despite legal scandals, Sarkozy remains influential in French po
carney-heading-to-the-u-k-to-talk-trade-with-world-leaders
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Carney heading to the U.K. to talk trade with world leaders

Prime Minster Mark Carney is heading to the United Kingdom this week to discuss trade ties and other geopolitical issues with world leaders. The Prime Minister's Office says Carney will be in London from Sept. 25 to 28. He's set to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the prime ministers of Iceland, Australia, Spain and Denmark. His office says he'll also sit down with business leaders and institutional investors as part of a broader push to advance trade with international partners. Carney and his ministers have worked since coming to office to deepen Canada's international ties —
missing-person-for-location-gurninder-singh
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Surrey police seeking public assistance to locate Gurninder Singh

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is requesting the public's assistance in locating a 26-year-old missing man. Gurninder Singh was last seen at 1:00 am on September 22, 2025, in the area of the Scott Road Skytrain Station and the Pattullo Bridge walking towards the bridge. He has not been seen or heard from since. Gurninder is described as a 26-year-old South Asian male, 6’0” tall, 177 pounds, with a slim build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, black pants, and a light-coloured head covering. Police and family are concerned for his well being, as
quebec-government-bans-gender-neutral-pronouns-in-official-state-documents
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Quebec government bans gender-neutral pronouns in official state documents

The Quebec government is banning the use of newly emerging gender-neutral words in all official communications. French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge says Quebec’s official language must not be “distorted.” The updated language policy applies to recently invented words including gender-neutral pronouns that are commonly used by transgender and non-binary people. It also prohibits writing words in a way that aims to be more inclusive by neutralizing gender. The government says public bodies have a duty to use exemplary French, and Roberge says the language must be easy for every
b-c-green-party-votes-in-climate-activist-emily-lowan-as-new-leader
BCSep 24, 2025

B.C. Green Party votes in climate activist Emily Lowan as new leader

Emily Lowan, a 25-year-old climate activist, is the new leader of the British Columbia Green Party. Lowan won on the first ballot with 3,189 votes, ahead of second-place Jonathan Kerr with 1,908 votes, while Adam Bremner-Akins finished third with 128 votes. She doesn't have a seat in the legislature but says she plans to run in the next ``viable'' byelection or in the next general election. Lowan says the Greens will become a ``force of nature'' and promises that it will be a ``bold and critical'' opposition party. She says her decisive mandate is a ``clear message'' that the party nee
public-service-workers-pickets-expand-to-b-c-liquor-stores
BCSep 24, 2025

Public service workers' pickets expand to B.C. liquor stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked of the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table. The union says the store locations were chosen because they are a "significant source of government revenue."
interim-report-on-alberta-health-contract-scandal-not-finished-wont-be-made-public
AlbertaSep 24, 2025

Interim report on Alberta health contract scandal not finished, won't be made public

Alberta's government says it has yet to receive an interim report on the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts but it should be finished in the coming days. The government says former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant had until today to submit it but still has interviews to finish. It also says the interim report won't be made public. The report was initially expected in May, but the province extended the deadline because of the number of documents involved and interviews Wyant wanted to do. The deadline for the final report was set for Oct. 15. The al

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WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level
measles-exposure-reported-at-grande-prairie-hospital-emergency-department
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor
netherlands-considering-rose-imports-from-punjab-says-cm-bhagwant-mann
IndiaApr 28, 2026

Netherlands considering rose imports from Punjab, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl