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28-charges-laid-in-northern-bc-drug-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 25, 2025

28 Charges Laid in Northern BC Drug Trafficking Investigation

Four individuals have been charged following a 14-month drug trafficking and firearms investigation led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in Northern BC. The investigation began in April 2023, targeting a drug trafficking network operating in Prince Rupert. On June 5, 2024, following a 14-month investigation, CFSEU-BC North District, in partnership with the Prince Rupert RCMP and with assistance from the Prince Rupert Coastal Unit, executed five search warrants in Prince Rupert. Investigators seized the following items: • Nine (9) firearms, incl
carney-says-canada-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2035
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Carney says Canada to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

NATO allies, including Canada, have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP over the next 10 years. This means that Western countries, including Ottawa, are going to invest heavily in defense by 2035. The new target was approved during a NATO summit in the Netherlands today, a significant policy victory for President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the meeting by praising Trump for increasing defense spending. The five percent target is divided into two parts, with the first 3.5 percent focusing on core defense needs, including fighter jets and weapo
vigilance-takes-bikram-singh-majithia-into-custody
IndiaJun 25, 2025

Vigilance takes Bikram Singh Majithia into custody

Punjab Vigilance today arrested former Akali Minister Bikram Majithia after raiding his Amritsar residence, in a case of disproportionate assets. Vigilance has seized 29 mobile phones, 4 laptops, 2 iPads, 8 diaries and other documents from Majithia’s house. This new case comes at a time when a drug-related case registered against Majithia under the NDPS Act in 2021 is already under investigation. Majithia said that this entire action is being taken with a sense of political vendetta but he is not going to be intimidated by it.
calgary-stampede-rodeo-safety-to-include-shaded-pens-heart-monitors-for-horses
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Calgary Stampede rodeo safety to include shaded pens, heart monitors for horses

Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs, and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. Ed Pajor (PAY'-jor) is a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. Pajor says based on the scorching heat during the Stampede last summer, the animals could use a break. Pajor says tents will be provided to some of the bulls and broncos to see if it makes a difference. Researc
april-sees-uptick-in-b-c-overdose-deaths-with-165-fatalities-coroners-service
BCJun 25, 2025

April sees uptick in B.C. overdose deaths with 165 fatalities: coroners service

British Columbia's coroners service says a rebound in overdoses in April saw a return to more than 160 deaths a month due to toxic drugs. The April death toll follows last month's update that confirmed March as the sixth consecutive month during which fewer than 160 people died. The BC Coroners Service says in a statement that 165 people died in April, up from 143 deaths in March and 132 fatalities in February. The February and March numbers represented year-over-year declines of more than 30 per cent compared with the same months in 2024. The statement released Tuesday says deaths in the Fras
b-c-economy-will-get-a-kick-out-of-hosting-fifa-world-cup-games-government-says
BCJun 25, 2025

B.C. economy will get a kick out of hosting FIFA World Cup games, government says

There is less than a year to go before Vancouver is on the global stage hosting seven FIFA World Cup soccer games, and leaders are promoting the economic benefits of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the international showcase. A joint statement from B.C. Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in spending. The statement says more than 18,000 jobs could be generated in that same period. It says FIFA predicts that preparing
alberta-next-panel-announced-with-legislature-members-academics-and-business-leaders
AlbertaJun 25, 2025

Alberta Next panel announced with legislature members, academics and business leaders

Premier Danielle Smith says she'll be spending the summer touring the province with business leaders, backbenchers and an academic to find ways to protect Alberta from what she calls federal mistreatment and overreach. She says Ottawa is to blame for decades of lost investment and resource revenue and that Alberta can't be held back any longer. The premier is to lead the Alberta Next panel, which also includes three United Conservative Party legislature members, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, a retired judge and a physician. Smith says following a summer of town halls across
bc-165-people-died-from-unregulated-toxic-drugs-in-april-2025
BCJun 24, 2025

BC: 165 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in April 2025

Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) finds that 165 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in April 2025. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 77% were male. April marks a return to more than 160 deaths attributed to unregulated drug toxicity reported to the BC Coroners Service after six consecutive months of reporting fewer than 160 deaths a month. By health authority in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (18
canada-may-have-to-spend-150-billion-on-defense-alone-under-natos-new-target
CanadaJun 24, 2025

Canada may have to spend $150-billion on defense alone under NATO's new target

Canada may have to spend $150-billion annually on defense alone under NATO's new target. Prime Minister Mark Carney said this in an interview during a NATO meeting in the Netherlands. The prime minister said he hopes that a meeting of NATO leaders on Wednesday, which will also be attended by President Donald Trump, will agree to give 10 years to reach this target. The prime minister also said that he will not spend indiscriminately and hopes that NATO will review this target. It is noteworthy that in Wednesday's meeting, NATO countries are expected to increase military spending to 5 percen

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AlbertaMar 11, 2026

Treaty 6 First Nations leaders meet King Charles in England ahead of 150th anniversary

Leaders from Treaty 6 First Nations are meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace today as part of a delegation representing communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The group includes seven representatives speaking on behalf of Treaty 6 First Nations. According to the Chiefs, the meeting is intended to discuss the historic treaty relationship between First Nations and the Crown. During the visit, the delegation plans to invite the King to attend events marking the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6. Chiefs say the commemoration is intended to recognize the treaty’s histor
the-federal-conservative-party-has-nominated-candidates-in-two-of-the-three-federal-byelections-scheduled-for-april-13
CanadaMar 11, 2026

The federal Conservative Party has nominated candidates in two of the three federal byelections scheduled for April 13.

Adrienne Charles will represent the Conservatives in Terrebonne, Que., after previously running in the riding during the last federal election. The byelection in Terrebonne was ordered after the Supreme Court annulled the Liberal candidate’s one-vote victory over the Bloc Québécois challenger, triggering a new vote in the riding. In Toronto’s University-Rosedale riding, the Conservatives have nominated Don Hodgson. The seat became vacant after Liberal MP and former federal cabinet minister Chrystia Freeland resigned her position in the House of Commons. A third byelection will take place
WorldMar 11, 2026

Spain pauses ambassador appointment to Israel amid tensions over Iran strikes

Spain’s government has decided to halt the appointment of a new ambassador to Israel as tensions rise following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to a Spanish cabinet decision on March 10, the government accepted a recommendation from the foreign minister to suspend the appointment of Ana María Salomón Pérez as Spain’s ambassador to Israel. The decision came after a meeting of Spain’s council of ministers. Spanish officials said the country’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now be led by a chargé d’affaires instead of a full ambassador. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
akali-dal-mla-ganieve-kaur-majithia-demands-apology-from-punjab-cm-over-alleged-remarks-about-women
IndiaMar 11, 2026

Akali Dal MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia demands apology from Punjab CM over alleged remarks about women

Ganieve Kaur Majithia, a legislator from the Shiromani Akali Dal, has demanded an immediate apology from Bhagwant Mann over what she described as derogatory remarks about women in Punjab. According to Majithia, the comments were made by the chief minister during a speech in Ludhiana. She said the remarks were insulting to women and called on Mann to publicly apologize. Majithia said that if the chief minister does not issue an apology, she will raise the matter with the National Commission for Women. She argued that elected officials must maintain respectful language when speaking about women.
nunavut-mp-lori-idlout-leaves-ndp-to-join-liberals-moving-carney-government-closer-to-majority
CanadaMar 11, 2026

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout leaves NDP to join Liberals, moving Carney government closer to majority

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout has left the New Democratic Party caucus to join the governing Liberals, a move that brings Prime Minister Mark Carney’s minority government closer to a majority in the House of Commons. In an early-morning statement issued jointly with the Liberal Party of Canada, Idlout said she decided to join the government caucus after what she described as “much personal reflection” and encouragement from her community and family. She cited Arctic sovereignty, the rights and aspirations of Indigenous peoples, and climate change as key reasons for the decision. “That is why