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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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high-risk-driving-enforcement-in-burnaby-puts-the-brakes-on-170-drivers
BCJun 15, 2026

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav
fifa-world-cup-opener-in-vancouver-sets-public-transit-ridership-record
CanadaJun 15, 2026

FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels. Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye.
BCJun 15, 2026

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o
CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro