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WorldAug 18, 2020

Second large seizure of fentanyl at Mexico City airport

Mexican marines and customs authorities say they have seized 250 pounds (113.5 kilograms) of the synthetic opioid fentanyl at the Mexico City airport. It was the second such large bust at the airport this month. Authorities said Tuesday the fentanyl was found in four small cardboard drums that were part of an air freight shipment. Mexican drug cartels once favoured importing fentanyl and closely related chemical precursors from Asia through Mexico's Pacific coast seaports, but they now appear to have turned to airports. In mid-August, customs authorities seized almost 500 pounds (220 kilogram
lawyers-representing-huawei-executive-meng-wanzhou-fighting-to-win-release-of-more-confidential-documents
BCAug 18, 2020

Lawyers representing Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou fighting to win release of more confidential documents

Lawyers representing Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou are back in BC Supreme Court today fighting to win release of more confidential documents tied to the case. Meng's legal team says some of the documents relate to her detention at Vancouver's airport in December 2018 and could shed light on her claim that her rights were violated before her arrest. Meng is wanted in the US on fraud charges, which she and Huawei deny, and this chapter in her extradition battle began yesterday with Meng attending via phone link. The matter could continue all week and today's arguments will focus on the technica
BCAug 18, 2020

79 wildfires have been sparked in the last two days: BC Wildfire Service

The BC Wildfire Service says 79 wildfires have been sparked in the last two days, in the wake of a fierce lightning storm that moved across southern BC Sunday night. The wildfire service website says 74 per cent of the new fires were caused by lightning, including 14 of 15 reported on southern Vancouver Island. Most remain very small, with only a handful larger than a hectare, although a fire on the eastern shore of Sooke Lake, east of Langford, is listed at eight hectares and considered out of control. In all, 475 fires have been reported across B-C since the start of the fire season in Apri
BCAug 18, 2020

Environment Canada drops heat warnings for most regions

Another hot day is unfolding across much of southern B-C, but Environment Canada has dropped heat warnings for all but the Fraser Canyon and Kootenay Lake regions. Temperatures above 35 degrees, with nighttime lows not falling below 18, will continue there for at least another day but the weather office is calling for slightly cooler conditions tonight. It's still set to be a scorcher for many areas with the mercury nudging the mid-30s in the Kamloops, Kelowna, Cranbrook and Trail areas. There's also the risk of more thunderstorms across southeastern B-C where the wildfire service rates wildf
CanadaAug 18, 2020

Bill Morneau's resignation will do little to quash the WE Charity affair: Jagmeet Singh

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the resignation of Bill Morneau as federal finance minister will do little to quash the WE Charity affair. Singh says that's because Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rest of his inner circle are still at the cabinet table. Jagmeet Singh says he does not believe the resignation of Bill Morneau as federal finance minister will end the ethical problems plaguing the federal Liberals. Singh told reporters in Vancouver that Morneau's replacement, Chrystia Freeland, was at the cabinet table when decisions were made to offer WE Charity a multi-million dollar contract
trudeau-set-to-move-freeland-to-finance-prorogue-parliament-for-economic-reset
CanadaAug 18, 2020

Cabinet glass ceiling shattered as Chrystia Freeland named finance minister

Canada has its first ever female finance minister. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was sworn in this afternoon at Rideau Hall in a cabinet shuffle that also saw Dominic LeBlanc take over the intergovernmental affairs portfolio. Prime Minister Trudeau usually hugs his cabinet ministers at such ceremonies, instead he gave Freeland and LeBlanc a congratulatory elbow bump. Trudeau has asked Governor General Julie Payette to prorogue Parliament until September 23rd, two days after the House of Commons was initially to resume sitting.
increase-in-covid-19-cases-b-c-alberta-and-manitoba
CanadaAug 18, 2020

Increase in COVID-19 cases B.C., Alberta and Manitoba

There are 122,872 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 61,206 confirmed (including 5,721 deaths, 53,930 resolved) Ontario: 40,745 confirmed (including 2,789 deaths, 37,036 resolved) Alberta: 12,412 confirmed (including 224 deaths, 11,056 resolved) British Columbia: 4,594 confirmed (including 198 deaths, 3,653 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,581 confirmed (including 22 deaths, 1,387 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,075 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,007 resolved) Manitoba: 716 confirmed (including 9 deaths, 490 resolved), 15 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 268 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 263 reso
b-c-officials-announce-236-covid-19-cases-over-three-days-says-penalties-coming
BCAug 18, 2020

B.C. officials announce 236 COVID-19 cases over three days, says penalties coming

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the B.C. government will announce stricter penalties this week for those who flout public health rules as COVID-19 cases climb in the province. Officials announced 236 new cases since Friday during a briefing today, including the second highest single-day increase of 100 since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations decreased from 12 cases to four. Deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson says most of those testing positive are young, which suggests the province has done a relatively good job of protecting the most vulnerable. However, she says young pe
finance-minister-bill-morneau-resigns-plans-to-run-for-head-of-oecd
CanadaAug 18, 2020

Finance Minister Bill Morneau resigns, plans to run for head of OECD

Bill Morneau is resigning as the federal minister of finance and a Liberal MP. Morneau says he is putting his name forward as a candidate to be the next secretary general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he accepted Morneau's resignation earlier Monday and that Canada would ``vigorously support'' his efforts to take on the new role. Morneau has been finance minister since 2015, when the Liberals returned to power. For several weeks, opposition parties have been calling for Morneau's resignation over allegations that he had a con

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CanadaDec 10, 2025

Quebec anticorruption unit opens criminal probe into provincial Liberal Party

Quebec’s anticorruption police force has launched a criminal investigation into the provincial Liberal Party, adding to a period of internal turmoil for the long-standing political organization. A spokesperson for the force confirmed the probe today but declined to provide details, citing the active nature of the case. The confirmation follows disclosures last month that investigators were reviewing allegations of wrongdoing to determine whether a formal investigation was warranted. The decision to proceed suggests authorities found sufficient grounds to examine the matter further. The Liber
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BCDec 10, 2025

Burnaby RCMP warns residents after rise in distraction-style jewelry thefts

Burnaby RCMP is alerting residents to a series of distraction thefts reported across the city since mid November. Police say ten incidents have been confirmed since November 13, prompting a reminder for the public to remain cautious in busy public areas and parking lots. The detachment’s Community Response Team is leading the investigation and believes groups of offenders are targeting victims by first asking for directions or pretending to need medical help. Police say the suspects – often described as one man and two women – use conversation as a way to get close before attempting to r
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AlbertaDec 10, 2025

Recall petition launched against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and two cabinet ministers

Elections Alberta has approved recall petitions targeting Premier Danielle Smith and two members of her cabinet, marking the latest wave of challenges under the province’s recall legislation. The petitions, issued this week, add to a growing list of United Conservative Party MLAs facing organized campaigns in their constituencies. Heather VanSnick, the applicant behind the recall effort in Brooks–Medicine Hat, alleges the premier has not meaningfully engaged with residents or subject-matter experts when shaping provincial policy. She also argues that recent government decisions have contri
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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