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punjab-to-launch-chief-ministers-health-insurance-scheme-on-january-22
IndiaJan 12, 2026

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added
police-probe-second-shooting-at-cloverdale-home-amid-surrey-extortion-investigations
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police probe second shooting at Cloverdale home amid Surrey extortion investigations

Police in Surrey are investigating an early-morning shooting at a Cloverdale residence that left a home damaged but no one hurt. Officers were called shortly after 2:20 a.m. to the 18700 block of 54 Avenue following reports of gunfire in the area. According to police, responding members found evidence that a residence had been struck. No injuries were reported, and occupants were not harmed. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Unit has taken over the case and continues to gather evidence. Investigators say the home was also targeted in a previous shooting o
calgary-police-probe-speed-alcohol-and-drugs-in-fatal-deerfoot-trail-crash
AlbertaJan 12, 2026

Calgary police probe speed, alcohol and drugs in fatal Deerfoot Trail crash

Calgary police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role in a deadly crash on Deerfoot Trail over the weekend that claimed the life of a man in his 50s. Investigators say the man was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Deerfoot Trail, approaching Glenmore Trail, when the vehicle struck a construction barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the impact was severe enough that the car’s engine was ejected and landed in an adjacent lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle, a Toyota, struck the engine. The driver of that vehicle was take
former-us-president-donald-trump-claims-role-as-venezuelas-acting-president-in-social-media-post
WorldJan 12, 2026

Former US President Donald Trump Claims Role as Venezuela’s “Acting President” in Social Media Post

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, former United States president Donald Trump identified himself as the “acting president” of Venezuela, saying he would assume that position in January 2026. He also referred to himself as both the 45th and 47th president of the United States in the same message. There has been no official confirmation or statement from the White House or the current US administration regarding Trump’s claim about Venezuela. The Trump post comes after a major US action on January 3, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, we
ihit-names-victim-in-fatal-abbotsford-shooting-appeals-for-public-help
BCJan 12, 2026

IHIT names victim in fatal Abbotsford shooting, appeals for public help

British Columbia’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the man killed in a daytime shooting in Abbotsford last week, an incident investigators say is connected to ongoing gang-related violence in the region. IHIT says 28-year-old Navpreet Dhaliwal died after being shot on Friday on Siskin Drive. Abbotsford police were called to the area shortly before 1 p.m., where paramedics attempted life-saving measures. Dhaliwal was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have described the killing as a targeted attack that occurred in a residential area during the middle of the day
canada-rules-out-ban-on-x-amid-international-scrutiny-over-deepfake-content-minister-says
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Canada rules out ban on X amid international scrutiny over deepfake content, minister says

The federal government is not considering banning the social media platform X despite growing international concern over sexualized deepfake content generated by artificial intelligence, according to Canada’s minister responsible for AI policy. Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said early Sunday that reports suggesting Canada was weighing a ban were inaccurate. In a post on X, Solomon stated the government has no plans to prohibit the platform, which is owned by Elon Musk, even as it faces scrutiny abroad. The clarification followed reporting by The Telegraph indicating the Unite
champagne-meets-g7-finance-ministers-in-washington-on-trade-and-critical-minerals
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Champagne meets G7 finance ministers in Washington on trade and critical minerals

Canada’s finance minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Washington, D.C. for meetings focused on trade and the global supply of critical minerals, as Canada and its allies look to reduce reliance on China and strengthen secure supply chains. In a statement, the federal government said Champagne is meeting Sunday and Monday with finance ministers from G7 countries and other partners with similar economic priorities. Discussions are expected to focus on trade co-operation and the development of critical minerals essential for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Ch
canada-faces-heightened-economic-risks-amid-u-s-political-turmoil-eurasia-group-warns
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Canada Faces Heightened Economic Risks Amid U.S. Political Turmoil, Eurasia Group Warns

Canada could face greater economic and political risks than any other country due to ongoing instability in the United States, according to a new report from the risk analysis firm Eurasia Group. The report notes that the historically close ties between Canada and the U.S. are undergoing significant strain, with trade uncertainty posing potential challenges for the Canadian economy. Efforts to expand trade relationships beyond the U.S. may encounter “powerful headwinds” this year, the report adds. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s
prince-george-rcmp-ask-drivers-for-dash-cam-footage-after-report-near-simon-fraser-bridge
BCJan 09, 2026

Prince George RCMP ask drivers for dash cam footage after report near Simon Fraser Bridge

Prince George RCMP are asking members of the public to come forward with dash camera footage following a report of a person seen near the Simon Fraser Bridge on Sunday morning. Police say the incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Highway 97 near Ferry Avenue. According to RCMP, a caller reported seeing an individual wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack standing near the guard rail on the south side of the bridge. Frontline officers responded quickly but the person was no longer at the location when police arrived. Search efforts were carried out with assistance from Prince Ge

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BCJan 13, 2026

Lake Country RCMP arrest two suspects in break and enter investigation linked to Kelowna

Lake Country RCMP say two men have been arrested following an early morning break and enter that investigators believe is connected to a series of similar crimes targeting businesses in Kelowna. Police were called to a business in the 11,000 block of Oceola Road around 3:00 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of a break and enter in progress. Officers contained the area and arrested two male suspects as they exited the building carrying tools commonly associated with break and enter offences. RCMP say a search of the suspects uncovered identifiable property and Canadian currency believed to b
atmospheric-river-soaks-b-c-south-coast-as-rainfall-tops-200-millimetres-in-some-areas
BCJan 13, 2026

Atmospheric river soaks B.C. south coast as rainfall tops 200 millimetres in some areas

Communities across British Columbia’s south coast and Vancouver Island have been hit with intense rainfall over the past three days as an atmospheric river moved through the region, prompting evacuation orders, alerts and ongoing flood warnings. Environment Canada says several areas recorded more than 100 millimetres of rain between Saturday and Monday, with the Kennedy Lake Forestry Station on Vancouver Island measuring nearly 286 millimetres during the period. On the mainland, Port Mellon reported 204 millimetres, while Ucluelet recorded 168 millimetres and Squamish received 132 millimetre
teen-critically-injured-in-richmond-hit-and-run-as-police-seek-suspect-vehicle
BCJan 13, 2026

Teen critically injured in Richmond hit-and-run as police seek suspect vehicle

A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle that fled the scene late Saturday night in Richmond, according to RCMP. Police say officers were called just after 11:25 p.m. to reports of a disturbance in the 4200 block of No. 3 Road. When they arrived, they found the teenager unconscious and suffering serious injuries. He was taken to hospital by paramedics, where he continues to receive life-saving care. Investigators believe the collision followed an altercation near the roadway. The incident has prompted a parallel investigation into an alleged assault causi
alberta-ndp-urges-smith-government-to-act-as-doctors-warn-of-hospital-overcrowding
FeaturedJan 13, 2026

Alberta NDP urges Smith government to act as doctors warn of hospital overcrowding

Alberta’s Official Opposition NDP is pressing Premier Danielle Smith and the province’s four health ministers to implement emergency measures as doctors raise alarms over overcrowded hospitals. The call comes after the Alberta Medical Association reported that hospitals have been operating at more than 110 per cent capacity for over a year, creating strains on both staff and patient care. Dr. Brian Wirzba, president of the association, said public statements are a last resort for physicians who have repeatedly voiced concerns through internal channels without seeing adequate action. Meanwh
AlbertaJan 13, 2026

Alberta health official to update public as flu season strains hospitals

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health is expected to provide an update today on the province’s respiratory virus season, as hospitals across Alberta continue to face significant pressure. Health care leaders say elevated influenza activity has been a major factor behind ongoing capacity challenges, particularly since mid-December. Physicians have repeatedly warned that high patient volumes are limiting the system’s ability to respond to routine and urgent care needs. The provincial ministry responsible for hospitals has linked the surge in admissions to a sharp increase in flu cases