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astrazeneca-second-dose-good-choice-despite-federal-guidance-dr-bonnie-henry
BCJun 18, 2021

AstraZeneca second dose 'good choice' despite federal guidance: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia's top doctor says there is no wrong choice for a second COVID-19 vaccine dose despite recommendations from a federal panel that those who first got Oxford-AstraZeneca should choose Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for a second shot. New guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization says Pfizer or Moderna is preferred as the second dose based on growing evidence that the combination produces a stronger immune response. Previously, the committee said AstraZeneca recipients could choose to get a second dose of the same vaccine or a different shot. Henry says the recomme
suspect-breaks-into-family-home-while-residents-sleeping
BCJun 18, 2021

Suspect breaks into family home while residents sleeping

A local Kamloops family fell victim to a residential break and enter and theft of their vehicle while they slept in their family home.On June 12th, 2021 at 630am, Kamloops RCMP frontline officers received a report of a break and enter and theft of a vehicle that occurred from a residence on Sydney Avenue the previous evening. The homeowner said that while his family was sleeping, a suspect was able to gain entry to their home through an unlocked basement door. Once inside, the suspect quietly stole several valuable items, vehicle keys, and ate food from the refrigerator before departing the re
BCJun 17, 2021

City launches ‘surrey slow streets’ residential speed limit reduction pilot

Today, the City of Surrey launched the Surrey Slow Streets: Residential Speed Limit Reduction Pilot. Surrey Slow Streets is an important first step in understanding how reduced speed limits impact neighbourhood liveability, driver behaviour and safety on Surrey roads. "We know that high speeds pose a serious danger to the driver, cyclists and pedestrians, which is why Council approved the Surrey Slow Streets pilot project," said Mayor Doug McCallum. "Starting today, speed limits in six neighbourhoods will be reduced to 30km per hour or 40km per hour. During the one-year pilot, vehicle speeds,
ihit-investigating-suspicious-disappearance-of-parminder-paul-rai
BCJun 17, 2021

IHIT investigating suspicious disappearance of Parminder Paul Rai

On June 9, 2021, Parminder Paul Rai of Burnaby was reported missing by his family. He was last seen on June 4, 2021 at his residence in the area of University Crescent and Tower Road near Simon Fraser University. The Burnaby RCMP began its missing person investigation and preliminary findings suggested that Rai’s disappearance may involve foul play.On June 14, 2021, IHIT took conduct of the investigation in accordance with its mandate to investigate suspicious missing person investigations where foul play is suspected.Rai is a South Asian man, 5’10’’ in height and 185lbs. in weight. He
BCJun 17, 2021

Fatal crash between two trucks near Merritt, B.C., raises risk of roadside wildfire

A commercial truck driver has beenkilled on a British Columbia highway in a fiery crash that had thepotential to spread flames to the surrounding bush.RCMP and the BC Coroners Service are investigating thecollision that happened last night on Highway 97-C, near Merritt.Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey says a fully loaded lumber truck had brokendown and was parked on the shoulder when it was hit from behind by asecond truck.Emergency crews could not pull the driver of that rig out of thewreckage before flames engulfed both vehicles.O'Donaghey says the crash happened outside a fire protection zoneand polic
elections-bc-approves-petition-for-referendum-vote-on-surrey-policing-choice
BCJun 17, 2021

Elections BC approves petition for referendum vote on Surrey policing choice

Elections BC has approved a petition launched bythe widow of a Surrey, B.C., murder victim that could set off abinding referendum over policing in the city.Darlene Bennett, with the group Surrey Police Vote, launched thecampaign over concerns about rising costs associated with startingup a new municipal police force that will replace the RCMP.In order for the petition to succeed, setting off the referendum,signatures from at least 10 per cent of the registered voters ineach of British Columbia's 87 electoral districts must be collectedwithin 90 days of the petition's start.Bennett's husband wa
BCJun 17, 2021

Camper reunited with its family days after becoming lost while escaping attack

A dog is safe at home days after it was separated from its owner as they ran from a violent attack near downtown Victoria. Camper, a brown pit bull terrier with a black face, was located last night nearly five kilometres from the site where she and her owner fled their parked van Friday as a man smashed its windows with a hammer. There was a citywide search for the friendly pooch. Victoria police say another dog found the two-year-old pit bull and alerted its owner, who called a phone number on Camper's collar. A police statement says an investigation into the van attack is continuing but off
canadian-government-investing-up-to-29-million-to-support-domestic-production-of-respirators-and-surgical-masks
CanadaJun 17, 2021

Canadian government investing up to $29 million to support domestic production of respirators and surgical masks

The Canadian government is investing up to $29 million to support the domestic production of respirators and surgical masks in order to increase the country's capacity to deal with future pandemics. The funding is part of a $38.7-million project with Montreal-based Meltech Innovation Canada Inc., which specializes in the production of safety products and personal protective equipment. Minister of Innovation Francois-Philippe Champagne says the funding will help ensure Canadian front-line health-care workers continue to have a reliable supply of the equipment they need, while creating jobs in
tories-to-force-house-of-commons-vote-on-motion-to-censure-the-defence-minister
CanadaJun 17, 2021

Tories to force House of Commons vote on motion to censure the defence minister

Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole says his party will force the House of Commons to vote on a motion targeting Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan. Sajjan has been under heavy criticism since former military ombudsman Gary Walbourne revealed that he first flagged an allegation of sexual misconduct involving then-defence chief Jonathan Vance to the minister in March 2018.While Sajjan and the Liberal government say he followed all proper procedures, O'Toole says the minister has consistently failed victims of sexual misconduct in the military.O'Toole alleges Sajjan has also misled Canadians about his

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how-to-build-a-successful-business-exclusive-with-dragons-den-star-manjit-minhas
BCApr 17, 2026

How to build a successful business? Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)How to make start-ups successful?In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many peopl
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against an Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Friday. Johannes “John” de Ruiter and Leigh Ann de Ruiter each faced six counts of sexual assault and were scheduled to stand trial in September. The charges, first laid in 2023, will not proceed after prosecutors determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction, according to a statement from the Crown. Police previously alleged that John de Ruiter, described as the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, also ca
students-abducted-after-gunmen-attack-passenger-bus-in-central-nigeria
WorldApr 17, 2026

Students abducted after gunmen attack passenger bus in central Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state on Thursday, abducting several students who were travelling to sit for university examinations, according to a statement from the state government. Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia said the attack occurred along the Otukpo–Makurdi highway. The number of people taken has not been officially confirmed. Local media reports indicate there were 14 passengers on board at the time of the напад. “The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of hum
air-canada-to-suspend-toronto-montreal-flights-to-new-york-jfk-over-fuel-costs
CanadaApr 17, 2026

Air Canada to suspend Toronto, Montreal flights to New York JFK over fuel costs

Air Canada says it will suspend flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1 through Oct. 25, citing rising jet fuel prices. In a statement, the airline said fuel costs have “doubled since the start of the Iran conflict,” making some lower-profit routes no longer economically viable. The company said it is adjusting its schedule accordingly. The suspension affects service to JFK from Canada’s two largest cities, key routes for business and international connections. Air Canada said customers with affected bookings will be contact
WorldApr 17, 2026

U.K., France signal joint maritime mission after leaders’ meeting on Strait of Hormuz access

Leaders from multiple countries met Friday under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to a statement from the U.K. prime minister’s office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said participating countries welcomed Iran’s decision to keep the waterway open. He said leaders agreed the route must remain accessible without tolls or restrictions, citing its importance to global trade and energy supply. Starmer said reopening and maintaining shipping through the strait is critical to stabilizing economic pressur