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BCJan 14, 2021

Lawyer tells court, Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots

A lawyer for a man convicted of stabbing two high school students in Abbotsford says his client was not in control of himself at the time of the offence. Martin Peters is arguing in the BC Supreme Court that Gabriel Klein should not be held criminally responsible for the crimes. Peters said in his closing arguments that Klein believed he was stabbing a witch and a zombie with maggots coming out of its back, not two girls. Klein has testified that he was following the directions of voices in his head and believed that stabbing monsters was "just." Klein was convicted of second-degree murder an
24-years-after-reena-virks-murder-parole-board-continues-kelly-ellards-release
BCJan 14, 2021

24 years after Reena Virk's murder, parole board continues Kelly Ellard's release

The 38 year old woman convicted of murdering teenager Reena Virk near Victoria in 1997 will be allowed to continue her day parole. The Parole Board of Canada has released its ruling on Kelly Ellard, who now goes by the name of Kerry Sim. In a decision released Thursday, the board says Sim, now the mother of two young children, remains "positive and compliant" in the community and continues to have high reintegration potential. Her day parole was expanded last summer to allow her to live away from a residential facility for up to five days each week and the parole board is continuing that orde
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is calling on the Liberal government to ease access to paid sick leave for Canadian workers to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Singh is criticizing the lag between filing for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit and receiving it, a delay he compared to applying for employment insurance. He is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to recall Parliament and legislate 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated employees through the Canada Labour Code, and to further promote the one-week, $500 benefit that is already in place. The New Democrat leader says upt
bku-chief-bhupinder-singh-mann-recuses-himself-from-sc-appointed-panel-on-farm-laws
IndiaJan 14, 2021

BKU chief Bhupinder Singh Mann recuses himself from SC-appointed panel on farm laws

Bhupinder Singh Mann, the National President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mann) and Chairman of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), on Thursday recused himself from the 4-member committee constituted by the Supreme Court to resolve the impasse between farmers and the Centre over the new farm laws.This comes a day before the Central government is scheduled to hold the next round of talks with farmers' unions in New Delhi on Friday.Former Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Mann said he is "thankful" to the top court for nominating him in the committee but would "sacrifice" any positio
emergency-doctors-call-for-greater-transparency-on-vaccine-rollout
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Emergency doctors call for greater transparency on vaccine rollout

The professional group for emergency doctors in Canada wants more transparency about COVID-19 vaccine distribution.The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians is calling for a clear description of who is being prioritized for the first doses and why. It also wants priority to go to those directly caring for patients who are critically ill or suspected of having COVID-19.The association says many members in areas with limited human resources have not been vaccinated, but urban providers who have less patient contact appear to have received doses.A Wednesday statement says communication ab
active-case-count-of-covid-19-cases-dips-below-5-000-in-b-c
BCJan 14, 2021

Active case count of COVID-19 cases dips below 5,000 in B.C.

British Columbia health officials say they've added a senior official to the province's immunization response team to help with the program as it gets more complex. Dr. Penny Ballem will be the executive lead and work with the health minister and other officials to ensure the province is ready for community immunization when the vaccine supply is more readily available in April. So far, 63,430 people have received a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. and officials say work is underway to align the available supply with a person's level of risk. The province is reporting 519 new cases of COVID-19 and 12
bc-born-gold-medallist-at-two-olympic-games-kathleen-heddle-dead-of-cancer-at-55
BCJan 14, 2021

BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games Kathleen Heddle, dead of cancer at 55

A BC born gold medallist at two Olympic Games has died of cancer. Rowing Canada says Kathleen Heddle died at home in Vancouver on Monday at the age of 55. Heddle and Marnie McBean won Olympic gold medals in rowing in 1992 and 1996 and Heddle also won another gold with the women's eight in 1992. A statement issued on behalf of her family says the rower born in Trail had been battling several forms of cancer for six years. Tweet from Rowing Canada Aviron: It is with great sadness that we share this news on behalf of the family of Kathleen Heddle: https://bit.ly/3oIEX5l
b-c-judge-reserves-decision-on-meng-wanzhou-bail-conditions
BCJan 14, 2021

B.C. judge reserves decision on Meng Wanzhou bail conditions

A judge says he will reserve his decision on whether to loosen bail restrictions for Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou. Meng's lawyers want her to be allowed to leave her Vancouver home outside the hours of her curfew without being accompanied by private security staff, who they say put her at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. The chief financial officer for Huawei is wanted in the United States on fraud charges based on allegations that both she and the company deny. Justice William Ehrcke of the B.C. Supreme Court says he will reserve his decision and raised the possibility of issuing
hundreds-of-passengers-have-missed-their-flights-since-ottawas-new-covid-19-testing-requirement-for-international-travellers
CanadaJan 14, 2021

Hundreds of passengers have missed their flights since Ottawa's new COVID-19 testing requirement for international travellers

Canada's new COVID-19 testing requirement for international travellers has caused hundreds of people to miss flights in the first week of the program's rollout. Under the new restrictions, all passengers flying to Canada from another country must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken at most 72 hours prior to departure. Since the testing mandate went into effect on Jan. 7, WestJet says it has denied boarding to at least 385 guests because they did not meet the requirements. Similarly, Air Transat has denied boarding to at least 245 passengers for testing-related reasons since Jan. 7, a

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senior-leaders-of-edmonton-based-infantry-battalion-removed-amid-investigation
AlbertaJun 24, 2026

Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion removed amid investigation

The Department of National Defence says two senior leaders of a respected Armed Forces battalion have been removed pending an investigation. It says Lt.-Col. Jason Hudson and chief warrant officer Kim Doerr have been temporarily removed from their positions with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Hudson was the Edmonton-based unit's commanding officer. The Defence Department is sharing few details about the probe but says authority figures are expected to display good judgment and conduct. It says the 3rd Canadian Division, which oversees all Forces operations across W
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WorldJun 24, 2026

Marco Rubio Meets UAE Leaders in Abu Dhabi to Discuss Iran and Regional Security

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior leaders in Abu Dhabi during his visit to the UAE. According to reports, the two sides discussed President Donald Trump's agreement with Iran, efforts to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and ways to maintain peace and stability in the region. The meeting also focused on the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and the UAE, as well as ongoing cooperation in defense and trade. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigo
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BCJun 24, 2026

Missing Person for Location – Ganavi Ksheer Sagar

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 12-year-old female. Ganavi Ksheer Sagar was last seen at approximately 8:15 am on June 23, 2026, in the 6200 block 146 Street. Ganavi Ksheer Sagar is described as South Asian, 5’1” tall, 150 lbs, with long black hair and brown eyes (please see attached photo). She was last seen wearing a black hoodie, grey or black pants, white shoes, and a blue Nike backpack. She is believed to be on foot and may be in the area of North Surrey. Police and family are concerned and are requesting assistance from the
lytton-wildfire-brought-under-control-as-24-fires-remain-active-across-b-c
BCJun 24, 2026

Lytton Wildfire Brought Under Control as 24 Fires Remain Active Across B.C.

The wildfire burning near the Village of Lytton, B.C., has now been brought under control. The fire was first discovered last Friday and is believed to have been caused by human activity. The blaze grew sixfold overnight, prompting evacuation orders and forcing the temporary closure of Highway 1 through the area. According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, eight new wildfires were discovered across the province in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of active wildfires in British Columbia to 24. Fire crews continue working to contain and extinguish the blazes. The agency said that 13 of t
severe-heatwave-in-france-claims-58-lives-40-drown-while-trying-to-escape-the-heat
WorldJun 24, 2026

Severe Heatwave in France Claims 58 Lives; 40 Drown While Trying to Escape the Heat

A severe heatwave in France has claimed the lives of 58 people so far. According to reports, many people have been seeking relief from the scorching temperatures by swimming in rivers, lakes, and canals. As a result, 40 people have drowned over the past few days, with most of the victims being young people. In addition, 18 people, including two children, have died from heat-related illnesses and heatstroke. The extreme temperatures also forced the shutdown of France's Golfech nuclear power plant on Monday night. Officials expect the temperature of the Garonne River, which is used to cool the p