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BCSep 11, 2020

Murky skies forecast as more smoke from U.S. wildfires drifts toward B.C.

Heat advisories have ended in British Columbia following several days of record breaking temperatures in some areas, but Environment Canada's advisories about wildfire smoke still stand.The weather office is maintaining smoky skies bulletins for most of Vancouver Island and all of the inner south coast and southern B.C., east to the Kootenay region. The advisory says forecast models over the next 24 to 48 hours show the potential for long-range transport of smoke from dozens of wildfires in the northwestern United States.Environment Canada's air quality health index lists air quality at moder
b-c-gang-leader-jamie-bacon-to-be-sentenced-today-in-surrey-six
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C. gang leader Jamie Bacon sentenced for 18 years in Surrey Six case

Gang leader Jamie Bacon has been sentenced to 18 years in prison, less time served, for his part in six fatal shootings in a Surrey highrise 13 years ago. It means the 35 year old client will spend a further five years and seven months behind bars. Bacon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to murder Corey Lal in the so-called Surrey Six case and one count of counselling to commit murder related to a separate, non-fatal shooting in December, 2008. The slaying and attempted murder were related to drug trafficking conducted while Bacon was one of the leaders of a gang known as the Red Scor
b-c-sets-new-daily-record-of-covid-19-cases-at-139-hospitalizations-climbing
BCSep 11, 2020

B.C. sets new daily record of COVID-19 cases at 139, hospitalizations climbing

British Columbia reached a record of daily COVID-19 cases today as schools reopened across the province. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 139 new cases for a provincial total of 6,830 since the pandemic began. Hospitalizations also rose to 42, with 14 of those people in intensive care. There are no new deaths and the total number of fatalities remains at 213. Dr. Henry says she understands the first day of school can be an anxious event, especially this year during a global pandemic. She says public health teams are ready to support schools, which will be alerted as soon a
british-columbias-health-minister-celebrating-a-judges-decision-against-a-surgeon
BCSep 11, 2020

British Columbia's health minister celebrating a judge's decision against a surgeon

British Columbia's health minister is celebrating a judge's decision against a surgeon advocating for the rights of patients to pay for private medical care. Adrian Dix says it highlights the significant role of the public health-care system as a cornerstone of Canada's identity. Doctor Brian Day challenged the province's Medicare Protection Act, which bans extra billing and private insurance for medically necessary procedures. After a four year trial, a judge ruled that Day and other plaintiffs failed to show patients' rights are being infringed by the act, adding its focus is on equitable a
violent-sexual-assault-in-victoria-police-asking-witnesses-to-come-forward
BCSep 10, 2020

Violent sexual assault in Victoria; police asking witnesses to come forward

Victoria police are asking any witnesses to come forward if they have information about a violent sexual assault that happened just north of the downtown core late Monday night. Police say the victim was injured and was treated in hospital after being attacked and then sexually assaulted by an unknown man just after 10 p.m. The victim reports the attacker was 30 to 40 years old, black, about six feet tall and spoke with an East African accent. He also wore a mask, jeans and T-shirt and was pushing an older-style racing bicycle.
100-new-covid-19-cases-and-two-new-outbreaks-reported-in-b-c
BCSep 10, 2020

100 new COVID-19 cases and two new outbreaks reported in B.C.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 100 new cases, and no new epi-linked cases, for a total of 6,691 cases in British Columbia. "There are 1,378 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, 3,101 people who are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases and 5,086 people who tested positive have recovered. "Currently, 37 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19
b-c-s-fall-pandemic-response-plan-includes-more-testing-tracing-and-flu-shots
BCSep 09, 2020

B.C.'s fall pandemic response plan includes more testing, tracing and flu shots

British Columbia's fall and winter pandemic battle plan involves ramping up COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and a campaign to administer almost two million flu shots. Health Ministry officials say they have prepared the province for COVID-19 scenarios ranging from low to exceptional outbreaks and they are confident the health system can meet the challenges. The officials say some of the preparations include being able to conduct up to 20,000 daily COVID-19 tests, hiring more than 600 additional contact tracers and purchasing more than 1.9 million doses of flu vaccine. The officials say the
bc-ferries-passengers-not-allowed-to-stay-in-their-vehicles-fromsept-30
BCSep 09, 2020

BC Ferries passengers not allowed to stay in their vehicles from Sept. 30

BC Ferries passengers will no longer be allowed to stay in their vehicles starting September 30th. The ferry service says Transport Canada is rescinding the temporary flexibility it granted ferry operators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It says enclosed car decks represent inherent risk to travellers and Transport Canada has determined there's a clear case for ending the practice. Face coverings are still mandatory on BC Ferries vessels and the company says it will reopen certain dining areas for seating only to make more space for physical distancing.
first-nation-in-powell-river-b-c-declares-emergency-after-covid-19-outbreak
BCSep 09, 2020

First Nation in Powell River, B.C., declares emergency after COVID-19 outbreak

A British Columbia First Nation has issued a state of emergency after confirmation that four members have COVID-19 and several others are reporting symptoms of the virus.A notice on the Tla'amin Nation website says residents have been ordered to shelter in place to slow the spread of the virus while health officials complete contact tracing.The order affecting the community, which is in the area of Powell River, took effect late Tuesday afternoon and advised members they should stay where the are for the next 72 hours.Access to the First Nation, about 170 kilometres northwest of Vancouver, ha

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CanadaOct 30, 2025

Two Arrested After Gunfire Damages Surrey Home; Police Probe Possible Extortion Link

Surrey Police Service has arrested two men following an overnight shooting that damaged a home in the area of 56 Avenue and King George Boulevard early Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene around 2 a.m. on October 30 after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, police confirmed that the exterior of a residence had been struck by bullets. Several people were inside the home at the time, but no one was injured. Frontline officers later located a suspect vehicle nearby and arrested two men, who remain in custody as the investigation continues. The SPS Frontline Investigative Suppor
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WorldOct 30, 2025

Trump administration cuts U.S. refugee admissions to 7,500, with priority for white South Africans

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees the United States will accept in the coming fiscal year, setting a cap of 7,500 – the lowest in the country’s modern history. A notice published Thursday in the Federal Register confirmed the decision, which also prioritizes applications from white South Africans, a move critics say signals a major shift in U.S. refugee policy. The new ceiling marks a drastic decline from the 125,000 refugee limit set under President Joe Biden’s administration. The White House offered no detailed explanation for the cut, s
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IndiaOct 30, 2025

Tripat Rajinder Bajwa resigns from Punjab Assembly select committee on sacred texts bill

Senior Congress leader and former Punjab cabinet minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa has resigned from the 15-member select committee of the Punjab Legislative Assembly formed to review the “Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Sacred Religious Texts Bill, 2025.” According to official sources, Bajwa’s resignation was submitted to the Speaker and has been formally accepted by the Assembly. Party insiders said the veteran leader stepped down citing procedural and political differences related to the committee’s functioning. Some accounts also attribute the decision to his health condit
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FeaturedOct 30, 2025

Alberta students walk out, gather at legislature over teachers’ back-to-work bill

Students across Alberta left their classrooms on Thursday to rally at the provincial legislature, protesting the government’s decision to force striking teachers back to work. Many wore red clothing and carried homemade signs to show solidarity with educators. The walkouts, coordinated through social media, spread to several schools as students voiced frustration with what they described as an attack on teachers’ rights. The demonstrations followed the provincial government’s move to fast-track a back-to-work bill through the legislature earlier this week. Premier Danielle Smith’s gove
police-investigate-attempted-home-break-in-in-new-westminster
BCOct 30, 2025

Police investigate attempted home break-in in New Westminster

Police in New Westminster are investigating after a woman reported someone tried to enter her home early Thursday morning. The New Westminster Police Department said the woman called 911 around 4:30 a.m. after hearing her patio door open. When she approached the door, she reportedly saw a leg stepping inside. The intruder fled when she screamed. Officers responded to the 200 block of 11th Street but have not yet identified a suspect. Investigators continue to search for leads in the case. “It’s hard to imagine waking up to find someone trying to enter your home,” Sgt. Andrew Leaver said