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BCDec 09, 2020

Finance minister says B.C. recovery benefits program accepting applications Dec. 18

The BC government has introduced legislation to provide a pandemic recovery benefit of one thousand dollars for eligible families and 500-dollars for individuals. Finance Minister Selina Robinson says the cost of the COVID-19 aid program is about 1.7 billion dollars, including 150 dollars a month in increases to income and disability assistance starting in January. Robinson says about 3.7 million people will receive the one-time pandemic benefit and can start applying on December 18th. She says she expects some people will receive it before Christmas, while others will get the money deposited
increase-in-claims-of-elder-abuse-fuels-further-study-by-b-c-s-advocate-for-seniors
BCDec 08, 2020

Increase in claims of elder abuse fuels further study by B.C.'s advocate for seniors

BC's seniors advocate has started a separate review into elder abuse in the province after finding an increase in the problem in her annual review. Isobel Mackenzie's report says calls to the seniors abuse and information line saw a 17 per cent increase. But her report also says it's unclear how big the problem is because they don't have the proper tools to measure abuse or neglect of seniors, prompting her further review with a report due next year. She says the RCMP reports that almost 1,700 seniors experienced a violent event last year and 19-thousand reported property crimes such as theft
victoria-police-searching-for-the-victim-of-a-hate-crime-on-a-bc-transit-bus
BCDec 08, 2020

Victoria police searching for the victim of a hate crime on a BC Transit bus

Victoria police say they're looking for both the victim and witnesses to a hate crime on a BC Transit bus. Police say it happened November 28 when a man got on bus number 15 and began targeting the lone Black man with racial slurs for several minutes. A witness reported it to police and officers obtained the surveillance video on the bus. Police say they've now identified a suspect, but say the need to speak with the victim to continue their investigation.
BCDec 08, 2020

Fraser Health declares COVID-19 outbreak over at Ridge Meadows Hospital

A COVID-19 outbreak at Ridge Meadows Hospital in Maple Ridge has been declared over more than a month after it started. The Fraser Health Authority says the outbreak started November 5th with evidence of transmission in the in-patient rehabilitation unit. Ridge Meadows was one of five acute-care facilities with current outbreaks. Burnaby, Langley Memorial, Lions Gate and Surrey Memorial hospitals remain on the list for outbreaks.
rcmp-officer-told-the-bc-supreme-court-he-updated-the-fbi-when-the-huawei-executive-was-arrested
BCDec 08, 2020

RCMP officer told the BC Supreme Court, he updated the FBI when the Huawei executive was arrested

An RCMP officer who was tasked as a point person for US investigators during the 2018 arrest of Meng Wanzhou at Vancouver's airport says he didn't see himself as working for them. Sergeant Ross Lundie told the BC Supreme Court yesterday that he updated the Federal Bureau of Investigation when the Huawei executive was arrested but he didn't see anything wrong with that. He told the court in Meng's ongoing extradition case that he wasn't acting on behalf of the FBI, but he was there working as an RCMP member. Meng's lawyers are seeking evidence to support an abuse of process claim that alleges
BCDec 08, 2020

Throne speech provides few details on what people can expect as an economic recovery plan from NDP: Sonia Furstenau

Green Leader Sonia Furstenau says many of the details in yesterday's throne speech outlined actions the government launched before October's election. She says the speech also provides few details on what people can expect as an economic recovery plan from the NDP. The BC Liberal party's interim leader says the Opposition plans to use the legislative session to push the New Democrats to address problems beyond the pandemic, especially on the province's finances. Shirley Bond says the legislature should also be doing more than passing one piece of legislation before Christmas to allow COVID-19
covid-19-restrictions-in-british-columbia-extended-to-jan-8-2-020-new-cases-and-35-deaths-reported
BCDec 08, 2020

COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia extended to Jan. 8; 2,020 new cases and 35 deaths reported

COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia have been extended to Jan. 8 as the province continues to experience high levels of transmission and community spread of the virus. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says restrictions on gatherings are being extended. All worship services and community and social events remain suspended, along with high-intensity group fitness, such as interval training, hot yoga and spin classes. The latest order includes an exemption for drive-thru events like light festivals and drop-off toy drives. Dr. Henry says 2,020 new cases of the illness have
plans-to-fight-the-second-wave-of-covid-19-and-to-mount-a-strong-economic-recovery-focus-of-b-c-s-throne-speech
BCDec 08, 2020

Plans to fight the second wave of COVID-19 and to mount a strong economic recovery focus of B.C.'s throne speech

The newly re-elected NDP government says it will strive to ensure that people work together to fight the second wave of COVID-19 and to mount a strong economic recovery. In a throne speech read by Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin, the government says vaccines herald better days ahead but the virus still poses urgent challenges in the short term. It says a tax-free pandemic recovery payment of one-thousand dollars to eligible families and 500-dollars to individuals will help people during a hard time, while benefiting the local economy. The plan was to deliver the benefit in time for Christmas
BCDec 07, 2020

230 dollar fine issued to a man in a restaurant who refused to wear a mask: Victoria police

Victoria police say they issued a 230 dollar fine this weekend to a man in a restaurant who refused to wear a mask. Police didn't name the restaurant where the fine was issued, but they say officers were called to the business on Saturday evening. They say the man allegedly became belligerent and repeatedly swore at staff when he was asked to wear a mask. Police say they found the man as he was leaving the restaurant and issued the ticket.

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IndiaJul 28, 2026

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says no exam papers leaked during AAP government’s tenure

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said his government has not reported any paper leaks in the state during the past four and a half years, rejecting allegations raised by opposition leaders. Mann’s remarks came hours after BJP MPs protested outside Parliament demanding the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains over alleged irregularities related to examinations. According to Mann, the Punjab government has provided 69,000 government jobs during its tenure based on merit and without recommendations, paper leaks or cash transactions. He said allegations of paper leaks were be
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WorldJul 28, 2026

Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Washington seeking stronger air defence support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday for talks focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities against ballistic missile attacks. According to Ukrainian officials, the discussions are expected to include continued U.S. support for Ukraine’s air defence systems, including efforts related to Patriot missile interceptors. Ukraine has said it needs additional Patriot interceptors to help counter Russian ballistic missile attacks. The meeting comes as Russia has increased missile and drone strikes targeting Ukr
CanadaJul 28, 2026

Court records show Etobicoke murder suspect was under no-contact order involving victim

Court records show the 37-year-old man charged with first-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Navneet Kaur in Toronto's Etobicoke area was already subject to a court-ordered no-contact condition involving the victim before the fatal shooting. According to court records, Sharanjit Singh was arrested on July 17 last year on charges of criminal harassment and assault involving Navneet Kaur. He was released the following day under strict bail conditions that prohibited him from contacting her directly or indirectly and from attending her residence or workplace. Toronto Police have described
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CanadaJul 28, 2026

Canada's trade minister to visit Washington for key meetings amid ongoing trade tensions

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, will travel to Washington, D.C., this week for a series of meetings focused on Canada–U.S. trade relations, according to a spokesperson for his office. Canada's chief trade negotiator to the United States, Janice Charette, will accompany him. The visit comes as trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue after nearly 18 months of disputes. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. Following a phone call with Trump, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the two leaders agreed
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WorldJul 28, 2026

Power outages, infrastructure damage reported after 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Japan's Kumamoto region

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan's southern Kumamoto region on Tuesday, causing widespread power outages, damage to roads and buildings, and disrupting transportation, according to Japanese authorities. Police said several people are believed to be trapped under debris following structural collapses. Authorities have also warned residents to remain alert for strong aftershocks. Local reports indicate that more than 50 injured people were admitted to one hospital, while several others were hurt after a bullet train reportedly derailed during the earthquake. Officials initially issued a t