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statement-from-the-mayor-urging-federal-government-to-designate-extortion-gangs-as-terrorist-organizations
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Surrey Mayor urging federal government to designate extortion...

Today, I am joining calls for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and any other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent as terrorist organizations under Canadian law. Whether these groups operate locally or internationally, this designation is a critical step in equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect our residents and businesses. The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable. We have seen a disturbing rise in extortions, threats of violence, an
28-charges-laid-in-northern-bc-drug-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 25, 2025

28 Charges Laid in Northern BC Drug Trafficking Investigation

Four individuals have been charged following a 14-month drug trafficking and firearms investigation led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) in Northern BC. The investigation began in April 2023, targeting a drug trafficking network operating in Prince Rupert. On June 5, 2024, following a 14-month investigation, CFSEU-BC North District, in partnership with the Prince Rupert RCMP and with assistance from the Prince Rupert Coastal Unit, executed five search warrants in Prince Rupert. Investigators seized the following items: • Nine (9) firearms, incl
carney-says-canada-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2035
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Carney says Canada to spend 5% of GDP on defence by 2035

NATO allies, including Canada, have agreed to increase defense spending to five percent of GDP over the next 10 years. This means that Western countries, including Ottawa, are going to invest heavily in defense by 2035. The new target was approved during a NATO summit in the Netherlands today, a significant policy victory for President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte opened the meeting by praising Trump for increasing defense spending. The five percent target is divided into two parts, with the first 3.5 percent focusing on core defense needs, including fighter jets and weapo
vigilance-takes-bikram-singh-majithia-into-custody
IndiaJun 25, 2025

Vigilance takes Bikram Singh Majithia into custody

Punjab Vigilance today arrested former Akali Minister Bikram Majithia after raiding his Amritsar residence, in a case of disproportionate assets. Vigilance has seized 29 mobile phones, 4 laptops, 2 iPads, 8 diaries and other documents from Majithia’s house. This new case comes at a time when a drug-related case registered against Majithia under the NDPS Act in 2021 is already under investigation. Majithia said that this entire action is being taken with a sense of political vendetta but he is not going to be intimidated by it.
calgary-stampede-rodeo-safety-to-include-shaded-pens-heart-monitors-for-horses
CanadaJun 25, 2025

Calgary Stampede rodeo safety to include shaded pens, heart monitors for horses

Tents are being set up to provide shade for bulls and broncs, and some chuckwagon horses are to be fitted with tiny electrocardiograms at the upcoming Calgary Stampede. Ed Pajor (PAY'-jor) is a professor of animal behaviour and welfare in the University of Calgary's faculty of veterinary medicine. The university is working with the Stampede to study some of the animals this year. Pajor says based on the scorching heat during the Stampede last summer, the animals could use a break. Pajor says tents will be provided to some of the bulls and broncos to see if it makes a difference. Researc
april-sees-uptick-in-b-c-overdose-deaths-with-165-fatalities-coroners-service
BCJun 25, 2025

April sees uptick in B.C. overdose deaths with 165 fatalities: coroners service

British Columbia's coroners service says a rebound in overdoses in April saw a return to more than 160 deaths a month due to toxic drugs. The April death toll follows last month's update that confirmed March as the sixth consecutive month during which fewer than 160 people died. The BC Coroners Service says in a statement that 165 people died in April, up from 143 deaths in March and 132 fatalities in February. The February and March numbers represented year-over-year declines of more than 30 per cent compared with the same months in 2024. The statement released Tuesday says deaths in the Fras
b-c-economy-will-get-a-kick-out-of-hosting-fifa-world-cup-games-government-says
BCJun 25, 2025

B.C. economy will get a kick out of hosting FIFA World Cup games, government says

There is less than a year to go before Vancouver is on the global stage hosting seven FIFA World Cup soccer games, and leaders are promoting the economic benefits of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the international showcase. A joint statement from B.C. Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in spending. The statement says more than 18,000 jobs could be generated in that same period. It says FIFA predicts that preparing
alberta-next-panel-announced-with-legislature-members-academics-and-business-leaders
AlbertaJun 25, 2025

Alberta Next panel announced with legislature members, academics and business leaders

Premier Danielle Smith says she'll be spending the summer touring the province with business leaders, backbenchers and an academic to find ways to protect Alberta from what she calls federal mistreatment and overreach. She says Ottawa is to blame for decades of lost investment and resource revenue and that Alberta can't be held back any longer. The premier is to lead the Alberta Next panel, which also includes three United Conservative Party legislature members, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz, a retired judge and a physician. Smith says following a summer of town halls across
bc-165-people-died-from-unregulated-toxic-drugs-in-april-2025
BCJun 24, 2025

BC: 165 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in April 2025

Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) finds that 165 people died from unregulated toxic drugs in April 2025. In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 68% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 77% were male. April marks a return to more than 160 deaths attributed to unregulated drug toxicity reported to the BC Coroners Service after six consecutive months of reporting fewer than 160 deaths a month. By health authority in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health authorities (18

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surrey-police-seek-more-victims-after-two-charged-in-child-exploitation-investigation
CanadaDec 19, 2025

Surrey police seek more victims after two charged in child exploitation investigation

Surrey Police Service and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit are asking potential victims and witnesses to come forward following arrests in a child exploitation investigation that began last year. Investigators say the case involves alleged offences that occurred over several years and may include additional victims who have not yet been identified. Police say the investigation was launched in October 2024 by the Surrey RCMP Special Victims Unit after receiving information related to alleged child sexual abuse material dating back to 2021. A man and a woman were later identifi
carney-reshuffles-senior-public-service-as-ottawa-heads-into-new-year
CanadaDec 19, 2025

Carney reshuffles senior public service as Ottawa heads into new year

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a series of senior public service appointments, reorganizing key deputy minister roles as the federal government prepares for a busy policy agenda in the new year. Among the most prominent changes, Quebec Court of Appeal Justice Marie-Josée Hogue has been named deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general of Canada. Hogue previously led the federal public inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections, which concluded earlier this year that there was limited evidence of successful interference affecting election outcomes. At the Depa
putin-opens-annual-news-conference-amid-renewed-international-focus-on-ukraine-war
WorldDec 19, 2025

Putin opens annual news conference amid renewed international focus on Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun his annual year-end news conference, a closely followed event where he traditionally addresses domestic concerns and outlines Moscow’s position on major global issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The televised session is once again combined with a nationwide call-in program, allowing citizens from across Russia to submit questions directly to the president. The format has been a fixture of Putin’s leadership and is often used to reinforce his authority while presenting the Kremlin’s narrative on economic conditions, governance, and for
WorldDec 19, 2025

EU approves 90 billion euro loan package to support Ukraine through 2027

European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro interest-free loan aimed at supporting the country’s military operations and stabilizing its economy over the next two years. The decision was confirmed Friday by European Council President Antonio Costa following late-night negotiations among member states. In a statement posted on social media, Costa said the funding package for 2026 and 2027 reflects the bloc’s long-term commitment to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Details on how the loan will be financed have not yet been
supreme-court-declines-interim-bail-to-majithia-issues-notice-to-punjab-government
IndiaDec 19, 2025

Supreme Court declines interim bail to Majithia, issues notice to Punjab government

The Supreme Court of India has declined to grant interim bail to senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case, while issuing a notice to the Punjab government seeking its response to his bail plea. A bench of the top court directed the state government to file its reply within four weeks. The matter has been listed for further hearing on January 19, after the state submits its response. Majithia is facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, with investigators alleging he amassed assets worth more than Rs. 540 crore beyond his known sourc