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CanadaJul 08, 2026

WSO welcomes Operation Hard Ball arrests, says questions remain about alleged role of Indian authorities

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has welcomed Operation Hard Ball, a joint law enforcement initiative by authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi network and other India-based organized crime groups. In a statement, WSO President Danish Singh said the arrests made through the operation represent an important step but argued that questions remain about how Lawrence Bishnoi was allegedly able to operate an international criminal network while in custody in India. Singh also called for scrutiny of whether any Indian officials played a role in f
carney-voices-support-for-u-s-action-on-iran-during-nato-summit-according-to-report
CanadaJul 08, 2026

Carney voices support for U.S. action on Iran during NATO summit, according to report

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed support for recent U.S. military strikes on Iran during a NATO summit in Ankara, according to the information provided. The reported remarks described the military action as an appropriate response to alleged ceasefire violations. According to the report, Carney said Iran had continued targeting locations in Saudi Arabia and Qatar in what he characterized as irresponsible actions, adding that the U.S. response had become necessary. The report also said U.S. President Donald Trump announced an end to a ceasefire with Iran and criticized NATO allies, accusing
public-safety-minister-says-operation-hard-ball-delivers-major-blow-to-organized-crime-networks
CanadaJul 08, 2026

Public Safety Minister says Operation Hard Ball delivers major blow to organized crime networks

Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, says a joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as "Operation Hard Ball" has dealt a significant blow to three transnational organized crime groups, including the Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gangs. He said individuals involved in intimidation and violent criminal activity in Canada will continue to face enforcement action. According to the minister, authorities have made 24 arrests worldwide as part of the operation, including three arrests in Canada. He said the coordinated investigation has disrupted criminal networks accused
u-s-says-24-arrested-in-global-organized-crime-investigation-linked-to-nijjar-killing
CanadaJul 08, 2026

Joint operation by RCMP and FBI to take down organized crime groups

Canada's RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme told a press conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, in presence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation representatives, that 24 arrests have been made and several charges have been laid in connection with global organized crime networks. The RCMP released a news release after the press conference in which it named Lawrence Bishnoi, Ravinder Dhanda and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria about the crimes in Canada. The statement suggested that the groups and individuals are involved in crimes such as extortion, drug trafficking, kidnapping and violence in Canada and the US
cbsa-lays-12-charges-against-two-alleged-immigration-agents-in-126-000-international-student-tuition-fraud-case
CanadaJul 07, 2026

CBSA lays 12 charges against two alleged immigration agents in $126,000 international student tuition fraud case

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid 12 criminal charges against two alleged immigration agents accused of defrauding international students of nearly $126,000 through a tuition fee scheme. According to the CBSA, the investigation began in February 2025 after Lambton College provided confidential information alleging that the suspects collected tuition payments from students, issued fraudulent documents, and failed to enroll them in the post-secondary programs they had promised. Following the seizure and examination of digital evidence, the CBSA said Hardik Dave of Cambridge, Ont.
carney-appoints-principal-secretary-tom-pitfield-conservative-mp-richard-martel-to-senate
CanadaJul 07, 2026

Carney appoints principal secretary Tom Pitfield, Conservative MP Richard Martel to Senate

Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed four new senators, including his principal secretary Tom Pitfield and Conservative MP Richard Martel, marking the first Senate appointments of his tenure. The Prime Minister's Office announced Tuesday that Pitfield and Martel will represent Quebec in the upper chamber. According to the announcement, Carney is also ending the previous government's practice of using a non-partisan advisory process as the primary criterion for Senate appointments. Pitfield has served as Carney's principal secretary since the prime minister took office in March 2025 and has
carney-erdogan-agree-to-launch-canada-türkiye-free-trade-talks-during-nato-summit
CanadaJul 07, 2026

Carney, Erdogan agree to launch Canada–Türkiye free trade talks during NATO summit

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday during the NATO Summit in Ankara, where the two leaders discussed defence, security, critical minerals, energy and Canada's continued support for Ukraine, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister's Office said Carney and Erdogan also agreed to begin formal negotiations on a Canada–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement. The federal government said bilateral trade between Canada and Türkiye reached $4.3 billion in 2025 and that a trade agreement could create new opportunities for businesses, work
astronaut-jeremy-hansen-to-leave-canadian-space-agency-in-september
CanadaJul 06, 2026

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen to leave Canadian Space Agency in September

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is leaving the Canadian Space Agency after announcing he will step down in September to pursue new professional opportunities, the agency said. Hansen, who made history earlier this year by taking part in NASA's Artemis 2 mission around the Moon, informed the agency of his decision to leave the astronaut corps. According to the Canadian Space Agency, he will continue serving as a reservist with the Royal Canadian Air Force after his departure. The Canadian Space Agency did not provide additional details about Hansen's future plans or identify the professional o
canada-seeks-clarity-after-u-s-proposes-annual-cusma-reviews
CanadaJul 06, 2026

Canada seeks clarity after U.S. proposes annual CUSMA reviews

Canada's Minister responsible for Canada–U.S. Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, says the Trump administration's proposal to review the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) every year instead of extending it in its current form until 2042 has created significant uncertainty for Ottawa. According to LeBlanc, both Canada and Mexico had sought to maintain the trade agreement for another 16 years to provide long-term certainty for businesses and investors. However, Washington has indicated it is considering substantial changes to the agreement. LeBlanc said he and Mexico's Economy Secretary Ma

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T