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CanadaSep 25, 2025

Starbucks to close stores, lay off 900 workers as part of turnaround plan

Starbucks is laying off around 900 non-retail employees and closing some U.S. and Canadian stores as it focuses more of its resources on a turnaround. The Seattle coffee giant will notify employees whose positions are being eliminated early Friday and said that it plans to close an undetermined number of stores in North America in the coming days. A review of Starbucks locations revealed that many are falling short of financial performance targets or are failing to create the environment customers expect, according to a letter sent by Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Thursday. ``Each
CanadaSep 25, 2025

India's new top envoy to be sworn in today as signs emerge of a thaw in relations

Indian's new high commissioner to Canada is being sworn in this afternoon at Rideau Hall, following a series of high-level visits by Canadian officials. Along with other new envoys, Dinesh Patnaik is set to visit Gov. Gen. Mary Simon today to present his credentials, marking the official start of his term. Relations between Canada and India have been strained since Canadian police accused New Delhi of playing a role in the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver. The chill began to lift slightly in June when Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mo
WorldSep 25, 2025

Paris court sentences Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy

A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy. The court found him guilty of attempting to finance his 2007 campaign with funds from Libya. Sarkozy, who is 70, will be incarcerated even if he appeals. He has denounced the ruling as a scandalous injustice and plans to appeal. The court also found two of his former ministers guilty of criminal association. However, the court cleared Sarkozy of charges including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Despite legal scandals, Sarkozy remains influential in French po
carney-heading-to-the-u-k-to-talk-trade-with-world-leaders
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Carney heading to the U.K. to talk trade with world leaders

Prime Minster Mark Carney is heading to the United Kingdom this week to discuss trade ties and other geopolitical issues with world leaders. The Prime Minister's Office says Carney will be in London from Sept. 25 to 28. He's set to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the prime ministers of Iceland, Australia, Spain and Denmark. His office says he'll also sit down with business leaders and institutional investors as part of a broader push to advance trade with international partners. Carney and his ministers have worked since coming to office to deepen Canada's international ties —
missing-person-for-location-gurninder-singh
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Surrey police seeking public assistance to locate Gurninder Singh

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is requesting the public's assistance in locating a 26-year-old missing man. Gurninder Singh was last seen at 1:00 am on September 22, 2025, in the area of the Scott Road Skytrain Station and the Pattullo Bridge walking towards the bridge. He has not been seen or heard from since. Gurninder is described as a 26-year-old South Asian male, 6’0” tall, 177 pounds, with a slim build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, black pants, and a light-coloured head covering. Police and family are concerned for his well being, as
quebec-government-bans-gender-neutral-pronouns-in-official-state-documents
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Quebec government bans gender-neutral pronouns in official state documents

The Quebec government is banning the use of newly emerging gender-neutral words in all official communications. French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge says Quebec’s official language must not be “distorted.” The updated language policy applies to recently invented words including gender-neutral pronouns that are commonly used by transgender and non-binary people. It also prohibits writing words in a way that aims to be more inclusive by neutralizing gender. The government says public bodies have a duty to use exemplary French, and Roberge says the language must be easy for every
b-c-green-party-votes-in-climate-activist-emily-lowan-as-new-leader
BCSep 24, 2025

B.C. Green Party votes in climate activist Emily Lowan as new leader

Emily Lowan, a 25-year-old climate activist, is the new leader of the British Columbia Green Party. Lowan won on the first ballot with 3,189 votes, ahead of second-place Jonathan Kerr with 1,908 votes, while Adam Bremner-Akins finished third with 128 votes. She doesn't have a seat in the legislature but says she plans to run in the next ``viable'' byelection or in the next general election. Lowan says the Greens will become a ``force of nature'' and promises that it will be a ``bold and critical'' opposition party. She says her decisive mandate is a ``clear message'' that the party nee
public-service-workers-pickets-expand-to-b-c-liquor-stores
BCSep 24, 2025

Public service workers' pickets expand to B.C. liquor stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked of the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table. The union says the store locations were chosen because they are a "significant source of government revenue."
interim-report-on-alberta-health-contract-scandal-not-finished-wont-be-made-public
AlbertaSep 24, 2025

Interim report on Alberta health contract scandal not finished, won't be made public

Alberta's government says it has yet to receive an interim report on the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts but it should be finished in the coming days. The government says former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant had until today to submit it but still has interviews to finish. It also says the interim report won't be made public. The report was initially expected in May, but the province extended the deadline because of the number of documents involved and interviews Wyant wanted to do. The deadline for the final report was set for Oct. 15. The al

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pq-leader-calls-for-renewed-sovereignty-debate-following-legault-resignation
CanadaJan 16, 2026

PQ leader calls for renewed sovereignty debate following Legault resignation

The leader of the Parti Québécois says Premier François Legault’s decision to step down has reopened the question of Quebec sovereignty and created an opportunity to reset the province’s political direction. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Legault’s tenure demonstrates the limits of seeking greater autonomy within Canada, arguing that Quebec has failed to achieve meaningful gains in key areas such as immigration control and health care after more than seven years under Coalition Avenir Québec rule. Legault founded the CAQ on the idea of moving beyond the long-standing divide between fe
AlbertaJan 16, 2026

Crown seeks 16-year prison term for Calgary man convicted of ISIS involvement

Federal prosecutors are asking a judge to impose a 16-year prison sentence on a Calgary man convicted of participating in the activities of the Islamic State group after travelling to Syria more than a decade ago. Jamal Borhot, now 35, was found guilty in December of three counts related to involvement with a listed terrorist organization. The court heard Borhot travelled to Syria in 2013 and knowingly assisted ISIS while the group was carrying out widespread violence across the region. During sentencing submissions, the Crown said Borhot was not a passive supporter. Prosecutors told the court
four-prominent-punjab-leaders-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections
IndiaJan 16, 2026

Four prominent Punjab leaders join BJP ahead of 2027 Assembly elections

Political activity in Punjab has intensified as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 state Assembly elections. In this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken another step to strengthen its organisational base in the state. On Friday, former Congress Member of Parliament Jagmeet Brar formally joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini. He was joined by Omkar Sidhu, former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Charanjit Brar, and Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjeet Singh Brar. BJP leaders
south-korean-court-sentences-former-president-yoon-suk-yeol-to-five-years-in-prison
WorldJan 16, 2026

South Korean court sentences former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison

A South Korean court has sentenced former president Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison in connection with criminal charges linked to his controversial declaration of martial law in late 2024. The ruling, delivered Friday by the Seoul Central District Court, marks the first verdict among eight separate criminal trials Yoon is facing related to the decree and other alleged misconduct. The court convicted Yoon on charges including defying authorities during attempts to detain him and fabricating official documents. Prosecutors had argued that Yoon obstructed law enforcement and abused presiden
BCJan 16, 2026

Abbotsford hotel death under investigation by IHIT

Abbotsford police have turned over an investigation into a death at a local hotel to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. Police say officers were called to a report of suspicious circumstances at a hotel along Marshall Road near Clearbrook Road. When patrol members arrived, they located a deceased person inside one of the hotel rooms. Investigators believe the incident was isolated to that room and say there is no ongoing risk to the public. Police have also stated there is no connection between this case and recent extortion related incidents reported elsewhere in the Fraser Valley. O