British Columbia recorded the highest rate of opioid deaths in Canada in 2023, with 40.3 deaths per 100,000 population, according to Statistics Canada. Alberta and Saskatchewan followed closely. BC Health Minister Josie Osborne noted that while 2024 has seen a decline in deaths from dangerous drugs, the toxic drug supply remains a critical public health issue impacting all regions. The report revealed that over 15,000 lives have been lost to drug poisoning in BC since the public health emergency was declared in 2016. Minister Osborne highlighted government efforts to prevent further deaths, i

Traffic delays are expected in Vancouver, especially near BC Place, Rogers Arena, and Concord Pacific Place, due to road closures and increased police presence for Taylor Swift's concert starting today. Residents and visitors are advised to walk, bike, use taxis, or transit to navigate the city. Taylor Swift is in Vancouver for the final three shows of her blockbuster Eras Tour. The city anticipates a massive influx of fans, with over 160,000 Swifties expected over the weekend. The concert coincides with Canucks games, further adding to the crowd.

Tragic news has emerged from Ontario, Canada. Two Punjabi brothers were shot in Brampton late Wednesday night. One brother, Pritpal Singh, lost his life, while the other, Khushwant Singh, is hospitalized. Peel Police reported receiving a call about a shooting on Odeon Street, near Gorway and Mayfield Roads, around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The incident is believed to be targeted. Investigators are searching for a white four-door sedan used in the attack. Reports suggest the suspects fired shots from this vehicle. Media sources confirmed that both victims hail from the Tarn Taran district of Pun

The British Columbia government is encouraging people to do their research on avalanche risk before heading into the backcountry, as forecasts show danger ratings are expected to increase in some areas over the weekend. Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene says in a statement that everyone should share their plan with a friend or family member and check forecasts and guidance from Avalanche Canada before setting out. The latest forecast puts the danger rating at the lowest level out of five across the Coast Mountains on the Sunshine Coast and in the Sea to Sky region, includin

Thousands of people fled the central Syrian city of Homs, the country’s third largest, as insurgents seized two towns on the outskirts Friday, positioning themselves for an assault on a potentially major prize in their march against President Bashar Assad. The move, reported by pro-government media and an opposition war monitor, was the latest in the stunning advances by opposition fighters over the past week that have so far met little resistance from Assad’s forces. A day earlier, fighterscaptured the central city of Hama, Syria’s fourth largest, after the army said it withdrew to avoi

Farmers began the 'Delhi Chalo March' from the Shambhu border of Punjab-Haryana today at around 1 pm. However, after Haryana Police fired tear gas shells, 14 farmers were injured, including a prominent farmer leader. Following the incident, the protesting farmers decided to postpone their foot march for the day. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher stated that due to the injuries sustained by some farmers, the group would return for today. He confirmed that a new group of farmers will leave for Delhi on December 8. Meanwhile, the Haryana government has instructed the police to ensure that the f

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) core committee today described the assassination attempt on S Sukhbir Singh Badal as a full-blown assault on Sikh traditions, Khalsa heritage and the sacred values and institutions bequeathed by the Great Guru Sahiban. It also referred to the entire incident as part of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government sponsored programme which was part of a deep rooted conspiracy to finish the moderate Akali leadership which stood for ‘sarbat da bhala’ as propounded by the Guru Sahiban. The core committee meeting of the party, which was presided over by Acting President Ba

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that dictatorship is prevailing in the country. He made this claim in a lengthy post on his X account on Thursday night.Khan's party, PTI, also outlined its plans for future agitation. In the post, Khan stated that dictatorship has been established in Pakistan.He accused the government of using terrorism to target innocent and peaceful political workers, with many being shot dead. He also claimed that thousands of their workers are missing, urging the Supreme Court to take notice of the situation and fulfill its constitutional role.Through

Canada has unveiled an Arctic foreign policy that commits to increasing domestic and international collaboration to combat emerging foreign threats in the North. The policy, released by Global Affairs Canada on Friday in Ottawa, says the North American Arctic is "no longer free from tension" amid increased geopolitical instability following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has "shaken the foundations of international co-operation in the Arctic." A key part of the plan is to revive the role of Canada's Arctic ambassador, which was removed in 2006 under the Harper government, and commits to o