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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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IndiaApr 23, 2026

Amritpal Singh formally arrested in Ajnala violence case after NSA detention ends

Amritsar Rural Police have formally arrested Khadoor Sahib MP and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh in connection with the Ajnala violence case, following the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act. According to a police statement, the arrest was carried out immediately after the NSA detention period lapsed. Singh was produced before a sub-divisional court in Ajnala via video conferencing from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam, where he remains lodged. Police told the court they require extended custody to continue their investigation, including recovery of weapons and
three-arrested-after-alleged-14-000-pokémon-card-robbery-in-vancouver
BCApr 23, 2026

Three arrested after alleged $14,000 Pokémon card robbery in Vancouver

Vancouver police say three teenagers have been arrested following an alleged robbery involving high-value Pokémon cards arranged through an online marketplace. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, officers responded shortly after 8:00 p.m. Tuesday to a robbery in progress near East King Edward Avenue and Ontario Street. Investigators say a man attempting to sell two Pokémon cards, each valued at $7,000, was bear-sprayed during the transaction. Police allege the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle with the cards but were intercepted a short time later in Burnaby near Macpherso
westjet-raises-checked-baggage-fees-following-air-canada-citing-industry-pressures
CanadaApr 23, 2026

WestJet raises checked baggage fees following Air Canada, citing industry pressures

WestJet says it will increase checked baggage fees starting Thursday, adding new costs for air travellers across its network. The change follows a similar move by Air Canada announced last week. According to a WestJet statement, passengers checking bags at the airport will pay an additional $10 for each of the first two checked bags. Fees for overweight baggage will also rise, with increases of up to $50 depending on weight. The airline attributed the decision to “global conditions” and shifting trends in the aviation sector, but did not provide a detailed cost breakdown in its announcemen
alberta-introduces-bill-to-end-seasonal-clock-changes-stay-on-daylight-time
AlbertaApr 23, 2026

Alberta introduces bill to end seasonal clock changes, stay on daylight time

Alberta’s government has introduced legislation that would end twice-yearly clock changes and keep the province on daylight time year-round. The proposal was tabled by Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government, according to a provincial announcement. If passed, the bill would eliminate the need to switch between standard time and daylight saving time each spring and fall. The government has said the change is intended to provide consistency for businesses and residents, though details on when the change would take effect have not yet been confirmed. The move would require coo
alberta-premier-to-provide-update-on-fall-referendum-questions
AlbertaApr 23, 2026

Alberta premier to provide update on fall referendum questions

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is expected to provide an update today on a planned provincewide referendum set for October, including previously announced questions tied to social policy and governance. According to a February announcement from the Alberta government, the referendum is to include up to nine questions. Among them are proposals that would restrict access to certain social services for some immigrants, though full wording of the questions has not yet been finalized. The update comes as debate continues in Alberta over the prospect of separation from Canada. A citizen-led initiati