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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

Just In

alberta-announces-10-new-school-projects-for-edmonton-to-address-classroom-shortages
AlbertaMar 09, 2026

Alberta announces 10 new school projects for Edmonton to address classroom shortages

The Alberta government says it will move ahead with 10 new school projects in Edmonton as part of efforts to address growing classroom shortages linked to rapid population growth. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides announced the projects under the province’s 2026 budget. The announcement brings the total number of public school projects currently underway in Edmonton to 37. According to the Alberta Ministry of Education, the newly announced projects include eight new schools and two replacement schools. The facilities are planned primarily for fast-growing suburban areas of the city whe
BCMar 09, 2026

Cranbrook RCMP investigate targeted shooting at residence on 3rd Avenue South

Cranbrook RCMP say they are investigating a shooting that targeted a residence Sunday night in the city’s downtown area. Police said officers were called at about 9:22 p.m. on March 8 to a report of gunfire at a home in the 300 block of 3rd Avenue South. According to an RCMP news release, investigators located evidence consistent with gunshots and secured the area to allow forensic examination. No injuries were reported. Staff Sgt. Barry Graham of the Cranbrook RCMP said early indications suggest the incident was not random. “While the investigation is in its infancy, early indications are
surrey-police-launch-s-o-a-r-youth-safety-program-during-child-exploitation-awareness-week
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Surrey Police launch S.O.A.R. youth safety program during child exploitation awareness week

The Surrey Police Service has launched a youth safety initiative aimed at helping students recognize and respond to risks such as online exploitation, substance use and unhealthy relationships. The program, called S.O.A.R. – Strength, Opportunity, Autonomy, Resilience – is an interactive presentation designed for students in Grades 6 to 10. Police say the initiative is being highlighted during Stop the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Awareness Week, which runs from March 9 to 15. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, the program has reached more than 4,500 students s
foreign-national-sentenced-to-four-years-after-cbsa-finds-undeclared-firearms-at-victoria-ferry-terminal
CanadaMar 09, 2026

Foreign national sentenced to four years after CBSA finds undeclared firearms at Victoria ferry terminal

A 44-year-old foreign national has been sentenced to four years in prison following a Canadian Border Services Agency investigation into firearms offences at a British Columbia port of entry. According to the Canadian Border Services Agency, Reuben Velasquez was sentenced on Feb. 3, 2026, in Williams Lake Provincial Court after being convicted of two offences under the Criminal Code: possession of a loaded, prohibited or restricted firearm without authorization or licence under section 95(1), and unauthorized possession of a firearm under section 91(1). The charges stem from an incident on Sep
suspect-arrested-after-atm-stolen-in-abbotsford-business-break-in-police-say
BCMar 09, 2026

Suspect arrested after ATM stolen in Abbotsford business break-in, police say

A man is in custody after an ATM was stolen during a break and enter at a business in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to the Abbotsford Police Department. Police say officers responded at about 9:09 p.m. to a report of a break-in at a business in the 36300 block of Auguston Parkway in the city’s McKee area. According to police, suspects had already fled by the time officers arrived. The business sustained damage during the incident and an ATM was reported stolen. At approximately 9:41 p.m., a resident contacted police to report a suspicious vehicle near Wells Gray Avenue and McKinley