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alberta-premier-defends-charging-most-albertans-for-covid-19-vaccines
AlbertaJun 16, 2025

Alberta premier defends charging most Albertans for COVID-19 vaccines

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government's new policy forcing many Albertans to pay out of pocket for a COVID-19 vaccination is about focusing on those who need it the most. Smith says $135 million got ``flushed down the drain'' last year from doses wasted in part because of low vaccine uptake. Her government will still pay for some, including for those who have compromised immune systems or are on social programs, to get shots. Smith says she thinks low vaccination rates for COVID-19 in Alberta last year are because the vaccine ``doesn't work particularly well.''
extortion-focused-safety-forum-held-in-surrey
BCJun 16, 2025

Extortion-focused safety forum held in Surrey

A series of violent shootings in Surrey over the past few days amid extortion calls has led many in the community to ask questions about safety. Meanwhile, in response to community concerns, the Surrey Safety Community Forum was held on Sunday afternoon from 2pm to 4pm at the Reflections Banquet Hall in Surrey.This is the same location where a similar forum was held about a year and a half ago on the same issue. MP Sukh Dhaliwal, provincial Public Safety Minister Garry Begg, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, Surrey Police Chief Chief Constable Norm Lipinski, and RCMP Chief Superintendent Wendy Mehat
bc-govt-recognizes-significant-concern-regarding-the-ongoing-extortion-attempts
BCJun 13, 2025

BC govt. recognizes significant concern regarding the ongoing extortion attempts

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg has released the following statement amid community concerns about public safety while extortion threats and organized crime stories are making headlines. “We recognize the significant concern within the South Asian community regarding the ongoing extortion attempts by organized criminals. “Recently, the Delta Police Department, with assistance from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team and the Peel Regional Police arrested two suspects in the murder case of an individual in Brampton, who was a victim of extortion. This ser
vancouver-police-seek-suspect-in-west-side-break-ins
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Vancouver Police seek suspect in West-side break-ins

Vancouver Police are sharing images of a suspect in multiple early-morning break-ins on the city’s west-side, and encourage people to lock their doors and windows to prevent additional crimes. “We are actively working to identify and arrest this suspect, who is linked to break-ins throughout Marpole, Kerrisdale, Arbutus Ridge, Oakridge and Shaunghnessey,” says Constable Tania Visintin. “Until we find him, we’re asking people to take extra precautions and to call police immediately if you encounter him.” The suspect, believed to be an Asian man in his 30s, has struck 16 times since
over-the-past-six-months-there-have-been-10-reports-of-extortion-in-surrey
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Over the past six months, there have been 10 reports of extortion in Surrey

Following a number of extortions being reported to police in Surrey, Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) are working to advance these investigations and determine any linkages. SPS and SPOSU are also meeting regularly with other regional police agencies who have similar investigations and they are in contact with the RCMP National Coordination and Support Team (NCST), which is providing national coordination and tools to help advance extortion investigations. Numerous police agencies in Canada have reported that individuals or businesse
jagmeet-singhs-brother-says-canadians-warned-about-risk-to-their-life-deserve-protection
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Jagmeet Singh's brother says Canadians warned about risk to their life deserve protection

The brother of former federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, who has been active in Canadian politics for many years, has demanded that Canadians who have been warned of a threat to their lives should be provided with security. Gurrattan Singh raised this issue after Sikh Organization of Canada spokesperson Balpreet Singh told a press conference yesterday that dozens of Sikh Canadians are currently on active duty to warm. This notice is given by the police to alert a person when they suspect a credible threat. Gurrattan Singh said that immediate steps should be taken to provide security to those
police-seeking-witnesses-after-uptown-assault
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Police seeking witnesses after Uptown assault

The New Westminster Police Department is seeking witnesses and encouraging victims to come forward following an incident in the Uptown neighbourhood on the evening of Saturday, June 7 at approximately 6:20pm. Officers responded to reports of a man chasing people and throwing objects at members of the public. Witnesses shared the man ripped off a tree branch and struck several people with it. The suspect was located by officers near the New Westminster Public Library and arrested. “This may have been a frightening experience for those who witnessed it or were directly impacted,” stated Serg
chief-public-health-officer-dr-theresa-tam-leaving-position-on-june-20
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam leaving position on June 20

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam is leaving her position at the end of next week. Tam has been in the role since June 2017, but became a household name in the last five years as she led the country's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Tam says her term ends on Friday, June 20 and she doesn't have another job lined up. She is taking a break to think about new opportunities, spend more time with family and get back to some of her passions, including playing music and long-distance running. A pediatric infectious disease physician by training, Tam joined
surrey-man-faces-15-charges-after-bc-highway-patrol-investigation-into-fatal-crash
CanadaJun 13, 2025

Surrey man faces 15 charges after BC Highway Patrol investigation into fatal crash

After just over a year of investigation by the BC Highway Patrol, a Surrey man has been formally charged. He faces 15 counts in a collision that killed two people and injured three others. On February 18, 2024, at 3:00 a.m., a minivan and a Tesla collided on the side of Highway 1 near the Sprott Street exit in Burnaby, BC. A 20-year-old woman and a 23-year-old woman, both from Maple Ridge, were killed in the collision. Two other Maple Ridge women in their twenties were seriously injured, as was a Surrey man in his thirties. On June 9, 2025, the BC Prosecution Service charged Chi Sun Park, 35,

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farmers-to-hold-delhi-mahapanchayat-over-proposed-india-u-s-trade-agreement
IndiaJul 20, 2026

Farmers to hold Delhi Mahapanchayat over proposed India–U.S. trade agreement

Farmers from different parts of the country are scheduled to gather at Kisan Ghat in New Delhi on Tuesday for a Mahapanchayat to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said the gathering, being organised on the call of the Desh Bachao Morcha, will oppose the proposed deal, which he described as being against the interests of farmers. According to Pandher, the agreement could adversely affect the farming community, and protesters will urge the Centre not to implement it. Pandher said buses carrying farmers from Punjab are expected to leave for Delh
four-charged-after-alleged-retail-theft-at-markham-business-york-regional-police-say
BCJul 20, 2026

Four charged after alleged retail theft at Markham business, York Regional Police say

Four men have been arrested following an alleged retail theft at a business in Markham, while police continue to search for a fifth suspect, according to York Regional Police. Police said officers responded at about 8 a.m. Tuesday to a business near Fairburn Drive and Highway 7 after receiving reports that several suspects had filled shopping carts with power tools and left the store without paying. Investigators allege the suspects were attempting to flee in a vehicle when officers arrived and, with assistance from store security staff, took four individuals into custody. York Regional Police
BCJul 20, 2026

Woman seriously injured in stabbing at Campbell River parking lot, RCMP investigating

A 30-year-old woman was seriously injured in a stabbing early Sunday morning in Campbell River, according to the RCMP. Police said the incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. in a parking area in the 1200-block of Cedar Street. Responding officers provided first aid before BC Emergency Health Services transported the woman to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to the Campbell River RCMP, the detachment's Major Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Services and general duty officers remained at the scene for several hours to collect evidence and interview witnesses. I
CanadaJul 20, 2026

Canada Child Benefit payments increase takes effect today, millions of families to receive higher amounts

Higher Canada Child Benefit (CCB) payments began rolling out today following the federal government's annual benefit adjustment. According to the Government of Canada, the increase is expected to benefit approximately 3.6 million families and about 6 million children across the country. Under the updated benefit rates, eligible families can receive up to $8,157 annually for each child under the age of six, an increase of $160 from the previous benefit year. For children aged six to 17, the maximum annual payment has increased to $6,883, up $135 from last year. According to the Canada Revenue A
at-least-930-dead-as-congos-ebola-outbreak-continues-to-grow
WorldJul 20, 2026

At least 930 dead as Congo's Ebola outbreak continues to grow

At least 930 people have died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said 2,344 Ebola cases had been confirmed as of Saturday. In an overnight update into Monday, officials reported 37 additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, marking one of the highest single-day death totals recorded during the outbreak. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak was declared in eastern Congo on May 15 and has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record. Health officials said the outbreak is caused by the Bundibug