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poilievre-invites-irans-exiled-crown-prince-reza-pahlavi-to-visit-canada
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Poilievre Holds Video Call With Reza Pahlavi, Invites Him to Canada

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a video conference today with Iran’s exiled former Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and invited him to visit Canada. Sharing details of the conversation, Poilievre said they discussed the current regime in Tehran and the mission to establish a free and democratic Iran. He also mentioned the strong support he received from Vancouver’s Iranian community for holding talks with Pahlavi. Poiliev was in the North Vancouver–Capilano riding last week, where a by-election is scheduled for August 31. On Saturday, he attended a meeting organized by the Conservativ
carney-urges-premiers-to-lift-ban-on-u-s-alcohol
CanadaAug 20, 2026

Carney Urges Premiers to Lift Ban on U.S. Alcohol

Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged Canada’s provincial premiers to remove restrictions on U.S. alcohol as Ottawa works to finalize an interim trade agreement with the United States. Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. are continuing after President Donald Trump delayed the implementation of a proposed 50 per cent tariff until Friday. Washington has repeatedly raised concerns over Canada’s restrictions on American alcohol products. Because provincial governments control the sale and distribution of alcohol in Canada, Carney held a virtual meeting with the premiers on Wednesday
canada-could-get-tariff-relief-on-steel-aluminum-and-automobiles
CanadaAug 19, 2026

Canada Could Get Tariff Relief on Steel, Aluminum and Automobiles

Canada could receive some tariff relief on steel, aluminum and automobiles under a new trade deal with the United States that is reportedly nearing completion. According to reports, Washington could reduce the current 50% tariff on some Canadian steel and aluminum exports to 25% as part of the agreement. However, the details have not yet been finalized, and the new rates are not expected to apply equally to all products. Different tariffs could be imposed on certain steel- and aluminum-derived products. Meanwhile, the top-line tariff on automobiles could reportedly be reduced from 25% to 15%.
AlbertaAug 19, 2026

Calgary Police Officer to Stand Trial for Murder After Two Die in Slow-Speed Chase

A Calgary police officer charged with two counts of second-degree murder will stand trial in connection with the deaths of two men during a slow-speed police pursuit in 2023. A judge ordered a trial for 52-year-old Const. Craig Stothard on Tuesday, following the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry. The inquiry was held to determine whether there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Stothard was charged after Wesley Davidson and Levon Boyce Fox were shot and killed on May 29, 2023, following a police pursuit involving a stolen cube van. Police had responded to a report of suspi
CanadaAug 19, 2026

Canada Confirms Trade Deal With U.S.; Details Expected Friday

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that Canada is moving toward a trade agreement with the United States, saying it will deliver the best possible deal across the country’s most important sectors. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra welcomed the progress and credited President Donald Trump for the development. Details of the interim agreement could be released by Friday, with Canada reportedly making progress on reducing sector-specific tariffs. The deal could help bring an end to the trade war that has continued between the two countries for the past year and a half.
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Various Sikh Organisations Support ‘Punjab Bandh’ Call

Various Sikh organisations have extended their support to the ‘Punjab Bandh’ call given by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha for August 21. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also backed the bandh and decided to keep its offices and all affiliated institutions closed on August 21. Apart from the SGPC, the Shiromani Akali Dal Reunited, Akali Dal ‘Waris Punjab De’, Dal Khalsa, Hawara Committee, Mann Dal and several other Sikh organisations have announced their support for the bandh. Sikh leaders have appealed to the public to completely shut their businesses until 2 p.m. on Aug
vancouver-granville-street-homicide-35-year-old-man-arrested
BCAug 19, 2026

Vancouver Granville Street Homicide: 35-Year-Old Man Arrested

Vancouver Police have arrested 35-year-old James Christopher Holmgren after Crown counsel approved a second-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal stabbing on Granville Street last year. Police were called to the area of Granville Street and Helmcken Street on November 17, 2025, after reports of a man suffering from a stab wound. The victim, 20-year-old Aymen Al-Hafidh, was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Holmgren was arrested by Vancouver Police Homicide Unit detectives and remains in custody.
b-c-wildfires-destroy-or-damage-more-than-500-buildings-this-year
BCAug 19, 2026

B.C. Wildfires Destroy or Damage More Than 500 Buildings This Year

More than 500 homes and buildings have been destroyed or damaged by wildfires across British Columbia this year, marking one of the province’s worst years for structural wildfire damage in recent years. Although the total area of forest burned remains lower than in some record-breaking fire seasons, more than 1,000 wildfires have already caused significant damage to structures. Four major fires - Bald Range near Summerland, the Bradley Complex near Vernon, the Big Bar Complex near Clinton and the Brunswick Complex near Boston Bar - have grown to major incidents, with only the Bradley Compl
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Including 5 Bangladeshis

A devastating fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal, early Wednesday morning, killing around nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals. A child was also among those who died. Police officials said the fire broke out on the second floor of the hotel at around 2:50 a.m. local time and was brought under control within about an hour. A preliminary investigation suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four of the five Bangladeshi nationals who died were members of the same family. Six other Bang

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WorldSep 28, 2026

One Killed, 19 Injured in Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv

One person was killed and 19 others were injured in a Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Monday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv. Six of the injured were taken to hospital for treatment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia also targeted a pharmaceutical company, petrol stations and a medical facility in the city. He said Russia has recently increased its use of high-speed jet drones, which are proving difficult for Ukrainian air defences to intercept. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russi
BCSep 28, 2026

B.C. Conservatives Say Lorne Doerkson Could Remain Leader for Years Without Leadership Vote

The B.C. Conservatives say interim leader Lorne Doerkson could remain at the helm of the party for years without a leadership vote if the Conservatives win the Oct. 24 provincial election. According to a legal opinion obtained by the party, Doerkson would be invited by the Lieutenant-Governor to serve as premier if the Conservatives form government. He could then remain party leader until the board decides to call a leadership election, a process that could take 18 months or longer. The legal opinion, prepared for the party and sent to president Mauro Francis, says the party’s constitution
BCSep 28, 2026

BC Conservatives, Centre BC Announce Candidates for Upcoming Election

The BC Conservative Party has announced incumbent MLA Harmaan Bhangu as its candidate for Langley-Abbotsford. Bhangu was first elected as an MLA in 2024. In a statement, he said serving the riding over the past two years has been one of the greatest honours of his life. Meanwhile, Centre BC, led by Elenore Sturko, has nominated Kuldeep Rangi in Delta North. Rangi operates a real estate marketing brokerage business. The party has also named Raman Sharma as its candidate in Surrey City Centre. Sharma is the president of the Tradesmen Association of BC, which he founded in 2016. In Surrey North,
CanadaSep 28, 2026

Punjabi-Origin Diplomat Angad Singh Dhillon Appointed Canada’s Next Ambassador to UAE

The Mark Carney government has appointed Punjabi-origin diplomat Angad Singh Dhillon as Canada’s next ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has announced. Dhillon will replace Radha Krishna Pandey and serve as Canada’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UAE. Originally from a family with roots in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, Dhillon previously served as Director of Operations and Stakeholder Relations in the Prime Minister’s Office. Dhillon has been among Carney’s close advisers and played a significant role in efforts to
heavy-rain-in-forecast-as-warnings-issued-for-metro-vancouver-b-c-coast
BCSep 28, 2026

Heavy rain in forecast as warnings issued for Metro Vancouver, B.C. coast

Heavy rainfall is in the forecast for parts of the British Columbia coast, including Metro Vancouver, with some areas expecting up to 100 millimetres of precipitation. Environment Canada issued the rainfall warning for Metro Vancouver north of the Fraser River, Howe Sound, western Vancouver Island and the central B.C. coast, including Bella Bella and Bella Coola as well as inland portions of the North Coast. The heaviest rain is expected along the west coast of Vancouver Island and the central coast, while Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam and the North Shore may get up to 70 millimetres. The rain