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CanadaAug 31, 2023

Greenbelt Controversy: Housing minister Clark apologetic; refuses to resign

The opposition has been constantly demanding the resignation of Ontario's Housing Minister Steve Clarke.In the meantime, Minister Clark has refused to resign while issuing the latest statement in Toronto.In fact, on August 9, a new report by the Auditor General of Ontario revealed how thousands of hectares of greenbelt land was opened for housing development.A 95-page report released by Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk reviewed how the state government chose to exclude 810,000 hectares of farmland, forest and wetlands from Niagara Falls to Peterborough from the Greenbelt.Ontario's Integrity Commis
punjabi-woman-shot-dead-in-philippines
WorldAug 30, 2023

Punjabi woman shot dead in Philippines

A Punjabi was shot dead in Philippines.According to the information received, Jaganpreet Kaur along with her husband Manjit Singh and children was doing finance business in the city of Manila in Philippines for about 14 years.Jaganpreet's husband Manjit Singh had come to India with his children.Jaganpreet Kaur was a resident of Dhandian village in Ferozepur district.Yesterday, a motorcycle rider came to her shop and shot her dead.However, the information about who committed the murder and why has not been revealed.More details will be revealed only after Manjit Singh returns to Manila and once
b-c-posts-704-million-budget-surplus-for-2022-2023
BCAug 30, 2023

B.C. posts $704 million budget surplus for 2022-2023

An audited public accounting of British Columbia's financial records shows the province posted a surplus of more than $700 million in the 2022-2023 budget year.Finance Minister Katrine Conroy outlined the province's financial performance in the government's public accounts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.The government's budget forecasts have been on an up-and-down ride for the past two years, with the 2022-2023 budget originally forecast in February last year to show a $5.5 billion deficit, before that was revised to a surplus of almost $6 billion, then downgraded to a $3.6 billion
hurricane-idalia-wreaks-havoc-in-florida-georgia-2-dead
WorldAug 30, 2023

Hurricane Idalia wreaks havoc in Florida, Georgia; 2 dead

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.It wreaked havoc across a wide swath of the Gulf Coast, inundating homes and vehicles, turning streets into rivers, and overturning small boats.Power lines have been downed in such areas.More than 263,000 people were left without power.This devastating storm uprooted tall trees.The Florida Highway Patrol said two people have died as a result of being caught in the storm.Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Wednesday morning, "Don't do anything stupid right now that puts lives at risk."Hurricane Idalia has ente
quebecs-transport-minister-apologized-for-not-wearing-a-seat-belt
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Quebec's Transport Minister apologized for not wearing a seat belt

Quebec Transport Minister Genevieve Guilbault is apologizing after photos emerged of her not wearing her seatbelt while on the road.The photos, published by the Journal de Montreal today, were taken over a three-year span and posted to her social media accounts, both while Guilbault was driving or a passenger in a vehicle.Guilbault, who is also the deputy premier, apologized for the lapse in judgment as she headed into a cabinet meeting.She said the moments where she forgot to buckle up were rare exceptions rather than the rule, but were unacceptable nonetheless and violations of the provincia
trudeau-to-visit-indonesia-singapore-and-india-next-week-to-seek-trade-deals
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Trudeau to visit Indonesia, Singapore and India next week to seek trade deals

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to Asia next week for a whirlwind tour of Indonesia, Singapore and India.The trip involves the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi, and a focus on economic ties in booming regions of Southeast Asia, as Canada seeks alternatives to a rising China.In Jakarta, Trudeau will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, where the group of 10 countries that will ratify a strategic-partnership agreement with Canada.The next stop in Singapore will involve meeting with the city-state's head of government and business leaders to promote investment i
first-case-of-ba-2-86-variant-of-covid-found-in-british-columbia
BCAug 30, 2023

First case of BA.2.86 variant of Covid found in British Columbia

The first case of the BA.2.86 variant of Covid has been reported in Canada.This is the first case found in British Columbia.B.C. health officials have confirmed this variant.B.C.'s Centers for Disease Control confirmed that the variant was found in a person in the Fraser Health Region, east of Vancouver, who has not traveled outside the province.Medical Director of Vancouver Infectious Disease Control Dr. Brian Conway says the new BA.2.86 variant has not yet been shown to cause more severe disease.Conway says the first case being recorded here in B.C. is a reminder that COVID never truly went
CanadaAug 30, 2023

Canada's Wheat production likely to fall, second lowest in the 8 years

Canada, the world's fourth largest wheat exporter, is set to face a decline in wheat production this year due to drought. According to a government report, in parts of the Prairie Provinces, namely Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan wheat and canola production expected to decline. Canada is also among the world's largest shippers for canola, from which vegetable oil is produced. According to Statistics Canada, the production of wheat this time is likely to be 29.5 million metric tons, which is the second lowest in the last 8 years and 14 percent down compared to last year. At the same time, t
bhakra-dam-flood-gate-closed-after-water-level-normalized
IndiaAug 30, 2023

Bhakra dam flood gate closed after water level normalized

The Bhakra Beas Management Board has closed the flood gates of the Bhakra Dam after the water level became normal. This has brought some relief to the people of Punjab, who have been struggling with the problem of floods for the past several days. Due to very heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water level in Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam had reached the danger mark. As a result, the Board of Management had to open the flood gates of Bhakra Dam on the evening of 14 August. Due to continuous rains in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh till now, the water level in the dams could not be reduced. Due to whic

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b-c-government-takes-legal-action-against-openai-tough-step-over-tumbler-ridge-school-shooting
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. Government Takes Legal Action Against OpenAI, Tough Step Over Tumbler Ridge School Shooting

British Columbia’s government has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company OpenAI in a California court, alleging that the company failed to alert law enforcement about concerning activity linked to the suspect in the Tumbler Ridge school shooting. B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma announced the legal action at a news conference Monday. The case is connected to the Feb. 10 mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge School, in which an 18-year-old gunman killed eight people, including six children. The provincial government alleges that OpenAI’s safety team became aware months before the
BCSep 21, 2026

B.C. NDP Faces Setback as Lana Popham Steps Away from Next Election

Political activity in British Columbia has intensified after Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that she will not seek re-election for the B.C. NDP in Saanich South. Popham’s decision comes amid growing speculation about the possibility of an early provincial election. Political observers say her announcement could add to the speculation, although it does not by itself confirm that an early election will be called. The announcement also comes as the opposition B.C. Conservative Party faces internal turmoil, while the B.C. NDP has been making preparations for a potential election camp
john-rustad-says-he-was-invited-back-to-b-c-conservative-caucus
BCSep 21, 2026

John Rustad Says He Was Invited Back to B.C. Conservative Caucus

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he has been invited to rejoin the party’s caucus, just days after he was expelled by former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Speaking at a press conference in Victoria on Monday, Rustad said interim party leader Lorne Doerkson personally contacted him by text message and invited him to return to the caucus. Rustad said he is considering the offer, but added that he believes his time in politics may have passed. Rustad also commented on speculation surrounding former premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, saying that former leaders should now s
nearly-1-in-4-canadian-households-struggle-with-unaffordable-housing-costs
CanadaSep 21, 2026

Nearly 1 in 4 Canadian Households Struggle With Unaffordable Housing Costs

According to the latest report from Statistics Canada, about 23.2% of Canadian households-nearly one in four- are living in homes considered unaffordable, as housing and living costs continue to rise. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable when a household spends 30% or more of its total income on housing costs. The report found that renters are significantly more likely to face unaffordable housing than homeowners. About 33.7% of renters were living in unaffordable homes, compared with 17.4% of homeowners. In 2024, 36.6% of households had a mortgage, and among them, 26.1% were cons
canada-india-trade-talks-show-progress-sidhu-eyes-new-asia-pacific-trade-deals
BCSep 21, 2026

Canada-India Trade Talks Show Progress, Sidhu Eyes New Asia-Pacific Trade Deals

Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu has confirmed progress in trade discussions with India following his two-day visit to the country. Sidhu has now travelled to the Philippines to attend a meeting of economic ministers from Southeast Asian countries. He said Canada will work to advance free trade agreement negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines. According to figures shared by Sidhu, Canada’s trade with Asian countries increased by 23.4 per cent last year, reaching $52.3 billion. If a new agreement is finalized, it is expected to create 14,000 well-paying jobs in