10.4°C Vancouver

News

punjab-to-launch-chief-ministers-health-insurance-scheme-on-january-22
IndiaJan 12, 2026

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added
police-probe-second-shooting-at-cloverdale-home-amid-surrey-extortion-investigations
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police probe second shooting at Cloverdale home amid Surrey extortion investigations

Police in Surrey are investigating an early-morning shooting at a Cloverdale residence that left a home damaged but no one hurt. Officers were called shortly after 2:20 a.m. to the 18700 block of 54 Avenue following reports of gunfire in the area. According to police, responding members found evidence that a residence had been struck. No injuries were reported, and occupants were not harmed. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Unit has taken over the case and continues to gather evidence. Investigators say the home was also targeted in a previous shooting o
calgary-police-probe-speed-alcohol-and-drugs-in-fatal-deerfoot-trail-crash
AlbertaJan 12, 2026

Calgary police probe speed, alcohol and drugs in fatal Deerfoot Trail crash

Calgary police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role in a deadly crash on Deerfoot Trail over the weekend that claimed the life of a man in his 50s. Investigators say the man was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Deerfoot Trail, approaching Glenmore Trail, when the vehicle struck a construction barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the impact was severe enough that the car’s engine was ejected and landed in an adjacent lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle, a Toyota, struck the engine. The driver of that vehicle was take
former-us-president-donald-trump-claims-role-as-venezuelas-acting-president-in-social-media-post
WorldJan 12, 2026

Former US President Donald Trump Claims Role as Venezuela’s “Acting President” in Social Media Post

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, former United States president Donald Trump identified himself as the “acting president” of Venezuela, saying he would assume that position in January 2026. He also referred to himself as both the 45th and 47th president of the United States in the same message. There has been no official confirmation or statement from the White House or the current US administration regarding Trump’s claim about Venezuela. The Trump post comes after a major US action on January 3, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, we
ihit-names-victim-in-fatal-abbotsford-shooting-appeals-for-public-help
BCJan 12, 2026

IHIT names victim in fatal Abbotsford shooting, appeals for public help

British Columbia’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the man killed in a daytime shooting in Abbotsford last week, an incident investigators say is connected to ongoing gang-related violence in the region. IHIT says 28-year-old Navpreet Dhaliwal died after being shot on Friday on Siskin Drive. Abbotsford police were called to the area shortly before 1 p.m., where paramedics attempted life-saving measures. Dhaliwal was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have described the killing as a targeted attack that occurred in a residential area during the middle of the day
canada-rules-out-ban-on-x-amid-international-scrutiny-over-deepfake-content-minister-says
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Canada rules out ban on X amid international scrutiny over deepfake content, minister says

The federal government is not considering banning the social media platform X despite growing international concern over sexualized deepfake content generated by artificial intelligence, according to Canada’s minister responsible for AI policy. Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon said early Sunday that reports suggesting Canada was weighing a ban were inaccurate. In a post on X, Solomon stated the government has no plans to prohibit the platform, which is owned by Elon Musk, even as it faces scrutiny abroad. The clarification followed reporting by The Telegraph indicating the Unite
champagne-meets-g7-finance-ministers-in-washington-on-trade-and-critical-minerals
CanadaJan 12, 2026

Champagne meets G7 finance ministers in Washington on trade and critical minerals

Canada’s finance minister François-Philippe Champagne is in Washington, D.C. for meetings focused on trade and the global supply of critical minerals, as Canada and its allies look to reduce reliance on China and strengthen secure supply chains. In a statement, the federal government said Champagne is meeting Sunday and Monday with finance ministers from G7 countries and other partners with similar economic priorities. Discussions are expected to focus on trade co-operation and the development of critical minerals essential for clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. Ch
canada-faces-heightened-economic-risks-amid-u-s-political-turmoil-eurasia-group-warns
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Canada Faces Heightened Economic Risks Amid U.S. Political Turmoil, Eurasia Group Warns

Canada could face greater economic and political risks than any other country due to ongoing instability in the United States, according to a new report from the risk analysis firm Eurasia Group. The report notes that the historically close ties between Canada and the U.S. are undergoing significant strain, with trade uncertainty posing potential challenges for the Canadian economy. Efforts to expand trade relationships beyond the U.S. may encounter “powerful headwinds” this year, the report adds. Relations between the two countries deteriorated after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s
prince-george-rcmp-ask-drivers-for-dash-cam-footage-after-report-near-simon-fraser-bridge
BCJan 09, 2026

Prince George RCMP ask drivers for dash cam footage after report near Simon Fraser Bridge

Prince George RCMP are asking members of the public to come forward with dash camera footage following a report of a person seen near the Simon Fraser Bridge on Sunday morning. Police say the incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Highway 97 near Ferry Avenue. According to RCMP, a caller reported seeing an individual wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack standing near the guard rail on the south side of the bridge. Frontline officers responded quickly but the person was no longer at the location when police arrived. Search efforts were carried out with assistance from Prince Ge

Just In

911-communications-workers-in-b-c-vote-95-in-favour-of-strike-action
BCMay 15, 2026

911 communications workers in B.C. vote 95% in favour of strike action

A union representing more than 700 emergency communications workers in British Columbia says members have voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action as contract negotiations continue with E-Comm, the organization that operates many of the province’s 911 call services. CUPE 8911 said Thursday the vote reflects concerns among front-line staff about staffing shortages, workload pressures and long-term sustainability within the emergency communications system. The union said workers would be in a legal strike position once an essential services order is finalized through the labour relations p
carney-smith-expected-to-unveil-alberta-industrial-carbon-pricing-deal-tied-to-pipeline-plan
CanadaMay 15, 2026

Carney, Smith expected to unveil Alberta industrial carbon pricing deal tied to pipeline plan

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith are expected to announce an agreement Friday on the future of industrial carbon pricing in Alberta, a move both governments have linked to plans for a new bitumen export pipeline to Canada’s West Coast. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the agreement would see Alberta’s industrial emissions price rise to an effective rate of $130 per tonne by 2040. Alberta froze its industrial carbon price at $95 per tonne last year. The expected announcement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Ottawa and Alberta i
AlbertaMay 15, 2026

Re-entry to begin for some evacuees after Woodlands County wildfire holds steady

Some residents forced from their homes earlier this week due to a wildfire northwest of Edmonton could begin returning Friday as fire conditions stabilize in parts of Woodlands County. Woodlands County officials said on social media that re-entry is expected to begin for residents in Zone 1 only, while evacuation orders for other affected areas remain in place. Residents returning to the area are being asked to complete a waiver because the wildfire is still considered active. About 140 residents were ordered to evacuate Monday as crews responded to a wildfire near the town of Whitecourt, loca
CanadaMay 15, 2026

Indian man pleads guilty in cross-border human smuggling case linked to Canada–U.S. route

A 22-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court in connection with a human smuggling network accused of moving Indian migrants from Canada into the United States illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Authorities allege Shivam Lnu was involved in a cross-border operation that transported migrants from Canada into New York State between October 2024 and June 2025. Investigators said the network later arranged travel for migrants to other parts of the United States. According to the Justice Department, Shivam’s role included coordinating drivers, arranging pic
man-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-in-fatal-coquitlam-pub-stabbing
BCMay 14, 2026

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in fatal Coquitlam pub stabbing

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with a fatal stabbing outside a pub in Coquitlam last year, according to homicide investigators. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Timothy Vansnick was originally charged with second-degree murder following the incident on Jan. 31, 2025. Police said the stabbing occurred after a fight outside the pub. Bystanders attempted first aid before emergency responders continued life-saving efforts, but the victim died at the scene. Investigators said Vansnick was charged with second-degree murder on Feb. 1, 2025. On Tuesda