Sri Lanka police on Friday arrested the country’s former president and senior opposition politician Ranil Wickremesinghe over allegations of misusing public funds during his tenure as president, an aide said. Wickremesinghe, who served as the island nation’s president from 2022 to 2024, was arrested on allegations of using public funds to attend his wife’s graduation ceremony in London after an official visit to the U.S. Wickremesinghe is the first Sri Lankan former head of state to be arrested. One of his aides told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Wickremesinghe has

Two motorcycle riders are spending a week getting rides from friends after a day of weaving through traffic in Vancouver without displaying licence plates. On August 17, 2025, just before 3:00 p.m., on Highway #1 at the Cassiar Connector, two BMW sport motorcycles were observed riding in tandem. A BC Highway Patrol cruiser that was watching could not see any licence plates at all. Some sport motorcycles have their rear fenders removed and a licence plate on a folding mount under the rear tire, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol. That is completely illegal. A motorcycle mus

The Province has set new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities, bringing thousands of new homes to communities throughout B.C. Announced in May 2025, the fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities and to continue to deliver the homes people need throughout the province. Effective Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the following are the five-year targets for each municipality, which are set following consultation and reflect 75% of their estimated housing need: Burnaby - 10,240Coquitlam - 6,481Courten

Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump discussed trade and new economic security relationship on Thursday. The talks between the two leaders have been described as positive and leading to further results. Carney and Trump also discussed the issue of Ukraine during this time, and the two leaders have also agreed to meet again soon. The phone conversation between the Prime Minister and Trump took place a few hours after External Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Anand was in Washington today. It is worth noting that this is Carney's la

Community issues addressed after multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island. On August 14, 2025, Salt Spring Island RCMP, assisted by officers with the Island District RCMP General Investigation Section executed multiple search warrants in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result, a significant amount of illicit drugs, including suspected cocaine and evidence consistent with drug trafficking were seized. The investigation remains ongoing, and a detailed report to Crown Counsel for consideration of criminal charges. We want to ensure the community is aware of our proa

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) has secured six charges against a Surrey man following an investigation that led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and cash. On August 24, 2024, UGET officers attempted a traffic stop in Maple Ridge involving a vehicle known to have previously evaded police. The driver fled on foot but was quickly arrested. A search of the suspect and vehicle led to the seizure of: • 1.157 kilograms of fentanyl • 790 grams of cocaine • 337 grams of methamphetamine • 1

The Quebec liquor board may be forced to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol that the province has banned from stores. The provincial government on March 4 ordered the state-owned corporation to empty shelves of U.S. alcohol in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. At the time, other provinces including Ontario and Alberta directed their liquor regulators to stop buying all American alcohol, while B.C. banned liquor from "red states" that voted for Trump in the 2024 election. U.S. alcohol purchased before the boycott is being stored, but Quebec's liquor board says that

Russia has launched a major attack on western Ukraine. This comes as US President Donald Trump is taking diplomatic steps to stop the war. Ukraine's air force said on Thursday that Russia fired 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles overnight. At least one person was killed and 15 others were injured in the attacks. It was Russia's third largest airstrike in terms of the number of drones this year and the eighth largest in terms of missiles. Russia has fired about 1,000 long-range drones and missiles into Ukraine since the White House launched talks. Zelensky condemned the attack,

Most of Air Canada's flights have been restored and 95% of its entire network is expected to return to service in the next 24 hours. The airline said 94% of international flights are expected to operate in the next 24 hours. As of yesterday, 234 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge aircraft were in service. The airline said it operated about 900 flights on Wednesday. Air Canada said it will take some time for full regular service to resume and that customers will be kept informed of any changes to travel plans. It is worth noting that a vote on the temporary agreement to end the flight attendan