59 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths reported in B.C.

Spain has barred U.S. military aircraft from using its airspace and bases in connection with ongoing operations involving Iran, according to a statement by the country’s defence ministry. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Spain will not allow its territory or infrastructure to be used for military actions linked to Iran. The restriction applies to U.S. military flights, while commercial and emergency aircraft are exempt. The decision means U.S. aircraft will need to reroute operations that would typically pass through Spanish-controlled airspace or rely on Spanish military facilities. P

Air Canada says chief executive officer Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of this year, according to a company statement. The announcement follows criticism earlier this month over a video message Rousseau delivered after a deadly plane crash in New York that killed two Air Canada Express pilots. The four-minute condolence video, posted online, included only limited French, using the words “bonjour” and “merci.” Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision to release the message primarily in English showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion,” high

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she welcomes a range of views within her United Conservative Party caucus after one of her MLAs publicly supported a petition calling for a referendum on provincial separation. Speaking on her provincewide radio show Saturday, Smith said her government remains committed to a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” despite comments from Jason Stephan, the MLA for Red Deer-South and her parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs. Stephan wrote in an opinion piece published Friday that he supports a citizen-led petition to trigger a referendum o

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is scheduled to visit China from April 1 to April 4, according to a federal government itinerary, marking a continued effort by Ottawa to re-engage with Beijing on economic issues. The visit follows a recent trip by Prime Minister Mark Carney to Beijing, where discussions focused on easing strained relations between the two countries. Champagne is expected to meet with Chinese finance and banking officials during his stay, although details of specific agreements or outcomes have not been publicly confirmed. According to government offici

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual