Liberals revamp rent-relief program for businesses, expand loan program

Metro Vancouver is set to ease its water restrictions from Stage 2 to Stage 1 starting Sept. 1, allowing residents and businesses to water their lawns once a week. Under Stage 1, residential properties with even-numbered addresses can water their lawns on Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses can do so on Sundays. Automatic watering is permitted from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., while manual watering is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. For commercial properties, lawn watering will be allowed on Mondays for even-numbered addresses and Tuesdays for odd-numbered addresses. Trees, shrubs and flowers can als

Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has confirmed that 30 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are among the hundreds of people reported missing following severe flooding and landslides in the border region between Nepal and Tibet. In a statement issued Thursday, Anand said Canadian officials are in continuous contact with local authorities and international partners to support the safe return of Canadians in the affected areas and assist their families. However, the minister said there is currently no confirmed information about the whereabouts or well-being of the missing Ca

A 43-year-old man, Dustin Gastel, has been sentenced to three years in prison for desecrating human remains in connection with a 2023 homicide in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The case came to light on January 3, 2023, when Vancouver Fire Rescue Services discovered burned human remains while extinguishing a suspicious outdoor fire near Powell Street and Raymur Avenue. Police later identified the victim as 34-year-old Jeff Genty, who was the first homicide victim recorded in Vancouver that year. According to Vancouver police, Gastel was sentenced by the court on August 10. His three-year sen

A Russian military officer was killed and his wife injured in a car explosion in St. Petersburg on Thursday, according to Russian media reports. The couple were reportedly inside the vehicle when the explosion occurred. The deceased was identified as a lieutenant colonel. He died at the scene, while his injured wife was taken to a hospital for treatment. Russia’s Investigative Committee said a criminal investigation has been launched into the incident. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion and identify those responsible. Russia has previously accused Ukraine of ca

Prince George RCMP officers have seized a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs, cash, firearms and ammunition during a drug investigation at a local residence. The investigation began on August 24, 2026, at a home in the 6200-block of Monterey Road. Police searched the residence and seized approximately $29,000 in cash, along with more than 100 grams of two unidentified substances believed to be illicit drugs. Officers also recovered two firearms, ammunition and drug-trafficking paraphernalia during the investigation. The only person inside the residence at the time was arrested and later