Structure fire claims 2 lives

New Westminster police say a man has been arrested following a string of property damage incidents that left at least 14 vehicles and two businesses with smashed windows in the city’s West End earlier this week. Officers first responded to the 1500 block of Dublin Street around 11:45 p.m. on November 11 after receiving a report of a car alarm. The vehicle’s owner found the window broken, and witnesses later reported a person on a bicycle damaging other vehicles in the area. Despite an initial search, police were unable to locate the suspect that night. About two hours later, officers were

Canada is nearing a major reform to its citizenship laws that could restore and extend rights to thousands of people born outside the country. Bill C-3, which cleared the House of Commons on November 5 and passed second reading in the Senate the following day, is now scheduled for detailed study by a Senate committee on November 17. The proposed legislation aims to broaden citizenship by descent, addressing long-standing gaps that left many children of Canadian parents without automatic citizenship due to restrictive provisions in past laws. If passed, the bill would also make it easier for in

Surrey RCMP are investigating after a home in the city’s south end was struck by gunfire for the second time in what investigators believe is an extortion-related attack. Police say officers responded to reports of shots fired around 7:35 p.m. Wednesday near 32 Avenue. No one was injured, but investigators confirmed the same residence had previously been targeted. Authorities say the case remains in its early stages and that officers are working with specialized units and partner agencies to determine whether the incident is connected to other recent extortion-related shootings across Metro

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy requiring village sarpanches and panchayat members to obtain official approval before travelling abroad. The Rural Development and Panchayats Department has circulated instructions to all District Development and Panchayat Officers as well as Additional Deputy Commissioners across the state to ensure implementation. According to the directive, many elected representatives from panchayati raj institutions often travel overseas for personal reasons, which can delay or disrupt ongoing development work in villages. To prevent such administrative sl

A 16-year-old youth was taken into custody Tuesday night after police responded to reports of a person with a firearm near Columbia SkyTrain Station in New Westminster. According to police, a 9-1-1 caller reported seeing the youth pick up what appeared to be a gun and tuck it into his waistband around 8:45 p.m. Officers quickly arrived at the scene and located a suspect matching the description. The youth was arrested without incident. Investigators later determined the firearm was a replica. The New Westminster Police Department said the case remains under active investigation. Sergeant Andre