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alberta-to-pay-for-covid-shots-for-health-workers-in-policy-reversal
AlbertaAug 20, 2025

Alberta to pay for COVID shots for health workers in policy reversal

Alberta's government says it will cover the costof COVID-19 vaccinations for health-care workers in a partial policy reversal. It comes two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for COVID-19 shots this fall. Public health experts and health-care unions called it irresponsible to force front-line workers to pay for protection in the workplace. Premier Danielle Smith has said the aim of the new policy is to prevent wastage, after some $135 million was spent on unused doses. The government hasn't finalized how much other Alb
israel-to-mobilize-tens-of-thousands-of-reservists-for-expanded-gaza-operation
WorldAug 20, 2025

Israel to mobilize tens of thousands of reservists for expanded Gaza operation

The Israeli military has announced plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists for an expanded operation in Gaza City. Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plan, which involves deploying 60,000 reservists and extending service for 20,000 more. This move comes amid international concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many residents are displaced and facing famine. The operation aims to target Hamas' underground tunnel network, according to Israeli official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, negotiations for a ceasefire continue, with Hamas agreeing
bus-crash-in-afghanistan-kills-more-than-70-afghans-returning-from-iran
WorldAug 20, 2025

Bus crash in Afghanistan kills more than 70 Afghans returning from Iran

A bus crash in northwestern Afghanistan killed at least 79 people returning from Iran, including 19 children, an official said. Two people were also injured in the crash, Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani told The Associated Press. Tolo News, citing the official, said the accident happened Tuesday around 8:30 p.m. local time in Herat province. The bus collided with a truck and a motorbike, causing a massive fire that killed many on the spot, the outlet reported. Traffic accidents are common in Afghanistan, mainly due to poor road conditions and driver carelessness. Nearly 1.8
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Canada-Wide Warrant Issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Delta. Gurkirat is charged with sexually abusing a girl under the age of 16. Police said Tuesday that Gurkirat Singh, wanted in connection with an alleged child sexual assault that occurred last year, is still at large. Police have issued a renewed appeal for information on his whereabouts. The charges against him date back to Sept. 12, 2024. The Delta Police Vulnerable Sector Unit has issued a public appeal for help in finding him so he can be arrested to face charges. Police said in a news release that anyone with informati
heavy-rains-wreak-havoc-in-western-punjab-several-people-die
WorldAug 19, 2025

Heavy rains wreak havoc in western Punjab, several people die

At least six people died in incidents related to heavy rains in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday and the Meteorological Department has warned of more rain. The visuals that emerged showed the main roads of the city submerged in water and traffic was disrupted. At the same time, at least 358 people have died in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last three days as a result of heavy floods and rains, where record rains that started on August 15 have wreaked havoc across the province. Last week, the state government had declared an emergency. Meanwhile, many cities in Pakistani Punjab are on high alert, i
health-canada-approves-ozempic-to-reduce-kidney-deterioration-in-people-with-diabetes
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Health Canada approves Ozempic to reduce kidney deterioration in people with diabetes

Health Canada has approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of further kidney decline among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Between 30 and 50 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes develop some form of chronic kidney disease. An international clinical trial, called FLOW, showed the risk of kidneys significantly deteriorating or failing was 24 per cent lower in patients taking Ozempic compared to those taking a placebo injection. The patients taking the drug were also less likely to die from cardiovascular disease another condition that affects many patients with diabetes. The study, funded by Ozempi
fiery-head-on-crash-on-highway-1-kills-two-near-lytton-b-c
EnglishAug 19, 2025

Fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 kills two near Lytton, B.C.

A fiery head-on crash on Highway 1 in the British Columbia Interior has left two people dead. Lytton RCMP say the crash happened on Aug. 14 just before 5 p.m., when police began receiving calls from the collision site near Spences Bridge. Police say officers arrived to find that a southbound SUV likely crossed over the centre line of the highway and collided with a northbound pickup truck. Mounties say in a statement that the crash left both vehicles "engulfed in flames." Emergency responders say three occupants of the SUV and the driver of the pickup were all taken to hospital, and two dogs a
inflation-cools-to-1-7-in-july-thanks-to-lower-gas-prices-statcan
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Inflation cools to 1.7% in July thanks to lower gas prices: StatCan

Inflation cooled in July thanks largely to relief at the gas pumps, but Statistics Canada said grocery and shelter costs were accelerating last month. The annual rate of inflation fell to 1.7 per cent in July, the agency said Tuesday, down from 1.9 per cent in June. The reading was a tenth of a percentage point below most economists' expectations. A 16.1 per cent decline year-over-year in gas prices tied mainly to the removal of the consumer carbon price earlier this year fuelled the drop. Gas prices were also down 0.7 per cent on a monthly basis. Statistics Canada pointed to increased product
poilievres-byelection-win-sets-the-table-for-his-return-to-parliament-this-fall
CanadaAug 19, 2025

Poilievre's byelection win sets the table for his return to Parliament this fall

After a summer of rodeos, dinosaurs and door-knocking, Pierre Poilievre is now officially heading back to Ottawa as a Conservative member of Parliament for Alberta. The Tory leader will represent the sprawling rural riding of Battle River—Crowfoot, in the province's eastern region, after winning a byelection on Monday. "Getting to know the people in this region has been the privilege of my life," Poilievre told a crowd at a victory party in Camrose, Alta., on Monday night. "In fact, I've had a hell of a lot of fun." Poilievre spent weeks this summer meeting constituents, attending events and

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saskatchewan-premier-moe-federal-minister-to-meet-on-china-canola-tariff
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Saskatchewan Premier Moe, federal minister to meet on China canola tariff

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is set to meet today with federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald, along with industry groups, to discuss the steep Chinese tariff on Canadian canola seed. Kody Blois, the parliamentary secretary for Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison are also to attend the meeting in Saskatoon. A press conference is scheduled following the discussion. China imposed the tariff of nearly 76 per cent last week, causing the price of one of Canada's most valuable crops to fall and wiping out millions of dollars in its value. It comes
brazilian-police-accuse-ex-president-bolsonaro-of-planning-to-flee-to-argentina-seeking-asylum
WorldAug 21, 2025

Brazilian police accuse ex-President Bolsonaro of planning to flee to Argentina seeking asylum

Police in Brazil say messages found on former President Jair Bolsonaro’s telephone showed that he wanted to flee to Argentina and request political asylum from President Javier Milei. Police on Wednesday formally accused Bolsonaro and one of his sons of obstruction of justice in connection with his pending trial on an alleged coup attempt. The Associated Press had access to the police investigation, which was sent to Brazil’s Supreme Court. Silas Malafaia, an evangelical pastor who is a staunch ally of Bolsonaro’s, was also targeted by police. He had his passport seized by investigators.
anand-set-to-have-meeting-with-rubio-in-washington-amid-bilateral-tensions
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Anand set to have meeting with Rubio in Washington amid bilateral tensions

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is set to have her first official meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington today amid ongoing tensions in the bilateral relationship. Anand and Rubio have previously spoken by phone, including in June ahead of the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis. Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc cycled through Washington in July looking for a tariff offramp but instead U.S. President Donald Trump boosted duties on Canada to 35 per cent. Those tariffs do not apply to goods compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade. Canada is al
poilievre-unveils-action-plan-to-combat-extortion-during-surrey-visit
BCAug 20, 2025

Poilievre unveils action plan to combat extortion during Surrey visit

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled a three-point action plan to combat extortion-related crime during a press conference held today at the Royal King Banquet Hall in Surrey -the same location where a shooting incident took place on July 21, 2025. Flanked by Abbotsford–South Langley MP Sukhman Gill, and candidates Sukh Pandher and Jassie Sahota (a police officer), Poilievre said extortion-related crimes have surged by 330% under Liberal rule. He attributed this rise to the repeal of mandatory jail terms for gun-related extortion under Bills C-5 and C-75. “Extortion-related
police-say-man-charged-after-alberta-youth-launch-catch-a-predator-scheme
AlbertaAug 20, 2025

Police say man charged after Alberta youth launch 'catch a predator' scheme

Alberta RCMP say they have arrested and charged a Calgary man who, it was later determined, had been the focus of a ``catch a predator'' sting operation hatched by a group of youngsters. Mounties say the situation came to light in Airdrie on Monday night when a 12-year-old boy was abducted in a car only to escape at a stoplight and call police. The suspect, a 37-year-old, refused to stop for police and was later arrested at a Calgary residence. Subsequently, police said they learned the suspect had been targeted by at least seven youths in a ``catch a predator'' scheme. The you