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BCDec 24, 2020

Three inmates test positive for COVID-19 at federal prison in B.C.

The Correctional Service of Canada says three inmates at Fraser Valley Institution recently tested positive for COVID-19, though it does not say when they were tested or whether their infections remain active. The service says in a news release an initial investigation shows the three inmates were part of a small group transferred from another region. It says the group has been in medical isolation and closely monitored by staff since arriving at the women's prison, which has multiple security levels. It's believed transmission of the illness occurred before they arrived. The correctional ser
BCDec 24, 2020

Family offers reward for information leading to conviction in B.C. man's 2009 death

The family of a man who was killed at a home in Kelowna, B.C., is appealing for anyone with information to speak with police investigating the 2009 homicide. Paulina Pekova says the holiday season is particularly difficult without her brother Joseph Pek, who was 38. She says Pek was a talented musician and athlete as well as a kind and gentle uncle to his two nephews. The family is offering a $5,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for his stabbing death outside a Kelowna home. Peklova says Pek had a history with drugs and crime following multiple traumas
BCDec 24, 2020

COVID-19 curve bending down in B.C. after mid-November peak: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia's top doctor says COVID-19 cases in the province are levelling off after peaking in mid-November, though she warns now is not the time to relax public health rules. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the majority of cases are being traced to known infections and outbreaks, but keeping up with contact tracing is still a challenge, particularly in the hard-hit Fraser Health region. When presenting the latest modelling data, Henry showed the reproductive number for the illness has dipped slightly below one, meaning on average, someone who's infected may not transmit COVID-19 to anyone. She s
pm-trudeau-shares-christmas-message-says-there-is-hope-for-the-new-year
CanadaDec 24, 2020

PM Trudeau shares Christmas message, says there is hope for the New Year

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the COVID-19 pandemic has created a holiday season nobody wanted. But in his annual Christmas message, Trudeau says there is hope for the New Year. He says everyone can agree 2020 has been tough, but Canadians have met the challenging times with generosity, kindness and hope. He says throughout 2020, neighbours have helped neighbours, kids have given up play dates to be safe, front-line workers have put themselves at risk and businesses have retooled to help in the fight against COVID-19. Trudeau says Canadians should give thanks for what unites us.
quebecs-police-watchdog-completes-investigation-in-fatal-police-shooting-of-chantel-moore
CanadaDec 24, 2020

Quebec's police watchdog completes investigation in fatal police shooting of Chantel Moore

Quebec's police watchdog has completed its investigation into the New Brunswick police-involved killing of Chantel Moore, a 26-year-old Indigenous woman.The watchdog, known as the Bureau des enquetes independantes, said Wednesday it had forwarded its report to New Brunswick's Public Prosecutions Services and to the coroner in the case, on Dec. 16.Quebec's independent police watchdog investigated the case because New Brunswick does not have its own police oversight agency.Moore was shot by a member of the Edmundston Police Force during a wellness check on June 4, after the young woman had alleg
vancouver-police-offices-scratched-kicked-while-helping-man-in-mental-health-crisis
BCDec 23, 2020

Vancouver police offices scratched, kicked while helping man in mental health crisis

Two officers are nursing various injuries after the Vancouver Police Department says they were attacked while trying to help a father deal with his mentally ill son. A statement from Sgt. Steve Addison says the officers were patrolling in downtown Vancouver Tuesday night when they were called to help the father, who told them he had just been assaulted by his 31 year old son. The father said his son had stopped taking his medication and he led the constables to the man. Addison says shortly after the officers realized the younger man needed medical attention, he attacked, repeatedly kicking t
CanadaDec 23, 2020

Travel restriction on passengers from UK extended till Jan. 6: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a travel restriction on passengers from the United Kingdom is being extended by two weeks. The original 72 hour ban imposed on Sunday was set to expire today. Trudeau says the new ban will last until Jan. 6. The U.K. is struggling with a new strain of COVID-19 that experts suggest is more contagious than other variants. Britain is battling a new, apparently more contagious strain of COVID-19 and today recorded 744 deaths, the most since April.
navy-commander-mcdonald-named-new-chief-of-defence-staff
CanadaDec 23, 2020

Navy commander McDonald named new chief of defence staff

Royal Canadian Navy commander Vice-Admiral Art McDonald has been named as the next head of the Canadian Armed Forces. This announcement has ended the months of speculation about who would succeed General Jonathan Vance. The appointment also ends a long drought for the Navy, which has been passed over numerous times in favour of appointments from the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says McDonald will oversee the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines across the country.
countrys-top-experts-have-upheld-the-highest-standards-in-health-canadas-approval-of-modernas-covid-19-vaccine-pm-trudeau
CanadaDec 23, 2020

Country's top experts have upheld the highest standards in Health Canada's approval of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine: PM Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knows the country's top experts have upheld the highest standards in Health Canada's approval of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna shot is the second to be greenlit in Canada, following the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 9th. Trudeau says deliveries from Moderna should arrive in the coming days. He says between the earlier doses of the Pfizer vaccine and the upcoming shipments, Canada is on track to have at least 1.2 million doses of the two shots by the end of January. Health Canada says the COVID-19 vaccine from U.S. biotech f

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three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela
WorldMar 25, 2026

Australia to temporarily restrict Iranian tourist visa entries over overstay concerns

Australia’s federal government says it will temporarily bar Iranian nationals from entering the country on tourist visas, citing concerns about visa overstays. According to a government announcement, the measure takes effect Thursday and is expected to remain in place for about six months. Home Affairs officials say the restriction applies specifically to new arrivals on short-term visitor visas. The federal home affairs minister said the decision was made due to concerns that some travellers may remain in Australia after their visas expire. Authorities estimate about 7,000 Iranian nationals
AlbertaMar 25, 2026

Wetaskiwin residents raise concerns as mayor remains barred from city hall

Residents in Wetaskiwin, a city south of Edmonton, say frustration is growing over a lack of information surrounding restrictions placed on Mayor Joe Branco that have kept him out of city hall for more than two months. Branco has been attending council meetings virtually since mid-January. The city has said the decision relates to “confidential personnel matters,” but has not provided further details, citing privacy obligations. According to statements made during recent council discussions, the lack of public information has contributed to speculation in the community. Resident Maggie Tol
punjab-bjp-seeks-cbi-probe-into-warehouse-officials-death-submits-memorandum-to-governor
IndiaMar 25, 2026

Punjab BJP seeks CBI probe into warehouse official’s death, submits memorandum to Governor

Senior leaders of the Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Wednesday, submitting a memorandum seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the death of a state warehousing official. According to a party statement, Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar and working president Ashwani Sharma led the delegation. The memorandum calls for a CBI investigation into the alleged suicide of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, identified as a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corporation. BJP leaders alleged that the state government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party
carney-criticizes-air-canada-ceos-english-only-condolence-after-deadly-new-york-crash
CanadaMar 25, 2026

Carney criticizes Air Canada CEO’s English-only condolence after deadly New York crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney says an English-only condolence message from Michael Rousseau following a fatal crash in New York lacked compassion, as scrutiny grows over language obligations at federally regulated companies. Rousseau, the CEO of Air Canada, is being summoned to testify before the House of Commons official languages committee after posting a four-minute video message that included only two French words. According to federal officials, the video prompted dozens of complaints to the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages. The crash occurred Sunday evening at LaGuardia Airp