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WorldJun 20, 2022

President Macron loses absolute majority in French parliamentary elections

French voters have denied the re-elected President Emmanuel Macron an absolute majority. The result announced in the early hours of Monday. According to the result, Marcon secured 245 out of a total 577, however, it still fell short of the 289-seat threshold for an absolute majority in the National Assembly, France's lower house. After the new result, Macron became the first sitting French president to not win a parliamentary majority since a 2000 electoral reform. According to the publication, it is expected to try and form alliances with other political parties, including the traditional rig
WorldJun 20, 2022

Israel coalition agrees to dissolve, hold new elections

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office announced Monday that his weakened coalition will be disbanded and the country will head to new elections. Bennett has struggled to keep his unruly coalition of eight parties together, and defections have left the crumbling alliance without a majority in parliament for over two months. Bennett and his main coalition partner, Yair Lapid, decided to present a vote to dissolve parliament in the coming days, Bennett's office said. Lapid is then to serve as caretakever prime minister. The election, expected in the fall, would be Israel's fifth in thre
WorldJun 20, 2022

Philippines health official says COVID-19 cases start to peak

The steady uptick in the COVID-19 infections in the Philippines signals the start of the peak of cases, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday. "Right now, (we see) that the number of cases is continuously increasing," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a television interview. "We can see that this is really the start in the peak in the number of cases." Vergeire said the Southeast Asian country is seeing a trend similar to what happened in September 2021 and January 2022. The Philippines reported the highest single-day tally on Jan. 15 this year, with 39,0
WorldJun 17, 2022

European Union commission: Make Ukraine a member candidate

The European Union's executive arm on Friday recommended making Ukraine a candidate for EU membership, a first step on what was expected to be a long road forthe war-torn countryto join the 27-nation bloc. The European Commission delivered its proposal to award Ukraine candidate status after a fast-tracked analysis of answers to a questionnaire. The Ukrainian government applied for EU membership less than a week after Russia invaded the country. “Ukrainians are ready to die for the European perspective,” commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “We want them to live with us, the E
irelands-william-porterfield-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket
WorldJun 16, 2022

Ireland's William Porterfield announces retirement from international cricket

After leading the Ireland team through a successful era, former Ireland captain William Porterfield announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, calling time on a 16-year career. He was appointed as Ireland captain in 2008 and led his team over 250 times. "It's been an honour to represent my country for 16 years. It's something I had always wanted to do since I was a child," Porterfield said in an official statement released by Ireland Cricket. Andrew Balbirnie, the current Ireland captain, said Porterfield would be "a huge loss."
WorldJun 16, 2022

Ferrari to make 80% hybrid and full-electric range by 2030

Italian luxury sportscar maker Ferrari has outlined an electrification strategy that calls for 40% full-electric and 40% hybrid models by 2030. CEO Benedetto Vigna confirmed Thursday that the first electric car will be presented in 2025, with the first deliveries the following year. Now, just four Ferrari models, or 20% of the range, are hybrid cars. Its first hybrid model was the limited edition La Ferrari launched in 2013, capitalizing on Formula 1 technology. Vigna, a former technology entrepreneur who joined Ferrari as CEO nine months ago, said the electrification strategy is ``highly r
WorldJun 15, 2022

Pakistani govt chided for 'Drink less tea, save money' plea

A minister in Pakistan's newly elected government faced criticism Wednesday following his plea to the nation to drink less tea to help save on imports amid a deepening economic crisis. Pakistan is among the world's top tea importers, a hugely popular drink among both the rich and the poor in this country of 220 million people. The government has to spend about $600 million dollars from the central bank's hard currency reserves for tea imports annually. A Pakistani is believed to drink at least three cups of tea a day on average, the nation's caffeinated drink of choice. Prime Minister Shahbaz
WorldJun 14, 2022

Mexican government prodding its farmers to grow more food

Mexico's government wants citizens to produce more of their own food in a move toward self-sufficiency and lower prices in key products. The idea isn't new, but the ravages of the pandemic, climate change and the market turmoil created by the war in Ukraine have given it new urgency. The government wants to head off food insecurity in a country where 44% of its population lives in poverty and where 27.5 million tons of corn are produced, but more than 40 million tons are consumed. Some farmers are hopeful about additional government financial help and subsidized fertilizer. Others are suspic
WorldJun 10, 2022

US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus. A senior administration official said the mandate expires Sunday at 12:01 a.m. ET, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it's no longer necessary. The official, speaking Friday on the condition of anonymity to preview the formal announcement, said that the agency would reevaluate the need for the te

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new-housing-targets-will-bring-thousands-more-homes
BCAug 21, 2025

New housing targets will bring thousands more homes

The Province has set new housing targets for a fourth group of municipalities, bringing thousands of new homes to communities throughout B.C. Announced in May 2025, the fourth group of communities is part of the Province’s expanded housing-targets program to address high demand in growing communities and to continue to deliver the homes people need throughout the province. Effective Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, the following are the five-year targets for each municipality, which are set following consultation and reflect 75% of their estimated housing need: Burnaby - 10,240Coquitlam - 6,481Courten
pm-carney-and-trump-discuss-trade-and-new-economic-security-relationship
CanadaAug 21, 2025

PM Carney and Trump discuss trade and new economic security relationship

Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump discussed trade and new economic security relationship on Thursday. The talks between the two leaders have been described as positive and leading to further results. Carney and Trump also discussed the issue of Ukraine during this time, and the two leaders have also agreed to meet again soon. The phone conversation between the Prime Minister and Trump took place a few hours after External Affairs Minister Anita Anand met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Anand was in Washington today. It is worth noting that this is Carney's la
BCAug 21, 2025

Multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island as part of ongoing drug investigation

Community issues addressed after multiple search warrants executed on Salt Spring Island. On August 14, 2025, Salt Spring Island RCMP, assisted by officers with the Island District RCMP General Investigation Section executed multiple search warrants in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result, a significant amount of illicit drugs, including suspected cocaine and evidence consistent with drug trafficking were seized. The investigation remains ongoing, and a detailed report to Crown Counsel for consideration of criminal charges. We want to ensure the community is aware of our proa
six-charges-approved-following-cfseu-bc-uget-investigation
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Six charges approved following CFSEU-BC UGET investigation

The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (UGET) has secured six charges against a Surrey man following an investigation that led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and cash. On August 24, 2024, UGET officers attempted a traffic stop in Maple Ridge involving a vehicle known to have previously evaded police. The driver fled on foot but was quickly arrested. A search of the suspect and vehicle led to the seizure of: • 1.157 kilograms of fentanyl • 790 grams of cocaine • 337 grams of methamphetamine • 1
tariffs-quebec-liquor-board-prepares-to-destroy-300-000-worth-of-american-alcohol
CanadaAug 21, 2025

Tariffs: Quebec liquor board prepares to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol

The Quebec liquor board may be forced to destroy $300,000 worth of American alcohol that the province has banned from stores. The provincial government on March 4 ordered the state-owned corporation to empty shelves of U.S. alcohol in response to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. At the time, other provinces including Ontario and Alberta directed their liquor regulators to stop buying all American alcohol, while B.C. banned liquor from "red states" that voted for Trump in the 2024 election. U.S. alcohol purchased before the boycott is being stored, but Quebec's liquor board says that