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b-c-caps-international-post-secondary-student-enrolment-at-30-per-cent-of-total
BCJul 17, 2024

B.C. caps international post-secondary student enrolment at 30 per cent of total

British Columbia's government has introduced new guidelines for public post-secondary education institutions, capping the number of international students at 30 per cent of their total enrolment. In a statement, the provincial Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills says the new limit is meant to make sure that "international student enrolment doesn't strain an institution's ability "to provide appropriate services." The ministry says the new guidelines call for public universities and colleges to submit international education strategic plans to the government, which the provin
evacuation-orders-issued-west-of-kamloops-due-to-growing-wildfire-activity
BCJul 17, 2024

Evacuation orders issued west of Kamloops due to growing wildfire activity

The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has issued an evacuation order for its Nicoelton reserve as two wildfires burn north of Spences Bridge, B.C. The band issued the order Tuesday “in the interest of life and safety,” while it also put in place evacuation alerts for three more of its reserves. The band says the Teit Creek and Shetland Creek wildfires, burning at 249 hectares and 285 hectares wide, respectively, pose an “imminent danger” to its Nicoelton reserve. Both fires are deemed “out of control” by the BC Wildfire Service. Information Officer with the BCWS Taylor Coleman says the Te
alberta-b-c-toast-wine-deal-after-tiff-over-taxing-direct-sales-to-consumers
BCJul 16, 2024

Alberta, B.C. toast wine deal after tiff over taxing direct sales to consumers

The premiers of Alberta and B.C. are celebrating an agreement to again allow direct sales to consumers after a tiff over taxes. With the temporary deal, Albertans can order wine directly from more than 350 wineries in B.C. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says it means the province's liquor wholesaler can collect consistent fees on all wine sold in the province, but details of how it will work are still being sorted. The agreement comes after Alberta threatened to stop stocking wine in retail stores from B.C. producers who were selling directly to Alberta customers. The Alberta government says a
wildfire-along-highway-1-in-b-c-s-fraser-valley-now-classified-as-held
BCJul 16, 2024

Wildfire along Highway 1 in B.C.'s Fraser Valley now classified as 'held'

A wildfire that flared up along the Trans-Canada Highway between Chilliwack and Hope, B.C., is now classified as "being held," and isn't expected to spread beyond its boundaries. The one-hectare blaze had forced the closure of an eastbound lane on Monday. The BC Wildfire Service says human activity is the suspected cause. It's one of more than 150 wildfires active in the province, with clusters in the northeast and the central Interior. Of those fires, more than half are considered under control, while 37 per cent are out of control and 10 per cent are classified as being held. Nearly 730 fire
gaza-protesters-remain-as-vancouver-island-universitys-deadline-to-leave-expires
BCJul 15, 2024

Gaza protesters remain as Vancouver Island University's deadline to leave expires

A deadline for pro-Palestinian protesters to dismantle an encampment at Vancouver Island University in Naniamo, B.C., has expired without the demonstrators leaving. The university last Thursday issued a trespass notice to the protesters over the camp that has been in place since May 1, saying legal action would be launched if they did not leave by 8 a.m. Monday. It says in an email that as of about 9 a.m. the protesters "(have) not decamped" and the university would be issuing a statement. The protesters say in a social media post that they remain "steadfast" and that by issuing the deadline t
damn-so-close-ubc-looks-into-professors-social-media-after-trump-rally-shooting
BCJul 15, 2024

'Damn, so close': UBC looks into professor's social media after Trump rally shooting

The University of British Columbia says it is "aware" of a social media post that was apparently made by a professor at its faculty of medicine shortly after the attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump. The school says it is "looking into" the post and that it "does not condone violence of any kind." Posts that appeared on a now deleted X account belonging to Professor Karen Pinder said "Damn, so close. Too bad,” and then later, in response to a comment, “What a glorious day this could have been!” Pinder did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The post
b-c-wildfires-holding-steady-at-about-150-heat-warnings-span-southern-interior
BCJul 15, 2024

B.C. wildfires holding steady at about 150, heat warnings span southern Interior

British Columbia's wildfire service says this week will bring "increased heat," marking a 15-day trend of hot and dry weather that has fuelled a surge in fire activity. A provincial fire situation report says there's potential for thunderstorms in the Interior, while the northeast returns to a warming trend after a three-day break. Environment Canada maintains heat warnings for parts of the southern Interior from the Fraser Canyon up to the south Cariboo as well as the Okanagan Valley, communities along the Canada-U.S. border and the Kootenay Lake area. The weather office says daytime highs in
police-in-kamloops-b-c-continue-search-for-50-year-old-alberta-man-lost-in-river
BCJul 15, 2024

Police in Kamloops, B.C., continue search for 50-year-old Alberta man lost in river

Mounties in Kamloops, B.C., say the search continues for a 50-year-old Alberta man lost in the North Thompson River. Kamloops RCMP say officers responded to a call near a sports complex after a man was reportedly "swept away" by the river on Friday. Police say 50-year-old Stan Cappis and a friend jumped into a fast-moving portion of the river to rescue two young people who got caught by the river's current. Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says Cappis' friend and the youths got to shore, but Cappis was "swept away" and was last spotted around a river bend. Police say efforts by emergency personnel a
b-c-university-gives-pro-palestinian-protesters-trespass-notice-deadline-to-vacate
BCJul 12, 2024

B.C. university gives pro-Palestinian protesters trespass notice, deadline to vacate

Vancouver Island University says it has issued a trespass notice to pro-Palestinian protesters, telling them to vacate their encampment on the campus in Nanaimo, B.C., by Monday. The university says in a statement the notice was issued Thursday and if protesters aren't gone by 8 a.m. Monday the university will "take all legal steps necessary to remove them." It says it will start legal action seeking an injunction against the camp and damages from protesters if the camp isn't dismantled by the deadline. It says the camp that has been in place since May 1 has posed "unprecedented challenges" an

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WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level
measles-exposure-reported-at-grande-prairie-hospital-emergency-department
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor
netherlands-considering-rose-imports-from-punjab-says-cm-bhagwant-mann
IndiaApr 28, 2026

Netherlands considering rose imports from Punjab, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl