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customers-at-liquor-and-cannabis-stores-donated-more-than-half-a-million-dollars-to-ukraine-relief-in-2-weeks-liquor-distribution-branch
BCMar 22, 2022

Customers at liquor and cannabis stores donated more than half a million dollars to Ukraine relief in 2 weeks: Liquor Distribution Branch

The Liquor Distribution Branch says customers to its liquor and cannabis stores donated more than half a million dollars to Ukraine relief in barely two weeks. A statement says customers donated a combined total of just over 538,000 dollars between February 28th and March 17th. The money goes to the Canadian Red Cross's Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal which supports everything from immediate and ongoing relief efforts to long-term recovery and other help inside Ukraine and for refugees who have fled the Russian invasion. Finance Minister Selena Robinson says the remarkable response demonst
BCMar 22, 2022

One man dead in Abbotsford, B.C., shooting, IHIT investigating

Members of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team are leading the probe into a fatal shooting in Abbotsford.Officers with the Abbotsford Police Department were called to a home on Latimer Street shortly before 10 p.m. Monday for reports of a shooting.When they arrived, they found a 41-year-old man suffering from life-threatening injuries.Despite efforts by first responders, the man died at the scene.The Abbotsford Police Major Crime Unit is in the preliminary stages of the investigation, but is handing the case over to the specialized homicide team.No suspects have been identified.
b-c-expands-eligibility-for-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-people-over-30
BCMar 22, 2022

B.C. expands eligibility for rapid COVID-19 tests to people over 30

People in their 30s and older can now pick up packs of free COVID-19 tests at pharmacies across British Columbia. The province expanded eligibility Monday for the rapid antigen tests, which are intended for future use in case of illness and should not be picked up by anyone with symptoms of an active infection. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit of five tests every 28 days by showing their personal health number. If others are picking up a kit on another person's behalf, they should present the person's name, personal health number and date of birth. As of Monday, there were 271 people
b-c-reports-506-new-covid-19-cases-and-8-deaths
BCMar 22, 2022

B.C. reports 506 new COVID-19 cases and 8 deaths

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 506 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 354,084 cases in the province:March 18-19: 200 new casesMarch 19-20: 170 new casesMarch 20-21: 136 new cases There are 271 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 49 are in intensive care.In the past 72 hours, eight new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,974. There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Selkirk Seniors Village (Island Health), for a total of eight facilities with ongoing outbreaks. From March 11-17, people not fully vaccinated accounted for 16.8% of cases. From
safety-board-says-flaw-in-rail-found-but-not-fixed-before-38-cars-derailed-in-b-c
BCMar 21, 2022

Safety board says flaw in rail found, but not fixed before 38 cars derailed in B.C.

The Transportation Safety Board says a defect in a railway track was found nine days before 38 Canadian National Railway cars derailed in northern British Columbia but it wasn't fixed. A report released Monday says the problem on the CN main track was identified as needing an urgent fix in May 2021, but a followup track inspection didn't find the bent spikes or a spreading of the rails on the curve where the cars left the tracks.All of the cars remained upright and no dangerous goods spilled when the derailment happened June 3.The train was heading from Chetwynd to Prince George and both crew
kamloops-rcmp-hopes-public-can-help-them-trace-the-movements-of-a-van-linked-to-a-suspicious-death-in-the-area
BCMar 21, 2022

Kamloops RCMP hopes public can help them trace the movements of a van linked to a suspicious death in the area

Kamloops RCMP hope the public can help them trace the movements of a van linked to a suspicious death in the area. Investigators say a body was found in the van last Thursday while it was parked outside a home just west of Kamloops. The white, 2020 GMC van has a ``Budget'' decal on the driver's door and another saying ``we sell boxes'' on the driver's side rear quarter panel, and officers want to talk to anyone who may have seen the vehicle around the southern Interior recently. Police say they are waiting for results of an autopsy before confirming the victim's name or cause of death.
vpd-arrests-suspect-in-granville-skytrain-assault
BCMar 21, 2022

VPD arrests suspect in Granville SkyTrain assault

Vancouver Police have arrested a suspect for the assault of a 61-year-old man at the Granville SkyTrain Station, just one day after releasing graphic video of the victim being shoved down a flight of stairs. "More than 80,000 people viewed and shared this video on social media in the first 24 hours after it was released by Vancouver Police on Friday," says Constable Tania Visintin. "Late Saturday afternoon, an astute citizen who had seen the video on Instagram spotted the suspect walking near Granville and Georgia streets, and called 9-1-1.Thanks to that citizen, Vancouver Police arrested a 53
police-seeking-information-to-help-identify-robbery-suspect
BCMar 19, 2022

Police seeking information to help identify robbery suspect

Surrey RCMP is releasing the photo of a robbery suspect and seeking the public’s assistance with identifying the man. On February 8, 2022 at 9:14 a.m., Surrey RCMP received a report of a robbery at a gas station in the 14400-block of 104 Avenue. The suspect allegedly flashed what appeared to be a handgun at the cashier and demanded money. The suspect had fled the scene with a small amount of cash, prior to police being notified.The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, wearing a white and black tie-dyed hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and a ball cap underneath, a grey jacket with neon
b-c-reports-6-more-covid-19-deaths
BCMar 19, 2022

B.C. reports 6 more COVID-19 deaths

B.C. is reporting 199 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 353,578 cases in the province. The new cases include:Fraser Health: 52Vancouver Coastal Health: 18Interior Health: 72Northern Health: 14Island Health: 43People who reside outside of Canada: zeroThere are 290 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 46 are in intensive care.In the past 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,966.There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. The outbreak at Sidney Care Home (Island Health) has been declared over, for a total of seven facilities with ongoing outb

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WorldApr 29, 2026

Pakistan says ceasefire efforts ongoing in Middle East, signals possible U.S.–Iran talks

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says efforts to maintain a ceasefire in the Middle East are continuing, crediting Islamabad’s diplomatic engagement with helping keep the truce in place. According to statements attributed to Sharif, Pakistan is working to ensure the ceasefire holds and that peace initiatives do not lose momentum. He said there would be no relaxation in efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation. Officials familiar with the discussions indicate that Pakistan is again attempting to bring United States and Iran back to the negotiating table. Reports suggest a new roun
bank-of-canada-holds-key-interest-rate-at-2-25-as-global-risks-weigh-on-outlook
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Bank of Canada holds key interest rate at 2.25% as global risks weigh on outlook

The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25 per cent on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive decision to hold rates, according to its latest monetary policy report. The central bank also maintained its deposit rate at 2.20 per cent. Governor Tiff Macklem said ongoing conflict in the Middle East and evolving U.S. trade policies are reshaping global trade patterns and adding uncertainty to the economic outlook. According to the bank’s report, the Iran-related tensions have reduced growth prospects in oil-importing countries while contributing to higher inflation
federal-finance-minister-tables-2026-spring-mini-budget-with-focus-on-skilled-trades-training
CanadaApr 29, 2026

Federal finance minister tables 2026 spring mini-budget with focus on skilled trades training

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the federal government’s 2026 spring mini-budget in the House of Commons, outlining measures aimed at strengthening the national economy and addressing labour shortages in key sectors. According to the government’s budget statement, a new initiative branded “Team Canada Strong” will focus on expanding the skilled trades workforce. The plan sets a target of training 100,000 new skilled trades workers by the 2030–31 fiscal year to help meet demand in housing construction, infrastructure projects and major resource developm
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