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applications-for-the-bc-governments-free-ivf-program-can-be-made-today
BCJul 02, 2025

Applications for the BC government’s free IVF program can be made today

Applications for the BC government’s free IVF program can be made today, the launch of this program is very important for those who are eager to become parents. The province’s NDP government announced this program in last year’s budget and the application process was supposed to start in March, but for some reasons it was delayed until July 2. The province’s David Ebby government has provided funding of about $68 million for two years for the free IVF program. Applications under this program will be accepted until the end of March 2026, so the age limit is up to 41 years. Eligible
wildfire-near-lytton-b-c-prompts-local-state-of-emergency-evacuation-order
BCJul 02, 2025

Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., prompts local state of emergency, evacuation order

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a local state of emergency for the Blue Sky Country region due to an encroaching out-of-control wildfire near Lytton, B.C. It has also issued an evacuation order for two properties on Spencer Road South as the blaze poses "immediate danger to life." The BC Wildfire Service says the Nikaia Creek wildfire is about six hectares in size and is one of more than 70 wildfires burning across the province. It says crews, supported by firefighters from Lytton First Nation, made "good progress" overnight and they are now focused on the north and south fl
attorney-generals-statement-on-inquiry-into-event-safety
BCJun 30, 2025

Attorney general’s statement on inquiry into event safety

Niki Sharma, Attorney General, has released the following statement about the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety in B.C. “On Saturday, April 26, 2025, British Columbia experienced one of the worst moments in our history, when a senseless act of violence turned a Lapu-Lapu Day celebration into a tragedy that left 11 people dead and countless more injured and traumatized. “In the aftermath, British Columbians understandably raised questions about enhancing public safety so people can feel safe attending and celebrating community events of all sizes this summer. That is why Pr
liquefied-natural-gas-being-loaded-on-asia-bound-tanker-docked-in-kitimat-b-c
BCJun 30, 2025

Liquefied natural gas being loaded on Asia-bound tanker docked in Kitimat, B.C.

A tanker that is set to carry Canada's first cargoes of liquefied natural gas across the Pacific to Asian markets is docked at LNG Canada's berth in Kitimat, B.C. A spokesperson for the project says the GasLog Glasgow is being loaded with LNG produced in B.C. British Columbia Coast Pilots say two of their members boarded the tanker at Triple Island and navigated the vessel on a 15-hour, nearly 300-kilometre journey to Kitimat. LNG is natural gas that has been chilled into a liquid state so that it can be transported in specialized marine vessels. LNG Canada is a joint venture between Shell and
b-c-minister-bowinn-ma-tells-of-frightening-incident-at-her-constituency-office
BCJun 27, 2025

B.C. minister Bowinn Ma tells of 'frightening' incident at her constituency office

BC Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says a “frightening” security incident took place Friday morning at her constituency office in North Vancouver, prompting the cancellation of all meetings and appointments for the day. In a statement, Ma said no one was injured and thanked police officers for responding quickly: “We appreciate the concern expressed by community members. For the safety of staff and constituents, all appointments are cancelled today.” Her statement says that thankfully, nobody was injured, and she appreciates the concern expressed by community members. “It’s scar
surrey-sikh-games-canada-2025-begin-at-tamanawis-park
BCJun 27, 2025

Surrey: Sikh Games Canada 2025 begin at Tamanawis Park

The Sikh Games Canada 2025 opened yesterday at Tamanawis Park in Surrey and will continue until Sunday, June 29. The event, which began in 2008 as a field hockey tournament, has grown into one of the largest multicultural sporting festivals in North America. Organizers emphasized that the Games represent more than competition. “This event is built on the Sikh principle of seva, or selfless service. Athletes compete, but they also serve their community by building bonds across cultures,” said one organizing committee member. Spectators told Connect FM they see the Games as both a celebrati
b-c-s-interior-health-authority-confirms-additional-measles-cases
BCJun 27, 2025

B.C.'s Interior health authority confirms additional measles cases

British Columbia's Interior health authority says it has confirmed additional cases of measles in the region spanning the province's southern Interior. A statement from Interior Health says communities in the region with confirmed cases now include Kamloops, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and the Nelson area. The update comes after the health authority issued a statement on Tuesday saying it had confirmed a single measles case in Kamloops. The cases this week follow an announcement on June 17 that a visitor to B.C. who had measles had travelled throughout the Interior while infectious. At the time, there
b-c-police-watchdog-calls-hearing-into-officers-racist-sexist-whatsapp-group
BCJun 27, 2025

B.C. police watchdog calls hearing into officers' 'racist, sexist' WhatsApp group

British Columbia's Police Complaint Commissioner says he's called a public hearing to probe misconduct allegations against three current and three former Nelson police officers over alleged racist, sexist and inappropriate comments made in a private WhatsApp chat group. Prabhu Rajan says the allegations "go to the heart of public trust in policing" and the public hearing will also delve into a constitutional challenge filed in court last year by five of the subject officers. A notice of public hearing from Rajan's office says the court case hasn't moved forward since it was filed in August 202
two-people-including-nine-year-old-girl-dead-after-calgary-house-fire
BCJun 27, 2025

Two people, including nine-year-old girl, dead after Calgary house fire

Two people, including a nine-year-old girl, are dead following an early morning house fire east of the Calgary airport. The second victim, a man in his 50s, was found deceased inside the home, while the girl was sent to hospital but did not survive. Fire spokeswoman Carole Henke says emergency crews called to the Taradale neighbourhood were met by roaring flames bursting from a two-storey home, threatening other nearby structures. Six people were inside the house: an adult and a teen who escaped through an upper floor window were sent to hospital while two people in the basement suit

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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