18.41°C Vancouver

News

BCOct 14, 2021

TSB to release report into possible link between rail and wildfire in Lytton, B.C.

The Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to release the results of its investigation today into the "possible relation" between train activities and a wildfire this summer in Lytton, B.C.The fire raced through the town on June 30, killing two people and leaving few buildings undamaged, after a heat wave pushed the temperature up to a Canadian record of 49.6 C in Lytton.The safety board said in July that it sent investigators to the area to investigate any potential link to trains.Canadian Pacific Railway said in a statement in July that it found nothing to indicate that any of its trains
direct-attack-on-federalism-says-punjab-cm-channi-on-bsf-jurisdiction-capt-amarinder-singh-approves-centres-move
IndiaOct 14, 2021

'Direct attack on federalism', says Punjab CM Channi on BSF jurisdiction; Capt Amarinder Singh approves Centre's move

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Wednesday condemned the Centre's decision to extend the Border Security Force (BSF)'s jurisdiction over a wider area along the borders of three states and said that it is a "direct attack on federalism". Channi requested the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately roll back this irrational decision. "I strongly condemn the GoI's unilateral decision to give additional powers to BSF within the 50 km belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on federalism. I urge the Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately rol
sit-arrives-in-ups-lakhimpur-kheri-for-probe-into-incident
IndiaOct 14, 2021

SIT arrives in UP's Lakhimpur Kheri for probe into incident

Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, on Thursday reached the site along with security forces. A total of eight people including three farmers had died in the violence in the Lakhimpur Kheri district on October 3. A Congress delegation on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding an independent judicial investigation by a Commission comprising of two sitting judges of the Supreme Court of India or the High Court.
b-c-reports-605-new-covid-19-cases-and-4-deaths
BCOct 14, 2021

B.C. reports 605 new COVID-19 cases and 4 deaths

B.C. is reporting 605 new cases of COVID-19, including 18 epi-linked cases, for a total of 195,186 cases in the province.There are 5,172 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 187,564 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 374 people are in hospital and 153 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, four new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,033.The new deaths include:Northern Health: threeIsland Health: one There has been one new health-care facility outbreak at Tofino General Ho
assailant-with-bow-and-arrows-kills-5-people-in-norway
WorldOct 14, 2021

Assailant with bow and arrows kills 5 people in Norway

A man armed with a bow and arrows killed five people and wounded others near the Norwegian capital of Oslo. That's according to police in the town of Kongsberg who arrested the assailant on Wednesday evening. The police chief says there was ``a confrontation'' between officers and the suspect, but he did not elaborate. Two other people were wounded and hospitalized in intensive care, including an officer who was off duty and inside the shop where the attack took place. Police were alerted to the attack around 6:30 p.m. and arrested the suspect about 20 minutes later. The community is 66 kilom
funding-strengthens-b-c-s-system-of-substance-use-treatment-recovery-care
BCOct 13, 2021

Funding strengthens B.C.’s system of substance-use treatment, recovery care

The British Columbia government says a $132 million program that adds staff, beds and services across the province seeks to help people who require substance-use treatment and recovery care. Sheila Malcolmson, the province's minister of mental health and addictions, says the program will include 65 new or improved services, about 130 more staff and 195 new substance-use treatment beds. She says some of the new initiatives include a sobering centre in Prince George, an addiction medicine treatment team at Burnaby Hospital and withdrawal services at several locations in B.C.'s Interior. Dr. Pat
bc-federation-of-labour-launching-a-campaign-aimed-at-10-days-of-employer-paid-sick-leave
BCOct 13, 2021

BC Federation of Labour launching a campaign aimed at 10 days of employer-paid sick leave

The BC Federation of Labour is launching a campaign aimed at encouraging the province to include 10 days of employer-paid sick leave when it announces details of BC's new permanent sick leave program in the next several weeks. Federation president Laird Cronk says 10 days of sick leave is needed to ensure workers don't have to choose between going to work sick or paying their bills. The campaign includes an open, multilingual letter calling on the Minister of Labour, key cabinet ministers and local politicians to back the government's 10 day option. Rallies are also planned in Victoria, Burna
safety-board-releasing-results-of-investigation-into-wildfire-in-lytton-b-c
BCOct 13, 2021

Safety board releasing results of investigation into wildfire in Lytton, B.C.

We should find out tomorrow if the Transportation Safety Board has any evidence that a passing freight train could have sparked the wildfire that destroyed Lytton. The board has called a news conference for tomorrow morning, one hour after it posts the results of its investigation on its website. Two people died in the June 30th blaze that tore through the Fraser Canyon village, destroying most of it and causing an estimated 77 million dollars in insured damage. Safety board investigators were sent to the village after the RCMP and wildfire service shared information about a possible cause of
woman-arrested-at-swartz-bay-ferry-terminal-after-attempting-robbery-and-threatening-bc-ferries-staff
BCOct 13, 2021

Woman arrested at Swartz Bay ferry terminal after attempting robbery and threatening BC Ferries staff

The RCMP arrested a woman after she tried to rob a passenger and threatened to stab a BC Ferries staff member at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal in North Saanich on Saturday. Police say the victim refused to give the woman their phone and BC Ferries workers intervened, resulting in the woman threatening to stab the staff before she fled the terminal. While officers were responding, they say they received another call that the woman was attempting to break into a nearby residence, and they soon found and arrested her. RCMP say the woman, who is from Victoria, now faces multiple charges including

Just In

BCAug 06, 2026

Fort St. John RCMP investigate second targeted drive-by shooting in recent weeks

RCMP are investigating a targeted drive-by shooting in Fort St. John that damaged several properties but did not result in any reported injuries. The incident marks the second targeted shooting in the city within the past few weeks. According to Fort St. John RCMP, officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 1:37 a.m. Thursday in the 9800 block of 108 Avenue, near the city's downtown area. Investigators found bullet damage to a travel trailer, two nearby homes and a vehicle. Police said no injuries were reported. As of publication, investigators have not released a description of any sus
federal-government-restores-full-health-coverage-for-refugees-and-asylum-claimants
CanadaAug 06, 2026

Federal government restores full health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants

The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has reversed recent cuts to health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants, restoring full benefits under the Interim Federal Health Program. New rules introduced on May 1, 2026 required eligible refugees to pay a $4 co-payment for prescription medications. The changes also required them to cover 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental services, including dental care, vision care, physiotherapy and mental health services. The policy drew criticism from frontline physicians, human rights organizations and community advocates, who argued
rcmp-warn-western-canada-trucking-businesses-about-credit-card-fraud-scheme
CanadaAug 06, 2026

RCMP warn Western Canada trucking businesses about credit card fraud scheme

The Saskatchewan RCMP is warning trucking and transportation-related businesses across Western Canada about a credit card fraud scheme targeting commercial suppliers. According to an RCMP news release, suspects are contacting businesses by phone and using fraudulent credit cards to purchase truck tires, engine oil, trailer parts and other high-value items. Police say the fraud typically begins with a phone order and payment by credit card. The initial transaction may appear as approved or pending, prompting businesses to ship the goods by courier. After the shipment is delivered, the credit ca
rustad-criticizes-b-c-premiers-public-response-as-wildfire-evacuations-continue
BCAug 06, 2026

Rustad criticizes B.C. premier's public response as wildfire evacuations continue

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has criticized Premier David Eby over his public response as thousands of people across British Columbia remain under evacuation orders because of ongoing wildfires. Rustad said it was unacceptable that the premier had not addressed the public while many residents remain displaced and families are uncertain whether their homes have survived. He described the situation as a failure of leadership, saying people affected by the fires expect clear answers and support from the province's top elected official. According to statements released by the B.C. Conserva
modi-netanyahu-discuss-west-asia-developments-in-phone-call
IndiaAug 06, 2026

Modi, Netanyahu discuss West Asia developments in phone call

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone on Thursday to discuss recent developments in West Asia and the current regional situation. According to information released by Indian authorities, the two leaders also reviewed ongoing cooperation under the India–Israel Strategic Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The conversation comes as both countries continue regular high-level engagement on regional and bilateral issues. Prime Minister Modi last spoke with Netan