The City of Vancouver and the British Columbia government say general admission to live World Cup match screenings at Hastings Park will be free during the FIFA Fan Festival in June. According to a joint government announcement, spectators will be able to watch matches at the festival site and amphitheatre general floor without charge. The general floor is expected to accommodate about 2,600 per match on a first-come, first-served basis. Officials said reserved seating and fast-track entry options will be available for purchase, but no fee will be required for standard entry. The FIFA Fan Fest

The Bank of Canada has held its benchmark interest rate at 2.25 per cent following its latest policy meeting, marking the third consecutive decision to leave rates unchanged. According to the central bank’s statement, Governor Tiff Macklem cited ongoing global economic uncertainty as a key factor behind the decision. He pointed to instability linked to conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global energy markets, including rising oil and natural gas prices. The bank also warned that disruptions in key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, could affect supply chains for food

A driver is dead after a vehicle fleeing police crashed into a tree late Monday night in Abbotsford, according to a police statement. Abbotsford Police said an officer attempted a traffic stop on a speeding Dodge Ram pickup along Maclure Road. According to the department, the driver failed to stop, accelerated away and lost control moments later before striking a tree. The driver was declared dead at the scene. Police say a collision analysis team has been deployed to examine the circumstances of the crash, including vehicle speed and road conditions. The Independent Investigations Office has

A 67-year-old man has died following a collision between a pickup truck and a logging truck on Highway 97 north of Prince George, according to British Columbia Highway Patrol. Police said officers were called to the scene Monday afternoon. The driver of the pickup was pronounced dead, while a 29-year-old man from Alberta driving the logging truck sustained minor injuries. According to a police statement, the crash occurred on a slushy and wet section of highway amid winter driving conditions in the northern Interior. Investigators say the cause of the collision has not been determined and rema

The Vancouver Whitecaps team's explosive play in MLS competitions continued this past weekend, where the Vancouver Whitecaps team played its third match of the season at its home ground, BC Place Stadium. Whitecaps won the match 6-0 against Minnesota United. The Whitecaps started dominating from the beginning of the match. The home team, playing in a constant attacking mode, took a 4-0 lead in the first half. In the 8th minute of the first half for the Whitecaps, Berhalter converted a penalty into a goal. Then Brian White scored a goal in the 13th minute. After this, Laborda scored in th

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the death toll from Israeli air and ground attacks since March 2 has risen to nearly 900 as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, at least 886 people have been killed and 2,141 others injured during Israeli strikes across parts of Lebanon over the past two weeks. The ministry said the attacks have also affected the country’s health-care system. Medical teams responding to emergencies were among those hit during the strikes. At least 38 health workers have been killed and another 69 injured w

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over a homicide investigation following a fatal shooting early Saturday at a residence in Surrey. According to an IHIT news release, officers with the Surrey Police Service responded at about 1:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired inside a home in the 13900 block of Laurel Drive. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Police said officers immediately provided first aid until paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services arrived. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene. A man was arrested at the residence an

The federal government says it will invest $200 million over the next decade to secure access to a Canadian-owned satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia, part of a broader effort to build domestic space and defence capabilities. Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the initiative Monday at a laboratory operated by the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa. The funding will be used to lease a launch pad near Canso that Ottawa says will form the foundation for a future Canadian spaceport. Canada currently relies on other countries, primarily the United States, to send satellites into orbit because i

Environment Canada says parts of British Columbia are expected to see heavy rain, strong winds and periods of snow this week as an atmospheric river approaches the coast. The federal forecaster says Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Howe Sound could receive up to 150 millimetres of rain by Wednesday, with prolonged heavy rainfall forecast to begin early this week. According to Environment Canada weather warnings, some areas could also see rain mixed with snow, raising concerns about rising river levels and localized flooding. Environment Canada has issued yellow weather warnings indicati