Officials on Vancouver Island are hoping rain in the forecast can help clear up the air quality muddied by an out-of-control wildfire. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District says wildland firefighters have said the rain may improve air quality locally, but that it's hard to be certain. The west central region is under an air quality statement, along with parts of Vancouver Island's east coast and the Sunshine coast region on the B.C. mainland. The intense Mount Underwood wildfire has grown to more than 34 square kilometres, with fire behaviour that the BC Wildfire Service says is "unusual" fo

The shishalh First Nation says 41 ``additional unmarked graves'' have been found as a result of a search with ground-penetrating radar on the site of a former residential school. The nation on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast says a team has been scanning the area around the St. Augustine's Residential School site for the last 18 months, at locations identified through interviews with survivors. It says the discovery brings the number of suspected graves at the site to 81, after initial findings that were announced in 2023. First Nations communities have tended to use careful language when an

The union representing Air Canada's flight attendants has formally rejected the airline's request to enter binding arbitration. Air Canada had requested federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu step in and direct the parties to enter binding arbitration.   Now the Air Canada component of CUPE says Hajdu should also deny Air Canada's request for intervention saying --quote-- "Air Canada appears to have anticipated government intervention and has opted to suspend meaningful discussions, contrary to its legal obligation to bargain in good faith.''   Air Canada's executive vice-president has sa

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Independence Day to reduce GST slabs from 4 to 2 by Diwali and launch a new scheme for 3.5 crore jobs. Currently, there are 4 slabs of GST in India of 5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent. The Centre has now proposed to reduce it to only 5 and 18 percent slabs. This change is expected to bring big relief to the people. The Prime Minister said that the new reforms are part of the Centre's Diwali gift. According to the report, about 90 percent of taxable items in India, which are currently in the highest GST bracket of 28 percent, are prop

Police are investigating a two-vehicle fatal collision on Highway 1 near Whittaker Rd near the Malahat summit. On August 14, 2025 just before 4:00 p.m., Shawnigan Lake RCMP responded to the area of Highway 1 near Whittaker Rd after receiving a report a collision between two vehicles. Preliminary information gathered at the scene indicated that a white Toyota Corolla was travelling southbound on Highway 1 when it collided with a black Dodge Ram around that intersection. The driver and passenger of the Dodge Ram suffered minor injuries and were transported to hospital. The four occupants of the

At least 200 people have died in floods and landslides in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the past 24 hours. According to officials, the highest number of deaths, 180, was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The disaster destroyed at least 30 houses and a rescue helicopter crashed during operations, killing five of its crew members. The government weather agency said heavy rains are expected until August 21 and a heavy rain warning has been issued for the country's northwest. Several areas have been declared disaster zones. According to the report, Pakistani Punjab, home to near

On the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolor for the 12th time at Red Fort and later addressed the people of the country. He gave a 103-minute speech, which is the longest speech ever given by any Prime Minister from Red Fort. The Prime Minister began his speech by mentioning Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi clarified that the Indus Treaty is no longer acceptable to India. He also responded to Trump's tariffs without taking names. PM Modi said that India's farmers are our biggest priority and Modi stands like a wall against any h

China is taking its dispute with Canada over steel tariffs to the World Trade Organization. Beijing filed a complaint earlier today with the WTO in response to Canadian restrictions on imports that contain steel melted or poured in China. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last month that he was imposing the 25 per cent surtax on products containing Chinese steel to protect the domestic industry in the face of steep U.S. tariffs. But China says the duties are "discriminatory," according to a translation of a statement issued by the Chinese commerce ministry. China says it is disappointed by

Thousands are out of their homes, and many more are on alert to evacuate as wildfires continue to rage across Atlantic Canada. Officials in Newfoundland and Labrador have expanded an evacuation alert along the Bay De Verde Peninsula as the Kingston wildfire burns nearby. The community of Job's Cove in Newfoundland is affected by the expanded evacuation alert for the wildfire, which is considered out-of-control and is now more than 90 square kilometres in size. The Kingston fire is the largest in the province and has forced more than 3,000 people from their homes. In Nova Scotia, the County of