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CanadaSep 25, 2025

Starbucks to close stores, lay off 900 workers as part of turnaround plan

Starbucks is laying off around 900 non-retail employees and closing some U.S. and Canadian stores as it focuses more of its resources on a turnaround. The Seattle coffee giant will notify employees whose positions are being eliminated early Friday and said that it plans to close an undetermined number of stores in North America in the coming days. A review of Starbucks locations revealed that many are falling short of financial performance targets or are failing to create the environment customers expect, according to a letter sent by Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol on Thursday. ``Each
CanadaSep 25, 2025

India's new top envoy to be sworn in today as signs emerge of a thaw in relations

Indian's new high commissioner to Canada is being sworn in this afternoon at Rideau Hall, following a series of high-level visits by Canadian officials. Along with other new envoys, Dinesh Patnaik is set to visit Gov. Gen. Mary Simon today to present his credentials, marking the official start of his term. Relations between Canada and India have been strained since Canadian police accused New Delhi of playing a role in the June 2023 assassination of a Sikh activist near Vancouver. The chill began to lift slightly in June when Prime Minister Mark Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Mo
WorldSep 25, 2025

Paris court sentences Nicolas Sarkozy to 5 years in prison for criminal conspiracy

A Paris court has sentenced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy. The court found him guilty of attempting to finance his 2007 campaign with funds from Libya. Sarkozy, who is 70, will be incarcerated even if he appeals. He has denounced the ruling as a scandalous injustice and plans to appeal. The court also found two of his former ministers guilty of criminal association. However, the court cleared Sarkozy of charges including passive corruption and illegal campaign financing. Despite legal scandals, Sarkozy remains influential in French po
carney-heading-to-the-u-k-to-talk-trade-with-world-leaders
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Carney heading to the U.K. to talk trade with world leaders

Prime Minster Mark Carney is heading to the United Kingdom this week to discuss trade ties and other geopolitical issues with world leaders. The Prime Minister's Office says Carney will be in London from Sept. 25 to 28. He's set to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the prime ministers of Iceland, Australia, Spain and Denmark. His office says he'll also sit down with business leaders and institutional investors as part of a broader push to advance trade with international partners. Carney and his ministers have worked since coming to office to deepen Canada's international ties —
missing-person-for-location-gurninder-singh
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Surrey police seeking public assistance to locate Gurninder Singh

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is requesting the public's assistance in locating a 26-year-old missing man. Gurninder Singh was last seen at 1:00 am on September 22, 2025, in the area of the Scott Road Skytrain Station and the Pattullo Bridge walking towards the bridge. He has not been seen or heard from since. Gurninder is described as a 26-year-old South Asian male, 6’0” tall, 177 pounds, with a slim build, black hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-coloured T-shirt, black pants, and a light-coloured head covering. Police and family are concerned for his well being, as
quebec-government-bans-gender-neutral-pronouns-in-official-state-documents
CanadaSep 24, 2025

Quebec government bans gender-neutral pronouns in official state documents

The Quebec government is banning the use of newly emerging gender-neutral words in all official communications. French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge says Quebec’s official language must not be “distorted.” The updated language policy applies to recently invented words including gender-neutral pronouns that are commonly used by transgender and non-binary people. It also prohibits writing words in a way that aims to be more inclusive by neutralizing gender. The government says public bodies have a duty to use exemplary French, and Roberge says the language must be easy for every
b-c-green-party-votes-in-climate-activist-emily-lowan-as-new-leader
BCSep 24, 2025

B.C. Green Party votes in climate activist Emily Lowan as new leader

Emily Lowan, a 25-year-old climate activist, is the new leader of the British Columbia Green Party. Lowan won on the first ballot with 3,189 votes, ahead of second-place Jonathan Kerr with 1,908 votes, while Adam Bremner-Akins finished third with 128 votes. She doesn't have a seat in the legislature but says she plans to run in the next ``viable'' byelection or in the next general election. Lowan says the Greens will become a ``force of nature'' and promises that it will be a ``bold and critical'' opposition party. She says her decisive mandate is a ``clear message'' that the party nee
public-service-workers-pickets-expand-to-b-c-liquor-stores
BCSep 24, 2025

Public service workers' pickets expand to B.C. liquor stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded their picket lines to 25 Liquor Distribution Branch retail stores in the latest escalation of job action. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says more than 600 workers at the liquor stores have walked of the job across the province in an effort to push the government back to the negotiating table. The union says the store locations were chosen because they are a "significant source of government revenue."
interim-report-on-alberta-health-contract-scandal-not-finished-wont-be-made-public
AlbertaSep 24, 2025

Interim report on Alberta health contract scandal not finished, won't be made public

Alberta's government says it has yet to receive an interim report on the investigation into allegations of corruption over health contracts but it should be finished in the coming days. The government says former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant had until today to submit it but still has interviews to finish. It also says the interim report won't be made public. The report was initially expected in May, but the province extended the deadline because of the number of documents involved and interviews Wyant wanted to do. The deadline for the final report was set for Oct. 15. The al

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BCAug 31, 2026

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can
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WorldAug 31, 2026

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards
bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-interest-rate-at-2-25-rate-hikes-possible-in-2027
CanadaAug 31, 2026

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit
trump-warns-canada-over-venezuela-oil-deal-signals-u-s-may-no-longer-need-canadian-crude
CanadaAug 31, 2026

Trump Warns Canada Over Venezuela Oil Deal, Signals U.S. May No Longer Need Canadian Crude

U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks against Canada continue, with his latest remarks focusing on a major oil deal involving Venezuela. Trump has described the agreement, involving Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, as a direct warning to Ottawa and suggested that the United States may not need Canadian crude oil in the future. Experts say the deal could create increased competition for Canadian crude in the U.S. market in the coming years. Both Canada and Venezuela are major producers of heavy crude, which is used by refineries designed to process heavier grades of oil. Trump recently sha
b-c-ndp-mla-and-indigenous-leader-joan-philip-dies-at-74-vancouver-strathcona-seat-vacant
BCAug 31, 2026

B.C. NDP MLA and Indigenous Leader Joan Philip Dies at 74, Vancouver-Strathcona Seat Vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and prominent Indigenous leader Joan Philip has died at the age of 74. She represented the Vancouver-Strathcona riding in the provincial legislature. According to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Philip died Friday afternoon in hospital in the presence of her family. She had been battling a serious illness for some time. Her husband, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, along with her children and grandchildren, were by her side at the time of her death. B.C. Premier David Eby paid tribute to Philip, describing her as a fearless warrior and inspiring leader. He said she dedicated her life