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IndiaAug 15, 2025

Government's big GST plan, Centre proposes to remove 12% and 28% slabs

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
BCAug 15, 2025

Fatal collision under investigation on Highway 1

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-killed-in-pakistan-floods-landslides
WorldAug 15, 2025

At least 200 killed in Pakistan floods, landslides

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
pm-modi-hoists-tricolor-for-12th-time-at-red-fort
IndiaAug 15, 2025

PM Modi hoists tricolor for 12th time at Red Fort

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-files-complaint-with-world-trade-organization-over-canadian-steel-tariffs
WorldAug 15, 2025

China files complaint with World Trade Organization over Canadian steel tariffs

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
wildfires-in-newfoundland-and-labrador-nova-scotia-have-residents-on-high-alert
CanadaAug 15, 2025

Wildfires in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia have residents on high alert

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
air-canada-flight-attendants-could-strike-tonight
CanadaAug 15, 2025

Air Canada flight attendants could strike tonight

It's the final day before a potential work stoppage could ground all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. More than 10,000 flight attendants are poised to walk off the job around 1 a.m. ET on Saturday, followed by a company-imposed lockout if the two sides can't reach an eleventh-hour deal. Air Canada said it was expecting to cancel around 500 flights previously scheduled to take off today in anticipation of the work stoppage, with a full stoppage looming Saturday. It said it would notify customers of cancellations through email and text message, adding it recommends against going to the
major-crime-unit-begins-investigation-into-suspicious-fire-on-12th-street
BCAug 14, 2025

New Westminster: Major Crime Unit begins investigation into suspicious fire on 12th Street

The New Westminster Police Department is investigating a suspicious fire that occurred on August 11th at approximately 2:42 am. A business in the 600 block of 12th Street was not occupied and sustained extensive damage. The NWPD Major Crime Unit has taken conduct of this investigation and is working alongside our partners at the New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service. “Investigators are seeking more information on a red van that was seen leaving the area,” shared Media Relations Officer Sergeant Andrew Leaver. “If you have any information about that van, including CCTV or dash cam foota
union-interrupts-air-canada-press-conference
CanadaAug 14, 2025

Union interrupts Air Canada press conference

Dozens of Air Canada flights are expected to be cancelled by the end of today and up to 500 more tomorrow ahead of a possible walk out by thousands of its flight attendants. Air Canada executives confirmed that a complete stoppage would take effect Saturday if a new deal isn't reached at the last-minute.Their news conference today near Toronto's Pearson Airport got cut short after several unionized members dressed in flight attendant uniforms and union shirts disrupted the event multiple times.Some held signs that read ``unpaid work won't fly'' and ''poverty wages equals un-Canadian." Accord

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b-c-supreme-court-strikes-down-parts-of-mental-health-act-allowing-treatment-without-consent
BCJul 31, 2026

B.C. Supreme Court strikes down parts of Mental Health Act allowing treatment without consent

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that portions of the province's Mental Health Act that allow patients to receive psychiatric treatment without their consent are unconstitutional, giving the provincial government six months to amend the legislation. Justice Lauren Blake found that British Columbia was the only province in Canada where patients could be subjected to psychiatric treatment without an assessment of their decision-making capacity. The court concluded that the provisions violate constitutional protections. The ruling comes as the B.C. government is pursuing plans to expand involunta
IndiaJul 31, 2026

India says Kartarpur Corridor to remain closed amid ongoing security concerns

The Government of India has said the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will remain closed, citing the current security situation despite requests from Sikh religious organizations to reopen the cross-border pilgrimage route. The Ministry of External Affairs said it has received representations from Sikh religious groups seeking the reopening of the corridor. However, the ministry stated that prevailing security conditions have necessitated keeping the corridor closed. The issue was raised during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament by Members of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Gurmeet Sing
CanadaJul 31, 2026

Indian student in Canada sentenced to four years in U.S. senior fraud scheme

A 22-year-old Indian national who was studying in Canada has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United States after being convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud targeting seniors. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Roshan Shah entered the United States multiple times on a visitor visa while studying in Canada and collected approximately US$3.7 million from 15 elderly victims in several states. Authorities allege the scheme relied on callers based in India who falsely claimed the victims' identities had been linked to c
BCJul 31, 2026

Swimmer dies after rescue from Okanagan Lake

A swimmer who was pulled from Okanagan Lake at Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna has died in hospital, marking the sixth drowning-related death in the lake over the past 40 days. According to police, the swimmer suffered a medical emergency while in the water on Wednesday. Bystanders brought the person ashore before emergency crews transported them to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition. The swimmer died in hospital the following day. RCMP Cpl. Steven Lang said investigators have found no evidence to suggest the incident is suspicious or criminal in nature. The B.C. Coroners Service is con
WorldJul 31, 2026

25 killed, 44 injured after passenger bus overturns in Algeria

At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus overturned in Algeria's Boomerdes province on Friday, according to the country's Civil Protection Agency. Officials said the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment following the crash. Authorities have not released details on what caused the bus to overturn. Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Boomerdes University Hospital to meet with those injured in the crash and assess the situation, according to officials. The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. Authorities said an inv