20.53°C Vancouver

News

CanadaAug 19, 2026

Canada Confirms Trade Deal With U.S.; Details Expected Friday

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that Canada is moving toward a trade agreement with the United States, saying it will deliver the best possible deal across the country’s most important sectors. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra welcomed the progress and credited President Donald Trump for the development. Details of the interim agreement could be released by Friday, with Canada reportedly making progress on reducing sector-specific tariffs. The deal could help bring an end to the trade war that has continued between the two countries for the past year and a half.
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Various Sikh Organisations Support ‘Punjab Bandh’ Call

Various Sikh organisations have extended their support to the ‘Punjab Bandh’ call given by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha for August 21. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also backed the bandh and decided to keep its offices and all affiliated institutions closed on August 21. Apart from the SGPC, the Shiromani Akali Dal Reunited, Akali Dal ‘Waris Punjab De’, Dal Khalsa, Hawara Committee, Mann Dal and several other Sikh organisations have announced their support for the bandh. Sikh leaders have appealed to the public to completely shut their businesses until 2 p.m. on Aug
vancouver-granville-street-homicide-35-year-old-man-arrested
BCAug 19, 2026

Vancouver Granville Street Homicide: 35-Year-Old Man Arrested

Vancouver Police have arrested 35-year-old James Christopher Holmgren after Crown counsel approved a second-degree murder charge in connection with a fatal stabbing on Granville Street last year. Police were called to the area of Granville Street and Helmcken Street on November 17, 2025, after reports of a man suffering from a stab wound. The victim, 20-year-old Aymen Al-Hafidh, was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Holmgren was arrested by Vancouver Police Homicide Unit detectives and remains in custody.
b-c-wildfires-destroy-or-damage-more-than-500-buildings-this-year
BCAug 19, 2026

B.C. Wildfires Destroy or Damage More Than 500 Buildings This Year

More than 500 homes and buildings have been destroyed or damaged by wildfires across British Columbia this year, marking one of the province’s worst years for structural wildfire damage in recent years. Although the total area of forest burned remains lower than in some record-breaking fire seasons, more than 1,000 wildfires have already caused significant damage to structures. Four major fires - Bald Range near Summerland, the Bradley Complex near Vernon, the Big Bar Complex near Clinton and the Brunswick Complex near Boston Bar - have grown to major incidents, with only the Bradley Compl
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Including 5 Bangladeshis

A devastating fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal, early Wednesday morning, killing around nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals. A child was also among those who died. Police officials said the fire broke out on the second floor of the hotel at around 2:50 a.m. local time and was brought under control within about an hour. A preliminary investigation suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four of the five Bangladeshi nationals who died were members of the same family. Six other Bang
canada-u-s-trade-deal-trump-announces-no-new-tariffs-auto-tariffs-to-get-relief
CanadaAug 19, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Deal: Trump Announces No New Tariffs, Auto Tariffs to Get Relief

Canada-U.S. trade relations could be entering a new phase. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday while speaking to reporters in Washington that no new tariffs will be imposed on goods coming from Canada. He also announced some relief from the tariffs imposed on Canadian automobiles. Trump described the proposed trade agreement as a “great” deal for American farmers and a very good deal for both countries. Meanwhile, during a meeting with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc in Washington, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters that the two countries had reached an
maple-ridge-shooting-leaves-56-year-old-man-critically-injured
BCAug 19, 2026

Maple Ridge shooting leaves 56-year-old man critically injured

A 56-year-old man has been critically injured in an overnight shooting in Maple Ridge, B.C. Police say the shooting happened around 10 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 11400 block of 236 Street. Officers responding to reports of gunshots found the wounded man inside a vehicle outside the residence. The Maple Ridge RCMP Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation. Police say no motive has been established and no suspect information has been released. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forwa
two-arrested-in-brampton-online-dating-extortion-case
CanadaAug 19, 2026

Two Arrested in Brampton Online Dating Extortion Case

Peel Regional Police in Ontario have arrested a Punjabi man and a woman in connection with an alleged extortion scheme in Brampton involving an online dating platform. Police identified the accused as 35-year-old Harwinder Singh and 23-year-old Ria. Both have been charged with extortion, robbery and forcible confinement related to an e-transfer. Singh is also facing an additional charge of uttering threats. According to Peel police, in July, a victim was contacted through a messaging app by a fake profile using the name “Manisha Sharma.” The two later arranged to meet at a basement apartme
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Farmers Suspend Protest at Punjab-Haryana Border, Meeting with Manohar Lal Set for September 4

Farmer organizations protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday announced the temporary suspension of their agitation. The decision came after Haryana authorities proposed a meeting with Union Minister Manohar Lal on September 4 to discuss the farmers’ demands. The protesting farmers had been sitting at the Khanauri–Data Singh Wala border point. On August 16, Haryana Police stopped a group of 51 farmers from proceeding towards Delhi. The farmers were undertaking a 228-kilometre-long “Kisan Bachao Padyatra” (Save Farmers March) to oppose the proposed India-U.S. trade agreement

Just In

stephen-harper-praises-carneys-trade-diversification-and-energy-policies
CanadaSep 16, 2026

Stephen Harper Praises Carney’s Trade Diversification and Energy Policies

Former Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trade during his closing remarks at the two-day Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Harper supported the federal government’s decisions in the energy sector and said Canada had little choice but to step back from trade negotiations with the United States. He said reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. and redirecting trade toward other countries would bring challenges, but expressed confidence that Canadians would be able to manage them. Harper also prais
poilievre-leads-two-day-conservative-caucus-meeting-in-b-c
CanadaSep 16, 2026

Poilievre Leads Two-Day Conservative Caucus Meeting in B.C.

Canada’s Official Opposition Conservative Party has begun a two-day parliamentary caucus meeting in Penticton, B.C., under the leadership of Pierre Poilievre. The meeting comes ahead of the parliamentary session starting September 21 and is expected to give Poilievre an opportunity to rally his MPs, as the Conservatives are currently trailing the Liberals by double digits in the polls. According to reports, several Conservative MPs who have returned from working in their ridings during the summer break are increasingly concerned about potentially losing their seats in the next election. Cont
CanadaSep 16, 2026

EU opens talks for Canada to become its first associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening talks on making Canada the European Union’s first associate member. The proposal was made Wednesday during von der Leyen’s annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance. Addressing Carney, von der Leyen said the EU wants to take its relationship with Canada “to the highest level.” She said the partnership extends beyond trade and is based on shared values, including cooperation on artificial intelligence, climate change, the Arctic and geopolitical i
carney-signals-visa-talks-for-canadians-during-europe-trip
CanadaSep 15, 2026

Carney Signals Visa Talks for Canadians During Europe Trip

Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that visa requirements for Canadians could be raised during his visit to Europe as Canada seeks to deepen its strategic and economic relationship with the European Union. Carney left Canada Tuesday for a three-day trip to Strasbourg, France, and Liverpool, UK. In Strasbourg, he is attending European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s annual State of the Union address and will address the European Parliament on Thursday. During the trip, Carney is also expected to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool for discussions on defence, s
BCSep 15, 2026

Surrey’s $310M Newton Community Centre Construction Officially Begins

Construction has officially begun on the new Newton Community Centre in Surrey, marking one of the largest investment projects in the city’s history. According to the City of Surrey, construction crews are currently removing the old structures and preparing and levelling the site. Mayor Brenda Locke said the 175,000-square-foot modern community hub will bring a major transformation to Newton by bringing recreation, cultural and library services together under one roof. The $310-million project near King George Boulevard will feature a 50-metre swimming pool, a leisure pool, two gymnasiums, a