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air-canada-flight-attendants-in-final-day-before-strike-deadline
CanadaAug 15, 2025

Air Canada, flight attendants in final day before strike deadline

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
governments-big-gst-plan-centre-proposes-to-remove-12-and-28-slabs
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

Just In

CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre