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too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
justin-trudeau-slams-meta-for-blocking-news-during-wildfires-in-canada
CanadaAug 21, 2023

Justin Trudeau slams Meta for blocking news during wildfires in Canada

In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned Meta's decision to block news on its platforms in Canada.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Prince Edward Island for a cabinet retreat, where he commented on Meta that people in Canada are neither sharing nor receiving news on Facebook and Instagram.In fact, since the federal government passed its Online News Act Bill C-18 in June, Meta has blocked news on its platforms in Canada.It is worth noting that due to the wildfires, the pressure to remove the news ban on Meta is increasing.On the other han
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.
feds-demand-meta-to-lift-ban-from-wildfires-news
CanadaAug 18, 2023

Feds demand Meta to lift ban from wildfires news

A Canadian government minister on Friday demanded that Meta remove a ban on domestic news from its platform so that the country's people can get information about wildfires in the West.Meta began blocking news on its Facebook and Instagram platforms for all users in Canada this month.Transport Minister Pablo Rodríguez said that what Meta is doing now is completely unacceptable, and that it is very wrong not to get such information to the public.They demanded that Meta withdraw the decision.A Meta spokesperson, on the other hand, said the company has activated a "Safety Check" feature on Faceb
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
BCAug 18, 2023

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke
kwikwetlem-first-nation-mourns-death-of-stephanie-patterson
BCAug 18, 2023

Kwikwetlem First Nation mourns death of Stephanie Patterson

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.
reception-centre-for-yellowknife-evacuees-opens-in-edmonton
AlbertaAug 18, 2023

Reception centre for Yellowknife evacuees opens in Edmonton

A reception centre for Yellowknife wildfire evacuees opens today in Edmonton.The Edmonton EXPO Centre is expected to start accepting evacuees at noon.It is to provide temporary lodging, food, clothing, pet daycare and health care.Some 20,000 residents of the capital of the Northwest Territories have been ordered to leave by noon today as a wildfire threatens the main highway out of the city.
calgary-teacher-charged-with-voyeurism-after-sexual-act-at-school
AlbertaAug 17, 2023

Calgary teacher charged with voyeurism after 'sexual act' at school

A Calgary teacher has been charged after a sexually motivated offence at a school in late May.Police say administrators from Chinook Winds Adventist Academy reported that a teacher had engaged in an inappropriate sexual act while allegedly watching students through a window.Detectives conducted an investigation, which included speaking to several witnesses and analyzing evidence.Police say they arrested a man on Tuesday.Nathanial Arthur Gordon, who is 41, has been charged with one count of voyeurism and is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 28.Police say it's believed it was a sexually moti
b-c-wildfires-next-24-to-48-hours-could-be-the-most-challenging
BCAug 17, 2023

B.C. wildfires: Next 24 to 48 hours could be the most challenging

The director of provincial operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service says the next 24 to 48 hours could be the most challenging for crews battling the wildfires.Cliff Chapman says that an incoming cold front, after hitting a high-pressure system, produces significant, sustained winds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.Chapman says gusts of up to 60 km/h can be expected, and the cold front is likely to produce lightning, which could spark new fires.Chapman urged that everyone follow evacuation orders if they are issued.

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AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in
nepals-youngest-prime-minister-sworn-in-after-landslide-election-win
WorldMar 27, 2026

Nepal’s youngest prime minister sworn in after landslide election win

Nepal’s youngest prime minister was sworn in Friday following a decisive election victory earlier this month and months after a youth-led uprising that led to the fall of the previous government. Balendra Shah, 35, took the oath of office after being appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel. According to official election results, Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party secured nearly two-thirds of the seats in the House of Representatives in the March 5 vote. The election followed political upheaval in September, when protests led largely by young people forced the resignation of the former gove
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-denies-parole-to-mp-amritpal-singh-to-attend-parliament-session
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh to attend Parliament session

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking parole to attend the ongoing Parliament budget session. The decision means Singh will remain in custody and will not be able to participate in the current sitting. Singh, who is detained under the National Security Act, argued before the court that he is an elected representative and that his absence from Parliament would infringe on the democratic rights of his constituents. According to submissions made in court, the Punjab government and security agencies opposed the plea, citing conc
federal-ndp-convention-opens-in-winnipeg-with-leadership-vote-set-for-weekend
CanadaMar 27, 2026

Federal NDP convention opens in Winnipeg with leadership vote set for weekend

New Democrats from across Canada are meeting in Winnipeg this weekend for a federal convention that will culminate in the selection of a new party leader. According to party organizers, voting in the six-month leadership race is scheduled to close Saturday, with the results to be announced Sunday morning. The candidates include union leader Rob Ashton, social worker Tanille Johnston, filmmaker Avi Lewis, Alberta MP Heather McPherson and farmer Tony McQuail. The leadership vote follows the party’s poorest federal election result on record last year. The incoming leader is expected to oversee
alberta-to-introduce-provincewide-code-of-conduct-for-municipal-councils
FeaturedMar 27, 2026

Alberta to introduce provincewide code of conduct for municipal councils

Alberta’s government says it will introduce legislation in the coming weeks to establish a provincewide code of conduct governing municipal councils, along with third-party oversight for ethics complaints. Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams said the proposed changes are intended to prevent misuse of local rules and improve public trust in elected officials. According to the minister, the legislation would bring in independent investigators to review complaints and would require public disclosure of municipal officials’ salaries. The move follows a 2025 decision by Premier Danielle Smi