29 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., cases related to Abbotsford berry packing plant rise to 59

Surrey Police Service says officers are investigating a shooting at a residential property early Wednesday that is believed to be linked to an extortion attempt. According to an SPS news release, frontline officers responded at approximately 12:40 a.m. to reports of shots fired at a home in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue, near King George Boulevard and 88 Avenue. Police confirmed that no occupants were injured, although the residence sustained damage and bullet casings were found outside. The file has been taken over by the Surrey Police Service Extortion Response Team, with Integrated Forensic

Alberta’s Court of Appeal has ordered a new trial for a man previously convicted in the 2020 death of his common-law partner, finding legal errors in how intent was assessed at trial. In a decision released Friday, the court overturned Ryan Applegarth’s 2023 conviction for second-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Chantelle Firingstoney. According to the ruling, the trial judge did not make a required finding that Applegarth intended to kill, a key element for a murder conviction. Court records show Firingstoney died in November 2020 at her home in Ponoka, about 95 kilometres south

Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon says the Liberal government will move to change House of Commons procedures to ensure it holds a majority of votes on parliamentary committees. MacKinnon said Tuesday the planned motion would adjust committee composition rules so governing party MPs have the numbers needed to advance legislation and studies. He argued that committees should reflect the governing party’s mandate and avoid what he described as “partisan games” that delay work. The proposal comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals seek to consolidate control of the parliament

Alberta’s Opposition NDP is accusing Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government of weakening democratic processes following a proposal to review and redraw electoral boundaries. The criticism comes after the government introduced a motion to create a new committee that would examine constituency boundaries and consider changes to representation in the legislature. According to statements made during debate in the legislature on Tuesday, the proposal could also lead to an increase in the number of seats to address representation concerns in rural areas. NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi

U.S. President Donald Trump says the United States has agreed to extend a ceasefire with Iran for an unspecified period after a request from Pakistan’s leadership. According to Trump’s statement, the decision follows an appeal from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir. Trump said the request was made to allow time for Iran’s leadership to reach internal consensus and prepare a unified proposal. He described Iran’s government as lacking cohesion at present, which he said complicates negotiations. In response, Trump said he has ordered U.S. forces to tempo