British Columbia’s Langley School District has banned e-scooters and e-bikes across all elementary, middle and secondary schools, citing student safety concerns as the new academic year begins. The new rules come into effect immediately and follow growing concerns over e-scooter-related accidents and serious injuries involving children across the Lower Mainland. However, the district’s new policy allows e-pedal bikes at secondary schools. Students aged 14 and 15 can use light e-bikes, while those aged 16 and older can use standard e-bikes. Adults are also permitted to use e-pedal bikes at

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has once again summoned Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing case. Badal has been asked to appear before the SIT in Chandigarh on September 11 for questioning. Badal had previously appeared before the SIT on July 20. The latest summons comes as the investigation into the 2015 firing incident continues. The Behbal Kalan firing took place in October 2015, when police opened fire on protesters in Behbal Kalan, Faridkot district. The protesters were demonstrating against incidents of sacrilege involving th

Canada and the European Union are exploring a broad strategic alliance aimed at strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, security and other key areas, as both sides seek to navigate growing competition between the United States and China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline the initiative during her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on September 16. Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to attend the address and speak to European lawmakers the following day, highlighting Canada’s push for closer ties with Europe. The Carney governmen

The Surrey Police Board has officially launched a nationwide search for a new chief constable to lead the Surrey Police Service (SPS). The board has hired PFM Executive Search to manage the recruitment process and help identify a qualified candidate for the top position. The move comes nearly three months after former Chief Constable Norm Lipinski was dismissed in early June. His termination led to the resignation of two board directors, including the board’s then-chair, in protest. Since Lipinski’s departure, Deputy Chief Constable Todd Matsumoto has been serving as interim chief. The sel

Canadian and Chinese military officials have held their first defence coordination talks in more than eight years, with the meeting taking place privately in Ottawa. China’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the meeting was held on September 4, saying the talks were aimed at restoring military-level communication between the two countries. The ministry described the discussions as a clear dialogue intended to improve mutual understanding and build trust between the two militaries. Notably, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government did not issue any public statement about the meeting, while Bei

Canada, France, Britain and more than a dozen other Western countries have decided to impose a complete ban on all imports originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement, the countries strongly condemned the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and rising violence in the West Bank. They said the ongoing settlement expansion amounts to the seizure of Palestinian land and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joined European countries in reaffirming Canada’s commitment to a two-state solution

An organization representing labour and community groups has spoken out in support of 10 international students in Alberta who are facing deportation proceedings. The Migrant Rights Network, an organization advocating for migrant rights, alleges that the students were deliberately targeted after taking part in a protest with about 1,500 Portage College graduates in Calgary. According to the organization and the students, they had successfully completed programs that were eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) when they enrolled. However, their work permit applications were later rej

A person has died following a hit-and-run collision in Lloydminster, located on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, early Monday morning. Lloydminster RCMP were called at around 6:30 a.m. after an injured person was found unconscious on the roadway near 49 Avenue and Highway 16. Police and emergency crews responded to the scene and the victim was taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Investigators say they have identified the suspected vehicle and driver involved in the collision. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the circumstances surrounding the inciden

Three separate shooting incidents were reported in Abbotsford, Delta and Vancouver over the long weekend, leaving two people injured. The first incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday in the 2500 block of McCallum Road in Abbotsford. Police said occupants of a dark-coloured SUV fired multiple shots at a moving vehicle. No one was injured. Shortly afterward, officers found an SUV fully engulfed in flames about five kilometres away. Police are investigating whether the vehicle fire was connected to the shooting and believe the incident was targeted. The second shooting happened around