Latest news with #B.C.
Ottawa Citizen
29 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
RCMP finally identifies Air India bomb-testing suspect
Article content BANTRY, Ireland — Police in British Columbia have finally identified the mysterious man who helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the Air India bombing on June 23, 1985. Article content RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul told Postmedia that the previously unidentified suspect in the mass murder case recently died without ever facing charges. Article content Article content He said he couldn't release the name of the man due to privacy laws even though he's now dead. Article content Article content Teboul and several other RCMP officers are part of the Canadian delegation here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing. Dozens of relatives of victims are arriving to attend the service at a memorial to the 329 people who died when a B.C.-made bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland. Article content Article content Leading the Canadian delegation will be federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin is scheduled to attend, along with local officials and a representative of the Indian government. Article content Teboul, who is the commander of federal policing in B.C., said that despite the acquittals of two key bombing suspects in 2005, investigators have continued to work on the file 'to tie up some loose ends and discover more truth that's independent of judicial process.' Article content That's what lead them to uncover the identity of the mystery suspect, dubbed Mr. X, who travelled to Duncan on June 4, 1985, with terror plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. The two men then joined up with electrician Inderjit Singh Reyat. Article content Article content The trio went into the woods and tested a bomb all while they were being followed by agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The agents heard the blast but thought it was a gunshot. Article content Article content Parmar, founder of the Babbar Khalsa Sikh separatist group, was killed by police in Punjab in 1992 before he could be charged in the Air India terrorism plot. Article content Reyat was convicted of manslaughter for building another bomb that exploded at Japan's Narita Airport 54 minutes before the Air India blast. Two baggage handlers were killed. And he pleaded guilty to assisting Mr. X and Parmar build the Air India bomb. Article content Article content Teboul said that while there is an continuing investigation 'there's very little realistic chance of seeing this matter go to another trial.'
Vancouver Sun
34 minutes ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
RCMP finally identifies Air India bomb-testing suspect
BANTRY, Ireland — Police in British Columbia have finally identified the mysterious man who helped test a bomb on Vancouver Island a few weeks before the Air India bombing on June 23, 1985. RCMP Asst. Commissioner David Teboul told Postmedia that the previously unidentified suspect in the mass murder case recently died without ever facing charges. He said he couldn't release the name of the man due to privacy laws even though he's now dead. Teboul and several other RCMP officers are part of the Canadian delegation here to mark the 40th anniversary of the Air India bombing. Dozens of relatives of victims are arriving to attend the service at a memorial to the 329 people who died when a B.C.-made bomb exploded on Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Leading the Canadian delegation will be federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin is scheduled to attend, along with local officials and a representative of the Indian government. Teboul, who is the commander of federal policing in B.C., said that despite the acquittals of two key bombing suspects in 2005, investigators have continued to work on the file 'to tie up some loose ends and discover more truth that's independent of judicial process.' That's what lead them to uncover the identity of the mystery suspect, dubbed Mr. X, who travelled to Duncan on June 4, 1985, with terror plot mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. The two men then joined up with electrician Inderjit Singh Reyat. The trio went into the woods and tested a bomb all while they were being followed by agents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. The agents heard the blast but thought it was a gunshot. Parmar, founder of the Babbar Khalsa Sikh separatist group, was killed by police in Punjab in 1992 before he could be charged in the Air India terrorism plot. Reyat was convicted of manslaughter for building another bomb that exploded at Japan's Narita Airport 54 minutes before the Air India blast. Two baggage handlers were killed. And he pleaded guilty to assisting Mr. X and Parmar build the Air India bomb. But he testified at the trial of his co-accused that he didn't know X's name. He was later convicted of perjury. Teboul said that while there is an continuing investigation 'there's very little realistic chance of seeing this matter go to another trial.' But officers are doing administrative work like returning exhibits and working with families to better memorialize the victims. The RCMP is working with the federal Global Affairs Department to get an agreement with the government of India to allow pieces of the Boeing 747 recovered from the ocean to remain in Canada as part of a permanent exhibit or memorial, he said. It's important for Canadian investigators who worked on the case to attend the memorial here 'out of respect for the families, out of respect and remembrance of the victims,' said Teboul, who is on his third trip to the seaside memorial at Ahakista, Ireland. 'This is the largest act of terrorism in the history of Canada, so we — the RCMP — have an obligation to memorialize it and pay respect every year.' He has developed close ties with Irish first responders who pulled as many of the victims' bodies out of the sea as they could that day. 'It was really a Canadian tragedy, first and foremost. But it was also an Irish tragedy. A lot of Irish folks have been very invested in it through the last 40 years,' Teboul said. 'It's part of their history. So there's a lot of emotions there.' kbolan@ Blueksy: @
Car and Driver
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Brad Pitt's 'F1' Race Car Is Now a Realistic 1:64-Scale Hot Wheels Model
Hot Wheels is releasing a scale-sized model of Brad Pitt's car from F1: The Movie. It's a perfect piece for collectors or for anyone who loves Formula 1. No, there are no orange tracks in the movie. Featuring the director behind Top Gun and one of Hollywood's most charismatic leading men, F1: The Movie has the feel of an old-school summer blockbuster. The early reviews are in, and if it's maybe not a likely Oscar winner, it does at least qualify on the front row for popcorn-munching entertainment, with a pretty good shot at standing on this year's box office podium. Want something from the silver screen you can fit in your pocket? Hot Wheels has you covered. Bring the Movie Home Scaled down to 1:64, the F1 racer from the fictional Apex Grand Prix team can be yours, complete with three sets of Pirellis and a tire carrier. The model carries the signature gold-and-black livery of APXGP and wears the number seven of main character Sonny Hayes, as played by Brad Pitt. Hot Wheels Hot Wheels Brendan McAleer Contributing Editor Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
Winnipeg Free Press
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers both expected to miss stars for rematch
VANCOUVER – Micah Awe feels like he's unlocked something new in his arsenal — and that could spell trouble for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this weekend. Midway through a game against the Bombers in Winnipeg last week, the B.C. Lions linebacker started to see everything in front of him differently. The run game simply opened up, he said. 'To be honest, probably for the first time in my eight-year career, I started seeing linebackers kind of like a painting,' explained Awe, who registered 10 tackles in the contest. 'It's kind of like art. You see the art differently (once something clicks).' The switch in perception came from working with Lions defensive coordinator Mike Benevides and playing behind defensive linemen Mathieu Betts and Sione Teuhema, Awe said. 'The difference with this D line, it's the physicality and the violence,' said the 31-year-old Texas Tech product. 'That allows me to play a different way that I don't think people have seen, that I haven't seen myself. Because I'm able to do it now, it kind of unlocks that next level of linebacker for me. 'If I was a Pokemon, this might be, like, the third evolution or something.' B.C. (1-1) dropped a 34-20 decision to Winnipeg (1-0), but Awe and the rest of the Lions will have an opportunity for revenge Saturday when the two sides meet for a rematch in Vancouver. B.C. knows the key to earning a different result this time out is shutting down Winnipeg's potent rush, Awe said. 'If we can't stop the run, they can do whatever they want to do. So, that's going to be our main goal,' he said, adding that all comes down to want. 'Play professional football long enough, you realize, 'OK, all right. This is what I'm supposed to do, but I've still gotta go do it.' Winnipeg's offence will be without a key piece on Saturday after the team officially ruled Brady Oliveira out with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old running back, who was named both the league's most-outstanding player and most-outstanding Canadian last season, contributed 49 yards on two carries last week before getting hurt. Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea said he isn't concerned about slotting someone else into the running back role. 'We've got lots of ways to move the roster around,' he said. 'We've always been pretty comfortable with everybody in our locker room. The belief is if they're here, they're going to help us win football games this year.' The Lions, too, could miss a prime offensive player for the rematch. Starting quarterback Nathan Rourke picked up a core injury in last week's loss and left in the fourth quarter. He was limited in practice on Tuesday, and did not take the field with his teammates on Wednesday or Thursday, working instead with trainers on the sidelines. B.C. has listed him as 'questionable' for Saturday's game. Veteran QB Jeremiah Masoli is expected to start for the Lions. Every quarterback on B.C.'s roster is ready to play, said Lions head coach Buck Pierce. 'All the guys have now had time under centre. And whether it be, in training camp, whether it be out here each week, I'm a big believer in getting everybody reps. So they've been taking reps, they've been learning,' he said. 'Jeremiah has a lot of experience in this league, and he's seen a lot of things. He's got a great mind for the game. He sees things quickly, he processes information fast. So, I'm confident in whoever we have back there.' The Blue Bombers will also have a different starting quarterback on Saturday as Zach Collaros returns to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for failing to respond to an off-season drug-testing request. Pierce is uniquely primed to game plan for facing Winnipeg's usual No. 1, having worked with him for several seasons in his previous role as the Bombers' offensive coordinator. '(Collaros is) a hell of a player. I've got a lot of respect for what he's done,' the coach said. 'Obviously, I credit a lot of my success to him and he's dynamic, right? He's dynamic, he's tough, he loves to compete. 'So we're going to have to make sure that we understand his strengths and know how to play against him.' WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-0) AT B.C. LIONS (1-1) Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. B.C. Place, Saturday MR. 200: Collaros enters the game with 199 regular-season touchdown passes across his CFL career. Only 14 players have reached the 200 mark across the league, and Bo Levi Mitchell is the only active player to have hit the milestone. WINNER-PEG: The Bombers have fared well against the Lions in recent years, going 7-2 in matchups between the two sides since 2022. BACK TO BACK: Masoli believes seeing the same team two weeks in a row will be a boon for B.C. 'Obviously we weren't as successful as we wanted to be last game,' he said. 'So, we're just working hard to be able to make sure that turns in our favour this weekend.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
B.C. forestry watchdog urges province work with logging companies on wildfire mitigation
The little-known agency tasked with overseeing B.C.'s forestry industry is urging the provincial government to update regulations and consider compensating logging companies to help minimize wildfire risk near communities. (CTV News) The little-known agency tasked with overseeing B.C.'s forestry industry is urging the provincial government to update regulations and consider compensating logging companies to help minimize wildfire risk near communities. In a special investigation titled, 'Help or Hinder? Aligning Forestry Practices with Wildfire Risk Reduction,' the Forest Practices Board found that 'outdated standards, poor implementation, and regulatory gaps' are impacting companies' ability to help reduce wildfire risk near 'interface' zones near homes. 'It affects everybody in B.C., this kind of risk that we have,' explained board chair Keith Atkinson, in a one-on-one interview with CTV News. Of particular focus is a catch-22 identified in the two-year analysis: Many logging companies are doing a good job of gathering branches and other wood waste in piles for burning, which eliminates wildfire fuel near communities. However, they're only allowed to burn that debris – the most cost-effective way of eliminating it – when conditions are right to avoid sending smoke toward the nearby communities. Some of those piles, the report's authors found, can sit for multiple wildfire seasons and add to the risk, rather than reduce it. 'We need the public to support this kind of good burning and getting rid of that material,' said Atkinson. 'We know that industry operating in the (interface) zone is one of the best ways to reduce the hazard around the community.' A troubled industry The association representing the industry is still analyzing the findings, which were made public Thursday morning, but there is support for the idea in principle. 'It's a public safety matter, so industry is keen to be part of the solution,' said Kim Haakstad, president and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries. 'But at the same time, we can't do it in a way that endangers companies' financial health.' Logging companies and wood product producers are facing considerable headwinds at the moment, in large part due to incoming softwood lumber duties in the U.S., as well as American scrutiny of Canadian wood and pulp products. Shifting regulatory considerations are adding to their problems, says Haakstad, and the added expense of managing wildfire fuels for the province means the companies would likely need to be compensated to take new steps. 'We think that we can do things in a way that is taking care of the environment, that is balancing social objectives, that includes First Nation reconciliation, and has forest fire management, and is economic, and that allows the forest industry to continue to provide high paying jobs,' she added. The ministry responds The minister of forests was unavailable for an interview, but his staff responded that they would take some time to 'carefully review' the report and its suggested course of action. The five recommendations are to set proactive fire management goals, clarify legal definitions and improve transparency, increase public accessibility of wildfire risk reduction plans, reduce abatement timelines, and update guidelines. 'Reducing the risk of wildfires is a priority for the ministry, we take this work seriously,' reads an email statement from the Forests Ministry. 'Based on a preliminary review of the recommendations, we believe a number of initiatives underway across the ministry address the recommendations.'
