Canadian-American composer showcases interplay of genres in new compositions

Classical, jazz, and traditional Arabic music collide in the works of Karim al-Zand. To hear him tell it, though, the inspiration points come from outside the world of music.  

“I usually tell people my music is, with some exceptions, usually inspired by something that’s non-musical,” he says. “That can be any number of things from visual to textual-literary. Some of my pieces are based on paintings of different kinds.” 

GOP seeks to rename Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump

House Republicans Propose Renaming Kennedy Center Opera House After Melania Trump

Move sparks political controversy as GOP-led committee advances amendment to rename iconic venue

In a controversial move that has stirred political debate and public scrutiny, House Republicans have advanced a proposal to rename the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., after former First Lady Melania Trump.

Nopiming Provincial Park to reopen Friday despite ongoing wildfire

Despite an ongoing wildfire in the area, the province has decided to reopen Nopiming Provincial Park. 

Starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, the province will reopen all of Nopiming for permanent residents, cottages and commercial operators. 

The campground at Bird Lake is open. However, campgrounds at Beresford Lake, Black Lake and Tulabi Falls will remain closed for the remainder of the season, along with backcountry campsites at Shoe Lake and all water routes in the park.

Manitoba and Saskatchewan sign agreement to boost trade corridor through the Arctic

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was hopeful after meeting Tuesday with the prime minister and other premiers about the potential for a large Arctic trade corridor through the Port of Churchill on Hudson Bay.

But some provinces are also supporting a trade route through a port on James Bay in northern Ontario that would also serve the Arctic. The two megaprojects are among many being pitched as part of a national effort to diversify trade and protect the Canadian economy from U.S. tariffs.

Fitness hearing for Adam Kai-Ji Lo, accused of 11 murders at Vancouver festival

The man accused of ramming an SUV into a crowd and killing 11 people at the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day festival is set to appear in court today, with a judge determining if he's fit to stand trial.

RJ Aquino, the chair of festival organizer Filipino BC, says the court proceedings could prove "traumatizing" for victims and members of the Filipino community.

He says many have expressed anger and frustration since the April 26 attack and still find it difficult to cope with the tragedy almost three months later.

Crime severity index dropped four per cent last year, Statistics Canada says

The volume and severity of police-reported crime in Canada decreased four per cent last year after three annual increases in a row, the national statistics agency said Tuesday.

Statistics Canada said non-violent crime had a significant effect on the decline in the overall crime severity index in 2024.

The non-violent crime severity index — which includes such crimes as property and drug offences — dropped six per cent last year, following a nine per cent increase from 2021 to 2023.

Teen stabbed without warning in random attack, police say

No arrests have been made following the stabbing of an 18-year-old as police continue to seek the public's assistance. 

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on July 13, police responded to the 800 block of Selkirk Avenue where the male victim was laying outside of a convenience store.

He was bleeding heavily and suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance in critical condition but has since been upgraded to stable.