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Google Canada’s Sabrina Geremia, Vice President and Country Manager, appears via videoconference as a witness at a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, March 6, 2023. Geremia is set to return to a parliamentary committee following the tech giant’s decision to run a five week test that is blocking news access to some of its users. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Google says it will stop blocking Canadian news links next week following test

Google will stop blocking news links next week following a five-week test…

Google Canada’s Sabrina Geremia, Vice President and Country Manager, appears via videoconference as a witness at a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, March 6, 2023. Geremia is set to return to a parliamentary committee following the tech giant’s decision to run a five week test that is blocking news access to some of its users. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A worker prepares for documents for Chinese President Xi Jinping during a session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, March 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Xi awarded 3rd term as China’s president, extending rule

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was awarded a third five-year term as the…

A worker prepares for documents for Chinese President Xi Jinping during a session of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, March 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Police officers in special equipment walk through a Jehovah’s Witness building in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday, March 9, 2023. German police say shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hamburg and an unspecified number of people were killed or wounded. (Jonas Walzberg/dpa via AP)

German gunman kills 6 at Hamburg Jehovah’s Witnesses hall

A gunman stormed a service at his former Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in…

Police officers in special equipment walk through a Jehovah’s Witness building in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday, March 9, 2023. German police say shots were fired inside a building used by Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hamburg and an unspecified number of people were killed or wounded. (Jonas Walzberg/dpa via AP)
A woman types on a laptop on a train in New Jersey on May 18, 2021. A panicked 14-year-old from British Columbia and his family paid $1,500 to a company that claimed it would recover intimate images that were being used to extort him. It didn’t. (Jenny Kane/The Canadian Press)

‘Recovery scams’ targeting sextortion victims are on the rise, experts warn

A panicked 14-year-old from British Columbia and his family paid $1,500 to…

A woman types on a laptop on a train in New Jersey on May 18, 2021. A panicked 14-year-old from British Columbia and his family paid $1,500 to a company that claimed it would recover intimate images that were being used to extort him. It didn’t. (Jenny Kane/The Canadian Press)
Minister of Justice David Lametti prepares to appear before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in Ottawa, Monday, March 6, 2023. Justice Minister David Lametti is preparing to face off with his provincial counterparts in Ottawa Friday on whether to reform Canada’s bail system, as premiers, federal Conservatives and law enforcement leaders demand more restrictions. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

Federal and provincial justice ministers meeting to discuss bail reform

Justice Minister David Lametti is preparing to face off with his provincial…

Minister of Justice David Lametti prepares to appear before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in Ottawa, Monday, March 6, 2023. Justice Minister David Lametti is preparing to face off with his provincial counterparts in Ottawa Friday on whether to reform Canada’s bail system, as premiers, federal Conservatives and law enforcement leaders demand more restrictions. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)
In this March 24, 2020 file photo, a Chase bank employee, right, cleans the branches ATMs as a customer uses another in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York. Shares of some banks are falling in premarket trading on Friday, March 10, 2023, following SVB Financial Group’s announcement that it plans to raise up to $1.75 billion in order to strengthen its position amid concerns about higher interest rates and the economy. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Silicon Valley Bank is seized by US after historic failure

U.S. regulators rushed to seize the assets of Silicon Valley Bank on…

In this March 24, 2020 file photo, a Chase bank employee, right, cleans the branches ATMs as a customer uses another in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York. Shares of some banks are falling in premarket trading on Friday, March 10, 2023, following SVB Financial Group’s announcement that it plans to raise up to $1.75 billion in order to strengthen its position amid concerns about higher interest rates and the economy. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
B.C. deputy premier and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on Monday, April 11, 2022. The British Columbia government says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will lead a probe into allegations of historic misconduct by members of the Prince George RCMP detachment, and the failure of the force to act on the complaints. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Alberta agency to conduct independent probe of B.C. RCMP Prince George detachment

The British Columbia government says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will…

B.C. deputy premier and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth speaks during a news conference in Vancouver on Monday, April 11, 2022. The British Columbia government says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will lead a probe into allegations of historic misconduct by members of the Prince George RCMP detachment, and the failure of the force to act on the complaints. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Guilbeault says Alberta’s nine-month silence over two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water is worrisome. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Federal environment minister says Alberta silence over oilsands spill ‘worrisome’

Alberta’s nine-month silence over two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water is…

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault rises during Question Period, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 in Ottawa. Guilbeault says Alberta’s nine-month silence over two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water is worrisome. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
First Nations leaders say Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is minimizing the effects of two releases of oilsands tailings water near lands they harvest from. Smith speaks to members of the media during a press conference in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)

First Nations chiefs criticize Alberta premier’s oilsands tailings spill comments

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is minimizing the effect of two large releases…

First Nations leaders say Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is minimizing the effects of two releases of oilsands tailings water near lands they harvest from. Smith speaks to members of the media during a press conference in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press)
The TikTok startup page is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. Some cities and police services across Ontario say they are following the federal government’s lead in banning TikTok from work and government-owned devices while others say they are considering it as Canadian privacy watchdogs assess the video-sharing platform for threats. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Ontario cities, police forces ban TikTok on devices while others consider the move

Cities and police services across Ontario say they are following the federal…

The TikTok startup page is displayed on an iPhone in Ottawa on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. Some cities and police services across Ontario say they are following the federal government’s lead in banning TikTok from work and government-owned devices while others say they are considering it as Canadian privacy watchdogs assess the video-sharing platform for threats. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)
A young long-COVID patient. (Canadian Press photo)

Report says long COVID could impact economy and be ‘mass disabling event’ in Canada

A report released Thursday by Canada’s chief science adviser says she considers…

A young long-COVID patient. (Canadian Press photo)
Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews delivers the 2023 budget, in Edmonton on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Alberta has introduced legislation that would require it to keep a tight rein on spending, save for a rainy day and continue to pay down debt. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)

‘Best day to start is today’: Alberta bill sets out budget restraint, more savings

Alberta has introduced legislation that would require it to keep a tight…

Alberta Finance Minister Travis Toews delivers the 2023 budget, in Edmonton on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. Alberta has introduced legislation that would require it to keep a tight rein on spending, save for a rainy day and continue to pay down debt. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press)
Bashaw Sign. (Photo Courtesy of Town of Bashaw)

Town of Bashaw sued for $4 million over Bear Hills Family Wellness Centre denial

‘I don’t think the indigenous people want to be part of this community anymore,’ said Russell.

Bashaw Sign. (Photo Courtesy of Town of Bashaw)
A sawed-off .22 caliber gun seized by RCMP after a recent shooting in Ponoka. (RCMP photo)

Ponoka RCMP arrest five after 53 Street shooting

Five people have been arrested after a firearms complaint led to a…

  • Mar 7, 2023
A sawed-off .22 caliber gun seized by RCMP after a recent shooting in Ponoka. (RCMP photo)
Ponoka County sign. (File photo)

Ponoka county council reviews pair of bylaws during most recent meeting

And other highlights of the Feb. 27 meeting

  • Mar 3, 2023
Ponoka County sign. (File photo)
Road construction sign. (File photo)

Temporary road closure in Ponoka

The Town of Ponoka has announced a temporary road closure in the…

Road construction sign. (File photo)
Composite drawing of suspect wanted in home robberies. (RCMP photo)

Stettler, Three Hills RCMP remain on hunt for robbery suspect

Three Hills and Stettler RCMP officers remain on the hunt for an…

Composite drawing of suspect wanted in home robberies. (RCMP photo)
An arrest has been made in the Feb. 13 church fire. (RCMP photo)

Bashaw RCMP make arrest in church vandalism spree

Suspects came forward following a public meeting

An arrest has been made in the Feb. 13 church fire. (RCMP photo)
Ponoka FCSS hopes to bring the Drive Happiness program to the community. (Photo submitted)

Ponoka FCSS hoping to ‘roll’ new program into town

Ponoka Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is looking for some volunteer…

Ponoka FCSS hopes to bring the Drive Happiness program to the community. (Photo submitted)
Town of Ponoka logo

Town of Ponoka to host public engagement session

The session will take place March 1

Town of Ponoka logo
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