Sami Islam

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Two Ukrainian students who spent the summer interning at Thompson Rivers University have created a map and resource guide for Ukrainian newcomers to Canada. (Photo courtesy of Kiyoteru Awaji, via Wikimedia Commons)

Ukrainian students in B.C. create a resource kit for other newcomers

The kit includes English lessons and a network of support systems for Ukrainians in Canada

Two Ukrainian students who spent the summer interning at Thompson Rivers University have created a map and resource guide for Ukrainian newcomers to Canada. (Photo courtesy of Kiyoteru Awaji, via Wikimedia Commons)
Chads Island sits off the northwest shore of Princess Margaret Marine Park (Portland Island). (Photo courtesy of Unique Properties)

You can own your own private B.C. island for $2.9M

Chads Island has swimmable beaches and a protected dock

Chads Island sits off the northwest shore of Princess Margaret Marine Park (Portland Island). (Photo courtesy of Unique Properties)
Lightning storms are expected across Southern B.C. on Wednesday and Thursday, creating the risk of new wildfires. (Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons)

Lightning sparks wildfires on B.C. coast, electrical storms heading inland

Multiple new wildfires have started in the Coastal Fire Centre: B.C. Wildfire Service

Lightning storms are expected across Southern B.C. on Wednesday and Thursday, creating the risk of new wildfires. (Photo courtesy of Murray Foubister, via Wikimedia Commons)
A caribou calf explores the snow pile in the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen. (Photo courtesy of Amelie Mathieu, Arrow Lakes Caribou Society)

VIDEO: 13 caribou in maternity pen released into the B.C. wild

Animals born in maternity pen maintained by Arrow Lakes Caribou Society

A caribou calf explores the snow pile in the Central Selkirk Caribou Maternity Pen. (Photo courtesy of Amelie Mathieu, Arrow Lakes Caribou Society)
On July 16, Operation Freedom Paws Canada held its first annual open house which also included a graduation ceremony for its two newest graduates. (Photo courtesy of Operation Freedom Paws Canada)

Operation Freedom Paws connects therapy dogs with veterans and disabled community in B.C.

Operation Freedom Paws, which trains therapy dogs and their owners, has been in B.C. since 2020

On July 16, Operation Freedom Paws Canada held its first annual open house which also included a graduation ceremony for its two newest graduates. (Photo courtesy of Operation Freedom Paws Canada)
Beachgoers set up an umbrella on the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. A study by Toronto researchers says the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer is on the rise in Ontario, climbing by 30 per cent from 2003 to 2017 following a period of decline decades earlier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jae C. Hong

New B.C.-based technology may help diagnose skin cancer sooner

Early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment

Beachgoers set up an umbrella on the beach in Huntington Beach, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. A study by Toronto researchers says the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer is on the rise in Ontario, climbing by 30 per cent from 2003 to 2017 following a period of decline decades earlier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jae C. Hong
Many Canadians have dismissed emails from Service Canada because they resemble spam mail sent by fraudsters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Puzzling emails from Service Canada requesting partial repayment of CERB sparks confusion

Some Canadians who received advanced CERB payments may be required to return the money

Many Canadians have dismissed emails from Service Canada because they resemble spam mail sent by fraudsters. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
According to a report by Women in Capital Markets, 82 per cent of men cited workplace culture as a barrier to their use of leave. (Photo used with permission from <a href="https://www.ciphr.com/" target="_blank" title="more information">CIPHR Connect, ciphr.com</a>)

Non-profit launches pledge to increase use of parental leave by fathers, non-birthing parents

Workplace cultures currently discourage non-birthing parents from taking leave: report

According to a report by Women in Capital Markets, 82 per cent of men cited workplace culture as a barrier to their use of leave. (Photo used with permission from <a href="https://www.ciphr.com/" target="_blank" title="more information">CIPHR Connect, ciphr.com</a>)
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has received several reports of bears breaking into cars in recent days. (Photo courtesy of B.C. Conservation Officer Service)

Spike in bears breaking into cars to grab food spark warning from B.C. conservation officers

The Conservation Officer Service is urging people to avoid leaving attractants in their cars

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service has received several reports of bears breaking into cars in recent days. (Photo courtesy of B.C. Conservation Officer Service)
Erin Bury (left) and her husband Kevin Oulds (right) are the founders of willful., a Canadian start-up company that provides digital solutions for estate planning and will-creation.

B.C. woman becomes the first Canadian to create a fully digital legal will

Prior to December 2021, wills needed to be signed by the will-maker and witnesses in person

Erin Bury (left) and her husband Kevin Oulds (right) are the founders of willful., a Canadian start-up company that provides digital solutions for estate planning and will-creation.
In this May 4, 2018 photo provided by NASA, the mobile service tower is rolled back to reveal the United Launch Alliance Atlas-V rocket with NASA’s InSight spacecraft onboard at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. NASA’s three-legged, one-armed geologist known as InSight makes its grand entrance through the rose-tinted Martian skies on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

Death by objects falling from space could be more likely than people realize

Researchers say governments should mandate rocket ‘junk’ be guided back

In this May 4, 2018 photo provided by NASA, the mobile service tower is rolled back to reveal the United Launch Alliance Atlas-V rocket with NASA’s InSight spacecraft onboard at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. NASA’s three-legged, one-armed geologist known as InSight makes its grand entrance through the rose-tinted Martian skies on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)
Brenda Lennax (right), a volunteer with BC Airlift Emergency Response Operations, delivered cards and books to students at Stein Valley Nlakapamux School in Lytton, B.C.

Students across B.C. send Lytton students artwork, books and cards

The gifts were part of a special project by Qualicum Beach artist, Diane Moran

Brenda Lennax (right), a volunteer with BC Airlift Emergency Response Operations, delivered cards and books to students at Stein Valley Nlakapamux School in Lytton, B.C.
Victoria has been named the best small city in Canada by a recent ranking. (Photo by Brandon Godfrey via Wikimedia Commons)

Canada’s 2 best small cities can be found right here in B.C.

New rankings from Resonance Consultancy consider 32 factors across six core categories

Victoria has been named the best small city in Canada by a recent ranking. (Photo by Brandon Godfrey via Wikimedia Commons)
Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (right), talks heat pumps with Deon Lane (centre), an instructor at VIU’s refrigeration air-conditioning mechanic shop located in the university’s Cowichan Trades Centre, and student Taylor Bacon. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Province announces new heat pump rebate for northern B.C. homeowners

The pumps show promise as an alternative to air conditioning but may be limited in colder climates

Bruce Ralston, B.C.’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (right), talks heat pumps with Deon Lane (centre), an instructor at VIU’s refrigeration air-conditioning mechanic shop located in the university’s Cowichan Trades Centre, and student Taylor Bacon. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Thirty-two per cent of honey bee colonies were lost this winter according to a survey by the province. (Photo courtesy of Pexels, via Pixabay)

B.C. honey bee keepers lost 32% of colonies over winter – which is higher than normal

The losses are caused by a combination of factors including pests and climate change

Thirty-two per cent of honey bee colonies were lost this winter according to a survey by the province. (Photo courtesy of Pexels, via Pixabay)
Treverton (middle) flying helicopters with the Royal Navy display team in 1988. Photo: Vince Treverton

Fruitvale has its very own Top Gun pilot: A Royal Air Force veteran

Vince Treverton flew with the Royal Air Force for 19 years

Treverton (middle) flying helicopters with the Royal Navy display team in 1988. Photo: Vince Treverton
Caetano Dorea and Camille Zimmer, a professor and PhD candidate at the University of Victoria test drinking water using a filtration technique that will be used in many projects supported by the grant funding. Photo courtesy of UVic News/Armando Tura.

B.C.-led program aimed at fixing water issues in remote and under-resourced communities

University of Victoria professors awarded $1.65 million grant by federal government

Caetano Dorea and Camille Zimmer, a professor and PhD candidate at the University of Victoria test drinking water using a filtration technique that will be used in many projects supported by the grant funding. Photo courtesy of UVic News/Armando Tura.
Bigg’s killer whale. (Sam Murphy/Island Adventures/PWWA)

VIDEO: Captivating sounds of whales recorded off shore of B.C.

The perfect overlap of circumstances led to a special whale watching experience

Bigg’s killer whale. (Sam Murphy/Island Adventures/PWWA)
Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)

From Afghanistan to Fraser Lake: The mechanics of a refugee

Mahdi Taheri shares his unlikely journey from the Afghan army to opening a shop in small-town B.C.

Mahdi “JJ” Taheri may be a newcomer to Canada and North BC, but he isn’t new to the small engine repair business. (photo courtesy Blackbeard’s Small Engine & Repair)
Spinal Cord Injury BC will be conducting in-person assessments of different tourism businesses in the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky and Sunshine Coast, giving advice on how they can improve access and inclusion for disabled folks (PattiRey/Pixabay.com)

New partnership looks to make B.C.’s tourism industry more disability-friendly

Spinal Cord Injury BC working with tourism businesses to help them identify accessibility gaps

Spinal Cord Injury BC will be conducting in-person assessments of different tourism businesses in the Lower Mainland, Sea-to-Sky and Sunshine Coast, giving advice on how they can improve access and inclusion for disabled folks (PattiRey/Pixabay.com)