J.K. Rowling mocks Vancouver park board after its apology over Harry Potter event

Global spy games heat back up

In 2013, whistleblower Edward Snowden exposed a massive dragnet of U.S. surveillance programs built to intercept the data and communications of targets worldwide. By comparison, human intelligence work suddenly seemed clumsy and antiquated. Perhaps even unnecessary.

Yet espionage is now making a comeback. Governments are rediscovering the value of covertly undermining rivals and dealing with risks abroad before they pose security threats at home.

Israeli and American forces swiftly decapitated Iran’s leadership in March thanks to Mossad agents penetrating the regime in Tehran and tracking officials’ daily movements beforehand. Russian and Ukrainian operatives have staged at least 150 assassination attempts on each other’s soil since 2022.

North Korean spies are using fake IT credentials and AI-generated profiles to get hired at Fortune 500 companies. The goal: steal trade secrets and divert lucrative tech salaries toward Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

Somali refugee admits he helped to smuggle African migrants into Manitoba for money

A Somali refugee who was twice caught by RCMP assisting in the smuggling of desperate African migrants into Manitoba during the frigid winter — including while out on bail, months after he was first arrested with eight foreign nationals in his vehicle — has admitted he did so for money.

Fatal stabbing of Ukrainian newcomer left family shattered

A man who fatally stabbed a Ukrainian newcomer in “a random, unprovoked, and senseless act of violence” on the street has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

Ethan Gladu, 22, was found guilty of manslaughter in February in the December 20, 2023 killing of Ivan Rubanik, a 46-year-old father of two who had fled to Canada for a better life with his family several months before.

Gladu, then 19, randomly stabbed Rubanik shortly before 8 a.m., near Talbot Avenue and Watt Street, as the victim was walking to work that morning. He died of blood loss soon after.

“The people of Winnipeg, or any community, should feel confident that they can go about their business, walk to work, support their family, and carry on with their lives without being attacked,” said Court of King’s Bench Justice Kenneth Champagne on Thursday afternoon as he sentenced the killer.

Finish summer strong with these fun, relaxing options

Late summer can feel neither here nor there.

As on a Sunday night, a certain back-to-school or -work melancholy sets in. The big Manitoba festivals have come and gone. You’re starting to take a reckoning of all the craft beer and food-truck calories you’ve sopped up for two months, without having done as much hiking, canoeing or yard work as you promised yourself.

The wind begins breathing threats of fall, but the golden colours, jack-o’- lanterns and corn mazes aren’t here yet to reassure you of fall’s dusky pleasures. Instead, on a perfect 22 C day, you find yourself having flashbacks of Winnipeg winter nights colder than Mars.

Are we being overly depressing? Absolutely.