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FILE - Britain's Prince Andrew looks on during an event at the residence of the British Ambassador in New Delhi, India, March 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)

One scandal too many forces UK monarchy to sideline Prince Andrew after years of tabloid fodder

Danica Kirka, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:28 PM CDT

It was one scandal too many.

After emails emerged this week showing that Prince Andrew remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted, the House of Windsor finally moved to insulate the monarchy from years of tawdry headlines about Andrew's dodgy friends and suspicious business deals.

Buckingham Palace on Friday released a statement from Andrew saying that he had agreed to give up use of his last remaining royal titles so that continued allegations about him “don’t distract from the work of His Majesty.”

This week’s revelations demonstrated that Andrew had committed the unforgivable sin of misleading the British public, said Craig Prescott, an expert on the monarchy and constitutional law at Royal Holloway University of London.

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The CBC’s new plan to grow, win back audiences is ambitious but vague, experts say

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

The CBC’s new plan to grow, win back audiences is ambitious but vague, experts say

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:29 PM CDT

OTTAWA - Experts say CBC/Radio-Canada's new five-year plan to grow its audience offers a reply to its many critics — but it lacks specifics and it might be too little and too late.

Earlier this week, the public broadcaster released a plan for expanding its viewership by reaching out to children and youth, newcomers and "non-users or dissatisfied users."

CBC president Marie-Philippe Bouchard told The Canadian Press in an earlier interview that the plan includes a new focus on rural areas and Western Canada through a larger on-the-ground journalistic presence.

But connecting with that estranged audience will take more than enhanced local coverage, said Peter Menzies, a former CRTC vice-chair and former publisher of the Calgary Herald, now a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:29 PM CDT

Israel says Hamas hands over ‘2 coffins of deceased hostages’ from Gaza

Toqa Ezzidin, Sam Mednick And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Israel says Hamas hands over ‘2 coffins of deceased hostages’ from Gaza

Toqa Ezzidin, Sam Mednick And Samy Magdy, The Associated Press 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 6:54 PM CDT

CAIRO (AP) — Israel said Hamas handed over “two coffins of deceased hostages ” from Gaza late Saturday, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increased pressure on the militant group to share the rest more quickly under their ceasefire.

No names were immediately released. The bodies were in Israel and were being taken to the country's National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Israel announced earlier Saturday that Gaza’s sole crossing with the outside world, Rafah, would stay closed “until further notice,” tying it to Hamas’ release of remains. On Thursday it had said the crossing likely would reopen Sunday.

Hamas has now handed over the remains of 12 of the 28 dead hostages in Gaza, a key step in the week-old ceasefire process meant to end two years of war. The militant group says devastation and Israeli military control of certain areas of Gaza have slowed the handover.

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Updated: Yesterday at 6:54 PM CDT

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations stand in the northern Gaza Strip during the sunrise, as seen from southern Israel, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Bombers win ugly to keep playoff hopes alive

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Bombers win ugly to keep playoff hopes alive

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:29 PM CDT

WINNIPEG - Zach Collaros was succinct in his assessment of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' offence after Friday's 17-16 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I didn’t like anything,” the Blue Bombers quarterback said. “We didn’t do anything well.”

Collaros completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 182 yards with one touchdown toss and one interception.

As has often been the case this season, Winnipeg's defence and special teams made up for a lack of offensive output.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:29 PM CDT

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Jamieson Sheahan (18), kicker Sergio Castillo (14) and Ian Leroux (42) celebrate Castillo's game-winning field goal against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during second half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, October 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Two Borders council downsizing, ward changes pass

By Alex Lambert 3 minute read Preview

Two Borders council downsizing, ward changes pass

By Alex Lambert 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

The Municipality of Two Borders council approved a bylaw to reduce its number of councillors and redraw its wards after a public hearing Thursday evening.

The 7-3 vote will see council shrink to five councillors from nine, while keeping the reeve position. The three current wards will also be reconfigured into five wards.

Reeve Sandra Clark said the approval from council is what she expected to happen.

“I’m not surprised by the result — it’s the same result as we had in 2024 when we first made this map,” Clark said Friday morning.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Association of Manitoba Municipalities executive director Denys Volkov said municipalities know what’s best for their communities. (Supplied)

Transitional housing nears finish line

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Preview

Transitional housing nears finish line

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

With bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens taking shape on the upper levels, the John Howard Society of Brandon’s transitional housing facility on 16th Street North is expected to be open in December.

The Sun visited the site on Friday to see how construction was progressing at the facility, which broke ground in July 2024. The original opening date was estimated for June of this year, but was pushed back after construction delays.

Full kitchens were under construction on the third floor, where large suites are located with full bathrooms. Toilets and showers had been installed.

On the second floor, suites with large windows have been built with bedrooms and half bathrooms.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Ross Robinson of Brandon’s John Howard Society stands at the construction site of the new transitional housing facility on 16th Street North in Brandon. The project, now nearing completion, is expected to be open in December. (Connor McDowell/The Brandon Sun)

Resilience Rewired conference coming next week

By Michele McDougall 5 minute read Preview

Resilience Rewired conference coming next week

By Michele McDougall 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Thirty years ago, Westman resident Chance Toder’s life hung in the balance.

At just 10 months old, he required open heart surgery. Then, at the age of 11, he underwent an open heart procedure.

Today he’s fine-tuning his motivational speech for a one-day conference on resilience.

That second surgery Chance had when he was 11 caused a stroke and he fell into a coma. His parents and brothers were told to brace for the worst, his mom, Jolene, said.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Chance Toder is one of the presenters at the Resilience Rewired conference scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Keystone Centre Ampitheatre. (Submitted)

New management has big plans for Shilo Inn

By Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Preview

New management has big plans for Shilo Inn

By Abiola Odutola 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

SPRUCEWOODS — A new management team officially took over operations of Shilo Inn last month — and already renovations are underway and plans are in the works to revamp the neighbourhood bar.

Jakshil Patel and his two brothers, Parth and Priyank, assumed management of the establishment around Sept. 8 after the owner, Alpesh Patel, retired.

The takeover marks the start of a new chapter for the more than 50-year-old business that has long served the community and nearby military base, co-manager Jakshil Patel told the Sun on Friday.

Though the brothers are new to Shilo, having relocated from Toronto only two months ago, they say they’ve quickly felt welcomed by residents and the military community.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Shilo Inn managers Jackshil Patel (right) and his brothers, Priyank (centre) and Parth, stand in front of the business. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)

Town looks to old water source

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Preview

Town looks to old water source

By Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

The Town of Virden is drilling a new water well for residents after learning that its current aquifer cannot sustain the population.

Mayor Tina Williams told the Sun that a drill rig was set up at a new location on Thursday, with the goal of supplying a new water source to Virden within weeks. The project has become the No. 1 priority for staff, she said.

“All of our focus is on this right now,” Williams said Friday. “We need to get off the site as soon as we can.”

The current aquifer that serves the town of more than 3,000 people was deemed seriously low by consultants engaged by the Manitoba Water Services Board early this month.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Bergson honoured for triathlon leadership

By Michele McDougall 4 minute read Preview

Bergson honoured for triathlon leadership

By Michele McDougall 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Perry Bergson — the Sun’s senior sports reporter — is usually the one who writes about athletes and coaches who receive accolades and awards, but this time the spotlight is on him.

Bergson has been recognized by Triathlon Manitoba for his years of dedication, leadership and passion for the sport, receiving the Michael Klatt Service Leadership Award.

“It’s really, really meaningful,” Bergson said Friday afternoon after receiving the news.

“I’ve had a smile on my face all day,” he added.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Perry Bergson received Triathlon Manitoba’s Michael Klatt Service Leadership Award on Thursday. The award is given to a person who has performed significant leadership roles within the sport and has a long-term record of dedication, initiative, resourcefulness and passion in serving triathlon. (Maria Bergson/For The Sun)

Justice plan stolen from Conservative playbook: Jackson

By Alex Lambert 4 minute read Preview

Justice plan stolen from Conservative playbook: Jackson

By Alex Lambert 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 17, 2025

Brandon-Souris Conservative MP Grant Jackson says the Liberal promise to hire more RCMP officers and toughen bail and sentencing standards for violent crime steals from the Conservative playbook and lacks a concrete plan.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the party’s intention to table legislation next week that would make bail more difficult to get for a half-dozen violent and organized crime offences and allow for consecutive sentences for violent and repeat offenders.

“The rubber is really going to have to hit the road here for the Carney government and see if they can deliver on some of these nice words that they’ve been putting forward since he was elected prime minister in April,” Jackson told the Sun from Ottawa on Friday.

Part of Carney’s announcement included a plan to hire 1,000 new RCMP officers, with 150 of them to focus on financial crimes, the prime minister said at a press conference in Etobicoke, Ont.

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Friday, Oct. 17, 2025