In the news today: Three miners rescued from B.C. mine

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Three miners rescued from B.C. mine

Three miners who were trapped in a remote northern British Columbia mine have been rescued after more than 60 hours underground.

Red Chris mine operator Newmont Corp. said the three men were safely bought to the surface at about 10:40 p.m. on Thursday.

It said Kevin Coumbs, Darien Maduke and Jesse Chubaty — contractors for B.C.-based Hy-Tech Drilling — were in good health and spirits after being trapped underground by two rockfalls on Tuesday morning.

Newmont said that the men had consistent access to food, water, and air in a refuge chamber of the gold and copper mine about 500 kilometres northwest of Terrace, B.C.

It described an operation involving drones and a remote-controlled scoop that dug away a massive rockfall, estimated to be 20 to 30 metres long and seven to eight metres high.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Hockey players’ acquittal leaves mark in London, Ont.

The acquittal of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team who were accused of sexual assault continues to reverberate in the southwestern Ontario city where their high-profile trial played out.

Dozens gathered outside the London, Ont., courthouse Thursday evening to show support for the complainant, while rallies earlier in the day saw a mix of supporters for the woman and the players.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote were all acquitted of sexual assault, and McLeod of a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault, in a ruling the defence deemed a “resounding vindication.”

Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia found the complainant’s testimony was not credible or reliable, and that there were “troubling aspects” in how she delivered some of her evidence.

Carroccia said she found there was “consent not vitiated by fear,” noting the absence of physical force, violence or threats during the 2018 encounter.

Canada condemns Israel over humanitarian crisis

Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday accused the Israeli government of failing to prevent a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and of violating international law by denying aid.

In a post on X, Carney said Israel’s control of aid distribution must be replaced by “comprehensive provision” of humanitarian assistance led by international organizations.

Israel’s parliament on Wednesday approved a symbolic motion to annex the West Bank. Annexation of the West Bank could make it impossible to create a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, which is seen internationally as the only realistic way to resolve the conflict.

Carney said Canada supports a two-state solution, with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand set to attend a UN conference next week in New York on the issue.

The Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs said Hamas does not want a ceasefire agreement and wants to retain power at any cost.

Montreal group pushes back on U.S. aid cuts

A Montreal-based organization promoting democracy and digital rights is using a billboard in New York’s iconic Times Square to urge Americans to resist cuts to U.S. foreign aid.

“A retreat by the United States will mean that the weight balances in favour of digital authoritarianism, and away from what are essentially Canadian values,” said Alex Dalessio, executive director of eQualitie.

The organization works to advance digital security for civil society and media around the world, allowing people in oppressive states to circumvent censorship and surveillance to communicate securely.

Dalessio’s group has partnered with the American branch of Transparency International to post a 10-second message urging Americans to “support foreign aid” on a video billboard in the heart of Manhattan over 90 days.

Dalessio said the campaign isn’t “targeted” at the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and noted that European countries are also cutting back on foreign aid.

Lack of seniors downsizing creates housing logjam

Realtor Barry Lebow specializes in helping seniors downsize — moving out of the family homes they’ve lived in for decades to a smaller place that’s a better fit for their aging lifestyle.

From the outside, that might look like the natural progression: feeding a healthy bit of turnover into the housing supply as move-up buyers seek their own family home.

But the reality is a bit different when it comes time to sell, Lebow, who works in the Greater Toronto Area, said in an interview.

Experts say it’s a myth that seniors who own their homes are keen to downsize to fund their retirements, when the reality is they’re largely staying put, in part because they don’t like the downsizing options, making it harder for young prospective buyers to break into the housing market.

Seniors are in fact the demographic that’s least likely to move, according to data from the 2016 census.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025.

The Canadian Press