Former commercial pilot charged with hijacking and terrorism over Vancouver flight
A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada provided a court file number that matches a case in B.C. Provincial Court involving a former commercial airline pilot based in Victoria.
The man is Shaheer Cassim, who has previously been involved in climate activism.
In 2012, Cassim held a news conference in Victoria at the start of a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness of global warming.
Norad says it scrambled F-15s in response to the alleged hijacking of a Cessna that belonged to the Victoria Flying Club, but the plane landed and the man was arrested before the fighter jets arrived.
RCMP have not disclosed a potential motive in the case, but a recorded conversation involving a Vancouver air traffic controller suggests the alleged hijacking may have been motivated by 'some type of protest.'
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025.
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UPI
2 days ago
- UPI
Military clash between Thailand, Cambodia escalates at border
A crater is seen near homes at a residential area amid clashes along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border, in Surin Province, Thailand, on Saturday. Photo by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/EPA July 26 (UPI) -- Cambodia and Thailand military forces on Saturday fought each other for the third day over contested border territory as the death toll rose to at least 32. The dead were 19 in Thailand, including 13 civilians, and 13 in Cambodia, with eight civilians, in the bloodiest fighting in more than a decade, The Guardian reported. Acting Thai Prime Minister warned the situation "could develop into war." "For now, it remains limited to clashes," he told reporters in Bangkok, and his nation was acting to "protect our land and the sovereignty of our nation." Fighting involving tanks began Thursday near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient temple claimed by both nations. Thailand also used F-16 jets. Weapons included cluster munitions, which are internationally prohibited though both nations haven't agreed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. "Neither Thailand nor Cambodia appears to be paying attention to international humanitarian law at great expense to civilians," John Sifton, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, said in a news release Friday. "Diplomatic efforts underway need to prioritize protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure." On Friday, United Nations diplomats from both countries sought a cease-fire during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council in New York. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thailand's envoy to the U.N., urged Cambodia to "immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith." The diplomat said his nation agreed "in principle" to the deal but said Cambodia was continuing "indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory." Cambodia's U.N. ambassador, Chhea Keo said "Cambodia asked for an immediate cease-fire -- unconditionally -- and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," said Chea Keo, Cambodia's U.N. ambassador. "If this conflict escalates, the peace and stability of the entire Southeast Asia region will be at stake," Keo added. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to exercise the "utmost restraint." "The United States is gravely concerned by reports of the escalating fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border," a State Department press spokesperson said Thursday. "We are particularly alarmed by reports of harm to innocent civilians. We express our deepest condolences on the loss of life. We strongly urge the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes." On Saturday, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social from Scotland that he "I just had a very good call with the Prime Minister of Cambodia, and informed him of my discussions with Thailand, and its Acting Prime Minister. Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace. They are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS. "They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Malaysia, which heads the 10-member Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, offered to mediate. China has also expressed concern about the situation, which worsened on Saturday. Cambodia's Ministry of Defense accused Thailand of "unprovoked and premeditated act of aggression" on -- firing five heavy artillery shells in Pursat Province on the southern edge of the shared border. Thailand said Cambodia attacked in neighboring Trat Province but their naval forces pushed back "the incursion" early Saturday. Trat, bordering the Gulf of Thailand and the Pacific Ocean, includes numerous islands with white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Tensions have escalated since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange with gunfire. Then last week, Thai soldiers were injured by new landmines. Cambodia has denied putting them there. Thailand recalled its ambassador from Cambodia and said it would expel Cambodia's diplomat in Bangkok. At least 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand's borders. Cambodia said more than 23,000 people were moved from near the border. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai prime minister, visited evacuees at a shelter in Ubon Ratchathani Province on Saturday morning. Cambodia has a population of 17.4 million and Thailand has 71.7 million residents. Vietnam borders both nations.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Significant spike' in impaired driving includes six Hamilton deaths
Hamilton police are warning about a concerning rise in impaired driving, including three fatal drunk-driving crashes that have killed six people — among them a 10-year-old girl — since June. On Friday, police announced they have laid impaired and dangerous driving charges in one of the fatal collisions — a three-vehicle crash on June 1 on Upper Centennial Parkway that killed two people. A 32-year-old Hamilton man is accused of drunk driving, driving double the 70 kilometre per hour limit, and driving an unsafe vehicle. The 'significant spike' in impaired driving cases includes a 25 per cent increase in May over 2024, and a 53 per cent increase in June compared to the same month last year, said Const. Trevor McKenna. Overall impaired driving offences are up 11 per cent over 2024. So far this year police have laid 369 impaired charges, with 216 people charged, he said. On June 1, shortly after midnight, police were called to a three-vehicle crash on Upper Centennial Parkway between Mud Street East and Green Mountain Road. The investigation revealed two pickup trucks were southbound when one — a 2014 Ford F-150 — hit the other and then crossed into northbound lanes where it struck a 2015 Kia Sorento head-on. The driver and passenger in the car were tragically killed, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the F-150 was treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Following an investigation by the collision reconstruction unit, he was arrested Thursday. Nemanja Trivanovic, 32, from Hamilton is charged criminally with two counts of dangerous driving causing death, two counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of having over 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood causing death. He faces further charges, under the Highway Traffic Act, of stunt driving, speeding 140 km/h in a 70 zone, having defective brakes and operating an unsafe vehicle. The families of the victims are requesting privacy as they grieve, police said in a release Friday. A little over a month after that fatal crash, 30-year-old Julia Smith and her 10-year-old daughter Grace were killed after their car was struck head-on by a pickup truck. Police allege the pickup driver was trying to pass another vehicle on Trinity Church Road on July 6. Grace died at the scene and her mom died in hospital just over a week later. Two men, also in the Honda Civic they were travelling in, were hurt in the crash. McKenna said investigators have identified impaired driving as a factor in the crash. That investigation is ongoing and charges have not yet been laid. Impaired driving was also allegedly behind fiery crash at the top of the Claremont Access that killed two people on June 22 around 3 a.m. In that case, police believe the Chevrolet was southbound on the access, when it left the road, hit the stone wall near Southam Park and caught fire. Both the driver and the passenger were pronounced dead at the scene and no other vehicles were involved. In response to the troubling increase in cases, police are reminding the public there are always alternatives to getting behind the wheel while impaired. These include designating a sober driver, calling a taxi or ride share, and using public transit. 'Plan ahead, your life and others depend on it,' police said. Police say they are also increasing RIDE lanes on the road, and on the water through the marine unit. If you suspect someone is driving impaired, call 911. Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
USA Today
3 days ago
- USA Today
Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery as fighting expands for second day
SURIN, Thailand, July 25 (Reuters) - Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire. At least 16 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced in the escalating border battle. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of deliberately targeting civilians and Cambodia alleging Thailand was using cluster munitions, a controversial and widely condemned ordnance. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Cambodia had launched attacks on multiple fronts and Thailand was defending its territory. "The current situation involves acts of intrusion and aggression that are causing harm to the people's lives. The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war. At present, it's a confrontation involving heavy weapons," he told reporters. Fighting re-erupted before dawn, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand's military, which accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems to target areas that included schools and hospitals. "These barbaric acts have senselessly claimed lives and inflicted injuries upon numerous innocent civilians," the Thai military said in a statement. More: Thailand F-16 jet bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates It described Cambodia's bombardment as "appalling attacks", putting the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being led by Hun Sen, the influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of current Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime, and those responsible must be brought to justice," the Thai military added. LOUD EXPLOSIONS The fighting started early on Thursday, quickly escalating from small arms fire to heavy shelling in multiple areas 210 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. The trigger was Thailand's recalling of its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expulsion of Cambodia's envoy on Wednesday, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia has dismissed that as baseless. Cambodia's defence ministry and its government's landmine authority condemned what they said was Thailand's use of a large amount of cluster munitions, calling it a violation of international law. The foreign ministry of Thailand, which is not among the more than 100 signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters journalists in Thailand's Surin province saw a Thai military convoy that included about a dozen trucks, armoured vehicles and tanks cut across provincial roads ringed by paddy fields as it moved toward the border. Intermittent bursts of explosions could be heard amid a heavy presence of armed troops. Soldiers marshalled traffic on a rural road along which artillery guns were being loaded and fired in succession, emitting orange flashes followed by loud explosions and grey smoke. More than 130,000 people have been evacuated from conflict areas in Thailand, where the death toll rose to 15 as of early Friday, 14 of those civilians, according to the health ministry. It said 46 people were wounded, including 15 soldiers. 'WE WERE SO SCARED' More evacuees arrived at shelters in Surin province, fleeing their homes after hearing the booms of shelling. "We heard very loud explosions, so we came here. We were so scared," said Aung Ying Yong, 67, wiping away her tears with a towel. "So many people are in trouble because of this war … we are very sad that we have to live like this." Cambodia's national government has provided no details on casualties or evacuations and did not respond to requests for comment on Friday. An official from Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey province said one civilian had been killed and five wounded, with 1,500 families evacuated. Thailand had on Thursday mobilised an F-16 fighter jet in a rare combat deployment, which carried out an air strike on a Cambodian military target, among measures Cambodia called "reckless and brutal military aggression" in its appeal for the United Nations Security Council to address the issue. Thailand's use of an F-16 underlines its military advantage over Cambodia, which has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel. The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, as did Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, who said he had spoken to leaders of both countries and urged them to find a peaceful way out. "I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward," he said on social media. But Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it has rejected mediation efforts from third countries after offers to facilitate dialogue from the United States, China and Malaysia, "We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out," foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters in an interview. (Reporting by Shoon Naing and Artorn Pookasook in Surin, Thailand, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Devjyot Ghoshal in Bangkok, Francesco Guarascio in Hanoi and Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
