News for Youse: Prices drop in B.C., cops under investigation, John Cummins quits, and Oprah ripped

B.C. experiences deflation  Statistics Canada has reported that the Consumer Price Index in B.C. fell 0.5 percent (not seasonally adjusted) between June 2012 and June 2013. This was due to "year-over-year decreases for food purchased from restaurants and homeowners' replacement cost". B.C. is the only province that recorded a decrease; the national inflation rate rose 1.2 pecent.

Cop facing murder probe  CTV News has reported that the Independent Investigations Office is examining whether a police officer committed murder when he shot and killed Mehrad Bayrami in a police standoff last November outside the Starlight Casino.

Police shooting in Surrey  The Independent Investigations Office is looking into a police shooting at the Scott Road SkyTrain station last night just after 10. A suspected arsonist is in hospital in serious condition; he allegedly approached police with a knife when the incident occurred. 

Vancouver officer suspended  The Vancouver Police Department has disclosed that an unnamed 13-year veteran has been found guilty under the Police Act of deceit, corrupt practice, improper dislosure of information, and neglect of duty. He's alleged to have lied about a 2001 homicide in Oak Bay.

John Cummins resigns  Less than three months after his party won no seats and less than five percent of votes in the provincial election,  John Cummins has stepped down as leader of the B.C. Conservative party.

Snowboarder will pay for rescue  CBC News has reported that snowboarder Sebastian Boucher plans to give North Shore Search and Rescue $10,000 next week. This is to offset the cost of rescuing him last December when he got stuck on a cliff after going out of bounds. 

Lifetime transit passes questioned  According to a CKNW Radio report, District of North Vancouver mayor Richard Walton says TransLink's policy of giving lifetime passes to people who've helped the transporation authority can't be justified. Walton chairs the Mayors' Council on regional transportation.

Court rejects deportation  The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the Canadian government cannot deport former Congolese diplomat Rachidi Ekanza Eokola just because he knew of his government's war crimes.  The decision states that "a concept of complicity that leaves any room for guilt by association or passive acquiescence violates two fundamental criminal law principles: the principle that criminal liability does not attach to omissions unless an individual is under a duty to act, and the principle that individuals can only be liable for their own culpable conduct."

Detroit seeks bankruptcy protection  Detroit has become the largest U.S. city ever to seek court protection from its creditors, which raises many questions about what this will mean for civic employees, public pensions, and basic municipal services.

Sex and smartphones  A Harris Interactive study has reported that nine percent of respondents say they've used their smartphones during sex.

Rae Dawn Chong rips Oprah  Actor Rae Dawn Chong, daughter of former Vancouver comedian Tommy Chong, claimed in a radio interview that Oprah Winfrey turned into a "total bitch" after they formed a friendship during the filming of The Colour Purple in the mid 1980s.