Voting has concluded across Bangladesh in the country’s first general election since the August 2024 ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Election officials reported that polling began at 7:30 am local time and continued until 4:30 pm without any suspension or cancellation at voting centres. According to preliminary figures released Thursday afternoon, voter turnout reached 47.91 per cent by 2 pm across approximately 36,000 polling stations nationwide. Ballot counting began shortly after polls closed, with results expected to be announced in phases. Authorities said

An Edmonton church deacon is facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged sexual offence reported to have taken place late last year. Edmonton Police Service say the investigation relates to an incident that occurred in November. A 48-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Police have not released additional details about the complainant in order to protect privacy. Investigators say they believe there may be other potential victims and are urging anyone with information or similar experiences to contact police. Authorities have not indicated whethe

Human rights activists say the number of people killed during last month’s nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to at least 7,002, sharply higher than figures released by the Iranian government. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Thursday that it has verified thousands of deaths through a network of contacts inside the country. The organization, which has tracked previous waves of unrest in Iran, said the count continues to rise gradually as it crosschecks information amid restricted communications and internet disruptions. Iran’s government has provided only one

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives debated legislation aimed at ending tariffs imposed on Canadian goods under a fentanyl-related border emergency declared by President Donald Trump last year. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, who introduced the resolution, told lawmakers that Canada should not be treated as a security threat. He described Canada as a long-standing ally and argued that U.S. government data shows only a small fraction of fentanyl seizures occur along the northern border compared with the U.S.–Mexico boundary. President Trump declared a national emergency tied

Surrey Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of assaulting a teenage girl in the Whalley neighbourhood earlier this month. Police say the incident happened at about 4:35 pm on February 6, when the youth was walking eastbound along 100 Avenue near 123A Street. Investigators report that a man approached her from behind and briefly wrapped his arms around her upper body. The girl was able to free herself, and the suspect ran southbound on 123A Street. She was not physically injured. The suspect is described as an adult man, possibly White or Middle Ea

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has expressed condolences following a tragic incident in Tumbler Ridge that has shaken communities across British Columbia. In a public statement, Locke said residents of Surrey stand in solidarity with the victims and their families during what she described as an extremely difficult time. “My thoughts are with the families in Tumbler Ridge who are facing this unimaginable loss,” Locke said, adding that the incident has deeply affected people across the province. She noted that Surrey, as one of B.C.’s largest cities, shares in the grief being felt in the north

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed condolences following a deadly shooting at a secondary school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left 10 people dead, including the alleged gunman. In a public statement, Smith said her thoughts are with the students, staff and families affected, adding that Alberta stands with the entire Tumbler Ridge community during what she described as an unimaginable tragedy. According to the BC RCMP, officers responded to reports of shots fired at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School at approximately 1:20 p.m. Police said six people were pronounced dead at th

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ordered flags on all federal buildings and institutions to be flown at half-mast for seven days following a deadly mass shooting in northeastern British Columbia that left 10 people dead, including the suspect. The attacks took place Tuesday in the small community of Tumbler Ridge. According to the RCMP, the suspect is believed to have first killed two people at a private residence before going to a local school, where several others were shot in what police have described as one of the most serious mass shootings in recent Canadian history. Investigators have sa

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday heard a petition related to Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking permission to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not contain any provision allowing a Member of Parliament to attend or participate in House proceedings through virtual means. The submission was made as part of arguments concerning Singh’s request for relief that would enable him to take part in parliamentary proceedings. The court observed that