Canadian exports of the kind of coal used to make electricity hit an eight-year high in 2022, even as the Liberals have promised to work on banning exports completely by the end of the decade. The Liberals made the promise during the 2021 election and it was listed in Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault's mandate letter that December. In the year that followed, Canada exported more than eight million tonnes of domestically produced thermal coal, a 60 per cent increase over 2021 and more than eight times what was exported in 2018. That year, thermal coal exports hit a low of one million tonn

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to the UAE. Here in Abu Dhabi, he inaugurated the first Hindu temple on 27 acres on Wednesday and offered prayers. Built on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, the temple is equipped with more than 300 high-tech sensors to measure temperature and monitor seismic activity. 700 crore rupees were spent on the construction of the temple. The land for this temple was donated by a Muslim king. The main architect of this temple is a Catholic Christian, the project manager is a Sikh and the foundational designer is a Buddhist, the construction

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Canada will send Ukraine $60 million to support its F-16 fighter aircraft.The government says the money is part of the $500 million in military support announced last spring. Blair says the money will help source supplies and equipment for the F-16 fighters, such as spare parts and ammunition. He made the announcement as NATO allies gather in Brussels for ministerial meetings. Blair says the latest contribution builds on last month's announcement to help train Ukrainian pilots fly the F-16. As the two-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion nears, Bla

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ugrahan in Punjab, has announced to block railway tracks in Punjab from 12 noon to 4 pm tomorrow to show solidarity with the farmers who are marching towards Delhi. Ugrahan said that the farmers are demanding the punishment of the Lakhimpuri culprits along with the guarantee of MSP and they also said that if the Haryana administration does not stop the atrocities on the farmers, they will wage a more intense struggle. On the other hand, the Punjab government is conducting a meeting of the farmers with the center through video confere

Thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers in countries like Canada, USA and UK are going on a one-day strike today on Valentine's Day. The organization that leads them in Canada, Rider Fair Two, says that its members here in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg are joining the strike. According to Rider Fair Two, Uber and Lyft drivers are underpaid. Many ride share drivers in Toronto are making just $6.37 an hour, while Ontario's minimum wage is $16.55 an hour. However, Ober says that he does not expect the strike to have much impact on Valentine's Day. This is because most drivers are satisfied.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee is going on a visit to Punjab on February 21 amid the lack of alliance between Congress and Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. Sources said that he will first pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and then meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Aam Aadmi Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to be present in this meeting. If reports are to be believed, both the political parties may start a new front separate from the Congress.

BC is launching a public housing program that aims to fast-track rental property developments on under-utilized lands throughout the province. The province says the 2.95 billion dollar BC Builds program will provide low-cost financing to build affordable rental units for middle-income earners on government, community and non-profit owned lands. It says it has already identified 20 sites with the potential to build up to four thousand rental units. Premier David Eby says they are aiming for a concept-to-construction timeline of 12 to 18 months to build the housing, compared with the current thr

Manuelle Oudar is joining the Senate's ranks after most recently serving with a Quebec government commission on workplace equity, health and safety. Trudeau's office describes her as a respected lawyer, leader and advocate for justice who had a long public-service career in the province. An independent advisory board recommended Oudar's candidacy to the prime minister and the Governor General appointed her. She is the 81st person to be appointed under that selection process, which Trudeau brought in after coming into power. Nearly three-quarters of current senators were appointed during Trudea

Nawaz Sharif's government can be formed in Pakistan. Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has announced outside support to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's prime ministerial candidate. He made it clear that his party will not be part of the coalition government and will sit in the opposition. Bilawal Bhutto said during the press conference that the People's Party does not have the mandate to form the government, so he is not a candidate for the post of Prime Minister. He said that his party will vote on the basis of issues on important occasions for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. Bil