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punjab-government-extends-winter-school-holidays-until-lohri
IndiaJan 07, 2026

Punjab government extends winter school holidays until Lohri

The Punjab government has once again extended winter holidays for schools across the state, citing intense cold weather and persistent fog conditions. Under the revised order, all government and private schools in Punjab will now remain closed until January 13 and reopen on January 14, following the Lohri festival. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken in response to the ongoing cold wave, which has led to a sharp drop in temperatures and reduced visibility in many districts. He said student safety remains the government’s top priority during the peak winter perio
calgary-woman-charged-after-traffic-pylon-thrown-from-downtown-balcony
AlbertaJan 07, 2026

Calgary woman charged after traffic pylon thrown from downtown balcony

Calgary police have charged a woman after a video circulated on social media showing a traffic pylon being tossed from a highrise balcony in the city’s downtown. Investigators said they began looking into the incident after receiving complaints about the video on Monday afternoon. The footage was determined to have been recorded the previous Saturday at an apartment building on the 1100 block of Third Street Southeast. The pylon was reportedly dropped from the 14th floor. Officers located a nearly six-kilogram traffic pylon on the sidewalk outside the building. Police said their investigatio
CanadaJan 07, 2026

Canada to open new consulate in Greenland amid U.S. security claims

The federal government has announced plans to open a new Canadian consulate in Greenland, a move that comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has again raised the possibility of taking control of the Arctic territory. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is expected to travel to Greenland in the coming weeks, with the visit anticipated in early February, according to Prime Minister Mark Carney. During the trip, Anand will formally inaugurate Canada’s new consulate in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Governor General Mary Simon is also expected to join the delegation. The announcement follows rec
AlbertaJan 07, 2026

Calgary council to review independent report on Bearspaw watermain failures

Calgary city councillors are set to receive and discuss a long-awaited independent report examining repeated failures of a major watermain that supplies drinking water to much of the city. The report focuses on the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, a critical piece of infrastructure that delivers treated water to roughly 60 per cent of Calgary residents. The line first ruptured in the summer of 2024, triggering weeks of mandatory water restrictions across the city. Concerns intensified again late last month when the same watermain ruptured for a second time on Dec. 30, forcing the city to reintroduc
carney-to-visit-china-next-week-as-canada-seeks-to-reset-strained-trade-ties
CanadaJan 07, 2026

Carney to visit China next week as Canada seeks to reset strained trade ties

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to China next week, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in eight years as Ottawa looks to manage a strained and complex bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister’s Office says Carney will depart on Jan. 13 and return on Jan. 17, with meetings expected to focus on trade, energy, agriculture and international security. Officials have not yet confirmed whether Carney will hold a formal face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip. Canada–China relations have been tense in recent years, particularly followi
michael-reagan-conservative-commentator-and-son-of-former-u-s-president-dies-at-80
WorldJan 07, 2026

Michael Reagan, conservative commentator and son of former U.S. president, dies at 80

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan and a long-time conservative media figure, has died at the age of 80, according to an announcement from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. In a statement shared Tuesday on social media, the foundation described Reagan as a dedicated defender of his father’s political philosophy and legacy, noting his continued involvement in public discussions around conservative values and leadership long after Ronald Reagan left office. Michael Reagan was a familiar voice in American conservative media, serving as a
internal-dissent-erupts-within-bku-sidhupur-as-leaders-challenge-jagjit-singh-dallewal
IndiaJan 06, 2026

Internal dissent erupts within BKU Sidhupur as leaders challenge Jagjit Singh Dallewal

A rift has surfaced within Punjab’s farmers’ union Bharatiya Kisan Union Sidhupur, with several senior leaders and district presidents openly rebelling against union president Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The dissenting leaders have levelled serious allegations related to financial transparency and internal governance of the organisation. According to the rebel group, funds collected by the union during various protests and organisational activities were never properly accounted for. They claim that despite repeated requests, the leadership failed to provide clear financial statements or explana
nova-scotia-grade-8-student-dies-after-dog-attack-in-shelburne-county
CanadaJan 06, 2026

Nova Scotia Grade 8 student dies after dog attack in Shelburne County

A Grade 8 student from Shelburne County has died after being attacked by three dogs over the weekend, Nova Scotia school officials confirmed Monday. The Tri-County Regional Centre for Education said the student attended Shelburne Regional High School and that the death is being deeply felt across the school community. Counsellors, psychologists, and additional mental health supports have been made available to students and staff as they cope with the loss. RCMP previously said the youth was attacked Saturday by three large-breed dogs while riding a bicycle along Upper Sandy Cove Road in Welsht
desjardins-data-breach-suspect-arrested-in-spain-extradition-proceedings-underway
CanadaJan 06, 2026

Desjardins data breach suspect arrested in Spain, extradition proceedings underway

Quebec provincial police say a key suspect linked to the massive Desjardins data breach affecting millions of members has been arrested in Spain following an international police operation. Authorities allege Juan Pablo Serrano, 40, was involved in the theft and resale of personal information belonging to approximately 9.7 million Desjardins members. Investigators say the data was originally obtained from a former employee of the Quebec-based financial institution and later used in a range of fraud schemes. Serrano, a Canadian citizen of Ecuadorian descent, had been sought by police since June

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AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Two seriously injured after pit bulls attack caretakers in Vermilion area

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after being attacked by two pit bulls at a rural property near Vermilion, east of Edmonton, according to RCMP. Mounties say officers were called Wednesday to a home in the Vermilion area, roughly 190 kilometres east of Edmonton, after the dogs turned on their caretakers. Police did not release details about the extent of the injuries but confirmed both victims required medical treatment. Following the attack, the dogs escaped from the property, prompting authorities to warn residents about the potential risk of the animals being loose in
surrey-police-probe-overnight-shooting-in-panorama-ridge-no-injuries-reported
CanadaJan 15, 2026

Surrey police probe overnight shooting in Panorama Ridge, no injuries reported

Surrey Police Service is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in the Panorama Ridge neighbourhood early Thursday morning, part of what police believe may be an ongoing pattern of extortion-related violence in the city. Officers were called to the 13400 block of 56 Avenue shortly before 1 am after reports of gunfire. Police say they found evidence of shots fired at a residence and a nearby vehicle. No injuries were reported. The SPS Frontline Investigative Support Team attended the scene, and the Major Crime Section has now taken over the investigation. Police say the case r
AlbertaJan 15, 2026

Alberta health officials to address hospital overcrowding as doctors call for system-wide fixes

Alberta health officials are expected to provide an update today on hospital capacity pressures as concerns grow over emergency room overcrowding across the province. The briefing comes amid renewed calls from physicians for structural changes to how patient flow is managed within Alberta’s health-care system. Hospital and Surgical Services Minister Matt Jones is scheduled to appear alongside senior health leaders. Officials are also expected to address the death last month of a man who died while waiting for care in an Edmonton emergency department, a case that has intensified scrutiny of w
government-must-take-threat-to-bikram-majithia-seriously-ganieve-kaur-majithia
IndiaJan 15, 2026

Government must take threat to Bikram Majithia seriously: Ganieve Kaur Majithia

Amid reports of a threat to the life of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, his wife Ganieve Kaur Majithia visited him at Nabha jail on Wednesday and urged the Punjab government to treat the matter with seriousness. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said concerns over her husband’s safety could not be ignored. Ganieve Kaur Majithia said that if any harm comes to Bikram Majithia inside the jail, responsibility would lie with the Punjab Director General of Police, the Additional Director General of Police, and the jail superintendent. She alleged that she has no
trump-says-iran-pauses-executions-of-detained-protesters-as-military-options-remain-under-review
WorldJan 15, 2026

Trump says Iran pauses executions of detained protesters as military options remain under review

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has put a halt to carrying out death sentences against protesters who were detained during recent unrest, while warning that Washington is still weighing possible military action. Speaking to reporters, Trump said his administration is closely monitoring the actions of the Iranian government and assessing its response to international pressure over the treatment of detainees. He described the reported pause in executions as a temporary development and said further steps by Tehran would influence U.S. decision-making. The heightened tensions have prompted p