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navjot-kaur-sidhu-says-she-will-contest-2027-punjab-election-with-bharatiya-rashtrawadi-party
IndiaApr 08, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she will contest 2027 Punjab election with Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she plans to run in Punjab’s 2027 विधानसभा elections as a candidate of the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party, according to remarks she made at a press conference in Chandigarh. Speaking at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sidhu confirmed her intention to contest under the party banner. The announcement follows a social media post in which she indicated her political plans and shared material related to the New Delhi–based party, which she described as being established about nine years ago. Sidhu, the wife of former cricketer and ex–Punjab Congress chief Navjot
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Edmonton man charged with human trafficking offences involving five women, police say

Police in Edmonton say a 47-year-old man is facing multiple human trafficking-related charges following an investigation involving five women. According to a release from ALERT Edmonton’s Human Trafficking unit, Jonathan Allard was arrested March 26 and is charged with 26 Criminal Code offences, including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and assault. Investigators say the case began in June after one of the alleged victims contacted police seeking help. She told officers she had been recruited through social media to move to Edmonton, where she was allegedly forced into the sex t
man-arrested-after-reported-assault-on-woman-in-new-westminster
BCApr 08, 2026

Man arrested after reported assault on woman in New Westminster

A man has been arrested after multiple witnesses reported seeing a woman being struck in the street in New Westminster on Sunday afternoon. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers responded to two separate 911 calls at 1:20 p.m. reporting an assault involving a man and a woman walking along the street. Police attended the area near Nanaimo Street and 18th Street, where they located both individuals. Officers arrested the man without incident at the scene and provided assistance to the woman. Investigators also interviewed multiple witnesses who remained in the a
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac
ontario-mp-marilyn-gladu-leaves-conservatives-to-join-liberals
CanadaApr 08, 2026

Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu leaves Conservatives to join Liberals

Ontario MP Marilyn Gladu says she has left the Conservative caucus and will sit with the Liberals under Prime Minister Mark Carney, becoming the fifth member of Parliament to cross the floor since November. Gladu confirmed the move in a statement, saying she will support the government’s agenda going forward. The reasons for her decision were not immediately detailed, and it is not clear whether she will take on a formal role within the Liberal caucus. Floor crossings do not trigger a byelection under federal rules, meaning Gladu will continue to represent her Ontario riding as a Liberal MP
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

First Nation chief challenges Alberta separation petition in court, citing treaty rights

The chief of a First Nation seeking a court injunction against a citizen-led petition on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada says legal action was necessary to defend treaty rights. Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation said the constitutional challenge targets the province’s citizen-initiated referendum process, which he argues could affect First Nations without proper consultation. According to statements made at the start of the hearing, Sunshine said the case is about ensuring treaty obligations are upheld. A court hearing began Tuesday and is expected to include a
poilievre-communications-director-katy-merrifield-to-step-down-this-week
BCApr 08, 2026

Poilievre communications director Katy Merrifield to step down this week

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s communications director, Katy Merrifield, is stepping down from her role, according to an internal email sent to the Conservative caucus on Tuesday. In the message, Merrifield said her last day in the Opposition Leader’s Office will be Friday. She also outlined changes to the senior communications team, stating that Micah Green will take over as communications director and Sam Lilly will become media relations director. Merrifield said both appointments were made at her recommendation. Merrifield joined Poilievre’s team in 2025, around the time the
carney-european-leaders-welcome-reported-u-s-iran-ceasefire-call-for-broader-diplomatic-talks
CanadaApr 08, 2026

Carney, European leaders welcome reported U.S.–Iran ceasefire, call for broader diplomatic talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney and nine European leaders say they welcome a reported two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, according to a joint statement released Wednesday. The statement follows remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said Tuesday that an agreement had been reached after tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. Trump had earlier warned of severe consequences if negotiations to reopen the waterway failed. According to Trump’s social media posts, discussions between the United States and Iran are expected to include reconstruction ef
WorldApr 08, 2026

U.S., Iran agree to two-week ceasefire amid reports of Pakistan, China mediation

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire following approximately 40 days of conflict, according to statements attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump and media reports. The pause in hostilities is expected to halt attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran during the agreed period. Trump said the decision followed appeals from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the country’s military leadership. Reports also indicate the arrangement was facilitated through Pakistan’s mediation, with last-minute diplomatic involvement from China. These claims ha

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WorldMay 01, 2026

Five killed in small plane crash near Austin, Texas, county official says

Five people are dead after a small plane crashed near Wimberley, Texas, on Thursday night, according to a local official. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a Facebook post that the aircraft went down in the area, located about 40 miles southwest of Austin. All five individuals on board were killed, he said. Details about the aircraft, the identities of those on board, and the cause of the crash were not immediately released. It is not clear which agencies are leading the investigation. Authorities have not provided additional information on conditions at the time of the crash or whether
IndiaMay 01, 2026

Punjab Assembly passes confidence motion with 88 AAP MLAs voting in favour

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session called by the state government, according to proceedings reported from the House. The motion was introduced to demonstrate the government’s majority. A total of 88 legislators from the Aam Aadmi Party voted in favour, while four MLAs were absent at the time of voting. Ahead of the session, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the need for a confidence motion, stating that the ruling party already holds a large majority in the Assembly. He said the move
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Alberta privacy commissioner urges legal reform after alleged voter list breach

Alberta’s privacy commissioner is calling for changes to provincial law following allegations that a separatist group accessed and published the province’s official voter list. Elections Alberta says it is investigating a group known as the Centurion Project after an app linked to the group allegedly made public the names and addresses of nearly three million voters. According to the agency, official voter lists are only distributed to elected officials, registered political parties and authorized party representatives. The app was removed following a court order earlier this week. Electio
CanadaMay 01, 2026

Canada reduces refugee health coverage, introduces co-payments for prescriptions and supplementary care

Cuts to federally funded health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants took effect Friday, introducing new out-of-pocket costs for medications and certain health services. According to federal program changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, refugees will now be required to pay $4 per prescription and cover 30 per cent of the cost for supplementary health products and services. These include mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, medical devices and mobility aids such as wheelchairs. Until now, the program provided full health coverage for eligible refugees until they q
smith-welcomes-u-s-approval-of-bridger-pipeline-expansion-tied-to-keystone-xl-revival
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Smith welcomes U.S. approval of Bridger pipeline expansion tied to Keystone XL revival

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a newly approved cross-border pipeline expansion could significantly increase the flow of Alberta crude to the United States, following a presidential permit signed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a statement from Smith’s office, the permit authorizes the Bridger Pipeline expansion, described as a partial revival of the previously cancelled Keystone XL project. The expansion is part of a joint venture between Calgary-based South Bow and U.S.-based Bridger. Smith said the project could transport more than 500,000 barrels of Alberta oil per day