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b-c-government-faces-challenge-as-contracts-of-400-000-public-sector-workers-expire
BCJan 23, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Challenge as Contracts of 400,000 Public Sector Workers Expire

The B.C. government is facing a challenging situation as the contracts of 400,000 public sector workers are set to expire this year, in both the spring and fall. Amid fiscal issues and potential tariffs from the Trump administration, the province will need to negotiate new contracts with unions regarding wages and other demands. These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff. The challenge comes as the provincial government projects a $9.4-billion deficit for this fiscal year and has pledged to take steps to reduce it. The nurses’ union
mp-amritpal-singh-detained-in-dibrugarh-jail-files-petition-in-high-court
IndiaJan 23, 2025

MP Amritpal Singh, Detained in Dibrugarh Jail, Files Petition in High Court

Amritpal Singh, a Member of Parliament from Khadur Sahib in Punjab, has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking permission to attend the Republic Day parade and the upcoming Parliament session. The Republic Day parade is scheduled for January 26, and the Budget Session of Parliament is set to begin on January 31, continuing until April 4. Amritpal Singh is currently detained in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA). In his petition, he argues that his prolonged absence is hindering his ability to represent the 19 lakh voters of his constituency in
trump-criticizes-canada-and-promotes-american-manufacturing-at-the-world-economic-forum
CanadaJan 23, 2025

Trump Criticizes Canada and Promotes American Manufacturing at the World Economic Forum

Trump has once again criticized Canada. While addressing the World Economic Forum, he stated that America does not need Canadian oil, gas, cars, or timber. He emphasized that the U.S. has enough of its own forests for timber and possesses the most oil and gas. Additionally, Trump suggested that if Canada wants to avoid tariffs, it could become the 51st U.S. state. During his address to the World Economic Forum in Davos via video link, Trump also delivered a simple message to businesses worldwide, encouraging them to make their products in America, where they would be charged the lowest tax ra
wildfire-in-los-angeles-suburb-forces-mass-evacuations
WorldJan 23, 2025

Wildfire in Los Angeles Suburb Forces Mass Evacuations

The wildfire that has been raging in Los Angeles for several weeks has flared up again. This time, the fire is in Hughes, a northern suburb of Los Angeles. The fire, which started on Wednesday, has already burned about 10,000 acres and spread so rapidly that it has become nearly two-thirds larger than the Eaton Fire, one of the two major fires from earlier this season, in just a few hours. Approximately 50,000 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes due to the fire. Reports indicate that the fire is spreading at an alarming rate, burning an area the size of a football field every 3 s
delhi-police-removes-kejriwals-punjab-police-security
IndiaJan 23, 2025

Delhi Police Removes Kejriwal’s Punjab Police Security

The Punjab Police deployed in Delhi to protect Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal has been removed. This decision was made following instructions from the Election Commission. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav confirmed the move while speaking to the media. The Punjab Police had been providing security to Kejriwal even during the campaigning for the Delhi Assembly elections. The Delhi Police had raised objections and filed a complaint with the Election Commission. It is important to note that Kejriwal, who is out on bail in the alleged liquor scam case in Delhi, is contesting the upcoming De
surge-in-requests-for-cesarean-deliveries-before-february-20-in-the-u-s
WorldJan 23, 2025

Surge in Requests for Cesarean Deliveries Before February 20 in the U.S.

A surge in demand for Cesarean deliveries before February 20 has emerged in the U.S. According to reports, many pregnant women are reaching out to doctors to request early deliveries. One report mentions an Indian-origin gynecologist who said she has received about 20 calls from pregnant women expressing their desire to have a C-section for premature delivery. The reason behind this increased demand is linked to President Trump's recent executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship. Under this order, children of illegal immigrants would no longer automatically receive U.S. citizenshi
supreme-court-to-decide-whether-to-hear-challenge-of-quebec-secularism-law
CanadaJan 23, 2025

Supreme Court to decide whether to hear challenge of Quebec secularism law

The Supreme Court of Canada is set to announce this morning whether it will hear a challenge of Quebec's controversial secularism law, known as Bill 21. In 2024, the Quebec Court of Appeal upheld the law, which prohibits some public sector workers such as teachers and police officers from wearing religious symbols on the job. Groups including the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the English Montreal School Board have sought leave to appeal that decision to the country's top court. The Quebec government has long argued the 2019 law is reasonabl
former-calgary-teacher-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-students-in-1990s
CanadaJan 23, 2025

Former Calgary teacher accused of sexually assaulting students in 1990s

A former Calgary teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting two students in the 1990s. Police say they were made aware of the allegations last year when the male complainants came forward. They say one had tutoring sessions with the teacher after school, where it's believed the man inappropriately touched the 12-year-old. Police say the second student, also 12 at the time, didn't have classes with the teacher but spent a great deal of time with him and was allegedly assaulted at the man's home and in his vehicle. The accused, who is now 80, faces five charges, including two counts of
alberta-ndp-leader-naheed-nenshi-acclaimed-as-partys-candidate-for-edmonton-seat
CanadaJan 23, 2025

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi acclaimed as party's candidate for Edmonton seat

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has been acclaimed as the party's candidate in Edmonton Strathcona. Nenshi didn't face any competition for the nomination and, if elected, would become the third NDP leader to represent the riding. Former NDP leader Rachel Notley stepped down as the member for Edmonton-Strathcona on Dec. 30, which forces the government to call a byelection by the end of June. The governing United Conservative Party has yet to open a nomination contest in the riding. Notley won almost 80 per cent of votes in Edmonton-Strathcona in the 2023 general election, but her NDP was def

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public-dialogue-on-memory-identity-and-institutions-convened-on-international-human-rights-day
British ColumbiaDec 12, 2025

Public Dialogue on Memory, Identity, and Institutions Convened on International Human Rights Day

On International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2025, Wanjara Nomad Collections, with participation from the Guru Nanak Jahaz Heritage Society, hosted a three-hour public dialogue titled “Let’s Talk” in Surrey, British Columbia. The program examined questions of memory, identity, and institutional responsibility within Sikh Canadian public life. Wanjara Nomad Collections organized the dialogue and brought together elders, representatives of gurdwara societies, human rights advocates, scholars, artists, and members of the public. The gathering functioned as a dialogue-based forum that emph
threat-prompts-brief-lockdown-at-nanaimo-high-school
BCDec 11, 2025

Threat prompts brief lockdown at Nanaimo high school

A Nanaimo high school was placed under a precautionary lockdown Wednesday afternoon after school staff were alerted to a threat directed at a student. The incident at Nanaimo District Secondary School began around 2:30 p.m., prompting administrators to activate established safety procedures. Nanaimo RCMP officers responded immediately and remained on site while classrooms were secured. Police and school officials said the lockdown lasted roughly 30 minutes, and students and staff were released shortly after 3 p.m. once officers determined there was no ongoing risk. The district says students w
vancouver-police-seize-loaded-rifle-and-drugs-during-downtown-eastside-arrest
BCDec 11, 2025

Vancouver Police seize loaded rifle and drugs during Downtown Eastside arrest

Vancouver Police say a loaded rifle and several other weapons were taken off the street this week after officers arrested a man suspected of trafficking drugs in the Downtown Eastside. The incident took place Tuesday afternoon near East Hastings and Columbia Street, an area where frontline police and community workers have long raised concerns about violence linked to the drug trade. According to the Vancouver Police Department, members of the Beat Enforcement Team were on routine patrol around 2:35 p.m. on December 9 when they arrested a 32-year-old Surrey resident outside a residential build
donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti