Canada’s annual inflation rate slowed slightly in January, easing to 2.3 percent compared with 2.4 percent in December, according to new data released by Statistics Canada. The decline was stronger than many economists had expected, as most forecasts had predicted the rate would remain unchanged. The federal agency said a significant drop in gasoline prices played a key role in moderating overall inflation. Gasoline prices were down 16.7 percent year over year, offsetting continued increases in the cost of food and clothing. Lower energy costs helped ease pressure on transportation expenses

Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as the new prime minister of Bangladesh following a decisive election victory by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. President Mohammad Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to Tarique Rahman at the parliament complex on Tuesday, formally ending 18 months of interim administration in the country. Alongside the prime minister, 25 cabinet ministers and 24 state ministers also took their oaths, marking the formation of a new government. The transition follows last Thursday’s general election in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party secured 209 of the 299 co

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to travel to India in early March as Canada and India work to advance discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement. Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Victor Fedeli, announced the planned visit Monday while speaking in New Delhi during an international artificial intelligence summit. According to Fedeli, the federal government has been consulting provinces, including Ontario, as part of preparations for the proposed trade negotiations. The talks are aimed at strengthening economic ties between the two countries and expanding co

Vancouver Police say a 41-year-old man is in custody following a series of incidents in East Vancouver on Wednesday afternoon that involved a stolen motorcycle, a damaged work truck, and a small vehicle fire. According to investigators, the sequence began shortly before 1:50 p.m. on February 12, when a motorcycle was reported stolen near Main Street and Industrial Avenue. About an hour later, the motorcycle was found abandoned near Mountain View Cemetery, in the area of Fraser Street and East 41st Avenue. Police allege the suspect then entered a work truck parked inside the cemetery grounds, d

A four-day coordinated enforcement operation on Vancouver Island has led to multiple arrests, drug seizures and the removal of weapons, as police agencies worked together to disrupt organized crime activity in the region. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia conducted the deployment from January 29 to February 1, partnering with West Shore RCMP, Saanich Police Department and Victoria Police Department. The initiative focused on gang-related activity and intelligence-led enforcement aimed at reducing the availability of illegal drugs and preventing violence. During t

A senior Enforcement Directorate officer posted in Punjab has been transferred days after summons were issued to former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh in connection with an ongoing investigation. Official sources confirmed that Additional Director Ravi Tiwari has been reassigned to Chennai as part of an administrative transfer. The move has drawn attention in political circles, where it is being viewed in the context of the recent summons sent to the former chief minister and his son. The Enforcement Directorate had asked Raninder Singh to appear on Fe

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has not signed any citizen petitions currently circulating in the province, including one calling for a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking alongside Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, Smith said the citizen initiative process is designed for members of the public and not elected officials. She added that her government is monitoring several petition efforts underway but is not directly participating in them. A group advocating for Alberta to become an independent country is working to gather the required signatures to trigger a

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has won a clear majority in Bangladesh’s general election, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape after nearly two decades. According to preliminary results, the BNP-led alliance secured 212 of the 299 parliamentary seats contested nationwide. An 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats, positioning it as the main opposition bloc in the new parliament. The outcome paves the way for BNP president Tarique Rahman to assume the office of prime minister. Rahman contested from two constituencies and was declared elected in b

Canadians who receive the federal GST credit will see an additional one-time payment this spring after Parliament passed legislation accelerating changes to the benefit. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit received royal assent after clearing the Senate, following earlier approval in the House of Commons. According to the federal Finance Department, the measure will deliver a top-up worth 50 per cent of a recipient’s regular GST credit. Officials say payments will be issued as early as possible this spring to eligible low and modest income households. In addition to the one-time boos