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b-c-conservatives-expected-to-release-costs-of-promises-days-before-election
BCOct 15, 2024

B.C. Conservatives promise new Children’s Hospital in Surrey as election race enters final week

With the B.C. election campaign entering its final week, Conservative Leader John Rustad is doubling down on promises aimed at winning over voters in Surrey, including a pledge to build a new Children’s Hospital complete with an emergency ward, ICU, and maternity unit. Rustad made the announcement over the long weekend as part of a series of high-profile commitments, including his proposed “Rustad rebate” that would exempt up to $3,000 a month in rent or mortgage payments from provincial taxes and a plan to scrap the carbon tax entirely. He also vowed to eliminate the province’s nearly
virsa-singh-valtoha-makes-self-exit-from-shiromani-akali-dal-amid-controversy
IndiaOct 15, 2024

Akal Takht orders expulsion of SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha; leader resigns ahead of formal action

In a major development within the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), senior leader and spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha has resigned from the party shortly after the Akal Takht Sahib issued directives for his 10-year expulsion over allegations of misconduct and disrespect toward Sikh leadership. According to the order issued by Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Valtoha was to be removed from the primary membership and all organizational posts of the Shiromani Akali Dal within 24 hours. The directive cited “serious violations of Sikh principles” and remarks that allegedly disrespec
eci-announces-by-elections-for-4-assembly-seats-in-punjab
IndiaOct 15, 2024

By-elections for four Punjab Assembly seats to be held on November 13

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for by-elections to four Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Punjab, setting the polling date for November 13 and counting of votes for November 23. According to details shared during the ECI’s press conference in New Delhi, the Barnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal, and Gidderbaha assembly seats will go to the polls next month. Of the four seats, three were previously held by the Congress and one by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The vacancies were created after the sitting MLAs were elected to Parliament during the 2024 Lok Sabha elect
water-main-break-near-bowness-road-in-calgary
CanadaOct 15, 2024

Another water main break in Calgary leaves homes without supply, officials say not linked to June rupture

City officials in Calgary are working to repair a new water main break that has left several homes and businesses without supply, though they stress the incident is not related to the major feeder main rupture that caused widespread restrictions earlier this year. Ryan Kidd, Calgary’s deputy director of water services, said the break occurred on a smaller 250-millimetre cast-iron distribution line near Bowness Road and 51 Street Northwest. The problem was first detected Sunday night when water began bubbling to the surface. Crews immediately shut down the affected line and began repairs. Kid
panchayat-elections-ended-in-punjab-clashes-and-firing-in-many-places
IndiaOct 15, 2024

Panchayat elections ended in Punjab, clashes and firing in many places

The panchayat elections in Punjab concluded today, but polling was marred by clashes and firing incidents at several locations across the state. At Khuda village near Sanour in Patiala district, one person was reported injured after shots were fired during a dispute near a polling booth. In multiple districts, there were allegations of booth capture and intimidation by supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), prompting police intervention in some areas to maintain order. This year’s elections were held under the backdrop of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s appeal to hold non-partisan and una
the-real-farmer-is-trapped-in-the-markets-ravneet-bittu
IndiaOct 11, 2024

Real farmers are suffering in mandis, says Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu

Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has said that the real farmer of Punjab is trapped in the mandis (grain markets) due to ongoing procurement delays and political interference. Speaking to reporters, Bittu said that while politics is being played over Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement issues, it is the ordinary farmer who faces losses and hardships. He accused the Punjab government of mismanagement, saying farmers are forced to wait for days to sell their paddy as the state administration fails to coordinate effectively with procurement agencies. “Instead of blaming others, the Pu
mayawatis-big-announcement-bsp-will-never-form-an-alliance-with-any-party
IndiaOct 11, 2024

BSP ends alliance with Shiromani Akali Dal; Mayawati announces party to contest elections independently

In a major political shift, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National President Kumari Mayawati has announced that her party will no longer contest elections in alliance with any regional party, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ) in Punjab. Addressing a party meeting after the recent Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir election results, Mayawati said the decision was taken following an internal review which found that BSP’s vote share was being transferred to its alliance partners, leaving party workers demoralized. She stated that from now on, the BSP w
alberta-government-shuts-down-edmonton-daycare-over-safety-concerns-for-children
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Alberta government shuts down second Edmonton daycare over child safety concerns

The Alberta government has revoked the licence of an Edmonton daycare over what it described as serious risks to the health and safety of children, marking the second such closure in the city this week. In a statement, the province confirmed that the Waverley Day Care, which had been operating under a probationary licence set to expire on October 31, was ordered to close immediately due to “conditions posing significant danger to children.” Specific details of the violations were not disclosed. The closure affects 56 licensed child care spaces. Officials say affected families are being con
police-probe-clears-seven-vancouver-officers-in-beating-death-of-myles-gray
BCOct 11, 2024

Seven Vancouver police officers cleared of wrongdoing in Myles Gray death; case under review by complaints commissioner

Seven Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers involved in the 2015 death of Myles Gray have been cleared of misconduct by a police discipline authority, though the case remains under review by the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner (OPCC). Gray, 33, died following a violent altercation with police in Burnaby nearly nine years ago. A coroner’s inquest last year classified his death as a homicide, citing multiple injuries and police restraint methods that contributed to cardiopulmonary arrest. The inquest heard Gray suffered neck compression, blunt force trauma, pepper spray expos

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BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. to add 132 involuntary care beds in Surrey and Prince George

The British Columbia government has announced plans to open new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for people living with severe mental illness, substance-use disorders and brain injuries. According to the provincial government, the renovated facilities will add a total of 132 new beds, including 60 at a new involuntary care centre in Surrey. The expansion is intended to provide specialized treatment and care for people who require intensive support. Premier David Eby said the new facilities are designed to help people stabilize and rebuild their lives during periods of ac
channi-bajwa-among-senior-congress-leaders-to-meet-bhupesh-baghel
IndiaJul 10, 2026

Channi, Bajwa among senior Congress leaders to meet Bhupesh Baghel

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several senior Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday as the party continues its organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. Channi confirmed the meeting in a social media post, stating that senior Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh will host the gathering at his residence. According to Channi, the meeting will focus on various organisational matters related to the party. According to available information, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Sing
maninder-sidhu-announces-india-trade-mission-to-lead-team-canada-delegation
BCJul 10, 2026

Maninder Sidhu announces India trade mission, to lead Team Canada delegation

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that he will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the federal government, the mission is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indian market. Sidhu said Canada and India currently share approximately $31 billion in two-way trade. He said the federal government's goal is to double that figure by 2030. He added that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering significant oppo
saskatchewan-man-sentenced-in-cbsa-immigration-fraud-investigation
BCJul 10, 2026

Saskatchewan man sentenced in CBSA immigration fraud investigation

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day after a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into an immigration fraud scheme. According to a CBSA news release issued Friday, Balvir Singh was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The agency said the investigation began in 2018 after border services officers across Canada noticed an unusually high number of immigration applications connected to a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization. The CBSA, working with the Government of Saskatchewan, said investigators identified foreign nationals who e
CanadaJul 10, 2026

West Vancouver's Gurinder Singh Deo arrested in France

West Vancouver resident Gurinder Singh Deo has been arrested in France, the RCMP's Pacific Region Federal Policing confirmed. Police said the 40-year-old is currently in custody in France while legal proceedings are underway to extradite him to the United States. According to the RCMP, Deo was identified in the recent joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as Operation Hard Ball. U.S. authorities have charged him in connection with a drug trafficking case, alleging he helped facilitate the movement of narcotics into Southern California through alleged links to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. U.S.