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two-day-special-session-of-punjab-assembly-to-be-held-on-feb-24-25
IndiaFeb 13, 2025

Two-day special session of Punjab Assembly to be held on Feb 24-25

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened a cabinet meeting today after a long gap of four months. This followed the party's defeat in the Delhi elections. Several important decisions in favor of the youth were taken during this meeting. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's cabinet has approved the recruitment of three thousand individuals across various government departments. This includes the recruitment of two thousand PTI teachers and eight hundred twenty-two posts in the health department. Additionally, six new courts will be established to address the issues of NRIs on a priority basis.
former-ahs-ceo-suing-alberta-government-alleges-coverup
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

Former AHS CEO suing Alberta government, alleges coverup

The former CEO of Alberta Health Services has filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal and high-level government corruption surrounding medical contracts. A statement of claim alleges Athana Mentzelopoulos (ment-ZAH'-lop-oh-luss) was fired last month for investigating overpriced contracts and conflicts of interest between government staff and companies being contracted. The lawsuit alleges Health Minister Adriana LaGrange (lah-GRAYNGE') tried to shut down the investigation and demanded Mentzelopoulos be fired. The allegations have not been proven in court, and LaGrange says many of them are
ndp-tells-candidates-to-prepare-for-an-early-election-according-to-internal-memo
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

NDP tells candidates to prepare for an early election, according to internal memo

The NDP's national campaign director has sent a memo to all candidates and campaign staff warning them to be prepared for a snap federal election as early as March 10. If Mark Carney does win the leadership, we are hearing from many Ottawa sources that he intends on calling an election shortly after becoming Liberal leader. On that basis, we believe the rumours of Mr. Carney calling a snap election are credible, the memo states. Taking a page from Doug Ford's playbook, the Liberals believe that they can turn this crisis into a political benefit for them. In Ontario, Ford is calling a snap ele
trump-says-he-will-impose-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-trading-partners
WorldFeb 13, 2025

Trump says he will impose reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners

US President Donald Trump is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs today. These measures would impose the same tariff rates on goods from countries that levy import duties on US products. Trump had pledged such tariffs during his election campaign. The new tariffs are expected to disproportionately affect developing countries, including India, Brazil, Vietnam, and several Southeast Asian and African nations, where tariff rates on US goods are notably higher than those imposed by the US. For instance, World Bank data from 2022 shows the US average tariff rate on imports from India was 3%, co
foreign-affairs-minister-travelling-to-france-germany-and-belgium
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

Foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly travelling to France, Germany and Belgium

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is travelling to Europe today. The minister will be in Europe until Feb. 18, traveling to France, Germany and Belgium to take part in conferences, meet with officials to discuss topics like geopolitical conflicts and foreign interference and speak in a roundtable on Arctic security. Joly will start her trip in Paris on Thursday, where she and Canada's newly-appointed Special Envoy for Syria Omar Alghabra will attend the Paris Conference on Syria. While in Paris, the minister will meet with Jean-Noël Barrot, minister for Europe and foreign affairs of Fra
america-to-deport-2nd-batch-of-illegal-immigrants-to-india
IndiaFeb 13, 2025

America to deport 2nd batch of illegal immigrants to India

The US will soon deport another batch of 170-180 illegal immigrants to India. This would be the second batch of immigrants to be deported by the US government. Earlier this month, 104 Indian migrants were deported from the US. Though official confirmation from Indian officials is awaited, the US administration sources have said that the deportation could take place this week only. Earlier, the first batch had landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar. However, no confirmation yet on where the second batch will land. The US action comes as Prime Minister Narendra Mod
dallewal-may-attend-february-14-meeting-in-chandigarh
IndiaFeb 12, 2025

Dallewal May Attend February 14 Meeting in Chandigarh

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, may attend the meeting in Chandigarh on February 14 between Punjab farmers and the Center, according to a farmer leader. The leader confirmed that while Dallewal's health may limit his participation, he will make every effort to attend the meeting and present his views. It is worth noting that in the previous meeting, the Central Government proposed a five-year plan to purchase certain crops at the minimum support price, but no consensus was reached on all of the farmers' demands. Farmers have continuously called for a l
india-to-introduce-strict-laws-on-illegal-immigration-and-fake-documents
IndiaFeb 12, 2025

India to Introduce Strict Laws on Illegal Immigration and Fake Documents

The Indian government is set to introduce stringent laws regarding entry into the country without a valid visa or passport. Under the proposed laws, foreign nationals who enter India without the required travel documents could face imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, those attempting to enter India using fake documents will face even harsher penalties, including a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plans to present a new bill addressing these issues during the upcoming budget session of Pa
trump-initiates-talks-with-putin-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine
CanadaFeb 12, 2025

Trump Initiates Talks with Putin to End the War in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump urged both Russia and Ukraine to begin negotiations for peace. Trump confirmed the conversation in a post on his social media platform. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began three years ago, with Moscow launching the initial attack. In response to the invasion, the US and other NATO countries have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid and economic assistance. Trump also revealed that he and President Putin have

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city-of-surrey-seeking-feedback-asks-residents-to-share-what-matters
BCNov 06, 2025

City of Surrey seeking feedback, asks residents to share what matters

City of Surrey is asking people to share feedback and tell the city what matters. City of Surrey says, "As a Surrey resident, your input plays an important role in shaping the City’s 2026 budget priorities. Share your thoughts by completing our online survey or visit one of our open houses to learn more about the budget process, ask questions and provide feedback." Find full details on City of Surrey's website: https://engage.surrey.ca/budge...
blue-jays-playoff-run-drives-tourism-surge-and-business-gains-in-toronto
BCNov 06, 2025

Blue Jays’ playoff run drives tourism surge and business gains in Toronto

Toronto’s hospitality and tourism sectors saw a significant boost this fall, thanks to the Blue Jays’ extended post-season run and the World Series games held in the city. Destination Toronto reported that hotel demand during the four home games of the World Series rose by an average of 15 per cent compared to the same nights last year, adding more than 11,000 room nights. Across the team’s entire playoff run, hotel demand increased by an average of 11 per cent, accounting for over 20,000 additional room nights. Andrew Weir, President and CEO of Destination Toronto, said the surge in vis
BCNov 06, 2025

Audit finds gaps in B.C. livestock tracking system used for emergency response

British Columbia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food needs stronger measures to ensure it can quickly locate farm animals during disease outbreaks or natural disasters, according to a new report from the Office of the Auditor General. The audit reviewed the ministry’s Premises ID program, which was created to help emergency officials identify where poultry and livestock are kept and who owns them. Acting Auditor General Sheila Dodds said the system could play a vital role in protecting animals and food supply chains during crises such as bird flu outbreaks, wildfires, or floods. However, th
record-number-of-shelter-spaces-opening-before-winter
BCNov 06, 2025

Record number of shelter spaces opening before winter

British Columbia is opening a record number of shelter spaces this winter to help people experiencing homelessness find warmth and safety as temperatures drop. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,486 shelter spaces across 58 communities — the highest total to date. The expanded network includes 4,158 permanent shelters operating year-round, 1,154 temporary seasonal spaces, 771 extreme-weather response (EWR) beds activated during severe conditions, and 403 new Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) spaces — nearly two and a half times more than last year.
CanadaNov 06, 2025

Ottawa man pleads guilty in mass stabbing that killed mother, four children, and family friend

A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a mass stabbing that shocked Ottawa last year. Febrio De-Zoysa entered guilty pleas today in an Ottawa courtroom to four charges of first-degree murder and two of second-degree murder, as well as one charge of attempted murder. The killings took place in 2024 at a rented townhouse in the Barrhaven area. The victims were 35-year-old Darshani Ekanayake, her four children aged between two months and seven years, and 40-year-old family friend Gamini Amarakoon. The children’s father,