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b-c-government-faces-major-setback-as-credit-ratings-downgraded
BCApr 03, 2025

B.C. Government Faces Major Setback as Credit Ratings Downgraded

B.C.'s David Eby government is facing a significant setback. Global credit rating agencies S&P and Moody’s both downgraded British Columbia's credit rating on the same day. The agencies cited the province's growing deficit and lack of a clear plan to exit its fiscal crisis. Moody’s projected that British Columbia's deficit will widen to $14.3 billion this year, which is 31 percent higher than the estimate made by Finance Minister Brenda Bailey in last month's budget and 57 percent higher than the most recent estimate of last year's deficit. Moody’s stated that B.C.'s credit outlook
poilievre-pledges-to-scrap-gst-on-canadian-made-vehicles
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Poilievre Pledges to Scrap GST on Canadian-Made Vehicles

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the GST on Canadian-made cars and light trucks if elected. He stated that this measure would save Canadians up to $2,500 on vehicles priced at $50,000 or less, while also boosting demand for domestic automobiles and protecting auto industry jobs. During a campaign stop in Kingston, Ontario, Poilievre urged provincial premiers to cut provincial taxes by the same amount, which could result in total savings of up to $7,000 per vehicle for consumers.
punjab-police-constable-arrested-with-heroin-in-bathinda
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Punjab Police Constable Arrested with Heroin in Bathinda

Senior Constable Amandeep Kaur, popularly known as the “Insta Queen” of Punjab Police, has been arrested after 18 grams of heroin was found in her purse in Bathinda. Following her arrest on Wednesday, she was dismissed from service. Kaur was previously stationed in Mansa Police and was recently posted at Bathinda Police Lines. Authorities have confirmed that she will undergo a dope test, and a case has been registered against her under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Known for her social media presence, Kaur frequently posted Instagram reels in uniform, often li
us-tariff-policy-countries-affected-and-exemptions
CanadaApr 03, 2025

US Tariff Policy: Countries Affected and Exemptions

US President Donald Trump has targeted several countries with reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. However, some nations, including Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Belarus, have been left off the list. This decision has led many to question why major trading partners like India, the European Union, and Vietnam have been hit with heavy tariffs while these countries were not. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that Russia and North Korea were excluded because the US does not trade with them due to sanctions. He also noted that Canada and Mexico were not included in the new tari
third-suspect-arrested-in-edmonton-february-murder-case
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Third Suspect Arrested in Edmonton February Murder Case

Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the February murder of Sukhvir Singh in Edmonton. The 32-year-old victim’s body was discovered near 17th Street and Yellowhead Trail on February 28, with an autopsy confirming that he had been murdered. On Tuesday, officers arrested 22-year-old Jasmeet Singh, who has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. This follows the earlier arrests of 29-year-old Manpreet Brar on March 10 and 21-year-old Gursimran Singh on March 13. Authorities have also issued a Canada-wide warrant for 27-year-old Lovepreet Sidhu, who remains at l
rise-in-retail-theft-worker-safety-prompts-vancouver-security-task-force
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Rise in retail theft, worker safety prompts Vancouver security task force

A spike in retail theft, in what the City of Vancouver says is led by organized crime and repeat offenders, has prompted the launch a retail security task force. Vancouver council passed a motion creating the initiative aimed at curbing the thefts and improving safety for businesses and their employees. Mayor Ken Sim says in a statement that retail theft is hurting communities across the city, and the task force is aimed at tackling the situation. The statement says there were almost 7,700 shoplifting incidents in the city last year, an 11.7 per cent increase from the year before. The task for
harjinder-singh-dhami-criticizes-waqf-amendment-bill-as-interference-in-minority-affairs
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Harjinder Singh Dhami Criticizes Waqf Amendment Bill as Interference in Minority Affairs

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly criticized the Waqf Amendment Bill passed in the Lok Sabha, calling it a direct interference in minority affairs. Advocate Dhami stated that the bill was introduced without consulting the concerned parties, which, according to him, reflects the government’s intention to curtail minority rights and impose its own administrative control. He emphasized that minority communities have the right to protect their heritage and religious institutions, and laws like the Waqf Amendment Bill threaten to
jagmeet-singh-proposes-victory-bond-to-boost-economy-amid-trade-war
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Jagmeet Singh Proposes Victory Bond to Boost Economy Amid Trade War

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has proposed relaunching the World War era Victory Bond in response to an ongoing trade war with the United States. He stated that the bond would raise funds to strengthen the economy, and Canadians who invest in it until maturity would be exempt from taxes on their earnings. Singh emphasized that every dollar raised through the Victory Bond would be allocated entirely to public infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, transportation, ports, housing, and water systems. Additionally, he pledged that an NDP government would mandate the use of 100 per cent Cana
jagjit-singh-dallewal-discharged-from-hospital
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Jagjit Singh Dallewal Discharged, Vows to Expand Farmers’ Movement Nationwide

Punjab’s prominent farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, was discharged from a hospital in Patiala today. Speaking to the media, he reaffirmed his commitment to the farmers’ cause and announced plans to take the movement across the country. Dallewal strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of betraying Punjab and undermining the fight to protect the state’s water resources. He emphasized that the farmers’ struggle is far from over and will continue until their demands are met. Dallewal also condemned the inappropriate treatment meted out to him when Punjab

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charges-approved-after-alleged-sexual-assault-in-downtown-vancouver
BCMar 27, 2026

Charges approved after alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver

A 47-year-old man has been charged following an alleged sexual assault in downtown Vancouver, according to a Vancouver Police Department release. Police said officers were called at approximately 7:20 p.m. on March 25 to Granville Street between Dunsmuir and Pender streets after a woman reported she had been groped by a stranger. Witnesses also told police the same suspect had allegedly assaulted other people in the area prior to officers arriving. The suspect was located at the scene and arrested without incident, police said. Derek Jason Sangris, 47, has been charged with one count of sexual
bolsonaro-moved-to-house-arrest-after-hospital-discharge-in-brazil
WorldMar 27, 2026

Bolsonaro moved to house arrest after hospital discharge in Brazil

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been released from hospital in Brasília and will continue serving a 27-year sentence under house arrest, following a ruling by the country’s top court. According to a decision by the Supreme Federal Court earlier this week, Bolsonaro was granted permission to serve his sentence at home due to declining health. The court said the arrangement is subject to review within 90 days. Bolsonaro was discharged Friday morning from DF Star hospital in the capital. He then travelled to his residence in the Jardim Botânico neighbourhood, where he lives wit
punjab-and-haryana-high-court-orders-fresh-cross-examination-in-majithia-defamation-case
IndiaMar 27, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court orders fresh cross-examination in Majithia defamation case

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a fresh cross-examination in a defamation case filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia against Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, reviving proceedings in a matter dating back to 2016. According to court proceedings, the High Court allowed a petition filed by Sanjay Singh and directed that the case be revisited for cross-examination. The defamation complaint was originally filed by Majithia in a Ludhiana court in January 2016. The case relates to allegations made during a political rally in Moga, where Singh is accused of referring t
abbotsford-police-issue-public-safety-notice-ahead-of-offenders-release
BCMar 27, 2026

Abbotsford police issue public safety notice ahead of offender’s release

The Abbotsford Police Department says a 46-year-old man with a history of violent sexual offences is scheduled to be released into the community later this month under strict conditions. According to an Abbotsford Police Department news release, Stephen Bradley Ewing is set to be released from William Head Institution on March 30 and is expected to reside in the Abbotsford area. Police say Ewing has prior convictions from 2021 and 2023, including sexual assault, sexual assault causing bodily harm, and overcoming resistance by choking. The release also states that at least one offence involved
AlbertaMar 27, 2026

Alberta man sentenced to 17 years in U.S. prison in Florida child exploitation sting

A Red Deer, Alta., man has been sentenced to 17 years in a United States federal prison after pleading guilty in a child exploitation sting tied to a planned trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. According to U.S. court documents, James Hjelmeland, 31, pleaded guilty in November to attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material. The case stems from an undercover operation involving a Florida law enforcement officer. Court records state Hjelmeland began communicating online with a detective who was posing as the parent of a 12-year-old girl. The officer, acting in