Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar was notably absent from the state party meeting held in Chandigarh on Monday, deepening speculation about his possible resignation. The meeting was chaired by Vijay Rupani, the party’s in-charge for Punjab affairs. Senior leaders discussed strategies for the upcoming panchayat elections and four assembly by-elections scheduled in the coming weeks. Party insiders said Jakhar has been in Delhi since September 27 and had already informed colleagues that he would not be attending the meeting. However, his continued absence from several key organizational gatheri

A tragic fire engulfed a school bus in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, leaving at least 25 people feared dead, according to Thai officials and rescue workers. The bus, carrying 44 students and teachers from Uthai Thani province to Bangkok for a school trip, caught fire around noon in Pathum Thani province, located just north of the capital. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit said the blaze spread rapidly before emergency crews could respond. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of fatalities as investigations continu

Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini has approved a 20-day parole for Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, who is currently serving a prison sentence for rape and murder convictions. The decision was made after the Election Commission of India granted permission on Monday for the state government to review the parole request. With Haryana Assembly elections scheduled for October 5, the approval was required to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct. Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to 20 years in jail by a special court. Since his imprisonment, this marks

Tension is escalating in Punjab as the state gears up for the panchayat elections. A violent clash broke out between leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress during the filing of nominations in the Zira area of Ferozepur district. Both groups reportedly threw bricks at each other, leaving several injured, including former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira. Police sources said that shots were also fired during the confrontation, adding to the chaos in the area. Meanwhile, a video of AAP MLA Amolak Singh from Jaito has gone viral on social media. In the clip, he is seen allegedly threatening vi

B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau is set to hold a news conference in Victoria this morning as the second week of the provincial election campaign continues. The Greens have already detailed several key commitments, including a plan to create a network of 93 community health centres across the province and to provide coverage for six annual mental health visits under the Medical Services Plan. The party has also pledged to maintain the carbon tax while expanding the size of the climate rebate for residents. All three major party leaders are expected to meet face-to-face on Wednesday for

The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of nearly two dozen communities in southern Lebanon after launching what it described as a limited ground incursion against the Hezbollah militant group. The evacuation order, issued Tuesday by the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson on the social media platform X, directed residents of several southern Lebanese communities to move north of the Awali River, roughly 60 kilometres from the Israeli border. That area lies farther north than the Litani River, which marks the boundary of a United Nations-declared buffer zone established after

Workers in four provinces are seeing an increase in their paycheques today as new minimum wage rates take effect across Canada. In Ontario, the hourly rate is rising by 65 cents to $17.20, an adjustment linked to inflation. Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is increasing by one dollar to $15, matching Alberta’s rate - the lowest among all provinces. In Manitoba, the minimum wage is up by 50 cents to $15.80, following a formula in provincial law that ties annual increases to the previous year’s inflation rate. On Prince Edward Island, the hourly rate climbs by 60 cents to $16, following an earl

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says his government would fast-track factory-built homes as part of its strategy to ease the province's housing crisis. At an election campaign stop on Vancouver Island, Eby says pre-built homes cut waste, reduce emissions, and the advances in the industry mean the homes are "beautiful and high-quality." A statement issued by the NDP says its government would work with the industry, municipalities and First Nations to create a provincewide framework so builders know what's required in every community. It says there would also be a pre-approved set of const

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be travelling to France next Thursday to attend the Francophonie summit. The meeting of French-speaking countries, which happens every two years, will be held on Oct. 4 and 5 in Villers-Cotterêts and Paris. The Prime Minister's Office says Trudeau will work with other heads of state to further shared priorities including democracy and human rights. Representatives from Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec will also be at the meetings. Leaders are also expected to make a decision on applications to join the international francophonie body, including