IndiaOct 18, 2024
Punjab flags off first batch of teachers to Finland, CM Mann says initiative marks beginning of ‘education revolution’
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday said that for the first time since independence, the state government is directly investing in teachers, schools and students to bring about an “education revolution” in Punjab.
Speaking at a ceremony while flagging off the first batch of 72 primary school teachers for professional training in Finland, Mann said the initiative marks a historic moment for Punjab’s education system.
He said the program will expose teachers to modern teaching practices and classroom innovations, enabling them to implement new methods in Punjab’s governme
IndiaOct 18, 2024
Bajwa urges Election Commission to postpone Punjab bypolls scheduled on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary
Leader of Opposition in Punjab, Partap Singh Bajwa, has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging it to reschedule the November 13 by-elections in Punjab as the polling date coincides with the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, one of the most sacred occasions in Sikhism.
In his letter, Bajwa said that holding elections on this day would cause “emotional distress and inconvenience” to devotees across the state, as millions of Sikh families observe the Gurpurab through prayers and community service. He requested the Commission to defer the polling date by a few days “
CanadaOct 18, 2024
Freeland says majority of Liberal MPs still back Trudeau amid growing calls for leadership change
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she remains “absolutely confident” that most Liberal MPs continue to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, despite mounting internal pressure from some caucus members urging him to step down.
Her comments come ahead of a tense Liberal caucus meeting scheduled for next week in Ottawa, where several MPs are reportedly planning to confront Trudeau about the party’s direction and leadership amid declining public support.
According to multiple media reports, a group of Liberal MPs has been holding private discussions to persuade the prime minister
CanadaOct 18, 2024
Defence minister announces nearly $65 million in aid to Ukraine
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada will send $64.8 million in additional military assistance to Ukraine, reaffirming the country’s continued commitment to supporting Kyiv in its defence against Russia’s invasion.
Speaking at a NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Blair said Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia remains one of the alliance’s top priorities. The new package will provide more than $50 million in weapons, ammunition, and military drones, along with uniforms and protective gear for Ukrainian soldiers.
The remaining funds will support training programs f
CanadaOct 18, 2024
Manitoba second province to sign onto federal school food deal
The federal and Manitoba governments have signed a new agreement to expand access to school food programs, part of a national effort to improve child nutrition and food security in classrooms.
Under the deal, Manitoba will receive $17.2 million over the next three years to support meal and snack programs in schools, especially those serving low-income and high-needs communities.
The funding comes from the $1-billion federal commitment announced in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2024 budget, following sustained advocacy by the federal New Democrats to establish a Canada-wide school food prog
BCOct 18, 2024
Three teenage girls charged in violent B.C. transit attacks
Metro Vancouver Transit Police say three teenage girls have been charged after two violent assaults took place on the region’s public transit system this summer, including one attack that occurred on a SkyTrain between New Westminster and Surrey.
Police say the first incident happened on July 11, when a 16-year-old student was attacked by three girls after she tried to stop one of them from forcing open the train doors while it was moving. The suspects allegedly punched and kicked the victim, then dragged her by the hair, before passengers and SkyTrain attendants in Surrey intervened.
A few
WorldOct 18, 2024
Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for BRICS Summit; expected to hold bilateral talks with President Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Russia on October 22–23 to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. The summit will bring together leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, with discussions expected to focus on global trade, energy security, and geopolitical cooperation.
The visit will mark Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019, and officials say he is likely to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the event. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the tw
BCOct 17, 2024
TSB says supervisor error caused CP Rail crash in Cache Creek, prompting new safety measures across B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) says a supervisor’s error led to a freight train collision with a maintenance vehicle on a Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) line in Cache Creek, highlighting the need for stronger safety procedures on B.C.’s rail network.
According to the TSB’s investigation, the incident occurred on December 29, 2022, when a CP Rail supervisor was inspecting the main tracks in a road–rail vehicle — a truck that can operate both on rail lines and regular roads. While repairing a detected track defect, the supervisor mistakenly cancelled the wrong trac
CanadaOct 17, 2024
Trudeau says death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar 'ends a reign of terror'
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the Gaza Strip marks the end of what he called a “reign of terror,” while reiterating Canada’s call for a ceasefire and humanitarian relief in the region.
Israeli forces confirmed on Friday that Sinwar was killed during a Wednesday battle, with his death verified through DNA testing. Sinwar was widely seen as a key architect of the October 2023 attacks on Israel, which triggered a devastating war and regional instability that continues to affect civilians across the Middle East.
Calling Sinwar a “brutal lead