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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
14.7°C Vancouver
