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b-c-urges-federal-government-to-increase-provincial-nominee-program-quotas
BCApr 14, 2025

B.C. Urges Federal Government to Increase Provincial Nominee Program Quotas

The British Columbia government is calling on the federal government to raise its 2025 allocation under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), citing urgent workforce needs. The province reports that it met its 2024 target of 8,000 workers and is now requesting an increase to 11,000 nominees for 2025. However, Ottawa has reduced B.C.’s allocation to just 4,000, a move the province says is undermining its ability to meet labour market demands. The B.C. government argues that a higher quota would enable the province to process the majority of pending applications and accept approximately 1,100
canadian-prime-ministerial-candidates-to-face-off-in-bilingual-debates-on-april-16-and-17
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Canadian Prime Ministerial Candidates to Face Off in Bilingual Debates on April 16 and 17

Candidates in the race to become the next Prime Minister of Canada including Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh will participate in national debates in both French and English on April 16 and 17. Key topics have been outlined for each debate. The French-language debate will primarily focus on the cost of living, energy and climate, trade disputes, identity and sovereignty, immigration, and foreign affairs. Meanwhile, the English-language debate will cover affordability and the cost of living, energy and climate, public safety and security, as well as tariffs and threats to Canada
jathedar-giani-harpreet-singh-criticizes-sukhbir-singh-badals-re-election-as-akali-dal-president
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh Criticizes Sukhbir Singh Badal's Re-election as Akali Dal President

Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, has strongly criticized the re-election of Sukhbir Singh Badal as president of the Shiromani Akali Dal. In a sharp social media post, he referred to Badal not as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, but as the leader of the "Shiromani Bhagaura Dal", using the term Bhagaura (deserter) to question his legitimacy. Giani Harpreet Singh also alleged that the election process was undemocratic. He pointed out that the delegates who voted for the president were initially selected by the president himself, calling it a circular and
murder-convicts-will-spend-life-in-prison-says-pierre-poilievre
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Murder Convicts Will Spend Life in Prison, Says Pierre Poilievre

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has declared that individuals convicted of murder will face life in prison with no chance of release. He emphasized that perpetrators of mass murder will be denied bail and, in his words, "Multiple-murderers should only come out in a box." Poilievre stated that he plans to introduce legislation in Parliament that would empower judges to hand down life sentences for multiple murder convictions, all while respecting the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The announcement came during Poilievre’s visit to Montreal this morning and reflects his co
canadian-parliamentary-elections-record-number-of-indian-and-punjabi-origin-candidates-in-the-fray
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Canadian Parliamentary Elections: Record Number of Indian and Punjabi-Origin Candidates in the Fray

A record number of candidates of Indian and Punjabi origin are contesting in the ongoing Canadian parliamentary elections, reflecting the growing political influence of the South Asian community. This time, candidates from this background are contesting in around 65 constituencies across the country. In the 2021 elections, 45 Punjabi-origin candidates stood for election, with 17 securing seats in the House of Commons. In 2019, 47 contested, and 22 were elected. The current elections feature Punjabi candidates not only from major parties such as the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, and the Ne
sukhbir-singh-badal-re-elected-as-shiromani-akali-dal-president
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Re-elected as Shiromani Akali Dal President

Sukhbir Singh Badal has been re-elected as the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab. In his victory speech, Badal alleged that a conspiracy had been orchestrated over the past six months to weaken the Akali Dal and eliminate the leadership of the Panth. He claimed that this conspiracy began after the Shiromani Akali Dal parted ways with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Badal further asserted that unlike other political parties, which he said have no real concern for Punjab, only the Shiromani Akali Dal is capable of leading the state toward progress. Speaking at a rally in Ta
bank-of-canada-set-to-announce-interest-rate-decision-amid-economic-uncertainty
CanadaApr 14, 2025

Bank of Canada Set to Announce Interest Rate Decision Amid Economic Uncertainty

Canada's central bank is set to announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday. The Bank of Canada's meeting comes at a time when the federal election and economic uncertainty exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting tariff policies, have made it difficult to forecast the economic outlook. Financial markets and analysts remain divided on the likely outcome. Some expect the bank to cut interest rates by another 0.25 percentage points on April 16, which would bring its key policy rate down to 2.5%. However, others believe that after seven consecutive rate cuts, the Bank of Canada
partap-singh-bajwa-faces-backlash-over-bomb-statement
IndiaApr 14, 2025

Partap Singh Bajwa Faces Backlash Over Bomb Statement

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, is facing legal trouble over his controversial statement about bombs during a news channel interview. The State Cyber Crime Police in Mohali has registered an FIR against Bajwa and summoned him for questioning. During the interview with a private TV channel, Bajwa claimed, citing unnamed sources, that 50 grenades had entered Punjab, with 18 allegedly detonated and 32 still undiscovered. The teaser of this interview, aired before the full show on Sunday, sparked political turmoil in the state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann dir
mehul-choksi-arrested-in-belgium-on-indias-extradition-request
WorldApr 14, 2025

Mehul Choksi Arrested in Belgium on India’s Extradition Request

Fugitive diamond merchant Mehul Choksi has been arrested in Belgium following an extradition request by Indian investigative agencies. Choksi is a key suspect in the ₹13,000 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, alongside his nephew, Nirav Modi. Indian authorities have initiated the process to extradite Choksi from Belgium. However, Choksi has sought bail in court, citing ill health and claiming he was in Belgium for medical treatment. According to reports, Choksi was allegedly attempting to flee Belgium to Switzerland before his arrest. Meanwhile, his nephew Nirav Modi, also implica

Just In

CanadaMay 01, 2026

Canada reduces refugee health coverage, introduces co-payments for prescriptions and supplementary care

Cuts to federally funded health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants took effect Friday, introducing new out-of-pocket costs for medications and certain health services. According to federal program changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, refugees will now be required to pay $4 per prescription and cover 30 per cent of the cost for supplementary health products and services. These include mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, medical devices and mobility aids such as wheelchairs. Until now, the program provided full health coverage for eligible refugees until they q
smith-welcomes-u-s-approval-of-bridger-pipeline-expansion-tied-to-keystone-xl-revival
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Smith welcomes U.S. approval of Bridger pipeline expansion tied to Keystone XL revival

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a newly approved cross-border pipeline expansion could significantly increase the flow of Alberta crude to the United States, following a presidential permit signed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a statement from Smith’s office, the permit authorizes the Bridger Pipeline expansion, described as a partial revival of the previously cancelled Keystone XL project. The expansion is part of a joint venture between Calgary-based South Bow and U.S.-based Bridger. Smith said the project could transport more than 500,000 barrels of Alberta oil per day
eby-says-mls-talks-on-whitecaps-constructive-as-deleted-post-stirs-controversy
BCApr 30, 2026

Eby says MLS talks on Whitecaps 'constructive' as deleted post stirs controversy

B.C. Premier David Eby said talks with Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber on the Vancouver Whitecaps' future were ``constructive,'' as relocation concerns grow. Garber is in Vancouver for FIFA Congress events and met with Eby on Wednesday, following reports that the league has discussed relocating the club, with Las Vegas a leading option. Eby released a video Wednesday night saying the province is ``at the table fighting hard'' to keep the team in Vancouver, calling its loss ``not an option.'' David Eby on X:Premier David Eby on X (screengrab)Hours later, a now-deleted post from Garb
carney-appoints-jonathan-wilkinson-as-canadas-next-ambassador-to-the-european-union
CanadaApr 30, 2026

Carney appoints Jonathan Wilkinson as Canada’s next ambassador to the European Union

Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Member of Parliament and former cabinet minister Jonathan Wilkinson as Canada’s next ambassador to the European Union, according to a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office. Wilkinson, who represents North Vancouver–Capilano, previously served in senior cabinet roles under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, including minister of natural resources and minister of environment and climate change. The Prime Minister’s Office said Wilkinson brings “proven experience, judgment and leadership” to the role as Canada seeks to strengthen its
carney-to-visit-saudi-arabia-amid-renewed-canada-gulf-relations
CanadaApr 30, 2026

Carney to visit Saudi Arabia amid renewed Canada–Gulf relations

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit Saudi Arabia in the coming period, in what would be the first trip by a Canadian prime minister to the kingdom in at least two decades. According to government officials, the visit follows an invitation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and comes after recent efforts by both countries to rebuild diplomatic ties that were strained for several years. The dispute dates back to 2018, when the former Trudeau government criticized Saudi Arabia’s justice system and raised concerns about the arrest of women’s rights activists. In response, Saudi