In a Diwali bonanza to families of more than 6.50 employees and pensioners of the state government, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced a hike of 4% in their Dearness allowance. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Chief Minister approved to give 4% Dearness Allowance (DA) to the employees and pensioners, with effect from November 1,2024 thereby enhancing it to 42% from 38%. Bhagwant Singh said that this decision will benefit more than 6.50 lakh employees, pensioners and their families.He said that the employe

In the Canadian Parliament today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre engaged in a heated debate over foreign interference. PM Trudeau alleged that Poilievre is avoiding security clearance to access the names of his MPs and former MPs linked to foreign interference. Poilievre countered, urging the Prime Minister to publicly disclose these names. Trudeau responded that due to security reasons, he could not release intelligence to the public but was willing to share the names with Poilievre to help protect other party members from foreign influence. Poilievre hit

Britain's King Charles paid a private visit to Bengaluru where he stayed at a sprawling integrative medical facility here, sources said on Wednesday.He was accompanied by Queen Camilla. The holistic health centre, where the couple stayed during their three-day trip, is well known for rejuvenative treatment, including yoga and meditation sessions and therapies, an official said. "The couple who have stayed in the medical facility on a couple of occasions in the past took various wellness treatments, including Ayurveda and Naturopathy. Their morning routine included yoga sessions. "They were on

A new bill aimed at strengthening child care safety in Alberta will be tabled in the Legislature on Wednesday. Several child care centres across the province have been subjected to closures in months past for varying health and safety violations. In August, three calgary daycare programs were forced to close their doors after the government said they posed an “imminent danger” to the health and safety of kids. Earlier this month, two daycares in Edmonton were closed over safety concerns. The province has said compliance issues are often found through routine inspections of licensed child

Spanish authorities said Wednesday that 51 people have died after flash floods swept away cars, turned village streets into rivers and disrupted rail lines and highways. Emergency services in the eastern region of Valencia confirmed the death toll. Rainstorms on Tuesday caused flooding in a wide swath of southern and eastern Spain. A high-speed train with nearly 300 people on board derailed near Malaga, although rail authorities said no one was hurt. High-speed train service between Valencia city and Madrid was interrupted, as were several commuter lines. Floods of mud-colored water tumbled v

Air Canada to resume daily flights to Beijing, increase service to Shanghai Air Canada says it's increasing its service to China including daily flights to Beijing. The airline says it's resuming daily flights from Vancouver to the Chinese capital starting on Jan. 15. Air Canada is also increasing the frequency of its flights from Vancouver to Shanghai to daily starting Dec. 7. The airline currently offers flights four days a week from Vancouver to Shanghai. Mark Galardo, Air Canada's executive vice-president for revenue and network planning, says the new flights reflect the importance of tho

Malwinder Singh Mali walked out of jail on Wednesday after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him interim bail. He was lodged in Patiala jail.The Mohali police on September 16 had arrested him from Patiala for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments. Notably, a petition was filed in the High Court by Mali to quash the FIR registered against him. The court has granted interim bail till the next date of hearing in the case, that is January 24, 2025.

Lawrence Bishnoi, named in 85 cases, including of murder, in Punjab, Mumbai and Canada, has been unanimously elected the youth wing head of the All India Bishnoi Animal Protection Samaj. He was elected in a meeting of the Bishnoi Samaj in Abohar on Tuesday evening. According to the appointment certificate issued by Inderpal Bishnoi, head of the Bishnoi Samaj, Lawrence had been tasked with ensuring protection of the animals as per the tenets of the Bishnoi community.

Premier David Eby addressed the media today for the first time since the NDP government took power in the province. Speaking at the Legislative Assembly building in Victoria, he said that the people have given a clear message that he and his government must do better for British Columbia. Eby expressed his gratitude and honor for the support given by the people. David Eby noted that the BC NDP is forming a third consecutive term of government for the first time in the province's history, and their goal is to establish a cabinet as soon as possible. He also said that he is not ruling out the po