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virsa-singh-valtoha-makes-self-exit-from-shiromani-akali-dal-amid-controversy
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
eci-announces-by-elections-for-4-assembly-seats-in-punjab
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
water-main-break-near-bowness-road-in-calgary
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
panchayat-elections-ended-in-punjab-clashes-and-firing-in-many-places
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
the-real-farmer-is-trapped-in-the-markets-ravneet-bittu
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
mayawatis-big-announcement-bsp-will-never-form-an-alliance-with-any-party
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
alberta-government-shuts-down-edmonton-daycare-over-safety-concerns-for-children
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
police-probe-clears-seven-vancouver-officers-in-beating-death-of-myles-gray
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
statistics-canada-to-release-september-labour-force-survey-today
CanadaOct 11, 2024

Canada’s September jobs data expected to show slight rise in unemployment amid slowing economy

Statistics Canada will release its latest labour force survey this morning, providing a clearer picture of how Canada’s job market performed in September. Economists surveyed by Reuters predict the country added about 27,000 jobs last month, while the national unemployment rate is expected to edge up to 6.7 per cent from 6.6 per cent in August. In August, the economy added 22,000 jobs, marking continued but modest growth in employment. The new data will be closely watched as the Bank of Canada also prepares to publish its business outlook survey and consumer expectations report later today -

Just In

man-charged-with-first-degree-murder-after-two-children-found-dead-in-calgary-vehicle
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Man charged with first-degree murder after two children found dead in Calgary vehicle

A 37-year-old man is facing two counts of first-degree murder after the bodies of two children were found inside a vehicle in Calgary, according to court records. Police have said the victims were under the age of 10. Their identities are protected under a publication ban. According to police, the man was arrested outside the vehicle on Thursday. Court documents indicate the children were killed on or about Wednesday, though the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been detailed publicly. The accused appeared in court Friday morning. A bail hearing is scheduled for next week. The ch
federal-government-commits-9-8m-to-canada-soccer-training-centre-project-in-vancouver
CanadaMay 01, 2026

Federal government commits $9.8M to Canada Soccer training centre project in Vancouver

The federal government has announced $9.8 million in funding for early-stage work on a proposed national training centre for Canada Soccer in Vancouver. According to a federal announcement made Friday, the funding will support the design, planning and pre-construction phases of the project. Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden and Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson outlined the investment at a news conference in Vancouver. Van Koeverden said the funding is aimed at developing a high-performance training facility for athletes, adding the project is intended to stren
police-seek-witnesses-after-child-assaulted-at-khalsa-day-event-in-surrey
BCMay 01, 2026

Police seek witnesses after child assaulted at Khalsa Day event in Surrey

Surrey Police Service says it is investigating an alleged assault involving a child during Khalsa Day celebrations on April 19 in Surrey. According to a police news release, frontline officers responded around 5 p.m. to a report of an assault outside a gurdwara in the 12800 block of 85 Avenue. Investigators say an eight-year-old boy was inside a carnival attraction called “Kreepy Kastle,” set up in the parking lot for the event, when he was allegedly assaulted by two adult men. Police say the child was able to escape and alert family members. He suffered injuries to his neck and was treate
WorldMay 01, 2026

Five killed in small plane crash near Austin, Texas, county official says

Five people are dead after a small plane crashed near Wimberley, Texas, on Thursday night, according to a local official. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said in a Facebook post that the aircraft went down in the area, located about 40 miles southwest of Austin. All five individuals on board were killed, he said. Details about the aircraft, the identities of those on board, and the cause of the crash were not immediately released. It is not clear which agencies are leading the investigation. Authorities have not provided additional information on conditions at the time of the crash or whether
punjab-assembly-passes-confidence-motion-with-88-aap-mlas-voting-in-favour
IndiaMay 01, 2026

Punjab Assembly passes confidence motion with 88 AAP MLAs voting in favour

The Punjab Legislative Assembly passed a confidence motion tabled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session called by the state government, according to proceedings reported from the House. The motion was introduced to demonstrate the government’s majority. A total of 88 legislators from the Aam Aadmi Party voted in favour, while four MLAs were absent at the time of voting. Ahead of the session, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the need for a confidence motion, stating that the ruling party already holds a large majority in the Assembly. He said the move