The Surrey School Board has a new chair after seven years. The Surrey Board meeting held on November 20, saw the election of a new chair. Former Vice Chair Gary Tymoschuk was elected Chair, and Trustee Terry Allen was elected Vice Chair. Tymoschuk thanked everyone for electing him and promised to do a good job. Allen served as Vice Chair from 2017 to 2022 and was re-elected to the Board in the recent municipal election.

At least 13 people have died in eastern Uganda after landslides buried 40 homes in six villages, relief officials said Thursday. The Uganda Red Cross Society said 13 bodies have been recovered and the rescue effort is continuing. Local media reported that authorities expect the death toll could rise to 30. The landslides happened after heavy rains on Wednesday night in the mountainous district of Bulambuli, where landslides are common. A journalist in the area told The Associated Press that local officials said an excavator would be brought to assist in the rescue efforts, but the roads were c

The Australian Parliament passed a law on Thursday banning the use of social media by children under the age of 16. This law is set to come into effect in November 2025.It is considered as the world’s strictest law regulating social media to date, and will require tech companies to implement age-verification systems on their platforms.Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has made it clear that even with parental consent, children under 16 will not be allowed to use social media. He has argued that social media poses a risk to the physical and mental health of children. Companies that v

An Alberta woman charged in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl has been denied bail while she awaits trial. Justice Rosanna Saccomani said there is a concern the accused, Mary Quinn, poses a significant risk to public safety. Saccomani issued the decision in provincial court in Stony Plain. Quinn, who is 35, was charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life after the girl drowned Oct. 13 at Wabamun Lake, west of Edmonton. The girl cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.

Legislation to create a two-month-long GST holiday is expected to pass today. Liberals, NDP expected to pass GST holiday in House of Commons today The bill was introduced on behalf of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon, with the help of the NDP to at least temporarily stop debate on a Conservative filibuster. The NDP only agreed to support the bill after Freeland separated the GST break from a promise to also send $250 to most working Canadians in the spring. The NDP wants that benefit expanded to also go to non-working seniors and people with di

The first picture of farmer leader Jagjit Dallewal, who was detained by the Punjab Police at the Khanauri border, has emerged from DMC Hospital in Ludhiana after 44 hours. In the picture, he is seen entering the hospital with police personnel accompanying him. Farmers have been expressing growing concern about Dallewal's health. However, the police are still restricting access to him. Dallewal had announced his intention to begin a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border in protest over farmers' demands. Prior to this, the Punjab Police took him to the hospital, citing concerns about his health

A committee appointed by the Quebec government has recommended the province adopt its own constitution and take other steps to boost its autonomy. Premier François Legault says he’s open to the possibility of a Quebec constitution before the next provincial election in 2026, but he won't make promises. The committee's report includes 42 recommendations, including that Quebec modernize its laws to remove references to the monarchy and that the province negotiate an agreement with the federal government on asylum seekers. The Opposition Liberals passed a motion in favour of a Quebec constitut

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan will take oath as Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Notably, Priyanka Gandhi will become the third member of the Gandhi family to enter Parliament. Congress' Ravindra Vasantrao Chavan won the Nanded Lok Sabha seat in a by-election with 5,86,788 votes. The seat fell vacant following the death of the sitting Congress MP, Vasantrao Balwantrao Chavan, necessitating the bypoll. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra secured the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a margin of 4,10,931 votes, defeating Sathyan Mokeri of the Communist Party

Canadian colleges have begun cutting back on academic programs as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government imposes a cap on international students. Ontario’s Sheridan College has suspended 40 academic programs, including six in its animation, arts, and design faculty, citing a projected decline in student enrollment. The college is also reducing its staff. Sheridan College expects a 30 percent drop in student enrollment next year, which will result in a $112 million loss in revenue. The programs being suspended include 13 business programs. However, students currently enrolled in these p