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liberal-party-denies-ruby-dhalla-translator-for-french-debate
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

Liberal party denies Ruby Dhalla translator for French debate

The Liberal party says it will not accommodate leadership hopeful Ruby Dhalla's request for a translator at the upcoming French debate in Montreal. Party spokesman Parker Lund says only the candidates and the moderator will be allowed on the debate stage and no translation will be provided. Dhalla said in a recent interview that her campaign planned to ask this week for a translator for the French debate because she is not fluent in the language. But she plans to attend either way and will make opening and closing statements in French. The Liberals have two upcoming leadership debates planned
two-day-special-session-of-punjab-assembly-to-be-held-on-feb-24-25
IndiaFeb 13, 2025

Two-day special session of Punjab Assembly to be held on Feb 24-25

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann convened a cabinet meeting today after a long gap of four months. This followed the party's defeat in the Delhi elections. Several important decisions in favor of the youth were taken during this meeting. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's cabinet has approved the recruitment of three thousand individuals across various government departments. This includes the recruitment of two thousand PTI teachers and eight hundred twenty-two posts in the health department. Additionally, six new courts will be established to address the issues of NRIs on a priority basis.
former-ahs-ceo-suing-alberta-government-alleges-coverup
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

Former AHS CEO suing Alberta government, alleges coverup

The former CEO of Alberta Health Services has filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal and high-level government corruption surrounding medical contracts. A statement of claim alleges Athana Mentzelopoulos (ment-ZAH'-lop-oh-luss) was fired last month for investigating overpriced contracts and conflicts of interest between government staff and companies being contracted. The lawsuit alleges Health Minister Adriana LaGrange (lah-GRAYNGE') tried to shut down the investigation and demanded Mentzelopoulos be fired. The allegations have not been proven in court, and LaGrange says many of them are
ndp-tells-candidates-to-prepare-for-an-early-election-according-to-internal-memo
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

NDP tells candidates to prepare for an early election, according to internal memo

The NDP's national campaign director has sent a memo to all candidates and campaign staff warning them to be prepared for a snap federal election as early as March 10. If Mark Carney does win the leadership, we are hearing from many Ottawa sources that he intends on calling an election shortly after becoming Liberal leader. On that basis, we believe the rumours of Mr. Carney calling a snap election are credible, the memo states. Taking a page from Doug Ford's playbook, the Liberals believe that they can turn this crisis into a political benefit for them. In Ontario, Ford is calling a snap ele
trump-says-he-will-impose-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-trading-partners
WorldFeb 13, 2025

Trump says he will impose reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners

US President Donald Trump is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs today. These measures would impose the same tariff rates on goods from countries that levy import duties on US products. Trump had pledged such tariffs during his election campaign. The new tariffs are expected to disproportionately affect developing countries, including India, Brazil, Vietnam, and several Southeast Asian and African nations, where tariff rates on US goods are notably higher than those imposed by the US. For instance, World Bank data from 2022 shows the US average tariff rate on imports from India was 3%, co
foreign-affairs-minister-travelling-to-france-germany-and-belgium
CanadaFeb 13, 2025

Foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly travelling to France, Germany and Belgium

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is travelling to Europe today. The minister will be in Europe until Feb. 18, traveling to France, Germany and Belgium to take part in conferences, meet with officials to discuss topics like geopolitical conflicts and foreign interference and speak in a roundtable on Arctic security. Joly will start her trip in Paris on Thursday, where she and Canada's newly-appointed Special Envoy for Syria Omar Alghabra will attend the Paris Conference on Syria. While in Paris, the minister will meet with Jean-Noël Barrot, minister for Europe and foreign affairs of Fra
america-to-deport-2nd-batch-of-illegal-immigrants-to-india
IndiaFeb 13, 2025

America to deport 2nd batch of illegal immigrants to India

The US will soon deport another batch of 170-180 illegal immigrants to India. This would be the second batch of immigrants to be deported by the US government. Earlier this month, 104 Indian migrants were deported from the US. Though official confirmation from Indian officials is awaited, the US administration sources have said that the deportation could take place this week only. Earlier, the first batch had landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar. However, no confirmation yet on where the second batch will land. The US action comes as Prime Minister Narendra Mod
dallewal-may-attend-february-14-meeting-in-chandigarh
IndiaFeb 12, 2025

Dallewal May Attend February 14 Meeting in Chandigarh

Jagjit Singh Dallewal, leader of the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, may attend the meeting in Chandigarh on February 14 between Punjab farmers and the Center, according to a farmer leader. The leader confirmed that while Dallewal's health may limit his participation, he will make every effort to attend the meeting and present his views. It is worth noting that in the previous meeting, the Central Government proposed a five-year plan to purchase certain crops at the minimum support price, but no consensus was reached on all of the farmers' demands. Farmers have continuously called for a l
india-to-introduce-strict-laws-on-illegal-immigration-and-fake-documents
IndiaFeb 12, 2025

India to Introduce Strict Laws on Illegal Immigration and Fake Documents

The Indian government is set to introduce stringent laws regarding entry into the country without a valid visa or passport. Under the proposed laws, foreign nationals who enter India without the required travel documents could face imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, those attempting to enter India using fake documents will face even harsher penalties, including a seven-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 10 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government plans to present a new bill addressing these issues during the upcoming budget session of Pa

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fifteen-people-accused-in-b-c-extortion-cases-file-refugee-claims-cbsa-confirms
CanadaDec 12, 2025

Fifteen people accused in B.C. extortion cases file refugee claims, CBSA confirms

Canada’s border agency says 15 foreign nationals linked to ongoing extortion investigations have submitted refugee claims, a move that has drawn concern from local officials in Surrey as the region continues to grapple with a surge in extortion-related crime. The Canada Border Services Agency says each claimant will be assessed under federal asylum rules, but did not disclose the individuals’ nationalities or details of their applications. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says she is troubled by the development and argues that the public expects federal systems to prevent criminal suspects from u
worksafebc-issues-more-than-1-3-million-dollars-in-penalties-after-fatal-crane-incident-at-oakridge-park
BCDec 12, 2025

WorkSafeBC issues more than 1.3 million dollars in penalties after fatal crane incident at Oakridge Park

WorkSafeBC has levied more than 1.3 million dollars in fines against EllisDon Corporation and Newway Concrete Forming following a series of crane-related safety violations, including the February 2024 incident at Vancouver’s Oakridge Park development that killed construction worker Yuridia Flores. The penalties stem from multiple investigations involving highrise projects in Vancouver and Victoria. Flores died when a large concrete form mould – measuring nearly 10 metres by six metres – fell 26 storeys after accelerating out of the side of the building while being moved between floors. E
alberta-ends-fall-sitting-after-sweeping-use-of-notwithstanding-clause-draws-scrutiny
AlbertaDec 12, 2025

Alberta ends fall sitting after sweeping use of notwithstanding clause draws scrutiny

Alberta’s fall legislative session closed this week with Premier Danielle Smith’s government advancing two major bills that relied heavily on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause, a move that has renewed debate over the limits of provincial authority and the protection of individual rights. The clause was applied four times in the sitting, shielding the legislation from certain court challenges for up to five years. The government first invoked the clause when it passed a law ordering more than 51 thousand public school teachers back to work following a three-week provincewide strike. Th
AlbertaDec 12, 2025

Advocacy groups shift legal strategy in bid to challenge Alberta’s gender care law

Two national advocacy organizations say they are pivoting their legal strategy as they continue efforts to challenge Alberta’s restrictions on gender-affirming care for youth. Egale Canada and the Calgary-based Skipping Stone Foundation launched a constitutional challenge last year after the province passed legislation prohibiting doctors from prescribing puberty blockers or hormone therapy to people under 16, and from performing gender-affirming top surgery on anyone under 18. The groups say the path through the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has become significantly more difficult since th
IndiaDec 12, 2025

Threatening email targets multiple schools in Amritsar, prompting closures and police response

Authorities in Amritsar ordered an immediate shutdown of several private schools after administrators reported receiving an email threatening bomb attacks on campus. The message, sent to multiple institutions early Tuesday, triggered evacuations and a large-scale police deployment. Local officials said at least 15 well-known private schools were identified in the threat. Police teams, including the bomb squad and fire services, secured school grounds while investigators worked to verify the credibility of the email. The Deputy Commissioner directed schools to release students for the day as a