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WorldJan 08, 2024

A row over sandy beaches reveals fault lines in the relationship between India and the Maldives

The president of the Maldives has suspended three of his deputy ministers for posting derogatory comments against India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Mohamed Muizzu suspended the three until further notice for their posts on X, formerly Twitter, which were in response to Modi's posts promoting the pristine beaches of India's Lakshadweep archipelago for Indian travelers. Last year, Indians made up the largest number of tourists visiting the Maldives, which is famous for its luxury island resorts and white sandy beaches. India is also a strategic ally, with military personne
WorldJan 04, 2024

Suspect in a shooting at an Iowa high school is dead, authorities say

A law enforcement official says the suspect in a shooting at an Iowa high school shooting has died. Police in Perry, Iowa, say multiple people were shot at the city's high school, on students' first day back in classes after their annual winter break. A spokesperson said two gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to a hospital in the state capital of Des Moines, about 40 miles southeast of Perry. In Perry, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante says an active shooter was reported at Perry High School before school started on Thursday and officers responded about seven minutes later. The shooting
WorldJan 03, 2024

Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners of war in biggest release so far

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war under a deal sponsored by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian authorities say that 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home. Russia's Defense Ministry says that 248 Russian servicemen have been freed from Ukrainian captivity. The ministry says that the deal was made possible thanks to mediatory efforts by the United Arab Emirates. The massive prisoner exchange follows other such deals earlier in the war, which is nearing the two-year mark.
WorldJan 03, 2024

Iran: At least 103 killed in blasts at ceremony for slain general Qassim Soleimani

United Arab Emirates - Iran says explosions at an event honoring a prominent Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020 have killed at least 103 people and wounded 141 others. Iranian state media call them a ``terroristic'' attack. No group has immediately claimed responsibility. The blasts on Wednesday struck an event marking the the fourth anniversary of the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force. who died in Iraq in January 2020. The explosions occurred near his grave site in Kerman, about 820 kilometers (510 miles) southeast of the
planes-catch-fire-after-a-collision-at-japans-haneda-airport
WorldJan 02, 2024

Planes catch fire after a collision at Japan's Haneda airport

A passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard aircraft have collided on the runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport and burst into flames. TV footage showed a large burst of fire erupt from the side of the Japan Airlines plane as it taxied after landing. The area around the wing then caught fire. Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito said all 379 occupants of the passenger plane got out safely. He said the pilot of the coast guard plane evacuated safely but the other five crewmembers were found dead. Haneda is one of the busiest airports in Japan, and many people travel over the New Year holidays.
10-people-died-23-injured-due-to-heavy-snow-storm-in-ukraine
WorldNov 28, 2023

10 people died, 23 injured due to heavy snow storm in Ukraine

At least 10 people have died and thousands remain cut off from the power grid in Ukraine. According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko more than 400 settlements in 11 regions have been affected by electricity and more than 1,500 responders are trying to reach thousands of people for rescue. Another 23 were injured, including two children, Klymenko said Tuesday, adding the deaths were in Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kyiv regions.Officials said the worst of the storm appeared to be over but another powerful low-pressure storm could hit the country late Tuesday into late Wednesday. The Ukrainian
hamas-frees-first-batch-of-hostages-under-truce-including-13-israelis
WorldNov 24, 2023

Hamas frees first batch of hostages under truce, including 13 Israelis

A four-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has begun on Friday. Under this agreement Hamas has released 13 Israeli hostages in the first round. This information was given by the Prime Minister's Office of Israel. During the 4 days of the ceasefire, Hamas will release a total of 50 hostages and in return Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners.U. K. Hamas, declared a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union, attacked Israel on October 7 and took about 240 people hostage. Qatar played a major role in the ceasefire between the two sides. The International Com
qatar-says-gaza-cease-fire-will-begin-friday-morning
CanadaNov 23, 2023

Qatar says Gaza cease-fire will begin Friday morning

A spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry hopes the momentum of the deal between Israel and Hamas will lead to an end of theviolence. The deal entails a temporary four-day ceasefire which will see the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The cease-fire will start at 7 a.m. local time tomorrow, with 13 women and children held by Hamas freed in the afternoon. Officials say three Palestinian prisoners would be freed for every hostage. The deal includes increased aid that will start to enter Gaza.
israel-hamas-agree-to-temporary-ceasefire-deal-where-hostages-prisoners-will-be-exchanged
CanadaNov 22, 2023

Israel, Hamas agree to temporary ceasefire deal where hostages, prisoners will be exchanged

There is hope more Canadians will soon be able to leave the Gaza Strip, after Qatar announced a truce-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas that would bring a four-day halt in fighting in the devastating six-week war. Qatar's Foreign Ministry which had led weeks of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas said it would announce within a day when the clock will start ticking on the truce, during which 50 hostages will be released in stages in exchange for what Hamas said would be 150 Palestinians prisoners held by Israel. The Israeli government said it would extend the lull by an ad

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CanadaOct 30, 2025

Canada pledges $7 million in relief for Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa

The federal government has announced $7 million in humanitarian aid to assist Caribbean nations struggling to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, said the funding includes $5 million for emergency health and relief operations through humanitarian organizations, and an additional $2 million to the World Food Programme to support food distribution in Jamaica. Sarai said Canada is also ready to send supplies from its emergency stockpile through the Red Cross if requested by affected countries. The government is
two-arrested-after-gunfire-damages-surrey-home-police-probe-possible-extortion-link
CanadaOct 30, 2025

Two Arrested After Gunfire Damages Surrey Home; Police Probe Possible Extortion Link

Surrey Police Service has arrested two men following an overnight shooting that damaged a home in the area of 56 Avenue and King George Boulevard early Thursday morning. Officers were called to the scene around 2 a.m. on October 30 after reports of gunfire. When they arrived, police confirmed that the exterior of a residence had been struck by bullets. Several people were inside the home at the time, but no one was injured. Frontline officers later located a suspect vehicle nearby and arrested two men, who remain in custody as the investigation continues. The SPS Frontline Investigative Suppor
trump-administration-cuts-u-s-refugee-admissions-to-7-500-with-priority-for-white-south-africans
WorldOct 30, 2025

Trump administration cuts U.S. refugee admissions to 7,500, with priority for white South Africans

The Trump administration has announced a sharp reduction in the number of refugees the United States will accept in the coming fiscal year, setting a cap of 7,500 – the lowest in the country’s modern history. A notice published Thursday in the Federal Register confirmed the decision, which also prioritizes applications from white South Africans, a move critics say signals a major shift in U.S. refugee policy. The new ceiling marks a drastic decline from the 125,000 refugee limit set under President Joe Biden’s administration. The White House offered no detailed explanation for the cut, s
tripat-rajinder-bajwa-resigns-from-punjab-assembly-select-committee-on-sacred-texts-bill
IndiaOct 30, 2025

Tripat Rajinder Bajwa resigns from Punjab Assembly select committee on sacred texts bill

Senior Congress leader and former Punjab cabinet minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa has resigned from the 15-member select committee of the Punjab Legislative Assembly formed to review the “Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Sacred Religious Texts Bill, 2025.” According to official sources, Bajwa’s resignation was submitted to the Speaker and has been formally accepted by the Assembly. Party insiders said the veteran leader stepped down citing procedural and political differences related to the committee’s functioning. Some accounts also attribute the decision to his health condit
alberta-students-walk-out-gather-at-legislature-over-teachers-back-to-work-bill
FeaturedOct 30, 2025

Alberta students walk out, gather at legislature over teachers’ back-to-work bill

Students across Alberta left their classrooms on Thursday to rally at the provincial legislature, protesting the government’s decision to force striking teachers back to work. Many wore red clothing and carried homemade signs to show solidarity with educators. The walkouts, coordinated through social media, spread to several schools as students voiced frustration with what they described as an attack on teachers’ rights. The demonstrations followed the provincial government’s move to fast-track a back-to-work bill through the legislature earlier this week. Premier Danielle Smith’s gove