12.52°C Vancouver

News

governments-big-gst-plan-centre-proposes-to-remove-12-and-28-slabs
IndiaAug 15, 2025

Government's big GST plan, Centre proposes to remove 12% and 28% slabs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Independence Day to reduce GST slabs from 4 to 2 by Diwali and launch a new scheme for 3.5 crore jobs. Currently, there are 4 slabs of GST in India of 5 percent, 12 percent, 18 percent and 28 percent. The Centre has now proposed to reduce it to only 5 and 18 percent slabs. This change is expected to bring big relief to the people. The Prime Minister said that the new reforms are part of the Centre's Diwali gift. According to the report, about 90 percent of taxable items in India, which are currently in the highest GST bracket of 28 percent, are prop
pm-modi-hoists-tricolor-for-12th-time-at-red-fort
IndiaAug 15, 2025

PM Modi hoists tricolor for 12th time at Red Fort

On the occasion of India's 79th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the tricolor for the 12th time at Red Fort and later addressed the people of the country. He gave a 103-minute speech, which is the longest speech ever given by any Prime Minister from Red Fort. The Prime Minister began his speech by mentioning Operation Sindoor. Prime Minister Modi clarified that the Indus Treaty is no longer acceptable to India. He also responded to Trump's tariffs without taking names. PM Modi said that India's farmers are our biggest priority and Modi stands like a wall against any h
punjab-cabinet-approves-withdrawal-of-land-pooling-policy
IndiaAug 14, 2025

Punjab Cabinet approves withdrawal of land pooling policy

The Punjab Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today approved the formal withdrawal of the land pooling policy. The state government had announced the withdrawal of this policy a few days ago amid protests by farmers. Under this, 65,533 acres of land were to be acquired in 164 villages of the state. The state’s farmers’ organizations had announced to continue the struggle until the notification was cancelled in the cabinet meeting. This policy was brought by the Bhagwant Mann government in May. The government had claimed that this policy would make farmers partners
death-toll-in-kashmir-flash-floods-rises-to-at-least-32-indian-officials-say
IndiaAug 14, 2025

Death toll in Kashmir flash floods rises to at least 32, Indian officials say

At least 32 people are dead in flash floods caused by torrential rains in a remote, mountainous village in Indian-controlled Kashmir, a top disaster management official said Thursday. Mohammed Irshad said rescue teams scouring the devastated Himalayan village of Chositi brought at least 100 people to safety. He said initial estimations suggested at least 50 others were still missing. India’s deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Chositi area and “could result in substantial casualty.” Chositi is
punjab-government-withdraws-land-pooling-policy
IndiaAug 11, 2025

Punjab government withdraws land pooling policy

The Punjab government has withdrawn the controversial land pooling policy. In this regard, the Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of the Punjab government issued a letter today. It has been said that the Punjab Land Policy and its related amendments brought on May 14, 2025 are being withdrawn. It is noteworthy that the farmers of Punjab were continuously opposing this policy. The farmers said that through this policy, the government wants to grab their land. When the matter reached the High Court, the court stayed it till September 10, seeing the flaws in this policy. Th
surrey-shots-fired-for-the-second-time-on-kaps-cafe
BCAug 07, 2025

Surrey: Shots fired for the second time on Kap's Cafe

Gunfire struck Kap’s Café early Tuesday morning, less than a month after the same Surrey business was first attacked in July. Police say shots were fired at about 4:40 a.m. at the café near 85 Avenue and 120 Street. No one was injured, but windows were shattered and bullet holes were visible near the entrance. The café, which reopened just 10 days after the July 10 shooting, has now closed again. Connect FM spoke with Staff Sergeant Lindsey Houghton, who confirmed investigators are looking into whether extortion may be a factor. “We are pursuing all leads, including the possibility of o
IndiaAug 05, 2025

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik passes away

Known for speaking out in favour of Punjab farmers, former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik passed away today at Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after a long illness. He had been suffering from kidney disease for a long time. Malik belonged to the Kirsani community of Hiswara village in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district. He had been speaking out on the farmers' issue for a long time and had even offered to mediate between the farmers and the government. Malik, who belonged to the Jat community of Uttar Pradesh, became a crisis solution for the BJP when the Modi government rev
kangana-ranaut-gets-a-big-setback-from-the-high-court-refuses-to-dismiss-defamation-complaint
IndiaAug 01, 2025

Kangana Ranaut gets a setback from the High Court, refuses to dismiss defamation complaint

The Punjab-Haryana High Court has paved the way for a defamation case filed in the Bathinda court in the case of Kangana Ranaut's controversial remarks against an elderly woman during the farmers' agitation. Kangana had filed a petition to dismiss the case, which the High Court today dismissed and lifted the stay. It is noteworthy that in the year 2021, when the agitation against the central government against three agricultural laws was going on on the streets of Delhi, Kangana Ranaut had tweeted, describing 87-year-old farmer Mahinder Kaur of Bahadurgarh Jandia village in Bathinda as a wo
demand-for-live-streaming-of-majithia-case-hearing-application-filed-in-mohali-court
IndiaJul 28, 2025

Demand for live streaming of Majithia case hearing: Application filed in Mohali court

Former Punjab minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia's lawyers have today filed an application in Mohali court in the disproportionate assets case registered against him, demanding that the hearing of the case be held through live streaming. The petition states that the entire Punjab and people sitting abroad want to know the truth in this case. Majithia's lawyers say that there is no substance in the case, the government is only making big claims in the media. It is noteworthy that the Vigilance had arrested Majithia on June 25.

Just In

richmond-rcmp-officer-charged-with-theft-and-breach-of-trust
BCJun 05, 2026

Richmond RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust

A Richmond RCMP officer has been charged with theft and breach of trust following an independent police investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on Christmas Day last year. According to the BC Prosecution Service, Const. Jae Suk Choi of the Richmond RCMP has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer. The charges follow an investigation conducted by Coquitlam RCMP. Authorities said the matter relates to an alleged incident in Richmond on Dec. 25, 2025. No further details about the allegations have been released publicly. C
CanadaJun 05, 2026

Vancouver airport expands biometric boarding ahead of FIFA World Cup travel surge

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has expanded its use of biometric boarding technology as it prepares for increased passenger volumes during the FIFA World Cup. According to airport officials, 42 biometric boarding gates are now operating across the airport. The technology is expected to speed up the boarding process by approximately 13 per cent, helping reduce wait times for travellers. The airport has also introduced new CT screening technology at security checkpoints. Under the upgraded system, passengers will no longer be required to remove liquids and large electronic devices from th
grocery-benefit-top-up-payments-begin-for-eligible-canadians
CanadaJun 05, 2026

Grocery benefit top-up payments begin for eligible Canadians

Eligible Canadians are expected to begin receiving one-time federal grocery benefit top-up payments starting today as part of the Liberal government's affordability measures. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, previously known as the GST/HST credit, provides support to lower-income households to help offset rising living costs. The federal government says payments will be issued automatically to qualifying recipients through direct deposit or by mail. According to the federal government, approximately 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time payment. Benefit amounts vary by
b-c-mla-jordan-kealy-charged-with-sexual-assault
BCJun 04, 2026

B.C. MLA Jordan Kealy charged with sexual assault

Independent B.C. legislator Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault, according to the British Columbia Prosecution Service. The prosecution service said the charge relates to an alleged offence or offences that occurred between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John. The allegation has not been tested in court. Kealy represents the Peace River North riding in the B.C. legislature. The prosecution service said a special prosecutor was appointed following an RCMP investigation to help ensure the administration of justice remains free from any perceived improper influence. Accordin
WorldJun 04, 2026

12 killed in Sri Lanka nursing home fire; investigation underway

A fire at a nursing home in western Sri Lanka killed 12 residents and injured eight others, according to Sri Lankan police. The fire broke out late Wednesday at a care facility in the town of Anguruwatota. Police said 51 residents were rescued from the building. Police spokesperson Fredrick Wootler said emergency responders attended the scene and survivors were taken to safety. Authorities have not yet released details on the cause of the fire. The director of the nursing home has been arrested on suspicion of causing deaths through negligence, police said. Investigators are examining the circ