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how-to-build-a-successful-business-exclusive-with-dragons-den-star-manjit-minhas
BCApr 17, 2026

How to build a successful business? Exclusive with Dragon's Den star Manjit Minhas

Canada's renowned business personality Manjit Minhas was in Surrey on Thursday. She attended the Surrey and White Rock Women in Business Awards. Meanwhile, in an exclusive conversation with Connect Media Network, she discussed business, investment, start-ups, Dragon's Den and some unique problems faced by women in business.Manjit Minhas in conversation with Connect Media Network News Director, Pervez Sandhu. (Photo - Connect FM)How to make start-ups successful?In an exclusive conversation with Connect FM, when Manjit Minhas was asked about making a start-up successful, she said that many peopl
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Sexual assault charges against Edmonton-area spiritual leader, wife stayed by Crown

Sexual assault charges against an Edmonton-area spiritual leader and his wife have been stayed, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service confirmed Friday. Johannes “John” de Ruiter and Leigh Ann de Ruiter each faced six counts of sexual assault and were scheduled to stand trial in September. The charges, first laid in 2023, will not proceed after prosecutors determined there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction, according to a statement from the Crown. Police previously alleged that John de Ruiter, described as the leader of a group known as the College of Integrated Philosophy, also ca
students-abducted-after-gunmen-attack-passenger-bus-in-central-nigeria
WorldApr 17, 2026

Students abducted after gunmen attack passenger bus in central Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a passenger bus in Nigeria’s Benue state on Thursday, abducting several students who were travelling to sit for university examinations, according to a statement from the state government. Benue Gov. Hyacinth Alia said the attack occurred along the Otukpo–Makurdi highway. The number of people taken has not been officially confirmed. Local media reports indicate there were 14 passengers on board at the time of the напад. “The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their way to sit for examinations, is unacceptable and stands against every norm of hum
air-canada-to-suspend-toronto-montreal-flights-to-new-york-jfk-over-fuel-costs
CanadaApr 17, 2026

Air Canada to suspend Toronto, Montreal flights to New York JFK over fuel costs

Air Canada says it will suspend flights from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport starting June 1 through Oct. 25, citing rising jet fuel prices. In a statement, the airline said fuel costs have “doubled since the start of the Iran conflict,” making some lower-profit routes no longer economically viable. The company said it is adjusting its schedule accordingly. The suspension affects service to JFK from Canada’s two largest cities, key routes for business and international connections. Air Canada said customers with affected bookings will be contact
WorldApr 17, 2026

U.K., France signal joint maritime mission after leaders’ meeting on Strait of Hormuz access

Leaders from multiple countries met Friday under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France to discuss access to the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route. According to a statement from the U.K. prime minister’s office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said participating countries welcomed Iran’s decision to keep the waterway open. He said leaders agreed the route must remain accessible without tolls or restrictions, citing its importance to global trade and energy supply. Starmer said reopening and maintaining shipping through the strait is critical to stabilizing economic pressur
BCApr 17, 2026

Vancouver Canucks fire GM Patrik Allvin after last-place NHL finish

The Vancouver Canucks have fired general manager Patrik Allvin following a last-place finish, the team announced Friday. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford confirmed the move a day after the club closed its season with a 6–1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. According to the team, Vancouver finished the 2025–26 campaign at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 25–49–8 record, despite preseason expectations of a playoff push. Injuries and ongoing defensive struggles contributed to the slide, as the club fell out of contention early in the year. A key turning point came in Decembe
one-time-federal-affordability-payment-to-be-issued-june-5-ottawa-says
CanadaApr 17, 2026

One-time federal affordability payment to be issued June 5, Ottawa says

The federal government says a one-time affordability payment tied to the GST/HST credit will be issued June 5 to eligible low- and modest-income households. According to a federal announcement made in January, Prime Minister Mark Carney said the payment will equal 50 per cent of the annual value of the existing GST/HST credit. The program is being renamed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Eligibility is tied to the current GST/HST credit system. Ottawa says households that have filed their 2024 income tax return and already receive the quarterly credit will automatically receive the
AlbertaApr 17, 2026

Youth arrested after alleged Snapchat threats targeting Alberta high school

A youth is in custody after police say threats were made on social media to shoot students at a high school in Stettler, Alta. According to a release from Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers received reports Wednesday night about messages sent over the Snapchat platform involving a school in the central Alberta town, located east of Red Deer. Police say they launched an investigation shortly after the report was received. RCMP say a youth has been arrested and a charge of uttering threats is pending. The identity of the youth cannot be released under youth justice laws. Police have not con
court-orders-amritpal-singh-to-remain-in-assam-jail-after-nsa-term-ends
IndiaApr 17, 2026

Court orders Amritpal Singh to remain in Assam jail after NSA term ends

Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh will remain lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam even after the expiry of his detention under the National Security Act, following an interim order by the High Court. According to court proceedings, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed that Singh not be transferred to Punjab and that hearings in the cases registered against him will continue to be conducted within the Assam jail premises. The interim order came in response to a petition filed by the Punjab government. Singh’s legal counsel argued before the court that he does not pose any threat in

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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
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
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Alberta privacy commissioner urges legal reform after alleged voter list breach

Alberta’s privacy commissioner is calling for changes to provincial law following allegations that a separatist group accessed and published the province’s official voter list. Elections Alberta says it is investigating a group known as the Centurion Project after an app linked to the group allegedly made public the names and addresses of nearly three million voters. According to the agency, official voter lists are only distributed to elected officials, registered political parties and authorized party representatives. The app was removed following a court order earlier this week. Electio
CanadaMay 01, 2026

Canada reduces refugee health coverage, introduces co-payments for prescriptions and supplementary care

Cuts to federally funded health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants took effect Friday, introducing new out-of-pocket costs for medications and certain health services. According to federal program changes to the Interim Federal Health Program, refugees will now be required to pay $4 per prescription and cover 30 per cent of the cost for supplementary health products and services. These include mental health counselling, dental care, vision care, medical devices and mobility aids such as wheelchairs. Until now, the program provided full health coverage for eligible refugees until they q
smith-welcomes-u-s-approval-of-bridger-pipeline-expansion-tied-to-keystone-xl-revival
AlbertaMay 01, 2026

Smith welcomes U.S. approval of Bridger pipeline expansion tied to Keystone XL revival

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a newly approved cross-border pipeline expansion could significantly increase the flow of Alberta crude to the United States, following a presidential permit signed by U.S. President Donald Trump. According to a statement from Smith’s office, the permit authorizes the Bridger Pipeline expansion, described as a partial revival of the previously cancelled Keystone XL project. The expansion is part of a joint venture between Calgary-based South Bow and U.S.-based Bridger. Smith said the project could transport more than 500,000 barrels of Alberta oil per day