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sukhbir-singh-badal-criticizes-budget-as-hollow-similar-to-previous-years
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Criticizes Budget as Hollow, Similar to Previous Years

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Badal described the budget as hollow and directionless, similar to those presented by the AAP government in its first three years, claiming it will only worsen the state's debt burden. He warned that Punjab’s debt is set to reach Rs 4.17 lakh crore, with an increase of Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party. Additionally, Badal pointed out that the state government ha
mark-carney-unveils-2-billion-fund-to-protect-auto-sector-jobs
CanadaMar 26, 2025

Mark Carney Unveils $2 Billion Fund to Protect Auto Sector Jobs

Liberal Party Prime Ministerial Candidate Mark Carney has announced a $2 billion Strategic Response Fund aimed at protecting auto sector jobs impacted by Trump’s tariffs. Carney stated that he would launch the fund if he is returned to power. Carney was campaigning this morning in Windsor, Ontario, the heart of Canada’s auto sector. During his speech, he promised auto workers that his government would exclusively purchase Canadian-made cars and commit to building a domestic manufacturing network for auto parts.
mann-govt-ignores-rs-1-100-monthly-guarantee-for-women-in-latest-budget
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Mann Govt Ignores Rs 1,100 Monthly Guarantee for Women in Latest Budget

The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has once again failed to fulfill its promise of providing Rs 1,100 per month to women in the state, even in this year’s budget. The guarantee was made by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal during the 2022 assembly elections upon the formation of the government in Punjab. In the budget presentation, themed "My Punjab, Changing Punjab," the state government focused on several initiatives, including a Rs 150 crore drug census to count the number of people using drugs in Punjab. Additionally, the government announced a scheme offering free treatment up to Rs 10
controversial-bill-7-faces-opposition-despite-government-defense
BCMar 26, 2025

Controversial Bill 7 Faces Opposition Despite Government Defense

B.C. Premier David Eby’s government has refused to back down from controversial Bill 7, despite opposition from business groups and critics. The bill would grant the provincial government emergency powers to make real-time decisions to address trade wars and other threats without seeking legislative approval. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon defended the bill, stating that due to President Trump’s frequent changes on tariffs, which create uncertainty, the bill would enable the province to make quick decisions for workers and industries in response to such tariffs. Critics, including the Great
liberal-party-explains-chandra-aryas-exclusion-amid-allegations-of-foreign-interference
CanadaMar 26, 2025

Liberal Party Explains Chandra Arya’s Exclusion Amid Allegations of Foreign Interference

The Liberal Party of Canada has disclosed the reasons behind Chandra Arya’s exclusion from the leadership race and his candidacy for the Ottawa riding. Reports suggest that Arya was removed due to concerns about alleged foreign interference involving India. According to a report by The Globe and Mail, Arya had traveled to India last August and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi without notifying the Canadian government about the visit. Notably, the Liberal Party has not previously explained why the three-term MP was barred from participating in the recent leadership race or seeking re-el
partap-singh-bajwa-criticizes-state-government-over-budget
IndiaMar 26, 2025

Partap Singh Bajwa Criticizes State Government Over Budget

Senior Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, criticized the state government for its recently announced budget. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government has neglected all sections of society in its financial plan. Bajwa pointed out that while the government has proposed conducting a drug census in the state, it should begin from within the Punjab Vidhan Sabha itself. He suggested that the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and other MLAs undergo dope tests, with the results made public before the initiative extends to the general public
jagmeet-singh-announces-gst-elimination-and-tax-cuts-to-support-canadians
CanadaMar 26, 2025

Jagmeet Singh Announces GST Elimination and Tax Cuts to Support Canadians

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has proposed the elimination of the GST on everyday items to help Canadians cope with the financial impact of tariffs imposed during Donald Trump’s administration. Singh also announced that under an NDP government, Canadians with annual incomes of up to $177,882 would not pay tax on their first $19,500 of earnings. The NDP leader emphasized that these measures, along with the permanent removal of GST on essential goods, could save families $1,450 annually. Criticizing his opponents, Singh stated that the Liberals and Conservatives prioritize the ultra-rich, whereas
at-least-24-dead-and-19-injured-as-wildfires-ravage-south-koreas-southern-regions
WorldMar 26, 2025

At least 24 dead and 19 injured as wildfires ravage South Korea's southern regions

At least 24 people died and another 19 were injured as wildfires ravaged South Korea’s southern regions amid dry weather and strong winds, government officials said Wednesday. Officials in Andong city and other southeastern cities and towns ordered residents to evacuate on Tuesday as firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes fueled by dry winds, which burned more than 43,000 acres of land and destroyed hundreds of structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple. More than 5,500 people were forced to evacuate from their homes in Andong, the neighboring counties of Uiseong and
into-the-lions-den-amid-criticism-albertas-smith-set-to-attend-u-s-fundraiser
CanadaMar 26, 2025

‘Into the lion’s den’; Amid criticism, Alberta’s Smith set to attend U.S. fundraiser

Premier Danielle Smith is getting set to fly to Florida for an event hosted by a far-right U.S. influencer, with her chief of staff calling the foray a patriotic act of courage by a ``noble'' leader. Smith is to make a speaking appearance this week with conservative media personality Ben Shapiro at an upcoming fundraiser for PragerU, despite weeks of calls for her to cancel. Alberta's Opposition NDP is renewing its demand that Smith abandon the trip, saying she is using taxpayer money to fundraise for an extremist organization after she's asked Americans to interfere in Canada's election.

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AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta petition to end public funding for private schools fails to meet signature threshold

A citizen-led petition calling on the Alberta government to end public funding for accredited private schools has fallen short of the number of signatures required to trigger further legislative consideration. In a statement released Tuesday, Chief Electoral Officer Gordon McClure confirmed that just over 124,000 Albertans signed the initiative petition. Under provincial rules, organizers needed approximately 177,000 valid signatures to meet the threshold set out in Alberta’s citizen initiative legislation. The petition was launched by Calgary teacher Alicia Taylor. It asked voters whether t
WorldFeb 18, 2026

Fireworks shop explosion in central China leaves 12 dead, investigation underway

A powerful explosion at a fireworks retail shop in central China has left 12 people dead, according to local authorities. The blast occurred Wednesday in the city of Xiangyang, located in Hubei province. Officials said the explosion triggered a large fire that destroyed an area of roughly 50 square metres around the store. Emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the blast was reported. Firefighters brought the flames under control after several hours of rescue efforts. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the explosion and an investigation is ongoing. Ind
alberta-premier-to-deliver-televised-address-one-week-before-provincial-budget
FeaturedFeb 18, 2026

Alberta premier to deliver televised address one week before provincial budget

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she will address Albertans in a televised speech on Thursday, one week before the province’s 2026 budget is tabled in the legislature. Smith made the announcement during an unrelated news conference in Calgary but did not provide details on what topics she intends to cover. A spokesperson for the Premier’s Office said further information about the address would be released at a later time. The speech comes ahead of Finance Minister Nate Horner’s scheduled budget presentation on Feb. 26. The government has already signalled that the fiscal plan will ref
alberta-to-invest-400-million-dollars-in-new-water-bombers-to-modernize-wildfire-fleet
AlbertaFeb 18, 2026

Alberta to invest 400 million dollars in new water bombers to modernize wildfire fleet

The Alberta government says it will spend 400 million dollars to strengthen its aging fleet of water bombers, part of a long term strategy to address increasingly severe wildfire seasons across the province. Premier Danielle Smith announced the agreement with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, which is expected to deliver the first of five new aircraft in 2031. The remaining planes will be phased in over subsequent years. Smith said the investment is separate from the roughly 160 million dollars Alberta allocates annually for wildfire response operations. The province has faced longer and more d
prime-minister-mark-carney-to-visit-richmond-and-vancouver-for-community-events-and-party
CanadaFeb 18, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney to Visit Richmond and Vancouver for Community Events and Party

Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit British Columbia today, with stops in Richmond and Vancouver focused on community engagement and Liberal Party activities. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Carney will join members of the local community in Richmond to take part in Lunar New Year celebrations, an event that draws significant participation from the region’s large Chinese Canadian population. Richmond is home to one of the largest Asian communities in Canada, and Lunar New Year events are considered an important cultural and civic gathering across Metro Vancouver. Lat