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doctors-express-concern-over-jagjit-singh-dallewals-health
IndiaDec 17, 2024

Doctors Express Concern Over Jagjit Singh Dallewal's Health

Doctors have expressed concern about the health of Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike for 22 days at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. Reports indicate that Dallewal's body has become severely dehydrated. Medical experts have warned that Dallewal requires immediate treatment, and if not provided, there are fears of a "silent attack" on his health. Dr. Swayam's team is closely monitoring his condition. Meanwhile, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher has called for a "Rail Roko" movement in Punjab for three hours starting at noon on December 18. He has urged the
surrey-city-council-postpones-vote-on-salary-increase-for-mayor-and-councillors
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Surrey City Council Postpones Vote on Salary Increase for Mayor and Councillors

Surrey City Council has postponed a vote on a recommendation to increase the salaries of the mayor and councillors by 8% until the first council meeting in 2025, scheduled for January 13. The proposal was set to be voted on Monday night, but Mayor Brenda Locke was not present for the vote. Councillor Harry Bains, who chaired the meeting in her absence, requested that the item be removed from the agenda. He explained that the vote should involve all council members, and staff were instructed to bring the report back to the next meeting. Notably, if the Surrey City Council votes in favor of the
statistics-canada-reports-inflation-at-1-9-in-november
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Statistics Canada Reports Inflation at 1.9% in November

Canadian inflation has fallen below the central bank's 2% target for the second time in three months. Statistics Canada reported today that inflation in November was 1.9%. The agency noted that gasoline prices remained stable last month. Additionally, Black Friday sales helped bring down prices in November. Grocery prices increased by 2.6% year-over-year, but this was slightly lower than the 2.7% increase seen in October. This is the first of two inflation reports to be released before the Bank of Canada's next decision on interest rates, scheduled for January 29, 2025. Governor Tiff Macklem
israel-hamas-ceasefire-agreement-may-be-reached-in-coming-days
WorldDec 17, 2024

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement May Be Reached in Coming Days

Israel and Hamas may reach an agreement on a Gaza ceasefire in the coming days. Reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire. Meanwhile, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated in an interview that the U.S. believes a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent. However, Kirby did not confirm whether Netanyahu’s trip to Cairo is related to ceasefire discussions. At the same time, Hamas stated in a release that a ceasefire and agreement on hostages could be possible if Israel stops imposing new condition
postal-employees-head-back-to-work-as-union-challenges-strike-intervention
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Postal employees head back to work as union challenges strike intervention

Canada Post trucks, conveyors and mail carriers are moving again after a month-long strike by more than 55,000 postal workers left letters and parcels in limbo. The Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered postal workers back on the job following hearings over the weekend to determine whether the two sides stood too far apart to reach a deal by year's end. The hearings came after a directive to the labour board from Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon, who said Friday he was giving the two sides a "timeout" as negotiations seemed to have stalled. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is contestin
11-indians-found-dead-at-restaurant-in-georgias-mountain-resort-of-gudauri
WorldDec 17, 2024

11 Indians found dead at restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri

Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, Of these, 10 were residents of Punjab. Georgia's internal affairs ministry statement said 11 victims were foreigners while one victim was a citizen. No signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected in an initial inspection. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning. It added that the bodies of all victims, employees in the same Indian restaurant, were found in bedrooms on the second floor of the facility. A power generator was placed in an indoor area, a closed space near the bedroom
transgender-bill-challenger-dismayed-by-smiths-openness-to-notwithstanding-clause
CanadaDec 17, 2024

Transgender bill challenger dismayed by Smith's openness to notwithstanding clause

A lawyer challenging a new Alberta law affecting transgender youth says he is dismayed by Premier Danielle Smith's intention to use the notwithstanding clause if required. The new law bans doctors from providing gender-affirming treatment such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 16, and prohibits gender-affirming ``top'' surgeries for minors. For months Smith has dismissed the notwithstanding clause question as moot given she believes the new restrictions would withstand a legal challenge. But on her Saturday radio show Smith confirmed she would invoke the notwithstanding
the-head-of-russias-nuclear-defense-forces-has-been-killed-in-an-explosion-in-moscow
WorldDec 17, 2024

The head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces has been killed in an explosion in Moscow

The head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Lt. General Igor Kirillov, was killed early Tuesday by an explosive device planted close to a residential apartment block in Moscow, Russia’s Investigative Committee said. Kirillov’s assistant also died in the blast. Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court Monday for the use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s military operation in Ukraine that started in Feb. 2022.
chrystia-freeland-resigns-as-finance-minister
CanadaDec 16, 2024

Chrystia Freeland Resigns as Finance Minister

Chrystia Freeland resigned from her position as Finance Minister on Monday, sharing her resignation letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on social media. In the letter, Freeland expressed pride in her work for Canada but explained her decision to step down after Trudeau indicated he no longer wanted her as Finance Minister and offered her a different Cabinet role. Freeland stated that a minister must have the Prime Minister's full confidence, which she felt she no longer possessed. She highlighted key disagreements with Trudeau over handling U.S. economic nationalism and potential

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WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra
b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules
BCApr 28, 2026

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level
measles-exposure-reported-at-grande-prairie-hospital-emergency-department
AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor
netherlands-considering-rose-imports-from-punjab-says-cm-bhagwant-mann
IndiaApr 28, 2026

Netherlands considering rose imports from Punjab, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl