The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors today approved a loan of USD 150 million to the Indian state of Punjab to help the state better manage its financial resources and improve access to public services. The USD 150 million loans have a maturity of 15 years including a grace period of 6 months, the statement added. The project will pilot two initiatives: It will introduce a performance-based grants system to incentivize municipal corporations to improve service delivery. Second, it will demonstrate the delivery of 24x7 water supply in select areas in the cities of Amritsar and Ludhiana

An Alberta man sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter in the deaths of two Metis hunters has launched an appeal. Bilodeau was convicted in May for the deaths of Jacob Sansom and Maurice Cardinal, who were shot and killed on a rural Alberta road after a brief vehicle pursuit in March 2020. Bilodeau's son Joseph, who was tried at the same time as his father, was convicted of second-degree murder in Cardinal's death and found guilty of manslaughter in Sansom's death.

After a row over Punjab chief minister Bhagwant allegedly being deplaned on a Delhi-bound flight from Germany allegedly because he was inebriated, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said he will investigate the matter and has sought a detailed report from Lufthansa Airlines. On Monday, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal levelled serious allegations against Mann and asked him to clarify media reports of him being deplaned from a flight from Frankurt to Delhi on Sunday as he was "too drunk to walk" leading to a 4-hour delay in the flight. Scindia o

Hurricane Fiona is roaring over the Dominican Republic, a day after knocking out power to all of Puerto Rico and causing damage the governor described as ``catastrophic.'' Many people were also left without water service. The blow from Fiona was made more devastating because Puerto Rico has yet to recover from Hurricane Maria, which killed nearly 3,000 people and destroyed the power grid in 2017. Five years later, more than 3,000 homes on the island still have blue tarps for a roof. The wind and water from Fiona stripped the pavement from roads, tore off roofs and sent torrents pouring into h

A video circulating on social media appears to show Prime Minister Justin Trudeau singing ``Bohemian Rhapsody'' in London, where he was to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth. The Prime Minister's Office says that after dinner on Saturday, Trudeau and other members of the Canadian delegation gathered for a sing-along. In a statement, the PMO says renowned Quebec entertainer Gregory Charles was playing the piano in the London hotel lobby, while others _ including Trudeau joined in. A 14 second video posted on Twitter, which has garnered nearly one million views, appears to depict Trude

Burnaby RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 65-year-old Rajesh Verma. Rajesh was last seen by family in the 8800-block of Armstrong Avenue at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 15, 2022. Rajesh is described as:5'6" tallBalding with grey hairBrown eyesRajesh was last seen wearing:White long sleeve shirtBlack runners (with white soles)Dark blue pantsIt is out of character for Rajesh to not check in with family for this amount of time and they are very concerned.Police are asking anyone who may have seen Rajesh or have information on his whereabouts to call the Burnaby RCMP at 604

Vancouver Police made multiple arrests and have launched a criminal investigation after violence erupted when a concert was abruptly cancelled last night at the PNE Amphitheatre. Fights broke out inside and outside the venue, and significant property damage occurred when destructive concert-goers became hostile following an announcement that a headlining act would not be taking the stage. "Vancouver Police officers were already inside the venue and providing extra security when several hundred people began fighting and destroying property in the Amphitheatre on the PNE grounds, and in the sur

Dignitaries including British Columbia Premier John Horgan and Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin have joined a ceremonial procession in Victoria to honour Queen Elizabeth. The procession that began at the legislature was led by a Royal Canadian Navy band and a 100-member guard of honour.It was to conclude at Christ Church Cathedral, where a memorial service will take place.A riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen comrade and to represent the queen's love of horses, was part of the procession.The 1.4 kilometre march began with a 21 cannon salute, while the guard of honour carried their rifles upside down as

Police in Edmonton say they've found a motorcycle they allege hit an officer who was trying to pull it over last week. The officer was conducting traffic enforcement at a construction zone on Wednesday, and police say the bike fled the scene after hitting the officer. Police say the red 2005-2006 Honda CBR 600RR was recovered Friday when officers executed a search warrant at a home in the Windermere neighbourhood. The officer struck by the motorcycle continues to recover in hospital. Police say the collision investigation is ongoing.