Officials from various levels of government are set to gather with police and industry leaders in Ottawa today to brainstorm on fighting the scourge of automobile theft. The federal government says an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen annually in Canada, resulting in about $1 billion in costs to Canadian insurance policy-holders and taxpayers. It says auto theft increasingly involves organized crime groups, and the proceeds of these crimes are used to fund other illegal activities. Ottawa says most stolen autos shipped abroad are destined for Africa and the Middle East. On Wednesday, the govern

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has fired military chief Valery Zaluzny amid a nearly two-year war with Russia. His place has been given to the 58-year-old commander of the ground forces. According to reports, Zelensky told the army chief 10 days ago that he was being fired. President Zelensky said in a statement on social media that he met with the general and thanked him for protecting Ukraine for two years. The Defense Minister said that the war does not remain the same, so there has to be a change accordingly, which has been done under this strategy. Zelensky appointed General Za

Regarding the pending demands of the farmers of Punjab and Haryana towards the Centre, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has agreed on many demands in the meeting held in Chandigarh today. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that many important decisions were taken in this meeting, including many issues like withdrawing the cases against farmers during the Delhi Kisan Movement and taking strict action against companies manufacturing artificial seeds and medicines. Meanwhile, it has been agreed to withdraw the cases registered against the farmers during the farmers movement. The Chief Minister said th

Calgary's oldest grand theater teeters on the brink of closure. The theater celebrated its 112th birthday just two days ago, but today its executive director says it is only a short-term guest after a temporary deal with the landlord fell through. Opened in 1912, the Grand Theater was the cultural center of Western Canada for most of its life. Historian Don Smith says it was a center for the display of art. Smith lamented the tragedy of his golden days. The Grand was sold out 3 years ago. Its executive director tried to strike a deal with a new landlord to keep it afloat, but the deal fell t

Israeli airstrikes killed over a dozen people overnight and into Thursday in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Hamas' cease-fire terms and vowed to expand the offensive into the southern Gaza town. More than half of strip's population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt, which is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid. Egypt has warned that any ground operation there or mass displacement across the border would undermine its four-decade-old peace treaty with Israel. The overnight strikes killed at least 11 people, incl

National and state elections in Pakistan today concluded amid suspension of mobile and internet services. Imprisoned Imran Khan exercised his right to vote through postal ballot. Voting is currently being counted. As per the trends so far, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were both leading in their respective seats in Lahore. Asif Ali Zardari, former president and father of Bilawal Bhutto, was leading in Sindh. The counting of votes is expected to be completed by midnight and the full results may be announced early Friday. Compared to the last 4 elections, th

The case of YouTuber Bhana Sidhu is in the headlines in Punjab. The police have registered a case against 17 persons in Barnala for blocking the National Highway with the intention of besieging the house of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in favor of Bhana Sidhu. The police have also registered the names of Bhana Sidhu's father, brother, sister and Lakha Sidhana in this FIR and the clause of attempted murder has also been added. It is alleged that all of them brought about 200 people with them and blocked the highway. According to the FIR, this case has been registered by the Punjab Police its

Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he's frustrated and "pissed off" that a list of people related to Canadians are being blocked from leaving the embattled Gaza Strip. Ottawa started accepting applications last month to reunite as many as 1,000 people in the Palestinian territory with extended family members in Canada. Canada has provided an initial list of pre-approved people to Israel and Egypt, who jointly control the only border crossing out of Gaza. Miller says he is exploring diplomatic options and doesn't want to give up, but he also doesn't want to offer families false hope that the

Alberta Premier Daniel Smith today met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford at his residence in Toronto. Smith is visiting Washington DC from today. Her visit is considered very important as she will meet with the US industry leaders and try to get new deals for Alberta. Premier Smith will also promote Alberta's energy sector on this visit. Smith said in a statement that Alberta has always been a partner of the United States and that both have similar goals in the energy sector. It is worth noting that the US has been a major trading partner of Alberta and Alberta has also been a major export of the