In a bid to provide relief to the people of Maharashtra from skyrocketing fuel prices, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced that the state government will reduce value added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel. A decision to reduce VAT on fuel will be taken in the state Cabinet, Shinde informed the Legislative House, while replying to a debate after he won the floor test. Addressing a press conference today after attending today's Assembly session, Shinde said, "We will cut VAT on petroleum to provide relief to the people of Maharashtra. When the Central government comes wit

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob on Monday said that she had tested positive for COVID-19 with mild flu-like symptoms. Yacob confirmed on her Facebook post that she was just tested positive for COVID-19 with mild flu-like symptoms, reported Xinhua. "Thankfully, I have been vaccinated and boosted. I hope to recover soon and am sorry to have to miss the events this week," she stated in a Facebook post. Also on Monday evening, Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin also said that he was tested positive for COVID-19. "All good things must come to an end. My COVID-free days are over,"

A school south of Edmonton is among 10 schools from around the world shortlisted for the World's Best School Prize for Environmental Action contest. Lacombe Composite High School is the only school in North America to be nominated. The school has 32 solar panels that produce up to four per cent of the school's electricity, and students also replaced a portable classroom with a greenhouse that operates solely with renewable energy. Five winners of the contest are to be announced in the fall and a prize of about 322-thousand dollars will be shared.

Police in Calgary say a man faces 25 charges after a stolen vehicle dragged a firefighter while it was driving away from a crash on Saturday. The firefighter was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Prior to being arrested, the suspect is also alleged to have rammed a peace officer's vehicle during an attempted stop outside of Calgary. Thirty-five-year-old Jakub Matthew Kornacki will appear in court July 18th. The suspect has been accused of damaging an Esso gas station in Strathmore, Alta., and a railway crossing barrier while trying to flee the scene.

In a major development in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case, the Delhi Police special cell has apprehended the two most wanted criminals of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar Gang. One of the arrested, Ankit was one of the shooters involved in the Sidhu Moose Wala killing and two other heinous cases of attempts to murder in Rajasthan. The other accused Sachin Bhiwani was responsible for harbouring four of the shooters of the Sidhu Moosewala case. Sachin Bhiwani was also wanted in a heinous case of Churu, Rajasthan. Sachin Bhiwani was the main person handling all the operations of the Lawrence Bi

Federal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says Ottawa is reaffirming its support of Lytton's recovery on the anniversary of the devastating wildfire that destroyed 90 per cent of the village last June. Blair also thanked first responders, volunteers and community members who stepped up over the past year. The federal government announced 77 million dollars in funding earlier this month to help rebuild a fire-resistant and energy-efficient community. BC's public safety minister Mike Farnworth says he expects many houses and the municipal infrastructure to be rebuilt by this time next

In August 2020, The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit arrested an adult male masseur after an allegation of sexual assault during a massage. Since the initial media release and arrest of a suspect, Major Crime Unit investigators had identified additional victims who were allegedly sexually assaulted by the same male masseur. On June 27th 2022, 64 year old Jin Han Liu of Richmond BC, was found guilty of:Two (2) counts of Sexual Assault contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada."While this trial is over, the New Westminster Police Department Victim Assistance Unit c

BC Ferries says it has been forced to pull the Queen of Alberni from service today, impacting sailings between Nanaimo and West Vancouver. It says the repairs are ``significant'' and there is a chance that sailings will be impacted tomorrow as well. Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says disruptions like this have a lasting impact on the Vancouver Island economy and his community. He says more needs to be done to ensure the ferries are a reliable service in the province.

Vancouver police say a 31 year old man has been arrested for allegedly throwing a bottle at a baby in a stroller earlier this week. Police say they believe the attack on Monday was unprovoked and that it ``must have been terrifying'' for those involved. They say the family left the scene before police arrived and haven't yet been identified. Officers are asking them to call police to help with the investigation. Vancouver Police on Twitter: Vancouver Police are investigating an attack on a baby in a stroller, and are appealing for the baby’s parents or guardians to call police. Media Releas