549 COVID-19 cases and five deaths reported in B.C.

Canada’s labour market showed unexpected strength in October, adding 67,000 jobs and marking the second straight month of stronger-than-forecast employment growth, according to Statistics Canada. The federal agency said the gains were concentrated in part-time positions, with the private sector recording its first employment increase since June. Ontario led the way with 55,000 new jobs, driven largely by growth in wholesale and retail trade as well as transportation and warehousing. Younger Canadians also saw long-awaited improvement. Employment among workers aged 15 to 24 rose by 21,000 in

Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux has announced his resignation from Parliament, marking the second departure from the federal Conservative caucus in less than a week. Jeneroux, who has represented Edmonton Riverbend since 2015, said in a letter that stepping down was “not an easy decision” but one he believes is “the right one.” He noted that he had hoped to contribute to a government led by Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives but acknowledged that the political outcome had not aligned with his expectations. The Alberta MP expressed “great admiration” for members of the House of Common

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has issued a second notice to the state Congress over alleged misuse of a portrait of Bhai Jaita Ji during a recent rally in Tarn Taran ahead of the byelection. The Commission has directed Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa to appear in person on November 10. Officials said the Deputy Commissioner of Tarn Taran has also been asked to submit a detailed report on the matter by November 17. Earlier, the Commission had issued a similar notice to Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. The Commission stated that if the required

Authorities in Indonesia are investigating a series of explosions that rocked a mosque at a state high school in northern Jakarta, injuring at least 55 people. Most of those hurt were students attending midday prayers when the blasts occurred Friday. Witnesses said two loud explosions were heard shortly after the sermon began at SMA 27, a public secondary school located within a navy compound in the Kelapa Gading area. Panic broke out as smoke filled the mosque, forcing students and staff to rush outside. Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the cause of the inc

The Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) has taken legal action against Premier Danielle Smith’s government, arguing that the recent law used to end their provincewide strike violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ATA President Jason Schilling said the association has filed a court application asking a judge to suspend the law while a full constitutional challenge proceeds. Schilling called the government’s reliance on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause “unconstitutional” and said it undermines the role of the courts in protecting fundamental rights. The law in ques