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time-to-evacuate-is-running-out-as-hurricane-milton-closes-in-on-florida
WorldOct 09, 2024

Time to evacuate is running out as Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida

A tornado touched down across Interstate 75 in Florida on Wednesday morning as Hurricane Milton barreled toward the state’s west coast, the U.S. National Weather Service reported. The service shared an image on social media showing the funnel cloud crossing the highway and warned residents to “seek shelter now.” Steady rain and intensifying winds swept across the Tampa Bay area as the massive storm — fluctuating between Category 4 and Category 5 strength — advanced toward landfall. Officials warned that Milton could bring catastrophic winds, flooding and a storm surge of up to 15 fee
biden-cancels-trip-to-germany-and-angola-because-of-hurricane
WorldOct 08, 2024

Biden delays Germany and Angola trip to monitor Hurricane Milton’s impact on Florida

U.S. President Joe Biden has postponed his upcoming visits to Germany and Angola as Hurricane Milton advances toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the White House confirmed Tuesday. Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the decision was made so the president could remain in Washington to oversee the federal response to the storm. She noted that the change was necessary “given the projected trajectory and strength” of the hurricane, which forecasters say could bring severe flooding and wind damage to coastal regions. The White House did not specify when the trip will be rescheduled. The visit t
events-across-canada-set-to-mark-one-year-since-oct-7-attacks-israel-hamas-war
CanadaOct 07, 2024

Canada marks one year since Hamas attack with vigils, protests and calls for peace amid rising tensions

Ceremonies, community gatherings and demonstrations are taking place across Canada today to mark one year since the Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza and deeply affected Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities across the country. The October 7, 2023 assault killed more than 1,200 Israelis, with 250 others taken hostage, sparking an Israeli military offensive that Gaza health officials say has now left over 41,000 people dead. The conflict’s humanitarian and emotional toll has been felt globally - including in Canada, where families mourn victims on both sides and co
indias-foreign-minister-s-jaishankar-will-go-to-pakistan
WorldOct 04, 2024

Jaishankar to visit Pakistan for SCO Summit, first Indian ministerial visit in nine years

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Pakistan next week to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit scheduled for October 15–16, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Friday. This will mark the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly nine years. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Jaishankar will represent India at the regional meeting, which brings together foreign ministers and heads of state from member countries to discuss security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity. Pakistan had formally invited Pr
transport-minister-sentenced-to-jail-in-corruption-case
WorldOct 03, 2024

Singapore’s former transport minister S. Iswaran sentenced to one year in prison for corruption

Singapore’s Indian-origin former Transport Minister S. Iswaran has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after being found guilty in a corruption case involving nearly 400,000 Singapore dollars in gifts and benefits received from businessmen over a seven-year period. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) completed its probe into the case last year. The court found that Iswaran had accepted expensive items - including bottles of whiskey and wine, golf clubs, and a Brompton bicycle - as bribes in exchange for official favours. The presiding judge said Iswaran had betrayed public trus
punjabi-youth-died-in-california-under-suspicious-circumstances
WorldOct 02, 2024

Punjabi youth died in California under suspicious circumstances

A 32-year-old Punjabi man from Kapurthala has died under mysterious circumstances in California, just days before his planned wedding in India. The deceased has been identified as Gurjit Singh, who was scheduled to be married on October 18. Family members in Kapurthala say wedding preparations were in full swing when they received the shocking news from the United States. They allege that Gurjit was murdered, while American police have reportedly told them the cause of death was a heart attack. According to relatives, Gurjit had completed packing his belongings and was preparing to fly back to
palestinian-officials-say-32-killed-in-israeli-strikes-on-southern-gaza
WorldOct 02, 2024

Palestinian officials say 32 killed in Israeli strikes on southern Gaza

Palestinian medical officials say at least 32 people were killed overnight in Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in southern Gaza. The European Hospital in Khan Younis reported receiving the bodies following heavy bombardments that continued into Wednesday morning. Hospital staff said the dead included several women and children, while dozens of others were injured in the attacks. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The strikes come nearly a year after Hamas’s October 7 attack that killed about 1,200 people and led to around 250 being taken hostage. Israeli offici
school-bus-catches-fire-outside-bangkok-and-25-on-board-are-feared-dead-government-officials-say
WorldOct 01, 2024

At Least 25 Feared Dead After School Bus Fire Near Bangkok

A tragic fire engulfed a school bus in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, leaving at least 25 people feared dead, according to Thai officials and rescue workers. The bus, carrying 44 students and teachers from Uthai Thani province to Bangkok for a school trip, caught fire around noon in Pathum Thani province, located just north of the capital. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit said the blaze spread rapidly before emergency crews could respond. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that authorities have not yet confirmed the exact number of fatalities as investigations continu
israeli-military-orders-evacuation-of-several-lebanese-communities-near-the-border
WorldOct 01, 2024

Israel Orders Evacuation as Troops Enter South Lebanon

The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of nearly two dozen communities in southern Lebanon after launching what it described as a limited ground incursion against the Hezbollah militant group. The evacuation order, issued Tuesday by the Israeli army’s Arabic-language spokesperson on the social media platform X, directed residents of several southern Lebanese communities to move north of the Awali River, roughly 60 kilometres from the Israeli border. That area lies farther north than the Litani River, which marks the boundary of a United Nations-declared buffer zone established after

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donald-trump-unveils-new-gold-card-immigration-program
WorldDec 11, 2025

Donald Trump unveils new ‘Gold Card’ immigration program

Former United States president Donald Trump announced on Thursday the launch of a new immigration initiative he calls the Gold Card, opening the application process for the program. Under the plan, individuals can apply for the Gold Card at a fee of US$1 million, while companies wishing to secure a card for executives or employees would pay US$2 million. Trump’s campaign says cardholders would receive a U.S. passport, full voting rights and the same benefits enjoyed by other American citizens. Trump framed the Gold Card as part of his broader “America First” policy agenda, asserting the
flooding-prompts-wider-evacuations-and-highway-closures-across-southern-b-c
BCDec 11, 2025

Flooding prompts wider evacuations and highway closures across southern B.C.

Communities across southern British Columbia are facing new evacuation orders and travel disruptions after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and landslides that severed key routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior. Provincial officials say multiple highways, including the Coquihalla and Highways 1, 3, 5 and 11, remain shut as crews assess washouts and unstable slopes. The closure of Highway 11 has also halted access to the Sumas border crossing. In Abbotsford, 371 properties on the Sumas Prairie were ordered evacuated overnight as waters linked to the overflowing Nooksack River conti
cra-plans-major-hiring-push-to-boost-call-centre-capacity-ahead-of-tax-season
CanadaDec 11, 2025

CRA plans major hiring push to boost call centre capacity ahead of tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency says it plans to bring on roughly 1,700 additional call centre staff in the coming months as it prepares for a surge in taxpayer inquiries during the upcoming filing season. Agency officials say the goal is to expand the workforce to about 4,500 agents, citing internal forecasts that anticipate heavy call volumes. Melanie Serjak, an assistant commissioner with the CRA, told reporters that it is routine for the agency to scale up its operations for tax season, when daily call volumes can exceed 300,000. She said last year’s peak staffing level reached about 3,300 age
house-of-commons-prepares-to-adjourn-for-six-week-winter-break-as-key-bills-remain-unfinished
CanadaDec 11, 2025

House of Commons prepares to adjourn for six-week winter break as key bills remain unfinished

Members of Parliament are expected to wrap up the fall sitting as early as Thursday, ending the session ahead of the scheduled Friday adjournment and beginning a six-week winter break. MPs are due to return to the House on January 26, leaving several major pieces of government legislation still awaiting final approval. Government House Leader Steven MacKinnon said the minority Liberal government considers the fall session productive, noting progress on budget and public-safety bills that have not yet cleared Parliament. This sitting was the first full session under Prime Minister Mark Carney,
BCDec 11, 2025

Two Maple Ridge residents sentenced to five years for 2023 killing of Surinderjit Singh

Two people have been sentenced to five years in prison for the 2023 killing of Maple Ridge resident Surinderjit “Jack” Singh. The case, which involved extensive work by homicide investigators and local RCMP, concluded last week with a pair of manslaughter convictions. Police were called to the 21800 block of 122 Avenue on the morning of March 4, 2023, where officers found the 55-year-old victim deceased at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team took charge of the file, working with Ridge Meadows RCMP, forensic specialists, and the BC Coroners Service. Investigators later ide