The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued new rules requiring photos to be taken when entering and leaving the country for non-US citizens, including Canadians.

The measure is part of a biometric data collection effort to accurately verify personal information, prevent overstays, and reduce passport fraud. Facial recognition technology will be used to match real-time images of travelers with photos on their government documents. The rule will apply to all border points, including airports, seaports, and land borders.

The plan is to create a local photographic gallery to take photos of non-citizens who regularly cross the border. While U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been collecting biometric data from some non-citizens since 2004, this new law expands the data collection even further. Once this law goes into effect, everyone will have to comply with the new biometric requirements.

 

 

Two homes in Edmonton's Silver Berry catch fire during Diwali celebrations. The fire was caused by fireworks being set off as part of the festivities. No one was injured in the fire. A car in the garage of one of the homes was completely destroyed.

The fire broke out around 8:30 p.m. Monday at a townhome complex near 25 Avenue and 24 Street. Sparks from fireworks set off in a backyard of a home ignited the exterior of nearby townhomes, police said. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services personnel arrived immediately and had the fire under control within minutes. The fire mainly damaged the back walls of the two-storey townhomes. The siding of one house was completely blown away and the wood underneath was burned. The siding of another townhome located nearby also melted and was destroyed by the heat.

 

 

 

Canada's plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 is facing criticism. A poll shows that 56% of Canadians oppose the ban. Low- and middle-income earners are the ones who are most opposed to it. With opposition mounting and practical challenges looming, many argue that the policy should be abandoned rather than delayed.

Canada is moving forward with a plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035 to combat climate change. As part of this, automakers must sell more electric vehicles each year. Prime Minister Mark Carney has suspended the policy for a year and initiated a 60-day review. But the long-term mandate still stands.

The government aims for 60% of new car sales to be electric by 2030. But current sales are falling far short of that target. Electric vehicles will account for just 8.7 per cent of new vehicle sales by early 2025. And demand for electric vehicles is slowing. Automakers such as Ford and Stellantis have warned that these targets are unfeasible due to battery shortages and production constraints. Companies that fail to meet the target will have to buy credits from rivals such as Tesla at high prices, costing the industry billions of dollars. Critics say it will also increase the cost of vehicles and hurt Canadian consumers.

Canada currently has just 35,000 public EV chargers, but that number will need to reach more than 400,000 by 2035. Charging facilities are limited in rural areas. Charging an electric vehicle can add about 4,500 kWh to a household’s electricity use per year, putting further strain on the power grid and driving up electricity bills.

 

 

Canada's health crisis deepens. Hundreds of people have lined up outside a health clinic in Kanata, near Ottawa, to see a new doctor. In a region with a severe shortage of doctors, many have waited in line for hours to see a new family doctor. The line had formed long before the clinic opened in the morning. The incident is a direct reflection of how serious the country's growing shortage of health workers has become.

The influx of people to the clinic came as news of the new doctors spread. Many who shared their grief over not having a regular doctor to see them said that getting a doctor was like winning the lottery. This situation, where even basic health care is not available, exposes the huge crisis facing Canada's health system. People are demanding that more doctors be urgently hired and that local health systems be strengthened.

The Executive Committee for 2026-27 of World Malayali Cultural and Welfare Association of Canada (WMCWAC), a Malayali organization in Calgary, was completely occupied by women.

Priya Namboothiri (Chairperson), Madhavi Unnithan (President), Anu Vivek (General Secretary), Rose AB (Treasurer), Madhuri Saraswati Kumar (Vice Chairperson), Jisha Rashi (Vice President), Narmada Balakrishnan (Joint Secretary), Reshma Sunil (Sports Forum), Amrita Agnes (Women's Forum),  Nita Marankulangara (Cultural Forum), Sreebha (Social Media Coordinator) and Nivedita Nair (Youth Forum) are the new office bearers.

The new governing body for 2026-27 was announced at the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday, October 19th in the Skyroom of the Hotel Super 8 in Calgary Southwest. Association Chairman Sreekumar and President Anil Kumar Menon spoke on the occasion. Treasurer Aby Rabb presented the figures for 2024-25. Later, future programs of the association were discussed. The new office-bearers said that apart from the many arts and sports programs and other celebrations that are held annually, WMCWAC will work towards the welfare of the Malayali community.

 

 

 

The rules for international students studying in Canada to work off-campus have been changed. Starting November 8, 2024, students will be allowed to work off-campus for up to 24 hours a week without requiring special permission on their study permit. Previously, it was 20 hours.

The change is aimed at providing students with the opportunity to earn more in light of the rising cost of living, but with a limit on academic sessions to ensure that their studies are not interrupted. Students are currently allowed to work full-time during scheduled breaks, including summer vacation. Students must ensure that they are actively pursuing their study requirements. Working more than 24 hours a week is a violation of the terms of their study permit, which may result in the loss of student status and the denial of future work permits. It is essential to ensure that off-campus work is permitted on your study permit and to obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN). These laws improve the working conditions of international students while encouraging them to maintain a proper balance between studies and work.

 

Bijo Sebastian, Canada

Toronto – A community-driven cycling event saw participants complete a scenic 50-kilometer journey through Toronto's waterfront trails, marking another successful outing organized by Cycling Tours Canada (CTC).

The recent meet-up ride forms part of CTC's ongoing efforts to encourage healthy lifestyle practices within immigrant communities across the Greater Toronto Area. The carefully planned route showcased the city's autumn beauty, taking riders on a comprehensive tour of the region's most picturesque cycling paths.

Participants gathered at Tyler Creek Park in East York before embarking on their journey along the Golden Shoe Waterfront corridor. The route extended westward to Etobicoke, with riders completing a round-trip back to their starting point, offering breathtaking views of the changing season throughout the excursion.

For those interested in reliving the experience, comprehensive footage from the tour will soon be featured on the @kcyclopedia cycling channel.

Since its establishment in 2023, Cycling Tours Canada has built a reputation for organizing both solo long-distance adventures and group rides of varying distances, accommodating everyone from beginners to seasoned cyclists. Their offerings range from accessible 10-kilometer routes to challenging 200-kilometer journeys.

Safety remains a top priority for the organization, which predominantly arranges rides along protected trail systems, providing participants with secure and enjoyable cycling experiences. The group maintains an inclusive approach, welcoming cycling enthusiasts regardless of age or experience level.

Looking ahead, CTC has scheduled its next group ride for October 19, featuring a waterfront route from Scarborough to Whitby. Residents of the Greater Toronto Area interested in joining the cycling community can reach out to Bijo Sebastian at 647-215-1095 via text or WhatsApp for additional details and registration information.

 

 

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to three economists: Joel Mokir (Northwestern University, USA), Philippe Aghion (Collège de France INSEED-France), and Peter Howitt (Brown University, USA) for their research into how innovation-driven economic growth can be harnessed to drive economic growth.

 

 

Canada plans to build nuclear reactors on the moon. This is because the need for energy is essential to maintain a permanent presence on the moon. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has provided a $1 million grant to the Canadian Space Mining Corporation (CSMC) to develop a low-enriched uranium nuclear reactor for use on the moon. This reactor, which will be built on Earth and sent to the moon, will operate partially autonomously and partially under supervision from Earth.

Canada is not the only country aiming to build a nuclear reactor on the moon. In the US, NASA has been working on this for more than a decade. NASA aims to build a nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030, five years ahead of the joint project of China and Russia. Although building a reactor on the moon, where there is no atmosphere, water freezes, and low gravity, has its own challenges, Canada's move will fuel the country's advancement in space technology.

 

 

Canadian researchers need 10,000 fingernails to study lung cancer risk.
Scientists at the University of Calgary said they are looking for toenail clippings to study radon exposure and lung cancer risk.

They say that by testing the levels of certain radioactive isotopes in toenails, they can determine how much exposure a person has had over the long term. Radon gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and occurs naturally in nature. Our toenails contain information about our long-term exposure to radioactive toxins like radon gas. They are also a repository of past exposures, said lead researcher and university professor Aaron Goodarsi.

The national study, which aims to develop standards for lung cancer screening, hopes to recruit 10,000 people across Canada, have their homes tested for radon levels, and collect and send toenails for analysis, Goodarsi added.

 

 

PP Cherian

Liberty County: Police in Liberty County, Texas, have charged a mother with attempted drowning of her three children after giving them NyQuil and vodka.

The incident took place early Monday morning at a ranch in Liberty County. The husband heard screams and ran outside and rescued the children from a small lake. He can be heard speaking on dispatch audio, telling police that his wife had tried to poison the children and drown them in the lake. After rescuing the children, he tried to get away from his wife.

Authorities said bottles of the drug were found at the scene. The children and their mother were taken to the hospital. Police have not released their names or ages. The Liberty County Sheriff's Office said more information about the case will be released later.

 

 

An attack on an Indian cinema screening in Oakville. The arson attack was carried out by Film.ca Cinemas, which operates in Oakville. In CCTV footage, two men wearing black clothes and masks poured petrol in jerry cans and set it on fire at the front door of the hall. The fire spread quickly and the entire front door was burnt down.

No one was inside the hall at the time of the incident. The entrance of the hall was damaged due to smoke and fire. However, the management clarified that all cinema screenings will continue as usual. It is suspected that the screening of the Telugu film They Call Him OG is the reason for the protests. However, Film.ca CEO Jeff Noll responded that cowardly attacks cannot stop this. Halton Regional Police are investigating the incident. Security measures have been tightened at the theatre.

 

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says Canada's immigration system is in crisis. The chamber is warning that the country's temporary foreign worker program is in dire need of a complete overhaul. The chamber sent a letter to the ministers of labor and immigration in the wake of growing calls to end the program.

Diana Palmerin-Velasco, senior director of the chamber's Future of Work division, said there is little connection between youth unemployment and temporary foreign workers. The immigration system is in a major crisis, and it is not working well for newcomers and employers. But she said it is important to remember that immigration is an economic necessity. She said most young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are not applying for the types of jobs that temporary workers take. She said such jobs are mostly in rural areas. The chamber also pointed out that sectors such as agriculture, construction, and food processing are facing a persistent labor shortage.

 

 

Notorious criminal Rabih Al-Khalil, who had been on the run for three years, has been arrested in Qatar. Al-Khalil, who was convicted of murder, escaped from a B.C. prison in 2022. Rabih Al-Khalil is a criminal who was on Canada's most wanted list.

He was arrested while living in Qatar under a false name. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit in British Columbia confirmed the news on Thursday. Police did not say when the arrest took place. Rabih Al-Khalil, 38, has a long criminal history. He was found guilty of two murders in Toronto and Vancouver in 2012. After escaping from prison, he was placed on Canada's most wanted list. The RCMP said it has been searching for Al-Khalil in many parts of the world for the past three years, and the federal police also worked with the Qatari Ministry of the Interior. The RCMP said support from Qatari authorities helped lead to his arrest. Officials said they are working with other agencies, including Interpol, to bring Al-Khalil back to Canada.

 

 

Green card holders applying for US citizenship will now have to take the newly designed 2025 Civics Test. The new measure by US authorities is to ensure that they fully adhere to American values and meet the eligibility criteria. This test will apply to foreigners who submit Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) after October 20, 2025.

The 2025 Civics Test, conducted by USCIS, will ask 20 questions from a list of 128 questions. If you answer 12 of them correctly, you will pass the test. If you answer nine of the 20 questions incorrectly, you will fail the test. If you answer 12 questions correctly or 9 questions incorrectly, the test will end without asking any further questions. Green card holders, also known as legal permanent residents, can apply for US citizenship through naturalization. Naturalization is a special process that allows people from other countries to become part of American society. It grants people from other countries the same important rights and responsibilities that every citizen has.

 

 

The Bank of Canada cut interest rates for the first time since March. The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points in response to ongoing uncertainty in the trade sector. With this, the benchmark rate was lowered from 2.75 percent to 2.5 percent. The central bank has kept the interest rate at 2.75 percent for three consecutive times.

Economists had predicted that the Bank of Canada would cut interest rates despite the increase in inflation due to the weakening economy and a sluggish labor market in recent months due to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats. At the same time, the Bank of Canada noted that the economy remains weak amid the ongoing trade war.

Economists point out that the latest reports on GDP and the unemployment rate rising above seven percent last month suggest that a reduction in policy rates is appropriate.

 

 

The Canadian government has issued a travel warning for Canadian citizens planning to travel to the popular beach destination Jamaica. The federal government is warning those traveling to Jamaica to be extremely cautious due to the increasing rate of violent crime. The travel advisory states that although there is a police presence in the Caribbean island nation to prevent criminal activities, these are not effective.

The travel advisory points out that violent crimes, including armed robbery and murder, are occurring in large cities and tourist areas, including some parts of Kingston and Montego Bay, and this poses a risk to tourists.

Drug and gang conflicts, as well as the widespread availability of firearms, are exacerbating the problem. The government states that this also increases the risk to visitors. Many suggestions have been put forward for the safety of travelers, including avoiding traveling at night, following the advice of local authorities, avoiding walking alone and going out in groups, and avoiding visiting isolated beaches and areas.

 

 

Alberta is home to a diverse range of creatures. The most intriguing of these is the blood-spitting lizard. The short-horned lizard is about the size of a teacup. The short-horned lizard, also known as the short-horned lizard, is the only lizard native to Alberta. It is an endangered species.

It is commonly found in habitats along the South Saskatchewan River, including the Meniberis Hills, the Chin Cooley/Forty Mile Cooley Complex, and the Milk River. It is known for its unusual defense mechanism. It defends itself by squirting blood from its eyes.

Its defense mechanism is created by filling the ocular sinuses, the tissues under its eyes, with blood. According to Ask Nature, they also use this method to remove dust and particles from the surface of their eyes. Their numbers are declining significantly in Alberta. In 2022, researchers from the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) found eight lizards, a record number ever found.

 

 

Fake Canadian visas and human trafficking services are rampant online. Smuggling networks are charging up to $40,000 for fake Canadian visas and up to $4,000 to cross the border. They have been brazenly advertising this on major social media platforms.

Human trafficking is taking place in both directions across the Canada-United States border, as well as selling fake immigration visas to Canada for up to $40,000. The federal government has invested $1.3 billion to strengthen border security. Border patrol agents, 24-hour surveillance, drones and Black Hawk helicopters are keeping a close eye on cross-border infiltration. But smugglers and fake visa sellers continue to circumvent Canadian immigration laws.

CBSA data shows that the number of open human trafficking cases is set to reach a record high in the past five years. CBSA data shows that 70 cases of human trafficking were registered in mid-August. This is a 280 percent increase from just 2.5 cases per month in 2021. US Attorney General Pam Bondi recently stated that smuggling at the Canadian border is very bad.

 

 

Canada's fall season Dramatic start to mid-season weather leading to mild temperatures Refers to the seasonal forecast of the network. Record breaking heat in British Columbia, cold in Eastern Canada The weather has already shown a difference in temperature this month. Meteorologist Doug Gilham said.

Temperatures across most of Canada from mid-September to October will try to take a temporary stand against the increase Hopefully also, he said. It will be warmer than usual in the middle of the season. Hopefully it will be less.

However, in some areas, especially Northern Canada, the BC Coast, the Northeast Common in parts of Ontario and central Quebec and Labrador Weather Report predicts.

 

 

A reported 80 percent of Indian student visa applications were denied this year. This is the highest rate in a decade, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

According to data presented by the Canadian government, only about 1.88 lakh new Indian students were admitted to Canada in 2024. Two years ago, this number was more than double this. The preference of Indian students has also changed, with Germany taking the top spot, overtaking Canada, which was preferred by 31 percent. Canada's preference fell from 18 percent in 2022 to 9 percent in 2024.

Housing shortages, infrastructure pressures, and national and local political pressure have prompted Canada to take strict measures to control immigration.

 

 

The city of Calgary has launched a program called the Curbside Treasure Hunt to reduce waste, promote recycling and reuse. The treasure hunt is held on weekends on Saturdays and Sundays. It is a program where residents can find and own valuable items for free.

The idea is simple. Residents can leave used but reusable items for the treasure hunt. They can leave them in driveways, sidewalks, etc. Anyone can find these items and claim them. When you leave the items, they must be labeled 'free'.

The city says the treasure hunt program will help prevent unwanted items from ending up in landfills, make them useful to others, and thereby encourage recycling. Information on where to leave the items is available on the city's website.

 

 

 

The super-rich Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire. According to reports, Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire if the company's value increases significantly under Tesla's new salary package. This package will give Musk an additional 423.7 million Tesla shares. Meanwhile, the company's total value should reach $ 8.5 trillion.

Musk will receive additional Tesla shares only if the company achieves greater growth than its current value. Accordingly, the company's market value should reach $ 2 trillion and 20 million vehicle deliveries should be achieved very early. But in 2024, Tesla delivered less than two million vehicles. In addition, Tesla should release one million self-driving taxis and one million AI boats. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, will have to stay at Tesla for at least seven and a half years to receive the additional shares, and will need 10 years to receive the full amount. His payment will be made entirely in Tesla shares. Under the new pay package, Musk will receive 423.7 million additional Tesla shares if he meets targets. That's worth about $143.5 billion at today's stock price. Tesla shareholders will vote on the proposal at their annual meeting on November 6.

 

 

Vancouver topped the list of world's worst air quality major cities on Wednesday. As of 11:34 a.m., Vancouver topped the list of most polluted major cities, according to IQAir. Vancouver's reading is 180 AQI. Vancouver has surpassed Lahore, Pakistan, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Smoke from wildfires has been spreading across the city. Heavy smoke blanketed the city Wednesday morning. Many people were feeling unwell after breathing in the unhealthy smoke.

Metro Vancouver's Air Quality Network's Air Quality Index (AQHI) reached its highest level of 10+ between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. It then decreased slightly. Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley were issued air quality advisories on Wednesday.

In addition to the fires in the United States, smoke from wildfires burning just east of Hope, near Whistler, and in the Cariboo region is spreading across the province, Environment Canada said.

 

 

A statue was unveiled in Alberta on Friday to honour Francis, the piglet who tried to escape from a slaughterhouse by jumping a high fence three decades ago. The statue is located at the Central Spray and Play Park in Red Deer. The bronze statue is designed to be seen jumping over a fence.

Francis escaped from a slaughterhouse by jumping a 1.2-metre-high fence in July 1990. He was captured three times over five months, but he managed to escape. He was finally captured using a tranquiliser.

Francis weighed 108 kilograms. Although he escaped from the farm and slaughter, Francis died three days after being captured from a urinary tract infection caused by tranquilizers.

 

 

Edmonton police share rare information about gangs in the city.Police gave a clear picture of gang activity in Alberta’s capital city at a presentation for downtown groups. Police estimate there are about 3,000 people involved in gangs and organized crime in the Edmonton area.

Police said one in four homicides is linked to these groups. Police said gang activity is common in cities of more than a million people, including Edmonton. The presentation was aimed at helping the public stay informed and help them report suspicious activity to police. During the presentation for downtown groups, EPS Sergeant Ryan Ferry said that sharing some information about gangs will give the public the confidence to report problems.

 

 

A majority of Canadians say that Canadian governments should impose more regulation on AI, a report says. As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing across Canada, a majority of Canadians believe that governments at all levels should regulate it to ensure that it is used ethically and safely.

The survey, conducted by Leger, found that 85 per cent of Canadians surveyed wanted AI tools to be regulated. The survey, which surveyed 1,518 people online between August 22 and 25, found that 57 per cent of the 85 per cent who wanted regulation of AI strongly supported it. The poll found that 34 per cent of Canadians said AI is good for society. 36 per cent believe it is bad. About 31 per cent were unsure. The majority of Canadians say AI has been helpful in their workplaces.

 

Calgary general election: Elections Calgary needs 4,500 workers. Applications are now open for election workers. Calgary’s municipal election is less than two months away. Thousands of people are needed to help make the election process run smoothly.

Elections Calgary is looking for people who are interested in the democratic process. These workers will help ensure that voting is fair and follows the rules. The city of Calgary’s returning officer, Kate Martin, said they are looking for people who can help make the election run smoothly. All election worker positions will be paid. Additional workers will be hired to ensure all procedures are completed during early voting and on election day. Individuals applying to work in the election do not have to be Canadian citizens. However, they must be eligible to work in Canada and be at least 16 years old. Election workers must be able to complete the training session in September or October. Those interested in being part of the team should apply at electionscalgary.ca/work.

 

 

Bedbug dogs are being used to detect and exterminate bedbugs in Edmonton. They are a team of dogs specially trained to help find the creatures that are a nuisance to humans. They are faster and more efficient than humans.

Dash, a seven-year-old springer spaniel, is a professional bedbug sniffer for Orkin Canada. The dog is 99.9 per cent accurate, says Haiti Vandenhouten, a k9 handler for Orkin Canada.

Bedbugs, which feed on human blood, are a big problem. The dogs are a great help in getting rid of the bedbugs, which cause itching and skin irritation. Bedbugs emit special pheromones. Dogs are trained to recognize this specific scent.

 

 

Dozens of pistachio products have been recalled after a salmonella outbreak in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling more than two dozen products made with pistachios. The recall is based on the findings of an investigation announced earlier this month.

Dozens of people fell ill between March and early August 2025. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating whether various brands of pistachios and products containing pistachios are responsible for the salmonella outbreak. According to PHAC data, 62 cases of salmonella have been reported, with at least 10 people hospitalized. But those figures only include laboratory-confirmed cases. Officials believe the number of cases in Canada is likely much higher.