Punjabi Community Celebrates Four Victories in Alberta Provincial Election



International Desk, Barta24.com
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The Punjabi community is celebrating a significant achievement as four Punjabi candidates emerged victorious in the recent provincial legislature elections held in Alberta. Out of a total of 15 Punjabi candidates who contested in Calgary and Edmonton, these four individuals have earned the trust and support of the electorate.

Rajan Sawhney, a sitting cabinet minister from the United Conservative Party (UCP), secured a triumph in Calgary North West, defeating Michael Lisboa-Smith of the New Democratic Party (NDP). Sawhney’s victory reflects the confidence voters have in her ability to represent their interests effectively.

Another successful candidate was Jasvir Deol, the incumbent NDP MLA, who was reelected from Edmonton Meadows. Deol demonstrated his strong connection with the constituents and won against the UCP’s Amritpal Singh Matharu, securing a consecutive term in the provincial legislature.

Parmeet Singh Boporai, representing the NDP, emerged victorious by defeating the UCP’s Devinder Toor from Calgary Falconridge. Boporai’s win highlights the community’s desire for change and their trust in his ability to advocate for their concerns.

In Calgary North East, Gurinder Brar of the NDP secured a notable win, defeating Inder Grewal of the UCP. Brar’s success demonstrates the community’s desire for diverse representation and a commitment to fostering inclusive policies within the province.

While some candidates were unsuccessful in their bids, their participation in the electoral process deserves recognition. Amanpreet Singh Gill, Raman Athwal, R. Singh Bath, Gurinder Singh Gill, Harry Singh, Aman Sandhu, Jeewan Mangat, and Braham Luddu all displayed their dedication to serving their communities. Their contributions have undoubtedly enriched the political landscape, fostering an environment of vibrant democracy.

The Punjabi community’s strong presence in Alberta cannot be overlooked. According to the 2021 Census, more than half of Canada’s Sikh population resides in four key cities: Brampton, Surrey, Calgary, and Edmonton. The victories achieved by Punjabi candidates in this election further reinforce their growing political influence and representation in Canadian society.

As the newly elected Punjabi representatives embark on their legislative journeys, they carry the aspirations and expectations of their constituents. Their victories signify a significant milestone for the Punjabi community and reinforce the importance of diverse voices in shaping the province’s future.

This achievement serves as a reminder of the inclusive and democratic values that underpin Canadian society, where individuals from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to participate actively in the political process and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

   

Iran is cracking down on women who don't wear Hijab



International Desk, Barta24.com
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Iran is cracking down on women and girls who don't wear Hijab. The country has started a new campaign named 'Noor' from last April 13. Since then, the implementation of the Hijab law has started to become stricter.

Iran has strict laws on wearing the Hijab. Strict action is taken against those who break this law.

Some videos of women being assaulted have gone viral on social media. In them, it is seen that women who go out without Hijab are forcibly picked up in cars by the members of the 'Morality Police'.

A video shows a mother and daughter walking through Tehran's busiest square in the capital. At that time, they were surrounded by five female and two male members of the police. When they tried to evade arrest, they were violently beaten and taken into a car.

Dina Ghalibaf, a female student at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University, wrote on the micro-blogging site X that she was barred from boarding the metro. When she insisted, she was taken to a room. She claimed that she was beaten and sexually harassed there.

The student was arrested a day after making such a post and taken to Evin prison.

British newspaper The Guardian spoke to some of those arrested. One of them told the media that eight members of the police surrounded her last Saturday. At that time, she was called "prostitute", "naked American prostitute" and insulted her. Apart from this, the young woman claimed that men also touched her during the arrest.



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Boeing incurs huge losses after door open incident



Special Correspondent, Barta24.com, Dhaka
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Boeing lost a huge amount of money due to the opening of the doors of the Boeing aircraft of Alaska Airlines in mid-air. US aircraft manufacturer Boeing reported a loss of US dollar 343 million in the first quarter of this year (January-March).

An unused door on an Alaska Airlines Boeing Max 9 collapsed moments after takeoff from Portland, Oregon last January. Although the Alaska Airlines plane was able to land safely in this incident, questions about Boeing's safety have been raised around the world.

As a result, Boeing reduced the production of the aircraft according to their target. As a result, Boeing is forced to pay huge losses in the first quarter of this year.

After the Alaska Airlines incident, the United States Aviation Agency ordered the grounding of 171 Boeing Max 737 aircraft. In the wake of the incident, Boeing's chief immediately admitted the mistake and promised to fix the problem with 100% transparency. But even this did not save the end. Boeing's CEO was eventually forced to resign.

In order not to cut the heat of this incident, a former Boeing engineer recently talked about the manufacturing defects of the Dreamliner 787. He recommended grounding all Dreamliner aircraft worldwide. In this incident, the safety of Boeing was questioned again.

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Rahul Gandhi sick in heat



International Desk, Barta24.com,Dhaka
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Lok Sabha election campaign is going on in India amid intense heat wave. Political leaders are continuing to campaign despite the unbearable heat.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fallen ill. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh disclosed the news of Rahul Gandhi's illness on Sunday (April 21).

Jairam Ramesh said that Rahul Gandhi has fallen ill. He cannot leave Delhi right now. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will address the Ranchi rally after attending the Satna meeting.

Rahul was scheduled to attend the opposition camp's mega shows in Satna in Madhya Pradesh and Ranchi in Jharkhand on Sunday.

Ahead of the mega show, Ranchi is decorated with posters of India Alliance leaders. The poster has pictures of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren.

Apart from Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Kejriwal's wife Sunita and Hemant Soran's wife Kalpana were scheduled to address the meeting. 

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Erdoğan's meeting with Ismail Haniyah



International Desk, Barta24.com Dhaka:
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with Ismail Haniyah, the leader of the Palestinian independence organization Hamas, who is visiting Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the importance of Palestinian unity in the meeting.

On Saturday (April 20), the two leaders met in Istanbul for about two and a half hours, Turkish media reported.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was welcomed at Dolmabak Palace in Istanbul. Members of his delegation were also with him at that time. One of the most important leaders of Hamas was Khaled Mashal.

Turkish state media TRT reported that Erdogan and Haniyah discussed a ceasefire and relief in Gaza.

"It is very important that the Palestinians work together in this process," Erdogan said in a statement after the meeting, calling on Palestinians to unite in order to win against occupying Israel. The strongest action against Israel and the path to victory depend on unity and integrity.”

Erdoğan's meeting with Haniyah was not taken well by the occupying Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the meeting in a post on the micro-blogging site X.

On October 7, the war between the Palestinian armed group Hamas and Israel began. More than 34,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in this war so far. Turkish President Erdogan has been condemning Israel's brutality since the beginning of the war. He said he and his country would side with Hamas in the war against Israel.

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