Canadian colleges and polytechnics are intensifying efforts to strengthen skills training and education partnerships with India as both countries seek to deepen collaboration in workforce development and higher education. A delegation of college and polytechnic presidents, organized by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), began a five-day visit to India on March 16, 2026, with scheduled engagements in New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. CICan represents 127 public colleges and institutes ac

Applications for the H-1B visa program for skilled non-immigrant workers have dropped sharply this year, with immigration experts estimating a decline of nearly 50 percent compared with the previous year. The fall in filings follows significant changes to the US immigration framework that have altered the dynamics of employer participation in the work visa program. Experts say the decline is linked largely to policy adjustments that introduced a steep increase in registration costs

A 45-year-old woman of Punjabi origin has died after being stabbed in Ontario, Canada, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities. The victim, identified as Nancy Grewal, was a Windsor resident and an active YouTuber who frequently shared commentary on social and political issues related to Punjab and the Indian diaspora. According to the LaSalle Police Service, officers and paramedics responded to reports of a stabbing shortly before 9:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Ma

Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, raised alarm about his country’s potential involvement in the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran, saying that Canada could not “categorically rule out participation” in the war. His comments, made in Canberra on Thursday, come as the conflict enters its sixth day, with mounting international concerns over its implications. Carney also expressed support for the US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, albeit “with some regret,” calling th

Canada’s immigration authorities have declined to comment on the specific citizenship case of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistani-born Canadian citizen accused of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, citing privacy laws and respect for ongoing legal proceedings. However, officials have reiterated that fraud and misrepresentation remain valid grounds for citizenship revocation under Canadian law. In a statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it c

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a high-profile visit to India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour, in what officials describe as a significant step toward revitalizing bilateral relations that have faced strain in recent years. The visit, scheduled from February 26 to March 7, 2026, will also include stops in Australia and Japan, reflecting Ottawa’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. Carney’s itinerary begins in Mum

New Delhi: Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, has underscored the growing momentum behind trilateral collaboration among Canada, India and Australia in the field of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Solomon described the three countries as natural partners in advancing responsible and inclusive AI development. He noted that Canada and India have both establishe

Canada has announced major changes to its Express Entry immigration system in 2026, introducing new priority categories to attract skilled professionals in key sectors such as healthcare, aviation, research, and defence. The revised immigration policy also includes highly skilled foreign military applicants, marking a significant shift in Canada’s strategy to strengthen its workforce and national security. The government stated that these changes are designed to ensure immigration remains s

The large-scale immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota is set to conclude, according to border czar Tom Homan. Speaking at a press briefing, Homan confirmed that he had proposed ending the intensified operation and that the decision had been approved. A significant drawdown of federal personnel has already begun and is expected to continue over the next week, signaling the gradual end of the enhanced enforcement effort in the state. While the surge operation is ending in Minnesota

At least nine people have been killed in a violent incident in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that unfolded across a secondary school campus and a nearby residence, prompting a large-scale police response and renewed concerns about public safety in the remote northern community. Federal authorities confirmed that seven victims were fatally shot inside Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, while two others were later found dead at a separate home location connected to the case. According

Major US technology companies are increasingly turning to the H-1B visa programme to recruit skilled foreign professionals as they accelerate investments in artificial intelligence and related digital infrastructure. New data show that a large share of visa petitions filed by leading firms are tied directly to AI-driven roles, underscoring how access to global talent has become central to their long-term strategy. An analysis of labour condition applications indicates that more than

A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, according to Canadian police officials. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, hailed from Bengaluru Rural district in Karnataka and had been living in Canada for the past six years while working with a private technology company. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 7, when poli

US First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public political statement as protests intensified across Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal border patrol agents. Speaking amid growing unrest in Minneapolis, Melania Trump called for unity and urged demonstrators to express their anger through peaceful means as tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement continued to rise. In an interview with Fox News, the First Lady emphasized the need for calm and

A public school district north of Minneapolis has reported that federal immigration enforcement actions in recent weeks have resulted in the detention of four enrolled students, including a 5-year-old child, prompting concern among educators, families, and community members. Zena Stenvik, superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, said during a Wednesday news conference that the in

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

Indian passport holders are facing new travel restrictions in 2026 despite an improvement in the passport’s global ranking. India’s passport rose from 85th in 2025 to 80th in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting enhanced global mobility. However, the number of countries Indian citizens can visit without a prior visa has decreased from 57 to 55. This reduction is due to updated entry rules in two countries that previously offered visa-free or visa-on-arrival access: Iran and Bolivia

The United States is preparing to deploy military aircraft to Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland as part of what officials described as long-planned activities, according to a statement issued by the North American Aerospace Defense Command on Monday. The announcement comes amid heightened political and strategic tensions surrounding the Arctic territory, which has gained renewed attention due to its growing importance in global security calculations. NORAD, a joint milit

Applications for the EB-1A employment-based immigrant visa, commonly known as the Einstein visa, have increased sharply as long backlogs continue to affect the broader US immigration system. The EB-1A category, which allows individuals with extraordinary ability to self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship, has attracted growing interest from professionals seeking a faster path to a green card amid delays in other visa routes. The surge comes at a time when