The nation reads or listens to an average of 2.6 books per month, compared to 2.4 books last year. 55% of the population spends 30 minutes or more reading daily, while 15% do not read or listen to books. Novels are the most popular reading material and 60% of the population gave a book as a present during the year. 56% get ideas for reading material from friends and relatives and 36% from coverage in the media. 31% said they had not read a book in the last 30 days, but the definition of reading in the survey is reading traditional books, e-books, and listening to audiobooks.

One of the most revered days in the Canadian calendar was caught up in controversy this week as a debate raged over the appropriateness of playing an Arabic song and invoking the transatlantic slave trade during Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The Canadian Real Estate Association is reporting a 30% boost in home sales in October compared to 2023, with big spikes in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Despite the jump, many buyers are still priced out of the market.

Toronto is declaring itself a paid-plasma-free zone — a designation that will likely do nothing to stop Canadian Blood Services from opening two clinics in the city's suburbs that will pay people for plasma donations in 2025.

After the federal government ordered TikTok to close its Canadian offices, content creators and influencers say they're worried that the shutdown means a full ban of the app is in the pipeline.

A Saskatchewan woman is being called a hero after putting herself in harm’s way to save a young boy drowning in Sucker River Lake. The boy was taken to hospital where his temperature was regulated.

[South Africa] President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed members of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council who will play an important role in guiding the 7th Administration in its pursuit of rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and job creation.

SINGAPORE – Heavy rains resulted in a flash flood in Bukit Timah Road on the afternoon of Nov 16, amid a downpour in several parts of Singapore. National water agency PUB said in a Facebook post that the flash flood was caused by high water levels in the adjacent drains and Bukit Timah Canal. It said: “PUB deployed our Quick Response Team to direct traffic away from floodwaters. The flash flood subsided at 3.30pm.” It added that there are ongoing works to widen and deepen a 900m stretch of Bukit Timah Canal - from Rifle Range Road to Jalan Kampong Chantek - as a long-term measure to enhance flood protection in the area. The works are expected to be completed by 2026. PUB earlier issued flash flood warnings for 10 places, urging people to avoid these areas amid heavy downpour. It added that heavy rain was expected over northern, western and central areas of Singapore from 2.50pm to 3.50pm. The list of places at risk of flash floods were:

He also highlighted the pressure being exerted on members of parliament to unlawfully demand his resignation

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, marking their first phone conversation since December 2022

UFO sightings have recently increased compared to previous years, with many cases still unresolved, the Defense Department has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Nora Achahbar had taken issue with some of her colleagues’ remarks about rioters who attacked Israeli football fans in Amsterdam last week Read Full Article at RT.com

There are new calls to crack down on the sale of high-tech devices that can be used to clone key fobs and steal cars, in the wake of a W5 investigation that found the devices are falling into the hands of thieves.

The US Congress has allocated $182.99 billion to Ukraine since the escalation of hostilities with Russia in 2022 Read Full Article at RT.com

UK aircraft carries do not survive in some simulations and are particularly vulnerable to missiles, the report says Read Full Article at RT.com

The Republican candidate’s victory was total, and it was carefully – and expertly – planned Read Full Article at RT.com

Cambridge’s Trinity College head Sally Davies has said she “regrets” setting up a Ukrainian relief fund, according to a student newspaper Read Full Article at RT.com

President-elect Donald Trump has picked 27 year-old Karoline Leavitt for the White House press secretary role Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian army hits Ukrainian energy facilities

The Abkhazian capital of Sukhum remains the sole place of protest activity in the South Caucasus republic, he added

Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party has won the parliamentary elections with 53.93% of the vote

«We hope that Canada will fully understand the high delicacy of the Taiwan issue and sincerely abide by the 'one China' principle,» the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted him as saying on its website

The lawmaker emphasized that politicians who are «intoxicated by war» and advocate for an imposed peace or the continuation of the conflict «until Kiev's victory» are only contributing to further loss of life

Security forces drove the protesters away, cleared the road and detained several people

[Africa CDC] Singapore -- To strengthen the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention's (Africa CDC) capacity for enhanced mpox case management, the Ministry of Health, Singapore will provide a support package consisting of mpox diagnostic kits and testing supplies, enabling up to 50,000 tests.

[Dabanga] Last week, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBoS) announced the issuance of a new banknote of SDG1,000 as part of its efforts to improve the security standards for banknotes and achieve economic stability, after many banks in Sudan have been plundered. According to economist El Hadi Habbani the measure is counterproductive.

[ISS] After nearly six decades of BDP rule, the triumphant UDC government has the tough task of restoring sound governance.

Ahead of the second phase of Jharkhand Assembly polls, BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo alleged that the Jharkhand Government's special branch provided documents and ID proofs to infiltrators. Deo claimed that this encroached on the interests of tribals in Santhal Pargana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Maharashtra government's commitment to inclusivity, drawing a contrast with the previous administration. He urged BJP workers to highlight these achievements to secure victory in the upcoming assembly elections. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of grassroots engagement and expressing confidence in a third consecutive win for the alliance.

For the second consecutive year, the Seychelles' Vallee de Mai nature reserve has received the Tripexpert Experts' Choice Award, solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination in Seychelles, loved by nature enthusiasts and travellers seeking unique experiences. The Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF) said in its newsletter, «Our »Garden of Eden,« with one of the world's last intact palm forests, transports visitors to prehistoric conditions of the Seychelles islands. The Vallee de Mai is much more than its aesthetic value, for many endemic species, benefit from the ecological processes of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.» The Tripexpert Experts' Choice Award recognises the world's best travel locations and organisations yearly based solely on professional reviews from leading travel publications such as Frommer's, Travel + Leisure, and The New York Times. The SIF said this accolade reflects the opinions of seasoned travel writers who have experienced and thoroughly evaluated destinations worldwide. SIF added that apart from the Tripexpert award, Vallee de Mai has consistently been celebrated by visitors themselves, having won the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award for many consecutive years. This dual recognition from industry experts and the travelling public underscores Vallee de Mai's status as a beloved destination in Seychelles and worldwide. «The investment into the conservation of our natural heritage, continues to reap benefits, with Vallee de Mai recognised as a shining jewel of Seychelles, attracting thousands of visitors each year, highlighting the need to balance sustainable tourism and preservation of the site,» said SIF.