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Dalai Lama Asserts Sole Authority Over Reincarnation Amid China’s Claims

In a landmark declaration just days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama has reaffirmed that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death—and that his reincarnation will be determined solely by the Gaden Phodrang Trust , a foundation he established. This move directly challenges China’s long-standing assertion that it holds the final say in selecting the next Dalai Lama. Speaking in a pre-recorded message during a religious gathering in Dharamshala, India, the exiled spiritual leader stated that no external political power, including China, has any authority  to interfere in the reincarnation process. He emphasized that the search for his successor will follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices and be overseen by senior monks and spiritual advisors connected to the Trust. China swiftly responded, insisting that any reincarnation must be approved by Beijing and conducted within Chinese-administered Tibetan regions. Officials cited a Qing dynas...

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Trudeau Announces $15 Billion Boost to Housing Program

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled plans for a $15 billion increase to the Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP) as part of Budget 2024. This significant boost aims to construct a minimum of 30,000 new apartments across Canada.

As part of this announcement, the Prime Minister also introduced the Canada Builds program. This initiative will partner with provinces and territories to build rental housing, providing federal financing under certain conditions. These conditions include complementing federal funding with their own investments, utilizing government, non-profit, community-owned, and vacant lands, and streamlining development approval timelines to no longer than 18 months.

The Apartment Construction Loan Program, launched in 2017, has already committed over $18 billion in loans to support the creation of more than 48,000 new rental homes. With this top-up, the program’s financing is now on track to build over 131,000 new apartments within the next decade. Reforms announced alongside this boost include extending loan terms and broadening access to financing for housing aimed at students and seniors.

This move represents a significant step toward addressing Canada’s housing challenges and ensuring affordable housing options for citizens. As the country continues to grow, initiatives like the ACLP play a crucial role in meeting the housing needs of Canadians.


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