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BLS Scandal, Lightning Horror, India Heats Up the Maldives & More...
Desi Dispatch Edition #73
Keyur Patel
July 26, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
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Hello friend,
As Alberta cools off under cloudy skies this weekend, the headlines are heating up—from visa fee shocks to scandalous escape stories and heartbreaking tragedies.
This week, Canada’s international student surge gets audited, visa agents face backlash, and new U.S. entry fees are stirring stress for PRs and workers from countries like India. Meanwhile, in India, Modi’s back in the Maldives sealing big deals, tourist visas to China are back, and Bollywood is buzzing over Saiyaara.
Back in Edmonton, K‑Days is wrapping up with a bang, and if you missed it—this is your last chance to ride the fun wave.
This week we’re covering:
💸 New U.S. entry fees for PRs and visa-required nationals
✈️ Calgary Airport tightens U.S. preclearance access
📋 Canada audits the international student system amid growing concern
🎤 Hundreds of asylum seekers use identical murder-frame claims
🌊 Modi visits Maldives, striking big deals and fixing strained ties
☁️ Alberta cools down before turning up the heat midweek!
🌥️ The weekend brings clouds and light rain from Saturday to Monday, keeping things cool and breezy. But don’t pack away the shades—by Tuesday and Wednesday, hazy 🌤️ sunshine rolls back in with temps climbing into the mid-to-upper 20s °C.
💸 Canada’s PRs and foreign workers from visa-required countries like India, China, or Brazil will owe a $250 US entry fee starting late 2025—Canadian citizens using visa-free travel are unaffected. (Read More)
💼 “Pay up or wait forever!” — Indian visa seekers in Canada slam BLS for pressuring them to pay for useless add-ons. Delays, rejected forms, and upselling tactics spark outrage and it earns a BBB "F" rating.
🎤 “200+ asylum seekers in Canada share the same murder-framed script” a man from Haryana claims he was framed for his friend’s murder, but Canadian officials note nearly 200 others told nearly identical tales—yet a judge ruled similarity doesn’t equal fraud. ( Read more )
🎓 Canada launches audit into international student boom—too many visas, not enough oversight, and Parliament wants answers by 2026. (Read more).
⚡️ “Edmonton woman struck by lightning, now in induced coma” — A 21-year-old in west Edmonton was rushed to hospital with serious burns and sedation, and remains unconscious. (Read more)
✈️ "YYC Cuts U.S. Customs Access to Just 2 Hours Pre-Flight"— Calgary International Airport now only allows U.S. travelers to enter security and preclearance within two hours of departure to prevent crowding and lineups.(Read more)
🚨 A 17-year-old girl from Mundare tragically died in a collision with a semi-truck east of Edmonton—authorities say the truck’s driver suffered only minor injuries. ( Read more )
🌊 From ‘India Out’ to ‘India Leads’ — Modi lands in Maldives with a $565M power move, sealing trade talks and reviving ties with Muizzu.
🌏 India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals after a 5-year freeze post-Galwan clash—signaling a slow but steady thaw in diplomatic ties ahead of the August SCO summit. (Read more)
🚨 A one-handed murder convict escaped a Kerala prison by cutting bars — only to be found hours later hiding in a well. (Read more)
🎥 What to watch this weekend
💔 Saiyaara just hit theatres — and it's breaking hearts and box office records!
Mohit Suri’s latest musical romance stars debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda in a love story built on music, poetry, and painful goodbyes. Their chemistry scorches screens, backed by a haunting soundtrack that’s already on repeat.
With a ₹83 crore opening weekend, and skyrocketing past ₹190 crore in India and ₹250 crore worldwide—it’s the breakout Bollywood hit of 2025. 🔥🎶
Feel every chord. Cry every note.
Catch Saiyaara on the big screen now. 🎬
🎡 K‑Days
🎡 Only 2 days left of K‑Days! Don’t miss your final chance this weekend to ride, snack, rock out and be wowed at Edmonton’s biggest summer bash—it wraps up Sunday, July 27.
From thrilling rides, carnival games, and skyrides to live concerts, mouth-watering food, and fireworks every night—this is where community spirit meets big-time excitement. Don’t miss superstar shows at the Music Fest and Family Day perks like free
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre & Fairgrounds
Grab your pals, your cowboy boots, and your appetite for fun—K‑Days is back and bigger than ever! 🎢🎤🍟
For the first time in Canada, pizza with a Puff Crust!
🍕 This unique combination of pizza on a puff base will melt in your mouth and give your taste buds an experience like never before. They are turning out to be the best in Edmonton by far with glowing 250+ 5-star reviews on their Google Profile.
They offer the best Indian flavours by far, with plenty of options for veg lovers, including Jain choices, as well as irresistible pasta, milkshakes, and more.
Don’t forget to give them a try this weekend,
and did we say you get 10% discount using code DesiDispatch.
That’s a wrap for this week’s dispatch! From visa chaos to Bollywood box office booms, we hope you’re walking away a little wiser—and maybe ready for one last ride at K‑Days. 🎡
Stay safe out there—especially with storms, fees, and airport surprises on the radar. Whether you're catching Saiyaara on the big screen or just enjoying a quiet weekend, we’ll be back next week with more scoops, spice, and straight-up surprises.
Until then, stay curious, stay cozy! ☁️🎬
— Keyur
Desi Dispatch
Thanks for reading!
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