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On Monday this week, Pakistan's parliament passed an important bill that will take steps toward ending child marriages. 

On May 16, Sharmila Faruqui of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was the one to introduce the bill. To her delight, the House members unanimously approved it. 

The next step was on Monday when PPP Sen. Sherry Rehman introduced the bill to the Senate. They passed it as well but not everyone was happy about it, as Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) of the Islamist party walked out. 

It's been less than a week since Breanna Nix placed third in American Idol, and already doors are opening for her to share her faith on a bigger stage.

The Christian country singer announced Thursday that she will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry on June 5, 2025. 

"I’m beyond overjoyed," said Nix. "This moment has been on my bucket list for years, and getting to finally check it off feels surreal."

This is the first big performance for Nix since the show ended last Sunday.  

After releasing his certified Gold international hit song "Counting My Blessings," Christian artist Seph Schlueter is releasing his debut album with the same name. 

A special air quality statement is in effect for southeastern Manitoba, including Winnipeg, as a raging wildfire continues to burn in Nopiming Provincial Park. 

Environment Canada says smoke from the massive wildfire that has grown to over 101,000 hectares will spread downward throughout the day. 

Thick smoke will begin pouring into Winnipeg and southern Manitoba this afternoon. The thickest smoke will hit late into the evening and early Saturday morning.

Winnipeggers may need to find a different route as the Louise Bridge is going to be closed before and on the weekend. 

From 9 a.m. on May 23 to May 26 at 8 p.m., the Louise Bridge will be closed from Higgins to Stadacona.

Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan stripped a Progressive Conservative caucus member of his critic duties Thursday, as questions continued to swirl about the former government’s actions related to a proposed silica sand mine.

Jeff Wharton, one of three Tories found this week to have violated the province's conflict of interest law, is to remain in caucus but will no longer serve as critic for business, mining, trade and job creation.

"I have removed his critic role in light of this report that came out ... and we'll move forward from there," Khan said.

Canada's western premiers say they've agreed to identify, plan and develop new economic corridors to connect provincial resources to international markets.

A joint statement issued Thursday says doing so would boost Canada's market access in Asia and Europe while the country fights a trade war with the United States and China.

The union representing about 55,000 Canada Post employees has called for a countrywide halt to overtime work, saying its negotiators will continue to review the latest contract offers from the mail carrier.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers said late Thursday that members were being told to refuse any work beyond eight hours in a day and 40 hours in a week. 

Romans 15:2

"Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Luke 7:12–15

Tact graces a lifelike fragrance graces a rose. One whiff of those red petals erases any thought of the thorns.

Tact is like that. It’s remarkable how peaceful and pleasant it can make us.

Its major goal is avoiding unnecessary offence ... and that alone ought to make us desire it. Remember the teacher you had who lacked tact? Learning was sacrificed daily on the altar of fear. You wondered each session if that was the day you’d be singled out and embarrassed through some verbal put-down in front of the class.