Washington: Americans, including US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, celebrated Diwali on Thursday. Temples and many iconic places across the country were decorated with lights.

President Biden said this

This Diwali, show the power of the union of light. It is the light of knowledge, unity, and truth. It is the light of freedom and democracy for America,” Biden posted on Twitter. Earlier this week, Biden hosted the biggest Diwali ever at the White House by inviting nearly 600 distinguished Indian-Americans from across the country.

"We join over a billion people in the US and around the world in lighting diyas. Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Happy Diwali to all those celebrating the festival of lights," Harris posted on X.

Eight people including five school children killed in explosion in Balochistan

Eight people, including five school children and a policeman, were killed in a remote-controlled explosion targeting a police van in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday. The explosion took place at 8:35 am near the Girls High School at Civil Hospital Chowk in Mastung district. The terrorists had hidden the explosives in a parked motorbike.

Along with the police van, several autorickshaws were also damaged

Kalat Division Commissioner Naeem Bazai said that IED was used in the blast. The explosion took place as soon as the police vehicle reached close and the school van also got hit by it. Along with the police van, many auto rickshaws were also damaged. The explosion was so powerful that even the children going to school were affected by it.

The 27 people admitted to various hospitals include school children aged between eight and 13 years as well as policemen. The seriously injured person has been taken to Quetta for treatment. According to DPO Umrani, 11 people have been taken to Quetta Trauma Center. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

Hindus will stand with Canadians: Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday extended Diwali greetings and promised to stand with the Hindu community amid diplomatic tensions between India and Canada in the wake of rising Khalistani militancy in the country. In a statement praising Indo-Canadians, Justin Trudeau underlined the significance of Diwali for the diaspora.

Happy Diwali, Trudeau wrote on Twitter. "Today, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain families will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness with festoons, candles, diyas and fireworks. Wishing you all happiness and prosperity on this special occasion."

Hinduphobia is at its peak in the whole country

In another statement, he said that Diwali in Canada is not possible without the Indo-Canadian community. Reacting cautiously to Trudeau's statement, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) said that although this statement is much needed, it has come at a time when Hinduphobia is at its peak across the country. We appreciate his words, but we are cautiously optimistic given the action taken in the last three years to address Hindu issues in Canada.