Rooted on by family and friends, Wednesday night saw Theo Tams, a student of Alberta being crowned the new Canadian Idol. Wiping tears, Theo made a brief emotion-filled acceptance speech before a cheering crowd.

In East-meets-West showdown, the 23-year old crooner with a big voice, beat 22-year old Mitch MacDonald, a carpenter from Port Hood, Nova Scotia, in a star-packed show that featured Mariah Carey and John Legend. Dressed in a sparkling black mini-dress and high stilettos, Mariah enthralled the audience with her disco-themed single, ‘I,m That Chick,’ and her hit ‘We Belong Together,’ with Legend performing ‘Green Light’ and ‘Evolve’ from his upcoming album.

Montreal - Prime Minister Stephen

Chennai, Sept. 9 : Canadian warships -- the HMS Calgary and the HMS Protecteur -- will make a three-day stopover in Chennai on Wednesday (September 10), as they embark on their return journey around the globe after a four month counter-terrorism deployment to the Arabian Sea as part of a multinational coalition known as Combined Task Force (CTF) 150.

The Commanding Officer of the multi-purpose frigate Calgary, Commander Kelly Larkin, will be available to speak to the press shortly after his ship''s arrival at approximately 11 a. m. There will also be an opportunity for members of the media to briefly tour the Canadian frigate after the exchange with the ship''s Captain.

New Delhi, Sept. 8 : Canadian Foreign Minister David Emerson today welcomed the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s decision to allow nuclear trade with India.

“Canada’s decision to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group consensus marks a turning point in our relations with India and will help to facilitate a more comprehensive and robust bilateral relationship,” said Minister Emerson in a statement issued by the Canadian High Commission here.

Montreal - Canadians will head to polls on October 14 in a national election after Prime Minister Stephen Harper ended weeks of speculation Sunday by pulling the plug on his own minority Conservative government.

Speaking to reporters outside the Governor General's residence in Ottawa, Harper announced that he asked Michaelle Jean, the Queen's representative in Canada, to dissolve parliament.

"Between now and October 14, Canadians will choose a government to look out for their interests at a time of global economic trouble," Harper said after meeting with Jean.

"They will choose between direction or uncertainty; between common sense or risky experiments; between steadiness or recklessness."

Ottawa - Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Sunday called early parliamentary elections for October 14.