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punjab-seeks-centres-intervention-over-canadian-work-permit-issues-affecting-students
IndiaAug 07, 2026

Punjab seeks Centre's intervention over Canadian work permit issues affecting students

Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh says the state government is making efforts to protect the interests of Punjabi students in Canada who are facing work permit-related difficulties. According to the minister, about 1,500 students have been affected. He said the Punjab government is closely monitoring the situation to better understand the challenges faced by the students and to identify measures that could support them. Dr. Ravjot Singh said he has written to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar seeking an urgent meeting on the issue. In the letter, he urged the Central gover
modi-netanyahu-discuss-west-asia-developments-in-phone-call
IndiaAug 06, 2026

Modi, Netanyahu discuss West Asia developments in phone call

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone on Thursday to discuss recent developments in West Asia and the current regional situation. According to information released by Indian authorities, the two leaders also reviewed ongoing cooperation under the India–Israel Strategic Partnership. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The conversation comes as both countries continue regular high-level engagement on regional and bilateral issues. Prime Minister Modi last spoke with Netan
bjp-punjab-expands-organisational-team-appoints-tajinder-singh-bittu-as-state-vice-president
IndiaAug 05, 2026

BJP Punjab expands organisational team, appoints Tajinder Singh Bittu as state vice-president

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expanded its organisational structure ahead of the next Punjab Assembly election, appointing Tajinder Singh Bittu as a state vice-president. According to the party's organisational announcement, Bittu's appointment is part of a broader restructuring aimed at strengthening the BJP's leadership team across the state. The party has been assigning experienced leaders to key organisational roles as it prepares for the upcoming election. Bittu, a former Congress leader, has previously been active in Punjab politics before taking on responsibili
IndiaJul 31, 2026

India says Kartarpur Corridor to remain closed amid ongoing security concerns

The Government of India has said the Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor will remain closed, citing the current security situation despite requests from Sikh religious organizations to reopen the cross-border pilgrimage route. The Ministry of External Affairs said it has received representations from Sikh religious groups seeking the reopening of the corridor. However, the ministry stated that prevailing security conditions have necessitated keeping the corridor closed. The issue was raised during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament by Members of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Gurmeet Sing
supreme-court-issues-notice-to-punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-aap-leaders-in-2020-protest-case
IndiaJul 30, 2026

Supreme Court issues notice to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, AAP leaders in 2020 protest case

The Supreme Court has issued notices to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders on a petition filed by the Chandigarh Administration challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that quashed a rioting case linked to a 2020 protest against higher electricity tariffs. The notices were issued to Mann, Harpal Singh Cheema, Gurmeet Singh, Meet Hayer, Baljinder Kaur, Aman Arora and others, directing them to respond to the Chandigarh Administration's petition. During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General argued that the High Court's decision was leg
punjab-cm-bhagwant-mann-says-no-exam-papers-leaked-during-aap-governments-tenure
IndiaJul 28, 2026

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says no exam papers leaked during AAP government’s tenure

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said his government has not reported any paper leaks in the state during the past four and a half years, rejecting allegations raised by opposition leaders. Mann’s remarks came hours after BJP MPs protested outside Parliament demanding the resignation of Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains over alleged irregularities related to examinations. According to Mann, the Punjab government has provided 69,000 government jobs during its tenure based on merit and without recommendations, paper leaks or cash transactions. He said allegations of paper leaks were be
IndiaJul 27, 2026

Punjab sanitation workers end strike after agreement with government

Sanitation workers in Punjab have announced an end to their strike after reaching an agreement with the Punjab government over their long-pending demands. The decision follows a series of measures announced by the state government, including a substantial increase in monthly wages for sanitation employees. According to the Punjab government, sanitation workers who were previously receiving a monthly salary of ₹10,500 will now receive ₹20,500. The revised wages will be paid from Aug. 1 to sanitation workers and sewermen employed on a contractual basis. The government also announced the form
sonam-wangchuk-ends-hunger-strike-reports-claim-congress-mp-vivek-tankha-helped-break-deadlock
IndiaJul 24, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike; reports claim Congress MP Vivek Tankha helped break deadlock

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after what he described as two days of continuous talks with the central government. Reports claim Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha played a key role in facilitating backchannel discussions that helped resolve the impasse. According to the reports, backchannel negotiations continued for nearly three days, with efforts made at multiple levels to reach a consensus. Some Ladakhi leaders are also reported to have acted as intermediaries during the discussions. Tankha has previously represented Wangchuk in the Supreme Court in a case re
pm-modi-announces-fast-track-courts-for-paper-leak-cases-as-protests-continue
IndiaJul 23, 2026

PM Modi announces fast-track courts for paper leak cases as protests continue

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued his first public response to the ongoing paper leak controversy, announcing that fast-track courts will be established to ensure the speedy trial of those accused in the cases. He said the government is committed to taking strict action against those responsible for examination paper leaks. Despite the announcement, protests over the issue continued. Demonstrators and opposition parties described the measure as insufficient and reiterated their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Late Wednesday, clash

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AlbertaAug 12, 2026

Alberta Could See Billions in Budget Surplus Amid High Oil Prices

The Alberta government is expected to record a budget surplus of billions of dollars this fiscal year, driven by higher crude oil prices. According to University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe, the province has already accumulated a $3.8-billion surplus so far this fiscal year. He said every $1-per-barrel change in oil prices can make a difference of about $680 million to the provincial treasury. Tombe estimates that if oil prices remain above $66 per barrel, Alberta could end up with a surplus of around $6 billion, instead of the previously projected $9.4-billion deficit. Alberta
trump-says-us-will-maintain-total-control-over-strait-of-hormuz
WorldAug 12, 2026

Trump says US will maintain ‘total control’ over Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again claimed that the United States has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and said Washington intends to maintain that control. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump described the U.S. Navy’s blockade as a “wall of steel” and said there was nothing Iran could do about it. His comments come as shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has dropped sharply. Only eight vessels passed through the Strait on Tuesday, compared with around 130 to 140 vessels per day before the war. Iran, meanwhile, says full maritime traffic through
19-year-old-arrested-after-knife-waving-incident-in-vancouvers-granville-entertainment-district
BCAug 12, 2026

19-Year-Old Arrested After Knife-Waving Incident in Vancouver’s Granville Entertainment District

Vancouver police have arrested a 19-year-old man after he allegedly caused a disturbance with a knife and created a sense of fear in the Granville Entertainment District. According to police, the incident occurred at around 1:50 a.m. today. An employee at a business reportedly saw the man flipping over tables and displaying a knife toward people passing by. When the employee attempted to intervene, the suspect became angry and began striking the business’s sign with the knife. The employee then backed away and called police. Officers arrived at the scene and arrested the suspect just two blo
canada-announces-34-million-in-climate-funding-for-communities
CanadaAug 12, 2026

Canada Announces $34 Million in Climate Funding for Communities

The federal government has announced $34 million in funding to help communities across Canada deal with the impacts of climate change. The funding will support municipalities and local organizations in launching projects aimed at reducing the risks posed by natural disasters such as floods, wildfires and extreme heat. Federal Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin announced the funding in Halifax today, acknowledging that Canada’s climate is changing and that communities need to be better prepared for its impacts. According to Dabrusin, the funding will support 141 climate-related projects acro
early-morning-shooting-in-surreys-cloverdale-leaves-one-injured
BCAug 12, 2026

Early Morning Shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale Leaves One Injured

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting in Surrey’s Cloverdale neighbourhood that left one adult male with a minor, non-life-threatening injury. Police responded at approximately 3:52 a.m. on August 12 to reports of a shooting near a residence in the area of 60 Avenue and 177 Street. Two people were reportedly shot at, with one person sustaining a minor injury that did not require medical treatment. The suspects fled the scene. SPS’s Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation, while forensic officers are processing physical and digital evidence in t