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sukhbir-badal-urges-punjab-police-to-stop-harassment-of-akali-workers
IndiaFeb 05, 2026

Sukhbir Badal urges Punjab Police to stop harassment of Akali workers

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday led the party’s core committee members to the Punjab Director General of Police office in Chandigarh, alleging harassment of Akali workers by the police. Badal said the action was linked to the investigation into the alleged disappearance of 328 saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, claiming that party workers were being unfairly targeted in the case. He maintained that the Shiromani Akali Dal was seeking clarity from senior police officials on the basis of the ongoing actions. The Akali Dal leader said the party’s entire leadership
bikram-singh-majithia-released-from-jail-after-bail-in-disproportionate-assets-case
IndiaFeb 03, 2026

Bikram Singh Majithia released from jail after bail in disproportionate assets case

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia was released from jail on Tuesday, a day after being granted bail in a disproportionate assets case. His release has once again brought political tensions in Punjab into sharp focus. Speaking to reporters after walking out of jail, Majithia strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party led Punjab government, alleging that it had targeted him for political reasons. He claimed the government did not want him to come out alive and said he would continue his political fight without fear or compromise. Majithia also thanke
supreme-court-grants-bail-to-bikram-majithia-in-disproportionate-assets-case
IndiaFeb 02, 2026

Supreme Court grants bail to Bikram Majithia in disproportionate assets case

The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a case related to alleged disproportionate assets, bringing temporary relief to the senior Punjab politician after months in custody. The court issued the order on Monday after hearing arguments from both sides, noting that bail was being granted based on the circumstances of the case. Majithia is expected to be released from Nabha jail on February 3, following completion of formal procedures. While allowing the bail, the apex court took into account that Majithia had already been granted bail in
sukhbir-badal-meets-bikram-majithia-in-nabha-jail-alleges-political-pressure-on-punjab-government
IndiaJan 29, 2026

Sukhbir Badal meets Bikram Majithia in Nabha jail, alleges political pressure on Punjab government

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal visited Nabha jail on Thursday to meet senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is currently in judicial custody. The meeting comes amid ongoing political tensions in Punjab over allegations of misuse of investigative agencies. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of acting under pressure from the central government. He claimed that Punjab’s interests were being compromised due to what he described as the state government’s inability to assert itself independently in matters involving feder
possible-ottawa-visit-by-india-trade-minister-seen-as-step-toward-reviving-canada-india-trade-talks
CanadaJan 29, 2026

Possible Ottawa visit by India trade minister seen as step toward reviving Canada–India trade talks

India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, is expected to visit Canada in the coming weeks, a move that could signal renewed momentum in stalled trade negotiations between the two countries. According to available information, Goyal may travel to Ottawa in the third week of February following a formal invitation from Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu. The proposed visit is largely focused on restarting discussions around a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has remained on hold amid diplomatic strains. Both Canada and India have previou
deputy-maharashtra-chief-minister-killed-in-private-plane-crash-in-western-india
IndiaJan 28, 2026

Deputy Maharashtra chief minister killed in private plane crash in western India

A privately operated aircraft carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar crashed in an open field in western India on Wednesday, killing all five people on board, according to India’s aviation authorities. There were no survivors. The mid-size Learjet 45 was travelling from Mumbai to Pawar’s home city of Baramati when it went down about 254 kilometres from the financial capital. Television footage aired nationally showed flames and heavy smoke rising from the wreckage. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and an investigation has been launched by the Directorate Gen
punjab-vigilance-files-supplementary-charge-sheet-against-harpreet-gulati-in-bikram-majithia-linked-case
IndiaJan 27, 2026

Punjab Vigilance files supplementary charge sheet against Harpreet Gulati in Bikram Majithia-linked case

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has filed a supplementary charge sheet in court against Harpreet Gulati, an associate of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, marking a significant development in an ongoing investigation linked to alleged financial irregularities. According to vigilance officials, the supplementary challan runs into more than 11,000 pages and details financial transactions between Majithia and Gulati over a period spanning from 2008 to 2017. The documents reportedly include records of multiple transactions conducted through various bank accounts. The vigilance b
IndiaJan 27, 2026

Historic Free Trade Agreement Finalized Between India and European Union

After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union have finalized a landmark free trade agreement, marking a significant boost to economic ties between the two regions. Officials say the deal opens new avenues for trade and investment while strengthening strategic economic partnerships. Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the agreement on Tuesday, highlighting that both sides are using the pact to reinforce their economies amid uncertain trade relations with the United States. He described the deal as a major step toward deeper cooperation and expanded market access. Und
sgpc-executive-committee-meeting-called-for-jan-31-to-review-complaints-raised-by-punjab-government
IndiaJan 26, 2026

SGPC executive committee meeting called for Jan. 31 to review complaints raised by Punjab government

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has convened an emergency meeting of its executive committee on January 31 under the leadership of SGPC president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami. According to information shared by the SGPC, the meeting is expected to take up a detailed review of complaints submitted by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib on January 15. Those submissions reportedly run into thousands of pages and include allegations related to the misuse of golak funds by the SGPC. Sources indicate that the executive committee may also delibera

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CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre