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IndiaAug 19, 2026

Kolkata Hotel Fire Kills 9, Including 5 Bangladeshis

A devastating fire broke out at a hotel in Kolkata, West Bengal, early Wednesday morning, killing around nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals. A child was also among those who died. Police officials said the fire broke out on the second floor of the hotel at around 2:50 a.m. local time and was brought under control within about an hour. A preliminary investigation suggests that an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire. According to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four of the five Bangladeshi nationals who died were members of the same family. Six other Bang
IndiaAug 19, 2026

Farmers Suspend Protest at Punjab-Haryana Border, Meeting with Manohar Lal Set for September 4

Farmer organizations protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday announced the temporary suspension of their agitation. The decision came after Haryana authorities proposed a meeting with Union Minister Manohar Lal on September 4 to discuss the farmers’ demands. The protesting farmers had been sitting at the Khanauri–Data Singh Wala border point. On August 16, Haryana Police stopped a group of 51 farmers from proceeding towards Delhi. The farmers were undertaking a 228-kilometre-long “Kisan Bachao Padyatra” (Save Farmers March) to oppose the proposed India-U.S. trade agreement
IndiaAug 18, 2026

Amritpal Singh May Contest from Dhuri, Could Take on CM Bhagwant Mann

Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) is considering fielding jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh from Dhuri, the constituency represented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. According to information, Amritpal Singh has expressed interest in contesting from Dhuri in addition to Khadoor Sahib. The party is also considering Talwandi Sabo and Rampura Phul as possible options. A party leader from Kotkapura said Amritpal Singh is interested in contesting from Dhuri. He said all options are being discussed and, based on the outcome of the meeting, a formal proposal
IndiaAug 17, 2026

BJP Announces Major Organisational Reshuffle Ahead of 2027 Punjab Assembly Polls

Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has carried out a major organisational reshuffle, handing key responsibilities to two prominent leaders associated with Punjab. Under the new appointments announced by BJP national president Nitin Nabin, former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal has been appointed as the party’s National Vice-President. Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh has been given the additional responsibility of being in charge of the party’s national headquarters. The appointments give Punjab representation at
randhawa-says-he-will-seek-congress-ticket-only-from-dera-baba-nanak
IndiaAug 17, 2026

Randhawa says he will seek Congress ticket only from Dera Baba Nanak

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has said that if he seeks a party ticket for the 2027 Punjab Assembly election, it will be only from the Dera Baba Nanak constituency. Randhawa said he has no intention of seeking a ticket from any other Assembly seat. His comments come as discussions over potential candidates and party tickets intensify ahead of the 2027 Punjab election. He said Congress should select candidates based on their eligibility and ability to win elections rather than on personal loyalty or flattery. Randhawa also said preference should be given to people who have demonstrated
gunfire-outside-former-jathedar-giani-raghbir-singhs-residence
IndiaAug 14, 2026

Gunfire Outside Former Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh’s Residence

A firing incident involving the vehicle of former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and former Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, has come to light. The incident was discovered when his driver noticed a bullet lodged in the vehicle while cleaning it and immediately informed the police. Giani Raghbir Singh said police have launched an investigation into the incident. He added that he also checked the CCTV footage outside his residence. According to the footage, a sound believed to be a gunshot was heard at around 11:04 p.m. on August 12, after which the security guard pres
sukhbir-badal-discharged-from-hospital-gives-first-statement-after-attack
IndiaAug 14, 2026

Sukhbir Badal Discharged from Hospital, Gives First Statement After Attack

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was discharged from a hospital in Nanded, Maharashtra, on Friday, a day after surviving a life-threatening attack. Speaking to the media for the first time since the incident, Badal said that communal and religious harmony remains the top priority for his party. Recalling his late father and former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir said he had never compromised with communal forces. He always stood by the people and believed that people of all religions and communities should live together in peace and harmony. Sukhbir Badal su
sukhbir-singh-badal-attacked-at-nanded-sahib-sustains-injury-to-hand
IndiaAug 13, 2026

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked at Nanded Sahib, Sustains Injury to Hand

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was reportedly attacked at Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra on Thursday. According to preliminary information, Badal sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be stable. The incident reportedly took place at around 11 a.m. when Badal had gone to Mata Sahib Kaur Gurdwara at Nanded Sahib along with his supporters and security personnel. According to reports, taking advantage of the crowd at the gurdwara, a Nihang Sikh allegedly approached Badal carrying a sharp-edged weapon and attempte
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

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BCAug 31, 2026

Nikki Sharma’s Demand from Meta: ‘Canadian Children Deserve the Same Online Protection as Kids in the US’

B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma has urged Meta to implement the same online safety measures in Canada that the company is introducing for children in the United States. In a statement released Monday, Sharma said Canadian children deserve the same level of online protection as children in the U.S. Under settlement agreements with U.S. states, Meta is implementing measures for users under 18, including age verification, content restrictions and features designed to reduce excessive use of its social media platforms. Sharma called on Meta to introduce these protections on its platforms in Can
nepal-tibet-flood-death-toll-rises-to-955-over-3-900-still-missing
WorldAug 31, 2026

Nepal-Tibet Flood Death Toll Rises to 955, Over 3,900 Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating floods that hit Nepal and Tibet on August 26 has risen to 955. Nepal alone has reported 939 deaths, while the number of fatalities in Tibet has reached 16. More than 3,900 people are still missing. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry said its World Meteorological Centre had sent an email to Nepal 12 days before the floods, warning of heavy rainfall, landslides and flash floods. Nepal, however, has accused China of providing forecasts for heavy rainfall but failing to share information about snowfall, water levels, landslides and other major natural hazards
bank-of-canada-expected-to-hold-interest-rate-at-2-25-rate-hikes-possible-in-2027
CanadaAug 31, 2026

Bank of Canada Expected to Hold Interest Rate at 2.25%, Rate Hikes Possible in 2027

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.25% at its upcoming meeting on Wednesday, marking a seventh consecutive rate hold. The central bank has maintained the rate at 2.25% since October 2025. Financial markets and economists expect the Bank of Canada to continue with a cautious, wait-and-see approach for now as it closely monitors inflation, economic growth and uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship. However, discussions are growing about the possibility of interest rate increases next year as the ongoing trade war could put addit
trump-warns-canada-over-venezuela-oil-deal-signals-u-s-may-no-longer-need-canadian-crude
CanadaAug 31, 2026

Trump Warns Canada Over Venezuela Oil Deal, Signals U.S. May No Longer Need Canadian Crude

U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks against Canada continue, with his latest remarks focusing on a major oil deal involving Venezuela. Trump has described the agreement, involving Venezuela’s massive oil reserves, as a direct warning to Ottawa and suggested that the United States may not need Canadian crude oil in the future. Experts say the deal could create increased competition for Canadian crude in the U.S. market in the coming years. Both Canada and Venezuela are major producers of heavy crude, which is used by refineries designed to process heavier grades of oil. Trump recently sha
b-c-ndp-mla-and-indigenous-leader-joan-philip-dies-at-74-vancouver-strathcona-seat-vacant
BCAug 31, 2026

B.C. NDP MLA and Indigenous Leader Joan Philip Dies at 74, Vancouver-Strathcona Seat Vacant

B.C. NDP MLA and prominent Indigenous leader Joan Philip has died at the age of 74. She represented the Vancouver-Strathcona riding in the provincial legislature. According to the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, Philip died Friday afternoon in hospital in the presence of her family. She had been battling a serious illness for some time. Her husband, Grand Chief Stewart Philip, along with her children and grandchildren, were by her side at the time of her death. B.C. Premier David Eby paid tribute to Philip, describing her as a fearless warrior and inspiring leader. He said she dedicated her life