6.34°C Vancouver

News

IndiaFeb 18, 2026

Court Grants Bail to BKU Ekta Ugrahan Leaders, Protests to Continue Across Punjab

A court in Bathinda on Wednesday granted bail to two senior leaders of Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan who had been lodged in the Bathinda Central Jail during ongoing farmer protests in Punjab. Confirming the development, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said while the bail of the two leaders has been approved, demonstrations across the state will continue until all workers detained during the protests are released. He stated that the union will organize “victory rallies” across Punjab on Thursday. The arrests came as authorities moved to prevent a large-scale protest planned for
navjot-kaur-sidhu-criticizes-rahul-gandhi-alleges-weakening-of-congress-in-punjab
IndiaFeb 17, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu criticizes Rahul Gandhi, alleges weakening of Congress in Punjab

Former Punjab Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu has publicly criticized senior Congress figure Rahul Gandhi, alleging that his leadership approach is contributing to the party’s decline in Punjab. In recent remarks, Sidhu claimed that Gandhi is disconnected from ground realities in the state and has failed to address what she described as internal corruption within the Punjab unit of the Indian National Congress. She further alleged that members of his close circle are involved in the sale of party tickets, and suggested that Gandhi is either unaware of or not acting on the issue. Sidhu’s
ed-officer-transferred-after-summons-issued-to-former-punjab-cm-amarinder-singh-son
IndiaFeb 13, 2026

ED officer transferred after summons issued to former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, son

A senior Enforcement Directorate officer posted in Punjab has been transferred days after summons were issued to former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and his son Raninder Singh in connection with an ongoing investigation. Official sources confirmed that Additional Director Ravi Tiwari has been reassigned to Chennai as part of an administrative transfer. The move has drawn attention in political circles, where it is being viewed in the context of the recent summons sent to the former chief minister and his son. The Enforcement Directorate had asked Raninder Singh to appear on Fe
india-defence-council-clears-proposal-to-acquire-114-rafale-fighter-jets-from-france
IndiaFeb 12, 2026

India defence council clears proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets from France

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft from France in a deal estimated at approximately ₹3.60 lakh crore, according to officials from the Ministry of Defence. The decision marks one of the largest defence procurement initiatives currently under consideration by the federal government. The council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also cleared several additional proposals aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities. These include the acquisition of advanced missile systems and modern satellite-based technologie
high-court-told-no-provision-for-virtual-participation-in-lok-sabha-amid-amritpal-singh-parole-plea
IndiaFeb 11, 2026

High Court told no provision for virtual participation in Lok Sabha amid Amritpal Singh parole plea

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday heard a petition related to Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh seeking permission to participate in the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. During the proceedings, the court was informed that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha do not contain any provision allowing a Member of Parliament to attend or participate in House proceedings through virtual means. The submission was made as part of arguments concerning Singh’s request for relief that would enable him to take part in parliamentary proceedings. The court observed that
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

Just In

could-your-name-b-chosen-for-a-potential-police-dog
BCMar 05, 2026

Could your name “B” chosen for a potential police dog?

Usually, when media has interactions with the police, it is related to some serious incidents/announcements or some serious business. But in contrast, the media's interaction with the police on Wednesday at the BC RCMP headquarters at Green Timbers in Surrey took place in a very lively atmosphere where police officials and media-persons were visibly happy. Police officers, who usually appear alert, cautious and serious, were seen playing with little puppies in the media room of BC RCMP headquarters. This occasion seemed joyous and relaxing for the officers. This relates to an annual contest du
BCMar 04, 2026

Former Vancouver Island hockey coach sentenced to 12 months for child luring

A former Vancouver Island hockey coach has been sentenced to 12 months in jail after being convicted of child luring involving a 15-year-old girl during a 2020 hockey camp in Port Alberni. According to a B.C. Provincial Court ruling, Foster Chadwick Martin was found guilty in December of luring a child after sending explicit messages to the teen through Instagram and Snapchat during a hockey camp. Court documents state Martin was 20 years old at the time of the offence. The court heard that Martin later worked as a jail guard with the Victoria Police Department. He was removed from his positio
carney-appoints-blackrock-economist-glen-purves-as-deputy-minister-of-international-trade
CanadaMar 04, 2026

Carney appoints BlackRock economist Glen Purves as deputy minister of international trade

Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Glen Purves, a senior economist at BlackRock, as Canada’s new deputy minister of international trade, according to a federal government announcement. The appointment is aimed at expanding Canadian exports beyond the United States and strengthening access to global markets. The government said Purves will help guide international trade policy as Canada works to diversify trade partnerships. Purves has served since January 2025 as global head of macro research at the BlackRock Investment Institute in New York. He previously spent 12 years in the federal
sri-lanka-recovers-87-bodies-after-u-s-submarine-sinks-iranian-warship-in-indian-ocean
WorldMar 04, 2026

Sri Lanka recovers 87 bodies after U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka’s navy says it has recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean off the island nation’s southern coast. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that authorities received information the vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was in distress with about 180 people on board. He said Sri Lanka dispatched naval ships and air force aircraft to carry out a search-and-rescue operation. According to Sri Lanka Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath, there was no sign of the ship when rescue teams arrived.
edmonton-man-wanted-on-canada-wide-warrant-in-toronto-homicide
BCMar 04, 2026

Edmonton man wanted on Canada-wide warrant in Toronto homicide

The Toronto Police Service says a 19-year-old man from Edmonton is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with a fatal shooting in Rexdale last month. At a joint update with York Regional Police, Det. Sgt. Sandra Arruda of the homicide and missing persons unit said officers responded at about 3:26 p.m. on Feb. 7 to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of Woodbine Shopping Centre, near Rexdale Boulevard and Highway 27. According to police, officers located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead. Inv