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threat-email-targets-himachal-pradesh-chief-minister-ahead-of-republic-day-event
IndiaJan 21, 2026

Threat email targets Himachal Pradesh chief minister ahead of Republic Day event

Security agencies in Himachal Pradesh have been placed on high alert after an email threat was sent warning of an attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu during Republic Day celebrations. The message threatened to target the chief minister while he was scheduled to hoist the national flag. According to officials, the threatening email was sent to the Shimla district administration, prompting immediate coordination between police and intelligence agencies. Authorities moved quickly to review security arrangements at Republic Day venues and other sensitive locations in the state capital.
supreme-court-defers-bikram-singh-majithias-bail-petition-to-february-2
IndiaJan 19, 2026

Supreme Court defers Bikram Singh Majithia’s bail petition to February 2

The Supreme Court on Thursday postponed the hearing of a bail petition filed by Punjab politician and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. During the proceedings, the government requested two weeks to file its response, prompting the court to set the next hearing for February 2. Majithia, a prominent Akali Dal figure, was arrested on June 25 in connection with a case registered by the Vigilance Bureau. He faces allegations of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The postponement means that the legal process regarding his bail will continue into next mo
four-prominent-punjab-leaders-join-bjp-ahead-of-2027-assembly-elections
IndiaJan 16, 2026

Four prominent Punjab leaders join BJP ahead of 2027 Assembly elections

Political activity in Punjab has intensified as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 state Assembly elections. In this context, the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken another step to strengthen its organisational base in the state. On Friday, former Congress Member of Parliament Jagmeet Brar formally joined the BJP in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini. He was joined by Omkar Sidhu, former officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Charanjit Brar, and Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjeet Singh Brar. BJP leaders
government-must-take-threat-to-bikram-majithia-seriously-ganieve-kaur-majithia
IndiaJan 15, 2026

Government must take threat to Bikram Majithia seriously: Ganieve Kaur Majithia

Amid reports of a threat to the life of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, his wife Ganieve Kaur Majithia visited him at Nabha jail on Wednesday and urged the Punjab government to treat the matter with seriousness. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, she said concerns over her husband’s safety could not be ignored. Ganieve Kaur Majithia said that if any harm comes to Bikram Majithia inside the jail, responsibility would lie with the Punjab Director General of Police, the Additional Director General of Police, and the jail superintendent. She alleged that she has no
bathinda-court-allows-kangana-ranaut-to-appear-via-video-in-defamation-case
IndiaJan 15, 2026

Bathinda court allows Kangana Ranaut to appear via video in defamation case

A Bathinda court on Thursday granted actor and MP Kangana Ranaut exemption from personal appearance in a defamation case linked to her controversial remarks during the farmers’ protest, allowing her to attend future hearings through video conferencing. The case was filed by Mahinder Kaur, an elderly woman from Punjab, who alleges she was defamed after Ranaut made public comments identifying her during the 2020–21 farmers’ agitation. The matter has been under hearing in a Bathinda court, drawing attention due to its political and social context. During arguments, Ranaut’s legal counsel
centre-denies-clearance-for-punjab-chief-ministers-overseas-visit
IndiaJan 14, 2026

Centre Denies Clearance for Punjab Chief Minister’s Overseas Visit

The Punjab government says Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has not received approval from India’s Ministry of External Affairs to proceed with a planned overseas visit aimed at attracting foreign investment to the state. According to officials, Mann was scheduled to travel to England and Israel along with cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora as part of outreach efforts to promote Punjab as an investment destination. The proposed visit was intended to highlight opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture technology, and innovation-led industries. The Centre has not provided a public explanation for wi
punjab-to-launch-chief-ministers-health-insurance-scheme-on-january-22
IndiaJan 12, 2026

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added
farm-leaders-meet-in-chandigarh-announce-nationwide-farmers-march-in-early-2026
IndiaJan 09, 2026

Farm leaders meet in Chandigarh, announce nationwide farmers’ march in early 2026

A key meeting of farm leaders from across India was held Friday at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, bringing together representatives from several states to discuss a common strategy on farmers’ demands. Leaders from Punjab attended the meeting along with farmer representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said a consensus was reached to launch a nationwide farmers’ march in the first week of February 2026. According to him, the march will travel from Kanyak
IndiaJan 08, 2026

Bomb threats prompt evacuation of court complexes across multiple Indian states

Security agencies were put on high alert Thursday after bomb threats were issued to at least 10 court complexes across several Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Authorities evacuated the affected court premises as a precaution while police teams launched extensive searches. In Punjab, district courts in Ferozepur, Moga and Rupnagar received threat messages, according to police sources. Similar threats were also reported at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, triggering concern among court staff, lawyers and litigants. No injuries o

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AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Health Canada maintains ban on strychnine despite Prairie push to fight gophers

Health Canada says it will not reverse its ban on strychnine, maintaining that environmental and human health risks outweigh concerns raised by Prairie governments and farm groups. The federal department confirmed it reviewed requests from Alberta and Saskatchewan to reconsider the use of the rodent poison to control gopher populations that farmers say are damaging crops and pastureland. Health Canada concluded the risks associated with strychnine remain too significant to justify its use. Strychnine has been prohibited for most pest control uses because of its high toxicity and the risk it po
alberta-government-to-table-budget-feb-26-as-deficit-pressures-mount
AlbertaFeb 04, 2026

Alberta government to table budget Feb. 26 as deficit pressures mount

The Alberta government says it will present its next provincial budget on February 26, warning that deteriorating financial conditions will make the process difficult. Finance Minister Nate Horner says lower oil prices and ongoing global economic uncertainty are putting strain on provincial revenues, forcing the government to make what he described as tough choices. Alberta’s economy remains closely tied to energy markets, making budget planning vulnerable to swings in commodity prices. The province is currently projecting a 6.4 billion dollar deficit by the end of the fiscal year in March.
former-kamloops-lawyer-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-in-killing-of-client
BCFeb 04, 2026

Former Kamloops lawyer convicted of first-degree murder in killing of client

A former Kamloops lawyer has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of one of his clients, a Thompson Rivers University lecturer whose death shocked the local legal and academic communities. Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo was convicted in B.C. Supreme Court for the March 11, 2022 killing of Mohd Abdullah. The court heard that Bagabuyo stabbed Abdullah multiple times inside his law office after stealing nearly $800,000 from him, money that had been entrusted for legal matters. Prosecutors said the killing was planned and deliberate, noting that Bagabuyo attempted to conceal the c
WorldFeb 04, 2026

Deadly strikes resume across Gaza after Rafah crossing reopens, hospitals say about 20 killed

Deadly Israeli strikes hit northern and southern parts of Gaza again after Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, with local hospitals reporting that about 20 Palestinians were killed. Medical officials said casualties were brought to several facilities as attacks continued in multiple areas. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted what it described as militant positions. According to Israeli officials, the attacks were carried out in response to gunfire directed at Israeli troops operating in northern Gaza, an incident that left one Israeli officer seriously
parents-of-b-c-teen-piper-james-travel-to-australia-following-fatal-dingo-encounter
BCFeb 04, 2026

Parents of B.C. teen Piper James travel to Australia following fatal dingo encounter

The parents of Piper James have travelled to Australia to visit the beach where their daughter died while working overseas, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death. The 19-year-old from Campbell River, B.C., was found dead earlier this month on K'gari, an island off Australia’s east coast formerly known as Fraser Island. Australian media reported that James’ parents arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday as they prepare to bring her remains home. James was working on the island when she went for an early-morning swim and was later discovered dead, surrounded