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arvind-kejriwal-begins-punjab-visit-amid-aaps-preparations-for-2027-assembly-election
IndiaJun 09, 2026

Arvind Kejriwal begins Punjab visit amid AAP’s preparations for 2027 Assembly election

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal is set to remain in Punjab for the next several days as the party steps up preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. According to party sources, Kejriwal is expected to hold meetings with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab affairs in-charge Manish Sisodia to review governance-related issues, the implementation status of government schemes, and delays in meeting administrative timelines. Discussions are also expected to include the performance of officials in various government departments. The visit comes as AAP begins
speculation-grows-over-possible-capt-amarinder-singh-return-to-congress-ahead-of-2027-punjab-election
IndiaJun 04, 2026

Speculation Grows Over Possible Capt. Amarinder Singh Return to Congress Ahead of 2027 Punjab Election

Discussion around a possible return of former Punjab chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh to the Congress party has intensified ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. The speculation follows comments by former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who said Amarinder Singh remains in contact with Congress leaders. Hooda and Amarinder Singh are widely regarded as longtime political associates, prompting political observers to question whether efforts could be underway to bring the former chief minister back into the party. Responding to the discussion, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpa
punjab-women-to-begin-receiving-monthly-assistance-from-july-1-says-chief-minister-mann
IndiaJun 02, 2026

Punjab women to begin receiving monthly assistance from July 1, says Chief Minister Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says monthly payments under the state government's women-focused assistance program will begin on July 1. According to Mann, approximately 5.2 million women in Punjab are eligible for the scheme. He said nearly 3.6 million women have already been registered and will be covered as payments are rolled out. The announcement relates to the Mawan Dhiyaan Satikaar Yojana, under which the Punjab government has said women in the general category will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Caste communities will receive ₹1,500 per month. Registratio
court-issues-notice-to-union-minister-ravneet-singh-bittu-over-absence-in-2024-criminal-case
IndiaJun 01, 2026

Court Issues Notice to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu Over Absence in 2024 Criminal Case

A Ludhiana court has issued a notice to Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu after he failed to appear during proceedings in a criminal case dating back to 2024. The court directed Bittu to appear on June 8. According to court proceedings, the case stems from an FIR registered by Division No. 1 Police in Ludhiana in March 2024. The complaint relates to allegations that a gatekeeper posted at the Municipal Corporation headquarters was prevented from carrying out his duties during a protest. The case names Bittu, Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sanjay Talwar, Sham Sund
punjab-police-conduct-raids-in-search-of-akali-leader-bikram-majithia
IndiaJun 01, 2026

Punjab Police conduct raids in search of Akali leader Bikram Majithia

Punjab Police have launched a search operation to locate senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, with officials confirming that 12 teams have been formed to carry out raids at multiple locations. According to police, search operations are underway in Amritsar's Green Avenue area, Chandigarh's MLA Hostel, and six other locations linked to Majithia. The action follows a case registered at Majitha Police Station on May 31. Police allege that Majithia and several associates were involved in an incident in which an Akali Dal leader was forcibly freed from police custody. Authoritie
IndiaMay 29, 2026

AAP takes early lead in Punjab municipal election results

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party appeared headed for a strong showing in Punjab’s municipal elections as vote counting continued Thursday across the state. According to results available by 6 p.m. local time, the Aam Aadmi Party had won 880 wards and was leading in several others. Congress was in second place with 354 ward victories as of 5 p.m., while the Shiromani Akali Dal had secured 175 wards and the Bharatiya Janata Party had won 146 wards. Independent candidates won 245 wards. In Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s constituency of Dhuri, the Aam Aadmi Party won 20 of 21 seats, according to the
kewal-singh-dhillon-appointed-new-punjab-bjp-president
IndiaMay 28, 2026

Kewal Singh Dhillon appointed new Punjab BJP president

The Bharatiya Janata Party has appointed former Barnala MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon as the new president of its Punjab unit, according to a letter issued by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh. The appointment was approved with the consent of the party’s national leadership and takes effect immediately, the letter said. Dhillon, who was previously associated with former Punjab chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, has remained active in Punjab politics for several years. The leadership change comes as the BJP continues efforts to strengthen its organizational presence in Punjab ahead of fu
IndiaMay 27, 2026

Air India to reduce domestic flights by up to 22% amid rising fuel costs

Air India says it will temporarily reduce the number of its domestic flights by 20 to 22 per cent as the airline faces increasing aviation fuel prices and higher operating costs. The airline said it has already reduced some international flight operations by nearly 27 per cent as part of broader cost-management measures. According to the company, the decision was taken due to sustained high fuel prices, which have increased the cost of operating flights across several routes. In a statement issued Wednesday, Air India said flight frequencies on selected domestic and international routes will b
IndiaMay 25, 2026

Punjab civic elections Tuesday to cover 103 urban local bodies across state

Voting for Punjab’s urban local body elections will take place Tuesday across eight municipal corporations, 75 municipal councils and 20 nagar panchayats, according to the Punjab State Election Commission. The commission said 3,545,567 voters are eligible to cast ballots in the elections, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A total of 7,555 candidates are contesting the polls across the state. According to information released by the commission, 1,613 candidates are contesting municipal corporation seats, while 5,142 candidates are in the fray for municipal councils and 800 candidates a

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rustad-backs-alberta-pipeline-project-criticizes-b-c-governments-opposition
BCJun 26, 2026

Rustad Backs Alberta Pipeline Project, Criticizes B.C. Government's Opposition

Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad has thrown his support behind Alberta's proposed pipeline project, which is expected to submit its application by July 1. He said the British Columbia government should support the project instead of standing in its way. Criticizing Premier David Eby, Rustad argued that the pipeline is not just an Alberta project but one that would benefit all of Canada and could help address British Columbia's economic challenges. According to Rustad, the project would create real jobs, particularly in northern B.C., where the forestry sector has been struggling in
rcmp-investigating-stabbing-near-port-place-mall-in-nanaimo
BCJun 26, 2026

RCMP Investigating Stabbing Near Port Place Mall in Nanaimo

The Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at a bus stop near Port Place Mall. Police, firefighters and BC Emergency Health Services responded to the scene. Upon arrival, officers found an adult male suffering from a stab wound to his arm. Bystanders and frontline officers provided emergency first aid before the victim was transported to hospital for treatment. Investigators have determined that the incident took place near a row of benches on the south side of Port Place Mall, across from the downtown bus exchange on Fro
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Ontario Announces Major Changes to Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario government has announced major reforms to its Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under the new changes, the existing eight immigration streams will be consolidated into four, making the process clearer and easier for both applicants and employers. The first new pathway, the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream, is being launched to provide eligible foreign workers with a new route to permanent residency (PR). A key feature of the new stream is greater flexibility for applicants to work in related occupations. For example, a nurse will be able to work as a Personal Support Worke
indo-pacific-key-to-canadas-trade-diversification-strategy-maninder-sidhu
CanadaJun 26, 2026

Indo-Pacific Key to Canada's Trade Diversification Strategy: Maninder Sidhu

Canada's International Trade Minister, Maninder Sidhu, says the Indo-Pacific region is critical to the country's efforts to increase exports beyond the United States and diversify its trade markets. Sidhu recently led a 300-member business delegation on a four-day visit to Japan, marking Canada's largest-ever trade mission to the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific is home to Canada's three largest trading partners in the region-China, Japan and South Korea. However, Canada's efforts to expand trade and investment ties there have not always achieved the desired results. Sidhu noted that pre
japanese-prime-minister-sanae-takaichi-to-visit-india-from-july-1-to-3
IndiaJun 26, 2026

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Visit India from July 1 to 3

At the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will pay an official visit to New Delhi from July 1 to July 3. During the visit, she and Prime Minister Modi will jointly chair the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit. This will be Prime Minister Takaichi's first official visit to India and is being seen as an important step in further strengthening ties between the two countries. The meeting comes at a significant time, amid indications of possible changes in the U.S. administration's policy toward the Indo-Pacific region. According to India's Minist