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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
high-court-directs-punjab-government-to-decide-amritpal-singh-parole-plea-within-seven-days
IndiaJan 23, 2026

High Court directs Punjab government to decide Amritpal Singh parole plea within seven days

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to take a decision within seven days on a parole petition filed by Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, who is seeking permission to attend Parliament’s upcoming budget session. The order was passed on Friday during a hearing on Singh’s petition, in which he requested temporary release to participate in the budget session scheduled to begin on January 28. The court instructed the state government to make a timely decision and disposed of the petition after issuing the direction. The case has drawn attention
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

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microsoft-outage-disrupts-teams-outlook-and-copilot-services-worldwide
WorldNov 13, 2026

Microsoft Outage Disrupts Teams, Outlook and Copilot Services Worldwide

A technical outage affecting several Microsoft digital services has disrupted users worldwide, with the issue continuing for at least 18 hours. Services including Microsoft Teams, Outlook and the artificial intelligence software Copilot have been affected. Microsoft said services are gradually being restored in affected regions, including Europe and North America. However, some users may still experience difficulties logging in or accessing services. The outage has also affected healthcare services, schools and businesses. In the United Kingdom, some schools have asked parents to contact them
sharp-debate-erupts-between-lena-diab-and-pierre-poilievre-over-immigration-plan
CanadaNov 13, 2026

Sharp Debate Erupts Between Lena Diab and Pierre Poilievre Over Immigration Plan

Canada’s Immigration Minister Lena Diab and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are clashing over the government’s new immigration plan. In a recently released video, Poilievre claimed that under the new plan, Canada would welcome approximately 200,000 more new permanent residents annually compared to the numbers under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government. Rejecting his claim, Diab said the 100,000 people being granted permanent residency are not newcomers arriving from abroad. Instead, they are already living and working in Canada and are not taking anything away f
CanadaNov 13, 2026

Canada Raises Luxury Tax Threshold to $150,000 for Electric and Hydrogen Vehicles

Buying fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles in Canada could become more affordable after the federal government raised the luxury tax price threshold for these vehicles from $100,000 to $150,000. According to an announcement by Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, the change came into effect on Friday. This means fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles priced up to $150,000 will no longer be subject to the additional luxury tax. The government said the decision takes into account the higher upfront cost of zero-emission vehicles and aims to encourage their adoption. Howe
canada-and-india-push-to-finalize-free-trade-agreement-by-year-end
CanadaNov 13, 2026

Maninder Sidhu Meets Piyush Goyal to Advance Canada-India Free Trade Deal

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Singh Sidhu, met with India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in New Delhi on Thursday to advance efforts to finalize a Canada-India free trade agreement by the end of this year. The sixth round of negotiations for the proposed agreement is currently underway in New Delhi, with officials from both countries scheduled to hold discussions until November 20. Since May 2025, Minister Sidhu and Piyush Goyal have held more than a dozen meetings. The latest push in trade negotiations comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra
man-shot-dead-inside-home-in-surreys-central-area
BCNov 13, 2026

Man Shot Dead Inside Home in Surrey's Central Area

A man has been shot and killed inside a home in Surrey's Central area. The incident occurred Thursday morning in the 10600-block of 132 Street. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), officers and BC Emergency Health Services were called to the residence at approximately 7:16 a.m. after receiving reports of a person suffering from gunshot wounds. First responders made every effort to save the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation. No details about the victim's identity or any potential sus