5.28°C Vancouver

News

punjab-government-allocates-rs-100-crore-for-mukhyamantri-teerth-yojana
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Punjab Government Allocates Rs 100 Crore for Mukhyamantri Teerth Yojana

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has approved the resumption of the Teerth Yatra scheme for the people of the state. Under this initiative, individuals over the age of 50 will be able to travel to religious places free of cost, with the government covering the entire expense. A budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the scheme. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that registration for the scheme will begin at the end of April, and the yatra will commence in May. Travel arrangements, including both bus and train options, will be provided for those aged 50 and above. The li
punjab-police-constable-arrested-with-heroin-in-bathinda
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Punjab Police Constable Arrested with Heroin in Bathinda

Senior Constable Amandeep Kaur, popularly known as the “Insta Queen” of Punjab Police, has been arrested after 18 grams of heroin was found in her purse in Bathinda. Following her arrest on Wednesday, she was dismissed from service. Kaur was previously stationed in Mansa Police and was recently posted at Bathinda Police Lines. Authorities have confirmed that she will undergo a dope test, and a case has been registered against her under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Known for her social media presence, Kaur frequently posted Instagram reels in uniform, often li
harjinder-singh-dhami-criticizes-waqf-amendment-bill-as-interference-in-minority-affairs
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Harjinder Singh Dhami Criticizes Waqf Amendment Bill as Interference in Minority Affairs

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has strongly criticized the Waqf Amendment Bill passed in the Lok Sabha, calling it a direct interference in minority affairs. Advocate Dhami stated that the bill was introduced without consulting the concerned parties, which, according to him, reflects the government’s intention to curtail minority rights and impose its own administrative control. He emphasized that minority communities have the right to protect their heritage and religious institutions, and laws like the Waqf Amendment Bill threaten to
jagjit-singh-dallewal-discharged-from-hospital
IndiaApr 03, 2025

Jagjit Singh Dallewal Discharged, Vows to Expand Farmers’ Movement Nationwide

Punjab’s prominent farmer leader, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, was discharged from a hospital in Patiala today. Speaking to the media, he reaffirmed his commitment to the farmers’ cause and announced plans to take the movement across the country. Dallewal strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of betraying Punjab and undermining the fight to protect the state’s water resources. He emphasized that the farmers’ struggle is far from over and will continue until their demands are met. Dallewal also condemned the inappropriate treatment meted out to him when Punjab
harsimrat-kaur-badal-opposes-waqf-amendment-bill-in-parliament
IndiaApr 02, 2025

Harsimrat Kaur Badal Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP from Punjab, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament today, stating that several opposition parties, including Congress, were also against the bill. The Waqf Amendment Bill, which seeks to bring changes to the Waqf Board, was supported by government-aligned parties like the TDP, JDU, and LJP, while opposition parties, including Congress, expressed their disapproval. During the debate, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi voiced strong opposition, claiming that the bill's purpose was to humiliate Muslims. Owaisi then proceeded to tear up a copy of
harpal-singh-cheema-criticizes-akali-bjp-and-congress-over-concerns-about-majithias-security
IndiaApr 02, 2025

Harpal Singh Cheema Criticizes Akali, BJP, and Congress Over Concerns About Majithia's Security

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has sharply criticized Bikram Majithia, accusing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and BJP alliance government of being responsible for the proliferation of drugs in the state. Cheema stated that drugs took hold in Punjab during the tenure of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government. He pointed out that while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is actively combating the drug mafia and drug smuggling, parties like SAD, BJP, and Congress seem more concerned about the reduction in the security of one individual, Bikram Majithia, rather than addressing the i
cm-bhagwant-mann-to-hold-first-cabinet-meeting-after-budget-session
IndiaApr 02, 2025

CM Bhagwant Mann to Hold First Cabinet Meeting After Budget Session

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called his first cabinet meeting tomorrow following the budget session. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh and is being considered highly significant. The government is expected to make important announcements during this meeting, particularly as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo Arvind Kejriwal is currently in Punjab. The party's focus is also on securing a victory in the upcoming Ludhiana West by-election. Speculation is also rife that a cabinet reshuffle may occur, with one or two ministers potentially
majithia-accuses-government-of-plotting-an-encounter
IndiaApr 02, 2025

Majithia Accuses Government of Plotting an Encounter

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has criticized the state government for reducing his Z-plus security, alleging that the government is planning an encounter against him, similar to what happened with Sidhu Moosewala. Majithia pointed out the contradiction in the Punjab Police’s stance stating that in January, they warned him of a security threat, yet now his security has been withdrawn. He demanded that DGP Gaurav Yadav issue a written statement confirming that there is no threat to his life. Majithia also declared that if anything happens to him, DGP Yadav will be personall
sukhbir-singh-badal-furious-over-withdrawal-of-bikram-singh-majithias-security
IndiaApr 01, 2025

Sukhbir Singh Badal Furious Over Withdrawal of Bikram Singh Majithia's Security

Former Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal has termed the withdrawal of Bikram Singh Majithia's Z+ security by the Punjab government as a dangerous conspiracy. Badal stated in a post on social media that if any harm comes to Majithia or any of their leaders or workers, then Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal, and DGP Punjab will be directly responsible for it. He also alleged that there is an attempt to falsely implicate Majithia in a drug case. Sukhbir Badal further claimed that senior officials of the Aam Aadmi Party government are openly threatening to kill Akali D

Just In

motorcyclist-injured-in-new-westminster-hit-and-run-police-seek-driver-witnesses
BCMar 30, 2026

Motorcyclist injured in New Westminster hit and run; police seek driver, witnesses

Police in New Westminster are asking for the public’s help following a hit and run that left a motorcyclist injured Saturday evening. According to a release from the New Westminster Police Department, officers responded to a crash in the 200 block of McBride Boulevard at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Investigators say a white van struck a motorcyclist and then fled the scene. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with injuries. Police are urging the driver involved to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone who may have dash camera or nearby CCTV footage from the area around the time
WorldMar 30, 2026

Spain restricts U.S. military access to airspace, bases amid Iran conflict

Spain has barred U.S. military aircraft from using its airspace and bases in connection with ongoing operations involving Iran, according to a statement by the country’s defence ministry. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Spain will not allow its territory or infrastructure to be used for military actions linked to Iran. The restriction applies to U.S. military flights, while commercial and emergency aircraft are exempt. The decision means U.S. aircraft will need to reroute operations that would typically pass through Spanish-controlled airspace or rely on Spanish military facilities. P
air-canada-ceo-michael-rousseau-to-retire-by-end-of-q3-amid-language-controversy
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau to retire by end of Q3 amid language controversy

Air Canada says chief executive officer Michael Rousseau will retire by the end of the third quarter of this year, according to a company statement. The announcement follows criticism earlier this month over a video message Rousseau delivered after a deadly plane crash in New York that killed two Air Canada Express pilots. The four-minute condolence video, posted online, included only limited French, using the words “bonjour” and “merci.” Prime Minister Mark Carney said the decision to release the message primarily in English showed a “lack of judgment and lack of compassion,” high
smith-says-caucus-open-to-differing-views-after-ucp-mla-backs-separation-petition
AlbertaMar 30, 2026

Smith says caucus open to differing views after UCP MLA backs separation petition

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she welcomes a range of views within her United Conservative Party caucus after one of her MLAs publicly supported a petition calling for a referendum on provincial separation. Speaking on her provincewide radio show Saturday, Smith said her government remains committed to a “sovereign Alberta within a united Canada,” despite comments from Jason Stephan, the MLA for Red Deer-South and her parliamentary secretary for constitutional affairs. Stephan wrote in an opinion piece published Friday that he supports a citizen-led petition to trigger a referendum o
canada-finance-minister-to-visit-china-amid-efforts-to-stabilize-bilateral-ties
CanadaMar 30, 2026

Canada finance minister to visit China amid efforts to stabilize bilateral ties

Canada’s Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is scheduled to visit China from April 1 to April 4, according to a federal government itinerary, marking a continued effort by Ottawa to re-engage with Beijing on economic issues. The visit follows a recent trip by Prime Minister Mark Carney to Beijing, where discussions focused on easing strained relations between the two countries. Champagne is expected to meet with Chinese finance and banking officials during his stay, although details of specific agreements or outcomes have not been publicly confirmed. According to government offici