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IndiaApr 14, 2026

Centre amends BBMB recruitment rules, opens top posts to nationwide applicants

The central government has amended recruitment rules for the Bhakra Beas Management Board, changing eligibility criteria for two of its senior-most positions and allowing officers from across India to apply. According to amendments to the Bhakra Beas Management Board Rules, 1974, the earlier requirement mandating one officer each from Punjab and Haryana for the two key posts has been removed. The revised rules now permit appointments based on eligibility, regardless of state affiliation. Officials said the change broadens the pool of candidates for the board, which manages major water and powe
waris-punjab-de-spokesperson-says-mp-amritpal-singh-may-contest-2027-punjab-election
IndiaApr 09, 2026

Waris Punjab De spokesperson says MP Amritpal Singh may contest 2027 Punjab election

A spokesperson for Waris Punjab De says Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh is expected to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly election and could be projected as the party’s chief ministerial candidate. According to a statement by party spokesperson Iman Singh Khara, Singh may contest from constituencies including Talwandi Sabo, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Khadoor Sahib or Amritsar. Khara said the party is considering a seat in a “panthic” region. Khara also said the party is building its organizational structure ahead of the election and argued Punjab requires a Sikh chief minister who visibly rep
navjot-kaur-sidhu-says-she-will-contest-2027-punjab-election-with-bharatiya-rashtrawadi-party
IndiaApr 08, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she will contest 2027 Punjab election with Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she plans to run in Punjab’s 2027 विधानसभा elections as a candidate of the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party, according to remarks she made at a press conference in Chandigarh. Speaking at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sidhu confirmed her intention to contest under the party banner. The announcement follows a social media post in which she indicated her political plans and shared material related to the New Delhi–based party, which she described as being established about nine years ago. Sidhu, the wife of former cricketer and ex–Punjab Congress chief Navjot
navjot-kaur-sidhu-announces-formation-of-new-political-party-on-social-media
IndiaApr 07, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu announces formation of new political party on social media

Dr. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, wife of former cricketer and ex-Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, has announced the formation of a new political party, according to a post on her official social media account. In a message shared on X, Sidhu said the party will be called the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party. The announcement was accompanied by an image displaying the party’s name. She described the move as a “long-awaited announcement.” According to the post, the party aims to present a new national-level political alternative. Sidhu stated that the initiative follows an in-depth assessmen
IndiaApr 06, 2026

Bomb threat emails sent to three Jalandhar schools; police launch search and cyber probe

Three private schools in Jalandhar received bomb threats by email, prompting a police response and search operations on campus, according to local police. The schools identified in the emails include Mayor World School, MGN and DIPS. School administrators alerted authorities after receiving the messages, and parents were informed as a precaution. According to police, search operations were carried out at the campuses under the direction of Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur. No explosives had been confirmed at the time of publication. Police officials said cyber cell teams and other investigat
aap-removes-raghav-chadha-as-rajya-sabha-deputy-leader-appoints-ashok-mittal
IndiaApr 02, 2026

AAP removes Raghav Chadha as Rajya Sabha deputy leader, appoints Ashok Mittal

The Aam Aadmi Party has removed Raghav Chadha from the post of deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha and appointed Ashok Mittal as his replacement, according to a party communication to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The decision marks a change in the party’s parliamentary leadership in the upper house. According to the communication, Mittal, a member of Parliament from Punjab, will take over the deputy leadership role with immediate effect. The party also instructed the Rajya Sabha Secretariat that Chadha should no longer be allotted speaking time in the House, according to the same communication.
h-s-phoolka-joins-bjp-in-delhi-criticizes-aap-governance
IndiaApr 01, 2026

H.S. Phoolka joins BJP in Delhi, criticizes AAP governance

Senior lawyer H.S. Phoolka, known for representing victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Delhi, according to party leaders present at the event. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh were among those who welcomed Phoolka into the party. The development marks a political shift for Phoolka, who was previously associated with the Aam Aadmi Party. Speaking after joining, Phoolka criticized AAP, alleging a gap between its public messaging and internal functioning. He said he had initially joined the party during t
IndiaMar 31, 2026

Khanna police arrest father of Sidhu Moosewala’s former manager in alleged extortion case

The accused, identified as Saudagar Singh Sarao, is the father of Shaganpreet Singh, a former manager of late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. Police allege that Singh was involved in a demand for Rs 1 crore from a local commission agent. According to police, the complainant reported receiving threats from an individual who identified himself as gangster Donny Bal and demanded money. A case was registered following the complaint, and an investigation was launched. During the investigation, police said technical evidence and other findings indicated that the extortion demand was linked to Shagan
former-punjab-minister-laljit-singh-bhullar-remanded-for-three-more-days-in-suicide-case-probe
IndiaMar 30, 2026

Former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar remanded for three more days in suicide case probe

A court in Punjab has extended the police remand of former Aam Aadmi Party minister Laljit Singh Bhullar by three days after his initial five-day custody period ended. He was produced in court following the expiry of the earlier remand. According to police, investigators have not yet recovered key evidence, including a mobile phone, during questioning. Authorities told the court that further custodial interrogation is required as part of the ongoing investigation. Bhullar was arrested in connection with the death of Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, a district manager with the Punjab Warehousing Corpo

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BCJul 15, 2026

Elderly woman distracted and robbed of gold necklace in Vancouver, police seek suspects

A 76-year-old woman was allegedly robbed of her gold necklace after being distracted by an unknown woman in Vancouver's East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive area on Tuesday, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. while the senior was waiting for family members. An unidentified woman approached her and claimed she looked like her mother, whose birthday she said it was. The suspect then hugged the victim and, during the interaction, allegedly removed the woman's gold necklace and replaced it with a fake one. The victim reportedly discov
AlbertaJul 15, 2026

Alberta launches online bike lane complaint form ahead of planned legislation

The Alberta government has launched an online public feedback form inviting residents to report concerns about bike lanes as it prepares legislation expected this fall. According to the Alberta government, Albertans can use the online form to share concerns about bike lanes in their communities, including whether they believe a lane is underused, has reduced on-street parking, contributed to traffic congestion, affected local businesses, or delayed emergency response times. The province says the feedback will help inform future transportation policy decisions. Transportation Minister Devin Dre
canada-pauses-new-parent-and-grandparent-sponsorship-applications-for-2026
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Canada pauses new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications for 2026

The federal government says it will not accept any new applications this year under Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program as it works to reduce processing times and manage a large backlog of existing files. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), approximately 60,500 sponsorship applications are currently being processed. The department said it expects to approve about 15,000 parents and grandparents each year over the next two years from applications already in the system. IRCC said the temporary pause is intended to improve processing efficiency. The department
federal-government-names-new-members-to-independent-senate-appointments-advisory-board
CanadaJul 15, 2026

Federal government names new members to independent Senate appointments advisory board

The federal government has announced new appointments to the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney named four new senators to the upper chamber. According to a federal government news release, the advisory board will continue to provide non-binding recommendations to the prime minister on Senate appointments. The board was established in 2016 to support a merit-based and independent appointments process. The government said the board will continue to include three federal members, including a chair, along with two additional members from
BCJul 15, 2026

Surrey man sentenced to nearly five years in prison in extortion-related shooting and arson case

A Surrey Provincial Court judge has sentenced Abhijeet Kingra to nearly five years in prison for his role in a 2024 extortion-related shooting and arson targeting a Surrey home. According to court records, Kingra pleaded guilty on July 6 to charges of discharging a firearm at a residence and committing arson. The offences stem from an Aug. 10, 2024 incident in which a home belonging to a person who had reportedly received extortion threats was shot at and set on fire. The court imposed a two-year sentence for arson and a sentence of four years, 10 months and 19 days for the shooting offence. T