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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
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

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german-energy-firm-signals-interest-in-lng-supply-from-proposed-ksi-lisims-project
BCJun 08, 2026

German Energy Firm Signals Interest in LNG Supply from Proposed Ksi Lisims Project

A second German energy company has expressed interest in purchasing liquefied natural gas from the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project on British Columbia’s North Coast. Project partners announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based Uniper that could see the company purchase up to two million tonnes of LNG annually beginning in 2032. The agreement is non-binding and remains subject to further negotiations and project development. The announcement follows a separate deal reached last month between Ksi Lisims LNG and German energy company SEFE. Under that agreement, S
canada-post-warns-of-possible-mail-service-disruptions-in-toronto-and-vancouver-during-fifa-world-cup
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Canada Post warns of possible mail service disruptions in Toronto and Vancouver during FIFA World Cup

Canada Post is warning residents in parts of Toronto and Vancouver that mail delivery services may be affected during the FIFA World Cup tournament this summer. In an announcement released Monday, Canada Post said mail delivery could be disrupted in areas near match venues and related event sites due to security measures and road closures associated with the tournament. According to Canada Post, any mail that cannot be delivered because of access restrictions or safety concerns will be securely held at local depots and delivered on a priority basis on the next business day. The postal service
AlbertaJun 08, 2026

Alberta launches major recruitment drive for referendum workers ahead of October vote

Elections Alberta has launched what it describes as one of the largest referendum staffing campaigns ever undertaken in Canada as the province prepares for a provincewide vote scheduled for October 19. The agency says it needs approximately 60,000 workers to administer and count ballots for 10 referendum questions that will be put to Alberta voters. Under provincial rules, ballot counting must be completed within 48 hours of polls closing. One of the referendum questions will ask Albertans whether the province should remain part of Canada or begin the legal process required to hold a binding r
magnitude-7-8-earthquake-strikes-near-mindanao-at-least-32-dead-as-tsunami-warnings-issued
WorldJun 08, 2026

Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes near Mindanao, at least 32 dead as tsunami warnings issued

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, leaving at least 32 people dead, according to preliminary reports from authorities. More than 100 people were injured, about two dozen remain missing, and roughly 10,000 residents have been evacuated from affected areas. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time and had a depth of about 33 kilometres. Tsunami warnings were issued for several countries following the quake as authorities assessed potential coast
louise-arbour-to-be-installed-as-canadas-31st-governor-general
CanadaJun 08, 2026

Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour sworn in as Canada's 31st Governor General

Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour was sworn in Monday as Canada's 31st Governor General during a ceremony at the Senate of Canada Building in Ottawa. Arbour succeeds Mary Simon, who became Canada's first Indigenous Governor General in 2021. The appointment is reported to be the first approved by King Charles III. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chief Justice Richard Wagner, House of Commons Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia and Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, among other dignitaries. Arbour, 79, is a Montreal-based juri