PUNJAB
Six granthis arrested in connection with peer's suicide in Punjab's Hoshiarpur
Police have arrested six Sikh priests in Hoshiarpur for allegedly driving a fellow priest to suicide. The deceased, Jaspal Singh, reportedly faced threats and harassment from the accused over religious program shares. Accused also allegedly questioned his religious duties and accused him of sacrilege. Distressed, Jaspal Singh consumed poison and died.
PM must choose between students and an 'incompetent' minister: Dipke at CJP protest in Amritsar
Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party is demanding Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. A protest in Amritsar is part of a nationwide campaign. Students and youth are joining demonstrations against alleged examination irregularities. Dipke stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi must choose between students and the minister.
'Light to moderate rainfall is still anticipated across northwest India,' says IMD scientist; issues yellow alert
IMD scientist Naresh Kumar explained, "Over the past few days, northwest India, including Delhi, has experienced moderate to heavy rainfall due to the influence of a western disturbance combined with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea...This confluence has led to significant rainfall in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with wind speeds reaching up to 60-70 km/h."
BJP to contest all 117 seats independently in 2027 Punjab assembly polls
The Punjab BJP has decided to contest all 117 assembly seats independently in the upcoming state elections. A high-level meeting in New Delhi confirmed the party's strategy. Leaders expressed confidence in forming a BJP government and reviving Punjab's economy. The party aims to present its vision and win public support.
PNB, Ujjivan raise FCNR deposit rates
Punjab National Bank and Ujjivan Small Finance Bank have raised interest rates on FCNR(B) USD deposits for Non-Resident Indians. This move follows the RBI's announcement of a foreign currency swap window. Bank of Baroda has also introduced a new retail term deposit scheme for resident Indians. These initiatives aim to attract foreign capital and offer attractive returns to depositors.
Why Pakistan's Sargodha, targeted by the IAF during Operation Sindoor, is central to Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga
Imtiaz Ali's film "Main Vaapas Aaunga" highlights Sargodha, a Pakistani city with deep roots in Partition-era memories. Established by the British in 1903, Sargodha's history is intertwined with agriculture and a significant airbase. The city recently gained international attention following Indian Air Force strikes on its airfield complex in May 2025.
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Revised FCNR interest rates up to 7.13%: PNB, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and others revise rates
FCNR interest rates: Banks are increasing interest rates on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR-B) deposits for NRIs, OCIs, and POIs. This follows the RBI's announcement to cover hedging costs for new 3 to 5-year deposits until September 2026. Axis Bank now offers up to 6% on these schemes for select tenures.

Pakistan's poor population swells by 27 mn in six years, poverty surges 7%
Pakistan's poverty rate has risen from 21.9% in 2018-19 to 28.9% in 2024-25, pushing around 27 million more people below the poverty line and taking the total number of poor to about 70 million, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26.

CBI finds no evidence of corruption in case involving Nirav Modi; transferred to magistrate
A special CBI court in Mumbai transferred a fraud case against Nirav Modi to a magistrate's court. The CBI stated that corruption charges against Punjab National Bank officials could not be proven. The case, involving Rs 321.88 crore, will now proceed against private individuals only.

Eight public sector banks add 13,223 employees in FY26; SBI leads hiring spree
Eight public sector banks, including SBI, collectively added 13,223 employees in FY26, boosting their total workforce to over 6.28 lakh. State Bank of India led the hiring surge, accounting for nearly 67% of the new positions. This expansion occurs despite digitalization, indicating a continued reliance on human resources for growth and customer service.

Pvt sector reposing faith in economy, capex cycle showing signs of revival: Punjab National Bank CMD Ashok Chandra
Private sector investment is reviving. Companies are borrowing more for expansion and infrastructure. Punjab National Bank (PNB) sanctioned nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in corporate loans last fiscal year. This trend continues, with sanctions expected to exceed Rs 4 lakh crore this year. This indicates growing confidence in the Indian economy and increased business activity across various sectors.

Gurnoor Brar: Gentle giant who took up cricket at 17 and got picked for India at 26
Sukhbir Singh Brar, a Punjab Police ASI, supported his son Gurnoor's cricket dreams. Gurnoor, a tall pacer, has been selected for India's Test and ODI squads. His father recounts Gurnoor's late start in cricket and his dedication. Gurnoor's impressive performances led to his national call-up. His father expresses immense pride in his son's achievements and grounded nature.

Punjab government abolishes date-of-birth based tie-breaker in board exams
The Punjab government has abolished the date-of-birth-based tie-breaker system in board exams to ensure fair ranking for all high-scoring students. Education Minister Harjot Bains also announced a shift toward competency-based testing and stricter measures to prevent exam malpractice.

Highest FD interest rates of 5 major banks: SBI, PNB, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Bank of Baroda
Despite the RBI maintaining the repo rate at 5.25%, major banks like SBI, HDFC, ICICI, PNB, and Bank of Baroda are offering competitive fixed deposit interest rates. These attractive rates, particularly for senior citizens, vary across different tenures, with some reaching up to 7.1%.

NIA raids 18 places in Punjab, Haryana in three terror-gangster network cases linked to Pak-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti
The National Investigation Agency conducted searches at 18 locations across Punjab and Haryana. These searches are part of investigations into three terror-gangster network cases. The cases are linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. The NIA is examining digital devices and documents to uncover a larger cross-border conspiracy. Bhatti is accused of masterminding several terror attacks in the region.

India banks could raise $35-$40 billion via RBI's foreign currency deposit scheme, PNB CEO Ashok Chandra says
Indian banks anticipate raising up to $40 billion through foreign currency deposits. The Reserve Bank of India is backing a new scheme to attract dollar inflows. This initiative aims to strengthen the rupee. Banks will offer attractive interest rates to overseas customers. Punjab National Bank plans to raise $3 billion itself.

Banks to be told to step up FCNR (B) deposits
Banks will now encourage more foreign currency deposits. The Reserve Bank of India will cover all hedging costs for these deposits. This move aims to attract significant foreign currency inflows. Industry estimates suggest up to $40 billion could be raised. These measures will strengthen India's foreign exchange reserves. This will help manage rupee depreciation pressures.

Punjab to launch ‘Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna’ from July 1, offering monthly financial aid to women, check registration details
Punjab is launching a new scheme to provide monthly financial aid to women. Eligible women will receive ₹1,000, and those from Scheduled Caste communities will get ₹1,500. This initiative aims to boost women's financial independence and self-respect. Enrollment is ongoing, with Mahila Satkar Sakhis assisting registrations. The scheme is set to empower women across the state.

Over 100-year-old cooperative society transforming lives of farmers in Punjab
A century-old cooperative in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district is empowering farmers with loans, equipment rentals, and ultra-low-cost biogas. This multi-dimensional institution, serving over 3,700 people, has diversified into agro-processing, wastewater treatment, and affordable medicine provision, significantly boosting rural living standards and productivity. Its innovative sustainability initiatives have earned national recognition.

'Khalsa tax': Issue taken up with Punjab Chief Minister, says Himachal minister Jagat Singh Negi
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister has raised the issue of a 'Khalsa tax' with his Punjab counterpart. A group of Nihang Sikhs imposed this symbolic tax on vehicles registered in Himachal Pradesh entering Punjab. The group stated it was a protest against entry taxes levied by Himachal Pradesh on out-of-state vehicles.

AAP in Punjab orders private schools to refund fees increased beyond 5%, says Arvind Kejriwal
Punjab has enacted a new law to control private school fee increases. The government has capped annual fee hikes at five percent. Schools that charged more in the past will refund the excess amount to parents. This move aims to ease financial pressure on families. The Aam Aadmi Party believes this sets a national example for educational reform.

BJP treats turncoats like disposable pawns; Jakhar & Ravneet Bittu prime examples: AAP leader Harpal Cheema
The Aam Aadmi Party accuses the Bharatiya Janata Party of treating politicians like disposable items. Senior AAP leader Harpal Singh Cheema stated the BJP uses leaders from other parties for short-term gains. He cited Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Singh Bittu as examples of this strategy. Cheema claimed the BJP's actions show disregard for loyalty and public mandate.

Nihang Sikhs impose symbolic 'Khalsa tax' on HP vehicles at Punjab border point
Nihang Sikhs staged a protest on the Kiratpur Sahib-Manali highway. They collected a symbolic 'Khalsa tax' from Himachal-registered vehicles entering Punjab. This action was a demonstration against Himachal Pradesh's entry tax on out-of-state vehicles. The Nihang leader stated the collected funds would be used for the welfare of the poor.

Bomb threat to five major temples in Punjab triggers security alert
A bomb threat email targeting five prominent temples in Punjab has triggered a security alert. The email also threatened government establishments. This scare comes ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Police are investigating the origin of the email. Similar threats in the past have been proven hoaxes. Security has been tightened across the entire state.

Geopolitics or politics? RS MP and Trident chairman Rajinder Gupta rethinks Punjab investment plan after shift from AAP to BJP
Trident Group is reviewing its ₹5,000 crore investment plan in Punjab. This comes after Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta switched from AAP to BJP. Gupta cited geopolitical developments and rising input costs for the rethink. The company had committed to the investment earlier this year. The expansion included significant funding for terry towel and paper manufacturing.

No leadership change in Punjab Congress; party to contest polls under Kharge, Rahul, Bhupesh Baghel says
Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has dismissed rumors of a leadership change in Punjab. He stated the party will contest the upcoming Assembly polls collectively. Key leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were present at a meeting discussing the state's political future. Baghel criticized the ruling AAP government on issues of law and order, corruption, and drugs.
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