Akali Dal Waris Punjab has announced its first candidate for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. During a press conference in Amritsar, acting president Tarsem Singh and MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa named Satwant Singh, son of Shaheed Kehar Singh, as the candidate for the Bassi Pathana constituency. The party also appointed Sukhwinder Singh Agwan to its parliamentary board. The leadership emphasized their commitment to Panthic principles and honoring families who made sacrifices for the community, dismissing claims that such families were being sidelined. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/punjab/waris-punjab-announces-first-candidate/

The Punjab Assembly's Government Business Committee has raised serious concerns over the distribution of de-addiction medicines in jails. Reports reveal that inmates consumed 43.44 crore Buprenorphine tablets in the last four and a half years. The supply of these tablets in prisons has increased eight-fold since 2022. While Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh attributed the rise to the expansion of OOAT clinics, the committee questioned whether the government is merely replacing one addiction with another. The committee noted that the government lacks data on the actual number of individuals who have successfully recovered from addiction, raising doubts about the long-term effectiveness of the current de-addiction program. https://khalastv.com/the-government-was-exposed-in-the-assembly-on-the-issue-of-drug-addiction-listen-to-the-surprising-revelations/

Three youths attempted suicide by consuming poisonous pills in Garhpadhana village, Nawanshahr. The incident was triggered by Dilpreet Singh suffering massive losses in online business. Upon hearing this, his two friends also consumed poison out of loyalty. Paramjit Singh died during treatment, while Dilpreet remains critical and Maninder is out of danger. Police have initiated an investigation. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/punjab/three-swallowed-poisonous-medicine/

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed a state-level seminar on Guru Ravidas Ji's teachings at Amity University, Mohali. He emphasized that Guru Ji's message of equality and social justice is timeless. Cheema announced that the Punjab government is establishing a state-of-the-art 'Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Bani Study Centre' at Dera Ballan with an investment of ₹25 crore, for which ₹11 crore has already been spent on land purchase. He urged students and scholars to study the concept of 'Begampura' to build a discrimination-free society. https://sanjhisoch.com/%E0%A8%B8%E0%A9%8D%E0%A8%B0%E0%A9%80-%E0%A8%97%E0%A9%81%E0%A8%B0%E0%A9%82-%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%B5%E0%A8%BF%E0%A8%A6%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B8-%E0%A8%9C%E0%A9%80-%E0%A8%AE%E0%A8%B9%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%BE-2/

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) organized a religious event at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh to commemorate the historic act of Bhai Sukha Singh and Bhai Mehtab Singh, who punished Massa Ranghar for desecrating the Golden Temple. During the event, Giani Parvinderpal Singh shared historical insights about the Sikh warriors' dedication and urged the community to draw inspiration from their bravery. The program included Akhand Path Bhog and Gurbani Kirtan by Ragi Jathas. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/punjab/event-to-commemorate-the-revision-of-massey-ranghar/

Chandigarh Police Operation Cell busted an international arms smuggling syndicate linked to foreign-based gangster Deepak Nandal. Four individuals, including three shooters from Haryana and a cross-border smuggler from Amritsar, were arrested. The prime accused, Nishan Singh, allegedly received weapons from Pakistan via drones. Police recovered one Zigana pistol, two Chinese-made PX3 pistols, and 19 live cartridges. The gang was planning a major shooting and extortion incident in Gurugram, which was successfully averted by the police. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/chandigarh/chandigarh-police-busts-international-and-interstate-arms-smuggling-gang/3286436

Gurjit Singh Talwandi, Youth President of Shiromani Akali Dal Punar Surjeet, met Damdami Taksal chief Sant Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa at Chowk Mehta. During the meeting, they discussed various panthic and Punjab-related issues in a closed-door session. Talwandi emphasized that the blessings from the Taksal head would strengthen his resolve to serve the community. This meeting is seen as significant in Akali and Panthic politics due to the long-standing historical relationship between the Talwandi family and Damdami Taksal. https://punjab.news18.com/news/punjab/the-blessings-of-sant-baba-harnam-singh-ji-dhumma-will-be-our-strength-gurjit-singh-talwandi-ak-994974.html

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to demand a 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara on humanitarian grounds. Hawara, a convict in the 1995 Beant Singh assassination case, is currently serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail. Mann cited Hawara's mother's failing health as the reason for the request and assured the Governor that law and order would be strictly maintained during the parole period. https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeephh/punjab/chief-minister-bhagwant-mann-met-governor-gulab-chand-kataria-and-appealed-to-grant-parole-to-jagtar-singh-haw/3286973

The Central Government informed the Supreme Court that the Punjab government is close to accepting a proposal regarding payment of dues to Himachal Pradesh related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) projects. The dispute dates back to the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966. While Himachal and Haryana agreed to a cashless settlement formula, Punjab had initially objected to the 2.5 rupee per unit rate. Attorney General R. Venkataramani stated that minor issues are being resolved, and the court has scheduled the next hearing for August 20. https://www.etvbharat.com/pa/bharat/punjab-is-coming-very-close-to-an-amicable-settlement-centre-tells-sc-in-bbmb-share-dispute-pbn26081205212

A total solar eclipse is set to occur on August 12, 2026, visible across parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, and Russia. While areas like the US, Canada, and the UK will witness a partial eclipse, India is not in the visibility path. The event will begin globally at 15:34 UTC and conclude by 19:58 UTC. Experts emphasize using certified solar viewing glasses to prevent eye damage, as looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase. https://punjab.news18.com/photogallery/lifestyle/solar-eclipse-2026-a-solar-eclipse-will-occur-in-many-countries-across-the-world-on-august-12-the-sun-will-be-completely-covered-in-some-places-while-appearing-partially-obscured-in-others-find-out-t-994629.html