Latest news with #GurpreetSingh
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKXCF) Gets a Buy from Goldman Sachs
In a report released today, Gurpreet Singh from Goldman Sachs maintained a Buy rating on Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing (HKXCF – Research Report), with a price target of HK$455.00. The company's shares closed today at $50.41. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Singh is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 15.1% and a 62.50% success rate. Singh covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as BSE Ltd., BOC Hong Kong (Holdings), and Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing. Currently, the analyst consensus on Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing is a Strong Buy with an average price target of $50.18.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amid talk of another mock drill, Punjab's border villages stay on alert
The Punjab government has yet to finalise the dates for conducting the mock drill or civil defence exercise under Operation Shield. Still, the mood along the state's international border is one of preparedness and resilience, with villagers saying they are willing to cooperate if another drill is announced. Punjab shares a 553 km-long border with Pakistan, spanning six districts: Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Fazilka, and Ferozepur. The border districts were on high alert during India's military face-off with Pakistan following the launch of Operation Sindoor after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Tensions eased after both countries agreed to a ceasefire. 'The ceasefire happened on May 10, but we are still on alert,' said Paramjit Singh from Pakka Chisti village in Fazilka. 'Most of our family members are staying in Fazilka city, while I go to the fields that are just metres away from the border. Life seems normal, but one needs to always stay alert. Who else can understand this better than a border villager?' He added, 'Our village still maintains the discipline of returning home early. Street lights were only switched on this week. If there is another mock drill, let it happen—we are ready. But we hope it is just precautionary; no nation can afford conflict right now.' Until last week, villagers of Kadar Baksh village in Fazilka district had been sleeping nearly 10 km away from their homes. They used to come back during the day for work and lock up their homes in the evening, as the village is located just 400 metres away from the international border. However, they have now returned, sources said. 'After the announcement of this exercise (the mock drill), people are tense… as if something big is going to happen again. We wish for peace to prevail as in modern-day wars, civilians are at equal risk as our forces, as drones and missiles target civilian areas too, be it in a city or a village,' Gurpreet Singh from Patti Sadik village in Fazilka said. In Bhakra village of Gatti Rajoke block in Ferozepur district, Vanjar Singh said that people in cities were more alert than villagers now. 'Drones went deep into urban areas like Ferozepur, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, and Pathankot. So life is risky for all, not just us. We have bunkers in nearby areas and are used to adversities. After Operation Sindoor, we sent women and children to our relatives' houses. But now, after seeing drones strike anywhere, we are going to stay put—unless the Army asks us to move,' Vanjar said. 'After the ceasefire, we heard dhol beats from the other side of the border. In response, we played Sidhu Moosewala songs on loudspeakers and held a tractor march. After that, it has been quiet from across the border,' he added. Vishal Singh from Chak Amir village in Bamiyal block of Pathankot district said the villagers were ready to follow the instructions once issued. 'Street lights were turned on only recently. From May 7 to May 10, we could hear blast sounds—but nothing came toward our side,' he added. Pargat Singh from Mehdipur village in Amritsar supported regular mock drills, saying, 'These drills are necessary to keep volunteers ready—whether it is a war-like scenario or a natural disaster.' Paro Bai from Tindiwala village in Ferozepur echoed a similar view. 'The siren systems and evacuation drives must be tested regularly. Any blackout being conducted is likely to be a system check and a test of official coordination,' Bai added. According to sources, during the heightened tensions in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, sirens in many districts of Punjab did not function properly as they had not been used for decades. Operation Shield: New dates yet to be announced The government is likely to conduct a state-wide mock drill and blackout under Operation Shield once the dates are finalised. Citizens will be instructed to switch off all the lights and stay indoors, while mock sirens and emergency response teams will be activated. The operation is designed to prepare both civilians and authorities for coordinated responses in the event of aerial threats or emergencies, especially in light of increased drone activity in border states. The mock drill was scheduled to take place on May 29 but was postponed due to administrative reasons. While initially, the Punjab government had said that the drill would be held on June 3, a press statement issued late Wednesday evening said that the new dates for the exercise would be announced later. Leaders visit border villages Meanwhile, Jai Inder Kaur, president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, visited border villages in Fazilka on Wednesday to interact with residents and understand their concerns. She was accompanied by Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar. 'We visited many villages close to the international border and heard their grievances. We will take up their issues with higher authorities,' Jakhar said. The issues raised were related to compensation for crop loss on land across the barbed wire, farming restrictions, lack of employment opportunities, etc.
India Today
24-05-2025
- India Today
2 contract killers accused of killing woman in Navi Mumbai arrested from UP
The Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested two people wanted in the murder of a woman in Navi Mumbai. The accused, Sukhpreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh, both residents of Haryana, have been on the run since the on a tip-off, a joint team of the Noida unit of UP STF and Navi Mumbai police conducted the operation and both the accused were interrogation, Sukhpreet told officials that he wanted to become a model and went to Mumbai in 2022 with his cousin Gurpreet. There he came across a woman running a salon. It was at the behest of this woman that the cousins hatched a conspiracy to kill the victim for Rs 5 lakh. It has also been revealed that the contract for the murder was given to the brothers by none other than the deceased woman's husband, Kishore accused first did a recce and ordered weapons online before killing the woman by slitting her throat on the night of May Watch IN THIS STORY#Uttar Pradesh#Noida
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Visitor visa approvals to Canada pick up under new govt, tourists from Punjab heave a sigh of relief
Canada has recently taken steps to improve the issuance of tourist visas to Indian nationals, marking a stark contrast to the significant reductions observed just a few months ago. The sharp drop in visa approvals, which saw success rate plummet from around 80 per cent to as low as 10-20 per cent, particularly for applicants from Punjab, left many prospective visitors disheartened. However, under the new government, or just prior to its election, a noticeable shift in immigration policy has provided some relief, signalling a more welcoming approach for travellers. Despite Canada phasing out the automatic 10-year multiple-entry tourist visas for eligible applicants last year, the recent developments offer hope for those seeking visitor visas. Although Canada has become more selective and tightened its immigration system, initially frustrating many potential tourists, the approach now appears to be loosening under the new leadership. Visitor visa approval rates have improved in the past few months since the new government was expected to take charge. Visas are now being processed faster compared to previous timelines. 'From April 28 to May 15, I received four visitor visa approvals. In one case, there were three refusals in the past, but this time, visa approvals came within two weeks after application,' said Tirath Singh of Pinnacle Immigration in Jalandhar. He added that since the new government took office, visitor visa approval rates have increased by about 50 to 60 per cent, reversing the sharp declines seen last year. From July to August of last year, there was a surge in refusals, even for well-qualified individuals—professionals, government officials, and those with substantial financial assets—without clear reasons for the rejections. 'The change, however, came with the arrival of the new government, which has worked to alleviate some of the frustrations caused under previous policies. Under the leadership of the current government, the visitor visa process has improved, reversing long delays and rejections without explanation,' said Tirath Singh. Gurpreet Singh of iCan Immigration Consultancy noted that the success rate for visitor visas has improved in recent weeks, now hovering around 50 per cent. 'We hope this will continue to improve. The new government has focused on streamlining visa processing times, which has allowed for a smoother experience for applicants,' he added. Experts point out that while it is still early to make definitive conclusions, they believe the new government's policies strike a better balance between controlling immigration and fostering global tourism, something that was increasingly difficult under the previous administration. As a result, the system is still selective but more predictable, with fewer unexpected rejections and clearer reasoning. Cautionary note for visitors to Canada Experts also suggest that Indian applicants who are granted visitor visas should avoid overstaying in Canada and ensure they leave before their visa expires. This will help maintain a good record for Indian tourists and further improve the approval rate for visitor visas. Experts also caution applicants against illegal employment and ask them to clearly state their intent to return after their visit. They also advise that visitors should not use Canada as a gateway to the United States. The decision to discontinue the automatic 10-year tourist visas is still in effect, but experts believe that the new government may lead to an improved success rate for the six-month tourist visas.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Bureaucrats adopt govt schools, teachers allege selective approach
The state government on Tuesday launched a School Mentorship Programme where bureaucrats will adopt government schools to guide and inspire students, aiming to create a strong support system through regular interactions, and mentorship. A total of 80 schools have been selected across the state, out of which 14 are from Ludhiana. However, 13 of these belong to the Schools of Eminence (SoEs) category and one is a Senior Secondary Residential School for meritorious students. While the government has praised the programme as a step towards transforming education, many educators have raised concerns about its selective nature. They alleged that regular government schools, which are in more urgent need of support, have been left out entirely. Gurpreet Singh, joint secretary of the Democratic Teachers Front, criticised the programme for being more about appearances than actual reform. 'Only SoEs and meritorious schools have been chosen. Why are regular schools being ignored when they also serve the same purpose of education? There are many schools without proper infrastructure and adequate faculty, but the government's focus has only been on highlighting SOEs,' he added. Responding to the non-inclusion of non-SoEs, Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains clarified that the programme is still in its early stages. 'Bureaucrats will adopt non-SoE schools as well. This is just the beginning. All schools will eventually benefit from the initiative,' he added. The programme officially kicked off on Tuesday, with Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain visiting the School of Eminence (Government Model Senior Secondary School), Millerganj. Addressing students of Class 9 and 10, Jain encouraged them to dream big and work hard. 'You are the architects of your own destiny,' he told them. Drawing inspiration from India's freedom fighters, he urged students to honour their legacy by striving for excellence and building a strong, united nation. Amritsar's deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney visited Kishori Lal Jethi School of Eminence in Khanna. She interacted with students and promised to support them throughout their academic journey. 'Your dreams are yours to achieve, and I am here to help you every step of the way,' she said, encouraging students to directly reach out to her for any support they may need. Meanwhile, Ojasvi Alankar, chief administrator of Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), adopted the School of Eminence in Indrapuri. He urged students to keep pushing despite obstacles and to never lose sight of their goals. However, voices of concern continue to grow. Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, district president of the Lecturer Cadre Union, pointed out that the students in SoEs are the product of regular government schools, where they had studied till class 8, which are now being ignored. 'The SoEs are the priority of the government, be it any programme, but the students in regular schools are the ones who truly need mentoring. This year's merit list had very few students from SoEs, which reflects the ground reality' he added.
