2 cops among four hurt in attack by ‘drug peddlers’ in Gurdaspur

Four people, including two Punjab Police personnel, were injured when alleged drug peddlers and associates attacked villagers and police in Shikar Machhian, Gurdaspur, late Monday, after residents confronted outsiders buying narcotics. Police booked 29 people under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and arrested two; the clash follows two recent killings of anti-drug campaigners in Punjab.

Rescued from Rajasthan 3 months ago, gharial finds new home in Beas

An adult gharial rescued from Rajasthan’s Indira Gandhi Canal was released October 24 into Punjab’s Beas River Conservation Reserve after nearly three months’ care, advancing efforts to save the critically endangered species. Rescued July 30 through cross-state coordination, it joins a population bolstered by 94 juvenile releases; a 2025 survey counted 37 gharials at 22 Beas locations.

DA case: HC summons Punjab chief secy; imposes ₹1-lakh fine

The Punjab and Haryana high court fined Punjab’s chief secretary ₹1 lakh and ordered him to appear on November 3, citing the state’s failure to release dearness allowance to employees and pensioners. It demanded an affidavit by October 30. The August 3 ruling required payment within a fortnight; the Supreme Court appeal remains defective and unheard.

Rohtak IG inspects Faridabad police preparedness

Rohtak IG Hamid Akhtar inspected Fatehabad police’s readiness for riots, crowd control and emergencies, reviewing platoon drills and equipment while urging vigilance, discipline and professionalism. Officers demonstrated tear-gas and shield techniques, and Akhtar checked the Vajra anti-riot vehicle. He urged preventive monitoring and better public communication; SP Khattar said regular exercises improve response capabilities.

Tajpuria gang shooter injured in encounter with Sonepat police

A suspected Tillu Tajpuria gang associate was arrested near Sonepat after a gunfight, in which he was wounded and an officer’s bulletproof vest stopped a shot to his chest. Police recovered pistols and ammunition while probing Rajneesh’s intended target. He faces over a dozen cases in Haryana and Delhi; the gang has figured in high-profile crimes.

Daytime goods transport in central peth areas banned till Nov 12

Pune traffic police have barred goods deliveries and loading in crowded Peth markets during daytime, allowing them only from 11 pm to 9 am until November 12, to ease Diwali congestion and protect pedestrians. Effective October 26, the restriction covers Laxmi Road, Tulshibaug, Mandai and shopping streets where narrow roads and heavy footfall impede traffic movement.

Punjab: HC wants chief secretary’s affidavit on PSPCL finances

Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the chief secretary to disclose PSPCL’s finances and proposed borrowings, including a ₹10,000-crore loan, finding public interest despite the government’s challenge to the PIL’s maintainability. Petitioners say unpaid subsidies and electricity dues are driving debt and seek loan records and recovery of receivables; the court requested a response on merits.

Pune RTO warns private buses against excess fares during Diwali

Pune’s RTO warned private bus operators not to exceed government-prescribed fares during Diwali, saying violators face action under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, as complaints of arbitrary pricing rise with festive demand. Passengers can report overcharging via WhatsApp at 8275330209, providing contact details and a ticket photo. Operators must follow safety rules and keep vehicle documents valid.

Punjab: ₹3,721cr released to over 79L beneficiaries under mawan dheeyan scheme, says minister

Punjab has enrolled 79.77 lakh women under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana and disbursed ₹3,721 crore, Minister Baljit Kaur told the Assembly, with a ₹9,300 crore budget provision. First instalments worth ₹2,602.46 crore reached 75.16 lakh beneficiaries, while ₹1,118.93 crore in second instalments went to 32 lakh. Registrations were counted through October 20.

Teen goes missing in Georgia after leaving Sprayberry High School

Social media posts say 15-year-old Xavier Cabrera went missing after leaving Sprayberry High School in Cobb County, Georgia, at 8:09 a.m. October 27, 2026; police have not confirmed the reports, which HT.com could not verify. He was reportedly wearing a gray hoodie, black sweats and sneakers, and carrying a blue backpack. Relatives urge anyone with information to contact authorities.

Punjab: Ayali says, AAP govt deliberately delaying Amritpal party’s registration by ECI

Ayali accused Punjab’s AAP government of deliberately delaying Akal Dal Waris Punjab De’s Election Commission registration, saying the home department ignored two ECI letters seeking objections for months. He urged a report before elections and alleged Centre interference. Founded by jailed MP Amritpal Singh’s father in January 2025, the party remains unregistered without an election symbol.

Punjab: Congress, AAP MLAs trade barbs, jostle outside House

Punjab’s AAP and Congress legislators clashed outside the assembly Tuesday after Congress members said they were barred from entering on the session’s final day. The dispute centered on Sukhpal Singh Khaira, suspended for the session over alleged unparliamentary language; Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said members facing action should be excluded, as the parties traded accusations.

Spice of Life | Auntie’s just a form of address, not an age tag

Terms such as “auntie,” “uncle,” “beta” and “ji” often express cultural respect, familiarity and social hierarchy—not judgments about age, argues an officer reflecting on being called auntie at 23 and feeling startled when her daughter used a relative’s first name. India’s honorifics and Western first-name habits reflect different vocabularies of courtesy; neither system is superior.

Cabinet expansion sparks joy, heartbreak in J&K

Omar Abdullah inducted four ministers into Jammu and Kashmir’s cabinet, its first expansion in two years, balancing veteran and younger leaders but angering sidelined senior legislators. Farooq Abdullah welcomed the change; Mubarak Gul, omitted from the cabinet, became party general secretary, while Abdul Majeed Larmi protested being passed over. The reshuffle strengthens Srinagar’s representation but reduces Jammu’s.

Pune station chokes as long-distance trains arrive 6-7 hrs late

Late-running long-distance trains are congesting Pune railway station during peak hours, delaying incoming services and threatening departures as occupied platforms leave little room. Terminating trains need 30–40 minutes for passengers to alight and complete procedures, while arrivals may wait outside on signals; delays disrupt cleaning and preparation. Officials cite track work and say additions improve punctuality.

Les miserables: Why are the French protesting | Number Theory

France has been rocked by widespread protests, with some escalating into large-scale arson last week, drawing attention for their scale and spread. Although major protests and violence are not new to the country, the latest unrest stands out in its reach. The article presents figures to place events in context and explore what may be driving them.

Punjab: Resolution on public welfare schemes of AAP govt passed

Punjab’s Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution assuring welfare schemes and direct entitlements will continue uninterrupted, saying state resources protect citizens’ dignity. It cited women’s monthly aid, free electricity and farm power, ₹10-lakh family health coverage, and 1,244 clinics, while condemning opposition calls to end assistance. Finance Minister Cheema moved it on session’s final day.

Punjab: House passes resolution urging Centre to reopen Kartarpur Corridor

Punjab’s assembly on Tuesday urged the Centre to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, allowing pilgrims to resume visits to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, and called for easier procedures and diplomatic efforts to ensure safe passage. Closed since May 2025 amid India-Pakistan tensions, the visa-free route links Dera Baba Nanak with Kartarpur and opened in 2019.

Pune MLC polls: Harshada and Gawade lead in early trends

Pune’s MLC count showed NCP (SP)’s Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav leading BJP’s Smita Jadhav in the Graduates’ contest, while BJP’s Kaustubh Gawade led the Teachers’ race; results are expected Wednesday. Preferential voting requires candidates to reach a quota, with votes transferred from eliminated contenders if necessary. Polling was held October 23 across five districts.

Haryana Congress steps up mobilisation for November 1 New Delhi rally

Haryana Congress is mobilising leaders and party workers across 22 districts for the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, prioritising the NCR and coordinating transport. The gathering will challenge alleged electoral irregularities and advance “Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao,” amid opposition concerns over voter rolls, the Election Commission and Haryana’s 2024 election.

₹90L property fraud case: Mohali court dismisses woman’s anticipatory bail application

A Zirakpur court denied bail to Chahna Pangotra, 26, accused of cheating a buyer and his brother-in-law of ₹90 lakh by allegedly concealing loans against two flats, ruling the allegations warrant custodial interrogation. The pair paid through bank transfers and cash, received registered deeds but no possession, and later discovered outstanding loans; an FIR was filed in October.

Punjab: 20-year-old youth dies after abduction, assault, 8 booked

Anmol, 20, died during treatment Tuesday after he was allegedly abducted and attacked with sharp-edged weapons in Ferozepur. His family says the assault was retaliation for his intervention after youths allegedly harassed his Class 11 sister. Police named six men and two unidentified suspects; no arrests had been announced. A mason, Anmol was his family’s primary breadwinner.

Murmu to launch national rural development programme in Haryana

President Droupadi Murmu will launch “Gram Utthan Se Rashtra Utthan,” a national rural-development programme, in Panipat’s Thirana village on Haryana Day, November 1, and inaugurate Kurukshetra University’s four-day Ratnavali folk festival. More than 3,000 artists will present 33 cultural forms, while an exhibition linked to the programme will address drug addiction; her visit also includes events marking Haryana’s formation and cultural heritage.

Only 1.4% with notices marked ineligible; highest in Bengaluru

Bengaluru accounted for nearly half of Karnataka’s 61,867 electors declared ineligible after Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings, with 30,924 exclusions, Election Commission data showed. Bommanahalli recorded the most exclusions, 4,136, followed by KR Pura (3,081) and Mahadevapura (2,870). Statewide, 43,20,957 electors were retained after verification, while 1,88,324 voters were removed overall from Tuesday’s final roll.

Haryana: Video showing 2 minor accused being ‘paraded with shaven heads’ sparks row

Hisar police denied parading two minor murder-attempt accused after a video appeared to show them in a market, saying they were taken, faces covered, to identify the crime scene and recover a weapon. Officers said their heads were already shaved at arrest; the minors were apprehended over a firing incident, with an illegal rifle recovered.

Climate-linked heat deaths rise 36% since Paris Agreement; India also affected: Lancet

Lancet’s 10th report finds climate-related health harms accelerated since Paris, outpacing action, and urges declaring climate change a global health emergency. Heat deaths rose nearly 36%; India faced 2,600-plus annual hours of risky heat and lost 64 hours of sleep yearly to hot nights. Drought and extreme rainfall add risks, while clean energy has prevented deaths.

Naga group to stage rally against SoO in Manipur on October 31

UNC will join Meitei groups in Manipur rallies on October 31, 2026, demanding cancellation of the Kuki militant Suspension of Operations pact and replacement of Assam Rifles. The alliance follows violence, including three Meitei woodcutters’ killings, amid Naga-Kuki clashes. Security forces found over 150 cadres missing from a SoO camp after pact expiry last month.

Jakhar writes to Shah, seeks NIA probe into drug-gangster nexus

Former Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar urged Amit Shah to order a time-bound NIA probe into alleged drug trafficking, gangsters and Pakistan-linked arms networks, calling them a national-security threat. He cited an inmate’s alleged escape to Dubai after parole and an anti-drone constable’s arrest with 25kg heroin. In an October 26 letter, Jakhar alleged police complicity and cross-border links.

12th Brics parliamentary forum concludes with joint declaration backing UNSC reform and zero tolerance for terrorism

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum adopted a New Delhi declaration backing United Nations Security Council reform, stronger Global South representation and zero tolerance for terrorism. It condemned the 2025 Pahalgam attack, urging action against terrorist financing and safe havens, while calling for AI and climate cooperation and Middle East peace. The forum met October 26–27.

Punjab: 5 smuggling rings busted, armyman among 10 held with 24 pistols, 20kg heroin

Punjab Police arrested 10 people, including an army soldier, in separate Amritsar operations that dismantled multiple arms and narcotics networks, recovering 24 sophisticated pistols and more than 20kg of heroin. Seven suspects were linked to four rural supply networks, while counter-intelligence arrested three in a cross-border module; investigators are probing foreign handlers and drone-dropped consignments.