Patrick Stewart, X-Men and Star Trek films actor, passes away at 86

Actor Patrick Stewart, the 86-year-old star whose roles in the “X-Men” and “Star Trek” franchises made him a Hollywood legend, has died in Los Angeles, his representatives and social media accounts confirmed. A statement said he died after a “short and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The announcement was reported as breaking news.

Patrick Stewart, Shakespearean actor turned 'Star Trek' and 'X-Men' star, dies at 86

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart, whose career spanned Shakespearean theater and major franchises, has died at 86 at his Los Angeles home after a brief journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, his family announced. Best known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Professor Charles Xavier in “X-Men,” he was knighted in 2010.

Chandigarh Police chargesheet two in ₹13L dental clinic theft

Police have filed a chargesheet against Nitesh Sahni, 21, and Simran, 24, over the theft of ₹13 lakh, two gold coins and a cheque book from a Manimajra dental clinic in August; investigators recovered about ₹5 lakh from them. The owner found a broken drawer and rear window, and police registered the case on August 17.

Murmu’s November 1 Panipat programme postponed

President Droupadi Murmu’s November 1 visit to Thirana village, Panipat, and planned launch of a national rural development project have been postponed, her private secretary informed Brahma Kumaris officials Thursday. The launch was scheduled during the organisation’s golden jubilee celebrations. No reason was given, but Murmu’s Haryana Day events and other programmes in Kurukshetra remain unchanged.

Haryana: BJP to organise three padyatras from November 1-5 to ‘counter anti-SIR narrative’

The BJP will stage three Haryana padyatras under its ‘Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao’ campaign, countering protests over voter revisions and alleged vote theft. Nitin Nabin and Dharmendra Pradhan lead Rohtak and Faridabad marches November 1; Amit Shah leads Karnal’s November 5 march, then inaugurates Ambala’s 1857 memorial and addresses a rally. The campaign runs October 22-November 5.

Lloyd Garner, longtime NASCAR spotter for Corey Heim, dies at 54

Longtime NASCAR spotter Lloyd Garner, whose guidance helped shape Corey Heim’s career, has died at 54, prompting tributes after news emerged October 28, 2026. His family has not confirmed the cause, though his sister said he had metastatic esophageal cancer. Garner spotted Heim in late models and ARCA, while colleagues remembered his kindness and voice.

Sophie Cunningham claims FBI ‘watching’ 20 people as potential risk to her safety

Sophie Cunningham says the FBI is monitoring about 20 people over safety concerns, though she offered no details and the claim is unverified. On Theo Von’s podcast, the Indiana Fever guard described stalkers and unwanted attention as downsides of the WNBA’s growing popularity, praised her team’s security, and said her profile brings recognition and risks.

Judge blocks Trump administration's Medicaid rule forcing sick recipients to prove frailty

A Boston federal judge ruled Thursday that chronically ill Medicaid recipients need not prove their conditions prevent compliance with work requirements to qualify as medically frail, blocking Trump administration guidance challenged by states. The ruling preserves work rules and other verification limits; from Jan. 1, expansion enrollees must work, volunteer or study 80 hours monthly.

Judges to rule on Australian mushroom killer's appeal

Erin Patterson will learn Friday whether the Court of Appeal overturns her conviction for killing three relatives with death cap mushrooms served in a beef Wellington lunch in 2023. Prosecutors challenge her 33-year minimum sentence as too lenient, while her lawyers say trial irregularities caused a miscarriage of justice. The motive remains unknown.

Spain train crash survivor recalls scenes of devastation as accident unfolded

A Madrid–Seville high-speed collision killed 69 people Wednesday when a Renfe train struck an Iryo service, sending three carriages down an embankment; survivor Sebastian Herrero escaped, describing burned wreckage and injured passengers. The crash revived scrutiny of railway maintenance and safety after a fatal January accident, although many commuters see rail as their only option.

Woman shot outside Republican Party HQ in Richmond; VCU sends alert

A woman was shot Thursday afternoon outside the Republican Party of Virginia’s headquarters, The Obenshain Center, in Richmond, prompting Virginia Commonwealth University to alert its community. The party confirmed the shooting occurred outside the center, while the available report provided no further details about the woman’s condition, the circumstances, or any suspect. The incident is breaking news.

Man accused in Cornell rape lawsuit wants Letitia James removed from investigation over her posts

A New York judge questioned Thursday whether social-media posts disqualify Attorney General Letitia James from a Cornell rape probe, after a defendant argued her messages backing the accuser showed bias. James’s office says no defendant has been harmed because no charges have been filed. Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed James after local prosecutor declined charges in 2024.

Yemen’s besieged Taiz is in famine, governor says, as 13 are killed by Saudi airstrike

At least 13 people were killed in a Saudi airstrike in Taiz Thursday, as officials said a Houthi siege has pushed Taiz into famine. Water, cooking gas, oxygen and flour are running out, and aid cannot reach over 600,000 people; Human Rights Watch says the blockade may constitute a war crime, which Houthis deny. Taiz remains contested.

US mortgage rates fall for second week, but 30-year fixed rate remains above 7%

US mortgage rates fell for a second straight week to 7.24%, down from 7.32%, but remained above 7%, keeping home loans costly and buyers cautious. Purchase applications rose 4% week over week, yet were 18% below last year, while refinancing applications plunged more than 60%. Treasury yields near 5% and the Federal Reserve’s unchanged benchmark rate helped shape borrowing costs.

Elke Sommer, German-born star of ‘A Shot in the Dark’ and ‘The Prize,’ dies at 85

Elke Sommer, the German-born actress whose glamour and comic performances made her a fixture of 1960s Hollywood, including “The Prize” and “A Shot in the Dark,” has died at 85 at her Bel Air home, her stepson said. She won a Golden Globe as most promising newcomer and starred alongside Paul Newman and Peter Sellers. Born in wartime Berlin, she later painted.

EU pressure on Antigua's 'golden passport' trade threatens budget cushion

Antigua may phase out its citizenship-by-investment program under EU pressure, threatening vital revenue and Caribbean “golden passport” schemes. Its government collected about $58 million from passport sales in 2025; ending the program could erase more than half its projected primary surplus. The EU cites security risks and could suspend visa-free Schengen access, while similar schemes support regional economies.

India’s teen stars raring to go at the Youth Olympics

India’s 17-athlete team begins its Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic campaign Saturday, seeking medals and experience across 11 sports. Prospects include badminton champion Tanvi Patri, hurdler Shourya Ambure, swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu and archer Gatha Khadke. With fewer quotas and shooting absent, India will target boxing, badminton and archery; it has won 23 medals in three previous editions.

Joseph Duggar's molestation case takes a new turn as phone recordings are revealed

Prosecutors disclosed a phone recording to Joseph Duggar’s defense team in his Florida child-molestation case, though its contents remain unknown, and added a new witness: a woman linked to an Arkansas child-safety organization. Duggar, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of molesting a nine-year-old during a family vacation and awaits trial on $600,000 bond.

ACT Hockey: India beat China 5-2 for second successive win

India beat China 5-2 in Jalandhar on Thursday, claiming a second win at the Asian Champions Trophy as captain Harmanpreet Singh and Player of the Match Sukhjeet Singh scored twice each, while Jugraj Singh added a fifth. India led 4-1 before China replied; Malaysia beat South Korea 3-1 and Japan defeated Bangladesh 1-0. India face Japan Friday.

HT City Delhi Junction: Catch It Live on October 30, 2026 in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram

Free arts calendar from October 30 features IIC Experience 2026, with a Kerala reading-and-relics exhibition running through November 3 and Alarmel Valli performing on opening night. The lineup includes Dastan-E-Gurudut, Samvidhan Mahotsav 3.0 and a Sadhna workshop, spanning theatre, discussion and hands-on arts. Venues include IIC, Jawahar Bhawan, LTG Auditorium and Kalashram; metro access varies.

French minister warns of 'very high' violence risk at Halloween protests

France warned of a “very high risk of urban violence” as authorities prepared security for Saturday’s demonstrations by Yellow Vest and student groups. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez cited social-media calls for disorder after rioting on October 17. Though rallies were mostly peaceful last weekend, protests reflect anger over living costs and inequality, amid presidential elections six months away.

England outlast Sri Lanka despite Rathnayake's hundred in dead rubber

Ben Duckett’s career-best 167 powered England to 386-5, and Liam Dawson’s four wickets halted Sri Lanka at 331, securing a 55-run win in Lahore despite Pavan Rathnayake’s 118. Kusal Mendis made 89 as Sri Lanka threatened a chase, needing 87 from the final ten overs before Rathnayake fell. England’s dead-rubber win preceded Saturday’s final against Pakistan.

Sam Altman says MBA students chase what was 'cool five years ago' instead of trying something new

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urged MBA students to pursue new AI opportunities rather than follow career paths and business trends popular five years ago, saying disruption offers room for risk-takers. AI will do many human tasks better, faster and more cheaply, though change may take time. Other founders also see an advantage in AI-first companies.

Trump rally attendee says he is making up for missing the Jonestown Massacre

An unidentified man at Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Rock Hill, South Carolina, compared the event to the Jonestown Massacre, telling Fox News he was “too young” to visit South America in the late 1970s and saw the rally as his closest chance to witness a cult. The massacre killed 918 Peoples Temple members in 1978.

Ludhiana: Congress to expose state govt on drugs, crime, says Warring

Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said Rahul Gandhi will visit Punjab on November 4 to demand answers from the AAP government over crime, drugs, corruption and unfulfilled promises. Warring cited 298 of India’s 305 drone-linked drug-trafficking cases in Punjab in 2025 and Ludhiana’s 56 murders in 2024, urging accountability and public safety. He said residents still await change.

US inflation rises to 3.6% in September, strengthening bets on Fed rate hike in December

US inflation rose to 3.6% year-over-year in September, from 3.4% in August, strengthening expectations of a December Federal Reserve rate increase as gasoline and other goods grew costlier. The PCE price index rose 0.5% monthly, while core inflation reached 3.1%. The Fed held rates at 3.75%-4.00%; consumer spending increased 0.5%, but inflation-adjusted spending was flat.

Ludhiana: Burglars render family unconscious, flee with 3 vehicle, 54 LPG cylinders

Three burglars allegedly used an unidentified spray to incapacitate a family before stealing a pickup carrying 54 LPG cylinders and two motorcycles from a Gobindgarh gas-agency warehouse around 3.15am Thursday. The employee discovered the theft after waking and alerted the owner and police; CCTV reportedly captured the suspects escaping. Investigators are reviewing footage, while police say circumstances remain suspicious.

Delhi's Jamia University agrees to students’ demands, sets timeline for union polls

Jamia Millia Islamia accepted key demands from protesting students, allowing offline classes to resume Monday, November 2, and agreeing to revoke protest-related disciplinary action. The university will complete the students’ union constitution by May 15, 2027, with elections within six weeks of the academic session’s July 16, 2027 start; notices, suspensions and campus bans will be withdrawn.

South Africa stumble after Josh Inglis ton as Australia hunt series-deciding win

Mitchell Starc’s two wickets and Nathan Lyon’s strike left South Africa 140 for four, 40 runs ahead, on day three of the third Test at Newlands, with Australia poised for victory. Josh Inglis scored 102 and Alex Carey 80 as Australia made 429, establishing a 100-run first-innings lead. South Africa still have six wickets remaining.

₹300-cr drug bust: Secret MD lab raided in Jalaun, 2 arrested

DRI and UP ATS busted a clandestine mephedrone laboratory in Orai, Jalaun, arresting two alleged network members and seizing 1,102.88 kg of drugs, intermediates and precursor chemicals valued above ₹300 crore. The haul included 15.44 kg of finished mephedrone; the full seizure was not finished narcotics. Investigators are tracing supplies, production capacity and distribution amid other drug-lab busts in Uttar Pradesh.