Real estate push: Three townships, new infrastructure on southern Lucknow’s horizon

Lucknow’s southern corridor may gain three townships—IT City, Wellness City and Saumitra Vihar—planned this month by LDA and UP Housing Board, with inauguration expected during a proposed November visit by Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath. Plots are priced indicatively at Rs 2,510–5,100 per sq ft; accompanying plans include Green Corridor and flood-control works.

‘PM to address national skills convocation in Lucknow on Nov 21’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will honour 52 vocational and skill-development toppers at Lucknow’s National Skills Convocation on November 21, the first time the event is held outside Delhi. Six honourees are from Uttar Pradesh, including three CITS trainees from one Lucknow institute. Organisers expect 1,000–1,200 participants; the convocation celebrates achievement in government training schemes.

58-year-old man killed by son, daughter-in-law in Tarn Taran village

A 58-year-old man was allegedly murdered by his son and daughter-in-law in Valtoha village on Saturday, with police linking the attack to an ongoing domestic dispute. The victim, identified as Lakhwinder Singh, alias Lakha, was killed; police registered a murder case against Harpreet Singh and Jashan and sent his body for post-mortem examination. Valtoha falls under Khemkaran constituency.

1.8 kg drone-dropped heroin recovered in Ferozepur

BSF and Punjab Police recovered 1.8 kg of heroin in two operations in Ferozepur district after detecting drone activity along the India-Pakistan border. Joint searches near Border Outposts Kassoke and Pachharian uncovered packets containing 1.022 kg and 815 grams. Police registered two cases under the NDPS Act, highlighting drones’ role in cross-border narcotics smuggling.

14 FCI officials among 30 get up to 3-yr jail in Punjab rice procurement scam

A Mohali CBI court convicted 30 people—14 Food Corporation of India officials and 16 rice millers—in three cases tied to Punjab’s 2004–05 procurement scam, sentencing them to one to three years’ imprisonment and fines for accepting substandard rice as Grade-A stock and causing financial loss. CBI checks detected the fraud during 2005 procurement.

Jagir Kaur to rejoin SAD in Kapurthala on November 15

SAD will re-induct former SGPC president Jagir Kaur on Sunday, her second return in two years after leaving breakaway SAD (Punar Surjit), saying its objectives had not been achieved. Party chief Sukhbir Badal will attend the Begowal ceremony. Kaur was expelled in 2022 over an SGPC election dispute, rejoined in 2024, then left again in 2025.

Amritpal’s parole visit to Punjab fails; lawyers to move court again

Amritpal Singh, jailed Khadoor Sahib MP, missed his grandmother’s last rites Saturday despite one-day custody parole, as lawyers could not change the date and Dibrugarh jail cited short-notice transfer constraints. His team plans to reapply Monday; meanwhile, his uncle was briefly escorted by police to the family village. Amritpal is imprisoned over the 2023 Ajnala attack.

2027 poll push: Nabin to kick off Dalit outreach yatra in Jalandhar on Nov 18

The BJP will launch a six-day Samrasta Sankalp Yatra from Dera Sachkhand Ballan on November 18, seeking to strengthen ties with Punjab’s Scheduled Caste community ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Party president Nitin Nabin will address the opening rally. The route spans several districts, as RSS leaders weigh whether the BJP should contest alone or revive its SAD alliance.

Amritsar police crack down on crime, arrest nine with pistols, 4kg heroin

Amritsar police arrested nine people, including two juveniles, in operations that dismantled two arms and narcotics networks and solved an attempt-to-murder and snatching case. Officers seized five pistols, nine cartridges and 4kg of heroin. The case involved a shooting that injured a man and theft of cash and jewellery; several suspects had previous criminal records.

Anti-sacrilege law: Takht panel seeks clarification from Punjab govt ahead of Nov 18 meeting

The Akal Takht panel has asked Punjab to clarify whether it followed the Takht’s June 29 directives and stayed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, before a November 18 meeting with government representatives. It agreed to discuss the state-passed law but says answers on both issues are required first.

Punjab CM launches KBC-style statewide youth quiz; ₹1-crore grand prize up for grabs

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched “Punjab Da Crorepati,” a quiz for residents aged 15–30, offering a ₹1-crore prize and rewards for thousands. The 11-round contest starts online November 21, includes district contests and concludes with a state finale December 17; registration runs November 14–28, 2026. Questions cover Punjab’s history, culture and government, promoting learning.

Five dead, 29 hurt as 2 buses carrying pilgrims collide in Tarn Taran

Five people, including three pilgrims, died and 29 were injured when two Punjab buses collided head-on Saturday near Naushehra Pannuan, Tarn Taran. Eighteen injured are critical. Witnesses said one bus swerved to avoid a motorcycle crossing the highway, entering the opposite lane. They were part of a free state pilgrimage scheme for residents aged 50+.

Doctor explains how high-intensity noise can cause lasting ear damage and affect balance

Firecracker blasts and sudden, high-intensity sounds can cause acoustic trauma, tinnitus and temporary or permanent hearing loss, especially at close range; persistent ringing, muffled hearing or sudden hearing changes need prompt medical assessment. Inner-ear hair-cell damage may be irreversible, while significant injury can affect balance. Children, older adults and noise-exposed workers face greater risk.

Inside Sinhgad’s financial collapse: ₹400-crore dues, staff unrest and govt takeover

Maharashtra has taken control of 32 Sinhgad Technical Education Society institutions after allegations of mismanagement, debt and prolonged salary defaults, appointing administrators to protect students and maintain classes. STES owes ₹400 crore in salaries and arrears to more than 6,000 employees. Years of expansion, loan defaults and concerns over fund diversion have deepened the crisis.

Names of 58 voters included in electoral rolls: Dudi

Pune officials restored 58 Bhosari voters to the electoral roll after their addresses were changed without their knowledge before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls; two of the 60 voters have since died. District Election Officer Jitendra Dudi said the others reapplied through Form 6, while police investigate a person accused of submitting Form 8 applications on their behalf.

Chandigarh: Caste, education, job, migration among 40 questions for census

Chandigarh’s Census 2027 enumeration runs January 25–February 28, with 2,150 enumerators and 360 supervisors collecting information across 40 parameters to inform services and policy. Households will report demographic, caste, disability, education, employment, migration, fertility and identity-document details; self-enumeration is available January 10–24. A revisional round follows March 1–5, and homeless residents will be counted February 28.

Ambala-Chandigarh Highway: Driver escapes unhurt after canter catches fire

A canter caught fire on Ambala-Chandigarh highway near Dera Bassi Saturday, damaging its cabin and front as driver Bobby escaped unharmed. Firefighters controlled the blaze, whose cause remains unclear. Separately, a fire broke out inside closed VR Mall in Mohali; responders tackled it, but damage was unknown. Bobby had seen a urea-system warning moments earlier.

Sharad Pawar should not ruin his political legacy: Saamana

Saamana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece, warned Sharad Pawar that merger talks with the BJP-aligned NCP faction could damage his legacy and standing in the INDIA bloc. It urged NCP (SP) leaders to reject the proposal, questioned rival leaders’ shifting claims and called the process farcical. Supriya Sule defended Sanjay Raut’s candour, calling him a brother.

Full stop on merger talks, says Sule, rules out joining NDA

Sule again ruled out an NCP (SP)-NCP merger, saying she was “putting a full stop” to speculation and that no reunification statement had followed Ajit Pawar’s death. She said her party could support delimitation if Lok Sabha seats increased uniformly by 50% nationwide. Fadnavis said Sunetra Pawar’s meeting was official, not about merger talks.

From weeds to wonders: Kashmir artisans give papier-mâché a green makeover

Kashmir artisans Simran Irshad and Mohammad Yousuf have developed paper-mâché from Dal Lake weeds and lily pads, offering a cheaper alternative to increasingly scarce, expensive scrap paper while potentially helping clear the polluted lake. After two years of trials, they found aquatic plants’ moisture and workability suitable. The centuries-old craft employs 3,000–3,500 artisans in Srinagar.

Mohali: Anticipatory bail denied to film firm MD in ₹1-crore fraud

A district court rejected film-company managing director Manu Prashant Wig’s anticipatory bail plea in an alleged ₹1-crore investment fraud, ruling custodial interrogation necessary. Investors were promised money would double after backing films, but later told funds had gone toward cryptocurrency. A 2020 Zirakpur FIR alleges cheating and criminal breach of trust.

AIP slams NC govt over ‘unemployment’ in J&K

AIP spokesperson Inam Un Nabi criticised the Omar Abdullah government after a survey put youth unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir at 26.2%, against 15.3% nationally, demanding accountability for the National Conference’s one-lakh-job pledge and a time-bound plan. He urged filling vacancies, transparent recruitment and support for investment, businesses and entrepreneurship, saying youth need action, not assurances.

No paid sports on our ground, say Walkeshwar residents

Walkeshwar residents are urging the BMC to reverse permission for a private coach to conduct cricket practice at SM Joshi ground, warning that scheduled paid use and a proposed pitch could restrict access to the neighbourhood’s only playground. Residents say teams rely on it for sports. The corporator cites existing rules; a BMC official will investigate.

1,600 kg rotten meat seized from railway cargo in Budgam: Officials

Authorities seized 1.6 tonnes of rotten meat at Budgam railway station after police found leaking, foul-smelling cartons shipped from Delhi for alleged distribution in Kashmir, preventing the unsafe consignment from reaching markets. Officials disposed of it under supervision and vowed action. The seizure revives concerns after last year’s discoveries, as the Valley imports much meat.

Ex-forest minister wants Chandrapur sanctuary denotified

Former forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar has asked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to denotify Kanhalgaon Wildlife Sanctuary, arguing it could worsen human-animal conflict and threaten 47 villages with displacement and restrictions. Conservationists counter that protection safeguards a tiger corridor, blocks projects and creates tourism jobs; the 31,000-hectare sanctuary, established in 2020, is home to 22 tigers.

Governor hails Chandigarh’s blood donation legacy at All India Motivators Meet

Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated the All-India Motivators Meet 2026, where delegates from 22 states and UTs honored late Padma Shri awardee Kanta Krishen, a voluntary blood donation pioneer. He presented the inaugural lifetime achievement award to ML Sarin, who has donated 115 times. Awards honored advocates and organizations; speakers urged preserving Chandigarh’s “Social Heritage.”

Blood shortage hits city hospitals in festive season, surgeries deferred

Blood shortages threaten surgeries and transfusions across Mumbai hospitals, prompting Tata Memorial director Dr C. S. Pramesh to seek donors, especially O- and B-positive. Surgeries may be deferred; Sion is nearly out of stock, and thalassemia patients need regular transfusions. Diwali travel and camp cancellations drive the seasonal crisis, compounded by limits on community-organised drives.

Khopta bridge reopens after a year, restores vital link to Uran port and industrial belt

The old Khopta bridge in Uran has reopened after nearly a year, restoring a route for JNPA, Dronagiri industries and 25 villages, while easing congestion nearby. The 240-metre structure admits vehicles up to 16 tonnes after a ₹10-crore restoration with advanced concrete and replacement bearings. Built in 1990, it closed in November 2025 after damage.

Cable theft cripples 66 CCTVs across Coastal Road; BMC turns to HCC for long-term fix

After repeated thefts disabled 66 cameras on Mumbai Coastal Road’s 10.58-km stretch, the BMC asked HCC for a long-term fix after L&T declined assistance. The network has been down for six months, spotlighted by a BMW crash that killed three. Officials report 110 km of cables replaced; underground, secured or wireless systems could be pilot-tested.

Maharashtra raises fines for weight fraud in packaged commodities

Maharashtra has proposed tougher weights-and-measures penalties, including fines up to Rs 75,000 for false quantities in packaged goods and Rs 2 lakh for repeated use of non-standard instruments, while bringing e-commerce platforms under the rules. The draft aims to curb consumer overcharging and is open to feedback before taking effect, revising regulations first introduced in 2011.