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US Strikes Iran Again: Trump Confirms 'Minor' Attack Destroyed a New Air Defence System on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz • E-Way Bills Hit Record 156.21 Million in October as Festive Goods Movement Surges • Adkar and Bhosale Storm Into Chennai Open Final, Beat Second Seeds in Match Tiebreak • Punjab Stubble Burning Crosses 3,000: Season Total Reaches 3,144 as Tarn Taran Tops With 611 • Kochi: Prakash Raj Leads CJP's 'Jantar Mantar at Kochi' March Against SIR, Seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation • US Strikes Iran Again: Trump Confirms 'Minor' Attack Destroyed a New Air Defence System on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz • E-Way Bills Hit Record 156.21 Million in October as Festive Goods Movement Surges • Adkar and Bhosale Storm Into Chennai Open Final, Beat Second Seeds in Match Tiebreak • Punjab Stubble Burning Crosses 3,000: Season Total Reaches 3,144 as Tarn Taran Tops With 611 • Kochi: Prakash Raj Leads CJP's 'Jantar Mantar at Kochi' March Against SIR, Seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation •

Saturday · 7 November 2026 · Amritsar / Toronto

India

PM Modi Greets Nation on Diwali Eve, Says He Will Celebrate With Soldiers Like Every Year

In a letter and a video message on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished people happiness, harmony and prosperity, called Diwali the eternal victory of light over darkness, and said he would continue his annual tradition of celebrating the festival with defence personnel. Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk7 November 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

Awaaz Punjab branded thumbnail showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the headline Modi Diwali and the line Celebrates With Soldiers Again — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who greeted the nation on Diwali eve on Saturday and said he will celebrate the festival with soldiers.

New Delhi, November 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended Diwali greetings to people across the country in a letter posted on the Government of India's Jan Sampark Portal, wishing every home happiness, harmony and prosperity on the festival of lights.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

"Dear fellow citizen, warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Diwali! This festival celebrates the eternal victory of light over darkness, goodness over evil and hope over despair," the Prime Minister wrote, according to the letter reported by The Hindu BusinessLine.

"May Diwali illuminate every home with happiness, harmony and prosperity. May this festive season inspire us to spread kindness, embrace positivity and work towards a brighter future," he said, urging citizens to work towards the goal of a developed India, or Viksit Bharat.

In a separate video message titled "Have a great Diwali", the Prime Minister said the whole country is illuminated on Diwali and that the festival of lights symbolises a pledge against darkness, the news agency IANS reported.

Source: IANS via Hi India

"May this festival bring happiness, wellbeing and prosperity for all. Just like you all, I also celebrate this festival with enthusiasm. Like every year, I will again be celebrating Diwali with our brave defence personnel," Modi said in the video, IANS reported.

Earlier on Saturday, the Prime Minister met Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi and exchanged Diwali greetings, the news agency ANI reported. The Vice President later travelled to Ayodhya to take part in Deepotsav 2026, the tenth edition of the festival of lights held there on the eve of Diwali.

Source: ANI via Daily Prabhat

The Prime Minister had earlier wished people on Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the five-day Diwali festivities. Diwali itself falls on Sunday, November 8, this year.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also marking the festival with troops in forward areas this year. Read: Rajnath Singh to celebrate Diwali with troops at Bagdogra and Nathu La

Sources

The Hindu BusinessLine — https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/diwali-2026-pm-modi-extends-greetings-urges-kindness-and-positivity/article71677282.ece
IANS via Hi India — https://hiindia.com/pm-modi-extends-diwali-greetings-to-citizens/
ANI via Daily Prabhat — https://www.dailyprabhat.com/pm-modi-meets-vice-president-cp-radhakrishnan-exchanges-diwali-greetings/
Nation Press — https://www.nationpress.com/all/modi-extends-diwali-wishes-joins-defence-forces

Latest News — Punjab, India, USA and the World

Awaaz Punjab is an independent digital news platform publishing original, source-verified reporting in English, Punjabi and Hindi. Every story below is published with its sources named and dated, and every article is available in all three languages. Our newsroom covers Punjab first — its politics, districts and the road to the 2027 assembly election — along with India, the Punjabi diaspora in the USA and Canada, and world affairs that touch Punjab's people, from the Gulf to North America.

US Strikes Iran Again: Trump Confirms 'Minor' Attack Destroyed a New Air Defence System on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump said on Friday evening that the United States had carried out another round of limited strikes on Iran, destroying a newly built Iranian anti-aircraft installation on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz in 'about 15 minutes, maybe five' — the first US strikes since the Republicans' heavy defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections. Hours earlier, Iranian media had reported two missiles hitting the island's Suza area, in the report Awaaz Punjab published earlier tonight, when who fired them was not established; the exact connection between those impacts and the operation Trump described has not been independently established, and Iran has released no official damage assessment and no casualties are confirmed.

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Greater Noida: House Robber Injured in Dadri Police Encounter, Two Held and Two on the Run

An encounter broke out between police and a group of alleged house robbers in the Dadri police station area of Greater Noida, leaving one accused, Ajay, injured in the leg in police firing, the Noida Police said on Saturday, November 7. Another accused, Sameer, was arrested in a combing operation, while two suspects escaped in the darkness and are being searched for, according to the IANS report.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Bengaluru Seven-Murder Probe Widens: Police Examine Possible Role of Accused's Minor Daughter, Search On for Her

A day after Bengaluru police arrested cab driver Indushekhar for allegedly killing seven members of his wife's family, investigators are examining the possible involvement of his minor daughter, who is currently missing and being searched for, IANS reported. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge said the accused had reportedly brainwashed the girl, and cautioned against premature conclusions until the probe concludes. All allegations remain unproved.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Centre Draws Up Rabi Contingency Plans for 225 Dry Districts; ICAR to Track Sowing on a Live Dashboard

With rabi sowing running about 46 per cent behind last year after an erratic El Niño monsoon, the government has prepared district-level contingency plans for 225 affected districts, and ICAR is building a dynamic dashboard that blends IMD weekly forecasts with water-body data so officials can revise drought assessments district by district.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Kathmandu: Dr Govinda KC Ends 25th Hunger Strike After Six-Point Deal With Government

Nepal's government and medical education reform campaigner Dr Govinda KC signed a six-point agreement late on Friday night, ending his 25th hunger strike. KC had begun the fast in Ilam in late October and was later airlifted to Kathmandu as his health worsened.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Rain Has the Last Word in Wellington: India Beat New Zealand by 4 Runs on DLS to Go 2-0 Up

The result completes the match Awaaz Punjab reported earlier today — India bowling New Zealand out for 134 in Wellington. The chase reached 113 for 7 in 26 overs, with KL Rahul unbeaten on 26, before rain ended the second ODI; with the DLS par score at 109, India were declared winners by four runs and now lead the five-match series 2-0.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Centre Rejects Karnataka's Excess-Ethanol Claims in E20 Row, Says All 893 Samples Passed; Rahul Gandhi Cries 'Petrol Chori'

A day after Karnataka alleged that petrol was being sold with up to 31.2 per cent ethanol — the development reported on November 6 — the Petroleum Ministry on Saturday said testing under the prescribed procedure found every one of 893 samples within the 19–21 per cent E20 range and questioned the state's sampling method, while Rahul Gandhi, citing the Karnataka tests, accused the Centre of 'petrol chori'.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Compulsory Retirement Is Not a Punishment, Supreme Court Rules — Upholds Chhattisgarh Move Against Five Employees

A bench of Justices Manmohan and Shree Chandrashekhar held that compulsory retirement is neither punitive nor stigmatic, does not imply misconduct, and can rest even on adverse confidential-report entries that were never communicated to the employee — dismissing the appeals of Legal Metrology Department staff retired by Chhattisgarh in 2017.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Supreme Court: A Debt Shown in a Balance Sheet Restarts the Limitation Clock; Contractor's Suit Revived

A three-judge bench held on November 6 that balance-sheet entries acknowledging a subsisting liability start a fresh limitation period under Section 18 of the Limitation Act, and restored a contractor's recovery suit that the Delhi High Court had thrown out as time-barred.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

'The Unlawful Use of Force Is Becoming Normalised': UN Chief Guterres Warns Borders Are Being Redrawn by Arms in Farewell-Era Salamanca Speech

Less than two months before his term ends, UN Secretary-General António Guterres used an honorary doctorate at Spain's University of Salamanca to warn that the system built in 1945 to stop wars is 'cracking' — that too many states treat international law as an à la carte menu, that military spending is breaking records while aid plummets, and that the UN Charter's rule must apply to everyone: 'No exceptions. No double standards.'

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Punjab: Mann Hikes DA by 40 Points for 6,507 Computer Teachers — 181% to 221% as Diwali Gift; Salary Benefits for 1,007 Samagra Shiksha Staff

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Saturday, in a post on X, that the dearness allowance (DA) of 6,507 computer teachers working under PICTES has been raised by 40 percentage points, from 181% to 221%. A teacher on ₹15,000 basic pay will get ₹6,000 more a month, and one on ₹35,000 basic will get about ₹14,000 more. Mann also announced salary-related benefits for 1,007 Samagra Shiksha non-teaching staff whose services were regularised earlier.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Sonia Gandhi: Indira Gandhi Publicly Apologised for Emergency Excesses, Sanjay Was Not to Blame Alone

In an interview with The Hindu ahead of her memoir 'Belonging', out on November 10, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi acknowledged that democratic rights were curtailed and habeas corpus was suspended during the 1975-77 Emergency — 'but it was done constitutionally' — and said Indira Gandhi was under pressure from senior colleagues, while Rajiv Gandhi carried people's complaints to his mother.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Patna: BPSC 71st Mains Result Declared — 3,392 Candidates Qualify for Interview Against 1,298 Posts

The Bihar Public Service Commission declared the Integrated 71st Combined Competitive Examination (Mains) results on Friday. Of the 11,125 candidates who wrote the main examination in Patna, 3,185 have qualified for the interview for 1,298 vacancies; another 207 candidates have cleared the Finance Administrative Officer mains, taking the combined total to 3,392.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Russia's Land Gains in Ukraine Fall to Almost Nothing — 117 Sq Km in 10 Months — as Its Diesel Reportedly Goes Unsold

Russia's battlefield gains in Ukraine have fallen to almost nothing this year, according to Institute for the Study of War figures reported by Al Jazeera: 117.38 sq km seized in the first 10 months of 2026, against 5,304 sq km in 2025. At the same time, Ukraine has hit eight Russian refineries in seven days, and four tankers of Russian diesel loaded under a Putin-Trump deal have reportedly failed to find buyers — a report the Kremlin dismissed as fake news.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Assam: Tengakhat Oil India Explosion Toll Rises to Two — Engineer Tapas Jyoti Gogoi Dies in Hospital

The death toll in Friday's explosion and fire at Oil India Limited's Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat, Dibrugarh, has risen to two. Engineer Tapas Jyoti Gogoi, who had sustained around 70 per cent burns, died at a private hospital at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, officials said; his death was confirmed by contractor Spectron's area manager Kamal Phukan. Three injured workers remain critical.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

'Beyond Coverage to Care': Health Ministry Charts Ayushman Bharat Roadmap as West Bengal Reports 4.2 Crore Cards

A two-day National Health Authority review in Kolkata closed on November 6 with a shared roadmap for PM-JAY and the digital health mission — more AI and automated claims, and a push from simply enrolling families to measuring the quality of their care.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Kochi: ED Registers Money-Laundering Case in Messi Visit Row; High Court Notice on Plea to Quash FIR Against Reporter TV MD

The Enforcement Directorate's Kochi unit has registered a money-laundering case (ECIR) against Reporter TV managing director Anto Augustine, as authorised signatory of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited, and the company itself, based on the Kalamassery police FIR of September 15, 2026 in the failed Argentina-Messi visit probe, The Hindu reported on November 7. Separately, the Kerala High Court on November 6 issued notice on Augustine's plea to quash that FIR, posting the matter to November 23. All charges in the FIR are allegations, which Augustine is contesting in court.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Back-to-Back Hundreds for Jaiswal: 102 Powers India A to 227/2 on Rain-Hit Day 1 in Lincoln

Yashasvi Jaiswal's second century in as many innings — 102 off 138 balls with 16 fours and two sixes — and B Sai Sudharsan's unbeaten 77 carried India A to 227 for 2 in 69.3 overs at stumps on the opening day of the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln on Saturday, November 7, before rain ended play early, IANS and ANI reported. The form matters beyond this match: India's senior Test series in New Zealand starts on November 19.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

First BIMSTEC Naval Exercise Ends in the Andamans: India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka Wrap Up Five Days at Sea

The maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise culminated at Sri Vijaya Puram on November 3, the Defence Ministry announced — the first time warships of the Bay of Bengal grouping have exercised together under its own banner.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Modinagar, Ghaziabad: Lintel Collapses as It Is Being Laid — One Worker Reported Dead, 5–8 Feared Trapped, NDRF Rescue Under Way

A lintel being laid at a house in Sikri Khurd village, Modinagar, in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district collapsed on Saturday. DCP Surendra Nath Tiwari told ANI that 5–8 workers were feared trapped and rescue operations were under way; Jagran reported that one worker, Chhotu of Faridnagar, had died and that five people had been rescued and hospitalised.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

New Zealand Election Early Count: National Edges Ahead and Projection Points to Luxon Coalition Holding Power

Counting is under way in New Zealand's general election and the first projection is in: with 14.4 percent of results counted, the ruling National Party had 30.90 percent of the party vote to Labour's 28.39 percent, and an Electoral Commission seat projection showed the current three-party National-led coalition heading toward retaining power — though Labour warned the declared vote was still low and a government could take weeks.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, Named Bihar Captain — Set to Become the Youngest Skipper in Men's T20 Cricket

The Bihar Cricket Association on Friday named 15-year-old India opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi captain for the first two matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy — against Saurashtra on November 14 and Railways on November 16 in Indore — a role that will make him the youngest captain in men's T20 cricket, Cricbuzz reported.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

NCB Destroys 1.37 Lakh Kg of Cannabis Across 458 Acres in Arunachal's West Kameng in Joint Drive

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), working with the SSB, CRPF and Arunachal Pradesh Police, has destroyed illicit cannabis cultivation spread over about 458 acres in the Kalaktang subdivision of West Kameng district, clearing more than 1.37 lakh kg of plants in the first phase of a drive that ran from October 26 to November 3, the agency said in an official release reported by IANS on Saturday, November 7.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Gurnoor Brar's Career-Best 4-30 Bowls New Zealand Out for 134 in Wellington ODI; India Need 135

Following up Awaaz Punjab's earlier report that India won the toss and bowled first in the rain-cut 47-overs-a-side second ODI, India's bowlers finished the job in Wellington on Saturday: New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 40.6 overs, with Gurnoor Brar taking a career-best 4-30 and Daryl Mitchell's 55 the hosts' only real resistance. India need 135 to win.

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Punjab News

Punjab: Mann Hikes DA by 40 Points for 6,507 Computer Teachers — 181% to 221% as Diwali Gift; Salary Benefits for 1,007 Samagra Shiksha Staff

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Haryana CM Saini Calls Rahul's 'Alcohol' Remark on Mann "Absolutely True", Also Accuses Punjab Govt of Diverting Farmers' Funds

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

ED Breaks Its Silence on Arora Searches: 14 Locations, PSIEC Plot Files Seized and Bank Lockers Frozen

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Pakistan Says No Bar on Visa for Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann — Lahore Visit Now Hangs on Delhi's Permission

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Barnala: Pungrain Manager and Mandi Inspector Arrested for Allegedly Demanding Rs 50,000 Bribe

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Mohali: CBI Court Jails Retired FCI Official and Four Jalalabad Rice Millers in 2004-05 Procurement Case

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

India News

Bengaluru Seven-Murder Probe Widens: Police Examine Possible Role of Accused's Minor Daughter, Search On for Her

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Centre Draws Up Rabi Contingency Plans for 225 Dry Districts; ICAR to Track Sowing on a Live Dashboard

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Rain Has the Last Word in Wellington: India Beat New Zealand by 4 Runs on DLS to Go 2-0 Up

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Centre Rejects Karnataka's Excess-Ethanol Claims in E20 Row, Says All 893 Samples Passed; Rahul Gandhi Cries 'Petrol Chori'

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Compulsory Retirement Is Not a Punishment, Supreme Court Rules — Upholds Chhattisgarh Move Against Five Employees

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Supreme Court: A Debt Shown in a Balance Sheet Restarts the Limitation Clock; Contractor's Suit Revived

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

USA News

Trump Names Stephen Miller as New White House Chief of Staff, Wiles Moves to Political Operation

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Geopolitics and World News

'The Unlawful Use of Force Is Becoming Normalised': UN Chief Guterres Warns Borders Are Being Redrawn by Arms in Farewell-Era Salamanca Speech

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Russia's Land Gains in Ukraine Fall to Almost Nothing — 117 Sq Km in 10 Months — as Its Diesel Reportedly Goes Unsold

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

New Zealand Election Early Count: National Edges Ahead and Projection Points to Luxon Coalition Holding Power

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

US Strikes Iran Again: Trump Confirms 'Minor' Attack Destroyed a New Air Defence System on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

Published 2026-11-06 · Awaaz Punjab

Saudi Arabia's KSrelief and Indonesia's BAZNAS Launch First Relief Phase for 75,000 People After Flores Earthquake — 15,000 Food Parcels and 15,000 Hygiene Kits

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

South Africa: ANC Falls Below a Third of the Vote With 90% of Ballots Counted in Local Elections

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Regional Editions — States of India

Greater Noida: House Robber Injured in Dadri Police Encounter, Two Held and Two on the Run

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Kathmandu: Dr Govinda KC Ends 25th Hunger Strike After Six-Point Deal With Government

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Patna: BPSC 71st Mains Result Declared — 3,392 Candidates Qualify for Interview Against 1,298 Posts

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Kochi: ED Registers Money-Laundering Case in Messi Visit Row; High Court Notice on Plea to Quash FIR Against Reporter TV MD

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Udaipur: Stone-Pelting and Arson at Navaghara Counting Centre After Panchayat Result, Vehicles Vandalised

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Mumbai: Maharashtra FDA Suspends 105 Food Licences, Including Blinkit and Zepto Units, in Diwali Drive

Published 2026-11-07 · Awaaz Punjab

Investigations — Awaaz Punjab Jaanch Reports

Khalistan: The Demand, the Grievances, and What the Law Actually Allows

Published 2026-10-22 · Awaaz Punjab

The Calls Come From Inside the Jail: How Punjab's Prisons Became the Drug Trade's Command Centres

Published 2026-10-19 · Awaaz Punjab

How Drugs Actually Enter Punjab: The Full Chain, From Afghan Fields to a Village Street

Published 2026-10-18 · Awaaz Punjab

The Night Sky Is the New Border: How Drones Replaced the Smuggler's Throw

Published 2026-10-18 · Awaaz Punjab

A Ban That Moved the Factory: Afghan Poppy Collapsed — So the Labs Moved to Pakistan

Published 2026-10-18 · Awaaz Punjab

The Chemist Pipeline: How Legal Pills Became Punjab's Second Drug Trade

Published 2026-10-18 · Awaaz Punjab

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Awaaz Punjab is an independent, trilingual newsroom — for Punjab, by Punjabis. We do not sell aggregated news; we publish investigations that stand on sources, with the outlet and date attached to every claim. Our first beat is Punjab's drug crisis, our second is Punjab politics. From Amritsar to Toronto — wherever a Punjabi lives, Awaaz Punjab reaches.