Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains responded to demands for his resignation following allegations of paper leaks in the state. Bains clarified that the pharmacy exam case was an instance of cheating, not a paper leak, and was exposed by the government itself. He added that the concerned department is not under his jurisdiction. Meanwhile, opposition leaders like Manjinder Singh Sirsa and actress Shweta Tiwari questioned AAP's stance on accountability compared to the NEET controversy in Delhi. https://punjabi.abplive.com/news/punjab/punjab-education-minister-harjot-bains-statement-to-calls-for-his-resignation-says-the-pharmacy-exam-case-of-cheating-not-paper-leak-876557

A 27-year-old Punjabi woman named Navneet Kaur was shot dead in Toronto, Canada. The suspect, identified as Sharanjit Singh from Brampton, was arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police after a brief pursuit. According to the police, the incident occurred in the Humberwood and Rexdale Boulevard area after a short interaction between the victim and the suspect. Sharanjit Singh has been charged with first-degree murder in what officials described as a targeted attack. https://www.ptcnews.tv/news-in-punjabi/27-year-old-punjabi-girl-navneet-kaur-shot-dead-in-toronto-canada-4427337

Delhi Police is awaiting official government orders to withdraw FIRs filed against NEET paper leak protesters, following an assurance from the Central Government. While 15 FIRs were registered regarding the violence on July 20, police sources stated that the investigation into the larger conspiracy will continue. Over 200 police personnel and 70 protesters were injured during the clashes. The police have identified more than 2,500 individuals with criminal backgrounds using facial recognition systems. https://www.punjabitribuneonline.com/news/delhi/neet-paper-leak-protest-delhi-police-awaits-official-orders-to-decide-on-withdrawal-of-case/

The Punjab government has announced a public holiday on July 31st in honor of Shaheed Udham Singh's Martyrdom Day. Since July 31 falls on a Friday, it will be followed by the regular weekend (Saturday and Sunday), resulting in a continuous three-day break. All government offices, schools, and colleges across the state will remain closed during this period, providing a long weekend for students and employees. https://punjabi.abplive.com/news/punjab/punjab-three-days-holidays-schools-clleges-and-government-offices-closed-876568

In Queens, New York, a 22-year-old Punjabi Sikh youth allegedly attacked his roommate with a metal bracelet following a verbal dispute. The victim sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has launched a search operation to apprehend the suspect, who fled the scene. Police have released a photo of the suspect and are seeking public assistance. Legal experts suggest the suspect could face a long prison sentence and potential deportation to India. https://punjabi.newsd5.in/%E0%A8%AA%E0%A8%B9%E0%A8%BF%E0%A8%B2%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%82-%E0%A8%95%E0%A8%BF%E0%A8%B0%E0%A8%AA%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%A8-%E0%A8%A8%E0%A8%BE%E0%A8%B2-%E0%A8%B9%E0%A8%AE%E0%A8%B2%E0%A8%BE-%E0%A8%B9%E0%A9%81/

The Meteorological Department has issued a heavy rain alert for Punjab and Chandigarh for the next four days starting July 27. An orange alert has been declared for July 28 and 29, forecasting very heavy rainfall in several districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Hoshiarpur. The weather shift is due to a low-pressure area over Rajasthan and a Western Disturbance. While water levels in Bhakra and Pong dams are rising, they currently remain well below the danger mark. This rain has provided much-needed relief from the humid heat. https://punjabi.abplive.com/news/punjab/punjab-and-chandigarh-weather-update-on-27-july-2026-876580

Heavy rains in Uttarakhand have led to the suspension of the Chardham Yatra for two days due to safety concerns and landslides. Several highways, including Badrinath and Kedarnath, are blocked by debris. In Dehradun, over 100 houses were flooded, and major rivers like Alaknanda and Mandakini have reached warning levels, prompting a high alert in coastal areas. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/uttarakhand/280726/chardham-yatra-halted-for-2-days-due-to-heavy-rains-in-uttarakhand.html

The Indian government has approved the Reserve Bank of India's plan to conduct a trial of polymer (plastic) bank notes. Under this pilot project, 200 crore notes of ₹10 and ₹20 denominations will be printed. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha that if the trial succeeds, these notes will be issued regularly. Importantly, the existing paper currency will continue to remain legal tender and will not be discontinued. https://www.rozanaspokesman.in/news/nation/270726/plastic-notes-of-10-and-20-denominations-will-soon-be-in-circulation-i.html

Farmers from the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee held a protest and burnt an effigy of AAP leader Sonia Mann in Amritsar's Raja Sansi constituency. The farmers are angered by the lack of drainage cleaning, which led to significant crop damage during unseasonal rains. They also alleged that Mann's supporters used derogatory language against the farmers and their unions on social media. Protesters warned that if such behavior continues, they will expand their protest across 163 villages in the constituency. https://www.ptcnews.tv/news-in-punjabi/farmers-burnt-punjabi-actor-sonia-manns-effigy-and-protest-in-amritsar-4427391