The Supreme Court expressed concern over child deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to contaminated cough syrup but refused to monitor a probe. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta intervened, stating states are addressing the issue, and the court should trust them to act. The PIL was dismissed as the petitioner has a history of filing similar petitions.
India's doctor count appears stagnant, with the National Medical Commission (NMC) data showing minimal growth despite thousands graduating annually. Significant discrepancies exist between NMC figures and state medical council registrations, raising concerns about accurate healthcare planning and potentially misleading Parliament.
Earlier, Lawyers Had Forced Summons' Withdrawal
The ED has arrested four individuals in Ahmedabad in a Rs 100-crore extortion case involving digital arrests and illegal forex trading. Accused allegedly laundered over Rs 100 crore through bank accounts and converted proceeds into cryptocurrency. This is part of a larger crackdown on cybercrimes where the ED has attached over Rs 8,500 crore in assets.
India is upgrading its technical mission in Kabul to an embassy. This significant step follows a visit by Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. India announced new projects and humanitarian aid for Afghanistan. Both sides condemned cross-border terrorism. India reaffirmed its commitment to Afghanistan's sovereignty. The visit aims to boost diplomatic and economic ties.
America has sanctioned eight Indian individuals and ten companies. These actions are due to their involvement in trading Iranian oil. The US State Department and Treasury targeted numerous entities globally. Several Indian firms are accused of importing Iranian-origin petrochemicals and LPG. These shipments were destined for China and Pakistan. The sanctions highlight ongoing efforts to curb Iran's oil trade.
Himachal Pradesh BJP chief's elder brother, Ram Kumar Bindal, was arrested for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman during a medical examination. The survivor claims she was assaulted under the guise of Ayurvedic treatment. The BJP has called the accusation a politically motivated act, while police are investigating.
The Supreme Court has declined to hear a public interest litigation demanding an investigation into accusations leveled by US firm Viceroy Research against Vedanta Limited and Hindustan Zinc. Justices P S Narasimha and A S Chandurkar expressed no inclination to entertain the plea.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court it's consulting Jammu and Kashmir's elected government on restoring statehood, excluding Ladakh's Union Territory status. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated the government will respond to pleas for statehood restoration within four weeks, citing security concerns like cross-border terrorism. Pleas highlight the breach of an earlier undertaking to restore statehood post-elections.
India has mandated emission intensity reduction targets for 282 carbon-heavy industrial units, including aluminum, cement, and pulp & paper, starting 2025-26. These units must reduce greenhouse gas emissions per product unit by 2026-27, facing penalties for non-compliance. The move aligns with India's net-zero goals.
Akhilesh Yadav's official Facebook page was suspended without warning, sparking outrage from Samajwadi Party leaders. Party members accused Facebook of silencing democracy and vowed to hold the social media giant accountable for its actions. The reason for the suspension remains undisclosed.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that building and improving one's country is the duty of all citizens, ultimately protecting their own interests. He highlighted Nagpur's unique spirit of selfless service as the birthplace of the RSS, founded by Dr. Keshav Hedgewar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has thrown his support behind the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, asserting that infiltrators on voter lists undermine the Constitution. He emphasized that only citizens should decide national leadership and differentiated between refugees seeking religious refuge and infiltrators entering illegally for economic gain. Shah also cited census data to support his claims regarding population shifts.
Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS will jointly protest Thane Municipal Corporation's alleged mismanagement and corruption on October 13. Leaders cited traffic congestion, unauthorized construction, and water scarcity as key issues. This united front fuels speculation of a potential alliance for upcoming civic polls in the region.
An opinion poll by C Voter predicts a 40% chance for the NDA to retain power in Bihar, with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan close behind at 38.3%. Tejashwi Yadav leads as the preferred chief ministerial candidate, while seat-sharing talks intensify among alliance partners.
Despite significant natural disasters, Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra is progressing remarkably well, with over 46 lakh devotees participating and 16 lakh having darshan at Kedarnath. While heavy rains and landslides caused temporary disruptions, particularly to Gangotri and Yamunotri routes, swift restoration efforts have resumed the pilgrimage with enhanced safety. Authorities are prioritizing pilgrim well-being and urging caution.
An Air India Boeing 787 diverted to Dubai due to a technical snag, with its autopilot system failing. This follows another incident last week where a Dreamliner's ram air turbine deployed on approach. The Federation of Indian Pilots has urged the grounding of all B787s amid continuous electrical issues and called for a special audit of Air India's aircraft maintenance.
Born in Delhi and raised in Bengaluru, Keshava Guha studied history and politics at Harvard and writing at Goldsmiths, University of London. In this conversation, the author of Accidental Magic discusses his latest novel, The Tiger’s Share.
Barely days after its inauguration, Patna Metro stations are already marred by red gutka stains. A viral video highlights the widespread vandalism, with walls, stairs, and platforms defaced. A frustrated citizen expressed dismay at the public's disregard for the new infrastructure, questioning civic sense.
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism as a shared threat during talks with Afghan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi. He stressed coordinated efforts against terrorism, noting Afghanistan's sensitivity to India's security concerns. Muttaqi affirmed Afghanistan's commitment against elements threatening others and praised India's humanitarian aid.
An Air India flight from Vienna to New Delhi was diverted to Dubai due to a suspected technical issue, landing safely and departing after necessary checks. This follows another incident on October 4 where an Air India flight from Amritsar to Birmingham deployed its Ram Air Turbine during landing, with all systems functioning normally and no injuries reported.
