Modi and Anand discussed ways to strengthen India-Canada relations across trade, technology, defence, security, energy, education and people-to-people exchanges, an official release said.

Modi described the meeting as productive and reiterated India’s commitment to developing a forward-looking partnership with Canada.

“India is committed to building a constructive and forward-looking strategic partnership with Canada that delivers tangible benefits to the people of both countries,” he said.

The PMO said the two sides emphasised the need to sustain momentum in bilateral engagement and translate recent diplomatic progress into concrete outcomes.

An early conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was identified as an important priority. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Modi conveyed his greetings to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and expressed his intention to continue engaging with him.

The meeting followed a telephone conversation between Modi and Carney on Tuesday, signalling continued high-level engagement between the two countries as they work to rebuild and broaden bilateral ties.

In a statement, the Canadian High Commission said Anand and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had discussed the positive momentum in the renewed Canada-India Strategic Partnership, supported by sustained high-level engagement over the past year.

Anand spoke about the importance Canada attaches to India as a partner, particularly amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Jaishankar said India and the United States were continuing to work through outstanding differences in negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, suggesting that the process was moving towards a possible resolution. “My sense is that this is an issue which is heading towards a landing point,” Jaishankar said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum on Tuesday evening.

Jaishankar said negotiations with Washington involved not only the terms agreed between the two countries but also how each country’s exporters would fare against international competitors.

Jaishankar linked the trade negotiations to a broader shift in US economic policy, arguing that Washington’s increased reliance on tariffs reflected its determination to rebuild domestic manufacturing and redefine access to its market.

“The US has a fundamentally different approach to the use of tariffs,” he said, describing the tariff debate as closely connected to American reindustrialisation. Jaishankar also addressed India’s relationship with China and said that lasting improvements in bilateral ties would require peace and stability along the disputed border.

“The point we make to the Chinese is, ‘If you want a normal relationship, if the rest of the relationship is to move, it's common sense -- it is a no-brainer that the boundary has to be stable and that we need peace and tranquillity in the border areas,” he said.

Jaishankar said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has “settled down” to a considerable extent since 2024, with bilateral relations correspondingly moving towards normalcy.

The two countries have introduced confidence-building measures following the end of the prolonged military standoff in eastern Ladakh in late 2024. However, New Delhi continues to regard border stability as essential to broader progress in political and economic relations.

The deceased were two women aged 25 and 27, and a 26-year-old man, German public broadcaster WDR reported, citing Bochum police. Their identities and home states in India were not disclosed.

Police have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the building on suspicion of murder, German news channel n-tv reported, citing the German Press Agency (DPA).

A Bochum police spokesperson told WDR that there were initial grounds to suspect murder. The man was questioned by the homicide squad, with police and prosecutors announcing his arrest on Wednesday.

Investigators suspect arson and have ruled out a technical defect as the cause of the fire. However, whether it was deliberately set or started accidentally remains under investigation.

The fire broke out around 4.15 am local time on Tuesday in a multi-family residential building in Bochum's Hofstede district. Firefighters found the three victims dead in an apartment on the second floor.

The five injured people suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals.

The rescue operation was complicated by flames spreading upwards through the stairwell, preventing firefighters from using it to reach residents on the upper floors. Emergency personnel rescued five people using a turntable ladder, portable ladders and a safety cushion, according to media reports.

(With inputs from PTI)

Anikita Bhandari was an employee at a resort in Uttarakhand, who was murdered in September 2022.

Bhandari's parents staged a protest near India Gate, demanding that Dushyant Kumar Gautam's appointment as the Sikkim governor be put on hold until the ongoing CBI probe into their daughter's murder case is complete. Gandhi was accompanied by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other Congress leaders.

After meeting the parents, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi attacked the BJP and said that for four years, Bhandari's family has not received justice, but "a 'VIP' accused has certainly been rewarded with protection and a constitutional position".

Bhandari's parents have alleged BJP leader Gautam's involvement in the case. Gautam was appointed the governor of Sikkim on Monday.

"Where rapists and murderers are welcomed with garlands and criminals are honoured with the power of authority - no hope can be expected from such a misogynistic BJP either.

"Today, Ankita's parents, carrying the plea for justice for their daughter, are sitting at India Gate, miles away from their home.

I and the Congress Party stand with them - in their grief as well as in this fight for justice," Gandhi said in his post.

Ankita’s mother broke down while appealing to the Centre and President Droupadi Murmu not to proceed with the appointment before the probe concludes.

“Dushyant Gautam should not be appointed governor until the CBI investigation is complete,” she said.

Her father alleged that an unidentified VIP had played a key role in his daughter’s murder and claimed that Gautam was responsible. Gautam has denied them and initiated defamation proceedings against those making the accusations.

The family has sought an appointment with President Murmu to raise its concerns. They warned that they would stage a hunger strike outside the Uttarakhand chief minister’s office at the Secretariat in Dehradun if their demand was not met.

What is the Ankita Bhandari case

Ankita, 19, worked as a receptionist at the Vanantra Resort in Rishikesh. She was killed on September 18, 2022, and her body was recovered from the Chilla canal four days later.

Resort owner Pulkit Arya, son of former BJP leader Vinod Arya, and two accomplices were convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, allegations surrounding the identity and role of an alleged VIP have continued to draw political attention.

The protest comes amid opposition from the Uttarakhand Congress to Gautam’s appointment. The party has alleged that his name surfaced in connection with the case and claimed that the appointment was intended to shield him, arguing that a governor cannot be subjected to criminal proceedings while holding office.

Gautam, a former BJP national general secretary, had served as the party’s in-charge for Uttarakhand.

(With inputs from PTI)

contrast between the warm, rust-coloured riverbed and the water flowing across its uneven surfaces, creating a series of rocky ledges, channels and pools. For travellers looking beyond Meghalaya’s familiar waterfalls and viewpoints, this landscape offers a different perspective on the state’s natural terrain.

The streambed is the defining feature of the visit. Large rock surfaces, shaped by the movement of water over time, form natural steps and shallow channels along the river. In places where the terrain dips, the water collects in pools, revealing the reddish rock beneath its transparent surface. The interplay of colour, water and sunlight gives the landscape its distinctive appearance, while the surrounding hills and vegetation provide a natural backdrop. The formations are best explored on foot, allowing visitors to observe the changing textures of the rocks and the different ways the stream moves through the terrain.

Reaching the area involves a drive from Shillong towards Syntung, followed by a walk from the nearest accessible point. The final stretch can involve uneven ground and sloping rocks, making sturdy footwear and a local guide useful for navigating the terrain. The experience is less about a designated sightseeing facility and more about spending time in a natural setting where the landscape itself is the main attraction.

Visitors should exercise caution around the pools, particularly after rainfall, when rocks can become slippery and currents may strengthen. Facilities may be limited, so carrying drinking water and taking all waste back is essential.

Begin with trout fishing along the Uhl River. The Uhl River is central to Barot’s appeal, with its rocky banks and flowing waters providing opportunities for fishing and riverside walks. Anglers can enquire about permits and current regulations with the local fisheries department before fishing, as licences and seasonal restrictions may apply. Those who prefer a quieter experience can spend the morning walking along accessible stretches of the river and taking in views of the surrounding pine and deodar forests.

Dedicate part of the afternoon to learning about the Shanan Hydel Project, an important part of Barot’s development. The associated infrastructure reflects the engineering ambitions of the British period.

Set aside the second day for an excursion towards Rajgundha, known for its open meadows, mountain scenery and walking routes. The journey offers a change from Barot’s riverside setting, with forested stretches giving way to more open landscapes.

Nearby villages such as Bada Gran and Lohardi offer a glimpse of rural life in the region. Look out for traditional wooden houses, slate roofs and local building styles shaped by the mountain climate.

If time permits, explore the surroundings of Nargu Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its forested terrain and Himalayan biodiversity. Check local access conditions before planning a walk, as not all routes may be open or suitable for independent visitors. Birdwatchers should carry binoculars and maintain a respectful distance from wildlife. Round off the trip with siddu, a steamed wheat preparation traditionally served with ghee or trout cooked with simple local spices where available.

KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL

The Centre of Durga Puja

Kolkata sets the benchmark for Durga Puja, with neighbourhoods transforming into an expansive showcase of art, architecture, craftsmanship and community celebrations. Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the festival draws visitors to pandals that range from traditional structures to ambitious contemporary installations. North Kolkata is known for its heritage celebrations and traditional family pujas, with Sovabazar Rajbari offering a glimpse into the city’s older customs. In South Kolkata — Suruchi Sangha, Jodhpur Park and Hindustan Park are popular stops for elaborate themes, artistic installations and festive crowds. Salt Lake and Lake Town add another dimension, with grand structures and striking lighting displays. Exploring these distinct neighbourhoods offers a sense of how the festival balances inherited traditions with contemporary creativity.

DELHI

Bengali traditions and community gatherings

Delhi’s Durga Puja celebrations are centred on community gatherings, with Chittaranjan Park, popularly known as CR Park, becoming a focal point during the festival. Its neighbourhood pujas bring together traditional rituals, cultural programmes and food stalls serving Bengali favourites. K-Block, Mela Ground and Navapalli are among the areas to explore for pandal visits, festive performances and the opportunity to sample dishes such as kathi rolls, chops and biryani. The celebrations extend beyond South Delhi, with residential communities across Noida and Gurugram also organising their own pujas. For visitors, CR Park offers a convenient way to experience Bengali festive culture through its food, music, rituals and neighbourhood atmosphere.

MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA

Puja with a glamorous edge

Mumbai’s Durga Puja celebrations combine Bengali traditions with the city’s cosmopolitan character, bringing together community gatherings, cultural performances and elaborate pandal designs. North Bombay Sarbojanin in Santacruz is among the best-known celebrations, attracting visitors for its festive atmosphere and high-profile associations. Lokhandwala Durgotsav in Andheri is another popular stop, with its cultural programmes, food stalls and community festivities. Visitors can also explore celebrations around Shivaji Park and Dadar, where Bengali associations organise pujas that bring residents together for rituals, music and food. From traditional offerings to evening performances, Mumbai’s pandals provide an opportunity to experience how the festival has become part of the city’s wider cultural calendar.

BHUBANESWAR, ODISHA

Puja amid the city’s spiritual heritage

Bhubaneswar transforms into a breathtaking spectacle during Durga Puja, renowned for its lavish, grand-scale thematic pandals. Key hubs like Saheed Nagar, Nayapalli and Rasulgarh draw millions of devotees with intricate designs replicating famous world heritage monuments and futuristic architectural concepts. Beyond the stunning visual artistry, the city shines under mesmerising, kilometre-long street light illuminations. Festive evenings vibrate with dhanuchi dance performances to traditional beatings of the dhak. The celebrations culminate on Vijayadashami with majestic Ravana Podi fireworks, after which grand processions head to Kuakhai and Daya rivers for the sacred idol immersion rituals (Bhasani Jatra).

GUWAHATI, ASSAM

Northeast India’s festive showcase

Guwahati is a strong choice for travellers looking to experience Durga Puja in the Northeast, where community-organised celebrations bring neighbourhoods together through elaborate pandals, lighting and cultural programmes that mimic Kolkata. Latasil, Uzan Bazar and areas along GS Road are useful starting points for exploring the city’s festivities. Tokobari Barowari is another established celebration, with a history dating back to 1942. Beyond the decorated structures, visitors can expect a mix of traditional rituals, local food stalls and performances that reflect the city’s cultural diversity. Exploring several neighbourhoods also offers a chance to see how different organising committees interpret the festival through their own designs and community traditions.

BENGALURU, KARNATAKA

A celebration across the city

Bengaluru’s Durga Puja celebrations reflect the city’s diverse communities, with several Bengali associations organising multi-day programmes featuring rituals, performances and festive food. In Koramangala, Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust hosts a major community celebration with cultural events and food stalls. Ulsoor’s Bengalee Association, one of the city’s oldest Bengali community organisations, is a good choice for those interested in established traditions and rituals. In Whitefield, the Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association hosts its puja near the KTPO area, attracting visitors from across eastern Bengaluru. South-eastern neighbourhoods offer further options, including BARSHA in HSR Layout and Sarjapur’s community celebrations. Across these venues, visitors can experience dhak performances, dhunuchi contests, cultural evenings and traditional bhog. Together, they make Bengaluru a rewarding destination for exploring Durga Puja in the South.

One has to commend the sports ministry's efforts to ensure all athletes who are part of the Olympic and Asian Games programme are supported and funded every cycle. There is hardly any dearth of funds with some private organisations chipping in too. It is understood that the sports ministry has taken serious cognizance of below-par performances. The sports ministry has even shared some figures which seemed quite interesting. It apparently spent Rs 27.16 crore on 34 elite athletes in nine disciplines like badminton, athletics and shooting but performed below their best. The ministry also highlighted that around 89 experienced athletes in 23 disciplines came back without a medal. The ministry also took note that India did not defend 20 gold medals it won in the last edition including that in squash, athletics and badminton. They are not happy with badminton performances as the sport could manage only one team bronze in men's section.

Going by the list of Sports Authority of India's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athletes of 48 (on website), 35 competed in eight disciplines at the Games in disciplines like archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. They came back with 21 medals, including six gold medals. The TOPS figure in the Aiming for Aichi Asian Games speaks about 77 athletes in TOPS core group that would include the hockey teams. One of the stars of the Asian Games, Kumkum Mohod, is not even in the TOPS development list. Among the positives, the ministry had highlighted was that 106 debutants had a share of 41 medals.

Sports ministry has been very active for the last few years. The review of performances is fine but it should not be restricted to just NSFs and athletes as is noted in their circular to all the NSFs invited for the meeting on Thursday. This is also an opportunity for the sports ministry to assess its own programmes and policies.

There are reasons for that. The NSFs' proposals are sanctioned by the SAI and sports ministry after evaluation and discussions. The high performance managers/directors and national coaches are appointed by SAI and TOPS look after the programmes of all athletes who are part of the Olympic programme. The TOPS athletes’ requests are cleared by a Mission Olympic Cell that is selected by the sports ministry.

The role of MOC is quite clear: "The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) conducts a meeting every week in order to evaluate the proposals of the athletes. The committee is also responsible for periodically conducting review of athlete's progress and performances. Based on the committee’s recommendation, athletes may be included, retained or excluded from the TOP Scheme."

Sports is unpredictable and therein lies the excitement. Instead of evaluating the performances of the athletes, the TOPS should look at whether they were supporting the right athletes and relook at the role of the MOC in selections and weeding out. The TOPS list has been already pruned and has 77 sportspersons including the two hockey teams. It is not just the fault of NSFs alone. The entire system should be evaluated.

One must also take into account the absence of a SAI Director General since the last one left. The sports secretary has additional charge of a unit that runs the Indian Olympic sporting system. Without a DG, the onus is on TOPS CEO to look into policies and programmes of NSFs including Annual Calendar of Training and Competitions.

The sports ministry also should look into the role of private organisations who are supporting athletes and their interference, if any. Some of the sportspersons are funded by TOPS as well as private non-profit organisations and at times, this leads to conflict of ideas. At times, this also creates friction between NSFs and private organisations. There have been instances when athletes were accommodated under pressure from such organisations. Perhaps, it's time all stakeholders sit together and find ways to support each other rather than acting unilaterally.

The sports ministry should also look into sports that have come back without a medal. Take for instance, fencing. The sport had 20 athletes at the Games but had no medals to show. Same with canoeing and kayaking that had 19 players. Esports and cycling had 15 and 14; Rugby Sevens had 13), while swimming 12. There were seven equestrian riders; others were: gymnastics, judo, karate, tennis, teqball, sport climbing, surfing, taekwondo and volleyball. This raises a serious question about rankings in Asia, which was the criteria for selections as some of the players exited in the Round of 16.

Her attack came in response to Yadav's comment: "Now, all that's left is for the government to sell itself... It seems like the BJP government, seeing its shop about to shut down, has planned to put up a 'Season End Sale' sign and sell everything off before making a quick exit."

Earlier in the day, the Union Cabinet approved the sale of a 60.72 per cent stake for Rs 52,878 crore in IDBI Bank to Fairfax of Canada.

In a post on X, the minister alleged that the UPA government left public sector banks in a poor state due to "phone banking" and "crony capitalism."

The stake transfer will comprise a 30.48 per cent holding of the government and a 30.24 per cent stake held by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Fairfax won the bid at Rs 81 per share

"During the tenure of the UPA government, which was supported by your party, IDBI Bank itself extended loans to such individuals that we're still struggling to recover even the principal and interest from to this day," Sitharaman said.

Due to heavy NPAs, the bank came under RBI's Prompt Corrective Action, and in January 2019, LIC completed the acquisition of a 51 per cent controlling stake in IDBI Bank for approximately Rs 21,624 crore as part of the disinvestment process.

She claimed that the NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revived IDBI Bank and the broader banking system through transparent policies and capital infusion.

The minister also wondered why Yadav was expressing concern now, when the banking sector's position had strengthened under the NDA government, and accused the Congress ally of displaying "false sympathy" and shedding "crocodile tears" over the issue.

(With Inputs from PTI)

According to the cause list uploaded on the apex court’s website, the matter will be heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.

Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other opposition leaders marched to the Supreme Court on Monday to file the petition. The other petitioners include Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, CPI leader D Raja, JMM MP Mahua Majhi, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby and IUML leader E T Mohammed Basheer.

The petition names the Election Commission of India, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi as respondents.

The opposition leaders have alleged that the SIR exercise is leading to the large-scale deletion of genuine voters, particularly young people, migrants and marginalised communities.

They have challenged the legality of the revision and sought judicial scrutiny of the Election Commission’s decision-making process.

What the petition seeks

The petition seeks the suspension of the SIR exercise across states until the case is decided. It also seeks the production of records relating to the revision, including files, minutes, official notings and objections raised by Election Commissioners, along with ECINET and ERONET access logs.

The petitioners have sought the complete file relating to the Election Commission’s June 24, 2025, decision to initiate the SIR, and an examination of whether the decision complied with Article 324 of the Constitution, Section 18 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, and the principles laid down in the T N Seshan judgment.

They have also sought directions requiring collective decision-making and proper documentation of SIR-related decisions, along with a review of the online Form 6 process to ensure compliance with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

The plea further seeks a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to audit voter deletions and access to electoral-roll databases, and review electronic voting machine processes against global best practices.

Other demands include the booth-wise publication of deleted voters’ names and reasons for their removal, age- and gender-wise data on deletions, and a mechanism to restore wrongly deleted names. The petitioners have also sought a direction that no voter be removed without prior notice and an opportunity to be heard.

They have further sought action against those responsible for alleged violations, including under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and an extension of the deadline for eligible voters in Punjab and other poll-bound states to apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls.

The petition comes amid protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

(With inputs from PTI)

Both B Sai Sudharsan (26 not out) and N Jagadeesan (42 not out) played sensibly in their second essay and when Tamil Nadu were 73 for no loss in 23 overs, the match was declared a draw. Rajasthan got three points from this outing, while Tamil Nadu had to be content with one.

Rajasthan captain Manav Suthar was thrilled with the overall outcome. "Happy with the way the team played and it was good to get three points. The century partnership between Rohan (Rajbar) and Karan (Lamba) helped us get the lead which was crucial,'' said Manav told The New Indian Express.

In the morning, Rajasthan, resuming the day's proceedings at 81 for 4, began on a cautious note. On a wicket that was conducive for spinners, both Lomror and Karthik Sharma were watchful, ensuring that they don't lose early wickets, gradually killing Tamil Nadu's slim hopes of a win in the process. Karthik, known for being an explosive player, brought his aggression to the fore, carting Saravana Kumar for a big six over long off. However, his joy was short-lived as he fell right to a straight delivery from R Sai Kishore. Karthik and Lomror added 78 runs for the fifth wicket.

Lomror and new batter Ajay Singh scored briskly as Rajasthan had intentions of declaring and making the visitors bat again. In the process, Lomror brought up his 20th First Class half-century, with a single off Sai Kishore. Just when it seemed like he could reach the three-figure mark, Lomror, in a momentary lapse of concentration, was castled by Washington Sundar. Upon his dismissal, Rajasthan also chose to declare.

Though Tamil Nadu had a mathematical chance of pulling off a victory, it was clear from the start of their second innings that they were content on playing for a draw. Openers Sai Sudharsan and Jagadeesan operated wisely to ensure that the team returns with something.

Making a comeback post injury, Sai Sudharsan was not among runs when he played for India A against Australia A in Puducherry recently. Even in the first innings, he had failed to make a mark but in the second essay, she showed signs of regaining his form with a stubborn knock. He also cut loose at times — whacking Ajay Singh for a six and while scoring an elegant boundary off Manav.

Jagadeesan was his usual self and his six off Ajay Singh had grace written all over it.

From the home side's perspective, Manav, who bowled a total of 33 overs, going wicketless in the match is a bit of a concern.

Suthar had bowled 21 overs in Tamil Nadu's first innings and given away 49 runs. In Tamil Nadu's second essay, he opened the bowling and his 12 overs cost 27 runs.

In the second round, Tamil Nadu will play against Uttarakhand at MAC Stadium, Chennai from Oct 18. Both Sai Sudharsan and Washington will be in New Zealand with the India 'A' team and thus will not be available for the Uttarakhand game. Their replacements will be known in a couple of day's time.

Pakistan is among 29 countries whose nationals could be barred from operating such flights under the restrictions, according to aviation intelligence company ch-aviation. The list includes countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, with the rules reportedly covering crew members holding either the nationality or dual nationality of the countries concerned.

The move towards stricter enforcement follows an alleged attempted terror attack involving an Omani co-pilot aboard a FlyDubai flight on September 30, according to reports. Oman is among the countries whose nationals are covered by the restrictions.

French investigative publication Mediapart and ch-aviation reported on October 13 that Air France and United Airlines had communicated the restrictions to their flight and cabin crew.

While Air France confirmed that it was complying with the Israeli requirements, United Airlines has reportedly incorporated the rules into its crew-planning procedures.

Smartwings, the largest airline based in the Czech Republic, has also confirmed that it will comply with the restrictions, although it said its crew assignments and operations had not been affected so far.

Which nationalities face restrictions on Israel flights?

According to ch-aviation, an internal United Airlines scheduling memo identifies 29 countries whose nationals may be restricted from operating flights to and from Tel Aviv.

The countries are Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brunei, Comoros, Cuba, Djibouti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Venezuela and Yemen.

The restrictions reportedly apply to crew members holding the nationality, or dual nationality, of the countries on the list. The rules could therefore affect both pilots and cabin crew assigned to services connecting with Israel.

Why has Israel tightened enforcement?

Although the restrictions predate the September 30 FlyDubai incident, they were reportedly not consistently enforced. Israeli authorities had largely relied on foreign airlines to ensure that crew members from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel were not assigned to the relevant flights.

According to reports, Israel's domestic security service, Shin Bet, did not routinely verify the nationalities of airline crew members. The Transportation Ministry had also acknowledged limitations in its intelligence infrastructure for systematically monitoring airline crew rosters.

This reportedly allowed pilots from countries including Oman, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon to operate flights into Tel Aviv for years despite the existing guidelines.

The latest enforcement push has prompted airlines to review their crew assignments and internal scheduling procedures to ensure compliance with Israeli requirements.

I’ll begin with the most obvious question to you Jennifer, why a biographical film on Tenzing Norgay?

Jennifer Peedom: My film career began 23 years ago as a camera operator in the Himalayas. I wound up working in the mountains somehow. Very early on, I met one of Tenzing’s grandsons and one of his sons, and I was fascinated by his story from the very beginning. I also have friends who were very close to the Sherpa community and so my introduction to the Himalayas came with the introduction to the community. I was most interested in the people who lived there, as well as the extraordinary landscape. I would see films in which the Sherpa people were being left on the cutting room floor. So, 20 years on, it struck me that Tenzing had become a supporting character in the story of the first ascent of Mount Everest. Most journalists still describe it as when Edmund Hillary summited the mountain with his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay. It was time to redress the balance and tell the story through Tenzing’s perspective, which is an extraordinary story of overcoming adversity and obstacles, even just to get to the starting line, without even climbing the mountain itself.

I thought the film also goes beyond the individual to delve into the cultural schisms and how the Tenzing-Hillary friendship transcends those differences…

JP: It was an important part to show that when we come together and work together, beautiful things can happen. There is compassion and curiosity and friendships can form that can deepen the experience for everyone. Clearly, it did for Edmund Hillary, who dedicated the rest of his life to the betterment of the Sherpa community. John Hunt remained friends with Tenzing for the rest of his life. It is a beautiful story of a friendship even though there was adversity and some conflict along the way because of their differences in approach. Fundamentally, what was driving Tenzing up the mountain was something quite different from what was driving the Westerners, and that was what I was interested in exploring.

When Tenzing likens climbing to getting into the mother's lap...

JP: Mother's lap! That came from Tenzing himself. He talked about the way to approach the mountain, and I always loved that idea and wanted to find a way of getting it into the screenplay.

Genden, how did you relate to Tenzing Norgay? How did you approach the character?

Genden Phuntsok: I live in China, in the Sichuan Tibetan plateau. I have some cultural similarities. We live in a Himalayan range. The place and the lifestyle are quite alike. That helped me in shaping the character. When I read his story, I found that when he was young, he was a potato farmer and herded yak. Some of this I also did when I was young. Even now, I have my farm, and I plant barley, potatoes etc. Every year I harvest them. October is the harvest season in my hometown so after TIFF I have to go back to harvest my barley and potato.

So, is acting something you do alongside farming?

GP: Earlier yes, but now I really love acting. I can lose my life for a role like Tenzing Norgay.

What made you pick him up, Jennifer?

JP: Part of it was the cultural similarity. I was looking for someone who had a similar cultural and spiritual background and the fact that he grew up farming potatoes and herding yaks was really important. I came across his work through the late great Pema Tseden, the Tibetan director, through his film Jinpa in particular. There was a gravitas to Genden and that was important because Tenzing Norgay had a tremendous command over his team, there was a lot of respect for him and what he had achieved at that point. When we meet him in the film in 1953, he was probably the most experienced Himalayan climber alive. There was a magnificent smile, a sparkle to him that I had heard about from his children and other Sherpas who were on that expedition. Genden has gravitas but also this effervescence and energy and a very hearty laugh. It was a combination of all those things and he is an incredibly accomplished and experienced actor anyhow.

Tenzing Norgay also had this urge to ask questions…

JP: A deep curiosity really defined Tenzing. He had worked with many cultures. He'd worked with the Italians, the French, and the Swiss, and the British. He had a way of observing people and being chameleon-like. He was able to absorb the culture, customs and behaviour of those on the expedition. He was a highly intelligent man who never learned to read or write.

Acting involves a lot of give and take. How was it for you with such celebrated actors like Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe?

GP: With Willem Dafoe and Tom Hiddleston, I never got the feeling that they were big stars. We discussed every detail of the story and how we could make some aspects better. Sometimes we’d imagine we were in 1953. What they did at that time, or at that place? It made me very relaxed.

JP: Genden and Willem were in a cabin in New Zealand and they both used to feed the ducks outside their rooms. They would run lines together and just call out the lines to each other. Both were so incredibly generous.

One of the things that I wanted to do with the relationship was that they should form and build one outside of the shooting time as well. So, we sent them up to Khumjung, which is where the main character of my previous film, Sherpa, lives. I wanted Genden to spend time with him learning to be a Sherpa. We spent time in that community, with that language. I wanted Tom and Genden to experience this incredible landscape and just have some time together as people. They did a lot of character work during that time.

GP: You have to experience real life to perform well. When he was young, Tenzing Norgay didn’t have shoes, and carried heavy bags bare feet. So, I just put stones in my bag and carried it bare feet. I walked for almost half a day.

Where did you shoot?  

JP: A lot of thought went into that, and having spent so much time in that landscape myself, I wanted to depict it in the way that it affected me emotionally. That culture is inextricably linked to that landscape. So, we shot all of the cultural story up until Base Camp, in Nepal, including the aerials of Everest and up the Icefall and all of the drone shots on Everest itself. We did a big aerial unit on Everest but we shot with the actors in Nepal, in the monasteries, in villages. From Base Camp up, we shot in New Zealand. The New Zealand Southern Alps are almost as big from bottom to top, as the Himalayas. They start almost at sea level, at a much lower altitude. But because of the team that we had from New Zealand—the country has a lot of very well-known, Everest mountaineers—and our head of locations and safety, Guy Cotter, who had climbed Everest five times and been running expeditions to the Himalayas since the 1990s—we were able to find the exact locations that matched Southern Alps to Everest. We wanted to give the audience as visceral an experience as possible of actually being on Everest.

Quite clearly it would have been a long and tough shoot…

JP: It was endurance. I just kept reminding myself it’s just like climbing Everest, one step in front of the other. New Zealand, in particular, was very cold, had very short days. It was highly technical and difficult, but that was part of the original vision. Everyone who signed up was aware of that vision and very supportive of it. We deliberately had the cast and crew that we knew would flourish in that environment. We all had an amazing experience, there was a beautiful camaraderie. It really was like being on an expedition together.

Tenzin and Thinley, how did this film come to you? Did your previous acclaimed film, Shambhala play a vital role in that?

Thinley Lhamo: I auditioned for Shambhala later. I auditioned for Tenzing way before. I got an email saying I had been shortlisted, but they're on a hold for a year, so they'll get back to me when they start on it. And then Shambhala happened. Two years after doing Shambhala, I got an email saying they would like to meet me for a second audition which I did online and then we met in person.

Tenzin Dalha: The first audition I gave was with Danny Long [casting team] back in 2020. Then Shambhala happened and meanwhile Nikki Barrett came on board and then I auditioned in India with Nikki and Sanjeev Maurya. I'm eternally grateful to them and Jennifer Peedom for making me a part of this. I do think that Shambhala did play a big role so thank you to [filmmaker] Min Bahadur Bham.

Would this be the first international project for you?

TD: If I consider myself as a Tibeto-Indian, then a Nepali film like Shambhala would also be a foreign production for me right? But having to be in the same room as Willem Dafoe, nothing can come close to that. It’s an experience. He’s one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever met, and I was smitten by him.

Tenzin you’d be the third or fourth generation Tibetan descent person who's grown up in Delhi?

TD: I think I would be like two and a half generations because my grandparents settled in Darjeeling for the longest period of time, even my mom grew up in Darjeeling. So, it was more of an economic migration to Delhi.

Did your Tibetan roots create an affinity for your individual characters?

TD: The particular period that I am playing [the younger] Tenzing in, I think would be around 1938 to 1945. He ascended Everest later in 1953. In 1947, the British had left India, but there was still this lingering feeling of British elitism, colonialism, especially in the expedition in Darjeeling.

Tenzing then was considered an outsider within the Sherpa community itself. But the Sherpa community and Tibetan community, because the borders are so porous, have been  mingling, interacting. The religion that they practice, the customs, food, even language are practically similar. Dr. Lhakpa [Norbu Sherpa], who was our cultural consultant, is a linguist as well. So, he says that 97% of Sherpa language is Tibetan, 3% is Nepali. Sherpas don't have a written language, so it's very hard for the later generation to adopt Tibetan as the written script. He is right now figuring out a way to have a written script for the Sherpa language and feels that Roman would make more sense. Like how we have in Khasi in Meghalaya.

TL: It is similar to Tibetan but we were helped with the rhythm in the language. It's more like stop, pause, pause, pause. It doesn't have a flow in it. I would say that for us it is an advantage because we have seen that culture. We have grown through it, so it is definitely a lot easier. But it has its clear differences too.

There are three actors playing Tenzing of three different ages. Did you need to coordinate with each other?

TD: I have to credit the screenplay by Jennifer Peedom and Luke Davies. For me, it was such a complete screenplay, I wouldn't want to change a word in it. Every beat was so perfectly written. The motivations of Tenzing of each period were so well-defined. The Tenzing that Genden is playing is economically more secure. He's not living in barns anymore. He has been interacting with the British. He dresses himself up, is clean-shaven. At that age he had already interacted with the Italians, the Swiss. It was his seventh ascent. He was pretty much exposed to the way of life of the Europeans as well. Some books also say that he was a really good chameleon, he could find his way through crevices, fit the room that he was entering.

Thinley your presence as Tenzing’s wife is very ethereal and you are the core philosopher in his life…

TL: I think that's one of the most tricky things, you don't have much of a reference about her. Tenzing goes on the journey with one vision. Dawa brings out the feminine thing, leaves her family and moves with Tenzing? It’s his spirit and Dawa was just supporting that, to just help him achieve his dream.

How much had you known about Tenzing Norgay and how much did you gather about him while doing the film?

TD: Tenzing Norgay was part of our curriculum in India. I don't know if there’s the personal affinity of sharing the same first name but I always thought of him as a superhero. I discovered later that Tenzing was just a footnote in the history read in the West. Having grown up in Darjeeling I have known that his house in Ghang La was very famous. Tenzing was the most famous man in Darjeeling. I read his 1955 autobiography written with James Ramsey Ullman, Ed Douglas's Tenzing: Hero of Everest, Touching My Father's Soul by his son Jamling Tenzing Norgay, and Tenzing and the Other Sherpas by Judith and Tashi Tenzing, his grandson and his wife. I learned the most about Tenzing, the man, then. I also watched some documentaries. My mother shared that when she was growing up, she would see Tenzing walking, just like a regular man, in his shorts, his hair gelled back, strolling in Chowrasta.

Elaborating on how he developed the antagonists, Nani says he trusted his writing to compensate for the actors’ inexperience. “Despite them being new to the trade, I trusted my writing, and my knack for drawing good performances from them.” However, he clarifies that beyond its tonality, his film has little in common with the Karthi-starrer. “The film follows Leo Sivakumar, a police aspirant who works as a delivery boy to make ends meet. I ensured the emotional, action, and romance portions emerged organically from the situations. Especially with a fast-paced screenplay, you won’t find the romantic track jarring.” Nani also points out that he did a lot of research on how the police department functions, but it is not based on a true story. "The film focusses on how cops pay different levels of attention to different cases. But it will not have any illogical dramatic turns. The conflicts and resolutions will remain realistic.”

Speaking about his bond with Leo Sivakumar, Nani describes Delivery Boy as a shared dream. “Our friendship goes back almost a decade. We used to discuss the story and tell each other that this would be our launchpad as hero and director. It feels emotional to see our dream come alive. We have done our best on the writing, performance, and technical fronts. I am excited to know the people’s verdict,” he signs off.

With this recent turmoil, there is a possibility that the federation is heading towards Table Tennis Federation of India way where the body has been de-recognised by the sports ministry and an ad hoc committee was put in place by the Indian Olympic Association. There is a possibility that the BFI would be suspended and ad hoc body formed. Ever since its last election last year, the federation has been fragile. One must also note that Pramod Kumar, the secretary, was seen as a staunch Ajay Singh supporter at the time of election.

First the BFI, in a letter — dated 13/10/2026 and signed by Singh — sent to affiliated state associations, sports ministry, World Boxing and Indian Olympic Association, had claimed that several inquiries are pending against Kumar for alleged financial irregularities. The BFI said that they issued him a show cause notice twice — 10/10/2026 and 12/10/2026. The suspension order was sent a day later. Hours later, the secretary general, in a letter addressed to Singh on 14/10/2026, hit back by issuing an order of suspension to the president.

"Being habitual of having almost no regard for the democratic set up and treating Boxing Federation of India as your fiefdom, you showed no regard for the served upon Cease-and-Desist Notice dated 08.10.2026 in continuation Of General Meeting of the General Body to deliberate and vote upon the Motion of No Confidence against you, you have continued to assert executive control over the day-to-day administration of the Federation," the letter stated.

"This unwarranted interference directly violates the constitutional framework of the Boxing Federation of India, causes administrative disarray, and threatens to compromise the sanctity and fair conduct of the upcoming Special General Meeting scheduled for 28.10.2026."

All the letters are with the sports ministry and the IOA. It needs to be seen how they react and will depend on who enjoys the majority. A two-third majority is required to remove a president or secretary. According to the BFI constitution, the president has the powers to suspend an elected member. On the other hand, if there is a two-third majority, the secretary can call for a special general meeting if he has written request from 2/3 members of the executive council.

The BFI (Singh's letter), who had earlier slapped a suspension order on Kumar on the basis of various allegations, later rejected the counter-order sent by Kumar. "According to BFI, Mr Pramod Kumar had already been suspended from exercising the functions of Secretary General before issuing the purported suspension letter dated 14 October. BFI’s position is that he therefore had no authority to issue that communication on the Federation’s behalf," the BFI said in a separate statement. "BFI rejects the purported suspension of its President as unauthorised and without constitutional basis."

The secretary, on his part felt, that since the no-confidence motion has already been initiated and the president did not have the right to suspend anyone.

"This is to formally inform you that, after extensive deliberation and careful consideration of the serious allegations and circumstances concerning the conduct of Mr. Pramod Kumar, the President of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), in exercise of the powers under Clauses 24(xvi) and 24(xxxvi) of the BFI Constitution, has been compelled to suspend him from the office of Secretary General with immediate effect, pending completion of the ongoing inquiries and investigations," the BFI letter (Dated October 13), rubber-stamped by Singh, read.

"Consequent to his suspension, Mr. Pramod Kumar shall cease to exercise all powers, functions and responsibilities attached to the office of Secretary General. He also stands relieved from all BFI committees, subcommittees, commissions, working groups and other bodies in which he serves or represents," the letter added.

The suspension had come hours after Kumar had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing Singh and BFI Executive Director of "criminal intimidation" to thwart the proposed no-confidence motion, a charge that Malik dismissed as "baseless".

It is interesting to note other members of BFI's affiliated units are not amused with the development and keeping a close watch. One faction, the northeast boxing association has said in a letter, addressed to the secretary, if the impasse is not resolved amicably, the NorthEast units, comprising at least 10 state associations, would take part in the no-confidence motion initiated by the secretary. "However, in the event the matter is not resolved amicably through mutual consultation and the involvement of all concerned parties, NEBA shall participate in the Special General Meeting and the proceedings of the Motion of No Confidence as initiated by the Secretary General," said one letter.

A senior Ukrainian official, who asked not to be named, told AFP on Wednesday that Starlink data communication speeds had been "throttled".

The change has come at a time of renewed tension between Kyiv and Washington, with US President Donald Trump seeking to bring down global fuel prices by buying Russian diesel and pressuring both sides to stop attacking energy infrastructure.

Starlink is controlled by SpaceX, the satellite and space company of Trump ally and billionaire tycoon Elon Musk, who also owns the X social media platform. SpaceX has yet to clarify what caused the restrictions reported by Kyiv.

Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities, prompting fears of US retaliation against Kyiv, such as halting intelligence sharing or slowing down Starlink.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country had "some difficulties... about Starlink and about intelligence" as it confronted Russian attacks on Wednesday.

"We count on partnership with the United States, we just want to be very honest, very clear, be strong partners," he said.

Several Ukrainian sources said the satellite communications constellation now cuts the signal between a satellite and an antenna if the latter moves faster than around 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour.

This means that Ukrainian mobile military assets, such as aerial drones, lose their connection if they exceed this speed.

Drones have emerged as a key weapon in the conflict, which was sparked by Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of its neighbour.

The restrictions "complicate drone missions -- particularly those involving interceptors and medium-range strikes -- and reduce capabilities regarding frontline logistics, reconnaissance and communication relays", a Ukrainian ministry of defence source said, asking not to be named.

Significant impact

In terms of offensive capabilities, Starlink was "extremely effective" for attacks on radar targets,  surface-to-air systems or defended sites, said a European industry source who asked not to be named.

"It allows for operations at very low altitudes -- it is controlled by a signal from space, bypassing the radio horizon and the Earth's curvature -- factors that otherwise limit ground-based remote control signals."

The source added that jamming Starlink signals -- a crucial potential tactic to disrupt communications -- is very difficult and consumes a lot of energy.

The restrictions, however, should have no effect on Ukrainian longer-range strikes -- particularly against refineries deep within Russian territory where the Starlink constellation does not operate.

But it "could have a significant impact on medium-range strikes on" Ukraine's Crimea peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, in areas in east Ukraine occupied by Moscow, or in the Black Sea, said Yohann Michel, a research fellow at the Lyon-based Institute for Strategic and Defence Studies (IESD).

Perhaps most importantly, the restrictions could test Kyiv's ability to defend Ukraine against swarms of Russian drones.

The concerns come at a time when Ukrainian air defence systems are running low and winter approaches, bringing with it intensified Russian strikes on energy infrastructure aimed at undermining public morale.

Massive Ukranian reliance

"Ukrainian reliance on Starlink is massive," said Michel, noting that "the majority of Ukrainian transmissions depend on it".

Zelensky's technology adviser Sergiy Beskrestnov wrote on Telegram that SpaceX had "introduced a speed limit for the Starlink terminals in motion".

He said this restriction "led to the disruption of a number of missions" and deprived Ukraine of its ability to fight Russian jet-powered drones.

According to Beskrestnov, Ukraine uses Starlink to help intercept drones, although exactly how this works has never been made clear.

Although there is so far no confirmation that the restrictions are linked to tensions between Washington and Kyiv, analysts were alert to the possibility.

"We will have to wait a few days to see if the problem persists, and whether it is widespread or limited to Ukraine," said the IESD's Michel.

"Nothing can be ruled out -- from American pressure on the Ukrainians regarding strikes on diesel supplies to a much more mundane explanation, such as a software update," he added.

Captaincy change in the women's team does not happen so often. At least not since 2012. From having six captains between 2000 and 2012, India went on to have only two skippers over the last 14 years — Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Raj led India in ODIs and Tests till her retirement in 2022 while Kaur, who took over in the shortest format in 2016, inherited the full-time job four years ago. Though Kaur led India to historic ODI WC triumph, the time had come for transition. Now, the baton has been passed on to Mandhana — the 29-year-old who has already built a legendary career — following two back-to-back early exits in T20 World Cups.

Mandhana, on Friday, will lead India for the first time as a full-time skipper in Raipur. And as she has shown in the past, the opener does not mince words about India's shortcomings in T20Is. "The last two T20 World Cups, we didn't qualify, and it definitely hurts all of us because we felt we prepared well and went there. But definitely, I think in T20 cricket, whatever is needed in terms of fitness, fielding, bowling, and batting-in all departments, I wouldn't say we are not good, we are good, but that 10 per cent improvement is needed," Mandhana said. "I think the girls are very aware of it, and we are all really working towards it. We are a pretty young group, so it's a fun group to work with. In the three days I've seen, everyone is very committed to batting, bowling, fielding, and everyone is a committed player," she added two days before the first match.

Mandhana, instead of the match eve, was addressing the media on Wednesday as the team will fly out to New Delhi on Thursday where they will be felicitated by PM Narendra Modi for their Asian Games gold. Her appointment as captain came after Kaur's resignation following the meeting with the BCCI top brass last week. The 29-year-old was candid about how it all panned out.

"The day you all found out was the same day I found out as well. The conversation (in the meeting) was about how to take Indian cricket forward, what kind of approach we should have for the next two-three years, because we have a lot of major tournaments coming up. She (Kaur) has led India for 10 years, has a lot of experience, and is a very experienced player in the team. For sure, her support will always be there, and the conversation was about how to take Indian cricket forward and what things are needed to do well ahead," Mandhana explained.

She believes that being a captain would only strengthen her batting. "My coach told me when I was 15 years old, 'Whenever you go out to bat, always think you are the captain', because you always take that responsibility. And that thing will never change. If the ball is in my zone, I will still go for it and still play whatever the team needs," said the skipper who reiterated that her aggressive approach with the bat would continue.

The 29-year-old knows the job that is in front of her. To build momentum towards the next ICC event — Women's T20 Champions Trophy in India early next year. "I have been vice-captain almost twice in the last three years, so I've been part of the leadership role. I wouldn't say it's an extremely new thing, but for sure, it's something to look forward to, and hopefully, I can do justice to the role. We have six T20 matches before the Champions Trophy as an Indian team. We'll look to set standards as an Indian team, how we approach the next three months leading up to the Champions Trophy," she said.

The first step towards that would be dominating the bilateral series against Zimbabwe over the next week.

On Wednesday, the government approved the sale of a controlling stake in IDBI Bank to a subsidiary of Canada-based Fairfax Financial Holdings, founded by Indian-origin billionaire Prem Watsa. The proposed transaction is valued at Rs 52,878 crore, with the government and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) selling a combined 60.72% stake at Rs 81 per share. The government will sell its 30.48% stake for over Rs 26,000 crore, while LIC will divest its 30.24% holding. The share purchase agreement is expected to be signed and executed by the end of calendar year 2026.

The government has set a target of Rs 80,000 crore through disinvestment and asset monetisation in FY27. According to data from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), the Centre had mobilised Rs 55,757 crore through disinvestment as of September 10. Including the IDBI Bank sale proceeds, disinvestment collections alone would exceed the Budget target, even without accounting for asset monetisation.

This would be the first time since FY19 that the government surpasses its disinvestment target. In FY19, it raised Rs 94,727 crore against a target of Rs 80,000 crore. In FY18, disinvestment proceeds crossed Rs 1 lakh crore.

With nearly six months remaining in the current financial year, the IDBI Bank transaction could help the government record its highest-ever annual disinvestment proceeds, provided the sale is completed within the financial year. Disinvestment proceeds have declined sharply since FY19, falling to a low of Rs 10,163 crore in FY25. Since FY11, the government has met its disinvestment target only twice — in FY18 and FY19.

The IDBI Bank sale would provide a significant boost to the Centre's non-debt capital receipts and could offer additional fiscal room amid global economic uncertainties. However, the transaction's contribution to the FY27 fiscal position will depend on the timing of its completion and receipt of the proceeds.

The government has set a fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP for FY27. 

"We were definitely eyeing an outright result if we could. Obviously, a straight win would have been great, but we couldn't get wickets in regular intervals. It was a really hard-fought game throughout," coach Gary Stead told this daily.

The New Zealander credited Nair for his stellar knock even as Andhra kept their eyes on the result. "We played very good cricket at times, and I think the team will gain confidence from it. Karnataka was one of the highest-strength teams in our pool, so being able to take a first-innings lead against them is a positive result," Stead said. "We took (Ravichandran) Smaran's wicket early off a fantastic catch. Then Karun batted beautifully today (Wednesday), putting partnerships on with everyone he batted with, right down to the lower order. It was impressive to watch, and he played very well to deny us the victory," he added.

The biggest positive for Andhra was the fight from youngsters Revanth Reddy (97 & 20 n.o) and SV Rahul (119 & 35 n.o). It helped the home team secure the lead. "I am delighted for both of them. They both had two very important innings. Their first-innings partnership of 202 was fantastic and rescued us in a way, and then in the last session today, they batted through with nice composure with a lot of men around the bat. It is very pleasing and heartening to see how they are developing," Stead explained. "I believe in being positive and trying to work with the player to get the very best out of them. With Rahul, for the first game of his career, the way he played, you would think he had been there as a veteran. He played beautifully, and I am so pleased for him," he added.

Moving into the second round with three points, Andhra will take on the Mohammed Siraj-led Hyderabad, who beat Tripura in their first match. Stead is happy to be staying back in Mulapadu for their second game — a venue they know and understand well — but will rely on his players to gear up for the all-important clash that will begin on October 18. "I guess the good thing for us is that we are back at Mulapadu. We sort of know the pitch and know the ground well, which I think is an advantage for us. I haven't seen Hyderabad play before, but I will be leaning on a number of our players to be able to give us that feedback. They have obviously had a win in their first round, so it is exciting that we can go and compete against them," he signed off.

The product priced at `20, Joyland will be initially available in Strawberry and Vanilla flavours in the state, RIL said in a statement. The launch extends RCPL’s Total Beverage portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to bringing world-class products to consumers at accessible prices. Staying true to the company’s promise of ‘Global Quality at Affordable Price’, Joyland offers authentic taste and a quality dairy experience in a convenient, ready-to-drink format.

T Krishnakumar, Director, Reliance Consumer Products Limited, said: “Our entry into the ready-to-drink dairy market is a significant step in extending RCPL’s portfolio and widening the choices we offer consumers. With Joyland, we are bringing together authentic dairy ingredients, quality and affordability to make world-class products accessible to more households. Tamil Nadu marks the beginning of this journey, as we build Joyland into a broader dairy beverages portfolio and progressively expand its reach across India.”

Backed by RCPL’s distribution infrastructure, retail scale and consumer insights, Joyland is available in Tamil Nadu with immediate effect. The launch reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the ready-to-drink dairy market, with plans to introduce additional flavours and expand into multiple dairy beverage categories.

The Joyland will be rolled out across India in the phased manner after the launch in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier this year, the RCPL had acquired Tamil Nadu-based Southern Health Foods Ltd, which is known for its flagship brand Manna. It had also picked up majority share in nutrition brand Udhaiyam in December 2025.

Shai Hope, one of the best white-ball batters in the game today, continued his run-making as his fourth 100 in seven games across formats lifted the tourists to an imposing 3/247 in their 20 overs. India, defending world champions in this format in these conditions, gave a good account of themselves but found the required run rate too hot to handle in the back end of the chase. Eventually, they lost the contest by 23 runs.

The series will now be decided in Bengaluru on Saturday. While the pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to favour the willow wielders, there could be some weather around, adding to the tension.  

It was pristine conditions when the tourists were asked to bat first at one of the pitches on the freshly relaid square at the Stadium. In seasons past, the venue in Hyderabad has been responsible for some recent batting records in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fears that batters would find it different dissipated minutes after the start of the game as Jewel Andrew climbed into Arshdeep Singh early doors. If there's no swing on offer, Singh can become a touch predictable, and he travelled.

Even though Andrew left soon after, Hope, who marries finesse with power these days, began to blossom. While the opener opened up with a few boundaries, Shimron Hetmyer’s violent 12-ball 33 at one-drop was what really set the innings up for them in terms of giving it a platform. He didn’t allow the bowlers to settle post the powerplay. Sure, he was dismissed in the ninth over. But read between the lines, and he had already scored 16 from seven balls outside the powerplay, including two boundaries off Axar Patel and a six off Naman Dhir.

While Hope had his moment under the lights — he his sixes off the last two balls of the West Indies innings to reach a ton — Sherfane Rutherford was the one who ignited the innings at the back end. While Rovman Powell just couldn’t get going, Rutherford, another player who knows these conditions, hit boundaries off Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Mayank Yadav and Singh. He was particularly severe against Yadav with a sequence of 6, 4, 6 in the 17th over.

While the wicket itself was rather flat, the Indian pacers were perhaps a touch straight and in the slot more often than not. It gave the batters the chance to access the boundaries in front of the wicket, something they repeatedly did with abandon. In a bowling attack without Jasprit Bumrah, some of the other pacers were off their radar at the death and it showed as they bled 62 runs off the last four overs.

The hosts needed a rapid opening stand to be in with a shout and it was exactly what Sanju Samson gave them. The opener’s 23-ball 56 was reminiscent of his shows at the World Cup but once he departed in front of a packed stadium, the visitors slowly but surely gained a foothold in the contest. On a surface where the odd ball was gripping — there was no dew and it helped the bowlers — the West Indian spinners, especially Gudakesh Motie, were able to get into the contest as a force. He was instrumental in removing both Abhishek Sharma and Naman Dhir in the same over.

Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy provided some late fireworks to raise visions of an unlikely comeback but the contest had already been decided by then.   

Brief scores: West Indies 247/3 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Shimron Hetmyer 33, Sherfane Rutherford 49 not out; Prince Yadav 1/36) bt India 223 all out in 19.3 overs (Sanju Samson 56, Tilak Varma 43; Keemo Paul 5/41)

"Two oil refineries were attacked today by the Kyiv regime, in the Saratov and Ryazan regions," Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Alexander Novak was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said this was "fake" and that other sites had been hit "but the refineries were not".

The Russian accusation came after Trump on Sunday caught both sides off guard by unilaterally declaring an "energy ceasefire", days after easing sanctions on Moscow to enable diesel exports.

"We see that the Ukrainian side does not demonstrate movement towards an energy truce," Novak said.

Kyiv meanwhile claims that Russia has repeatedly hit its energy facilities and critical infrastructure since Sunday with a barrage of powerful ballistic missiles and attack drones, with Zelensky accusing Russia of wilfully flouting Trump's wishes.

He blasted the latest attack Wednesday as "entirely deliberate and demonstrative in its scale", adding: "Russia has never before shown such ostentatious disrespect toward the United States".

According to a statement issued by the All India Students’ Association (AISA), the university’s proctor and his team served suspension letters to the students around 8 pm without prior show-cause notices or a meeting of the proctorial committee. Police personnel dragged the students out of the campus and removed protest materials, the organisation alleged.

Those suspended include current and former student council representatives from the university’s Kashmere Gate and Lodhi Road campuses, along with two first-year students. Protesters claimed that some of those named were not present during the incidents cited in the suspension orders.

The suspensions came on the 17th day of the sit-in, which began over demands for basic infrastructure, faculty recruitment, withdrawal of July 31 circulars concerning PhD attendance and event permissions, restoration of PhD fee waivers, and the opening of the main gate.

Students also alleged that security personnel assaulted protesters during a screening of the documentary Jai Bhim Comrade at the campus’s Wall of Democracy on Tuesday. They claimed that electricity was cut off and posters and bedsheets were removed. Female students also reported physical injuries and misconduct, according to the statement.

AISA further alleged that food supplies were blocked from entering the campus and that a student, Aameen, sustained a head injury while attempting to bring food inside and required hospitalisation.

Students accused the administration of refusing dialogue and targeting dissent, and vowed to continue their protest.

On the tourism-dependent island, motorcycles and cars waited outside stations and spilled onto nearby roads as motorists scrambled for fuel. The lines have been reported since Sunday.

Officials stressed that the shortages were caused by domestic distribution problems rather than a lack of fuel supplies or turmoil in global energy markets.

"This is purely a distribution issue," said Laode Sulaeman, director-general of oil and gas at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. "A fuel tanker was delayed, but it has now arrived and 24-hour deliveries have been underway since yesterday."

Sulaeman said that a tanker carrying fuel to Bali suffered an anchor problem while preparing to unload cargo, delaying deliveries to the island's main fuel terminals. Rough seas and bad weather also slowed shipments to the Sanggaran terminal in Denpasar and the Manggis terminal in eastern Bali.

The disruption was compounded by strong demand for government-subsidized Pertalite gasoline, which is significantly cheaper than nonsubsidized fuel. Panic-buying by motorists worried about shortages further strained supplies at some stations.

At several gas stations, attendants posted signs reading, "Sorry, no fuel available," while drivers and motorcyclists waited outside closed facilities for new deliveries. The shortages have frustrated residents and business owners on the resort island, where transportation is critical for daily life and tourism.

"This is really a waste of time. We should be productive, but instead we're stuck in line," said Made Marlianti, who said she had spent about seven hours waiting for fuel under the hot sun.

Fashion store owner Febi Marsha said that authorities should have managed the situation more effectively before it escalated.

"Fuel is available, but supplies are limited," Marsha said. "The queues should be managed properly to prevent this from happening."

Photos and videos obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday from several locations showed long lines of motorcycles, idle fuel pumps and security personnel, including soldiers, deployed to help manage crowds.

Bali Gov. I Wayan Koster said that fuel stocks at storage depots remained sufficient, but deliveries to gas stations were slowed by delayed tanker arrivals and road congestion. He urged residents not to panic, saying additional supplies were being distributed across the island.

State-run energy company Pertamina said that it was closely monitoring supplies after the arrival of a tanker carrying 18 million liters (4.8 million gallons) of Pertalite and 2.5 million liters (660,000 gallons) of Pertamax, a higher-octane nonsubsidized gasoline.

The shortages come as the country faces broader challenges securing fuel imports amid disruptions to global shipping routes linked to tensions in West Asia. Despite the growing fiscal weight on the state budget, President Prabowo Subianto has held subsidized pump prices firm through the end of the year to contain inflation and shield household purchasing power.

A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran issued notices to the state government and the accused, Chintamani alias Chintu Patel, and sought his response on why the High Court’s order should not be set aside and the trial court’s judgment convicting him of murder restored.

“Just see the pathetic condition of the High Court. The judges don’t know what Sections 304 Part I and 304 Part II of the IPC are. You expect the judges to appreciate the evidence,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the accused, who had challenged the High Court’s November 29, 2024, order.

The bench was hearing a petition challenging the Chhattisgarh High Court’s November 29, 2024, order.

The High Court had set aside the accused’s conviction for murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), convicted him of culpable homicide under Section 304 of the IPC and reduced his sentence from life imprisonment to 10 years.

The Supreme Court criticised the High Court, saying its condition was pathetic and that its judges did not know the distinction between Sections 304 Part I and 304 Part II of the IPC.

It sought a response on why the High Court’s order should not be set aside and the trial court’s judgment convicting the accused of murder restored. The matter was listed for further hearing after four weeks.

The move comes in the wake of the death of 13 minor children, including nine girls, when a country boat capsized in the Ganga River under Raghopur block of the district on Tuesday evening.

Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh said that a team of officials would assess the condition of all private boats operating in the Raghopur area. The local administration has details of the owners of registered private boats.

“We have taken a decision to assess the condition of the boats. The boats which are in dilapidated condition will be replaced with new ones,” she told the media after visiting the site of the boat mishap and meeting the family members of the deceased.

She said that at least two teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) would be deployed in the Raghopur area to launch rescue operations within 10 minutes of any incident. At present, the SDRF teams are stationed at Kachi-Dargah in Patna district.

As a result, rescue operations get delayed. “Instructions have been issued to start rescue operations at the earliest if any incident is reported,” the DM said, adding that local residents had complained about delays in the start of rescue operations.

She revealed that boat sailing is completely banned after sunset. However, nearly 20 people, mostly children, were onboard at the time of the incident. The boat normally carried five people, but on the fateful day, 20 people were onboard. Moreover, the victims did not choose roads to reach their destination; rather, they preferred to travel by boat to attend the feast, she added.

In addition, a proposal will be sent to the state health department to upgrade the primary health centre at Mohanpur to accommodate more patients. “Though a proposal to upgrade the Mohanpur PHC was sent to the health department, nothing happened,” she added.

In response to a media query, the DM said that six victims were undergoing treatment at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, where their condition was stated to be stable. She said the process of providing financial aid to the victims had already started.

She said that the preliminary report suggested that the boat that capsized in the river had a large hole in the deck. The hole had been repaired with a piece of steel sheet, which came off while the boat was sailing, the DM revealed.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai visited Raghopur and inquired about the incident. He also met the families who lost their members in the tragedy. Rai later said that he had asked the DM to conduct an audit of boats ferrying people from Raghopur to Patna and vice versa.

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said that his party would provide compensation to the victims of the boat mishap. Tejashwi represents the Raghopur seat in the Bihar Assembly.

RJD MP Misa Bharti also visited Raghopur to take stock of the situation. “The death of children, all below 15 years of age, is shocking,” she remarked.

Her publisher, Faber, confirmed that the ban "has led to circumstances where Faber cannot pass on U.K. earnings to Sally Rooney for her work."

"To sell a writer's work and not be able to pass on earnings is an unconscionable situation for a publisher. As such, and in full agreement with Sally, we have taken the decision that we can no longer supply her works in the U.K. in any format," Faber said in a statement.

Rooney said Faber's decision to withdraw her books from sale in the U.K. was made "with my full agreement."

"I have made every effort to be honest with the public about my beliefs and intentions, and I am wholly prepared to accept the consequences," she said in a statement.

Rooney, 35, is the critically praised author of four novels: "Conversations with Friends," "Normal People," "Beautiful World, Where are You" and "Intermezzo." Her books have sold millions of copies, and both "Conversations with Friends" and "Normal People" were adapted for television by the BBC.

A strong supporter of Palestinian causes, she wrote in The Irish Times in August 2025: "I too support Palestine Action. If this makes me a 'supporter of terror' under U.K. law, so be it."

She said she would use proceeds from her novels and TV fees to continue to support the group.

Britain's center-left Labour government outlawed Palestine Action after activists from the direct-action group broke into a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 to protest British military support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The ban makes membership in or support for the group a crime punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

More than 3,000 people have been arrested since the group was outlawed, including for holding signs declaring "I support Palestine Action." More than 1,200 have been charged under the Terrorism Act, though none has yet been convicted.

Civil liberties groups say the ban and subsequent arrests unjustifiably restrict the rights to protest and free speech.

Lawyers for Palestine Action will ask the U.K. Supreme Court next month to overturn the ban. All cases involving people charged with breaching it have been put on hold pending the court's ruling.

However, it clarified that remote authentication should be undertaken only after the concerned RMP has reviewed the relevant clinical information, records, investigations and other material necessary for forming the professional opinion and has exercised independent professional judgment in determining whether the report is authentic.

“Where the available information is inadequate for forming such professional opinion, the RMP shall refrain from authentication until such further information, examination, verification or review as may be professionally required has been undertaken,” an advisory issued by the NMC said.

The clarification from the NMC regarding remote authentication of medical records through Digital/Electronic Signatures has come in view of the widespread use of telemedicine, which has made healthcare facilities accessible to people even in the remotest corners of India.

The advisory stressed that digital signatures, electronic signatures, signature creation data, authentication credentials, access tokens or other authentication mechanisms used for the authentication of medical records shall remain under the control of the concerned RMP and shall not be shared, disclosed, delegated, transferred or knowingly made available to any other person.

“The concerned RMP shall exercise reasonable care to prevent unauthorised access to or use of such credentials. Any suspected compromise or unauthorised use shall be promptly reported in accordance with applicable institutional and legal requirements, and appropriate corrective measures shall be undertaken,” the NMC warned.

It also clarified that if a foreign medical expert provides a remote consultation or second opinion to an Indian healthcare establishment, such an opinion may be considered by the treating team in accordance with applicable law.

The identity, professional qualifications, professional registration/licensure, date and nature of the consultation, and the professional opinion provided by the foreign medical expert shall, to the extent applicable, be appropriately documented as part of the patient's medical record.

“Such consultation or opinion shall not, by itself, constitute authorisation or certification of an Indian medical record by the foreign medical expert or confer any right to practise medicine in India,” the advisory added.

It also said that the advisory shall not be construed as permitting independent medical practice in India by persons who are not authorised to practise under the NMC Act, 2019, nor shall it be construed as recognising foreign medical registration for such purposes.

The advisory, issued on October 13, also said that healthcare establishments shall ensure that electronic records are maintained with appropriate security measures, audit trails, authentication logs, date and time stamps, and other safeguards to preserve the integrity, confidentiality and traceability of electronically authenticated medical records.

Healthcare establishments shall retain electronically authenticated medical records and related authentication and audit logs for the period prescribed under applicable law.

“They shall also ensure compliance with applicable requirements relating to data protection, privacy, information security and cybersecurity, including requirements concerning the processing, storage, transmission, access, confidentiality and protection of personal health information,” it suggested to healthcare institutions.

It noted that divergent practices have evolved across healthcare establishments, resulting in uncertainty regarding the remote review and authentication of medical records and clinical documents, professional accountability, adequacy of clinical information, security and integrity of electronic records, inter-State practice, cross-border consultations and other allied issues.

The NMC said the advisory has been issued to promote uniform implementation of the existing legal framework, remove ambiguity relating to remote authentication of medical records through Digital/Electronic Signatures, ensure patient safety, preserve professional accountability and facilitate the responsible adoption of digital healthcare technologies.

“It is clarified that there is no prohibition under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, the Regulations framed thereunder or the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines, 2020, of EMRB, NMC, against the remote review and authentication of laboratory reports, pathology reports, radiology reports, diagnostic interpretations, discharge summaries and other electronic clinical documents by a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP) through a Digital Signature or other Electronic Signature or electronic authentication technique recognised under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the rules made thereunder, as applicable,” the advisory said.

It added that remote authentication shall be undertaken only after the concerned RMP has reviewed the relevant clinical information, records, investigations and other material reasonably necessary for forming the professional opinion, and has exercised independent professional judgment in determining whether the report, interpretation, summary or other clinical document is appropriate for authentication.

The use of a Digital/Electronic Signature shall constitute only the mode of authentication of an electronic record and shall not dispense with or diminish the professional, ethical or legal responsibility of the RMP authorising such a report, and shall not absolve the individual or organisational responsibilities arising under the applicable laws, rules and regulations.

It further added that authentication of a report shall not be construed as approval of, or as dispensing with, any process, examination, verification or professional review otherwise required under applicable law or professional standards, and shall not be used to bypass or substitute the independent professional judgment of the concerned RMP.

An RMP authorised to practise under the NMC Act, 2019, may remotely authenticate reports generated by a healthcare establishment with which the RMP is duly appointed, empanelled, contracted or otherwise professionally associated, in accordance with applicable law, provided that such remote authentication is undertaken in the course of the RMP's lawful professional engagement and the RMP has lawful access to the relevant clinical records, it said.

“Nothing in this advisory shall be construed as conferring any independent right to practise medicine, or as dispensing with any requirement relating to registration, licensing, appointment, jurisdiction or professional practice applicable under any law.”

The NMC said that the rapid advancement of digital healthcare technologies, including Hospital Information Systems (HIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Electronic Health Records (EHR), Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), Radiology Information Systems (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), telemedicine platforms and other digital health solutions, has significantly transformed the manner in which healthcare services are delivered across the country.

These technologies enable RMPs to remotely review, interpret and authenticate clinical information while ensuring timely and efficient healthcare delivery.

The High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms has also recommended facilitating the use of Digital and Electronic Signatures in medical practice in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, with the objective of promoting ease of healthcare delivery, improving accessibility and reducing avoidable regulatory impediments, the advisory said.

Four vessels were struck on Tuesday and six on Sunday, the highest number of attacks in a single day since the start of the conflict -- according to data from security firm Vanguard, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the British maritime agency UKMTO.

Two seafarers have been reported missing and a container ship reportedly sank as a result of recent attacks, according to the maritime sources.

Merchant vessels transiting the vital passage were first targeted by Iran in March in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes on its territory, and Tehran has continued to strike vessels passing through the strait via routes it has not approved.

The attacks have disrupted shipping through the strait, which is normally one of the busiest routes for exporting oil and other commodities from Gulf countries.

Twenty-three attacks have been recorded since the start of October, almost double the average monthly number of incidents since the start of the war.

The United States said on Saturday that it had struck a cargo vessel as part of its embargo on Iranian ports, but the incident was not listed by the IMO.

The recent uptick in energy exports, which almost returned to pre-war levels at the start of October but have since fallen back, may be behind the latest increase in attacks, according to Vanguard analyst Barun Gupta.

"Gulf oil flows have been recovering, with traffic through Hormuz recently returning to around 80 percent of pre-war levels despite the conflict.

"Increasing the tempo of attacks therefore gives Tehran a way of demonstrating that it can still disrupt that recovery and impose costs on commercial shipping and global energy markets," Gupta told AFP on Wednesday.

He said Trump's promise last week not to launch further attacks on Iran before the midterm elections in the US could also be a factor, giving Tehran "a perceived window to increase pressure with a lower immediate risk of US military escalation".

Some 24 seafarers have died as a result of incidents in the area near the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the conflict, according to the IMO.

Rajput, a merchant navy officer, was killed on March 3, 2025, and his body was discovered two weeks later.

Meerut District Judge Arvind Kumar Mishra, who convicted Muskan and Sahil on September 30 for murder and destruction of evidence, pronounced the sentence on Wednesday after 126 hearings and testimony from 22 prosecution witnesses during a 13-month trial. The prosecution had sought the death penalty, arguing that the case fell under the ‘rarest of the rare’ category. The court ordered both convicts to be hanged until death.

Muskan, who has two daughters, aged seven years and 10 months, and Sahil were produced separately before the court through video conferencing when the verdict was delivered.

The two appeared restless ahead of the sentencing and had eaten very little and slept poorly, according to Senior Jail Superintendent Dr Viresh Raj Sharma.

Before pronouncing the sentence, the judge asked both convicts whether they wished to say anything regarding the punishment.

Sharma said the hearing was brief and that the judge asked Muskan and Sahil questions on various points, including the forensic report.

While convicting the two, the judge said such crimes created fear in society at large. In the morning, Muskan Rastogi’s parents told the court that Saurabh Rajput was a “very good person” and that if the guilty were sentenced to death, “we will not protest”. Muskan’s family had never met her in prison.

Muskan had been requesting permission to meet her elder daughter for the past three to four days. Her younger daughter stays with her in jail, and she has been expressing concern about the child’s future.

Saurabh’s mother, Renu, aunt, brother and other family members were present in court when the sentence was pronounced.

According to the details of the case, Muskan Rastogi sedated her 35-year-old husband, Saurabh Rajput, by lacing his food at their home in Indra Nagar on March 3, 2025.

According to the prosecution, Muskan then called her paramour, Sahil Shukla, who arrived shortly afterwards. The duo stabbed Rajput to death before dismembering his body in the bathroom.

To suppress the odour of decomposition, they packed the dismembered body parts into a large blue plastic drum, filled it with a freshly mixed compound of sand, water and cement, and sealed it, the investigation revealed.

After the murder, the duo fled to Himachal Pradesh the following day. Rastogi used Rajput’s mobile phone to send text messages to his family members, creating the impression that he was alive and travelling for business.

On March 17, 2025, suspicious relatives visited the residence along with local authorities. Saurabh and Muskan’s six-year-old daughter had reportedly told neighbours that her father was in the drum.

Police cut open the sealed blue drum inside the residence and discovered Rajput’s dismembered remains, leading to the pursuit and arrest of Rastogi and Shukla two days later.

The prosecution presented a chain of circumstantial, technical and physical evidence during the trial. Local shopkeepers testified that they had sold the specific blue plastic drum, cement bags, sand, cleavers and razors to Rastogi and Shukla before the murder. The autopsy findings confirmed that Rajput had been stabbed to death.

Call records and mobile tower locations also established that Shukla was at Muskan’s residence at the time of the crime and traced the duo’s movements together to hotel stays in Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

 Key Timeline of Meerut drum murder case

2025

Feb 24-25: Saurabh Rajput, a former merchant navy officer, returned to Meerut from London; the family celebrated his wife Muskan's birthday

March 3-4: Muskan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla allegedly drugged and stabbed Saurabh to death at his Meerut home

March 4: The duo allegedly dismembered the body, sealed the remains in a cement-filled plastic drum and fled to Himachal Pradesh. Muskan reportedly used Saurabh's phone to send messages to relatives

March 17: Police recovered Saurabh's remains from the drum after searching the house

March 18:  Muskan and Sahil were arrested

May 12: Police filed a nearly 1,000-page chargesheet backed by forensic, CCTV and mobile location evidence

Nov 24: Muskan gave birth to a baby girl while in judicial custody

Aug 2025-Sept 2026: Fast-track trial conducted over 126 hearings; 22 prosecution witnesses examined

2026

Sept 30: Court convicted Muskan and Sahil for murder and destruction of evidence

Oct 14: Meerut court awarded the death penalty to both, terming it a "rarest of rare" case

The court said that Ramachandra, by taking undue advantage of his official position in the Department of Excise, had amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income and had not only acquired properties in his name but also in the name of his daughter out of the proceeds of crime in relation to a scheduled offence punishable under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Directly or indirectly, economic offences bleed the economy of the nation and hence are considered white-collar offences, the court added.

Judge Satish J Bali, XLVII Additional City Civil and Sessions Court and Special Judge for CBI Cases, passed the order on Wednesday, sentencing the accused for the offences punishable under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The court observed that the ED had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused persons had committed the offence of money laundering. On considering the aggravating and mitigating factors, it was noticed that the offence committed by the accused persons could be termed a white-collar offence, which bleeds the economy of the nation. The important aspect of socio-economic offences is to be considered from the point of view of the harm they have caused to society at large, the court added.

Ramachandra (72), who joined the government service as an Excise Guard and retired as an In-charge Sub-Inspector of Excise, City Market Zone, and his daughter Yurekha, who resides in Padmanabhanagar in the city, accused Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, were convicted of the offence of money laundering under Section 3, which is punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA.

The court also passed an order to confiscate the immovable properties acquired by the accused out of the proceeds of crime and transfer them to the Central Government, as contemplated under Section 8(5) of the PMLA. These properties consist of a house in Vijayanagar, Bengaluru, measuring 30x51 sq ft, a three-storey house at the back portion with one BHK each constructed on the above-mentioned site, two residential sites at Halagevaderahalli in Kengeri, and agricultural land measuring 12 guntas situated in Kuttwadi village of Bilikere hobli in Hunsur taluk of Mysuru district.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) registered the complaint following a case registered by the Lokayukta police in 2009 against the accused for allegedly possessing disproportionate assets during the check period from 1977 to 2009. The Lokayukta police filed the charge sheet against the accused in 2012 for an offence involving an amount of Rs 1.79 crore.

The two sides also discussed bilateral issues, the regional situation and international developments, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

Asked whether India had raised attacks on Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz during the conversation, Jaiswal said the safety and security of Indian seafarers and tankers were discussed.

India has expressed concern over repeated attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as attacks on civilian infrastructure in the Gulf.

New Delhi has called such attacks “completely unacceptable” and urged that they cease immediately.

On the proposed India-US bilateral trade agreement, Jaiswal said both sides remained engaged in negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial deal.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had addressed the issue at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, he added.

India and the US are working to resolve differences over the proposed agreement, with negotiations approaching a “landing point”, Jaishankar said on Tuesday. He also noted that the core fundamentals of the bilateral strategic partnership remained unchanged.

Asked whether the H-1B visa issue and recent remarks by the US vice-president would figure in US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s upcoming visit to India, Jaiswal said several bilateral issues would be discussed.

Rubio is scheduled to visit India next week to strengthen energy cooperation, according to the US Department of State.

On the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada and the status of a bilateral trade agreement, Jaiswal said the fifth round of negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) had been held in Ottawa about a week ago. Both countries remained committed to a mutually beneficial agreement, he said.

Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke over the phone on Tuesday and agreed to build on the positive momentum in bilateral ties. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is on a working visit to India, also met Modi on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in trade, technology and energy.

On concerns raised by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council over recent communal incidents, Jaiswal said India expected the Bangladeshi government to address the issues.

Referring to the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on Tuesday, Jaiswal said all member countries participated and adopted the Delhi Declaration, committing to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics measures and anti-money laundering efforts.

India expects the inaugural dialogue to strengthen security cooperation among BIMSTEC members, he added.

Responding to remarks by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva on the detention of thousands of protesters in Delhi, Jaiswal termed them “unwarranted” and “unacceptable”, saying they amounted to interference in India’s internal affairs.

He accused the organisation of “extreme selectivity” and said such an approach could undermine faith in multilateralism and its own credibility.

(With inputs from PTI)

A typical day now moves between a phone, laptop, meeting room, car dashboard, street signs and television. We look at things that are close, far away and everywhere in between. We shift from reading to watching, from static information to moving images, often within minutes. Screen time is no longer limited to one part of the day. This changing pattern is also shaping how we experience digital vision.

The result is not simply more time spent on screens. Modern life has changed the rhythm, range and variety of the way we use our vision.

We Look at More Things, More Often

Not long ago, many visual activities had a clear beginning and end. You read a newspaper, worked at a desk or watched television. Today, visual interactions are woven through almost every part of the day, and screen time often connects these activities.

A phone may be the first thing we look at in the morning and the last thing we check at night. Between those moments, we may use it to read messages, navigate, shop, check the news, attend a meeting or watch a video. This has made looking a more continuous part of everyday life. Instead of using our vision for a handful of defined activities, we move through dozens of short visual interactions, many involving screen time.

One Screen Time Task Has Become Several

Modern work has also changed the way we direct our attention. A single workspace now contains a presentation, spreadsheet, email inbox and video call. During a meeting, our gaze may move between the person speaking, shared content and our own notes. For many people, screen time now involves moving between several sources of information rather than focusing on one display. This is increasingly part of everyday digital vision.

This is a different visual experience from sitting in front of a single document. We constantly decide where to look next, often moving between information that changes from one moment to the next. Extended screen time can therefore be part of a much broader pattern of changing visual demands.

Even Leisure Has Become About Screen Time

The boundary between work and leisure has changed as well. After spending hours looking at a computer for work, we may move to a phone for social media, a tablet for reading or a television for entertainment. Communication, shopping, gaming and relaxation can all happen through digital displays, extending screen time beyond working hours. Paying attention to digital wellbeing can therefore involve recognising how these activities flow from one part of the day into another.

The important shift is not that leisure involves screens. It is that the same visual habits can now continue across different parts of the day, with little separation between work, communication and entertainment. As screen time moves across these activities, our visual routines become increasingly connected.

What This Means for the Way Lenses Are Designed

As everyday visual habits change, researchers are looking beyond controlled vision tests to study how people naturally use their eyes, where their gaze moves, how it shifts between distances and which parts of a lens they use most. This includes understanding visual behaviour during different forms of screen time.

This is where ZEISS NeurOptix comes in. By studying real-world gaze behaviour, it provides insights that help inform the design of ZEISS ClearMind lenses, which combine research from neuroscience and everyday visual behaviour. The research considers how people use their vision across different situations, including activities involving screen time and frequent shifts between viewing distances.

In wearer evaluations, 96%* reported exceptionally clear vision. Individual experiences may vary. The finding illustrates how research into everyday visual behaviour, including screen time, is influencing modern lens design.

Modern Life Has Changed the Way We Look

The biggest change isn't simply the number of screens around us or the amount of screen time we have. It is the variety of visual situations we move through every day. We look close and far. We switch between static and moving information. We move our gaze between several sources at work, navigate changing surroundings and carry visual activities from work into leisure.

Understanding how screen time fits into our broader visual habits gives us a different way to think about vision, not just in terms of how clearly we see, but how we actually use our eyes throughout modern life. This broader awareness can also contribute to digital wellbeing.

*Opinion-based survey among wearers of ZEISS ClearMind lenses in Germany, Italy, India and China (N=298, Single Vision, Digital and Progressive lenses), 2025, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE (unpublished, data on file, Top2boxes). Individual experiences may vary.

Disclaimer: This content is part of a marketing initiative.

Rubio will visit Mumbai and Jamnagar in India before travelling to Samarkand in Uzbekistan. In Mumbai, he will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for discussions on bilateral relations and areas of cooperation.

The visit comes as New Delhi and Washington seek to advance trade negotiations despite strains over US tariff policies, President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of having brokered an India-Pakistan ceasefire and a US military attack on a vessel off Oman that killed three Indian seafarers.

India has also expressed concern over US legislation that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, as Washington seeks to increase pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.

Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India-US trade negotiations were moving towards a resolution, even as Washington’s changing economic policies compel countries to reassess their engagement with the United States.

“The United States has repositioned itself,” Jaishankar said, adding that countries needed to “recalculate and reset” their relationships with Washington. Rubio’s visit follows his four-day trip to India in May, when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar to discuss trade, energy, defence, maritime security and regional developments. During his May 24 meeting with Jaishankar, Rubio expressed confidence that the two countries could reach a durable trade agreement.

India has called for an early conclusion to an interim trade agreement as a step towards a broader bilateral pact first envisaged during Modi’s February 2025 visit to Washington.

Energy cooperation is expected to be an important part of the engagement, particularly as the two countries navigate differences over Russian oil purchases and sanctions.

India has been reducing its reliance on Russian crude amid the threat of punitive US tariffs, with Russia’s share of Indian crude imports falling to about 35% in September from as high as 56% in July, according to commodities tracking platform Kpler.

The proposed US measures have raised concerns in New Delhi over the potential impact on energy security, trade and Indian exports. Rubio’s meetings will provide an opportunity for both sides to sustain diplomatic engagement while seeking progress on trade and energy issues.

The broader challenge will be to reconcile Washington’s evolving trade and sanctions policies with India’s priorities of economic growth, energy security and strategic autonomy.

The complaint was filed by Ayush Thapliyal at Dehradun’s Raipur police station. He alleges the group entered his home, threatened him and forced him to unlock his phone and record a video for social media.

According to Thapliyal, the incident took place at about 8 pm on October 3 at his residence in Nakraunda. Dobhal and his associates allegedly entered while abusing him, pulled his hair and slapped him.

One of the accused, identified as Chhota Pandit alias Khukri, allegedly held his hands, while another, known as Tiger, took his mobile phone. Thapliyal said his aunt tried to intervene.

He alleges Dobhal asked his mother and aunt to remain calm, but the other men displayed weapons tucked at their waists and threatened him. The complaint also alleges he was warned that he would meet the same fate as Abhishek Saini of Haridwar.

Fearing harm to his family, Thapliyal said he unlocked his phone. The accused allegedly copied personal photographs and videos, contacts and information linked to his social media accounts.

He further alleged that they pressured him to record a video according to their instructions and upload it to his Instagram account. The group allegedly took a Bluetooth headset, Ray-Ban sunglasses, an external hard drive and the original charger for his iPhone before leaving, the complaint said.

Raipur station house officer Sanjeet Kumar confirmed that a case had been registered on the basis of the complaint. Police have begun an investigation. Dobhal and three associates are already in jail in a separate case involving alleged assault and attempted abduction.

Their bail plea in that case has been rejected, according to the information provided. The latest complaint adds to the legal troubles facing the influencer. The allegations involve both physical intimidation and the alleged seizure and use of personal digital information, an aspect likely to be examined as part of the police investigation.

Gandhi made the allegations at a press conference in the national capital, where several protesters described alleged physical assaults and mistreatment in custody. He displayed the injured activists and called for accountability over the police action.

The press conference followed demonstrations by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the Congress's student wing, and the Indian Youth Congress against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protesters have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

On Tuesday, NSUI activists staged a protest near Gate 7 of Rajiv Chowk Metro station in Connaught Place. Several protesters were detained, prompting the organisation to stage a dharna outside the Connaught Place police station over allegations that its members, particularly women, had been assaulted. A video circulated on social media purportedly showed a woman protester being dragged by her hair by a female police officer.

At Wednesday's press conference, Athira, a Delhi University student from Kerala, alleged that she was detained in a police bus without any female officers present. She said that after she requested a female constable, the bus was stopped outside the Connaught Place police station, where personnel repeatedly struck her across the face.

"Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear... Last time I showed you a boy who was blinded. Now, she is deaf in one ear," Gandhi said.

A woman NSUI activist, whom Gandhi introduced as "our sherni" (tigress), accused a woman constable identified as Chanchal Yadav of assaulting her inside a bus. She alleged that the constable grabbed her by the neck, threw her onto a seat, scratched her face and slapped her.

The activist said the assault caused her earring to become embedded in the tissue of her ear, leaving her badly bruised. She further alleged that plainclothes personnel continued to assault her inside Room 107 of the Connaught Place police station.

Another protester alleged that 15 to 20 police personnel beat him and a colleague inside the Parliament Street police station. He also accused a constable identified as Ankit Kasana of assaulting them while they were being transported to the outskirts of Delhi.

Other demonstrators alleged that they were struck with lathis, kicked in their private parts and deprived of their belongings. Some also claimed that minors were left on the outskirts of the city without their phones or money.

The protesters further alleged that police personnel formatted detainees' mobile phones to erase video evidence of the alleged assaults.

Gandhi also introduced Samar, a flute player who performed the devotional hymn 'Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye' during the press conference. The performance was presented as a response to what Gandhi described as the administration's reliance on force to suppress dissent.

"Dande ka jawab dande se [A stick counter to sticks]," Gandhi said.

Samar alleged that he was detained on October 11 and beaten by plainclothes personnel, while right-wing groups intimidated peaceful demonstrators.

The allegations could not be independently verified. The account represents the protester's version of events; a response from the police is awaited.

Gandhi urged students to document police conduct on video and preserve evidence of alleged misconduct. He said the Congress would pursue accountability after the protest movement concluded.

"This is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this... There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice," Gandhi said.

"To the police personnel, I have told all the students to keep a video record and send that evidence to us. When this entire matter concludes, we will utilize all that evidence and ensure that everyone who needs to be punished is punished, from PM Narendra Modi, Gyanesh Kumar, Amit Shah, down to the constable raising a hand against our children," he added.

The allegations come amid a wider confrontation between opposition parties, student groups and the authorities over the electoral roll revision and demands for Kumar's resignation. The protests have also drawn attention to restrictions on demonstrations in the capital and the police response to activists seeking to challenge the Election Commission.

The Delhi Police's response to the specific allegations made at Wednesday's press conference was not available in the reports cited here.

Currently posted at the Police Training College in Indore, Khan has come under the scanner of the state’s anti-corruption watchdog, the Lokayukta Special Police Establishment (SPE), after searches at 15 premises linked to him in Indore and Dewas districts unearthed assets with an estimated market value of over Rs 29.73 crore.

The searches, conducted at premises linked to head constable Feroz Khan, have so far revealed 33 immovable properties, documents relating to nine vehicles, and 21 bank accounts held in the names of Khan, his family members and close associates.

According to sources associated with the investigation, Khan’s income from his salary has been estimated at around Rs 75 lakh, while his total income from all known sources has been assessed at Rs 1.93 crore. Against this, investigators have found that approximately Rs 12.96 crore was spent on movable and immovable assets, leaving a gap of around Rs 11.02 crore between his expenditure and income from known sources.

The alleged disproportionate expenditure is approximately 568% higher than his income from known sources, the sources said.

33 Properties Unearthed

Investigators have identified 33 immovable properties held in the names of Khan, his wife, his mother, and close associate Roshni Verma, besides properties linked to Sahil Trading Company and others suspected to have been held benami. The expenditure on acquiring these properties is estimated at over Rs 11.57 crore, while their current market value has been assessed at more than Rs 29.73 crore.

The investigation has also revealed a registered agreement concerning approximately 21.75 bighas of agricultural land, executed in the name of Roshni Verma, an acquaintance of Khan, with the applicant’s father. The circumstances surrounding the transaction are being examined.

During the searches, documents relating to around nine vehicles, including trucks, cars, a Mahindra Scorpio, scooters, and motorcycles, were seized from the residences of the persons under investigation.

Investigators have also identified approximately 21 bank accounts held in the names of Khan, his family members, and close associates at banks in Indore, Ujjain, and Dewas. Details of the accounts operated by the accused and their associated companies and firms are being obtained, while withdrawals from the identified accounts have been frozen, sources said.

The investigation has brought five business entities linked to the persons under scrutiny to the fore: Sahil Trading Company, Royal Green Real Estate, Roshni Sales and Service, Maharaja Real Estate, and Black Hornet. Investigators are examining their financial transactions and bank records to establish the sources of funds used for property acquisitions.

Searches at several locations in Indore and Dewas were still underway, while proceedings at the remaining premises had been completed, according to sources.

Investigators are yet to establish the source of the funds allegedly used to acquire the properties and make substantial investments in land. Further scrutiny of bank transactions, business records, and property documents is expected to help investigators determine the extent of the alleged disproportionate assets.

Meanwhile, informed sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, claim that Khan, who until a few months ago was posted in Dewas district, may well have had a nexus with the liquor mafia, and that the money generated from this collusion was invested in land.

The cyber cell identified and facilitated the rescue of another elderly woman in Delhi who was simultaneously being subjected to an ongoing digital arrest fraud.

The 74-year-old woman who was subject to digital arrest had already transferred Rs. 27 lakh to the fraudsters, and their total demand was Rs 3 crore. But the Maharashtra cyber cell’s technical assistance prevented her from suffering further financial losses.

Upon receiving information regarding the incident, a technical team from Maharashtra Cyber reached the location to assist the local police in examining the financial transactions and tracing the movement of the defrauded funds.

During the course of the technical examination, Maharashtra Cyber's technical team undertook live analysis of the transaction trail and scrutinised the accounts linked to the fraudulent activity.

The analysis of a Layer-1 mule account, through which Rs. 89 lakh of the defrauded funds had been traced, revealed a fresh RTGS credit of Rs. 14 lakh from another individual through UCO Bank. This transaction provided a crucial lead indicating the possibility of another victim being actively targeted by the same fraudulent operation.

Acting upon this lead, Maharashtra Cyber immediately undertook backward tracing of the transaction and analysed the associated financial linkages.

An urgent notice was issued to UCO Bank seeking the relevant Know Your Customer (KYC) details, which helped establish that the sender was a woman residing in New Delhi.

Further examination of the transaction raised strong suspicion that the woman was being actively targeted through a digital arrest scam and was at risk of transferring additional funds to the fraudsters.

Recognising the possibility of ongoing cyber fraud, Maharashtra Cyber promptly alerted the Delhi Police on October 13, 2026, sharing actionable technical intelligence and relevant transaction details for immediate intervention.

Acting on this information, Delhi Police successfully traced and rescued the elderly woman from the ongoing digital arrest fraud. Delhi Police are currently in the process of registering an FIR in connection with the incident.

Maharashtra Cyber urges all citizens, particularly senior citizens, to remain vigilant against digital arrest scams wherein fraudsters impersonate police officers, investigating agencies, or other government authorities and threaten victims with arrest or legal consequences to extort money.

Maharashtra Cyber reiterated that there is no such legal procedure as a "Digital Arrest" in India. No legitimate law enforcement agency places citizens under arrest through video calls or demands money to avoid arrest or legal proceedings. Citizens are strongly advised not to panic, disclose sensitive banking information, or transfer funds in response to such threats.

Birds will be offered almonds and selected seeds, deer will get jaggery with their regular feed, and bears will have roasted peanuts. Heating bulbs and heaters are also being arranged for reptiles, including snakes, crocodiles, turtles and critically endangered gharials, which are vulnerable to falling temperatures.

Zoo veterinarian Dr Pradeep Mishra told TNIE that bird seeds are soaked a day before they are served. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are also cut and included in their meals. “Parrot species are given sunflower seeds, which are high in fat. In winter, some birds are also offered sesame and mustard seeds,” Mishra said.

Pheasants are given boiled eggs, while macaws receive walnuts throughout the year. Almonds are added to their winter diet, he said.

Herbivores are served chopped green fodder, along with prepared feed rich in nutrients and a mineral mixture. Jaggery is added to the deer’s food during the colder months. Carnivores continue to receive meat as part of their regular diet. Bears are given chicken and boiled eggs, along with roasted peanuts and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Reptiles also need special care as temperatures fall, Mishra said.

Gharials, crocodiles, snakes and turtles may enter brumation—a period of reduced activity during which they may stop eating. “These animals regulate their body temperature according to their surroundings.

Heating bulbs and heaters are installed near them to help maintain their body temperature in winter,” he said.

The zoo is also monitoring Tejas, a white tiger relocated from Madhya Pradesh, as he adjusts to his new surroundings. Zoo officials said temperatures in Gwalior and Dehradun are broadly similar, helping the animal adapt. Tejas is fed buffalo meat daily. His behaviour has been described as normal, and staff monitor him closely three times a day. The seasonal preparations are intended to maintain the animals’ health and comfort through the colder months.

Zoo staff have completed arrangements to modify feeding routines and provide additional warmth where needed, Mishra said.

Kotkapura town in Faridkot district of Punjab and nearby villages of Behbal Kalan and Sarawan Bodla today completed eleven years of waiting for justice since two anti-sacrilege protesters, Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh, died in police firing on October 12, 2015, as they were protesting against a two-day-old case in Bargari, where some torn pages of Guru Granth Sahib’s Bir were found scattered.

Disappointed with a political system that could not punish those behind the sacrilege and the two killings, Sikh organisations observed a day of condemnation (Lahnat Diwas) at the main chowk in Kotkapura today, accusing successive governments, including the present AAP dispensation, of failing to deliver justice despite the electoral promises made by them.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Kotkapura Congress leader Ajaypal Singh Sandhu and representatives of various Sikh bodies attended the function organised by Darbar-e-Khalsa and Sikh preacher Bhai Harjinder Singh Majhi, who read out a 10-page letter of shame (Sharam Patra) addressed to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and handed a copy to Sandhwan for the government.

The letter, signed by Majhi and Darbar-e-Khalsa chief spokesperson Harpinder Singh Kotkapura, stated that the organisation observes the day every year to mark the October 14, 2015, police action at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan.

The Mann-led Punjab government was accused in the letter of forgetting the issue after coming to power. It stated that retired IGP Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, who is now a ruling party MLA and had investigated the cases under the previous government, was used as a "brand" to come to power, and that he was later denied time to speak on the issue in the state Assembly despite repeated requests.

The letter further cited the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by RS Khatra and claimed that the investigation findings pointed to the involvement of Dera Sacha Sauda. It alleged that the government withheld sanction for two years to name the Dera chief in the charge sheet. It also stated that approver Pradeep Kaler's statements named Gurmeet Ram Rahim and Honeypreet, yet no action has followed. The government's inaction, it said, suggests either that someone close to it is involved or that it has struck a "deal" with the accused.

The letter further accused the government of remaining silent on the accused's plea to shift the district court cases out of Punjab and said that the named accused, Harsh Dhuri and Sandeep Bareta, remain beyond the reach of the law.

Addressing the gathering, Majhi said the sacrilege and firing cases raised serious questions after 11 years and that the struggle would continue until justice was delivered. Representatives of the Sikh bodies said the SAD-BJP and Congress governments had also failed to bring closure, and that the AAP had promised justice before coming to power.

Congress MLA Khaira accused the government of not keeping its promises and of lying, while Speaker Sandhwan said the government was acting at every level to deliver justice and that efforts were being made to ensure it, in keeping with the sentiments of the Sikh community.

The letter also noted that Speaker Sandhwan had earlier stated in the Assembly that the case was held up because the accused had obtained bail. It said that bail does not bar investigators from investigating.

It further pointed out that the police have yet to file a challan in the Kotkapura-Behbal firing case, while the families of Krishan Bhagwan Singh of Niamiwala and Gurjeet Singh of Sarawan, who died in the firing, continue to wait for justice.

The accused, identified as Swaroop Tudu, later went to a police station and confessed to the killings, following which he was arrested.

The deceased were identified as Dulari Soren, 55, and Lakshmi Mardi, 50.

According to reports, Tudu, who had been unwell for a long time, had sought treatment from a traditional healer. On the healer’s advice, he summoned his two elder sisters from their marital homes on Sunday and invited them to attend a ritual and prayer ceremony in the village.

After the rituals concluded, the two women went to sleep. In the early hours of Monday, Tudu allegedly attacked them with an axe while they were asleep, killing them.

Villagers said Tudu locked the house after the killings and went to the police station.

During the investigation, police also found evidence that a ritual had been performed in the house to 'cure' himself based on the advise from traditional healer.

Dhalbhumgarh police station officer-in-charge Neeraj Mishra said that questioning villagers and examining the ritual materials found at the house suggested that the crime might have been committed under the influence of a traditional healer.

Police were investigating the case from all possible angles, he said.

Tudu, a farmer, married a woman from Dhangakamal village three years ago but has been living separately from her, according to reports. Various Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines were also found at his house.

Mishra said the exact motive behind the killings, including whether they were linked to superstition or an underlying mental health condition, had not yet been established.

Rubbishing the allegations, Nand said the complaint lodged at Kalighat police station had “no substance or truth”, according to a news report.

“This is not an attack. She went there to meet her, but it appeared otherwise to the supporters,” the police commissioner told PTI.

The woman, identified as Tannistha Saha, a civic volunteer who had allegedly been absent from duty for a year, was arrested in connection with the incident.

Nand said the woman knew Banerjee and that even her father knew the former chief minister.

“The woman has been arrested. Police personnel present at the spot apprehended her, and the entire matter was understood thereafter. There is no substance or truth in the complaint,” he added.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Banerjee was on her way to inaugurate a Durga Puja idol at the Kalighat Milan Sangha club near her residence.

Mamata's faction of Trinamool Congress alleged that a woman had attempted to attack her. Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, a close aide of Banerjee, lodged a complaint with the police by email soon after the incident.

The complaint alleged that the woman approached Banerjee aggressively, raising concerns over the security arrangements for the former chief minister, who is entitled to Z-plus security.

Sen alleged that the incident took place around 6 pm when Banerjee, accompanied by other leaders, including Baiswanor Chatterjee, was heading to the nearby Durga Puja pandal. Sen was also present at the venue.

According to the complaint, a woman who appeared to be intoxicated suddenly addressed Banerjee as ‘pisi’ (aunt) and attempted to attack her. The woman allegedly sat on the road and abused Banerjee while carrying a knife, Sen claimed.

Sen also said she alerted two police personnel stationed near the spot and sought their intervention. However, the two personnel, who identified themselves as West Bengal Police employees, refused to intervene, claiming that the incident had occurred within the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police, she alleged.

The chembarathi, or the hibiscus, is woven into the Malayali’s everyday landscape as well as mindscape. From roadsides and vacant plots to gardens and temple grounds, its blooms are a familiar sight across Keralam.

There is something ‘homely’ about the flower. But common as it may be, the chembarathi has a charm that never quite fades.

Simplicity makes it more striking. One just needs to plant a stem segment. Its ability to take root in almost any soil, without any special pampering, may be one reason for its popularity.

“Though it lacks the fragrance of roses or jasmine, the hibiscus, spreading a blanket of red across a courtyard, used to be a signature feature of many homes,” notes poet S Kalesh.

“The sight of a blooming hibiscus exudes a distinct identity.”

Perhaps this familiarity explains why the hibiscus finds occasional mention in Malayalam literature. Latheesh Mohan has a poetry collection titled ‘Chevikal Chembarathikal’, while few Malayalis would be unfamiliar with the song ‘Chembarathippoove Chollu...’ penned by Shibu Chakravarthy and sung by K S Chitra.

But for Kalesh, the flower brings to mind Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. “He used to plant saplings within the prison grounds during his time in captivity. Perhaps hibiscus was very dear to him. Traces of this fondness can be seen in his novel ‘Balyakalasakhi’,” he says.

“In the novel, Suhra plants a hibiscus sapling in Majeed’s compound. A red flower is already in bloom when she plants it. Every morning, she visits Majeed’s house to water the plant. The imagery is so beautiful.”

The flower remains significant towards the end of the novel, when Majeed remembers Suhra after learning of her death. When they meet for the last time, she stands holding the hibiscus plant, her eyes filled with tears.

“The chembarathi was a symbol of the lost love between Suhra and Majeed,” Kalesh says.

For poet and translator Nithya Mariam John, the hibiscus is inseparable from childhood memories. She would spend hours gazing at the vibrant red flowers in her home.

“Red is my favourite colour. I would imagine living inside a chembarathi flower, with its red, shoe-like petals forming a tent all around me,” she smiles.

In English literature, the rose is a familiar symbol of love. “‘O my Luve is like a red, red rose’, wrote Scottish poet Robert Burns,” adds Nithya, who is an assistant professor of literature at BCM College in Kottayam.

“But I believe the hibiscus better captures love in its most passionate, all-consuming and life-changing form. For us, Basheer’s chembarathi, flowering in bright red, stands as a strong testimony to love and loss, doesn’t it?”

Its beauty and symbolism, she notes, the chembarathi has a much longer history. “In Victorian floriography (language of flowers), the hibiscus was indeed associated with love and passion,” she says.

Fashion design student Adrija V K too is reminded of home while talking about chembarathi. “Our old house in Alappuzha had numerous plants, their blooms colouring the yard red,” she recalls.

That memory inspired her engagement attire, which caught much attention on social media recently.

“I wanted something personal, rooted in my own experience. The beauty of this red flower is incomparable to me. Be it the petal or the stigma, chembarathi is such a grand flower. I complemented the design with manjadikkuru (red bead tree seeds),” she says.

Her love for the flower extends beyond fashion to painting too. “Hibiscus is a unique flower. It is found everywhere, but nothing can replace it,” she says with a smile.

Well, folklore and films may have given the red chembarathi a ‘mental’ association. But we all love a bit of madness, right?

Jokes apart, the hibiscus is more than a familiar garden flower or a cultural symbol. Its botanical diversity and potential medicinal properties offer plenty of reasons to look at it afresh.

According to botany professor and lichenologist Stephen Sequeira, the genus hibiscus, belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae, includes around 275 species worldwide.

“India has about 35 recorded species, while Keralam has around 16 to 17,” he says.

The plant has attracted scientific interest for its medicinal properties. Studies have examined its antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities, while its potential antiviral, antidiabetic and anticancer properties are also being investigated.

The effects can vary depending on the species and the part of the plant used.

“Hibiscus tea, consumed in different parts of the world, is another popular preparation. Various communities have traditionally used hibiscus-based remedies for complaints ranging from fatigue and digestive problems to menstrual disorders,” he notes.

Stephen, however, cautions that traditional uses and preliminary findings do not establish the plant’s effectiveness in treating medical conditions. Such claims require further scientific evidence.

Hibiscus, however, has a prominent place in Ayurveda and local remedies. “Hibiscus appears in Ashtanga Hridayam as an ingredient in several medicines. It is one of the prominent dravyas used in many oils. Its petals are also used to test the consistency of oils and different kinds of ghee,” says Arish, an Ayurveda doctor.

The flower is a key ingredient in traditional hair oils intended to darken hair and is widely used in hair treatments. “Yet, sporting a hibiscus flower in one’s hair is a complete no for us Malayalis,” he quips.

‘Worth another look’

Beyond its beauty and medicinal uses, the hibiscus has helped generations understand the natural world, often beginning with a lesson in the classroom. And that’s part of Keralam’s collective nostalgia.

Environmentalist V C Balakrishnan recalls how teachers would bring the flower to school and dissect it to demonstrate its different parts. He remembers studying it in the 1960s, when the hibiscus was a common teaching aid for explaining the structure of a flowering plant.

The plant, he adds, also has a place in natural landscaping. “In parts of Wayanad, it is still used as a living fence because of its dense growth, often alongside the adalodakam plant,” he says.

“A hibiscus bush supports a small but lively ecological network. Butterflies such as the common Mormon and Jezebel, as well as sunbirds, among its frequent visitors.”

Balakrishnan has also observed the cotton leaf roller moth (Haritalodes derogata), whose caterpillars roll hibiscus leaves around themselves for protection from predators, including certain wasps.

Another aspect of the plant intrigues him: its fruit. “We rarely see it bearing fruit. I remember seeing them when I was younger, in areas where hibiscus grew in dense vegetation. Now, since they are grown through propagation, it seems like the plant doesn’t need to grow its fruit anymore,” he says.

Balakrishnan also offers a possible explanation for the flower’s Malayalam name, chembarathi. “‘Chemb’ refers to red, and ‘parathi’ is a name associated with plants in the mallow family,” he says, adding that this may not be a definitive account of the name’s origin.

“The hibiscus may be common, but that does not make it unremarkable. It is definitely worth another look,” he smiles.

In a press conference held today, the association said it had been sitting on a protest dharna for more than three weeks and had submitted a memorandum to the University of Delhi Vice-Chancellor and the governing body, detailing its concerns and seeking action.

The association has raised issues relating to alleged deviations from university admission rules, delays in faculty leave and promotion matters, the bypassing of the statutory Staff Council, financial and procurement processes, non-disclosure of governing body minutes and audited accounts, appointments and tenure, and the use of college resources. It has also flagged concerns over fee and scholarship governance, access to institutional facilities and repeated fire incidents.

Among its key demands are an independent, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the allegations, immediate university intervention, and the removal of the present chairman of the governing body, TCA Rangachari, and the principal, Anju Srivastava, to allow the inquiry to proceed without obstruction or conflict.

The HCSA has also sought the withdrawal of show-cause notices issued to its president, secretary and a senior faculty member. It alleged that the notices were issued for airing the views of staff members regarding the principal’s alleged wrongdoing.

Former Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) president Aditya Narayan Misra and the group INTEC also expressed solidarity with the association’s demands.

Questioning the action against the faculty members, Misra and INTEC raised concerns over why teachers should be issued show-cause notices for drawing attention to alleged violations of statutory provisions. They called for the concerns raised by the staff association to be addressed through appropriate institutional mechanisms.

Another issue raised by the faculty was that college buildings had been taken over and renamed after corporate donors, such as the Chimes Group, Relaxo and Ultra International, in violation of university rules.

The association said some faculty members, particularly those from Dalit and other vulnerable sections, had been selectively targeted and subjected to what it described as flimsy accusations.

The HCSA has said it will intensify its protest until its demands are met, urging the university to ensure accountability, protect faculty rights and restore confidence among teachers, students and other stakeholders.

Sao has been expelled for his controversial remarks against Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Yogendra Sao had made a strong statement accusing Chief Minister Hemant Soren of being corrupt.

Sao, however, said that it makes no difference. He clearly stated that despite being suspended from the party, he would continue to work for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

“I am a dedicated Congress worker and will continue working for the party,” said Sao. He also plans to visit Delhi in the near future to meet Rahul Gandhi.

Sao remarked that in Jharkhand, one is not permitted to speak out against wrongdoing. People are fully aware of the situation, he said.

Targeting the government, Sao reiterated that speaking against officials is forbidden; one must not raise one's voice against the government's flawed policies or stand with the people. Instead, one must resort to sycophancy and lying to avoid facing punitive action.

Earlier, the state Congress disciplinary committee had issued a show-cause notice to the former minister for his remarks against Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

He had been asked to submit a written explanation within three days and appear in person to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him under the provisions of the party constitution.

Sao even submitted his reply to the party, but he was expelled by the party.

The controversy stems from an administrative drive to remove encroachments from 50 decimals of ‘Khasmahal’ land in the Barkagaon area of Hazaribagh district.

Sao has consistently asserted his claim over this land. Angered by the action taken, he levelled direct allegations against the Chief Minister.

Sao described Soren as the “most corrupt Chief Minister” and alleged that officials, including former JPSC chairman L Khyangte and IAS officer Vinay Choubey, were made scapegoats whenever the government faced a crisis. He also alleged that Jharkhand’s “jal, jungle and zameen” (water, forests and land) were being handed over to corporate companies.

Sao further urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the Hemant Soren government and said he would continue to speak what he described as the truth.

Following Yogendra Sao's statement, the JMM opened a front against him, seeking action against Sao.

The aircraft, with the same crew, was permitted to fly to Delhi five hours later after intense questioning of the pilots and security checks of passengers by security agencies at Jaipur International Airport. The aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, will investigate the incident.

Flight No. AI 2030, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, took off from Frankfurt at 9.15 pm (local time). According to sources familiar with the sequence of events, “When the aircraft was flying inside the Mumbai Flight Information Region, a Squawk 7500 signal, which is used in case of unlawful interference, particularly hijacking, was received by the Mumbai Air Traffic Control (ATC). The officials there immediately contacted the Flight Commander, who assured them that everything was alright on board.”

However, such responses could also be given by pilots who are being threatened by anyone and are under pressure. “Airport authorities could not take any chances. Hence, in line with established protocol, the Mumbai ATC alerted the Delhi ATC. The officials here then instructed the pilot to divert the plane to the nearest airport, which was Jaipur,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Air India, in a statement, said the diversion was the result of “a perceived security concern.” Delhi airport said the flight was supposed to land at 10.40 am but was diverted to Jaipur in light of Code 7500.

According to a Jaipur airport source, the flight landed safely at Jaipur at 9.36 am. “Fire tenders and ambulances were kept on standby at the terminal. As soon as the flight landed, it was taken to an isolation bay. All the passengers were made to disembark and were escorted to a designated holding area inside the terminal building. Every passenger and every piece of baggage was screened intensively, with CISF personnel, local police and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad pressed into action, along with sniffer dogs. The pilots were intensely questioned too.”

The flight and crew were cleared for take-off after nothing was found amiss. “The plane took off from Jaipur at 2.21 pm and reached Indira Gandhi International Airport safely at 3.24 pm,” the source added.

A DGCA official said the regulator would be probing the incident. “Only investigations will reveal what actually happened,” he said.

Speculation was rife that the alert may have been erroneously sent by the pilot. “The pilots denied mistakenly activating the signal when questioned,” another source said. The commander of a wide-body aircraft knows the seriousness of this code and would never send it mistakenly, another source added.

Jaipur Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bhaskar A. Sawant, Jaipur Police Commissioner Sachin Mittal and District Collector Sandesh Nayak reached the airport. Anti-Terrorism Squad personnel were also present, while nearby hospitals were alerted as a precaution.

Why are vaccines during childhood important?

Childhood vaccines are important because they protect children from life-threatening preventable diseases. Vaccines stop dangerous diseases like polio, measles, and whooping cough and prevent permanent disabilities, brain damage, hearing loss, and death. DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), and polio (OPV, IPV) are the common vaccines for children. They reduce the spread of infections and also protect the wider community, including those who are not vaccinated.

Are parents delaying or skipping vaccines? What are the main reasons?

Some parents are particularly delaying and skipping some vaccines, mainly because of the concerns over side effects. Myths and misinformation play a major role in vaccine hesitancy. There are many myths about some vaccines, like MMR causing autism, polio vaccines causing infertility, etc. We need trusted messengers like health care professionals to talk about these and build public trust to increase vaccine confidence. The government has to do more to improve digital literacy and take legal action against those who spread misinformation.

If a child has missed several vaccine doses, should the vaccination schedule be restarted?

There is no need to restart the vaccination schedule from the beginning. Continue with the doses if the child is partially immunised. The body’s immune system never forgets. Vaccines, if missed, can be given as appropriate for the child’s age.

Do you see a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases because of gaps in immunisation?

Yes. When vaccination coverage falls, diseases such as measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough can return. We are seeing a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in pockets where children with low immunisation are high. Mostly, these are underserved, marginalised communities with multiple deprivations.

What are the consequences on public health if vaccination rates fall?

Fall in vaccination rates will open the doors for outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD), which are infectious illnesses caused by viruses or bacteria that can be prevented through the use of safe and effective vaccines. The rising numbers will put pressure on the health care systems, increasing mortality and morbidity. This will result in loss of productive and learning years, and ultimately stop the progress of a healthy nation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the last day of the three-day 9th edition of Bengaluru space expo, Gaganyatri Group Captain Angad Pratap said that at least half of the new astronauts would be women and four are from non-aviation background.

The four astronauts from non-aviation background will include professionals from various technical backgrounds, he added.

Explaining the knowledge that the astronauts acquired in other fields, Pratap said; “When I was chosen for the Gaganyaan, I was an experimental test pilot. After selection, I learnt a lot of other things including engineering and medicine. Same will be the case with people from other professions also when inducted into space missions.”

He said the Gaganyaan mission is all about acquiring capabilities to launch a human to space indigenously from India, which is considered a huge milestone, involving over 20 niche technologies. “India will be the fourth country to do it by itself. Gaganyaan may sound like just sending one person to orbit, but it lays the foundation for much bigger things. The ultimate aim is to push the boundaries of human knowledge. Technology will be shared between the private sector and government sector,” he said.

Pratap said work on the Gaganyaan mission is progressing, and that although there are delays, the test pilots and astronauts should take it with a pinch of salt. “When an American or a Russian astronaut joins the space programme, he joins with a pre-mindset that he will get an assured flight to space in a finite time period.

But when it comes to us (Indians), we were joining a prototype programme not only for the flight but to build the entire programme from scratch. It is not about the flight alone, but there is a lot of work which happens on the ground, which might be delayed. But once it happens, it will be successful. And that’s why all of us should take this delay with a pinch of salt, because that is the starting point.”

Speaking about his role in the Gaganyaan mission, he said, he was working on the human-machine interface, cockpit design for the Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), India’s first indigenously-built-and-launched space station by 2035.

“I am trying to integrate AI into the Gaganyaan cockpit to the maximum extent possible. I am trained to be a part of the human-machine interface design and development,” he said and clarified that he was not designing the entire cockpit. “I am a part of the design process for the front-end architecture alone of the cockpit and the BAS. I am also utilising my aviation knowledge. I sit with the designers and guide them through,” he said.

Pratap said, “I work on the operational requirement sets. I make replicas of how the front-end architecture should look like, while realizing the hardware realities which are there. It is a very niche topic. Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot replace humans. They are tools that are enabling us.”