A joint inquiry committee has submitted recommendations for disciplinary action against the Vice Chancellor of Nishtar Medical University, Dr Mehnaz Khakwani, and other officials involved in an investigation into the infection of 31 dialysis patients with HIV at Nishtar Hospital. These recommendations were made under the PEDA Act following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The committee found that Dr Khakwani failed to implement and monitor SOPs, leading to the outbreak, and has recommended her removal and one-year suspension from public service.
After two years of war and devastation in Gaza, Hamas has released all 20 of the last living hostages as part of a breakthrough ceasefire deal with Israel. The prisoners will be transported to the West Bank and Gaza Strip while US President Donald Trump is in the region to discuss postwar plans with other leaders. While questions still remain about the future, this marks a significant step towards ending the ongoing conflict and providing much-needed relief to the famine-stricken Gaza.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family are facing charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and cheating in the IRCTC 'scam' case. Despite pleading 'not guilty' in the Delhi court, they have been accused of favouring a private company in awarding contracts for two IRCTC hotels in exchange for prime land in Patna. The CBI filed a charge sheet against Prasad, his wife Rabri, and their son Tejashwi in 2018.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders have faced further extensions of remand and a lack of access to legal representatives since March, when they were arrested for peacefully protesting enforced disappearances. In a recent hearing, the Pakistani authorities chose to hold the proceedings inside a prison rather than an open courtroom, effectively barring families, journalists, and neutral observers from attending. This move has been condemned as a deliberate attempt to suppress transparency and further institutionalize the criminalization of peaceful political dissent in the region.
A Delhi court formally charged Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and their son Tejashwi Yadav with corruption, conspiracy, and cheating in the alleged IRCTC scam case. The trial will proceed after all the accused pleaded not guilty. The case involves allegations of corruption in the allocation of maintenance contracts for IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasad Yadav's tenure as Railway Minister. The court heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence before reserving its order.
On the International Day of Older Persons, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced a range of initiatives for the welfare of senior citizens. These include setting up of modern old-age homes, a service center for repairing assistive devices, and deploying 25 de-addiction awareness vans. The CM also stressed the importance of respecting and caring for the elderly, and highlighted the various welfare schemes currently benefiting over 14 lakh senior citizens in the state. The event also featured cultural performances and a health camp for the elderly.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement on the Durgapur gangrape case has sparked intense controversy, with the opposition accusing her of victim shaming. Banerjee, while speaking about the incident, questioned why the victim was out at 12:30 am, leading to backlash and allegations of insensitivity towards the victim. The chief minister has clarified her statement, denying any intention of victim shaming and reiterating her commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, the BJP has used the incident to criticize the safety of women under the current regime and questioned the timing of Banerjee's remark.
In a significant shift in policy, Pakistan has denounced the Afghan Taliban as illegitimate and accused them of carrying out attacks on the Pak-Afghan border. This marks a drastic change from their previous endorsement of the Taliban government and signals a rupture in their once-close relationship. Experts believe that this shift is a forced decision in response to Taliban defiance and increased violence from TTP, revealing Pakistan's loss of influence over the Taliban leadership. This move also signifies the downfall of Pakistan's long-standing strategic depth doctrine, which relied on a friendly Afghan regime as a counterweight against India.
Attendees at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk spoke about the impact he had on their lives. Many shared how Kirk inspired them to focus on their families and pursue their beliefs, while others credited him for inspiring them to make significant life changes, such as dropping out of college and starting a family. Kirk's wife also honored his passion for promoting traditional family values in her speech, emphasizing the importance of God in marriage.
The alleged gang-rape of an MBBS student in Durgapur has become a fierce political battleground in West Bengal. BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of downplaying the incident and shifting blame onto the victim and a private college. Meanwhile, Banerjee has been facing backlash for her remarks suggesting partial responsibility on the victim and the college authorities. The incident has sparked sharp criticism and reveals the charged political climate in Bengal.