The Odisha government imposed a 36-hour curfew and suspended internet services in parts of Cuttack after clashes during Durga Puja idol immersion. Violence began late Friday when locals objected to loud music at Dargah Bazaar. Stones and bottles were thrown, injuring at least six people, including a police officer. Police arrested six suspects and are reviewing CCTV footage. On Sunday, fresh clashes injured more officers and journalists. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad called a 12-hour bandh on Monday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi urged peace and warned that those involved in the violence would face strict action. (PC: HT)

The Election Commission has introduced 17 new reforms for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections to improve transparency and efficiency. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said these steps will later be applied across India. Bihar will have fewer than 1,200 voters per booth and 100% webcasting at all polling stations. Colour photos and larger fonts will appear on EVM ballots, and voters must deposit phones outside booths. Booth officials will carry ID cards, and postal ballots will be counted earlier. The reforms aim to make voting easier, safer, and more transparent ahead of elections due before November 22. (PC: PTI)

The Union Health Ministry held an emergency meeting after 14 children died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from a toxic cough syrup named Coldrif. Tests showed the syrup contained diethylene glycol, a harmful chemical. Officials ordered stricter checks on drug manufacturing and warned non-compliant companies of licence cancellation. States were told to avoid unnecessary cough syrup prescriptions for children. Experts called the contamination “criminal negligence.” The Tamil Nadu-based manufacturer’s licence has been cancelled, and legal action has begun. Health authorities are now testing more samples and tightening safety rules to prevent future tragedies. (PC: NDTV)

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to inspect all Boeing 787 aircraft in India. This comes after an Air India Dreamliner from Amritsar to Birmingham was grounded in the UK when its emergency turbine deployed mid-descent. The pilots’ body said a fault in the Bus Power Control Unit might have triggered the issue. FIP warned of possible electrical faults in Boeing 787s and cited the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 260 people. Boeing has not responded to either incident. (PC: India Today)

Alakh Pandey, the founder of the popular ed-tech platform Physics Wallah, has experienced a meteoric rise in wealth, surpassing Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. This comes as the company has scaled rapidly, becoming a "unicorn" — a startup valued at over $1 billion. Despite reporting losses, Physics Wallah’s growth trajectory continues to impress, largely driven by its YouTube-based educational model and expanding user base. The platform's success is a testament to the booming ed-tech sector, especially in the wake of pandemic-driven shifts toward online learning.  

At least 17 people were killed after heavy rain caused massive landslides in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Saturday. Many homes were buried, and several villages were cut off. Rescue teams, including NDRF, police, and local officials, are working to find missing people in Mirik and nearby areas. North Bengal minister Udayan Guha called the situation “alarming.” Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed sorrow and said over 300 mm of rain fell in 12 hours. She promised full help for affected families. The weather office has issued a red alert for more heavy rain till October 6. (PC: X)

A newborn elephant calf in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park has been named ‘Mayabini’ after the famous Bengali song by singer Zubeen Garg. The female calf was born to Kuwari, one of Kaziranga’s most loved elephants, on World Animal Day. Assam’s Environment and Forest Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said the name ‘Mayabini’ stands for new life, hope, and harmony in the wild. He shared the joyful news on X, calling it a proud moment for Assam. The birth of Mayabini has brought happiness to forest staff and visitors, adding new life to the world-famous sanctuary.

A doctor in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district has been arrested after 14 children died from consuming contaminated Coldrif cough syrup. The doctor, identified as Praveen Soni, allegedly prescribed the syrup to several children treated at his clinic in Parasia. Police have also filed a case against Sresan Pharmaceuticals, a Tamil Nadu–based company that made the syrup. Tests showed the medicine contained high levels of diethylene glycol, a toxic chemical used in antifreeze. The Madhya Pradesh government has banned the sale of Coldrif across the state, and authorities are checking other districts for its supply. (PC: Representative/ PTI)

Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede has refuted claims that Aryan Khan was made a "bali ka bakra" (scapegoat) in the 2021 Cordelia cruise drugs case. In a recent interview, Wankhede defended the arrest, stating that possession of drugs isn't always necessary for an arrest under the law. He also addressed allegations of leaking his conversations with Shah Rukh Khan, asserting that such actions are not his habit and that he doesn't need to engage in such behavior. Wankhede emphasized that everything was done strictly by the book during the investigation. 

Cricketer Kapil Dev recently had the honor of pinning the stripes on IndiGo's new pilot, Captain Ananya Agarwal, marking a significant milestone in her aviation career. The ceremony took place at the airline's training facility, where Captain Agarwal was officially inducted into the cockpit crew. The event underscores IndiGo's commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women in aviation. Kapil Dev, celebrated for leading India to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, expressed pride in supporting women professionals across various fields. The occasion was attended by senior IndiGo officials and aviation industry leaders. (PC: X)