The Uttarakhand Police SIT has said journalist Rajiv Pratap died in a car accident after driving under the influence of alcohol. Pratap, 36, was reported missing on September 19, and his body was found in the Joshiyara Barrage on September 28. Police said CCTV footage showed him leaving a hotel drunk before driving towards Gangori, where his car fell into a gorge. Postmortem found internal injuries consistent with a crash. However, his family alleged foul play, pointing to threats he faced after critical reports. They accused police of rushing the probe and demanded more transparency in the investigation. (PC: X)

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has warned against giving cough syrups to children under 2 after 11 deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Nine children in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, died of kidney failure, with some having taken Coldref or Nextro syrup. Authorities have stopped distribution of these syrups and are monitoring 1,420 children with flu-like symptoms. However, tests by the Union Health Ministry and CDSCO found no contamination or toxic chemicals in the syrups. Officials said reports of contamination are unsubstantiated. Doctors are advised to refer viral patients to government hospitals and avoid private treatment. (PC: India Today)

Akasa Air has introduced significant upgrades to its 'Pets on Akasa' service, allowing passengers to travel with two pets in the cabin, up from the previous limit of one. The permissible weight for pets has been increased to 10 kg, and the booking window has been reduced to 24 hours before departure. Since its inception in November 2022, the service has successfully transported over 8,500 pets across 24 domestic cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Lucknow. Passengers can also enjoy complimentary perks such as pre-booked window seats, priority check-in, and baggage delivery. These enhancements reflect Akasa Air's commitment to providing a comfortable and convenient travel experience for pet owners. (PC: The Economic Times)  

A viral internal email has accused UCO Bank’s Chennai Zonal Head, RS Ajith, of creating a “dictatorial and insensitive” workplace environment. Officers claimed he treated employees as servants, denied leave during personal emergencies, and made derogatory remarks. One employee was reportedly refused leave after his mother’s death, while another was pressured to leave his hospitalized one-year-old daughter to report to work. A third officer said his request to attend his wife’s medical emergency was dismissed insultingly. The email has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with users calling for RBI and Ministry of Finance intervention. No official response has been issued yet.    

According to the latest NCRB figures, West Bengal tops the nation in recorded acid attack cases, highlighting persistent gender-based violence in the state. Meanwhile, reported crimes against women across India saw a marginal decline in 2023, contrasting sharp regional variations. West Bengal recorded 34,691 cases of crimes against women last year. Nationally, the number of such incidents stood at about 4.48 lakh, a slight uptick from 2022. “Cruelty by husband or relatives” remained the largest category among offences against women.

Travel influencer Akash Chaudhary has accused Indian visa service provider Atlys of causing him stress and loss after a failed promise of quick visa approval. He applied for a Mongolian visa, which Atlys claimed would be ready in three days. Instead, it took 15 days and contained a wrong passport number, risking detention at the border. Akash said the delay cost him money and time due to cancelled tickets. Atlys apologised and issued a corrected visa on September 29. His viral post prompted many others to share similar bad experiences with the company on social media.

Wasim Akram, a YouTuber from Kot village in Palwal district, Haryana, was arrested on October 1, 2025, on charges of espionage for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). According to the police, Akram had been in contact with Pakistani handlers for the past three years, sharing sensitive information and providing SIM cards to operatives. His arrest followed the detention of another suspect, Taufiq, who implicated Akram during interrogation. Authorities recovered incriminating WhatsApp chats from Akram's phone, some of which had been deleted. Both individuals are under police custody, and investigations are ongoing with the involvement of the Intelligence Bureau.

India has witnessed a concerning 65% increase in student suicides over the past decade, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In 2013, there were 8,423 student suicides, which escalated to 13,892 by 2023. This rise surpasses the national average suicide increase of 27% during the same period. Experts attribute this alarming trend to factors such as academic pressure, mental health challenges, and socio-economic stress. The data underscores the urgent need for systemic mental health support, awareness programs, and educational reforms to address the root causes and support student well-being.       

11 youths, including 8 minors, drowned on Thursday evening in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, when a tractor-trolley carrying Durga idol immersion devotees overturned in a pond. The vehicle lost balance while reversing, despite prior warnings. Police and local teams conducted rescue operations, recovering all bodies after three hours. Seven girls and four boys died, while three others were hospitalised, one in critical condition. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for each family, and PM Narendra Modi condoled the deaths, offering Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF. Investigations continue into the cause of the accident. (PC: ANI Grab)

Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, is on high alert ahead of Friday prayers after tensions rose over the controversial ‘I Love Muhammad’ poster. Last week, clashes erupted when over 2,000 protesters confronted police outside a mosque, prompting the cancellation of related demonstrations. Authorities have suspended internet services in four districts until October 4 to prevent misinformation and maintain public order. Security forces, including the PAC and RAF, have been deployed, with drones monitoring key areas. The city is divided into super and special zones for effective control. Similar precautions are in place in Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit, and Budaun.