US senators reintroduce bill to reform H-1B visa program

In an in-depth conversation, fertility and intimacy physician Dr Sankalp Jain discusses the surge in IVF deliveries and commercialisation of fertility clinics across India. Addressing the issue, Dr Jain emphasises, "IVF, infertility is not a disease, disease wala part. It's a disorder. We get very good results without IVF." He cautions that assisted reproductive technology, once considered a final option, is increasingly marketed as a primary treatment by clinics treating patients like numbers on a spreadsheet. Dr Jain points out that rising infertility rates affect both urban and rural areas due to metabolic dysfunction, lifestyle choices, ultra-processed food consumption, environmental pollution, and heightened mental stress. Furthermore, he addresses societal pressures where the burden of conception falls disproportionately on women, noting that families often bring couples and prospective brides for fertility evaluations even prior to marriage. He advises couples to seek basic evaluations, such as anti-Mullerian hormone tests and semen analyses, before undergoing aggressive treatments.

Speaking to India Today, Congress MP P. Chidambaram rejected allegations by BJP leaders regarding a Bangladesh-style regime change plot through street mobilization, stating, "We have never supported violent protests, nor do we aim to, uh, bring about a regime change through violence." He asserted that the Congress is a democratic party committed to Gandhian methods of protest, demonstration, and building public opinion against the government. Chidambaram also addressed the Election Commission's voter revision process, questioning the conduct of a summary revision instead of a special intensive revision across the remaining states and union territories, stating that both exercises cannot go together.

A political war of words has intensified between the opposition and the Centre over allegations of seeking a regime change in India. Responding to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks claiming that the opposition is using youth to push for regime change via the Bangladesh route, Kapil Sibal countered that people want regime change democratically. Sibal highlighted issues such as corruption, the capturing of institutions like the ED and CBI, and manipulated voters lists, arguing it is time for the government to go. Drawing parallels to earlier India Against Corruption protests that brought the current regime to power, the opposition maintained that protests remain democratic and rejected comparisons to Bangladesh.

Delhi Police has intensified its probe following the October 16 stir, registering multiple First Information Reports against unknown persons. The cases were filed after protests and a Tiranga Rally were carried out in Connaught Place and Mandi House, where over 150 people were detained by security personnel. The complaints invoke provisions regarding disruption of law and order, stopping public servants from performing official duties, and non-compliance with Section 160 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Investigators are currently reviewing CCTV footage and viral social media clips to identify violators who engaged in unlawful acts during the demonstration. While police stated that legal violators will be booked, no arrests have been made so far.