Former AIIMS chief warns of Delhi air pollution; ED's heat on Anil Ambani

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev commented on the joint letter written by 21 international cricket captains to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concerning jailed former cricketer and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Dev stated that international players are supporting a friend whose cricketing skills they admired. He emphasized that they do not know the law of Pakistan, but are appealing on humanitarian grounds for proper facilities and medical care for a prisoner who served as a top cricketer and prime minister. Dev remarked, "We want he should get the best treatment what as we are asking for," clarifying that they are making a request rather than demanding a reply.

The Tamil Nadu government has put the proposed second greenfield airport for Chennai at Parandur on hold. The decision was announced after concerns were flagged over the site's wetlands and runway construction feasibility. Originally planned across 5,746 hectares at an estimated cost of 27,400 crore rupees, the project faced years of protests from farmers alongside environmental concerns. The government is now searching for an alternative location that causes minimal damage to agricultural land. However, halting the project has triggered a political debate over potential delays, even as capacity pressures mount at the existing Chennai International Airport due to rising passenger traffic and high-value cargo movement.

A major political conflict has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress following remarks by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi during his 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' outreach program in Pune. Discussing women's safety and patriarchy, Rahul Gandhi quoted the Manusmriti, claiming it promotes the suppression of women and accusing the BJP and RSS of attempting to keep women caged. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized Gandhi for insulting Indian cultural heritage, while BJP MP Dr. Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged the comments reflect a foreign, Marxist agenda to divide society. BJP leaders further questioned Congress's stance on women's rights regarding practices like triple talaq, Sharia, and the hijab, while Congress representative Pankhuri Pathak defended Gandhi's dialogue with young women. In international developments, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran regarding a proposed Joint Defense Agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Investigation Agency reopened key Kashmiri Pandit murder cases, including the 1998 Wandhama massacre.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has launched a crackdown on Mumbai's leading eateries over hygiene violations. Licences of nine outlets in the city have been suspended, including five restaurants linked to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) offering various cuisines. The action follows similar raids and licence suspensions at other high-profile venues in Mumbai, such as the CCI, Goregaon Sports Club, and Radio Club, as authorities target establishments failing to maintain required hygiene standards.