Researchers have outlined five crucial actions to help the world prepare for a potentially strongest-on-record El Nino, aiming to reduce its severe health consequences like infectious diseases, malnutrition, and heat-related conditions. These recommendations, published in The Lancet, emphasise a comprehensive risk overview and early preparatory measures.
A comprehensive study analysing data from over 88 lakh participants across four continents has found a significant association between the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and increased risks of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular events, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and even mortality. The research highlights that even small increases in UPF intake can lead to higher health risks.
Prashanth Rajan Babu, the alleged kingpin of an interstate counterfeit drug racket, has been arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after absconding to Azerbaijan. He is accused of leading a network that refilled cheap bulk drugs into new vials and relabelled them as premium imported brands, with a previous raid seizing fake medicines worth Rs 5 crore.
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced the detection of the Omicron RF.5 variant in four COVID-19 samples from Kadapa district, confirmed by genome sequencing in Pune. While the variant is being monitored by WHO and health officials, there is currently no indication it is more dangerous than other Omicron strains, and public vigilance is advised over panic.
Prashanth Rajan Babu, the alleged kingpin of an interstate counterfeit drug racket, has been arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after absconding in Azerbaijan. He is accused of leading a network that refilled cheap drugs and relabelled them as premium brands, with drugs worth Rs 5 crore seized earlier.
A study conducted on older adults in India suggests that the health of the brain's white matter wiring can help mitigate the cognitive effects of gray matter loss, supporting overall cognitive health. Researchers found that healthier superficial white matter is linked to stronger language skills and may act as a source of resilience against cognitive decline.
A new study challenges the common belief that menopause is a gradual process, revealing that the female body undergoes abrupt, "physiological cliff"-like changes in various health measures around the time of the last menstrual period. These shifts, observed in over one million women, begin more than a decade before menopause, offering a new window for preventive care.
A new US study reveals that individuals with high neuroticism are more susceptible to prolonged mental distress during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, based on over 100,000 survey responses, found that neuroticism significantly increased anxiety and depression symptoms, persisting even into the post-pandemic period. The findings suggest personality traits can help identify vulnerable groups for targeted mental health support.
Eighty-four Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Manipur were hospitalised on Thursday due to suspected food poisoning after consuming breakfast. They had arrived in the state on Wednesday and were staying at a construction site. Their condition is stable, and tests are underway to determine the cause. Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh expressed concern and wished them a speedy recovery, highlighting the BSF's role in maintaining law and order amidst ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
Police in Bengaluru have arrested Balasubramanian, a partner in DM Pharma, in connection with an interstate counterfeit drug racket. This arrest follows the apprehension of alleged kingpin Prashanth Rajan Babu. The Special Investigation Team is probing the supply chain, financial transactions, and distribution channels of fake medicines worth nearly Rs 5 crore, which were being relabelled as premium brands.
A doctor at Berhampur circle jail in Odisha has been suspended for allegedly facilitating a murder-accused BJD leader, Bikram Kumar Panda, to threaten a witness over the phone from inside the prison. The incident led to a fresh case against the doctor, the BJD leader, and his aide.
Parents of a one-year-old girl have alleged medical negligence after a needle was found lodged near her ribs, suspected to have been left during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital in June 2025. The needle was surgically removed in July 2026 at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, prompting the family to file a complaint and seek action from the State Health Minister. Hospital authorities have initiated an inquiry into the matter.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, sentenced to death for the murder of Muskan's husband Saurabh Rajput, spent a distressed first night in Meerut jail. Both are preparing to appeal the verdict in the Allahabad High Court. Jail authorities are providing counselling and medical support, while the victim's family has expressed satisfaction with the verdict but refused to adopt Muskan's infant daughter.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain self-styled godman Asaram's plea challenging the Gujarat High Court's order denying him bail in the 2013 Gandhinagar rape case. Asaram, who is currently on parole granted by the Rajasthan High Court in another rape case, had sought bail to visit his ailing wife. The court noted his parole status and will hear his appeal against conviction in the Jodhpur case after his surrender on November 17.
A new study analysing over 33,000 cancer journal articles has uncovered widespread citation manipulation by "research paper mills". These fraudulent organisations artificially inflate citation counts, a key academic performance metric, for thousands of articles. The suspect papers show unusually high citations but low readership, distorting scientific evidence and potentially slowing progress.
Muskan Rastogi and Sahil Shukla, sentenced to death for the murder of Muskan's husband Saurabh Rajput, spent a distressed first night in jail and are now preparing to challenge the verdict in the Allahabad High Court.
The Delhi High Court has ruled that foreign nationals do not possess an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India, even if they hold a valid visa. The court emphasised that entry is a sovereign function, subject to national security, foreign policy, and administrative discretion. This observation came while dismissing a plea from a Turkmenistan national who was denied entry despite having a business visa, citing adverse inputs and national security concerns.
'There is no need for panic as there is widespread protective immune memory in the population from vaccination as well as prior infections.'
A political controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu over the distribution of trilingual medicine covers in government hospitals, with the DMK alleging a covert implementation of a three-language policy, while the ruling TVK accuses the opposition of political opportunism.
A laboratory technician in Siberia died from 'pneumonia of unknown aetiology' at an Anti-Plague Research Institute, sparking fears of pneumonic plague, with the US now monitoring the situation and urging Russia for transparency.
Saudi Arabia will conduct the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot who attempted to crash flydubai flight FZ1073, after the Tel Aviv-bound plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing at Tabuk Airport.
A Bihar Police sub-inspector has alleged that his 19-year-old son's death at IIIT Ranchi was a "cold-blooded" murder, not a suicide as claimed by the institute. He has demanded an SIT inquiry, citing inconsistencies like the absence of ligature marks and his son's normal behaviour just hours before his death. The institute has expressed sadness and called for a transparent investigation, while its director has been sent on leave.
The Maharashtra government has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, mandating all healthcare providers to report cases and deaths. This move aims to strengthen monitoring, ensure timely treatment, and improve anti-snake venom availability, following a tragic incident where tribal schoolgirls died from snakebites.
CDSCO has warned consumers against using two unauthorised Pakistani whitening creams after finding excessive heavy metals and regulatory violations.
A study suggests that targeting the brain's default mode network (DMN), which becomes active during self-reflection, could be a more effective approach to managing chronic low back pain. Researchers found that DMN activates during chronic pain flares, unlike its deactivation during acute pain, indicating chronic pain is deeply linked to one's sense of self. This finding explains why traditional symptom-based treatments often fail and points towards mind-body and psychedelic therapies.
The CEO of the National Health Authority, Sunil Kumar Barnwal, highlighted BRICS nations' shared aspiration for connected, patient-centric, and resilient healthcare systems through digital health infrastructure and responsible AI. Discussions at the 16th BRICS Health Ministers' meeting focused on overcoming challenges like limited interoperability and workforce constraints, with countries like Brazil and Indonesia sharing successful digital health initiatives.
A report by the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute projects approximately 15,800 additional heat-related deaths in India over the next six months due to the 'super El Nino' phenomenon. Globally, nearly 451,000 additional deaths are anticipated. Experts in India emphasize the need for swift action, including implementing Heat Action Plans and focusing on vulnerable populations, while also urging caution regarding model-based projections.
Seven former Australian cricket captains, including Greg Chappell and Steve Waugh, have urged Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to address the welfare of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Their appeal focuses on humanitarian treatment and due process, not the legal or political aspects of his case, citing concerns about his deteriorating health.
A new study by CSIR-CCMB researchers has elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which viral infections, particularly RNA viruses like Influenza and COVID-19, can accelerate the formation of amyloid clumps in the brain, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. The research highlights the role of viral RNA G-quadruplexes and the cellular protective protein DDX39A in this process.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero by Israeli leaders for his extraordinary bravery in thwarting an alleged mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and prevent a catastrophic disaster. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar is recovering.
A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has brought heavy rainfall to parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, leading to the evacuation of at least 3,500 people and prompting authorities to issue red and orange alerts for several districts.
A group of 124 former IAS, IFS, IPS, and allied services officers have issued an open letter defending the Election Commission (EC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. They argue that the electoral system cannot be deemed rigged only when a party loses, citing instances where the ruling BJP lost elections under the same EC. The officers highlight the legitimacy and necessity of the SIR for cleaning voter rolls and underscore the robust safeguards within India's electoral system.
The Supreme Court has asked the Rajasthan government for an update on the health of self-styled godman Asaram, who is seeking interim bail on medical grounds. The court expressed concern about his well-being, stating "We don't want any untoward thing to happen." Asaram's counsel claims he is a high-risk patient, while the Solicitor General noted he was recently seen walking in Ayodhya and Kashi Vishwanath. The apex court is hearing his plea challenging the Rajasthan High Court's decision to uphold his conviction and life sentence for the rape of a minor.
'93 lakhs deletions in Bengal, 96 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, 24 lakhs in Kerala, 77 lakhs in Gujarat, 45 lakhs in Madhya Pradesh, 44 lakhs in Rajasthan. 2.89 crores in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 3 crores!'
New research published in the European Heart Journal indicates that even low levels of night-time light exposure, as little as 3 lux, are associated with detrimental changes in heart structure and function. A study involving over 11,000 participants found that increased light at night led to thickening of the left ventricular walls and reduced myocardial contraction, suggesting early heart dysfunction and increased risk of heart failure. Researchers highlight night-time light as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
New research from the Revived Genomics of Personality Consortium, published in Nature, suggests that the genetics of personality, involving over 1,200 gene variants linked to the Big Five traits, are significantly associated with various life outcomes including health, education, and career paths. While individual gene variants have small effects, their combined impact is substantial, and environmental factors also play a crucial role in shaping personality.
The ongoing police investigation into the POCSO case against granite baron R Veeramani has led to the identification of multiple survivors, many of whom were minors and from economically underprivileged backgrounds when allegedly assaulted. Charges under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been added, and Veeramani has been granted three days police custody for questioning within the prison due to his age and health.
The incident, which occurred early Monday morning, was reportedly caused by a sparking ventilator.
The Union health ministry has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan to strengthen the response to the ongoing Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) outbreak.
The Bombay High Court has issued a complete ban on bursting firecrackers on public roads and deemed the use of loudspeakers, DJs, and laser beams during religious processions "unwarranted." The court emphasized that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution, highlighting the need for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
