- Nepal estimates it may need $4–5 billion to rebuild after devastating floods that killed over 600 people and left thousands missing.
- A 25-year-old man was arrested in Uttar Pradesh for allegedly raping his 63-year-old mother while intoxicated, police said. The woman was sent for a medical examination.
- Comedian Samay Raina’s latest India’s Got Latent episode has sparked controversy over alleged jokes about Biharis and Kashmiri Pandits. BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised the remarks.
- Bombay HC slammed Maharashtra FDA for refusing to lift food licence suspensions despite a fresh inspection finding five MCA eateries 88% compliant with safety norms.
- Rahul Gandhi said he has “no interest” in the controversy over Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir, saying his focus is on the alleged “crime” against Mallikarjun Kharge.
Here are the top 5 stories of the day:
Nepal may need nearly a tenth of its economy to rebuild after devastating floods
Nepal may need $4–5 billion for reconstruction after this week’s devastating floods, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle told Reuters, as authorities continue assessing the damage. More than 600 people have been killed in Nepal and China’s Tibet, with nearly 3,000 still missing, while the disaster destroyed infrastructure and damaged power projects accounting for over 12% of Nepal’s generating capacity. Search and rescue operations have been disrupted by bad weather. Read full story
UP horror: Drunk man raped 63-year-old mother in Hathras; arrested
A 25-year-old unmarried man was arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Sikandra Rao area for allegedly raping his 63-year-old mother while under the influence of alcohol, police said. The case was registered after the woman’s elder son complained that the accused entered their home while she was asleep, overpowered her and allegedly raped her before fleeing. Police said the woman was sent to a district hospital for medical examination, while the accused has been arrested and the investigation is underway. Read full story
Samay Raina in soup again over remarks on people from Bihar, Kashmiri Pandits: ‘They get publicity for free’
Comedian Samay Raina’s latest India’s Got Latent Season 2 episode has drawn controversy after clips of an interaction with stand-up comedian Sharon Verma circulated on social media, with jokes referencing their Bihar and Kashmiri backgrounds. BJP MLA Ram Kadam criticised the alleged remarks, accusing the comedians of making controversial statements for publicity and saying that Sanatan Hindu deities and Kashmiri Pandits should not be treated as subjects of ridicule. He also argued that an apology after an offensive remark does not undo the publicity gained from it.
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‘Do you feel you are a lord?’ Bombay HC slams FDA, clears reopening of 5 eateries
The Bombay High Court slammed the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for continuing the suspension of food licences of five restaurants at the Mumbai Cricket Association premises despite a fresh inspection finding them 88% compliant with food safety rules. Calling the department’s approach “pedantic instead of pragmatic”, the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad warned of contempt action against officials, saying it was “tired of scolding” the department. The court ultimately vacated the suspension orders and allowed the eateries to reopen. Read full story
‘Not interested right now’: Rahul Gandhi on Sonia Gandhi memoir row, cites ‘crime’ against Kharge
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday dismissed the controversy surrounding his mother Sonia Gandhi’s upcoming memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, saying his focus was instead on seeking “justice” for Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over the alleged incident at his Haldwani rally. The book became controversial after reports claimed Penguin Random House India had declined to publish it following Sonia Gandhi’s rejection of proposed editorial changes. The publisher, however, clarified that it was not the book’s publisher in India and said it remained “keen to publish” it. Read full story
