💣 North Korea says nukes are forever, rejects talks

North Korea has firmly stated that its nuclear status is irreversible and that denuclearisation is an unrealistic delusion. This declaration was made by Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui following a meeting involving the US, South Korea, and Japan. The statement emphasized that Pyongyang will not abandon its nuclear weapons regardless of international pressure. This comes as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed a phased approach, suggesting sanctions relief for a weapon freeze. However, North Korea continues its development, recently testing advanced rockets. 💣

⚖️ EdTech firm faces refund after fake placement promise

A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Gurdaspur ordered an EdTech firm to refund Rs 84,960 to an MBA graduate. Harish Malhotra enrolled in a six-month AI course with Eduinx, based in Bengaluru, on July 12, 2025. The commission found the '100% guaranteed placement' claim was not fulfilled despite the payments made. The company argued they provided assistance, but the commission found no proof of actual placement. Consequently, the firm must also pay Rs 15,000 in compensation and litigation costs. 💸

🇮🇳 India warns US over Russia sanctions bill

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar discussed US measures with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding sanctions on Russia and Iran. The conversation focused on a sanctions bill signed by President Donald Trump last week. This law allows for up to 100% tariffs on goods from top Russian energy importers within 30 days. India expressed concerns as it is a major buyer of discounted Russian oil, which has impacted bilateral ties. New Delhi stresses that affordable energy is crucial for its large population and growing economy.

🏛️ US cracks down on birth tourism fraud

The US State Department has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting commercial birth tourism networks. This move was declared by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on September 23, 2026, impacting individuals involved in facilitating fraudulent births. The policy targets owners, visa fixers, and medical providers who enable these practices. Previously, the CDC reported 9,500 babies were born to foreign women in the US in 2024. This restriction aims to defend US citizenship integrity and prevent system exploitation. 🚫

⚖️ Ex-Chief Election Commissioner questions SIR legality

A former Chief Election Commissioner has raised serious doubts about the legality of the Special Investigation Review (SIR) process. The individual made these remarks while speaking in a public forum regarding electoral procedures. Specific details concerning the SIR are under review, with no immediate timelines provided for a reversal demand. This move challenges the current electoral decision-making framework in the country. Further developments are anticipated as the matter progresses through legal channels. ⚖️

🏛️ BJP appoints new leaders for Karnataka unit

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed new in-charge and co-in-charge leaders for its Karnataka unit. Party National General Secretary Harish Dvivedhi is now the in-charge for the Karnataka unit. This change comes as the party gears up for the next Assembly elections scheduled in 2028. Mr. Dvivedhi, a former MP known for poll strategies, replaces Dr. Radhamohan Das Agarwal. Dr. Kasam Venkanteshwaralu has been named as the new co-in-charge for the state.

🥗 Eating Together Might Keep Blood Sugar Stable

A new study suggests that sharing meals with a loved one could help moderate post-meal blood sugar spikes. Researchers found this effect when observing participants across various demographics in the journal 'Science Advances'. The findings were documented on a specific date, though the exact date is not provided in the source material. This suggests social dining might be a surprisingly healthy habit for blood sugar management. Further research is expected to explore the mechanisms behind this positive dietary interaction. 🥗

🔬 Oligo drugs moving past rare diseases

Advances in chemistry and delivery are significantly reshaping therapeutic oligonucleotides as genetic medicines. These molecules are being studied by authors in a recent review published in Cell Reports Medicine. As of the writing, 21 therapeutic oligonucleotides received regulatory approval, with two later being withdrawn. Chemical modifications and delivery strategies are improving efficacy, though liver delivery remains a focus. Future work is exploring targeted delivery beyond the liver for broader applications. 🧬

🤖 Labourer's son turns small drone into defence project

Sarvesh Sharma, a computer engineering student, secured a Rs 3.5 crore grant from the Union Ministry of Defence. He is from Bahanvi village in Hamirpur, and his father is a daily-wage labourer. This funding is for developing the indigenous ‘Rudra Edge T-1 (Spectra)’ drone for Indian Army border surveillance, approved under the MoD's defence innovation programme. Sharma's journey started with an Rs 87,000 prototype that competed against 50 teams. The project is now partnered with IIT Roorkee for incubation, with a 20-month target completion period. 🚀

⚖️ Justice questions PM's 'constitutional trust'

Supreme Court Justice Dipankar Datta questioned the Union government's reliance on the constitutional trust placed in the Prime Minister. This observation was made while discussing the appointment law for Election Commissioners in India. He noted that political parties seem keen on promoting accused individuals instead of those with spotless records. The Justice referenced Dr. BR Ambedkar's initial hopes, observing that faith in parliamentary democracy has eroded. He highlighted Ambedkar's concerns that elected officials might compromise constitutional morality. 🏛️

🧐 CEC Gyanesh Kumar faces internal poll panel pushback

Gyanesh Kumar, India's 26th Chief Election Commissioner, is facing scrutiny over his tenure. Fellow commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to his decisions on at least 14 occasions over the last 10 months. These objections concerned changes to Form 6 and centralized control over the electoral roll database. The Election Commission maintains that its final decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), were unanimous. This increased scrutiny comes amid opposition allegations regarding voter exclusion during the SIR process.