⚖️ SC questions liquor ban, points out five 'evils'

The Supreme Court questioned the effectiveness of alcohol prohibition, highlighting five associated 'evils' like revenue loss and corruption. Justices J B Pardiwala and K Vinod Chandran made these remarks while quashing certain Maharashtra Poisons Rules. Recent tragedies in Bhavnagar (Gujarat) and Sagar (MP) with 13 and 15 deaths served as a reminder to authorities. The court noted that bans often push trade underground, increasing lethal brews across states. Consequently, the SC rejected the Maharashtra government's plea as lacking a rational nexus to prevent hooch tragedies. 🥃

🛡️ MHA says FCRA change is for national security

The Ministry of Home Affairs defended the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, asserting it protects sovereign space from foreign money entry. MHA officials briefed a Parliament joint committee regarding the bill amidst opposition claims it targets minority institutions, especially Christian ones. The bill was introduced during the budget session, facing protests from opposition parties and Christian groups. Data shows foreign contributions increased to Rs 22,974 crore in 2024-25, with Christian groups receiving 73% of funds for religious purposes. The committee chairperson expects to submit its report during the winter session of Parliament. 🧐

👑 Rohit Sharma's loyalty to MI in KKR offer

Rohit Sharma addressed fan chants directed at him during a TV show segment featuring KKR coach Abhishek Nayar. The legendary player, a Mumbai Indians icon, faced teasing hints about joining KKR's purple and gold. When the audience chanted 'Mumbai, Mumbai', Rohit responded with a definitive 'Forever' statement. He has remained with MI since 2011 and captained them in five of their IPL titles. Next, he is set to play for Team India against West Indies starting September 27th.

🗳️ CJP joins Rahul, alleges EC favors BJP

Saurav Das and Rahul Gandhi called for a large-scale political fight to hold the Election Commission responsible. They accused the EC of 'fixing' decisions, specifically mentioning the freezing of the TMC symbol and name. This happened on a Friday, following recent political events in India. Das questioned the 'Envelope' symbol for TMC defectors, criticizing the perceived collusion between BJP and the EC. This escalation raises the possibility of protests similar to Jantar Mantar. 🗳️

🚨 Riyadh gets second danger warning amid threats

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a second warning on Saturday morning, September 19, for potential danger in Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate. The authority urged residents to follow safety instructions and avoid gatherings and filming for their safety. These early alerts usually happen when Saudi areas face potential attacks from the Houthi group in Yemen. Earlier, warnings had also been issued for Jeddah, Taif, and several other Saudi provinces. The danger later subsided in both Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate. ⚠️

💰 Jewellers face higher gold hallmarking costs

The Bureau of Indian Standards raised the gold hallmarking fee by 67% to ₹75 per article as festive and wedding demand rises. This hike affects jewellers across India, especially for lightweight jewellery pieces. The fee increased from ₹45 and became effective on September 14th, adding compliance costs for retailers. Industry reps are worried about customer pushback on this added charge, despite its small value compared to the jewellery. Stakeholders are now calling for a review of the fee structure, suggesting lower slabs for smaller items.

🏏 Hetmyer's massive hitting spree in CPL 🏏

Shimron Hetmyer smashed a huge innings in the Caribbean Premier League 2026. He was playing for the Warriors against the opposition at the venue. His score climbed to 98* at 19.5 overs, reaching over 200 for the team. This batting display showed his intent and dominance in the tournament. He continues his aggressive run while facing various bowlers.

👑 Ollie Robinson shines back in Test cricket

England pacer Ollie Robinson made a major comeback in Test cricket by taking a triple-wicket maiden against New Zealand at Lord's. The England and Wales Cricket Board recognized his performance by crowning him the 'New Ball King'. This summer, Robinson has consistently delivered performances befitting a champion. His recent exploits have cemented his return to form in the international game. This marks a significant turning point in his cricketing career. 👑

🏛️ Hollow parties fail to build strong democracy

A high-stakes raid by ED hit I-PAC, a top political consultancy, in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee, Bengal's CM, reacted by claiming the raid was politically motivated by Delhi. The crackdown was part of a wider strategy to break her 15-year hold on power in Bengal. The BJP ultimately won a landslide victory after these targeted political maneuvers. This shows the professionalization of Indian politics, moving away from mass party structures. 📉

🥇 Sujeet Kalkal aims for LA Olympics after Asian Games push

Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal is targeting a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 23-year-old from Haryana's Bhiwani district sees this as his major step towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He has already secured wins at the Asian Championships and the Senior World Championships selection trials. This preparation comes after a tough experience in Dubai in April 2024 that cut his first Olympic chance short. Kalkal remains determined, stating he will not give up on his goal to win for the country. 🥇

🧠 Weekly News Quiz: Time to Test Your Knowledge

A Question Time event was held to test participants' knowledge of recent news. The quiz was hosted by a panel of journalists at the main city auditorium. The event involved over 300 attendees across three rounds on October 26th. The purpose of the quiz was to engage the community with current affairs and foster discussion. Organizers plan to host similar quizzes every Friday starting next week.