The World Health Organisation has issued an alert against a falsified batch of the liver medication DEFITELIO being sold in India and Turkiye. DEFITELIO is used to treat severe veno-occlusive disease in stem cell transplants. The fake drug was detected in India in April 2023 and in Turkiye in July 2023, supplied outside regulated channels. The genuine manufacturer confirmed the medicine is falsified, as DEFITELIO does not have approval in India and Turkiye. The fake product has incorrect packaging, expiry dates and batch numbers. WHO had previously alerted about this drug in 2020, when found in several countries. Use of the falsified DEFITELIO could lead to ineffective treatment and serious health risks. WHO advised against using the fake drug and to seek urgent medical help if taken.

India strongly dismissed comments by UN human rights experts expressing alarm over alleged abuses in Manipur as "unwarranted and misleading". In a note verbale, India's UN mission asserted the situation in Manipur is peaceful and stable. It said the government is committed to protecting human rights. The experts had raised concerns over reports of sexual violence, killings and displacement targeting women and girls. India expressed disappointment the experts released the statement without waiting for India's response. It reiterated its commitment to rule of law and human rights protections in Manipur. India hoped the experts would be more objective and refrain from irrelevant comments in future.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das stated that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem. Speaking at the G20 TechSprint event, Das said UPI has revolutionized payments and promoted financial inclusion by bringing unbanked individuals into the formal system. He shared that UPI exceeded 10 billion monthly transactions in August 2023, underscoring its pivotal role. Over 70 apps and 50 million merchants across India now accept UPI payments. Das praised India's thriving startup culture and commitment to digital transformation that is leveraging technology for empowerment and inclusion. Under India's G20 presidency, RBI and BIS Innovation Hub have jointly organized the G20 TechSprint to showcase how technology can facilitate efficient cross-border payments globally.

The Indian High Commission in Wellington celebrated Raksha Bandhan with members of the Indian diaspora and New Zealanders. As part of the festivities, people tied rakhis on each other's wrists to symbolise mutual care and protection. Naval officers from the visiting Indian ship INS Sahyadri also took part and received rakhis. The Hindu Council Wellington co-organised the event that brought together Indians and Kiwis to promote cultural understanding. For the Indian community, it was an opportunity to celebrate the tradition with their New Zealand brothers and sisters. The celebrations highlighted the strong people-to-people bonds between the two countries. (Image courtesy: @IndiainNZ on X)

Indian Ambassador Jaideep Mazumder recently met with Faiz, an inspiring cyclist who is pedaling through 35 countries from India to the UK to spread messages of world peace, anti-drug awareness, zero carbon emission, and healthcare access. Faiz Ashraf Ali, a Kerala native who quit his IT job to pursue his passion for cycling across continents. Faiz is currently on a solo "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" bike trip from India to the UK to spread messages of world peace, healthcare, and sustainability. Organized by Eco Wheelers with the slogan "From Heart to Heart", Faiz's 450-day journey covering 30,000 km across 35 countries is envisaged to promote ideals of love and harmony globally. Education Minister V Sivankutty flagged off the expedition from Kerala, Faiz's home state.The Indian envoy encouraged Faiz's unique initiative to build a better world through his inspiring solo cycling mission.

A stretch of highway in California has been named after Ronil Singh, a 33-year-old Indian-American police officer who was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop on Christmas night in 2018. The suspected drunk driver who killed Singh was later apprehended. The "Corporal Ronil Singh Memorial Highway" sign was unveiled last week at a ceremony attended by Singh's family and local officials. Singh was originally from Fiji and worked for the Modesto and Turlock police departments before joining the Newman Police Department, where he served until his death. The California legislature passed a resolution in 2019 to name part of Highway 33 after Singh to honour his service and sacrifice. The highway marker stands as a tribute to the fallen officer.

The trailer for 'Jaane Jaan' showcases Kareena Kapoor as Maya D'Souza, a woman with secrets in the mysterious town of Kalimpong. Her neighbor Naren (Jaideep Ahlawat) checks on her, but Mumbai cop Karan Anand (Vijay Varma) suspects her intentions. The trailer hints at a complex dynamic between Maya and the two men, who both seem drawn to her. With calculated moves, blurred lines between innocence and guilt, and an air of intrigue, Kapoor's enigmatic character has aroused curiosity ahead of the film's release. The trailer provides glimpses of Maya's dual life without revealing the full mystery.

Following reports that the government may change India's name to 'Bharat', former cricketer Virender Sehwag suggested referring to the national team as 'Team Bharat' instead of 'Team India'. After the BCCI announced India's squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, Sehwag tweeted that it should be '#TeamBharat' and players should wear 'Bharat' jerseys. With the proposed country name change gaining traction after 'Republic of Bharat' appeared on a President House invite, Sehwag recommended embracing 'Bharat' wholeheartedly as India heads into the World Cup on home soil. His tweet indicates growing public sentiment to officially establish 'Bharat' over 'India'.

The BCCI has presented Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan a special "golden ticket" for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 to be held in India. BCCI Honorary Secretary Jay Shah tweeted that he had the privilege of gifting the golden ticket to the "Superstar of the Millennium" and cricket enthusiast. The BCCI called Bachchan's support for Team India inspiring. The exclusive golden ticket presumably allows entry to all World Cup matches. As an iconic celebrity, Bachchan was an apt choice for the prized invitation per the BCCI. His attendance is expected to enhance the event's stature and excitement as India eyes cricket's ultimate prize on home soil.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan visited the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple in Tirupati today along with daughter Suhana Khan. Videos showed the father-daughter duo dressed traditionally walking around the temple premises and offering prayers, while trying to avoid cameras. SRK waved at cheering fans. The visit comes just days before the release of SRK's much-awaited film Jawan, whose trailer recently created immense buzz. By undertaking the pilgrimage with Suhana, Shah Rukh appears to be seeking divine blessings and support before his movie hits screens. The trip indicates the importance of the release for the superstar.