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Air pollution levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region have sharply deteriorated, pushing the Air Quality Index into the &lsquo;severe plus&rsquo; category and triggering the imposition of the most stringent pollution control measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Authorities said the AQI crossed the 450 mark in several monitoring stations, indicating hazardous air conditions that pose serious health risks even to healthy individuals, while children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments remain especially vulnerable. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management ordered immediate implementation of Stage IV restrictions across the region.
Under GRAP IV, most construction and demolition activities have been halted, barring projects deemed essential. Movement of certain commercial vehicles has been restricted, and operations of non-essential industrial units using high-polluting fuels are being curtailed. Offices have been advised to reduce on-site staff by encouraging work-from-home arrangements, while educational institutions may shift to online or hybrid classes depending on local conditions.
Officials attributed the sudden spike in pollution to a combination of stagnant weather conditions, low wind speeds and increased accumulation of particulate matter. Dense smog has enveloped parts of the capital, significantly reducing visibility and aggravating respiratory discomfort among residents.
Environmental authorities said the situation is being closely monitored, with daily assessments of air quality and weather forecasts guiding further action. Health advisories have urged residents to limit outdoor activity, use masks where necessary and seek medical attention if symptoms such as breathlessness or eye irritation worsen.
The enforcement of GRAP IV reflects the severity of the ongoing pollution episode and highlights the recurring challenge faced by Delhi-NCR each winter. Officials reiterated that strict compliance with restrictions by industries, construction agencies and the public is crucial to prevent further deterioration and to bring pollution levels under control in the coming days.

Delhi-NCR Air Turns Severe Plus, GRAP IV On

Toughest curbs imposed as air quality plunges, AQI crosses hazardous levels

In a significant ruling with implications for labour rights in the aviation sector, the Delhi High Court has held that airline pilots are covered under labour protection laws regardless of how much they earn, as long as their primary role remains technical in nature.
The court clarified that pilots perform skilled and specialised work and therefore qualify as &ldquo;workmen&rdquo; under the Industrial Disputes Act. It underlined that salary levels alone cannot be used to deny pilots this status unless it is clearly shown that they function only in a supervisory capacity.
The verdict was delivered on December 11 while dismissing a batch of appeals filed by King Airways against earlier orders directing the airline to pay pending salaries and other dues to three of its pilots. The disputes involved claims of unpaid wages, incentives for additional flying hours and other financial benefits that had been withheld.
The airline had argued that pilots, especially captains, supervise crew members during flights and therefore should not be treated as workmen. It also contended that their high salaries placed them outside the scope of labour protections. To support its case, the airline pointed to internal manuals, job descriptions and aviation rules referring to the pilot-in-command&rsquo;s role in directing the crew.
The High Court rejected these arguments, observing that the core responsibility of a pilot is operating and flying the aircraft, which is a highly technical and skilled task. The court noted that merely using the word &ldquo;supervise&rdquo; in aviation rules does not automatically make a pilot a supervisor in the labour law sense.
The Bench also dismissed the claim that back wages should not have been awarded, stating that the earlier decisions allowing the pilots&rsquo; dues were justified in the facts of the case.
Emphasising substance over labels, the court said pay structure cannot be used as a shortcut to exclude employees from labour protections. Unless it is clearly proven that a pilot&rsquo;s job is purely supervisory, salary levels are irrelevant in determining their status.
With the appeals dismissed, the ruling reinforces labour safeguards for pilots and is expected to have wider implications for employment disputes in the aviation industry.

Court says airline pilots are skilled workers, salary alone can’t deny labour rights

Delhi HC: Pilots Covered by Labour Laws

The Gujarat government has moved quickly after more than 80 cows died at Shri Ramgar Bapu Gaushala in Rajkot district, triggering concern and outrage over animal safety. Preliminary findings indicate that food poisoning, suspected to be caused by contaminated groundnut oil cake, may have led to the mass deaths.
Minister for Animal Husbandry Jitu Vaghani directed officials to take immediate corrective steps and ensure strict monitoring of the situation. Following his instructions, a senior team from the Animal Husbandry Department was rushed from Gandhinagar to the gaushala to assess the situation on the ground. &ldquo;The situation is being closely monitored, and all possible steps are being taken to safeguard the remaining animals,&rdquo; a department spokesperson said.
At present, 16 veterinary doctors are stationed at the gaushala, including five experts from Junagadh Veterinary College, providing continuous treatment to the surviving cattle. Veterinary teams from Rajkot, Gondal, Junagadh, Jasdan and Kotda Sangani also reached the site to attend to nearly 20 cows that showed symptoms of illness.
Samples of grass, fodder, drinking water and the suspected groundnut cake have been collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for detailed analysis. In addition, post-mortem examinations are being conducted on five deceased cows to establish the precise cause of death.
Senior district officials, including District Collector Dr Om Prakash and District Development Officer Anand Suresh Govind, visited the gaushala to oversee treatment and relief operations, and to ensure that proper medical care was being administered.
The incident occurred on Friday when the cows were fed their routine fodder. Soon after consumption, several animals reportedly began collapsing. By evening, the death toll had risen to around 80, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The Ramgar Bapu Gaushala Trust, which has been operating the shelter for the past 27 years, currently houses approximately 350 cows. Authorities have said that preventive measures are being put in place to protect the remaining herd. &ldquo;Preventive measures are being undertaken to ensure the safety of the remaining herd,&rdquo; an official confirmed.
Officials added that laboratory results from the feed samples and post-mortem reports will be crucial in determining accountability. They have assured strict action against those found responsible once the investigation is complete, noting that the incident underscores the need for rigorous feed management and safety protocols at animal shelters.

80+ Cows Die in Gujarat Gaushala; Probe Underway

Food poisoning from groundnut cake suspected in cow deaths in Rajkot

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A 58-year-old diamond artisan died by suicide on Saturday after jumping from the terrace of his residential building in Surat&rsquo;s Kapodra area, police officials said. Preliminary investigation points to a combination of prolonged illness, financial strain and domestic stress as factors that may have contributed to the incident.
The deceased, identified as Ghanshyam Ramolia, was originally from Jamnagar and lived with his family at Krushnakunj Apartment. He had spent several years working in the diamond industry. Currently, his son, who works in the textile sector, is the only earning member of the family.
Police said Ramolia had been suffering from a chronic intestinal condition for nearly 20 years. His health reportedly deteriorated significantly over the past three months, during which he remained largely bedridden and struggled to digest food. Officials noted that the prolonged illness had severely affected both his mental well-being and his ability to work.
According to investigators, the incident occurred while Ramolia&rsquo;s son was away at work. He was at home with his wife and daughter when, in a state of distress, he allegedly attempted to slit his throat with a knife. His wife intervened and managed to stop him, though she sustained an injury to her hand during the struggle.
Shortly thereafter, Ramolia reportedly ran out of the flat, went up to the terrace of the apartment building and jumped, sustaining fatal injuries. Residents alerted the authorities, and a team from Kapodra police station reached the spot and began an investigation.
The body was sent to SMIMER Hospital for post-mortem examination, while Ramolia&rsquo;s wife was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police said statements of family members have been recorded and all possible aspects of the case are being examined.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Alok Kumar said the initial findings indicate suicide. &ldquo;Initial information points to a family-related issue, after which he went to the terrace and jumped. He had also been unwell and confined to bed for the past couple of months,&rdquo; he said, adding that Ramolia&rsquo;s work history was being verified.
Investigating officer Mahesh Chaudhary said Ramolia had been dealing with serious health issues for a long period. &ldquo;We are examining his medical records. Due to physical problems, he had not been going to work for an extended period. There is no official confirmation that he had lost his job, but that angle is also being probed,&rdquo; he said.
The incident comes against the backdrop of similar recent cases linked to stress in Surat&rsquo;s diamond sector. Last month, a 24-year-old diamond worker in the Katargam area died after allegedly consuming poison, with unpaid loan instalments emerging as a contributing factor during the police inquiry.
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Ailing Diamond Worker Dies By Suicide in Gujarat

Surat police flag illness and employment stress in preliminary inquiry

The Ernakulam District and Principal Sessions Court has acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 sexual assault case involving a prominent actress, citing that the prosecution &ldquo;miserably&rdquo; failed to prove the conspiracy charge against him. The court also highlighted inconsistencies and lack of sufficient evidence in the prosecution&rsquo;s case.
The court examined allegations that Dileep had allegedly hired the prime accused, Pulsar Suni, to sexually assault the actress and record visuals, including close-up footage of a gold ring she was wearing, to establish her identity. However, the court noted that this claim was not part of the initial charge sheet and was introduced only in the subsequent one.
Multiple statements of the victim, recorded shortly after the incident, did not mention Dileep&rsquo;s involvement or the filming of the gold ring. The court also scrutinized the statements of two approvers, which were found to be inconsistent and at times contradictory to the timeline of events.
The court observed that the visuals of the assault already revealed the victim&rsquo;s identity, making any recording of the ring unnecessary. Claims that the assault had been planned under Dileep&rsquo;s instructions since 2013 or that an incident occurred in Goa in January 2017 were also dismissed due to lack of credible evidence.
The trial, which spanned several years, saw the acquittal of Dileep along with three others. Meanwhile, six accused, including Pulsar Suni, were sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for their roles in the assault.
The attack on February 17, 2017, had shocked Kerala, as the accused allegedly forced their way into the actress&rsquo;s car, held her captive for two hours, and carried out the assault, which was recorded on video by the perpetrators.
The verdict underscores the court&rsquo;s findings that the prosecution was unable to substantiate claims against Dileep and that the allegations of conspiracy lacked credible evidence.

Dileep leaving court after acquittal verdict announcement

Court finds prosecution failed to prove conspiracy, acquits actor Dileep in assault case

Dileep Acquitted in 2017 Assault Case

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Over 900 dead, 274 missing as floods and landslides hit Sumatra, Indonesia

Over 900 Dead In Sumatra Flood Disaster

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Mike Andrews on June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787

Victims’ lawyer details delays, evidence gaps and families’ struggle after the crash

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SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the Covid-19 pandemic, remains in the skull and meninges for years after infection, leading to a long-lasting effect on the brain, according to a major German study.
Researchers from Helmholtz Munich and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat (LMU) found that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein remains in the brain's protective layers -- the meninges, and the skull's bone marrow for up to four years after infection.
These spike proteins are responsible for triggering chronic inflammation in affected individuals and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, the team found.&nbsp;
Prof. Ali Ert&uuml;rk, Director at the Institute for Intelligent Biotechnologies at Helmholtz Munich said that the long-term neurological effects include &ldquo;accelerated brain ageing, potentially leading to a loss of five to 10 years of healthy brain function in affected individuals."
The study, published in the journal Cell Host &amp; Microbe, may also have neurological symptoms of long Covid such as headaches, sleep disturbances, and &ldquo;brain fog,&rdquo; or cognitive impairment.
About five to 10 per cent of people infected with Covid are likely to experience long Covid&mdash;approximately 400 million individuals may carry a significant amount of the spike protein.
Notably, vaccines against the deadly virus significantly reduce the accumulation of the spike protein in the brain, said the researchers.
However, the reduction was &ldquo;only around 50 per cent in mice, leaving residual spike protein that continues to pose a toxic risk to the brain&rdquo;.
For the study, the team developed a novel AI-powered imaging technique to understand how the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affects the brain.
The method, which offers a three-dimensional visualisation of viral proteins, was deployed to find previously undetectable distributions of spike protein in tissue samples from Covid-19 patients and mice.
The findings revealed significantly elevated concentrations of spike protein in the skull's bone marrow and meninges, even years after infection. The spike protein binds to so-called ACE2 receptors, particularly abundant in these regions.&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS

Brain scan showing spike protein in skull and meninges tissue

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein persists in the brain, raising risks of long-term cognitive issues