The Telangana High Court has directed the state government to look into a journalist’s complaint about Hyderabad Public Schools in Begumpet and Ramanthapur. Journalist Durgam Ravinder had raised concerns about the schools, including why hostels for SC and ST students were closed, whether reservations for SC, ST, and OBC students and staff are being properly followed, and how funds and contracts for sports, catering, teaching, and security are managed, The Hindu reported The court asked the School Education Secretary to examine Ravinder’s concerns and take action within three months.

Image source: Live Law, Hindustan Times, ETV Bharat and India Today; Edited by Dinesh Raj M   The Supreme Court has struck a careful balance between celebration and conservation this Diwali. In a landmark decision on Wednesday, the apex court partially lifted Delhi-NCR’s blanket ban on firecrackers, allowing only green crackers—those certified by NEERI and PESO—on a trial basis. The move aims to protect livelihoods in the firecracker industry while limiting environmental harm, setting the stage for what the court calls a “test case” for sustainable celebration. Hot off the Press Dhananjay Mahapatra for The Times of India reported that the bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran permitted the sale and bursting of NEERI-approved green crackers on October 19 and 20, from 6–7 a.m. and 8–10 p.m., calling for strict enforcement by district authorities. Online sales remain banned and only licensed traders can sell at designated outlets. Aaratr

A Kanpur court recently convicted and sentenced four people to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of a broadcast journalist. Among those sentenced are the victim’s colleague, her two brothers and a family friend, The New Indian Express reported. The crime dates back to June 14, 2009, when the body of 26-year-old Brijesh Gupta was found wrapped in cloth inside a car parked in Govind Nagar. According to police records, he had sustained multiple injuries. A resident of Ratanlal Nagar had noticed a car with a “Press” sticker parked in the area for an unusually long time. When the police opened the vehicle, they discovered Brijesh’s body inside. The case was represented by government counsel Gaurendra Tripathi. During the trial, the court examined nine prosecution witnesses before finding the accused guilty. Life imprisonment was awarded to Kanika Grover — a newsreader at the same TV channel as Brijesh — her brothers Sunny and Monney, and their friend Surjeet Singh ali

Signature Media, one of Australia’s leading independent publishers of travel content, has seen an editorial and commercial shake-up as founder Cathy Wagstaff exits the business after 25 years and the company is sold to Specialist Media.  The new SM portfolio includes Signature Luxury Travel & Style, Vacations & Travel, Holidays with Kids, and Caravan & Camping with Kids.  The company also operates a custom publishing division, creating bespoke print and digital publications for clients.  As part of the changes, Vacations & Travel moves to tri-annual publication. A statement from SM said, “as a small but incredibly talented team, we’ve made the decision to publish three times a year, allowing us to focus our resources on delivering even more exceptional editorial content for our readers, growing our digital channels and launching V&T travel awards in 2026. Our upcoming issue will be edited by guest editor, Chloe Sachdev.”   Meanwhile, Ski & Sno

Dainik Bhaskar Group has announced the launch of the Dainik Bhaskar app for the convenience of iPad users.   The app was launched by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in Uttarakhand on October 14, 2025.   YogGuru Baba Ramdev, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Acharya Balkrishna and senior leaders from the Bhaskar Group were present on the occasion.   “CM Pushkar Singh Dhami praised Dainik Bhaskar Group for its unbiased journalism and credibility, highlighting that the app will make news more accessible even in the remotest corners of the state,” the company’s LinkedIn post read.   According to the group, the launch marks another step forward in their commitment to deliver trustworthy news through digital platforms.   The application can be downloaded using the link given: http://itunes.apple.com/in/app/dainik-bhaskar-for-ipad/id557520625?mt=8 

An FIR has been registered against Aaj Tak journalist Anjana Om Kashyap for allegedly making disrespectful remarks about Maharishi Valmiki during a televised debate. The complaint was lodged at Division Number 4 police station in Ludhiana. The case also names India Today Group chairman and editor-in-chief Aroon Purie and Living Media India Ltd as co-accused, according to Hindustan Times. The complaint was filed by Chaudhary Yashpal, national coordinator of the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj Bhavadas, who alleged that Kashyap used “inappropriate language” during the debate aired on the channel’s social media platforms, hurting the sentiments of the Valmiki community. “The statements deeply hurt the religious feelings of the entire Valmiki community. To prevent the situation from escalating into a law and order problem, we request that an FIR be registered,” the complaint said. The FIR has been registered under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering deliberat

  Prasar Bharati has introduced a new ex-gratia lump sum compensation scheme for employees recruited on or after October 5, 2007. The initiative, approved by the Prasar Bharati Board, is intended to provide financial assistance to the families of employees who die while performing official duties. As per the official order issued by the Prasar Bharati Secretariat on October 14, 2025, the compensation amount will be determined based on the nature and circumstances of the death incurred during duty. The revised ex-gratia amounts are structured as follows: Rs 25 lakh for deaths due to accidents during official duty. Rs 25 lakh for deaths attributed to acts of violence by terrorists or anti-social elements. Rs 35 lakh for deaths in border skirmishes or during action against militants, terrorists, extremists, or sea pirates. Rs 35 lakh for deaths while on duty at high-altitude or inaccessible border posts due to natural disasters or extreme weather. Rs 45 lakh f