Obesity rate, and alcohol and tobacco use are the major reasons driving cancer rates in Kerala -- far above the national average, experts said on Wednesday.

A recent study presented by Prof Prashant Mathur, Director, ICMR-National Center for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, at the Kerala Cancer Conclave 2025, held last week, reveals alarming cancer trends in the state -- reporting an average of 88,460 cases annually.

“Reducing cancer burden requires a combination of general non-communicable disease risk reduction strategies and cancer-specific interventions,” Mathur told.

While the national average stands at 105 per lakh population in men and 103 per lakh population in women, Kerala reported an incidence of 243 per lakh population in men and 219 per lakh population in women.

As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi completed one year as Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, the BJP on Wednesday sharply criticised his performance, calling it “very low” and accusing him of failing to fulfil his constitutional responsibilities.

BJP leaders alleged that LoP Rahul Gandhi was frequently absent from the House for extended periods and spent too much time abroad, undermining his ability to represent the Opposition effectively.

“In the last year, the country’s politics has changed a lot. Today, during the meetings of the INDI Bloc in the Lok Sabha, they tried to create an impression that the BJP has been defeated and that the NDA has fallen behind. But the election results over the past year have shown the people of this country the reality. There is a clear difference in the politics and ideology of both sides,” BJP leader Rohan Gupta told.

He added that this journey, which started from Haryana, shows a clear mandate from the people, from Haryana to Delhi, demonstrating that there will be no compromise on national issues.

In a step towards combating the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the second meeting of the State Convergence Committee on AMR was held in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar Joshi on Wednesday.

The meeting brought together senior officials from various departments to review Gujarat’s action plan and progress under the State Action Plan for Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (SAPCAR-G).

During the session, the Chief Secretary launched two landmark state-level reports, the GUJSAR Surveillance Report and the Antibiotic Usage Report. These documents highlight key trends in antibiotic consumption and resistance patterns across the state and offer critical recommendations for improving AMR surveillance and responsible use of antibiotics.

The stock markets ended lower on Wednesday, as investor sentiment remained cautious due to US President Donald Trump's firm stand on the upcoming tariff deadline.

The nervousness led to a risk-off mood among investors, pulling the benchmark indices lower.

After rising to an intra-day high of 83,935.29, the Sensex lost momentum and closed at 83,409.69, down 287.6 points or 0.34 per cent.

The Nifty also declined by 88.45 points or 0.35 per cent to end the day at 25,453.4.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday issued an order to enact a law to suspend the country's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The law calls for a suspension of cooperation with the IAEA until Iran's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety of its nuclear facilities and scientists are fully guaranteed, said Constitutional Council Spokesman Hadi Tahan Nazif.

Pezeshkian issued the order on Tuesday in a letter to the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry and the Supreme National Security Council, said the report.

India’s growing middle class and its younger, travel-loving population are set to play a major role in shaping the future of global leisure travel, a new report said on Wednesday.

As more Indians explore new destinations, the country is emerging as a key contributor to what is projected to be a $15 trillion global leisure travel industry by 2040, according to data compiled by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The report highlights that annual global consumer spending on leisure travel is expected to triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion by 2040, making it a larger industry than pharmaceuticals and fashion.

This dramatic growth will be driven by rising incomes in developing economies and a growing preference for experiences over material goods.

As the monsoon continues its journey across the country, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday predicted light to heavy rainfall in Delhi and several other regions over the next week.

IMD scientist Akhil Shrivastava, said the national capital can expect sporadic rainfall in the coming days.

"Monsoon officially arrived in Delhi on June 29, accompanied by light showers. Our forecast suggests that during the next seven days, Delhi may experience light to heavy rainfall. There will also be periods of partly cloudy skies, with chances of thunderstorms and lightning," he said.

Shrivastava emphasised that while rain will occur, it is likely to remain on the lighter side in Delhi for most of the week.

Moving beyond the capital, the IMD has issued significant warnings for several states expecting intense rainfall.

Policy changes are crucial to ensure equitable access to life-saving organ transplants for underserved and marginalised populations, according to a global study led by international researchers, including from India.

While solid organ transplantation has improved globally, many patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), struggle to access these services.

The research, part of The Lancet's series promoting equitable access to life-saving organ transplantation treatments, highlights critical disparities in access to life-saving transplants, underscoring the need for equitable solutions across low- and middle-income countries.

It noted that advancements in organ preservation and improvements in immunosuppression have led to improvements in solid organ transplantation worldwide, but access remains a key concern for underserved and marginalised populations.

The study outlined a policy agenda to address disparities in access to transplantation and post-transplant care. These disparities are not just local issues, but global challenges that affect the lives of many.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to decide, within 3 months, a representation raising safety concerns on the usage of GLP-1-RA drugs in weight management and aesthetic treatment.

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) against the manner in which Glucagon Like Peptide -1 Receptor Agonist (RA) (GLP-1-RA) drugs, specifically semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide have been granted marketing approval in India for weight loss and aesthetic purposes, despite being originally approved for treatment of Type 2 diabetes.

The PIL, filed through advocate Rohit Kumar, referred to the significant risks posed by these medications, including pancreatitis, gastrointestinal damage, thyroid and pancreatic cancers, cardiovascular complications, metabolic dysregulation, and optic neuropathy.

The government has permitted cab aggregators like Ola, Uber and Rapido to charge up to twice the base fare during peak hours.

Previously, they were allowed to apply a surge or dynamic pricing of only up to 1.5 times the base fare.

The change was announced in the revised Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

These new rules aim to strike a balance between user safety, driver welfare, and business operations.

As per the new rules, cab companies can now charge a minimum of 50 per cent of the base fare during non-peak hours.

The base fare will be the amount notified by the respective state government for different types or classes of motor vehicles.