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WHO probe flags 20 toxic medicines in India, Indonesia

The 15 contaminated syrup were manufactured in India by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals, Noida based Marion Biotech, and Punjab based QP Pharmachem.

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Toxic medicines

The World Health Organization’s investigation into contaminated cough syrups, which have been linked to nearly 300 worldwide deaths as yet, has flagged 20 such toxic medicines manufactured from two countries namely India and Indonesia.

WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told The Indian Express that these 20 toxic medicines were manufactured by “15 different manufacturers” in the aforesaid two countries. All the 20 medicines are syrups namely cough medicine, paracetamol or vitamins. They further include 15 previously identified contaminated syrups.  These 15 contaminated syrup were manufactured in India by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals, Noida based Marion Biotech, and Punjab based QP Pharmachem. The remaining five toxic medicines were manufactured in Indonesia. 

Earlier, the WHO had already raised “medical product alerts” on the 15 medicines in Gambia and Uzbekistan, where the India-made syrups were linked to nearly 88 deaths in the past year, along with Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. WHO also raised an alert in Indonesia, where syrups sold domestically were connected to the death of over 200 children.

In the first week of June, the Nigerian drug controller raised an alert after it discovered a paracetamol syrup sold in Liberia contaminated with diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol. The syrup was reportedly manufactured by a Mumbai-based company.

The WHO spokesperson affirmed that the organization is aware of media reporting of the potentially contaminated syrups in more countries but its list of medical product alerts has not been expanded. Medical product alerts are raised to ascertain that more people do not consume the contaminated medicine and that the products are removed from the supply chain. Lindmeirer clarified that WHO raises such alerts only when there is sufficient evidence to support that the product is contaminated.

After the incidents of Indian syrups were being flagged by other countries, the Government has put in place a mechanism for all cough syrups meant for export to be tested before they are exported. A statement issued by the government in May, stated that only those cough syrups that receive a ‘certificate of analysis’ from the country’s four central drug testing laboratories, two regional testing laboratories, or any of the NABL-accredited state testing laboratories, will be permitted for export.

The first incident of toxic medicine came to light in October, 2022 when the WHO raised its first medical product alert for contaminated syrups manufactured by the Maiden Pharmaceuticals. The cough syrup was connected to the deaths of 70 children in Gambia. Uzbekistan too reported the deaths of nearly 18 children owing to acute kidney injury connected to two syrups manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech. In a similar incident in Indonesia, the death of nearly 200 children due to acute kidney injury were related to eight contaminated syrup.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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