What's making news? A short wrap of key stories

India logged 16,135 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,35,18,564, while the active cases increased to 1,13,864, The death count climbed to 5,25,223 with 24 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

A SpiceJet aircraft flying from Delhi to Dubai had to be diverted to Karachi today due to a malfunctioning indicator light, a spokesperson from the airline stated. The plane landed in Karachi and the passengers were safely deboarded. No emergency was declared.

The IMD issued a heavy rainfall alert for Maharashtra over the next four days, following which Chief Minister Eknath Shinde directed the state administration officials to take precautions and ensure there is no loss of life or property. The Kundalika river in Raigad district, located near Mumbai, has crossed the danger mark.

Fifteen ex-judges, 77 former bureaucrats and 25 retired officers of the armed forces have criticised the Supreme Court's recent comments against Nupur Sharma, the since-suspended BJP leader whose remarks on Prophet Mohammed led to protests and a diplomatic row. Their open letter says the two-judge bench's observation — that she is “single-handedly responsible for what is happening in the country” — was a “virtual exoneration of the dastardliest beheading at Udaipur”.