NewsBytes

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the United States. The three nations' decision aligned them with about 140 other countries which also back Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the Israeli-occupied territories. Britain's decision carried particular symbolic weight given its major role in Israel's creation as a modern nation in the aftermath of World War Two. "Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two-state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X. Other nations, including France, are expected to follow suit this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

India is failing its patients by treating hospital discharge as the end of the treatment, as they are thrown into an unstructured ecosystem of untrained caregivers and fragmented follow-ups, which leads to delayed recovery and frequent readmissions, experts said here, flagging the issue of "rehabilitation shortage". They highlighted this urgent mismatch and underscored that rehabilitation is not a luxury but the missing bridge between survival and healing. In reality, recovery begins only after discharge, experts said at the IAPMR Mid-Term CME 2025 event hosted by the Indraprastha Association of Rehabilitation Medicine (Delhi chapter of IAPMR) at the SCOPE Convention on September 12 and 13. With the theme "From first steps to golden years - advancing rehabilitation across life spans", the gathering included leading neurosurgeons, neurologists, physiatrists and healthcare innovators.

North Goa's banana trade will soon witness a transformation, with the state government establishing a scientific ripening chamber in Mapusa town to ensure safe and chemical-free fruits for consumers while reducing wastage and boosting farmers' income. The chamber has been constructed under the National Horticulture Mission, with the Centre providing a 35 per cent subsidy, and would be ready for use by next month, officials said. "The main vision behind setting up the ripening chamber is to supply scientifically ripened fruits to consumers in North Goa. Secondly, fruits will be ripened by a natural process, adding to their nutritive value," said Sandeep Foldessai, state Director of Agriculture, told PTI on Saturday. According to the official, a cycle of 60 tonnes of bananas can be kept in the facility every four days. Ethylene gas will be used in the ripening process, and sensors are fitted in the chamber to ensure carbon levels do not cross 500 ppm (parts per million).

Mohanlal, the Malayalam superstar behind landmark films such as “Iruvar”, “Vanaprastham” and “Drishyam”, will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2023, the country's highest recognition in the field of cinema, the I&B ministry announced. In a post on X, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the actor, director and producer is being honoured on the recommendation of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Selection Committee for his “iconic contribution to Indian cinema”. The award will be presented to the 65-year-old during the 71st National Film Awards ceremony on September 23.  “Mohanlal's remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations… His unmatched talent, versatility, and relentless hard work have set a golden standard in Indian film history,” the ministry said. With a career spanning more than four decades, Mohanlal has acted in over 350 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada. He made his debut as an antagonist in Fazil's “Manjil Virinja Pookkal” (1980) and went on to star in critically-acclaimed and commercially-successful films such as “Manichitrathazhu”, “Kireedam”, “Bharatham”, “Thanmathra”, “Company”, “Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol” and “Pulimurugan”.