Indian Dental Student, Working Part-Time At US Gas Station, Shot Dead

A 27-year-old Indian student has reportedly been shot dead in Dallas, US. Chandrashekar Pole, who was from Hyderabad, was working at a gas station Friday night when he was killed by an unidentified gunman, his family said, urging the government to help bring his body back from the US.

Pole had moved to the US in 2023 for higher studies after finishing his bachelor's in dental surgery back in Hyderabad. He completed his master's degree in the US six months ago and had been looking for a full-time placement while working part-time at the gas station.

"We learned about his death from his friend's parents, who visited us and shared our grief. We request the central and state governments to ensure the safety of Indians and bring my son's body back home as soon as possible," Pole's mother Sunitha told news agency ANI.

The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Houston, which oversees Texas, said it is in touch with Pole's family and following up on the probe into his death with the local authorities.

"Consulate General of India, Houston, deeply condoles the tragic death of Mr Chandrasekhar Pole, an Indian student from Hyderabad, who was killed in a shooting incident Denton, Texas. We are in touch with the family and extending all possible assistance. Local authorities are investigating the incident, and we are following up closely with them," it said.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy assured all help to the grieving family in the repatriation of their son's body. "The death of Pole Chandrasekhar, a student from LB Nagar, in a shooting incident by miscreants in the US has caused deep shock and grief. I pray to God that his soul may find peace, and express my profound condolences to his family members," said Reddy.

"The government will stand by Chandrasekhar's family. We will provide all possible assistance to bring his mortal remains back to his hometown," the Chief Minister added.

Reports suggest the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office is yet to issue a death certificate, which is necessary to initiate the repatriation process.

BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy and former minister T Harish Rao visited the student's home in Hyderabad and met his family on Saturday.

"The pain that the parents are going through, knowing that their son, who they believed would reach great heights, is no more, is heart-wrenching to witness," Rao said in an online post, extending condolences to the family. "We, on behalf of BRS, demand that the state government take initiative and make efforts to bring Chandra Shekhar's mortal remains to his hometown as quickly as possible."

The Dallas incident has renewed focus on the safety concerns of international students working part-time jobs in the US, especially those working late hours.

Earlier in January, a 26-year-old student from Telangana was shot dead by unidentified persons in Connecticut, US. Another man from Ranga Reddy was found dead with bullet wounds in the US earlier this year. Last month, a 30-year-old techie from Mahabubnagar district was shot dead by the police in California after he allegedly stabbed his roommate.

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Video: Noida Residents Rattled After Cobra Takes Elevator Ride

It was not quite the kind of passenger anyone expected in the lift of a high-rise society in Noida, but there it was, a cobra, hood flared, writhing on the floor. 

Residents of the Golden Palm Society in Sector 168 got the fright of their lives on Sunday when they discovered the reptile lounging in the elevator.

According to witnesses, a few residents had been waiting for the lift when it arrived with the unexpected occupant -- a full-grown cobra. What followed was panic and a frantic call to the society's maintenance team.

Armed with makeshift tools, the society's maintenance staff managed to trap the cobra safely inside a garbage bin. The snake was later released into a nearby open area.

But the encounter has left residents deeply uneasy. The residents said that if a snake can ride the lift, it can go anywhere -- the gym, the lobby, even inside flats. Parents say children are now too frightened to take the elevator alone. 

Reports suggest that snakes have been spotted in the society's premises before, possibly slithering in from the green patches nearby. 

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Cough Syrup, Then More Sickness And Death: Shell-Shocked Families Try To Cope

For the families of the children who died in Chhindwara, compensation means little. What is Rs 4 lakh when your child is gone? What is government aid when you've already sold your home, your jewellery, and your dreams to keep a heartbeat going?

After days of denial, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for each of the 11 children who died after consuming Coldrif Cough Syrup. 

The government will also bear the full cost of treatment for those still fighting for their lives in hospitals.

But for the parents in Parasia, the wounds are beyond repair. Many have lost not just their children but everything they owned trying to save them.

He Sold His Auto to Save His Child

Yasin Khan, a 30-year-old auto driver from Parasia, has not slept for several nights. His three-year-old son, Usaid, was his world. On August 31, Usaid developed a mild fever and cough. The family took him to Dr. Aman Siddiqui, he prescribed Coldrif Syrup. 

"After the first few doses, my son started vomiting," Yasin recalled. "His eyes swelled up, his urine stopped, and he began crying in pain. We rushed him to Chhindwara, then to Nagpur. Doctors there said his kidneys were failing."

Usaid was put on dialysis. His father sold his only means of livelihood -- his auto-rickshaw -- to pay the hospital bills. The family spent over Rs 4 lakh in a desperate attempt to save him. "I thought if I could save him, I could buy another auto some day," Yasin said softly. "But now there's no child, no work, and no hope".

As if the cruelty of fate wasn't enough, while Usaid was being treated in Nagpur, their home's roof collapsed in the rain. Neighbours covered it with plastic sheets. When the couple returned with their son's body, water was seeping into every corner of the house. 

"We came home with his body," his mother said, her voice breaking. "Everything was gone the roof, the money, and our son."

He Mortgaged His Land, and Still Lost His Child

Prakash Yaduvanshi sits in a dimly lit two-room house in Parasia, staring at a framed photograph of his son Devansh, aged seven.

He spent Rs 7 lakh on Devansh's treatment -- money he didn't have. He mortgaged his small farm, pawned his wife's jewellery, and borrowed from everyone he knew. 

"I'm a paralytic patient," he said, holding up his trembling right hand. "My wife has two operations pending. We were already struggling. When my son fell sick, I thought it was just a cold. But the doctor gave him the syrup, and his condition got worse and worse," he said.

For 15 days, Devansh could neither eat nor drink. His body began to swell, his kidneys failed, and dialysis became his only chance.

The mother remembered every moment. 

"The first dialysis lasted one-and-a-half hours. The next day, three hours. Then five. But he was slipping away from us. On the last day, the doctor said we have done all we could," she said.

The family has nothing left now. Prakash said they will go to the High Court. 

For Kabir, The Diagnosis Came Too Late

In Betul district's Amla block, 4-year-old Kabir died on September 8. His father Kamlesh, a small farmer from Kalmeshwar, had taken him to Dr Praveen Soni in Parasia after the child developed a mild cough.
Dr Soni prescribed Coldrif Syrup. When Kabir's condition worsened, Kamlesh returned to the doctor, who referred him elsewhere. By the time another hospital diagnosed kidney failure, it was too late.

Kabir was taken to Nagpur, then to Bhopal. He died during treatment. 

"I mortgaged my land for Rs 2.5 lakh," Kamlesh told NDTV. "I thought money could save him. But money ran out before his breath did," he added.

In Parasia's narrow lanes, grief hangs heavy. Fathers sit in silence, mothers clutch clothes that still smell of their children.

"We don't want money," said Usaid's mother, tears streaking her face. "We want justice for every child who took that poison thinking it was medicine," she added.
 

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Drums, Bikes And Conservatism: The Making Of Japan's First Woman PM

Sanae Takaichi has been elected as the head of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), placing her in line to become the nation's first woman prime minister. She defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former leader Junichiro Koizumi, in a run-off on Saturday after no candidate secured a majority in the initial round. A parliamentary vote to choose the next prime minister is expected on October 15.

A Conservative Figure In A Male-Dominated Arena

At 64, Takaichi has long been associated with the right wing of the LDP. Women remain vastly under-represented in Japanese politics. Only about 15% of the powerful lower house are female, and just two women serve as prefectural governors. While some hoped her election might signal change, many observers are sceptical.

Yuki Tsuji, a Tokai University professor who specialises in gender and politics, said Takaichi "has no interest in women's rights or gender equality policies." She has historically opposed proposals designed to strengthen women's roles in society.

Gender Views And Personal Health Struggles

Takaichi has consistently supported the LDP's traditional view of women as mothers and wives. She has pushed back against same-sex marriage, female succession to the imperial throne, and legislation allowing married couples to use different surnames.

Yet she has also spoken about her own struggles with menopause, advocating that men be better educated about female health so women can receive greater support at work and in school.

A Long Political Career

First elected from her hometown of Nara in 1993, Takaichi has since held several key posts, including economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality. 

She has described Margaret Thatcher as a political role model and strongly aligns with Shinzo Abe's conservative vision.

From Drums To Politics

Takaichi was a heavy-metal drummer and an enthusiastic motorbike rider. Today, she champions policies such as increased defence spending, nuclear fusion research, stronger cybersecurity, fiscal stimulus for growth, and tighter immigration rules.

Foreign Policy Hawk

Takaichi is widely regarded as hawkish on foreign affairs. She is a revisionist on Japan's wartime history and makes regular visits to the Yasukuni Shrine – an act that angers neighbouring countries. According to AP, she has avoided detailing her immediate agenda if she takes office, but she is considered tough on China and cautious about South Korea.

Her hardline stance may complicate the ruling coalition with the centrist Komeito party, though she has indicated a willingness to collaborate with far-right groups. 

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Employee Exposes 'Toxic Reality' Of Government Banking Job: 'Sold A Lie'

A government bank employee has revealed the 'toxic' reality of the job, stating people had been 'sold a lie' about the security and prestige that came with employment at PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings). In a now-viral Reddit post, the employee stated that they had secured the bank job nine months ago after studying hard for it, but the story after starting the job was completely different.

"I've been working at a public sector bank for 9 months now, and honestly? I feel like we've all been sold a lie," the employee wrote in the r/IndianWorkplace subreddit, adding: "I studied so hard for it, and when I got in, my family was so proud. There is no respect, neither from customer nor from management. For management we are slaves."

The employee said they were given 'insane' targets and told to sell insurance, credit cards and loans while the work pressure was non-stop.

"I'm a banker, not a street vendor. The pressure is non-stop. Telling a rural branch to do FD of 1cr everyday is just stupidity. And the work culture? Super toxic. The seniors act like bosses from a 90s movie."

Terming the job a 'trap', the employee said their branch was severely understaffed, meaning three employees had to do the work of six people.

"The line of customers never ends, the phone is always ringing. You can't even go to the bathroom without someone getting mad. The worst part? You don't have a life. They act like your time means nothing."

The employee advised others preparing for bank jobs to understand that the reality was quite different from what they were used to from the outside.

See the viral post here:

Rickshaw driver crossed major boundaries last night, left me shaken up
byu/Due-Tart6973 inindia

Also Read | Woman's Rickshaw Trip Turns 'Terrifying' After Driver Crosses Boundaries: 'Left Me Shaken'

'You can find another job'

As the post went viral, social media users advised the individual to quit their job and look for alternatives.

"Quit, do what you think is right and thank me later. I and many others quit SBI and banks of its ilk. I have never regretted my decision," said one user, while another added: "I know a person who died on a Public Sector Bank job because of Typhoid. Don't be that person."

A third commented: "Leave. Nothing is worth your peace. You can find another job. You can't find another life."

A fourth said: "My dad used to work in a government bank. He didn't have sales pressure, I guess, but everything else you mentioned was true.. He used to come home late most of the time . Especially during the financial year-end "closing". I lost all love for govt jobs then. Banking is not an easy life."

Last month, a 39-year-old government bank employee posted a similar rant, stating that the toll of relentless pressure for 15 years had pushed them to the brink.

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Hamas Agrees To Free All Israeli Hostages Under Trump's Gaza Plan

Hamas said on Friday it would agree to some aspects of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, including releasing hostages and handing over administration of the enclave, but that it would seek negotiations over many of its other terms.

In a copy of the statement seen by Reuters, Hamas issued its response to Trump's 20-point plan after the U.S. president gave the Palestinian militant group until Sunday to accept or reject the proposal. Trump has not said whether the terms would be subject to negotiation, as Hamas is seeking.

Notably, Hamas did not say whether it would agree to a stipulation that it disarm, a demand by Israel and the U.S. that it has previously rejected.

In its statement, Hamas said it "appreciates the Arab, Islamic, and international efforts, as well as the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling for an end to the war on the Gaza Strip, the exchange of prisoners, (and) the immediate entry of aid," among other terms.

It said it was announcing its "approval of releasing all occupation prisoners — both living and remains — according to the exchange formula contained in President Trump's proposal, with the necessary field conditions for implementing the exchange."

But Hamas added: "In this context, the movement affirms its readiness to immediately enter, through the mediators, into negotiations to discuss the details."

The group said it was ready "to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian body of independents (technocrats) based on Palestinian national consensus and supported by Arab and Islamic backing."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Hamas' response to the proposal, which is backed by Israel as well as Arab and European powers.

Trump's plan specifies an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of all hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas and the introduction of a transitional government led by an international body.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Extra Fee For Cash-On-Delivery? Minister Promises Crackdown On 'Dark Patterns'

Cracking down on 'dark patterns' employed by e-commerce companies, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has said firms that charge extra for cash-on-delivery will now face action.

Several companies make consumers pay an extra fee if they opt for the cash-on-delivery option rather than pre-paying for the order online.

Railing against such practices, an X user had, on Wednesday, posted about an experience he had with an e-commerce firm in which he was charged Rs 226 in the name of 'offer handling fee, payment handling fee and protect promise fee'.

"Forget Rain Fee by Zomato/Swiggy/Zepto. See the masterstroke by Flipkart: Offer Handling Fee (for giving me the discount you advertised??); Payment Handling Fee (for letting me pay you??) and Protect Promise Fee (protecting me from what... satisfaction?)," he wrote

"Next up: "Scrolling App Fee"," he joked.

Responding to the post on Friday, Joshi said such practices will be scrutinised and platforms violating consumer rights will face action. 

"The Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints against e-commerce platforms charging extra for Cash-on-Delivery, a practice classified as a dark pattern that misleads and exploits consumers," the minister wrote.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has received complaints against e-commerce platforms charging extra for Cash-on-Delivery, a practice classified as a dark pattern that misleads and exploits consumers.

A detailed investigation has been initiated and steps are being taken to… https://t.co/gEf5WClXJX

— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) October 3, 2025

"A detailed investigation has been initiated and steps are being taken to scrutinise these platforms closely. Strict action will be taken against those violating consumer rights to ensure transparency and uphold fair practices in India's growing e-commerce sector," he added.

Dark patterns are tactics used by companies to extract money or data from consumers without them realising

These practices include platforms showing there are only one or two pieces of an item left to speed up a buyer's purchase decision when, in reality, there are several more in stock, or setting a fake time limit - like 'offer expires in 10 minutes' - to achieve the same end.

Using confusing language for fees or making them harder to spot by putting them at the very end of a long list also qualifies as a dark pattern.

The Centre has earlier called meetings with e-commerce companies to ask them to desist from such practices and is working on legislation to fix the problem. 

Consumers can also report such practices on the Jagriti app. 

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