Rush Hour: SCO condemns Pahalgam terror attack, SC rejects plea against ethanol blending, & more

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has strongly condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations”, including the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 persons. The inter-governmental body also said it condemns terrorist attacks in Pakistan on the Jaffer Express on March 11 and in Khuzdar on May 21.

Following the attack on the Jaffer Express, Pakistan had accused India of sponsoring terrorism. However, New Delhi told Islamabad to “look inwards” instead of shifting the blame for its internal problems on to others.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation comprises India, China, Belarus, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Read more.

The Supreme Court dismissed a plea challenging the mandatory rollout of 20% ethanol-blended petrol, or E20 fuel. The petition had argued that vehicles made before April 2023 were not compatible with E20 fuel and that denying non-blended fuel violated consumer rights.

The Centre, questioned the motives of the petitioner, a lawyer named Akshay Malhotra, referring to him as a “name-lender”. Attorney General R Venkatramani asked if “people outside the country” would dictate the kind of fuel India should use.

In July, India hit its target of reaching a...

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