Cloudburst hits Himachal, Uttarakhand, India refused third party role in truce talks: Pak Minister

The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on floods in some parts of North India. Cloudbursts and flash floods in Uttarakhand's Dehradun and Himachal Pradesh's Mandi have damaged several houses and shops, while two people have been missing. The programme also covers a revelation from Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister confirming India's refusal of third-party mediation, including from the US, in ceasefire talks, emphasising India's insistence on bilateral engagement contingent on a terror-free environment. This statement contradicts previous claims regarding mediation efforts made by Trump. Furthermore, the episode explores a debate within Indian healthcare concerning the use of the 'Doctor' title, following a Health Ministry notification restricting physiotherapists from using the prefix. This has broadened into discussions about AYUSH practitioners (Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani) and their entitlement to the title, raising questions of professional identity and patient safety. Additionally, the programme also touches upon former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi's comments on Rahul Gandhi and Team India's new kit sponsor.