India

Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Clears EOW Powers Under New Criminal Law BNS

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has approved an amendment to a 1977 Home Department notification. The change enables the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to operate under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code. The move is significant given the large volume of complaints — over 23,261 — that the EOW handles, against which only a handful of chargesheets have been filed. The amendment is intended to align the EOW's legal framework with India's updated criminal justice system.

Nepal PM Balen Shah Likely to Visit India as First Foreign Trip This Year

Nepal Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel Wagle has expressed confidence that Prime Minister Balen Shah's first official foreign visit will be to India. Wagle made the statement at the NDTV Anviksha Summit, signaling strong bilateral intent. While specific dates are yet to be finalized, the minister said he is hopeful the visit will take place before the end of the year. The announcement underscores Nepal's priority in maintaining close ties with its neighboring country India.

Cong declines NC invite to join Omar govt, cites ‘principled stand’ on J&K’s statehood

PM Modi Set to Meet Putin at SCO Summit on Monday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. The two leaders are expected to discuss and review the broader India-Russia bilateral relationship during their talks. The meeting follows a recent visit by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the Kremlin, where he also met Putin. The back-to-back high-level engagements signal active diplomatic activity between India and Russia at a senior level.

Bangladesh in Talks to Join Mecca Pact Amid Regional Security Discussions

Bangladesh is reportedly considering joining the Mecca Pact, according to sources cited by NDTV. The possibility was raised during recent diplomatic discussions involving the country. The move comes amid broader regional security concerns in South Asia. Details of the talks remain limited, with information emerging only through unnamed sources.

Trump renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' in new executive order

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday officially renaming Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' within US geographic records. The change affects only how US authorities refer to the lake, as Trump holds no jurisdiction over Canadian naming conventions. Canada is under no obligation to adopt the new designation. The move follows a similar earlier decision by Trump to rename the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America' for use by the US government, amid ongoing tensions with Canada.

Nepal Floods Destroy Riverside Settlements Along Bhotekoshi and Trishuli Rivers

Severe flooding struck settlements along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers in Nepal, causing widespread destruction. Video footage showed floodwaters and sludge rapidly overflowing riverbanks and tearing through residential areas. Bridges, roads, and vehicles were damaged or completely swept away by the force of the rushing water. Large stretches of land were left buried under thick layers of mud following the disaster.

Indian Climber Survives 72 Hours Trapped in Crevasse After Rope Snapped

Indian mountaineer Anurag Maloo survived a near-fatal accident after his rope broke while rappelling, sending him into a crevasse. He remained trapped in the crevasse for approximately 72 hours before rescuers located him. The rescue effort included an intense four-hour CPR session to revive him. His survival has been described as remarkable given the extreme conditions and duration of his ordeal.

Kishtwar forced abortion death: Three more held; total arrests now 5

Punjab Government Orders Action Against Employees on Statewide Strike

Thousands of Punjab government employees and pensioners staged a statewide strike, creating a significant standoff with the state administration. The Punjab government responded by ordering action against the striking staff. The confrontation highlights growing tensions between the government and its workforce. The development is being closely watched given its potential political implications ahead of the 2027 state assembly elections.

Congress Declines Cabinet Role in Omar Abdullah's NC Government in J&K

The National Conference extended a fresh offer to Congress last week to join the cabinet in Jammu & Kashmir. Congress has decided to turn down the offer and will not take up any ministerial positions in Omar Abdullah's government. However, the party has clarified that it will continue to extend support to the ruling coalition from outside. This means the alliance between the two parties remains intact despite Congress choosing to stay out of the cabinet.

Nepal Floods Expose Risks of Building Too Close to Rivers, Experts Warn

Recent flooding in Nepal has prompted experts to raise serious concerns about construction practices near rivers and floodplains. Specialists point out that rivers are dynamic, ever-changing systems that can pose significant dangers to nearby structures. Buildings such as homes, markets, and infrastructure situated too close to riverbanks are considered especially vulnerable during flood events. Experts warn that encroachment on floodplains dramatically worsens the impact of natural disasters when they occur.

Kharge urges PM Modi to freeze Lok Sabha seat count at 543 for 25 years

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging that the strength of Lok Sabha seats be kept at 543 for the next 25 years. The letter reiterates a similar request Kharge had made on July 16. The move comes after Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister reportedly suggested that a special session of Parliament could be called to deliberate on the matter. The delimitation exercise, which could redraw constituency boundaries and potentially alter seat distribution, has been a point of concern for several opposition-ruled southern states. Kharge's appeal appears aimed at preventing any reallocation of seats that could disadvantage states with better population control records.

Maharashtra Gives Auto and Taxi Drivers One Year to Learn Marathi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that auto and taxi drivers in the state will be given one year to learn Marathi. The decision follows a meeting between Fadnavis and representatives of auto and rickshaw drivers' organisations. During the meeting, the driver groups expressed their support for the requirement that workers in Mumbai should have functional knowledge of Marathi. The move is part of a broader push to ensure that people working in the city can communicate in the local language.

Gettysburg's Dobbin House marks 250 years after being rescued from demolition

The Dobbin House in Gettysburg, one of the area's oldest and most historic buildings, recently held a consecration ceremony to mark its 250th anniversary. Originally completed in 1776, the structure has served many different purposes throughout its long history. The building owes its survival to local patrons Jacqueline and Gary White, who intervened in the 1970s to prevent its demolition. As part of the milestone celebrations, a new development called Dobbin House Square is set to be unveiled, featuring updated museum exhibits. Anniversary events will also include historical reenactments, live music, and a ceremonial cannon salute.

Mumbai Doctor and Wife Go Missing During Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in Nepal

Dr. Milind Chitley, a Mumbai-based doctor with 30 years of mountaineering experience, has gone missing along with his wife Janhavi during a group pilgrimage tour. The couple was part of a Kailash Mansarovar Yatra that commenced on August 23. Dr. Chitley is widely known in his community for his adventurous pursuits, including mountaineering and cycling, as well as his dedication to public service. Neighbours and patients have expressed deep concern and shock following news of the couple's disappearance. Prayers are being offered by the community for their safe return.

Patanjali CEO Balkrishna Highlights Deep Cultural Bonds Between India and Nepal

Patanjali CEO Acharya Balkrishna spoke at the NDTV World Summit Anviksha, addressing the relationship between India and Nepal. He stated that the border between the two nations is essentially the only major distinction separating them. According to Balkrishna, the social and cultural ties shared by India and Nepal go far beyond geographical boundaries. He emphasized that the two countries share a bond that transcends political borders.

Batista vs Brock Lesnar: The WWE Singles Match That Never Happened

Despite both being dominant forces in WWE history, Batista and Brock Lesnar never competed against each other in a singles match. Their careers overlapped during the early 2000s, but Lesnar's exit from WWE in 2004 opened the door for Batista to rise to the top instead. When both superstars later returned to the promotion, opportunities for a potential clash were not taken. With both men now retired from in-ring competition, the matchup remains one of WWE's most talked-about missed opportunities among fans.

Watch: Derek O’Brien falls down staircase amid clash at TMC office

Tectonic Forces and Climate Change Combine to Heighten Disaster Risk in Nepal

Nepal faces compounding natural hazards due to its position at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which grind together at approximately 20 millimetres per year. This ongoing geological activity makes the country inherently prone to earthquakes and landslides. At the same time, rising temperatures driven by climate change are accelerating the melting of glaciers across Nepal's high-altitude peaks. Together, these two powerful forces — tectonic instability and atmospheric warming — are intensifying the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the region.