India's UPI International payment system is now playing a crucial role in humanitarian efforts, enabling seamless disaster relief donations from Indian users to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, showcasing its growing global acceptance and utility beyond tourism. UPI IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Unsplash Key Points UPI International, initially for Indian tourists, is now facilitating disaster relief donations to Nepal's Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. The embassy of Nepal in India is actively encouraging Indian users to utilise their UPI apps for these contributions. This marks a significant shift, expanding UPI's cross-border use case beyond tourism to include inbound collection for foreign governments. The move positions UPI International alongside global payment giants like Alipay+ and UnionPay for international aid. Donors need to activate the UPI International feature on their apps to transact, with amounts converted from INR to NPR.
At least 12 people from Bihar's East Champaran district, including five members of one family, are missing following devastating flash floods in Nepal. The disaster, which struck four days ago, has left hundreds of Indians and persons of Indian origin unaccounted for, with a significant death toll reported in Nepal.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor faced significant backlash on social media for describing the Nepal flash floods as "drama." Despite expressing concern and detailing the devastation, his choice of words was widely criticised as insensitive, leading to questions about his vocabulary usage.
Two Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women linked to Chhattisgarh have been reported missing following flash floods in Nepal, while two other women from the state who were earlier reported missing have established contact with their families, officials said on Friday.
A group of 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu faced a terrifying ordeal during a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash when flash floods and mudslides struck Timure, Nepal. Despite being trapped in a raging torrent, a combination of miraculous coincidences, quick thinking, and the selfless heroism of a couple, Ratnakumar and Poonguzhali, ensured their survival. Indian and Tamil Nadu officials coordinated a swift rescue operation, bringing them safely back home.
Flash floods in Nepal, triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, have devastated hydropower projects, leaving hundreds of workers stranded. Survivors recount terrifying escapes from rising floodwaters and tunnels, while international teams assist in ongoing rescue operations to locate those still missing.
With the death toll crossing 900 and nearly 4,000 people still missing, the trauma of loss, displacement and uncertainty is settling in among thousands of survivors, prompting the government to step up its mental health response.
Devastating flash floods in Nepal, triggered by an ice and rock collapse, have led to over 900 deaths and 4,000 missing. Rescue operations by security personnel are severely hampered by critical shortages of specialised equipment, including thermal cameras, body bags, ropes, and helicopters. International assistance from India and China is aiding the search for missing workers, highlighting Nepal's long-standing disaster management capacity issues and inadequate funding.
Nepal police have arrested an Indian and a Thai national in separate drug trafficking cases. The Thai national was caught at the airport with marijuana, while the Indian national was arrested with brown sugar outside Kathmandu.
Villages along the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border are on high alert following devastating flash floods in Nepal, with authorities monitoring the Gandak River for potential downstream surges and the NDRF deploying 20 teams for preparedness.
The devastating flash floods wreaked havoc across Nepal, with the ministry of external affairs on Thursday stating that 84 Indian nationals have been rescued while 290 remain uncontactable as the Himalayan nation stepped up search, rescue and relief operations following the disaster that has claimed more than 390 lives.
Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) suggest that an ice-rock avalanche originating in a high-altitude area likely triggered the devastating flash floods that swept across central Nepal districts, killing at least 95 people and leaving nearly 500 missing.
Several airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have cancelled flights to and from Kathmandu due to the temporary closure of Tribhuvan International Airport amid anti-government protests. Passengers are advised to defer travel until the situation stabilizes.
Nepalese citizens are voting in the general election, the first since protests toppled the previous government. Over 18.9 million are eligible to vote for the 275-member House of Representatives.
Indian airlines are resuming normal services to Kathmandu after the airport reopened following unrest in Nepal. Air India and IndiGo will operate additional flights to bring back stranded passengers.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested a man travelling from Kathmandu to Delhi in Lucknow and recovered over 5 kg of heroin worth more than Rs 10 crore.
Sushila Karki pursued her post-graduation from the Banaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi.
Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed parliament on the ongoing border dispute with India, stating both countries have agreed to seek resolution through diplomatic means and expert consultation. Shah's remarks about Nepal also encroaching on Indian territories have sparked controversy.
The Nepalese foreign minister was speaking to the media a day after holding wide-ranging talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar that focused on ways to further expand ties in diverse sectors, including trade, critical technology, connectivity and energy.
Nepal's Gen Z protesters are considering candidates for an interim government following the Prime Minister's resignation amidst widespread protests.
With the Rastriya Swatantra Party likely to win a two thirds majority, rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah will be Nepal's next prime minister.
India has rejected any role for third parties in resolving its border dispute with Nepal, following comments from Nepal's Prime Minister suggesting involvement of China and the UK.
Two Indian mountaineers, Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are, died while descending Mount Everest after successfully reaching the summit, according to an official in Kathmandu.
Nepal police have arrested an Indian and a Thai national in separate incidents related to drug trafficking. The arrests occurred at Tribhuvan International Airport and in Balaju Chowk, Kathmandu.
Divya Singh, a determined cyclist from Gorakhpur, has etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to successfully cycle to the Mount Everest base camp.
The boundary mess between India and Nepal needs a solution in a manner as mentioned by Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal: 'On evidence not emotions', counsels Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung (retd).
Former Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been arrested in connection with the deaths during the Gen Z protests last year, following the implementation of a probe commission's report.
'Nepal today is far more aware, self-confident, aspirational, and assertive.' 'India's policy so far has not been geared to this shift. It is time to redraw our Nepal strategy.'
Passengers traveling from Bengaluru to Kathmandu faced significant disruptions and protested at Kempegowda International Airport after their flight failed to land in Kathmandu on two consecutive days, leading to frustration and accusations of mismanagement by the airline.
Nepal has reiterated its commitment to resolving the border issue with India through diplomatic channels, emphasising historical agreements and understanding.
Captured in powerful images and unforgettable moments, 2025 emerged as a turning point in global affairs. These images tell the defining stories that shaped the world across continents.
Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party is surging ahead in the general elections after Gen Z protests ousted the previous government, signaling a potential new era in Nepali politics.
A Buddha Air flight number 901 from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur skidded off the runway while landing at Bhadrapur Airport in Nepal's Jhapa district late Friday night.
An Indian tourist bus returning from Kathmandu was allegedly attacked by protesters amid unrest in Nepal, leaving several passengers injured. The incident occurred near the India-Nepal border, with reports of stone pelting and injuries to passengers.
Police in Kanpur have arrested the alleged mastermind of an illegal kidney transplant racket, who had been evading arrest for two weeks. The arrest brings the total number of accused in custody to ten, as the investigation widens to uncover a potentially multi-state and international organ trafficking network.
Former Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak have been released on personal recognisance bail after being arrested in connection with the Gen Z protests of September 2023.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is on track for a significant victory in Nepal's general elections, potentially reshaping the country's political landscape.
Nepalese cricket fans transformed Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium into a vibrant 'Kathmandu away from home' during their T20 World Cup match against England, creating an electrifying atmosphere that fueled the team's spirited performance.
At least 11 security personnel were injured in Nepal during a crackdown on a protest against alleged cross-border drug trade in the Lumbini province bordering India.
Crispin Chettri is expected to be reappointed as the head coach of the Indian women's football team, succeeding Amelia Valverde, following a recommendation from the AIFF's Technical Committee.
