Chief ministers from southern states convened at the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Kovalam, where Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar advocated for the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation and a freeze on Lok Sabha seats, while also addressing the contentious Cauvery water and Mekedatu dam issues.
'It's a harrowing book because in the first 100 pages, you have the first-person account of very young girl being abused. It's an important, crucial document from her point of view, but impossible to emotionally endure if one is to illustrate it on screen.'
Change of guard in some states and evolving El Nino dynamics are triggering fresh actions on raging water-sharing disputes in several states.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay opened the sluices of the Stanley Reservoir in Mettur on Tuesday for irrigation in the Cauvery delta districts.
Nepal's former Forest and Environment Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain has expressed concern over the lack of timely information exchange with China ahead of the devastating floods, stating that the disaster's scale could lead to an 'unbelievable' rise in the death toll.
Australian tunnel expert Arnold Dix, known for the Silkyara tunnel rescue, is now assisting in a complex search-and-rescue operation in Nepal following devastating floods. He is applying lessons learned from the Silkyara operation, particularly the principle of "never confuse unlikely with impossible," as he works with Indian and Nepali teams to locate people potentially trapped in the Chilime hydropower tunnel and other sites.
Hundreds of Pune residents have protested against the use of loud music and DJ systems during the upcoming Ganesh festival, citing health issues and noise pollution. Ganesh Mandals, however, claim selective targeting and have pledged to follow guidelines to reduce noise.
Amidst the widespread devastation caused by Nepal's deadly flash floods, a 60-year-old woman and a Chinese worker have been miraculously survived after days of being trapped, offering a beacon of hope in the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a boat ride on the Hooghly river in Kolkata, reaffirming his commitment to the development of West Bengal and the prosperity of its people. He shared photographs of the trip on social media, highlighting the cultural significance of the Ganga river for Bengalis.
Two men from Tamil Nadu drowned in the Bhavani river near Attappady, Kerala. The deceased were identified as Sathyam (18) and Nitheesh (19), both from Coimbatore. The incident occurred when they ventured into a deeper section of the river at a tourist destination.
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that 275 Indians remain missing following devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, while 166 others have been rescued. India has supplied 95 tonnes of relief material and deployed 54 personnel, including rescue and forensic experts, to assist Nepal. The death toll in Nepal has reached 1,295, with thousands still missing, and significant infrastructure damage reported. India has also highlighted the need for developed countries to lead in climate change action.
India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay issued a stern warning against personal attacks, double-meaning insults, and derogatory language targeting women, particularly in political discourse. Speaking in the Assembly, he recalled past humiliations faced by late CM J Jayalalithaa and condemned recent incidents involving women personalities, stressing that such behaviour would face immediate legal consequences. He also outlined his administration's vision for public security and zero-tolerance against crime.
West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya's comments recalling the role of non-Bengali communities during the 1946 communal riots and alleging past restrictions on Durga Puja have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, including the TMC, Congress, and CPI(M). Bhattacharya appealed for unity for peaceful Durga Puja celebrations, while opposition leaders accused him of divisive politics and distorting history.
"Everything was here before, but now there is nothing left," said Nayan Tiwari, one of many residents returning to flood-hit Galchhi in central Nepal to recover whatever belongings remain and to restore homes that once held their everyday lives.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has indicated a potential renaming of Orchha's historic Jahangir Mahal to Veer Singh Mahal, honouring Bundela ruler Veer Singh Judeo. Yadav stated that Veer Singh originally built the palace, and the move aims to highlight overlooked historical aspects. Former minister Narottam Mishra supported the proposal, citing a "malicious attempt to erase our historical heritage" by Mughals. The palace, a blend of Bundela and Mughal architecture, was built for Jahangir but he never resided there.
Survivors of the recent devastating floods in Nepal share their harrowing experiences of escaping the raging waters, losing loved ones, and witnessing widespread destruction, as thousands remain missing and families struggle to rebuild their lives.
An 11-member Indian team, including medical and tunnel-rescue specialists, has arrived in Nepal to assist in the rescue of workers trapped in hydropower project tunnels following devastating flash floods. The disaster has killed hundreds, left thousands missing, and damaged critical infrastructure, prompting Nepal to seek international aid for rescue and reconstruction.
Nepal is grappling with the devastating aftermath of flash floods, with the death toll reaching 1,356 and nearly 5,000 people, including foreign nationals, still missing. Identification of bodies is a major challenge, with only a fraction identified so far. President Ramchandra Paudel has appealed for climate justice and national unity for relief efforts. International teams, including experts from India and China, are assisting in search and rescue, particularly at hydropower projects where workers are trapped. The country is also working to restore infrastructure and reassure tourists to protect its vital autumn tourism season.
In view of the flood situation in Nepal, the ninistry of external affairs has set up a round-the-clock control room here to assist people.
Extraordinary accounts of survival are emerging from Nepal's devastating flash floods, including a 97-year-old woman rescued from rubble and individuals who fled collapsing settlements, spending nights stranded in forests before rescue.
India has provided 68.5 tonnes of relief materials to flood-hit Nepal and sent technical teams, forensic experts and equipment to assist in search and rescue operations, the Indian embassy said.
A special POCSO court in Vadodara has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the gang-rape of a minor girl during Navratri two years ago. The court described the crime as "most heinous" and ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the survivor, emphasising the seriousness of violence against women, especially during a religious festival.
Over 900 workers and employees are missing from various hydropower project sites in Nepal following massive flash floods triggered by an ice and rock collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. Rescue teams, assisted by experts from India and China, are intensifying efforts to locate and extract hundreds believed to be trapped inside tunnels, with 279 already rescued amidst ongoing challenges.
Four picnickers were rescued from a river island in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district after being stranded for 11 hours due to a sudden rise in water levels. The State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) conducted a challenging operation, using drones to deliver supplies and eventually towing a motorboat to safety.
Bangladesh-China and Bangladesh-US relations have evolved from reluctant engagement to increasingly consequential strategic partnerships.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days, amidst an ongoing dispute and a pending Supreme Court hearing.
The heavy rains that have battered Kerala since August 1 have claimed 25 lives, left four people missing, injured 10 and damaged hundreds of properties, forcing thousands to seek shelter in relief camps, the state government said on Tuesday.
It is very unfortunate that China has decided to proceed with the controversial mega hydropower plants(despite the apparent opposition of many scientists in China). Why is Delhi silent about the development? asks Claude Arpi.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to strengthen regular monitoring and safety measures for 13 identified 'sensitive' glacial lakes in the state, citing potential risks in hilly regions.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that a true Hindu believes in the unity of humanity and that all religious paths lead to the same goal, asserting that 'if any Hindu thinks that there should be no Muslim in Bharat, he will not remain Hindu'.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered extensive rescue operations following devastating flash floods and mudslides near the China-Nepal border in Tibet. The disaster has caused heavy casualties, left nearly 400 people missing, including 105 Indians and 37 NRIs, and damaged infrastructure. Emergency teams have been deployed, and efforts are underway to evacuate residents and provide medical aid.
Following devastating floods in Nepal, Kathmandu has initiated mass burials for unidentified victims as morgues have exceeded capacity. Security forces are burying bodies with markers and collecting DNA samples for future identification. The government has amended the Unidentified and Unclaimed Bodies Management Guidelines, 2021, to facilitate the management of disaster victims, including provisions for autopsies, DNA collection, and temporary burial with identification markers.
This might lead to a further outburst, flooding downstream if left unchecked.
Following devastating floods in Nepal, families are facing immense challenges in identifying their missing relatives. Hospitals are overwhelmed with unidentified bodies, leading to disputed claims and a reliance on DNA testing, which can take months. Personal belongings and distinctive features are sometimes used, but forensic evidence is often the only conclusive method.
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.
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.
Nepal is reeling from devastating flash floods that have claimed over 600 lives and left more than 2,400 people missing. Rescuers are battling difficult conditions, including intermittent rainfall, to find survivors, while families desperately search for loved ones among lists of the injured and deceased. The widespread destruction has left towns and villages buried under mud, with infrastructure severely damaged.
Massive flash floods in Nepal, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche, have devastated the border town of Timure and other central districts, leaving a rising death toll and hundreds missing. The disaster, described by witnesses as feeling like an earthquake, has claimed entire families and caused widespread destruction to infrastructure. Rescue efforts are underway, with a significant number of missing individuals identified as tourists, including nearly 300 Indian nationals.
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.
