Month: September 2025

The flood situation in Pakistan’s South Punjab is gradually improving, with water levels significantly dropping in many areas as authorities declared Jalalpur Pirwala and Alipur tehsils of Multan district safe after a massive flood wave passed through Head Panjnad, easing fears of further devastation, Dawn reported on Sunday.

According to Dawn, despite the declining water levels, evacuation and relief efforts remain in full swing across low-lying areas along the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.

Officials described the operation as one of the largest in recent memory, involving over 1,500 rescue boats and leading to the evacuation of at least 12,427 people from flood-prone regions.

Punjab Rescue spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said that Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan were among the worst affected districts, with 3,274, 2,392, and 414 people rescued, respectively, Dawn reported.

Additional evacuations were conducted in Lodhran, Bahawalpur, and Kasur, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that around 2.5 million people have been evacuated across Punjab. The floods have so far claimed 101 lives and prompted the rescue of over 2.19 million cattle.

As per Dawn, citing officials, water levels at Head Panjnad dropped dramatically, from 684,000 cusecs on Friday night to 492,695 cusecs by Saturday evening, a decrease of nearly 200,000 cusecs in 24 hours.

The PDMA noted that flow levels at most major headworks along the three rivers were now “steady”.

However, the humanitarian impact remains significant. The entire union council of Lati Mari in Alipur tehsil, home to 40,000 people, has been completely submerged.

Syed Kausar Shah, a resident of the Azeem Shah locality, said roughly 15,000 people were forced to flee on their own, with two reported dead due to delayed evacuations, as reported by Dawn. Many evacuees are now living with relatives or in government relief camps.

Shah said the floodwaters reached depths of six to seven feet in some areas, leaving residents unable to recover their belongings or assess the safety of returning.

Meanwhile, Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu stated that 100,000 people had been evacuated from Jalalpur Pirwala in just three days and added that breaches in Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala are being repaired, while helicopters and drones are being used to deliver medicine and food to inaccessible areas, Dawn reported.

At a press briefing in Bahawalpur, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that Panjnad Headworks experienced extreme flooding, peaking at 700,000 cusecs three days ago and receding to 575,000 cusecs. He noted that all three rivers swelled simultaneously this season, causing widespread high-level flooding.

According to the PDMA, floodwaters have affected 4,447 villages (mouzas) across 28 districts in Punjab. Alongside the human toll, the disaster has also impacted millions of livestock, with 2.19 million animals successfully relocated to safer areas, as reported by Dawn. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched blistering attacks on the Congress party, accusing it of “supporting” the Pakistani Army and “fostering” its agenda during Operation Sindoor.

Sharpening his attacks, Prime Minister Modi further accused Congress of not standing with the Indian armed forces, adding that the opposition party’s agenda is solely focused on propagating lies coming from Pakistan.

Addressing a rally in Assam’s Darrang, the Prime Minister said, “For its politics, the Congress associates with such ideology which is against India. The same was seen during Operation Sindoor. When the Congress was in power, the entire country was bleeding from terrorism, and the Congress stood silently by. In every corner of Pakistan, the leaders of the terrorists were destroyed, but the Congress stood with the Pakistani army instead of the Indian army.”

“Instead of standing with our army, the people of the Congress party promote the agenda of those who foster terrorists. The lies of Pakistan become the agenda of Congress. That is why you have to always be cautious of Congress,” he added.

Asserting that Congress prioritises its “vote bank over national interests”, Prime Minister Modi accused the opposition party of promoting agendas that benefit infiltrators and anti-nationals. He further alleged that Congress protects infiltrators and anti-national forces.

“Today, the Congress has become a great protector of the infiltrators and the anti-nationals. When Congress was in power, it used to promote infiltration, and today Congress wants the infiltrators to settle in India forever and determine India’s future,” Prime Minister Modi stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slammed Congress for “insulting” legendary singer Bhupen Hazarika.

“When the ‘Namdaar’ beats the ‘Kamdaar’ and if the ‘Kamdaar’ cries out in pain, they torture him even more, saying that you don’t even have the right to cry. How can you cry being a ‘Kamdaar’ in front of the ‘Namdaar’? The people of the country, music lovers, art lovers, people who are giving their lives for the soul of India, should ask the Congress why they insulted Bhupen Da? Respecting the cultural heritage of Assam, preserving it, and the rapid development of Assam have been the priorities of the double-engine government,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of major infrastructure and industrial development projects worth over Rs 18,530 crore in Assam.

In Darrang, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple projects. The projects include Darrang Medical College and Hospital, GNM School, and B.Sc. Nursing College, strengthening medical education and healthcare delivery in the region; Guwahati Ring Road Project that will enhance urban mobility, decongest traffic, and improve connectivity in and around the capital city; and Kuruwa-Narengi Bridge over River Brahmaputra, improving connectivity and promoting socio-economic development in the region.

At Numaligarh in Golaghat, Prime Minister will inaugurate the Assam Bioethanol Plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

He will also lay the foundation stone of the Polypropylene Plant at Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), adding significant value to Assam’s petrochemical sector. It will also generate employment opportunities and lead to the overall socio-economic development of the region. (ANI)

Kochi Police have registered a case against journalist Siddique Kappan and 10 others in connection with a solidarity event held in the city, officials said on Sunday.

According to police, the event was organised on Saturday evening at Vanchi Square near the Kerala High Court junction by human rights organisations to condemn the arrest of Kerala-based journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek.T

Activists from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Welfare Party also participated.

Sydeek was arrested in Maharashtra and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly criticising Operation Sindoor.

According to the FIR filed by Kochi Police, around 30 people had assembled at Vanchi Square around 4 pm, shouted slogans against the UAPA law, and used microphones and loudspeakers without permission, thereby obstructing pedestrian movement.

Siddique Kappan, Neeharika Pradaush, Pramod Puzhangara, Ambika, CP Rasheed, Sajid Khalid, Baburaj Bhagavathy, VM Faisal, Mrudhula Bhavani, Dr Hari, and Shaneer have been named in the FIR as accused. (ANI)

Kochi Police have registered a case against journalist Siddique Kappan and 10 others in connection with a solidarity event held in the city, officials said on Sunday.

According to police, the event was organised on Saturday evening at Vanchi Square near the Kerala High Court junction by human rights organisations to condemn the arrest of Kerala-based journalist Rejaz M Sheeba Sydeek.T

Activists from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and the Welfare Party also participated.

Sydeek was arrested in Maharashtra and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly criticising Operation Sindoor.

According to the FIR filed by Kochi Police, around 30 people had assembled at Vanchi Square around 4 pm, shouted slogans against the UAPA law, and used microphones and loudspeakers without permission, thereby obstructing pedestrian movement.

Siddique Kappan, Neeharika Pradaush, Pramod Puzhangara, Ambika, CP Rasheed, Sajid Khalid, Baburaj Bhagavathy, VM Faisal, Mrudhula Bhavani, Dr Hari, and Shaneer have been named in the FIR as accused. (ANI)

The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned the deployment of a large number of police personnel by the Pakistani government and the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) administration to suppress a peaceful protest scheduled later this month.

In a press release shared on X, Sajid Hussain, Secretary of Information and Member of UKPNP’s Central Committee, said that the planned demonstration on September 29 aims to mark “Jammu and Kashmir Invasion Day,” recalling October 22, 1947, when tribal militias backed by Pakistan launched an incursion into the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. The party argues that this invasion violated the Treaty of Amritsar of 1846 and the Standstill Agreement of 1947, bringing with it violence, forced marriages, looting, and large-scale displacement.

The UKPNP criticised Pakistan’s move to deploy security forces in PoJK, saying it mirrors the same coercive tactics used during the 1947 invasion. Hussain noted that the deployment highlights the government’s fear of public demonstrations that call for justice, human rights, democracy, and equality. Instead of addressing the grievances of the people, the party said, the authorities have chosen force and intimidation.

“Protesters are not criminals; they are exercising their democratic right to peaceful assembly,” the statement read. “Sending thousands of police officers to silence them is unjustifiable,” he stated.

The UKPNP urged both the PoJK government and Pakistan’s central authorities to immediately withdraw the deployment and respect the right to protest. It also called on the United Nations, European Union, and international human rights organisations to take notice of what it termed a blatant misuse of state power. The protest on September 29 is expected to focus on longstanding grievances in PoJK, including exploitation of resources, lack of democratic rights, and restrictions on political expression. (ANI)

As high as 99% of all the goods which were earlier in the 12 per cent GST bracket have now been brought down to the 5 per cent GST bracket, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Sunday.

She made the remarks while addressing a joint conclave of the Trade and Industries Association, titled ‘Tax Reforms for Rising Bharat’ in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The sweeping GST rationalisation and reforms unveiled after the GST Council meeting on September 3, once implemented, are expected to bring about a massive change across the country, directly impacting India’s 1.4 billion citizens.

The tax cut decision was unanimously approved in the GST Council meeting with the consent of all states.

On September 22, the first day of Navratri, all changes in GST rates will come into effect, much before Diwali, which was indicated by the prime minister from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day this year.

Speaking at the Chennai event today, the Finance Minister emphasised the benefits of the latest GST reforms. The event was attended by Tamil Nadu BJP State President Nainar Nagendran, Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association President Vikramraja, IIT-Madras Director Kamakoti, business leaders, and representatives from trade associations.

At the event, Sitharaman released two publications titled “GST 2.0 – Fuelling India’s Growth” and “GST Reforms for Tamil Nadu’s Growth”.

In the event, Nirmala Sitharaman explained how GST tax cuts would benefit Tamil Nadu specifically. Certain goods have seen tax reduced from 18% to 5%, some others from 12% to 5%, and some even from 12% to 0%.

She emphasised that GST impacts citizens from morning to night through essential commodities.

She also pointed out that, in 2017, 65 lakh were registered under GST; today, that number has grown to 1.51 crore. If GST were truly a “Gabbar Singh Tax” as critics allege, taxpayers would not have increased so significantly, she added.

“Over 350 items have seen GST rates reduced, including essentials like groceries, packaged foods, household goods, and handicrafts like Thanjavur dolls. Refund issues raised by small businesses have been addressed, ensuring 90% refunds are processed quickly, with only 10% withheld for verification,” she further said.

She added that GST reforms are not just about rate cuts but about building trust, boosting demand, and propelling India toward its 2047 vision. She acknowledged criticisms but affirmed that reforms would continue, especially in agriculture, MSMEs, food, and essential services.

Sitharaman concluded her address, asserting that GST reforms would play a crucial role in realising Prime Minister Modi’s vision for India in 2047.

IIT Madras Director Kamakoti expressed gratitude for GST exemptions on research funding, stating it has been vital in supporting research and development for higher education.

He praised GST reforms as progressive, highlighting tax cuts on essential goods, educational items, and healthcare equipment, which would benefit middle- and lower-income families.

He noted that reducing the GST on consumer goods, such as TVs, washing machines, and small cars, would boost consumption, logistics, production, and job creation. He also applauded India’s ability to build and scale GST’s digital infrastructure within 20 days, managing millions of transactions flawlessly.

Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Association Vikramraja also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that India has risen to global prominence under his governance.

He recalled the challenges faced by traders during the GST rollout and how consistent dialogue with the central government brought reforms.

He welcomed the reduction of GST on groceries from 18% to 5% but urged authorities to address harassment from tax officials and to ensure the promised implementation of the trader welfare board.

Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran too praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling her a source of pride for Tamils in Delhi and Parliament.

He said India’s rapid economic growth is reflected in its GDP, and GST rate cuts will further accelerate construction, electricity usage, and consumer demand for products like TVs.

He insisted that shopkeepers must clearly display the old and new prices of goods post-GST rate cut to ensure transparency for consumers.

In a historic move to simplify the Goods and Services Tax(GST), GST Council in its 56th meeting has reduced the GST structure from four slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two main rates–5% (merit rate) and 18% (standard rate) along with a 40% special rate for sin/luxury goods.

Sweeping changes have been made to what the government termed the next-generation GST (Goods and Services Tax) rationalisation.

It came on September 3, just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced it from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day. This is aimed at reducing the tax burden on citizens while stimulating economic growth. (ANI)

Women workers of Shiv Sena (UBT) on Sunday staged a protest in Mumbai with ‘sindoor’, opposing India’s participation in the match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, scheduled for today.

Shiv Sena UBT had announced to hold a demonstration against the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 cricket match scheduled to be held in Dubai.

On Saturday, party chief Uddhav Thackeray had said that Shiv Sena (UBT) women workers will come out on the streets in Maharashtra and send sindoor from every house to PM Modi.

Thackeray opposed India’s participation in the match against Pakistan, alleging that the government was mixing politics and business with patriotism.

Uddhav Thackeray said, “Our Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together, then how can blood and cricket flow together. How can war and cricket be at the same time?. They have done business in patriotism. The business of patriotism is only for money. They are going to play the match tomorrow also because they want all the money they will get from that match.”

Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticised Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the upcoming India-Pakistan match.

Owaisi questioned the decision to play cricket matches with the rival country and sought clarity from the government on the monetary gains compared to the loss of human lives.

“My question to the Chief Minister of Assam, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and all of them is that you don’t have the power to refuse to play a cricket match against Pakistan, which asked for the religion of our 26 citizens in Pahalgam and shot them,” Owaisi said.

The AIMIM chief questioned the BJP whether the money earned through the match is more valuable than the lives of 26 citizens who were killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The Indian national cricket team will take on Pakistan today for the first time in an international cricket match after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Ahead of the clash, there had been a widespread demand from the opposition to boycott the match. However, the Centre had issued no objection from the Indian team to playing against Pakistan in any multi-nation tournament. (ANI)

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki took charge as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal, becoming the first woman PM of the Himalayan country.

Karki took charge of her office at Singha Durbar on Sunday, marking a significant political shift for Nepal following days of violent protest.

The 73-year-old former Chief Justice of Nepal was sworn in as the interim Prime Minister on Friday after a widespread Gen Z protest, due to frustration over political stagnation, corruption, and economic disparity, triggered by the ban of social media platforms in the country.

Her appointment as the interim PM came after the protesters collectively endorsed her name as their nominee for the interim position, citing her integrity and independence, following the resignation of the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli after the widespread protests.

Karki’s selection marks a rare moment of consensus in Nepal’s politics. Chosen through a public vote held by Gen Z leaders on the online platform Discord, she emerged as the most popular and acceptable figure, not only among the youth movement but also among traditional political forces seeking stability and credibility in a time of upheaval.

Meanwhile, Karki has initiated consultations with close advisors and key figures from the Gen Z movement as she prepares to finalise her Cabinet, as reported by The Kathmandu Post.

According to The Kathmandu Post, citing one of her aides, Karki will begin intensive discussions Sunday morning to form her Cabinet. Despite holding authority over all 25 ministries, she is reportedly committed to forming a streamlined Cabinet with no more than 15 ministers, a move aligned with calls from civil society and the Gen Z-led protest movement.

Names being considered for ministerial roles include legal expert Om Prakash Aryal, former army official Balananda Sharma, retired justice Anand Mohan Bhattarai, Madhav Sundar Khadka, Asheem Man Singh Basnyat, and energy expert Kulman Ghising, The Kathmandu Post reported.

From the medical field, prominent figures such as Dr Bhagawan Koirala, Dr Sanduk Ruit, Dr Jagadish Agrawal, and Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha are also under consideration.

Meanwhile, Gen Z members are holding parallel consultations, including discussions on platforms like Discord, to recommend potential candidates who align with their reformist agenda. If consensus is reached, the Cabinet could be sworn in as early as Sunday evening, though it may be delayed to Monday depending on the outcome of discussions, The Kathmandu Post reported.

On Friday, Nepal’s Parliament was formally dissolved, and fresh elections were scheduled for March 5, 2026, hours after former Karki was sworn in as the country’s new interim PM.

Announcing the decision, the President’s Office said the dissolution was approved in the first cabinet meeting convened by Karki at 11 pm (local time), marking the start of a six-month transitional government tasked with steering the country to the polls. (ANI)

Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the upcoming India-Pakistan match in the ongoing Asia Cup, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the decision to play cricket matches with the rival country, and sought clarity from the government on the monetary gains compared to the loss of human lives.

“My question to the Chief Minister of Assam, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and all of them is that you don’t have the power to refuse to play a cricket match against Pakistan, which asked for the religion of our 26 citizens in Pahalgam and shot them…” Owaisi said, speaking to the media.

The AIMIM chief questioned the BJP whether the money earned through the match is more valuable than the lives of 26 citizens who were killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

“We ask the Prime Minister, when you said that blood and water cannot flow together, dialogue and terrorism cannot happen together, then how much money will the BCCI get from one cricket match, Rs 2000 crore, Rs 3000 crore? Is the value of money more than the lives of our 26 citizens? This is what the BJP should tell… We stood with those 26 citizens yesterday as well, we stand with them today, and we will stand with them tomorrow as well…” he stated.

The anger over India facing Pakistan in the tournament stems from the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, during which 26 tourists were killed on April 22 by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. The emotions around the contest are mixed, and there have been calls to boycott the fixture against Pakistan.

Earlier, Congress leader Abhishek Dutt criticised the country’s participation in the game, and said that the match should be cancelled.

Speaking to ANI, Dutt said the decision contradicted the government’s stance of “no talks with terror.”

“On one hand, you talk about Operation Sindoor, you say no talks with terror, no trade with terror. Our delegation went to foreign countries. What message are you trying to give by playing a match with Pakistan today?” he asked. (ANI)

Indian women’s boxer Jaismine Lamboria (women’s 57kg) went on to clinch a gold medal in her category as she defeated Poland’s Szermeta Julia 4-1 at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool on Saturday.

Olympic silver medallist from Paris 2024, Szeremeta, began the match at a furious pace, landing counter-attacking blows to the backdrop of cries of ‘Julia’ from the many locally-based Polish fans in the stands.

But that kicked Jaismine into action, who dominated from the second round onwards, using her height advantage to control the contest and secure a 4-1 victory.

“This feeling can’t be expressed. I’m so happy to be a world champion. After my early exit at Paris 2024, I went away and improved my technique physically and mentally. This is the result of consistent work for a year,” Jaismine told Olympics.com.

In the 80 kg+ category, Nupur won a silver medal at the competition as she lost to Poland’s Agata Kaczmarska in the final.

The sizeable contingent of Polish fans were not to be denied this time, as their fighter, who gave up several inches in height, battled hard to box in close quarters and landed a cracking final blow in the last second to seal a 3-2 split decision.

It wasn’t long before the local fans were cheering as Emily Asquith booked her place in the women’s 80kg final thanks to a striking masterclass and a 4-1 points decision victory over the more experienced Indian Pooja Rani. Asquith will box for gold in tomorrow’s final.

With this loss, Pooja settled for a bronze medal in the tournament. (ANI)

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently praised 15-year-old American singer Jonas Conner, who is gaining attention for his soulful voice and heartfelt songs.

The ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ actor took to his X account on Sunday to share an image of the teenager. Along with the picture, the actor added a note appreciating how Jonas has turned his struggles into music at such a young age.

“Never have I seen a 15-year-old turn his pain into something so beautiful. God bless you, #JonasConner. Listening on repeat: Father in a Bible, Peace with Pain, Oh Appalachia. Aise bacchon ko na support kiya toh phir kya kiya? Aisey bacchon ko Na support kiya toh phir kya kiya Bhaiyon aur behno ye English mein hai .. yahan par bhi aisey bohot hain Unhe encourage karo exploit nahi,” read his post.

Take a look

Never have I seen a 15 year old turn his pain into something so beautiful ..
God bless you #JonasConner
Listening on repeat
Father in a bible
Peace with pain
Oh Appalachia

Aisey bacchon ko Na support kiya toh phir kya kiya
Bhaiyon aur behno ye English mein hai ..
yahan… pic.twitter.com/L0tIdQBZfJ

— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) September 13, 2025

The actor is currently shooting for his upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’ in Leh.

Salman will be seen donning the Indian Army uniform in Apoorva Lakhia’s directorial Battle of Galwan, which is based on the Galwan Valley clashes at the India-China border in 2020.

At the same time, Salman continues to host the popular reality show ‘Bigg Boss 19.’ This season features contestants including Kunickaa Sadanand, Gaurav Khanna, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Neelam Giri, Ashnoor Kaur, Tanya Mittal, and Amaal Mallik.

Bigg Boss 19 streams on JioHotstar at 9 pm before its TV telecast on Colors TV at 10:30 pm. (ANI)