Month: September 2025

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has extended his prayers and support to the people of Punjab, as floods have caused extensive damage. Heavy rains have submerged parts of the state, displacing thousands, damaging homes, and destroying crops.

Taking to his X account on Wednesday, the actor said his “heart goes out” to those suffering in Punjab, adding that the “spirit of Punjab shall never break.”

“My heart goes out to those in Punjab impacted by these devastating floods. Sending prayers and strength… The spirit of Punjab shall never break… may God bless them all,” wrote SRK.

Earlier in the day, actress Alia Bhatt also shared her thoughts for those caught in the crisis and offered her “love, strength, and prayers” to families struggling in the disaster.

“My heart goes out to everyone affected by the floods in Punjab. Sending love, strength, and prayers to all those impacted, and gratitude to the people working tirelessly on the ground to help. May every family find the support they need to heal and rebuild,” she wrote on her Instagram Story.

Several celebrities, including Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Johar, and Sidharth Malhotra, among others, have shown their sincere concern over the adversity.

Sidharth Malhotra, posting on X, wrote that his “heart goes out to everyone affected by the floods in Punjab” and prayed for “strength, safety, and relief for all.”

Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has adopted ten of the worst-hit villages in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, working closely with NGOs and local authorities to help people on the ground.

Actor Sanjay Dutt also expressed his support. “The devastation caused by the floods in Punjab is truly heartbreaking. Sending strength and prayers to everyone impacted. I will support in every way I can. May Babaji bless and protect all in Punjab.”

On Monday, singer-actor Ammy Virk also announced on Instagram that he and his team had adopted 200 homes of affected families.

“Our hearts ache seeing the devastation the floods have caused in Punjab. Seeing our people without a roof over their heads has left me devastated. In our small effort to bring comfort and stability, we are adopting 200 houses to support those who have lost everything. This is not just about shelter — it’s about giving hope, dignity, and strength to start again,” he said.

Floods in Punjab have affected 23 districts and impacted over 3.5 lakh people. (ANI)

Television actor Ashish Kapoor has been arrested from Pune in Maharashtra in connection with an alleged rape case registered at Civil Lines police station area in the national capital, police said.

Kapoor was held in Pune after police tracked his movements across multiple locations, they said.

According to police, the complainant woman alleged that Kapoor assaulted her inside a bathroom during a house party in Delhi in the second week of August. An FIR was registered on August 11, after which the police began searching for him.

Officials also said that the woman had named some other individuals in her initial complaint, but later changed parts of her statement. The initial complaint alleged that Kapoor, along with unidentified men, had raped the woman. However, she later revised her statement, accusing only Kapoor of rape. Police added that they are also taking legal opinion on the matter.

Meanwhile, an investigation is underway, and police are probing the matter from all possible angles. (ANI)

Authorities in Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) on Wednesday ordered the closure of all government and private schools on September 4 following heavy rainfall and weather alerts issued for the region.

The decision was taken as a precautionary measure after incessant rains triggered landslides in several hilly areas, disrupting everyday life and posing risks to student safety.

Further, the official statement mentioned that online classes may be conducted wherever feasible.

“In continuation of this office order DSEJ/GEN/46208-46 dated 02-09-2025 8 in reference to the weather alert issued by the DAD and also keeping in view the incessant rains, landslides, flash floods, and severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, all government and private schools across Jammu Division shall remain closed till 05-09-2025 to ensure the safety of students and staff. It is further ordered that online classes shall be conducted wherever possible to maintain continuity of education,” read an official order.

Meanwhile, an advanced survey team of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday arrived in Jammu to inspect the rain, flood, and landslide-affected areas of the region and take stock of the damage caused by the natural calamity, officials said.

Officials suggest that the team will assess the damage and prepare a report based on their inspection, which will be followed by further assistance from the central government.

The move followed the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asking the MHA to step in this direction with advice to leverage data analytics and Artificial Intelligence.

On September 1, during his visit to Jammu, Shah directed the MHA to take steps towards the issue with an instruction to study the cause behind the calamity in close coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA and the IMD were instructed to find the relationship between the tendencies leading to cloudbursts in the Jammu division and moisture content in clouds, identify causes, and establish an early warning system.

Shah had met the flood-affected people in Mangu Chak village in Jammu during his visit, and inspected the Tawi Bridge at Bikram Chowk, the Shiv Temple, and homes damaged by floods in the division.

After the visit, the Minister also chaired a high-level meeting to review the latest situation in the region.

Shah had also stressed that a critical analysis of all Early Warning Apps (EWAs), their accuracy, and their reach to the grassroots level is necessary.

He had also announced that a meeting of relevant departments from the central government and the Union Territory administration, along with the Union Home Secretary, would be held within one to two days.

More than 5,000 people have been evacuated to safer places as a precaution. Seventeen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 23 Army columns, helicopters from the Indian Air Force, the Union Territory Disaster Response Force, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel are still engaged in the entire operation, helping people. (ANI)

The rising water level of the Yamuna River has led to severe flooding in several parts of Delhi on Wednesday, prompting large-scale evacuations and relief measures.

Low-lying areas along the river have been worst hit, with Yamuna Khadar, Mayur Vihar Phase-I, and Nigam Bodh Ghat inundated. Floodwaters also entered the Monastery Market and nearby residential and commercial areas.

Meanwhile, relief camps have been set up in affected areas, including Yamuna Khadar, Mayur Vihar Phase-I. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has intensified its operations.

NDRF Commandant Gyaneshwar Singh confirmed that multiple teams have been deployed. “The people living in the low-lying areas have been shifted to safer locations. Our teams have been deployed here since last night…14-18 teams are on standby…Four teams are deployed here,” Singh said to ANI.

Moreover, in Yamuna Bazar, residents were evacuated and shifted to safer locations as water flooded into homes.

Villagers in Old Usmanpur and Old Garhi Mendu faced a similar crisis. Families, along with their cattle, were forced to vacate their homes after water from the overflowing Yamuna River entered the two nearby villages.

Rakesh, a resident of Old Usmanpur, told ANI, “The water level is increasing rapidly, and it has entered many houses. We were given an order to vacate our house two days ago. The relief tents have now been established here. There are no facilities, the administration is with us, but the facilities are zero. Around 2,500 people with their cattle reside in this village. All the animals were rescued in time.”

The flooding is not confined to Delhi alone. Areas around the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida Sector 167 are flooded, as the water level of the river increases following heavy rainfall.

Earlier today, the water level of the Yamuna River in Delhi crossed the danger level mark. The warning mark for the city is 204.5 metres, while the danger mark is 205.33 metres. Evacuation of people starts at 206 metres. The water level is rising due to continuous heavy rainfall in Delhi for the past few days.

As a preventive measure amid the anticipation of the possible flood situation, people residing in the low-lying areas nearby have been shifted to safer locations.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the forecast for today says, “Generally cloudy sky with moderate rain”. “Thunderstorm with rain” for tomorrow, “Generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” for September 5, “Thunderstorm with rain” for September 6, and “Generally cloudy sky” for September 7 and 8. (ANI)

Visiting army reservists called up for duty on Tuesday, Israel’s military chief of staff vowed to “intensify and deepen our operation” against Hamas.

“Hamas will have no place to hide from us,” said the Israel Defense Forces’ top officer, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, who met with troops at the Nachshonim Base in central Israel.

“We are preparing for the continuation of the war. We are going to intensify and deepen our operation, which is why we also called you. We have already begun the maneuver in Gaza so that there will be no doubts. We are already entering places that have not been entered until now and are acting there with force,” Zamir said.

The Israeli military has begun mobilizing thousands of reservists for an offensive into Gaza City, the last major Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip.

About 130,000 reservists and five regular divisions are expected to take part in the operation, which will unfold in stages and extend into 2026. Two divisions already maneuvering in the Strip have begun encircling Gaza City, while additional brigades are gathering in staging areas nearby.

In August, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee authorized the army to summon up to 430,000 soldiers. The IDF said call-up orders would be staggered, with 40,000 to 50,000 reservists reporting on September 2, followed by additional waves in late 2025 and early 2026.

Not all the reservists will be sent into Gaza; many will replace standing troops on other fronts.

Reservists have faced repeated call-ups since Hamas’s October 7 attack. Emergency orders allowing the army to summon large numbers of civilians on short notice have been renewed every few months. In peacetime, such mobilizations are tightly limited, and soldiers must be given advance notice and shorter service terms.

Approximately 1,200 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, about 20 are believed to be alive. (ANI/TPS)

Heavy rains lashed parts of Delhi-NCR on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the forecast for Delhi is “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” today. A “thunderstorm with rain” has been predicted for tomorrow, followed by “generally cloudy sky with moderate rain” on September 5, “thunderstorm with rain” on September 6, and “generally cloudy sky” on September 7 and 8.

Following the early morning showers, the Yamuna water level touched 207 metres at the Old Railway Bridge around 1 pm.

The river continues to flow above the danger mark of 205.33 metres. Officials said the all-time high was 208.66 metres.

Relief camps have been set up in Yamuna Khadar and Mayur Vihar Phase-I, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has intensified rescue and relief operations.

NDRF Commandant Gyaneshwar Singh said multiple teams were on the ground. “The people living in the low-lying areas have been shifted to safer locations. Our teams have been deployed here since last night…14-18 teams are on standby…Four teams are deployed here,” Singh said.

In Yamuna Bazar, residents were evacuated as floodwater entered homes. Villagers in Old Usmanpur and Old Garhi Mendu faced a similar crisis. Families, along with their cattle, were forced to vacate after the river overflowed into their neighbourhoods.

Rakesh, a resident of Old Usmanpur, told ANI, “The water level is increasing rapidly, and it has entered many houses. We were given an order to vacate our house two days ago. The relief tents have now been established here. There are no facilities, the administration is with us, but the facilities are zero. Around 2,500 people with their cattle reside in this village. All the animals were rescued in time.”

Flooding was also reported outside the capital, with areas around the Yamuna River in Noida’s Sector 167 inundated following the heavy rainfall. (ANI)

Amid heavy rainfall in several Indian states, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alert warnings for several districts across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, northern Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, southwest Uttar Pradesh, northwest & eastern Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

The updated nowcast suggests moderate to intense spells of rain in these regions over the next three hours, posing risks of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging.

According to IMD, districts under red alert in Jammu & Kashmir include Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Ramban, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. In Punjab, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Nawashahr, Rupnagar, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, and Sangrur are under red alert; while in Himachal Pradesh, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, and Solan are under similar warnings. Haryana’s Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, and SAS Nagar are also under the same warning.

Between 8:30 am on Tuesday and 5:30 am on Wednesday, several regions in Jammu & Kashmir witnessed significant rainfall. The highest was recorded in Reasi at 203 mm, followed closely by Katra at 193 mm, Batote at 157.3 mm, Doda at 114 mm, and Baderwah at 96.2 mm. Jammu city itself received 81 mm, while other stations such as Banihal (95 mm), Ramban (82 mm), Kokernag (68.2 mm), and Pahalgam (55 mm) also saw heavy rainfall.

Moreover, rainfall was also reported in Srinagar (32 mm), Samba (48 mm), Kishtwar (50 mm), Rajouri (57.4 mm), Srinagar (32 mm) and Qazigund (68 mm) during the same period.

Fresh data up to 6:45 am on September 3 showed extremely heavy rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi at 230.5 mm.

Apart from Jammu & Kashmir, widespread rainfall was also observed across several states. From 8:30 pm on Tuesday to 5:30 am on Wednesday, heavy rainfall occurred in Chhattisgarh, while moderate rainfall was reported in parts of Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, coastal Odisha, coastal Maharashtra, coastal Karnataka, and the Andaman Islands.

Meanwhile, all government and private schools across Jammu Division will remain closed on September 3 in view of inclement weather and safety concerns, the Directorate of School Education Jammu announced on Tuesday. (ANI)

Days after US President Donald Trump justified the 50 percent tariffs imposed on Indian imports, claiming that the business ties between the two nations had been “totally one-sided” for many decades, the latter once again on Tuesday (local time) staunchly defended his position while stating that New Delhi was getting along with Washington “very well”.

Responding to queries about reconsidering the tariffs on India at the White House, Trump reiterated that the trade relationship with India had been “one-sided” for many years, claiming that New Delhi had been charging the US some of the highest tariffs in the world, creating an imbalanced trade scenario.

“We get along with India very well. But India, for many years, it was a one-sided relationship… India was charging us tremendous tariffs. They were the highest in the world… And we, therefore, were not doing business with India, but they were doing business with us because we weren’t charging them foolishly… So they sent in everything they made and poured it into the country… But we would not send in anything, as they were charging us with 100 per cent tariffs,” the US President said.

He gave the example of the American motorcycle company Harley Davidson, highlighting the challenges faced by it due to what he claimed was a 200 per cent tariff on motorcycles imported into India.

“Harley Davidson couldn’t sell in India, as there was a 200 per cent tariff on a motorcycle… Harley Davidson went to India and built a motorcycle plant, and now they don’t have to pay tariffs,” he added.

Trump also pointed out that thousands of companies, especially car manufacturers from China, Mexico, and Canada, are choosing to build their products in the US to avoid tariffs and benefit from protective policies.

“Now thousands of companies are coming into the US… Traditionally, car companies… They are coming from China, Mexico, Canada… They want to build here because, number one, they like to be here, and number two, the tariffs are protecting them. And number three, they want to avoid paying tariffs. When you build their cars here, you don’t have any tariffs,” he further stated.

Earlier in a post on Truth Social, the US President had claimed that the business relationship between India and the US for many decades has been “totally one-sided”, “one-sided disaster” and also that “they have now offered to cut their tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late”.

He stated that India has charged the US “such high tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India”.

“What few people understand is that we do very little business with India, but they do a tremendous amount of business with us. In other words, they sell us massive amounts of goods, their biggest “client,” but we sell them very little – Until now a totally one sided relationship, and it has been for many decades. The reason is that India has charged us, until now, such high Tariffs, the most of any country, that our businesses are unable to sell into India,” he said.

“It has been a totally one sided disaster! Also, India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia, very little from the U.S. They have now offered to cut their Tariffs to nothing, but it’s getting late. They should have done so years ago. Just some simple facts for people to ponder!!!” the post added.

New Delhi is facing global uncertainties due to heightened economic tensions following the US imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, which was supplemented by an additional 25 per cent due to its purchase of Russian crude oil. (ANI)

Asserting that the US cannot confront China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific alone, former US adviser Mary Kissel emphasised India’s critical role in the partnership with the United States, noting that Washington does need New Delhi’s support to counter Beijing’s growing influence in the region.

During an interview with Fox News, Kissel, who served as a senior adviser to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, highlighted the necessity of a strong India-US partnership amid economic tensions between the two nations, particularly due to Washington’s imposition of a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, which included an additional 25 per cent due to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian crude oil.

“If we are really serious about considering Communist China the greatest threat to the United States and our way of life, we need India. It’s just a fact. We can’t fight them alone in the Asia-Pacific,” she stated.

Her remarks followed the conclusion of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council summit in Tianjin, China, during which Prime Minister Modi held bilateral engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit.

PM Modi and Xi Jinping, during their bilateral meeting, recognised the role of India and China’s economies in stabilising the global trade, according to a Ministry of External Affairs statement on Sunday.

They also welcomed the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in October 2024.

Meanwhile, during his engagement with Putin, PM Modi emphasised the strong relationship between India and Russia, stating that both nations have always stood shoulder to shoulder, even in the most challenging situations.

Kissel also pointed out that India’s engagement during the SCO summit could pose a significant challenge to the Trump administration in dealing with China’s assertiveness.

“We need the heft of not just Australia, not just our friends in Japan, but also India. I think this meeting is highlighting a major challenge for the Trump administration,” she added. (ANI)