World News Highlights: Earthquake of 4.2 magnitude hits eastern Nepal

A party leader said that the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the BJP will celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Article 370 abrogation here on Monday by holding the "Ekatma Mahatsav" rally. To ensure that there is law and order throughout the event, security has been stepped up in the area. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, among other opposition parties, have criticized the BJP for planning an event to commemorate the Article 370 abrogation.

Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, tweeted, "Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with G7 Foreign Ministers to discuss diplomatic efforts to prevent the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East."

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Authorities said that on Sunday, a 4.2-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Taplejung district of eastern Nepal. They said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The epicentre of the earthquake was located at Ankhop, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring Center. It stated that the nearby Panchthar district was also affected by the earthquake, which was detected at 4:04 PM.

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister, addressed the nation regarding the riots raging across the country and said, those who have participated in this violence will face the full force of the law. I guarantee you will regret taking part in this disorder, whether directly or by whipping up this action online.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is set to kickstart its poll campaign for Maharashtra assembly polls on August 20 in Mumbai, marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala says, "A meeting has been scheduled with the Maha Vikas Aghadi on 7th August where we will discuss about the upcoming elections in Maharashtra. We are certain that MVA will form a government in Maharashtra for which we will work together..."

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Sunday the arrival of F-16 fighter jets, marking a significant upgrade for the country’s Air Force. Speaking from an airbase near Kyiv, Zelensky described the arrival of these advanced aircraft as "a new chapter" in Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

India News Live: President Murmu leaves for state visit

A three-day general holiday has been issued by the administration on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Monday in order to protect the public. "A three-day general holiday on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday has been announced," said Farhad Hossain, the minister of public administration, told BSS this afternoon. Earlier, Dhaka implemented a curfew starting at 6 p.m. today for an indeterminate period of time. Metropolitan area, city corporations, and all divisional headquarters municipalities, business districts, and upazila and district headquarters.

Around 150 people have been shifted to a safe place. PMC is taking care of their food. Further action plan will be made as per the information that IMD will provide,” says Jayant Bhosekar, Deputy Commissioner (Motor Vehicles Department), Pune Municipal Corporation. The IMD had issued a red alert for the entire Pune district following heavy rainfall in the region.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday called on its citizens to leave Lebanon without delay, as regional tensions soar following high-profile killings in Tehran and Beirut blamed on Israel amid the Gaza war. The Saudi embassy in Beirut said in a statement posted on social media platform X that it was "following closely the developments in south Lebanon", near the border with Israel, and "reiterating its call for Saudi nationals to leave Lebanon's territory immediately".

According to news agency PTI, Assam CM also mentioned implementing a new domicile policy that would limit eligibility for government employment to individuals who were born in the state. Assam government will soon bring a law for life imprisonment in ‘love jihad’ cases, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a BJP meeting on Sunday

Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina has ordered the Home Ministry to release students detained during protests who are not accused of "serious crimes such as murder and vandalism".

On Sunday, the kin of nine children who perished in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar area due to the collapse of a wall received condolences from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The accident caused by the wall collapse in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh is heartbreaking," the Prime Minister's Office wrote in a post on X. I'm sending my sympathies to the families of the children that died in this. God grant them the fortitude to endure this suffering. I also hope that all of the injured people heal quickly. Additionally, PM Modi announced Rs 50,000 for the injured and Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.

The Prime Minister has declared that the next of kin of each person killed in the accident in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, will receive an ex-gratia payment from PMNRF of Rs. 2 lakh. According to PMO, the injured would receive Rs. 50,000.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweets, "I respect Didi, but I cannot accept her belief that the Jharkhand government is responsible for the floods in West Bengal. Both governments should work together to reduce the hardships of the people. Every year, water coming from Arunachal and Bhutan hills causes floods in Assam. However, we do not blame the Arunachal government or the Royal Bhutan government because we understand that water has no boundaries and it flows downhill naturally."

BSP chief Mayawati spoke on the Supreme Court ruling that the State can sub-classify SCs and STs to ensure greater reservations for some SC/ST groups over others in public employment and admission to government-run educational institutions. She said, the government did not oppose it. Instead, their lawyers presented such arguments that it helped the honourable Supreme Court in delivering this decision. Lawyers from either Congress’ side or representing the government, both facilitated the Supreme Court. This shows that their intention is not right, instead of ending the reservation given to SCs and STs themselves, they are trying to end it through the judiciary and they have mostly been successful in it

At least 24 people were killed in encounters involving sticks, knives, and pistols on Sunday between thousands of Bangladeshi protestors calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and supporters of the government. In contrast to the previous month's protests that frequently resulted in fatal crackdowns, protesters danced on the top of an armored car, and in multiple instances, police and troops refrained from interfering.

After termination, a passenger train coach derailed while it was traveling towards the yard in Saharanpur, UP. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Naveen Kumar of Ambala states, "I would want to provide clarification regarding the news that is doing the rounds in Saharanpur. The train had terminated and was heading into the yard. If the passenger train derails in the yard, one coach will be affected. It doesn't affect the movement of any other trains.

The sixth day of search and rescue activities in Wayanad's landslide-affected regions began today. There are currently 308 fatalities.

In a tweet, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal writes, "We extend a warm welcome to FM Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis, who is making his first-ever visit to India as a foreign minister." This visit will deepen our bilateral ties and usher in new phases of collaboration."

Amit Shah launched e-Evidence, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti and e-Summon in Chandigarh. Speaking at the event, Shah said, it is having the smell of our soil, and the 'Sanskar' of 'Nyay'. The objective is to give people justice. That is why it is not 'Dand Sanhita' but it is 'Nyay Sanhita'. I have been associated with it since the beginning. I can say that only the spirit of justice is there in it. I can say with confidence that it will be the most modern, and technically-equipped laws. Today forensic science universities are there in 8 states. It will be in 8 more states. On an annual basis, 36,000 forensic experts will be added. The justices will be benefitted from technology.

AAP politician and minister for Delhi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, says, "I wrote to LG Vinai Kumar Saxena in April citing the shortage of doctors. A severe scarcity of medical professionals exists. I sent out a letter once more, this time recommending that the doctors be hired under contract because the UPSC test process takes a long time. However, he did not issue an order to hire the doctors on a contract basis."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently assured that the NDA will secure victory in the 2029 elections. "Let the opposition do whatever it wants to do, in 2029 NDA will come, Modi ji will come," Shah said. He emphasized that the BJP has won more seats in recent elections than Congress did in three previous elections. Shah dismissed claims of government instability, promising that not only will the current government complete its term, but the next government will also be led by the NDA. He suggested that opposition parties should prepare to learn from their future role in opposition.

A Ukrainian drone strike killed a woman in the town of Shebekino, Belgorod region, Russia, according to regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. The incident occurred on Sunday.

People flocked to Mumbai's Marine Drive to witness the high tide as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for the city. The alert warns of heavy rain in Mumbai and its suburbs, with the possibility of very heavy rainfall at isolated places and gusty winds reaching up to 65 kmph.

Maharashtra Congress held a crucial meeting to strategize for the upcoming assembly elections. Key leaders, including state in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, state Congress President Nana Patole, Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat, Naseem Khan, and Nitin Raut, participated in the discussions.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state has suffered a loss of approximately Rs 700 crore due to recent natural disasters. "The state has suffered a loss of around Rs 700 crore and 55 people are missing; some bodies have also been recovered. We pray to God to have mercy on Himachal Pradesh," he stated.

The US Embassy in Lebanon has issued an urgent advisory for American citizens, urging them to leave the country immediately. "The US Embassy notes several airlines have suspended or cancelled flights, and many flights have sold out; however, commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available. Please see available flight options at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. We encourage those who wish to depart Lebanon to book any ticket available to them, even if that flight does not depart immediately or does not follow their first-choice route," the advisory stated.

"In a highly volatile security context, we once again call the attention of French nationals, particularly those passing through, to the fact that direct commercial flights and ones with stopovers to France are still available, and we invite them to make their arrangements now to leave Lebanon as soon as possible," the foreign ministry said in its travel advice notice for Lebanon.

The United States is deploying additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the Middle East in response to threats from Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. US and Israeli officials warn of a potential Iranian attack on Israel as early as Monday. Meanwhile, US citizens in Lebanon have been urged to leave immediately.

India has advised its nationals in Israel to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols amid escalating tensions. The Indian Mission in Israel urged citizens to stay close to safety shelters, assuring them that the embassy is closely monitoring the situation. Additionally, the Indian embassy in Lebanon strongly recommended that Indians leave the country. Air India has also temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv until August 8.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch several new initiatives in Chandigarh aimed at enhancing the criminal justice system and urban infrastructure. Shah announced that he would inaugurate the e-evidence, Nyay Setu, Nyay Shruti, and e-summon systems, which are designed to expedite and improve the criminal justice process. Additionally, Shah will inaugurate a 24x7 water supply project under the Smart City Mission in Manimajra. He expressed his anticipation for these programs, highlighting their significance in advancing Bharat's justice system and urban development.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray revealed that he met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss the recent rainfall situation and illegal activities around the Mutha River. Thackeray announced that Shinde has sanctioned Rs 10 lakh each for the families of two victims who died in the recent floods.

In Jammu & Kashmir's Ganderbal district, a cloudburst in the Cherwan Kangan area has led to extensive damage, affecting paddy fields, trapping several vehicles in debris, and flooding residential areas. The SSG Road near Padawbal is blocked due to overflow from a nearby canal, which has led to mud accumulation. Ganderbal SDM Bilal Mukhtar praised the community for their swift rescue efforts, noting that no casualties have been reported. He mentioned that while damage to low-lying houses is significant, residents have been moved to safer locations. Mukhtar advised travelers and Amarnath Yatra participants to stay informed and follow updates from the district administration.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh has criticized prominent opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Tejashwi Yadav, for their silence on the Ayodhya rape case. Singh accused them of remaining mute because the accused is Muslim, while claiming they are quick to unite against Sanatan when the opportunity arises.

Bihar Police have launched an investigation after the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Patna received an email threatening to blow up the building. The threat was reported on Sunday, prompting immediate security measures and a thorough inquiry by law enforcement officials.

In the Ayodhya gangrape case, Vishwanath Pal, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) state president, criticized calls for a DNA test, arguing that the victim's hospitalization and statement should suffice. Pal accused the Samajwadi Party of attempting to protect the accused through the DNA test request, claiming such tests were not required during their tenure. He condemned the government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' slogan as empty rhetoric and criticized the Samajwadi Party for not expelling the accused, Moeed Khan, from their rank.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai today. The alert indicates heavy rain across the city and its suburbs, with the potential for very heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

The Indian Army is actively engaged in rescue and restoration operations following the cloudburst on August 1 in Rampur's Samej. To aid these efforts, the Army has established temporary bridges to reconnect areas that were cut off, facilitating smoother rescue operations and providing essential support to affected communities.

A collision between a double-decker bus and a car on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway resulted in the deaths of seven people. SSP Etawah Sanjay Kumar Verma reported that the accident occurred around 12:30 am, with the bus traveling from Raebareli to Delhi. Four bus passengers and three car occupants died, while 20-25 others were injured and hospitalized.

In response to the increase in terror attacks, the government has implemented several measures, including the revival and modernization of Village Defence Guards (VDGs). Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh stated that the Army has also adjusted its strategy, though specifics remain confidential. The modernization efforts aim to better equip VDGs in safeguarding their communities.

Rescue and search operations in Wayanad have entered their sixth day following a devastating landslide. The death toll has tragically risen to 308 as teams continue to search for survivors and recover bodies from the affected area.

A massive fire broke out in a waste material warehouse in Delhi's Karala area on Saturday night, as reported by an official on Sunday. Visuals from the scene reveal huge piles of half-burnt waste material scattered on the floor. According to the Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) of Delhi Fire Service, the incident occurred in the Rohini sub-division, with the fire reported around 8:45 pm. Twelve fire tenders were dispatched to the location, where the blaze spread through the warehouse, consuming car seat cut material and shoe stuff.

Hezbollah announced it fired a barrage of Katyusha rockets into Beit Hillel in northern Israel on Sunday, marking the latest in a series of assaults to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Iran-backed militant group stated the attack was a direct response to Israeli strikes on the Lebanese towns of Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane, which allegedly caused civilian casualties.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump suggested an alternative debate with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News, set for Sept. 4 in Pennsylvania. Harris's campaign rejected the proposal, affirming her commitment to the originally scheduled ABC debate on Sept. 10. Trump stated the new debate would include a "full arena audience" and mirror the first debate's rules with President Joe Biden, who has since withdrawn from the race.

Severe cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh have caused widespread devastation. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with around 50 people feared dead and immediate relief efforts being provided.

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