Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to become the country’s longest continuously serving prime minister since Benito Mussolini, underlining the political stability of her government. Meloni, who took office in October 2022, is expected to reach the milestone on September 4. Her tenure has stood out in Italy, a country known for frequent changes of government. The leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party has maintained a stable coalition while balancing her conservative roots with a more pragmatic approach in government. However, she still faces challenges including slow economic growth, migration pressures and growing political competition. (PC: X)

Former India captain Sunil Chhetri said he will watch the national team’s upcoming matches against Brazil and Uruguay with “a little jealousy”, as he never got such an opportunity during his nearly 20-year international career. India face five-time world champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3 before playing Uruguay three days later. Chhetri urged the current generation to make the most of the opportunity. The 42-year-old also called on players, coaches, officials and the media to stop blaming one another for Indian football’s problems. He said everyone must take responsibility and work together to improve the sport. (PC: India Today)

Nepal is preparing for mass burials as mortuaries struggle to accommodate bodies recovered after devastating flash floods and landslides. Officials said many victims remain unidentified, with families still searching for missing relatives. DNA samples and other identification records are being preserved before unclaimed bodies are buried, allowing families to exhume them later if their identities are confirmed. The decision highlights the scale of the disaster, which has overwhelmed rescue and recovery teams. Authorities are continuing search operations in difficult conditions as hopes of finding survivors fade and the focus increasingly shifts to recovering and identifying the dead. (PC: The Indian Express)

Indian Army Aviation pilots carried out a daring high-altitude helicopter rescue at 18,600 feet near the Nun Kun massif in Ladakh’s Kargil district. The pilots undertook a high-casualty evacuation in the rugged Zanskar range, operating in extremely challenging Himalayan conditions. The operation demanded exceptional flying skills as helicopters face severe performance limitations at such altitudes due to thin air and difficult terrain. The Indian Army said the successful mission showcased the courage and professionalism of its aviation crews and their ability to carry out critical rescue operations in some of the world’s most demanding environments.  

China has removed General Zhao Zongqi, the former commander of the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theatre Command who oversaw Chinese forces during the 2017 Doklam standoff and the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes with India, from its top political advisory body. Zhao was stripped of his membership of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and removed from two other positions, PTI reported. A veteran of the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese war, Zhao became the first commander of the Western Theatre Command in 2016 after being appointed by President Xi Jinping. His removal comes amid China’s wider action against senior military officers over suspected serious disciplinary and legal violations. (PC: HT)

Economist Sanjeev Sanyal has blamed decades of economic decline and hostility to industry for Kolkata losing its once-prominent position in India’s technology sector. Speaking on a podcast, the PM-EAC member recalled that a strike was held in Kolkata when IBM brought large mainframe computers to the city. “One can say that the true founder of Bengaluru’s IT hub is actually Jyoti Basu,” Sanyal said, arguing that talent subsequently moved to Bengaluru. He said Kolkata was India’s biggest economic and industrial hub when he was born in 1970 and called for its revival to help drive growth across eastern India. (PC: Business Today)

For 43-year-old Mumbai-based mother Shivani Mehrotra, age was no barrier as she scaled Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, and unfurled the Tricolour on August 15. The Sitapur-born mountaineer began her summit push at 2 am, battling freezing temperatures, strong winds, low oxygen and heavy snow gear. “You cannot stop, you have to keep walking,” became her mantra as she reached the summit in four-and-a-half hours. An ultra-runner and yoga practitioner, Mehrotra has funded most of her expeditions through her savings. Now, after climbing Kilimanjaro and Elbrus, she has set her sights on Mount Everest and the Seven Summits. (PC: The Telegraph)

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev said he wished an Isha Foundation Kailash pilgrimage group had reached the Gyirong immigration centre “half an hour later” as 77 pilgrims remain unaccounted for after a devastating flash flood near the Nepal-Tibet border. Speaking in Kathmandu, he said the group arrived at the centre at 9:05 am, following its usual practice of reaching early to avoid long delays. The building was later washed away. The missing group includes pilgrims from 19 countries. With communications and roads disrupted, rescue teams are searching the disaster-hit region as families wait anxiously for information. (PC: India Today)

A ferry carrying nearly 270 passengers and crew capsized off northern Cyprus on Sunday while travelling from Kyrenia (Girne) to Taşucu in Turkey. At least seven people have died, while 237 have been rescued and 24 remain missing, according to Northern Cyprus authorities. The vessel reportedly began taking on water about 15 minutes after departure amid adverse weather conditions, roughly 7.5 kilometres offshore. Coast guard vessels, helicopters and civilian boats are conducting an extensive search-and-rescue operation. Survivors were brought to Kyrenia, with several receiving medical treatment. Authorities continue searching the waters around the overturned ferry for missing passengers.

India and Uzbekistan have agreed to establish a long-term uranium supply arrangement, strengthening cooperation in nuclear energy during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tashkent. Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed expanding strategic and economic ties, with uranium supplies expected to support India’s growing nuclear power programme and long-term energy requirements. The agreement is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, clean energy, connectivity and critical minerals. The two countries also agreed to elevate their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a significant step in India’s engagement with Central Asia. (PC: ANI)