India has deployed a specialised tunnel search and rescue team to flood-hit Nepal, joining the Nepali Army in operations at hydropower tunnel sites in the Chilime and Langtang regions. The move comes as Nepal’s disaster authority reported 788 deaths and at least 2,502 people missing after devastating flash floods. More than 9,435 people have been rescued so far. Road access to the hard-hit Rasuwa region has also been restored, allowing relief teams to reach areas previously accessible only by helicopter. Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Ministry said 149 Indian nationals have been rescued from the disaster-hit region. (PC: X)

Indian forensic experts have reached flood-hit Nepal to assist in identifying victims of the devastating disaster, while a 15-member technical team in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar remains on standby for DNA matching. The team includes forensic specialists and wet lab technicians, with specialised facilities prepared to examine biological samples, tooth fragments and skeletal remains recovered from Nepal. DNA profiling and matching procedures will begin as soon as samples arrive. The forensic effort comes as authorities face the difficult task of identifying bodies recovered from the flood-ravaged region, many of whom remain unidentified. (PC: NDTV)

Hundreds of foreign nationals remain missing after devastating floods struck Nepal’s border regions, with at least 320 Indian citizens among those unaccounted for. Nearly 100 Chinese nationals, 90 Americans, 62 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 41 Australians, 33 Britons and 30 Canadians are also reported missing. Smaller numbers of travellers from several other countries remain unaccounted for. The Nepal Tourism Board said 289 foreign nationals have been rescued since the floods began, while 591 people remained out of communication as of 6 pm local time on August 30. Search, rescue and evacuation operations are continuing across the affected areas. (PC: BBC)

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)

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)

India and Uzbekistan have upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with the two countries also agreeing to work towards a long-term uranium supply arrangement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the decisions after bilateral talks in Tashkent. They also set a target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030 and agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, energy, connectivity, technology and other strategic sectors. The leaders discussed expanding defence co-production and improving connectivity between India and Central Asia. Modi said the new partnership would give bilateral ties a broader and more ambitious direction. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Order of Oliy Darajali Dustlik, described as Uzbekistan’s supreme state award, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his state visit to Tashkent. The honour was given in recognition of Modi’s role in strengthening ties between India and Uzbekistan. The award ceremony came as the two countries sought to deepen cooperation and advance their strategic partnership. Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan is part of his wider Central Asia tour, during which he is holding high-level talks to expand bilateral and regional cooperation. (PC: India Today)

A saree became a lifeline for 21 Tamil Nadu pilgrims who survived deadly floods and mudslides in Nepal during their Mount Kailash pilgrimage. Trapped near Timure, the group escaped through the driver’s side of their vehicle and tried to climb a muddy hillside. With several women unable to climb, a pilgrim, Poonguzhali, gave her saree to her husband, Ratnakumar, who used it as a makeshift rope to pull them to safety. The group spent nearly two days stranded before being rescued and flown out by helicopter. The dramatic escape came as Tamil Nadu authorities continued efforts to trace pilgrims still unreachable. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a yoga event in Tashkent on Saturday during his two-day state visit to Uzbekistan, saying the country has developed a strong connection with yoga. Modi thanked President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for helping promote yoga and shared a video from the event. Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold delegation-level talks with Mirziyoyev. The leaders are expected to review the full range of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Tashkent, including cooperation rooted in longstanding cultural and people-to-people ties.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at the “One World, One Humanity” faith leaders’ conference in New York, said Hinduism is based on the unity of humanity and respect for different faiths. He stated that anyone who believes Muslims should have no place in Bharat cannot remain a Hindu. Bhagwat argued that India’s traditional philosophy accepts diverse religious paths while recognising common humanity. He also criticised politics driven by self-interest, saying social change should begin within communities through education, dialogue and selfless service. His remarks came during the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme. (PC: X)