Indian Railways plans special Vande Bharat trains from neighboring states to facilitate travel for fans attending the highly anticipated India-Pakistan cricket match at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium during the ICC World Cup 2023. The trains, departing from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, will arrive in Ahmedabad before the match and return passengers home post-game. This initiative addresses issues such as high airfares and limited accommodation, ensuring fans can witness the high-stakes clash conveniently. The match, viewed as significant as winning the ODI World Cup, holds immense public interest, and tickets sold out rapidly, emphasizing the rivalry's intensity. [Image: File]

Amidst escalating tensions between India and Canada over the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada has evacuated most of its diplomats in India to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. India demanded the reduction of Canadian diplomatic staff by October 10 to achieve parity, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations linking Indian agents to Nijjar's killing. India rejected the claims, expelling a Canadian diplomat in retaliation. India emphasized the need for diplomatic strength parity, asserting that some Canadian diplomats interfered in its internal matters. Discussions on mutual diplomatic presence are ongoing, with no indication of India reconsidering its stance.

The flash flood in Sikkim has claimed 21 lives till now, with 118 people still reported missing. Bodies of 7 missing army personnel have been recovered while 15 are still missing, informed CM Tamang. Army and NDRF teams are conducting rescue operations in the Teesta River basin and northern Bengal to find those swept away. Several towns, including Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo, are flooded. Around 3,000 tourists are stranded in various parts of Sikkim. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has closed all schools, colleges, and universities until 15 October due to inclement weather. Rescue efforts continue amid challenging conditions in the affected regions. Over 2,000 people have been rescued so far.

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Mahadev money-laundering case, joining a list of actors involved in promoting the app. Huma Qureshi, Hina Khan, and comedian Kapil Sharma were also summoned. Actor Ranbir Kapoor, previously summoned, sought a two-week delay to understand the source of funds he received for promoting the app. Around 100 people, including celebrities, are under ED's scrutiny for their involvement in the case, related to illegal betting on games through the Mahadev Book app, allegedly run by Dubai-based individuals. The app is being investigated for large-scale hawala operations and money laundering.

A man was arrested for stealing money from an astrologer's house in Kanpur after he and associates posted an Instagram reel flaunting the stolen cash. The astrologer Tarun Sharma had reported the theft to police and CCTV footage caught the crime. Unable to trace them, police cracked the case after the thieves shot a video showing off the loot on a hotel bed and shared it online. By digitally tracking the video, police arrested one thief and recovered around ₹2 lakh cash and two phones from him. The brazen social media stunt by the thieves led to the robbery being solved as they gave away their identity through the Instagram reel flaunting the stolen money. [Image: Grab from the Instagram Reel]

Prominent journalist organizations, including Digipub News India Foundation and Press Club of India, have urgently appealed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud following Delhi Police Special Cell raids on journalists and authors associated with NewsClick. The letter raised concerns about press freedom, citing the arrests of journalists under stringent laws like UAPA. It emphasized the need for judiciary intervention to safeguard constitutional rights, urging the framing of guidelines to prevent arbitrary device seizures and ensuring accountability of state agencies overstepping legal boundaries. Journalists expressed willingness to cooperate with genuine investigations but opposed sweeping actions threatening democratic values.

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Imphal West on Wednesday night as at least two houses were torched and several rounds of bullets fired in the New Keithelmanbi area. The perpetrators fled after the attack which triggered tensions locally. Security forces controlled the resulting blaze and prevented a mob of Meitei women from proceeding further. Additional forces have been deployed to maintain order. The incident follows prolonged ethnic clashes stemming from a 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3 which led to over 180 deaths so far. The violence highlights persisting tensions between Meiteis in the valley and Nagas/Kukis in Manipur's hill districts.

  Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has urged the central government to declare the recent devastating floods in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh as national disasters. Expressing condolences for lives lost, Kharge stressed the need for urgent rescue efforts and long-term collaboration between Union and state governments for sustainable rebuilding of infrastructure. He demanded adequate funds and a strategic approach for ecologically fragile Himalayan states. The Congress highlighted the urgency of declaring the floods national disasters to activate resources and coordinated action for relief and rehabilitation.

  Flash floods in north Sikkim, triggered by a glacial lake outburst, have claimed 14 lives, with 102 people missing so far. The incident occurred after a glacial lake at 17,000 ft burst due to incessant rains, leading to downstream flooding in Teesta river and affecting four districts. Rescue operations have saved 2,011 individuals, including 22 Army soldiers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured support, and schools in affected districts will remain closed until October 8. In neighboring West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reported 10,000 people rescued from flash floods in northern areas sharing the border with Sikkim.

Scientists and experts who visited the site are exploring if the massive Nepal earthquake Tuesday led to the sudden flooding from Sikkim's Lhonak Lake causing havoc in the Teesta basin on Wednesday. Both Nepal and Sikkim lie in the actively rising Himalayan zone that is prone to tremors. A CWC official said the quake may have triggered the vulnerable 168-hectare lake's flooding, with more than 100 hectares of water breaching banks. ISRO data showed the expanding lake drastically shrunk from 168 hectares before the quake to just 60 hectares after it struck. The Sikkim disaster also breached the Chungthang hydropower dam, the biggest hydropower project in the state.