The Nipah virus has claimed two lives in Kozhikode, Kerala, the union Health minister confirmed Tuesday. Two others are also infected. The first death occurred on August 30, the second on Monday. Kerala's Chief Minister said Nipah infection was confirmed after testing saliva samples of four people, of which two were positive. The state government has set up a control room in Kozhikode, advised using masks, and is monitoring those in close contact with the deceased. The Centre has sent a team to assist Kerala in containing the outbreak. The state government urged caution but said there is no need to panic as measures are in place to manage the situation.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte made an unexpected visit to bustling Bengaluru, embracing the local culture. As per reports, he was spotted cycling on Church Street, highlighting the city's business significance. Accompanied by security, Rutte warmly interacted with shop owners and locals, taking selfies and enjoying 'chai time.' He celebrated India's technological progress by paying for his tea with UPI. Rutte stated Bengaluru is the place for business, with the best companies, affirming its robust economic landscape. His casual engagement with citizens and acknowledgment of advancements underscored India's global standing. The prime minister's surprise sojourn left a mark on the city.

On Tuesday afternoon, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau finally departed from India after an extended stay caused by a glitch in his official aircraft. Trudeau's official aircraft faced an embarrassing malfunction, leaving him and his delegation stranded in Delhi for nearly two days. This incident occurred amidst strained relations with India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Trudeau for not addressing Khalistani elements in Canada. Trudeau's request for a bilateral meeting during the G20 summit was only met with a pull-aside. Canada has recently suspended free trade agreement negotiations with India. [photo: @Rajeev_GoI X handle]

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau remains stranded in India after his plane broke down after the G20 summit. A backup aircraft and spare parts are en route to retrieve Trudeau and his delegation. Trudeau will either flay back on the backup plane or wait for the original plane to be repaired, reports Bloomberg. The snag adds to Trudeau's troubles, who was criticised by PM Modi over alleged Canadian tolerance of Khalistani groups in Canada before the G20 summit started. The leaders did not hold a formal G20 bilateral meeting. Meanwhile, the delays also stirred domestic debate about Canada's crumbling infrastructure.

On September 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the enduring relevance of Swami Vivekananda's historic speech delivered exactly 130 years ago at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. In a social media post, PM Modi said Vivekananda's address emphasizing universal brotherhood and global unity continues to resonate and inspire even today as a guiding light. Swami Vivekananda's iconic 1893 speech is etched in history where he referred to the audience as 'Brothers and Sisters of America'. The speech articulated key life principles including patriotism, respect for all faiths, understanding religion, grasping science, recognizing ritual value, comprehending Hinduism's roots, awareness of science's aims, insight into India's decline and opposing religious conflict.

At the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the partnership between the two countries is crucial for stability and welfare in the region and world. He called Saudi Arabia one of India's most important strategic partners and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his role in the successful G20 summit hosted by India. The Saudi Crown Prince, who is on a state visit to India after the G20 meet, agreed there is great cooperation between the two countries to build opportunities for the future. He congratulated PM Modi on the G20 summit outcomes including the proposed Middle East-India-Europe economic corridor. The two leaders discussed boosting bilateral ties across areas like energy, trade, defense and healthcare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to India, co-chairing a Strategic Partnership Council meeting. They discussed advancing cooperation in trade, economy, defense, culture and connectivity. This second state visit comes after the Prince attended the G20 Summit where Saudi Arabia signed onto Modi's proposed India-Middle East-Europe corridor, seen as an alternative to China's Belt and Road initiative. With over $52 billion in bilateral trade, India and Saudi Arabia are major economic partners. The leaders aim to further security, political and energy ties. The high-profile visit underscores deepening strategic bonds.

Ahead of the G20 summit, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India has "done the right thing" by prioritizing its interests while appealing for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine war. In an interview, Singh stated that foreign policy has become more important in domestic politics now versus his tenure. However, he cautioned against using diplomacy for party gains. On China ties, Singh hoped PM Modi would protect India's sovereignty. He praised India's G20 presidency and Chandrayaan's moon landing. Overall, Singh backed India's balanced stance on Ukraine. (Image courtesy: ANI)

Nine retired Indian judges, including former Supreme Court justices, have written a letter to G20 leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging them to consider repatriating Indian children separated from their parents by state child agencies in Western Europe, the UK, US, Australia, and New Zealand. The judges argue that isolating these children from their families and kin leads to identity loss and advocate for a more compassionate solution, emphasizing the need for cultural understanding and good-quality translators in child protection proceedings. The letter references cases in Norway, the US, Germany, and Australia.

Amidst the 'India' versus 'Bharat' debate ahead of the G20 summit, an ANI video of PM Modi explaining the meaning of Bharat by citing the Vishnu Puran in 2019 is gaining traction. The controversy erupted as 'India' was replaced with 'Bharat' on G20 dinner invites, triggering a row between the BJP and the opposition bloc. In the video, the PM states BJP never makes hasty decisions, before reading the scripture excerpt equating Bharat with India. The video underscores the PM's erudition and provides insight into the philosophical underpinnings behind BJP's 'Bharat' emphasis, clarifying the rationale amidst political heat over the terminology.