Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and chose to bat first against India in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash in Dubai. He said the pitch looks slow and his team wants to put runs on the board. Both India and Pakistan are playing the same XI as their last match. India are led by Suryakumar Yadav, while Pakistan continue with their young side. The match has high political and sporting tension, with massive security in place. Authorities in Dubai have warned fans of strict rules, with heavy fines and possible deportation for violations. (PC: X)

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Assam on Sunday evening at 4:41 pm, the National Center for Seismology reported. The epicentre was in Udalguri district at a shallow depth of 5 km. Tremors were felt strongly in Guwahati, where residents rushed out of their homes in panic. Shocks were also reported across northeastern states and in neighbouring Bhutan. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said no major damage or casualties were reported and added that the government is closely monitoring the situation. Former CM Sarbananda Sonowal also prayed for people’s safety. Assam lies in India’s most seismically active region. (PC: HT)

India and Pakistan meet today in the Asia Cup at Dubai International Stadium. The match begins at 8 pm IST. This is their first clash since India’s Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, come with strong form after beating UAE by 9 wickets. Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, rely on young players and a spin attack. Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar said Pakistan’s spinners may test India. Still, India look clear favorites. Tensions beyond cricket remain, but fans await another chapter of the rivalry. The match will be live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLiv. (PC: India Today)

Nepal’s new Prime Minister Sushila Karki has declared that those killed in the recent Gen Z protests will be honoured as martyrs. “Those killed in the crackdown on the Gen Z Revolution will be declared martyrs. Their families will receive financial aid of Rs 10 lakh, and assistance will also be extended to the injured,” Karki said in her first national address. The protests, sparked by a social media ban, soon grew into a movement against corruption and unemployment, leaving over 70 dead and 1,300 injured. Karki urged unity, saying, “We will not give up. We will work to restore our nation.” (PC: Reuters)

Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, organized London's "Unite the Kingdom" rally that drew over 110,000 anti-immigration protesters. The 41-year-old founder of the English Defence League is a prominent far-right figure with multiple prison sentences for contempt of court, assault, and mortgage fraud. He was recently released after being jailed for repeating false accusations about a Syrian refugee. The Saturday demonstration saw protesters carrying English and British flags chanting "we want our country back," resulting in 26 injured police officers and 25 arrests. A counter-protest by "Stand Up to Racism" drew 5,000 participants. This marked one of Britain's largest right-wing demonstrations in recent years. (PC: Evening Standard & X)

A powerful earthquake of 5.8 magnitude hit Assam on Thursday at 4:41 pm. The epicentre was in Udalguri district, with a depth of 5 km, officials said. Strong tremors shook Guwahati, forcing people to rush out of their homes in fear. “My legs are still shaking,” one resident shared on social media. Another said, “It felt like the roof would cave in.” People described the quake as terrifying and endless. No damage to life or property has been reported. Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal posted on X, praying for the safety and well-being of all residents. (PC: Wikimedia Commons/ Representational)

Over 150,000 protesters joined Tommy Robinson's "Unite the Kingdom" anti-immigration rally in London, chanting "We want our country back" while carrying English and Union Jack flags. The demonstration featured "great replacement" rhetoric, with speakers including Robinson, Elon Musk via video link, and French politician Eric Zemmour warning of European cultural destruction through migration. Musk controversially declared "violence is coming" and demanded government dissolution. Protesters displayed signs reading "Stop the boats" and tore Muslim, Palestinian flags. Prime Minister Keir Starmer remained silent, attending Arsenal's match instead. Liberal Democrats condemned Musk's "disgusting" violence threats. Counter-protesters numbering 5,000 organized a "March Against Fascism" response, calling the demonstration racist.

Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the country's first woman to hold the position, pledged a maximum six-month tenure, stating she's "not here to taste power" but to stabilize the nation. The former Chief Justice took oath Friday after K.P. Sharma Oli resigned following deadly protests over corruption and social media bans that killed 19 people. Karki promised to recognize Gen Z protest victims as "martyrs" and investigate vandalism during demonstrations that saw Parliament, President's Office, and government buildings torched. President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved Parliament and announced fresh elections for March 5, 2025. Karki suggested the protests appeared "planned," raising conspiracy questions about the nationwide agitation.

Political tensions escalated across India as effigies of Pakistani cricket players were burnt ahead of Sunday's Asia Cup clash, despite government approval for the match. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj led protests in Delhi, calling the decision a "gross humiliation" of Pahalgam attack victims' families. Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of terror victim Shubham Dwivedi, labeled BCCI's stance "insensitive" and urged complete boycott. Social media-driven boycott calls have gained traction, creating uncertainty about BCCI officials' attendance at the marquee event. Leaders from Congress, NCP, and AIMIM criticized the decision. While India maintains its bilateral series boycott since 2012-13, the government permits multilateral tournament participation, leading to this contentious Asia Cup showdown in Dubai.

Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, has called for a complete boycott of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match scheduled for Sunday. She urged people not to watch even on television, slamming BCCI for being "not sentimental" toward the 26 families who lost members in the attack. Dwivedi criticized Indian cricketers for not taking a stand, stating only 1-2 players opposed the match. She raised concerns about match revenue potentially funding Pakistani terrorism, questioning sponsors and broadcasters' nationalism. Despite her protests, India will play Pakistan on September 14 in UAE, following the Centre's policy permitting multilateral tournaments while maintaining the bilateral series boycott since Operation Sindoor.