Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war, saying every day of conflict pushes humanity backwards while peace brings hope. Modi’s appeal reflects India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy, as New Delhi maintains close ties with Moscow while also strengthening relations with Western nations. Putin responded politely but gave no clear commitment to halt the fighting. Russia’s leadership still appears to believe that military pressure will eventually bring victory, making an immediate peace deal unlikely. Modi’s remarks are not expected to damage India-Russia ties, which remain important for energy and defence cooperation. (PC: BBC)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif raised the Indus Waters Treaty issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, a day after India rejected a Hague-based Court of Arbitration ruling that the 1960 treaty remains legally binding. Sharif called water the “lifeblood” of the region, stressing its importance to millions, agriculture and future generations. He said shared water resources must never be used as a political weapon, coercive tool or source of political leverage. Sharif argued that treaties governing shared waters are solemn, binding international commitments that cannot be discarded for political convenience. His remarks came amid renewed tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty, with India rejecting the court’s ruling and maintaining its position on the treaty’s status.

A UN report has warned that more than 14 million people in South Asian cities including Kolkata, Mumbai and Dhaka face an “immediate risk” of losing their homes to permanent inundation as sea levels rise. The report said rising seas are already damaging infrastructure, water systems, transport, energy grids, buildings and groundwater, while increasing health, displacement and livelihood risks. Global sea levels rose 4.7 mm annually between 2014 and 2023, while 2024 recorded a record 5.9 mm rise. The UN also warned of growing glacial-flood risks across the Himalayas. Researchers identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal, China and India in 2020, with the actual number now estimated to be significantly higher. (PC: PTI)

India have announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, with Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson returning to the side. Shreyas Iyer will captain the team, while Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain. Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana have also been selected, subject to fitness clearance. The series will be played on September 13, 15 and 17 at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, with Afghanistan officially hosting. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi retains his place, while Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna and Prince Yadav miss out. Hardik Pandya and Kuldeep Yadav remain unavailable. India will seek a turnaround after consecutive T20I series defeats to England and Ireland. (PC: Times Now)

Former British prime minister Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as MP for London’s Holborn and St Pancras constituency, ending his parliamentary career and triggering a by-election. Starmer, 63, resigned as Labour leader and prime minister last month but had initially planned to remain in Parliament as a backbencher. In a statement issued as Parliament returned from its summer recess, he said he had spent the summer considering his future before deciding to leave the House of Commons. Starmer said he would now focus on international affairs, defence, security, trade and technology, citing the rapidly changing global environment. His departure marks the end of his political representation of the constituency. (PC: X)

India has confirmed that 227 Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian armed forces, of whom 139 have been discharged and 51 have died, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. Speaking during a Ministry of External Affairs briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyrgyzstan, Misri said India has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow and is seeking the early release and repatriation of those still serving. The Indian Embassy in Moscow is also regularly monitoring the situation. Misri said discussions with Russia remain ongoing to ensure the remaining Indians are discharged and returned to their families. He also highlighted plans to organise an Indian Exporters Forum in Russia to expand bilateral trade and diversify exports. 

A security breach has been reported at the Madras Regiment premises in Hyderabad’s Cantonment area after Army authorities discovered weapons and ammunition missing from a secured storage facility. Preliminary information indicates that four AK-47 rifles, six pistols and one INSAS rifle are among the missing arms, while ammunition has also reportedly disappeared. Army officials detected the loss on Sunday night and lodged a complaint with Bollaram Police on Monday. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the theft. Authorities are expected to examine access records, CCTV footage and other available evidence to determine how the breach occurred and whether anyone with authorised access may have been involved. (PC: X)

Nepal is facing the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods that have killed 1,003 people, while around 4,000 remain missing as rescue operations continue amid rain and fresh alerts. The disaster followed a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending a massive surge of water down the Bhotekoshi River. Floodwaters swept through settlements and caused extensive damage to roads, bridges and hydropower projects. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate survivors and recover bodies despite difficult conditions. Kathmandu has linked the scale of the disaster to climate change and is seeking compensation from major greenhouse-gas emitters. The catastrophe has caused widespread destruction across the country, leaving thousands affected.

Brishti Mukherjee, 28, daughter of Nihar Mukherjee, a cousin of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, died by suicide at her home in Kusumba village, Birbhum, on Tuesday. Her body was found hanging on the first floor around 9 am. According to her family, Mukherjee had been suffering from depression for several years and was undergoing treatment. She had also faced allegations of securing a primary school teaching job through the teacher recruitment scam, while she and her husband had filed for divorce. Rampurhat police are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. Her body has been sent to Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination, with further findings expected from the investigation and procedural inquiries. (PC: NDTV and Loksatta)

Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly fears that ending the Ukraine war without achieving his maximalist objectives, including capturing the entire Donbas region, could trigger a backlash from Russia’s elite and threaten his hold on power, according to The Economist. A Kremlin insider reportedly recalled Putin saying “they will hang me” when discussing the consequences of ending the war without securing his stated goals. The report suggests Putin views a negotiated settlement as a sign of weakness and believes a weak Russian leader cannot survive. Estonian intelligence chief Kaupo Rosin similarly warned that stopping the war could make Putin appear weak. Meanwhile, growing elite dissatisfaction, economic difficulties, Ukrainian strikes and mounting war costs are complicating Putin’s position. (PC: 19FortyFive)