On his 75th birthday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received warm wishes from world leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who praised his leadership and commitment to India’s growth. In a post on X, Meloni described Modi’s determination and ability to lead millions as a source of inspiration and wished him good health and energy to guide India toward a brighter future while deepening ties between the two nations.

Several other leaders also extended greetings. Russian President Vladimir Putin lauded Modi’s significant role in strengthening bilateral relations and acknowledged India’s achievements under his leadership. Former U.S. President Donald Trump called Modi to convey birthday wishes, appreciating his efforts and support in global matters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Modi a “good friend,” highlighting progress in India-Israel relations and looking forward to further cooperation.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates praised India’s progress and global contributions under Modi’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of the Gates Foundation’s partnership with India. Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recalling his 2023 visit for the G20 Summit, highlighted the growing UK-India relationship and extended his personal admiration as someone with Indian heritage. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and leaders from New Zealand, Myanmar, Guyana, and Dominica also joined in sending their wishes, underscoring Modi’s stature on the global stage.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@giorgiameloni.

Three people were trapped under debris in Dehradun’s Sahastradhara area after heavy rainfall triggered flooding and caused extensive damage to homes and properties across the state, officials said on Tuesday. Rescue teams from the district administration — including personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and Police — rushed to the spot and launched operations. NDRF Assistant Commandant Ajay Pant said the situation was severe due to cloudbursts, with major damage to houses and infrastructure. He added that the search had to be paused at one point as fresh debris and water continued to flow down from the hills.

Operations also extended to Malnigad and Majad villages in Sahastradhara. In a separate incident, disaster response teams rescued around 200 students stranded at the Devbhoomi Institute campus in the Paunda area after heavy rain caused waterlogging. The SDRF reported that all students were safely evacuated despite challenging conditions.

Meanwhile, widespread damage to roads, houses, and other infrastructure was reported from several parts of Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited affected sites in Sahastradhara, Raipur, Kesarwala, and Maldevta. At Maldevta, a 100-meter road was washed away due to strong water flow. He noted that homes, government property, and livelihoods had been badly hit, while connectivity in several areas remained disrupted. Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured full support in relief efforts.

The Chief Minister said he is in constant touch with the local administration and personally monitoring the situation. Uttarakhand Police also appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel and stay safe. The heavy downpour caused the Sahastradhara river to overflow, bringing debris into the main market area. Several shops and hotels suffered extensive damage as floodwaters swept through.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI

The Delhi government is preparing to launch a one-time amnesty scheme for vehicle owners, which will offer a waiver of 50 to 70 percent on pending traffic fines, according to a report by The Times of India. Under the scheme, violators are expected to have a two to three-month window to settle the reduced fines. A transport department official noted that the proposal was discussed in a high-level meeting. Scheduled to be implemented in the coming months, the initiative aims to address the significant backlog of unpaid challans.

The report cited an official saying that this would be a one-time relief for vehicle owners, urging people to take advantage of the opportunity to clear their dues, as stricter measures, such as registration cancellation, could follow. Another senior official told the newspaper that the purpose of the scheme is to clear long-standing challans, which would help reduce court workloads and encourage better compliance.

The amnesty is expected to cover both traffic and transport-related challans. Transport department challans are issued for offences like expired Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC), driving on the wrong side, and overloading, while traffic police handle violations such as riding without a helmet, jumping red lights, and speeding. Only minor offences will be eligible under the amnesty, while serious violations, including drunk driving, unauthorized driving, and driving without a valid licence, will be excluded. Some of the most common parking and traffic violations in Delhi include obstructive parking, with 419,230 challans issued; driving without a licence, totaling over 200,000 challans; missing PUCC certificates, with 373,197 challans; and riding two-wheelers without helmets, accounting for 259,123 challans.

To enforce traffic discipline, traffic police and transport department teams often use a mobile application to record violations on the spot. A text message is then sent to the violator’s registered phone, and fines can be paid online via the official portal. Despite these measures, many violators delay payments, often waiting for Lok Adalat sessions where fines are frequently reduced. Additionally, the lack of interest or penalties for late payments discourages timely compliance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan cricket match in the 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14, has turned into a fiery controversy, sparking vehement calls for boycott from various quarters across India. This showdown, traditionally one of the most electrifying fixtures in cricket, is unfolding amid heightened political tensions following recent terror attacks and military operations, polarizing both fans and the broader public discourse.

Since the brutal attack in Pahalgam earlier this year that claimed 26 lives, followed by India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan, the prospect of India facing Pakistan on the cricket field has ignited strong emotions. Many voices, including former cricketers, celebrities, veterans, and politicians, urge the public, players, and cricket governing bodies to boycott the match as a statement against what they see as Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of terrorism.

Prominent supporters of the boycott emphasize that engaging in sport with Pakistan so soon after the deadly conflict sends a conflicting message, perceived as disregarding the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and victims of terrorism. This sentiment has been echoed by some IPL franchise teams, notably the Punjab Kings, which staged a unique protest by intentionally omitting Pakistan’s name in their social media announcements ahead of the match, a move that triggered intense reactions online.

The petition to cancel the match even reached the Supreme Court, which, however, declined urgent intervention, stating that sport must continue despite political troubles. Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially aligned with the government’s stance to participate in multilateral tournaments such as the Asia Cup but avoid bilateral series with Pakistan. Despite this, an "invisible boycott" by BCCI officials is reportedly in motion, with minimal official presence expected at the match venue.

On the ground, Indian players remain focused purely on cricket. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stressed that the team is concentrating on the game, remaining unaffected by political tensions. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, meanwhile, leads a team determined to uphold sporting excellence amid external turbulence. Pakistan, too, enters the match with confidence under captain Salman Agha, aiming to demonstrate that cricket can transcend conflict on the field.

Historically, India-Pakistan Asia Cup encounters have been a cricketing spectacle charged with emotional intensity and massive viewership, creating some of the tournament’s most memorable moments. However, this year’s match marks a stark difference with empty stadium warnings, unsold tickets, and sponsors withdrawing support in protest, reflecting the deep fissures between sport and politics in the subcontinent today.

This Asia Cup India-Pakistan clash, beyond sport, is a mirror reflecting the ongoing geopolitical challenges, national sentiments, and the complex interplay between cricket and diplomacy in South Asia. For many, the big question remains whether cricket can truly unite or if the shadow of conflict will continue to overshadow the beloved game’s ability to inspire harmony.

This unfolding saga offers essential insights into how sport operates in conflict contexts and serves as a vivid reminder that in regions marked by tension, every cricket match can carry profound significance far beyond boundaries and wickets. As the Asia Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Dubai—not just for the cricket but for what this match symbolizes in an era of strained relations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

Russia faces criticism for violating Poland’s airspace with drones, while Israel continues its military operations, following a strike in Doha with additional air raids in Yemen. Andrea Heng and Genevieve Woo discuss the potential for escalation and the broader implications of these conflicts with Dr. Jessica Genauer, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Flinders University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, member nations officially approved the creation of a new Development Bank, marking a significant milestone after ten years of deliberations. The bank aims to enhance regional efficiency and promote social development among member states. Andrea Heng, Hairianto Diman, and Rani Samtani explore its importance and compare it with institutions such as the BRICS Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in a discussion with Dr. Flavia Zimmermann, Lecturer in Public Policy at the University of Melbourne’s School of Social and Political Sciences.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

In today’s screen-driven world, managing children’s digital use is less about strict bans and more about creating balance through empathy, structure, and engagement. Parents can support healthy habits by understanding why kids are drawn to screens, encouraging open conversations, and offering appealing offline alternatives like creative projects or outdoor activities. Differentiating between passive use, such as endless scrolling, and active, educational screen time helps transform technology into a positive tool for growth. Modeling mindful behavior, setting family boundaries like device-free meals, and using parental controls alongside ongoing discussions teach kids responsibility and digital literacy. Since screen time management is a flexible, ongoing process, the aim is not to remove screens entirely but to prevent them from overshadowing rest, social connections, and physical activity, helping families thrive as balanced digital citizens in 2025 and beyond.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

This story explores the power of reinvention beyond traditional career paths, showing how stepping away from corporate life can lead to freedom, self-direction, and deeper purpose. While the transition often brings challenges like loneliness and the loss of professional validation, it also opens doors to building new connections and communities outside of work. One inspiring example is embracing physical challenges such as Hyrox, where starting a demanding fitness journey at midlife becomes both a personal test and a way to connect with others. The discipline and resilience required to train mirror the courage needed to reshape one’s life beyond corporate structures. Ultimately, the journey highlights that growth and transformation have no age limit, and fulfillment comes not from following the expected route but from creating a path that feels truly authentic.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.