The UNCCD has launched a Drought Resilience Index and Investment Facility. This initiative aims to strengthen global drought resilience by 2050. New AI tools will help countries assess and manage drought risks effectively. The facility will unlock finance for water security and land restoration projects. India advocates for proactive, technology-enabled drought preparedness over reactive relief.

The transition from LPG to piped gas has seen a mere 20% uptake among eligible consumers, which remains a concern for the government despite extensive promotional efforts. Households have been targeted with informational notices and camps, but the challenge persists. To spur conversion, new incentives for distributors are being rolled out, complemented by the introduction of nodal officers to enhance administrative support in the field.

“Govt of India stands with Nepal in this hour of crisis. I spoke with CMs of Bihar and UP regarding the disaster in Nepal. In border areas likely to be affected, local administration and rescue teams, along with NDRF, have been placed on high alert,” Shah said on X, expressing condolences to families of those who lost their loved ones in the disaster.

A group of dissidents that includes senior netas like Charanjit Channi and Sukhjinder Randhawa has been seeking the replacement of state chief Amarinder Raja Warring ever since the AICC announced a clutch of poll-related panels while sticking with Warring at the helm two months ago. Now, sources said, the dissidents themselves have proposed that a Hindu Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief be appointed.

The digital counterpunch against Rahul’s campaign obviously complements BJP’s efforts, but the party has denied any association with the website. The website itself makes no direct mention of the people behind it, but as it trended on social media, some attributed its creation to “nationalist researchers” and Gen Z-ers, the very generation Rahul is targeting in his hops across cities.

“We don’t approve of the caste census being done through this methodology. Govt should cancel the present questionnaire and prepare a fresh one through consultations with political parties, experts, and the public so that a correct headcount of every caste and community is collected and the caste census is precise, relevant, and beneficial,” it said.

The committee on health and family welfare has recommended that kidney transplant facilities be expanded to at least three govt medical colleges in large states and one in every small state and UT, besides setting time-bound targets to increase organ retrieval centres and transplant infrastructure, particularly in underserved and hilly regions.

The accident occurred around 5.30pm. Officials suspected the driver had lost control of the vehicle, which rolled into the gorge, killing six occupants — Mohd Shafiq (32), Nazakat Hussain (34), Sheraz Ahmed (30), Musarat Naz (19), Mohd Fareed (21), and Zulfat Bi (25) — on the spot, police said. Upon receiving information, cops reached the spot and launched a rescue operation with the help of locals.

“Terrorists often switch off such communication devices after contacting their handlers across the border,” said a source, adding that Iridium sets can be used on smartphones through the “Iridium GO!” mobile application, which creates a local Wi-Fi network that an iOS or Android phone can connect to. The operation continued until late Tuesday, but no satellite set or other suspicious material was found.

ustice Mehta, who also hails from Rajasthan HC, has accused Justice Sharma of lacking in leadership qualities and alleged there was maladministration and malpractice on both judicial and administrative sides of HC. CJI Kant told TOI that the matter can be resolved only as per the established mechanism. “The Supreme Court cannot allow individual complaints concerning judges to be determined through competing claims in the media,” he said.

These included advancing consultations for an “early and substantial harvest” of boundary delimitation, setting up more meeting points and hotlines to improve border management, improving understanding of LAC and addressing the ground situation through diplomatic and military engagements, and expanding trans-border trade and river cooperation. The consensus was announced in a rare joint statement after the talks.

The road transport ministry has proposed these changes, along with the mandatory provision for buses and other heavy vehicles to use genuine reflective tapes to improve visibility at night and in bad weather, through draft amendments to Central Motor Vehicles Rules. Amendments in automotive vehicle standards are being made because efforts to persuade drivers and make them aware of the need to use low-beam mode have not yielded desired results.

Speaking at the launch event in Lucknow, CM Yogi said the scheme was aimed at making the journey of women more convenient and dignified and strengthening their self-reliance.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday participated in the Shobha Yatra of Tapkeshwar Mahadev Ji, which commenced from Shivaji Dharamshala in Arhat Bazaar and will pass through major routes of Dehradun before reaching the historic Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple.

A fish controversy in Uttar Pradesh has highlighted the Nishad community's political significance. This community's vote has shifted loyalties and remains a key factor for parties. The BJP seeks to retain its OBC coalition while opposition parties try to gain support. Nishad leaders have historical ties to epic narratives and social justice movements. The 2027 elections will test alliances and demands for representation and livelihoods.

The BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi's «smash the patriarchy» remark, questioning its application within his party. BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj accused Gandhi of hypocrisy and lacking a positive agenda. She cited past Congress remarks against Kangana Ranaut and Hema Malini as examples. Gandhi's campaign focused on challenging patriarchal systems and empowering women's choices. He advocated for ending restrictions placed on women in Indian society.

The Cockroach Janta Party plans a September 5 march in Delhi over unmet demands. Three of four demands remain pending since the July 25 protest withdrawal. The party seeks compensation and withdrawal of FIRs against student protesters. Assurances were given by ministers after talks on July 25. The march will proceed from India Gate to the Police Headquarters.

In response to a surge in H1N1 and flu cases, Delhi schools are considering new safety protocols. Health Minister Pankaj Singh reassured the public, stating that the situation remains stable and should not instill panic. So far, Delhi has seen around three thousand influenza cases, with over two thousand attributed to H1N1. Hospitals are ready with adequate medical staff, medications, and isolation facilities to treat patients.

Asaduddin Owaisi has openly criticized the RSS and BJP for their connections to the Manusmriti, questioning their true allegiance to the Indian Constitution adopted in 1949. He emphasized the valiant efforts of Muslim freedom fighters during the resistance against British colonialism and pointed out VD Savarkar's letters to the British while imprisoned. The ongoing discourse regarding Manusmriti's relevance and constitutional principles is growing more fervent by the day.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh said the sevayats cover the donation box put up by the temple management committee with flowers to prevent devotees from putting their donations into it. These donations are then taken away by the sevayats, he said. Senior advocate Maninder Singh said the sevayats cover the donation box put up by the temple management committee with flowers to prevent devotees from putting their donations into it.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Pradeep Rai told a bench of CJI Surya Kant that Upadhyay was the whistleblower and the first to report the alleged misappropriation of monies donated by devotees at the Ayodhya temple. He said since UP Police is vindictive, investigations into the alleged road accident case lodged against him coupled with charges under SC/ST Act should be transferred to an independent agency.