Preparing Bathukamma at home is an opportunity to bring family members together through flowers, colour and traditional worship. The arrangement is built in circular layers that become smaller towards the top, creating a cone-shaped floral stack. Alongside the preparation, choosing comfortable festive clothing and using natural materials can make participation easier. This guide explains the flowers commonly used, the steps involved and practical tips for the f

The Russia travel warning remains at Level 4 as the US Embassy issues an Irkutsk alert over a suspected plague case. While the WHO update says the wider plague risk is very low, Americans are still urged to avoid Russia because of security and wrongful-detention concerns. US keeps Level 4 Russia warning as Irkutsk case draws attention The United States has reiterated its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for Russia while issuing a new

US visa revocations have surpassed 250,000 since President Donald Trump returned to office, according to the State Department. The total includes cases involving criminal conduct, visa violations, fraud and about 2,300 revocations connected to birth tourism. The U.S. State Department says it has revoked more than 250,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, marking a major increase in immigration screening and post-issuance enforcem

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has used the United Nations General Assembly to describe last month’s devastating floods as a warning that extends far beyond Nepal. He said rising temperatures are increasing pressure on the Himalayan environment and urged wealthier nations to help vulnerable countries finance adaptation and recovery. Himalaya faces growing climate risk Addressing the 81st

The FSSAI paneer labelling proposal aims to tighten analogue paneer labelling rules and improve paneer substitute disclosure, helping consumers clearly identify traditional dairy paneer and substitute products.   Analogue paneer labelling rules may tighten The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed s

The Mecca Defence Pact is facing its first major test as Saudi Arabia comes under repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks. Pakistan and Turkiye have backed Riyadh diplomatically, but neither has launched a direct military response, raising questions about how the pact’s collective-defence clause works in practice. Mecca Defence Pact

Disney has named Karandeep Anand its first companywide chief technology officer, effective October 2, 2026. The former Character.AI CEO will oversee technology, infrastructure, data, AI, product and engineering as Disney expands its digital strategy. The Walt Disney Company announced on September 18, 2026, that Karandeep Anand will join the company as senior executive vice president and chief technology officer, a newly cr

UFC 331 brings a high-stakes flyweight title rematch to Los Angeles, with Joshua Van defending against former champion Alexandre Pantoja after their first fight ended abruptly because of injury. Van and Pantoja return for unfinished business UFC 331 takes over Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 19, 2026, headlined by Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja 2. Their first meeting at UFC 323 lasted only 26 seconds. Pantoja suffered an elbow injury in

Are dakshina and Hindu priest payments taxable in the US? IRS rules generally treat compensation for religious services as taxable income. Temple salary, direct ceremony payments, self-employment tax and qualifying housing allowances can follow different rules. Payments made to Hindu priests in the United States can be taxable even when described as dakshina, honorarium or offerings. For federal tax purpo

UPI charges from October 15 2026 will mainly affect eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free, while fuel, rail, insurance and utility payments get special MDR rates.   UPI charges from October 15 2026 will introduce a revised fee structure for certain merchant payments, while most everyday users will continue to make personal UPI transfers without charges. Under the n

When an Indian citizen dies in the US, the appropriate Indian Consulate can help the family with death registration, documentation, coordination with local authorities and repatriation formalities. In qualifying cases, financial assistance may also be considered. When an Indian citizen dies in the United States, the Indian Consulate responsible for the state where the death occurred can b

The cost to repatriate a body from the US to India varies by funeral home, departure city, airline, preparation requirements and destination. Private providers commonly quote several thousand dollars, with funeral services, embalming, casket preparation and air cargo forming major expenses. Families arranging international repatriation after a death in the United States can face expenses running into several thousand dollars. There is n

When an Indian dies in the US, the family may need to coordinate with local authorities, a funeral home and the appropriate Indian Consulate. This guide explains the basic repatriation process, required documents, transportation arrangements and where families can seek assistance. When an Indian dies in the US, bringing the deceased person's mortal remains back to India can involve several agencies. Families may need to work wi

Mohammed Jaber Hussain, a 27-year-old Hyderabad native living in Lowell, Massachusetts, died on September 14, 2026. His family is seeking assistance to repatriate his mortal remains to India, prompting appeals for support from authorities and the Indian community. Hyderabad family seeks urgent assistance International transportation of mortal rem

The Indian Embassy in Beijing has requested DNA samples for missing Indians following the catastrophic August 26 flood and mudslide near the Nepal-Tibet border. Families have been asked to follow CODIS and DNA rules as identification and rescue efforts continue. CODIS The Embassy of India in Beijing said families willing to assist identification efforts should submit DNA information in the inte

Teachers’ Day is celebrated across India on September 5 every year to honor the contribution of teachers and remember the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a noted philosopher, teacher and former President of India. In 2026, Teachers’ Day falls on Saturday, September 5. Schools and educational institutions usually mark the occasion with special assemblies, cultural programmes, speeches, greeting cards and appreciation activities. Teachers’ Day in Ind

The Himalayas face a growing danger from glacial floods as warming temperatures destabilize glaciers and expand high-altitude lakes. UN officials and Chinese authorities have warned that millions of people across Nepal, China and India could face more destructive events in the years ahead. Himalayan glacial floods threaten mountain communities Concerns have intensified following the catastrophi

The SCO Summit 2026 remains at the centre of global attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds high-level meetings in Bishkek. Modi’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on bilateral ties and the need for dialogue to resolve conflicts, while Nepal continues a massive flood rescue operation and Pakistan sees fresh political chatter around Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The Nepal tunnel rescue effort has entered a critical phase as more than 900 hydropower workers remain missing after the catastrophic Nepal-Tibet border floods. At the Trishuli site, rescuers have begun blasting through hillsides and pumping air into mud-filled tunnels as officials warn that the window to find survivors is narrowing. Trishuli Site Rescue Rescue teams on Monday escalated operations at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project, where many workers are feared trapped in a sprawling underground tunnel system clogged with mud, debris and floodwater. After days of difficult access, crews resorted to controlled explosives to break through the hillside and improve entry points. They also began pumping air into the tunnel network in the hope that some survivors may still be holding out underground. According to Nepal’s disaster management authority, more than 900 hydropower workers are still missing. Officials believe a significant number may be trapped inside tunnels and underground sections linked to multiple projects along the Trishuli River. Rescue teams briefly entered one tunnel on Monday, but withdrew after finding no survivors in that section. Hydropower Flood Damage The disaster has exposed Nepal’s vulnerability along its river-based hydropower corridor. Authorities say at least 11 hydropower projects, either completed or under construction, suffered damage in the floods. Nepal depends heavily on hydropower, and the destruction now threatens both immediate rescue efforts and longer-term energy infrastructure. About 250 people were rescued from the Upper Trishuli hydroelectric project over the weekend. Army engineers are now trying to reach another group of missing workers believed to be trapped deeper inside the site. Australian tunnelling expert Arnold Dix, who is assisting remotely, said there is still some hope because underground spaces may have offered partial protection from the force of the flood above. Chitwan Burials The rising number of unidentified bodies has created another crisis. In Chitwan, local authorities have begun temporary burials because they do not have enough freezers to store remains. Officials said families will be allowed to reclaim bodies later after DNA testing confirms identities. Chief district officer Ganesh Aryaal said the administration had no other option because morgue facilities were overwhelmed. The move underlines the scale of the tragedy and the pressure now facing local health, police and disaster-response systems. Rising Nepal Death Toll Nepal’s disaster management authority said the death toll has climbed to 939 after the unprecedented flow of ice, rock, mud and debris struck the Nepal-Tibet border region last Wednesday. The number of missing has also been revised sharply upward to 3,925, including 592 foreign nationals. An international rescue operation is now underway, led by Nepalese and Chinese military personnel with technical experts from India, Korea and Australia also involved. Their work remains difficult because unstable slopes, blocked access routes and mud-filled underground chambers continue to slow progress. Tibet Toll and Wider Impact Across the border in Tibet, Chinese state media have put the official death toll at 16, with 546 people reported missing. Chinese authorities have also reportedly cracked down on online speculation that the actual casualty numbers may be much higher. The cross-border nature of the disaster shows how severe the flooding has been throughout the Himalayan region. For Nepal, however, the immediate concern remains the missing workers. As oxygen levels fall and time runs short, the Trishuli tunnel rescue has become the central focus of one of the country’s most desperate recovery operations in recent years.

The death toll from devastating flash floods across Nepal and parts of Tibet has risen to nearly 700, while more than 3,000 people remain missing as rescue teams struggle against poor weather, damaged roads and difficult Himalayan terrain. Four days after the disaster, the combined death toll stood at 691. Nepal reported 675 deaths and 2,498 people missing, while authorities in Tibet confirmed 16 deaths and 546 people unaccounted for. The floods have caused widespread dest