The Nepal government has announced a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, for failing to register with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology within the given deadline. The ban, which goes into effect at midnight, is a result of repeated requests for registration and will impact millions of Nepalese living abroad who use these platforms for communication. The government has given a seven-day deadline for registration, with only five platforms listed and two currently in the process of approval.
India and the European Union are focused on finalizing a long-awaited free trade deal by the end of the year, with talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen highlighting their mutual commitment to promoting a rules-based global order. The leaders also discussed plans to hold the next India-EU summit and welcomed progress in key areas such as trade, technology, and defense. The call comes amid growing tensions between India and the US, and as the EU seeks to strengthen its economic ties with other global powers.
At the IISS Prague Defence Summit, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte firmly rejected Russia's attempt to dictate the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine, stating that Ukraine's sovereignty must be upheld. He also warned against making Russian President Vladimir Putin too powerful, as the threat from Russia, as well as other countries like China, Iran, and North Korea, will continue even after the current conflict ends. Rutte emphasized the need for stronger defense industry efforts across the alliance and stressed the growing connection between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security theaters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Singaporean counterpart, Lawrence Wong, have reaffirmed their commitment to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. In an interview, Wong discussed Singapore's continued investment in India, as well as joint efforts to foster stronger economic and technological ties between the two countries. The partnership, built on 60 years of friendship and trust, aims to create new opportunities for both nations in the region.
Punjab has been officially declared a disaster-hit state as severe floods have caused widespread damage, leaving 30 dead and affecting 3.54 lakh residents. With every district being affected, Gurdaspur is the worst-hit with 324 villages submerged. The agricultural sector is facing unprecedented losses, with floods devastating over 1.48 lakh hectares of crops.
China is set to display its military might with a variety of advanced weapons at a major parade attended by top leaders, including President Xi Jinping. Among the most anticipated weapons are new anti-ship missiles and uncrewed underwater vehicles, which could serve as a means to deter US naval forces in areas like the Taiwan Strait. Experts say these displays are aimed at showcasing China's growing military capabilities and asserting its dominance in the region.
A major earthquake in Afghanistan has resulted in a death toll of over 1,400 people, with a further 3,000 injured. The Taliban, who control the affected province of Kunar, provided these figures while warning of an exponential rise in casualties. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck multiple provinces on Sunday night, causing widespread destruction and trapping people under damaged homes made of vulnerable materials. The United Nations has expressed concern about the escalating human toll caused by this disaster.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in China captured the attention of social media, with clips of their "Modi-Putin moments" going viral. The two leaders were seen sharing a hug, strolling hand-in-hand, and even cruising around in President Putin's car, causing a frenzy on Chinese social media platforms like Baidu and Weibo. PM Modi's visit to China also sparked trending hashtags like "Modi is positive about China" and "Indian Embassy releases video of Modi's warm welcome in Tianjin," solidifying the significance of this diplomatic event.
Despite official reports of Russia and China signing a memorandum of understanding to build a major gas pipeline project, experts warn that a price dispute between the two sides may still cause delays. The project, valued at US$13.6 billion, would provide a crucial economic lifeline to Moscow amid Western sanctions, but unresolved issues could potentially hinder its progress. While Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of "big project cooperation" during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a separate Russian media report revealed that critical matters still need to be addressed before the project can move forward.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the Trump administration is finally listening to Russia's justifications for its invasion of Ukraine, after former President Joe Biden refused to engage. Putin's comments came during a visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the pressure from Trump and other Western leaders, Putin struck a seemingly receptive tone on the possibility of progress in peace efforts. However, he maintained that Russia will not accept NATO membership for Ukraine and that the fate of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, is still a central concern in the ongoing conflict.