Scientists and experts who visited the site are exploring if the massive Nepal earthquake Tuesday led to the sudden flooding from Sikkim's Lhonak Lake causing havoc in the Teesta basin on Wednesday. Both Nepal and Sikkim lie in the actively rising Himalayan zone that is prone to tremors. A CWC official said the quake may have triggered the vulnerable 168-hectare lake's flooding, with more than 100 hectares of water breaching banks. ISRO data showed the expanding lake drastically shrunk from 168 hectares before the quake to just 60 hectares after it struck. The Sikkim disaster also breached the Chungthang hydropower dam, the biggest hydropower project in the state.

ISRO satellite images show around 65% or 105 hectares of Sikkim's Lhonak Lake has drained after a cloudburst caused it to overflow. Photos from before and after the flash floods hitting Teesta River indicate the lake's dramatic shrinkage in size from 162.7 hectares on September 17 to just 60.3 hectares on October 4 post the cloudburst. At least 8 people have died so far while 45 were rescued and 23 soldiers are missing. The heavy rains and flooded lake wreaked havoc, killing some and washing away parts of a hydroelectric project. ISRO said it will keep monitoring the satellite images of the lake that has lost over 100 hectares of water due to the cloudburst and resultant breaching.

The Enforcement Directorate has turned its attention to Mahadev Online Book app following a lavish ₹200-crore wedding in the UAE, paid entirely in cash. Promoter Sourabh Chandrakar's February nuptials in Ras Al-Khaimah raised eyebrows, leading to a probe into Mahadev App's financial dealings. Actor Ranbir Kapoor, associated with the app, was summoned for questioning. The ED revealed that digital evidence indicates ₹112 crore was transferred through hawala transactions, and ₹42 crore in cash was used for UAE hotel bookings. The cash-fueled extravagance has prompted a closer look at Mahadev App's transactions. (Image Courtesy: @dir_ed on X)

Aamir Khan has announced his next project as a producer. The Aamir Khan Productions will be bankrolling Raj Kumar Santoshi's next, titled Lahore 1947 and it will star Sunny Deol as lead.  It will be directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions. Interestingly, this film will also mark Aamir Khan Productions’ (AKP) 17th production under their banner. The note shared by Aamir Khan Productions on their social media platforms read, “I, and the entire team at AKP, are most excited and happy to announce our next, starring Sunny Deol, directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi, titled Lahore, 1947. We look forward to collaborating with the immensely talented Sunny, and one of my favourite directors, Raj Santoshi. The journey we have embarked on promises to be most enriching. We seek your blessings. (sic).”

Britain’s first lady Akshata Murty made a surprise debut on the UK political stage by introducing her “best friend” and husband, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, at the Conservative Party conference. Saying Sunak was unaware she was “gate-crashing,” the daughter of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy expressed pride in his achievements. She reminisced about meeting Sunak as students at Stanford, where his “honesty, integrity and firm understanding of right from wrong” attracted her. Murty described Sunak as her closest friend and declared supporting him her easiest decision ever. She said Sunak's defining trait is "aspiration" and that she reminds him when times get tough that he's fighting for his and the party's values. Murty's surprise debut speech provided a personal touch to Sunak's formal conference address as UK leader.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the High-Speed 2 rail project will proceed between London Euston and Birmingham but scrapped the planned extension to Manchester. Sunak cited accountability for mismanagement and cost overruns in announcing HS2 management will no longer handle Euston's development. Instead, a new zone will be created to build housing and deliver station capacity more efficiently. The estimated £36 billion savings will be reinvested in transportation nationally. While the Birmingham link continues, the axing of northern extensions has drawn criticism. But Sunak defended it as bringing rationality to the exorbitant HS2 plans while still upgrading vital London-Birmingham connectivity.

A historic MoU signed in London will see Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legendary ‘Wagh Nakh’ tiger claw weapon repatriated to India from the UK for 3 years. Vrushal Khandke, President of Maharashtra Mandal, expressed elation at the legendary weapon used by the revered king to kill Afzal Khan returning to Maharashtra, calling it a "proud day for Indians." The event was celebrated with traditional cultural performances. Maharashtra Minister Mungantiwar stated the Wagh Nakh would be publicly displayed to commemorate Shivaji Maharaj’s 350th coronation anniversary, underscoring its significance as a 'symbol of faith.' The Maharashtra Mandal in London appreciated the efforts to bring back the relic to Shivaji’s homeland.

In a remarkable display of javelin throw at the Asian Games 2023 finals, Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal with a season-best distance of 88.88m, surpassing Indian peer Kishore Jena's personal best of 86.77m which earned him the silver. Initially, Chopra's exceptional first attempt, although technically impressive, couldn't be officially recorded due to a technical malfunction. Despite the lack of confirmation, Chopra's outstanding performance led to his victory. He was asked to retake his first attempt, eventually securing the gold, while Jena's impressive effort earned him the silver medal in the event. India clinched the 18th gold in the Men's 4x400m Relay event, setting a new National Record with a timing of 3:01.58, marking their first win since 1962.  This takes India's medal haul at the Asian Games to its best ever with 81 medals till now including 18 gold, 31 silver, and 32 bronze medals. India inching towards its target of 100 medals which seems highly probable now.

Lyca Productions has unveiled the first look poster of Rajinikanth from his upcoming film "Thalaivar 170" as the shooting of the film starts on Wednesday. The poster features the superstar in a stylish black suit and sunglasses. Directed by TJ Gnanavel, the movie also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier, Tushara Vijayan, Rana Daggubati, and Fahadh Faasil. Rajinikanth plays a retired police officer in the film, which revolves around a fake encounter. Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music, and the film aims to be an entertainer with a social message. Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan expressed their excitement about the project.

Pro-Khalistan graffiti was discovered on a government office's walls in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The police swiftly covered the slogans with white paint, launching an investigation to identify the culprits behind the anti-India vandalism. This incident, occurring just before the cricket World Cup matches in Dharamshala, follows a similar event on Delhi's Kashmiri Gate flyover. Sikh separatist activities have intensified, partly fueled by allegations from Ottawa implicating India in the murder of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. India denied the claims, leading to strained India-Canada relations, marked by expulsions of diplomats and a visa services suspension.