On the first day of the Karnataka bandh called by Kannada Okkuta over Cauvery water release to Tamil Nadu, 44 flights were canceled within 6 hours at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. 5 pro-Kannada activists were detained when they tried to enter the airport with a Karnataka flag and caused a ruckus. Under Section 144, prohibitory orders were imposed in several districts with schools and colleges shut. Most shops and businesses downed shutters across Karnataka as private vehicles stayed off roads in Cauvery basin areas. Multiplexes and theatres also canceled shows backing the 12-hour state-wide bandh.

Dutch police arrested a 32-year-old male gunman who killed at least three people in twin shootings in Rotterdam on Thursday. The attacker first opened fire in a home, killing a woman and her teenage daughter, before setting it ablaze. He then stormed Erasmus Medical Center, shooting dead a male lecturer. The gunman was a student at Erasmus University, affiliated with the hospital. Shocking footage shows the camouflaged shooter being detained outside the hospital. His motives remain unknown. The prime minister offered condolences to the victims and those impacted by the violence. Police continue investigating the deadly shootings that terrified Rotterdam residents.

A suspected suicide bomber struck a religious procession in Pakistan's Balochistan province on Friday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 50 more. The blast occurred near a mosque in the Mastung district of Balochistan as a procession was being carried out for Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations. According to initial reports, the explosion appeared to target the procession commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing represents the latest violence to strike restive Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan. Further details on the victims and full impact of the deadly blast are still emerging.

Indian tennis players Saketh Myneni and Ramkumar Ramanathan secured the silver medal in the men's doubles event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday. The Indian duo lost the final 4-6, 4-6 to Chinese Taipei's Jason Jung and Hsu Yu-hsiou in a match lasting 1 hour and 12 minutes. Ramanathan showed visible frustration with the raucous Chinese fans during the match. The defeat ended India's hopes of improving on Myneni's previous doubles silver medal from the 2014 Asian Games. With the silver, India's overall medal count rose to 28, including 7 golds. Despite the loss, Myneni and Ramanathan added another medal for India in tennis. (Image Courtesy: Narendra Modi on X)

17-year-old Palak Gulia won gold while 18-year-old Esha Singh clinched silver in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday. Gulia, in her debut at a major competition, led from the 12th shot onwards and finished with a games record score of 242.1. Singh held her nerve to edge out the bronze medalist and secure a second individual medal after her 25m pistol silver the previous day. Earlier, India also won the team silver medal in the event. The sensational one-two finish took India's shooting medal tally to 17, their best ever at Asian Games. Gulia and Singh hugged after a touching moment at the end.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday that Canada remains committed to building closer ties with India, even amid "credible allegations" of India's involvement in a Canadian citizen's killing. Speaking in Montreal, Trudeau stated that constructive engagement with rising global power India is extremely important. However, he added Canada needs India's cooperation in getting all facts on the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, purportedly killed by Indian agents per Canadian agencies. Trudeau said he received assurances from the U.S. that Secretary Blinken would raise the matter with India's foreign minister. Trudeau affirmed Canada's approach is thoughtful, responsible and anchored in rule of law.

During a meeting in Washington D.C. on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns from Canada about India's alleged involvement in the killing of Canadian national Hardeep Singh Nijjar, according to a U.S. official. The discussion occurred as Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the U.S. capital on a five-day trip. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had earlier said he expected Blinken to bring up Nijjar's killing with Jaishankar. The U.S. official stated Blinken urged India to cooperate with Canada's investigation into the matter, though the State Department's formal statement did not mention it.

M.S. Swaminathan, the pioneering agricultural scientist known as the "Father of India's Green Revolution," died on Thursday in Chennai at the age of 98. Swaminathan, a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, worked closely with government leaders in the 1960s and 70s to spearhead the Green Revolution, helping transform India's food security through the adaptation of new technologies. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced Swaminathan will receive a state funeral with police honors recognizing his immense contributions. Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences, stating Swaminathan's groundbreaking work improved the lives of millions. He is survived by three daughters.

Pakistan has increasingly been exporting beggars to countries like Saudi Arabia and Iraq, according to Pakistan's Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis. He told a parliamentary committee that 90% of beggars detained in West Asian nations are from Pakistan. Many beg under the guise of religious pilgrimage after arriving on Umrah visas. The ambassadors of Iraq and Saudi Arabia have complained to Pakistan about the growing number of Pakistani beggars, who often end up jailed. The problem reflects Pakistan's economic crisis and skyrocketing inflation, which has plunged more of its citizens into poverty. With terrorism and donkeys previously counted among its exports, Pakistan's latest dubious export is beggars.

The Afghan embassy in New Delhi has reportedly issued a communication about closing down its operations in India in the next few days. Indian government sources say they are examining the authenticity of the notice from the embassy, which has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Mamundzay was appointed by the former Ghani government and has continued to serve as envoy after the Taliban takeover last year. The potential closure comes amid the ambassador being abroad for months, diplomats seeking asylum, and infighting among staff. The Indian government has yet to receive an official response from the embassy on the matter.