A Khalistan referendum event at a Canadian school was cancelled after authorities objected to weapons images on the poster. Surrey School District cancelled the September 10 event at Tamanawis Secondary as organizers failed to remove the concerning images. The poster featured a dagger, AK-47, and banned group SFJ's name alongside pictures of slain Khalistani leader Nijjar and 1985 Air India bombing mastermind Parmar. The development comes amidst recent appearances of pro-Khalistani posters threatening Indian diplomats and installations in Canada. SFJ leader, Pannun has called to “lockdown” India's Consulate in Vancouver on September 8. [photo: Tribune India]

After a 20-year wait, Germany's biggest Hindu temple is set to open in Berlin this Diwali. Spearheaded by 70-year-old volunteer Vilwanathan Krishnamurthy, the Sri-Ganesha Hindu Temple overcame funding challenges through donations from the Indian diaspora. Krishnamurthy hopes the temple can be inaugurated in November as part of a 6-day celebration. The temple diversifies Berlin's religious landscape. Craftsmen are making idols to be delivered before opening. The temple will finally provide a gathering place for Hindus in the German capital to celebrate together. (Image courtesy: @dw_hotspotasia on X)

India's High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, met with Indian-origin councillors from the Midlands and North England at the Consulate General of India in Birmingham. During the discussion, Doraiswami spoke with the councillors about issues related to the Indian diaspora, student welfare, and efficient consular services. The meeting enabled the envoy to get valuable insights from the elected Indian-origin representatives on the needs and concerns of their communities in the UK. Productive engagement with the diaspora is a priority for the Indian mission in Britain.

China confirmed on Monday that Premier Li Qiang will attend the New Delhi G20 summit which officially indicates President Xi Jinping will not be participating. As per protocol, both Xi and Li are unlikely to be abroad at the same time, especially together. This scuttles prospects of any Xi-Modi meeting anticipated at the Sept 9-10 event. Mr Jinping is the second world leader to skip the summit in India after Vladimir Putin. Xi's absence follows strained India-China ties over border tensions. Biden earlier said he was disappointed Xi wasn't attending.

Indian scientists have introduced the world’s first rapid-response disaster hospital: Aarogya Maitri. This compact hospital features an operating theatre, a mini-ICU for critical patients, and ventilators for respiratory support during emergencies. Equipped with diagnostic tools and X-ray machines, it offers comprehensive care and is capable of full operation within 8 minutes. Designed for remote and underserved areas, its portability enables swift deployment. Comprising three frames with 12 mini cubes each, totaling 36 cubes, this hospital packs essential equipment and supplies efficiently, streamlining disaster response and ensuring timely medical assistance where resources are limited. [photo: @theindexofindia]

A Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not taken any leave since assuming office in 2014. The inquiry, which also asked about the number of days the PM attended events and functions, directed respondents to a PMO website showing over 3,000 events attended, nearly one per day. The RTI response came from PMO Under Secretary Parvesh Kumar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar praised Modi's dedication during an interaction with the Indian community in Bangkok, while past claims about the PM's limited sleep have resurfaced from 2020 and 2016 RTI queries.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that a human-centric worldview is replacing the GDP-centric one. Speaking to PTI’s Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi and senior editors at his residence, PM Modi compared the emerging post-COVID world order to the one after WW2. He stated that parameters of influence are changing and this needs recognition. According to him, the 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' model that has guided India, can be a principle for global welfare too. Modi emphasized that irrespective of GDP size, every voice now matters. Read the full transcript of the interview in the link.

The social media erupted over former IPL chairman Lalit Modi's presence at lawyer Harish Salve's London wedding alongside girlfriend Ujjwala Raut. Modi, IPL's founder and ex-chairman, is wanted in India on financial irregularity and tax evasion charges from 2010. The BCCI accused Modi of defrauding it of ₹753 crores in collusion with officials. In 2020, the External Affairs Ministry named Modi among 72 Indians facing financial fraud charges abroad that enforcement agencies are seeking through LOC, RCN, and extradition. Despite his fugitive status, Modi’s attendance at the wedding of One Nation One Election panel member Salve provoked criticism.

Former Solicitor General Harish Salve married bride Trina in a private ceremony in London on Sunday. Industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita attended the wedding along with business leaders like Sunil Mittal, LN Mittal, SP Lohia, and Gopi Hinduja. Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi and his girlfriend model Ujjwala Raut were also present. The 68-year-old Salve, who divorced his first wife Meenakshi in 2020, has handled high-profile cases including the trial of Kulbhushan Jadhav, and represents clients like Tata and Reliance. This marks the senior advocate's third marriage after previously wedding British artist Caroline Brossard.

Indian leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal recently visited Bageshwar Dham in Rajasthan to meet spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri, after being omitted from the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. Chahal had lacklustre performances during India's recent West Indies tour, with Kuldeep Yadav taking his spot as lead wrist spinner. Having faced disappointing selection snubs, especially for the Asia Cup, Chahal shared a video of his spiritual meeting on social media, seeking divine help to regain his form and place in the Indian team.