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A devastating flash flood disaster in Nepal has pushed the death toll near 600, leaving hundreds missing and over 300 Indian nationals uncontactable.

A massive flash flood triggered by landslides and seismic activity has caused widespread devastation across Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Bhote Koshi regions, sweeping away villages, bridges and critical infrastructure. The disaster destroyed the Kerung border customs office, Langtang Khola Hydropower project and around 40 km of the road connecting Kathmandu with Rasuwagadhi. Authorities have reported 95 deaths, while more than 400 people remain missing, including around 60 hydropower project employees. More than 130 Indian tourists on the Mansarovar Yatra and 80 people linked to the Isha Foundation, including 77 Kailash pilgrims and three volunteers, are also untraceable following flooding at Gyirong and Timure. Prime Minister Balen Shah has mobilised the Army, police and other security forces for rescue operations. India has sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid through an IAF C-130J aircraft. In India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are closely monitoring river levels, with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed in Maharajganj, Kushinagar, West Champaran and Gopalganj.

The government is considering a proposal to ensure that every pilot undergoes at least one random dope test every year, against the backdrop of the Air India controversy. Captain CS Randhawa of the Federation of Indian Pilots, retired Group Captain MJ Augustine and aviation expert Sanjay Lazar weigh in on the proposed move, its need and whether stricter testing can improve aviation safety.

In an interview, Sanjay Verma, former Indian High Commissioner to Canada, commented on a leaked audio recording where gangster Goldy Brar allegedly linked the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar to gang rivalry over drugs and weapons. Verma stated that if verified, the tape confirms India's long-standing position that Nijjar's death was a result of gang rivalry rather than state action. He highlighted that Indian intelligence agencies had accurately profiled criminal networks and shared information under UAPA terror listings prior to the incident. Commenting on diplomatic relations, Verma asserted, "Canada owes an apology to India," adding that Canadian authorities acted hastily without basing claims on facts. He emphasised the need for increased intelligence cooperation, information sharing, and a formal course correction by Ottawa to restore trust between both nations.

In his conversation with India Today anchor Marya Shakil, former Home Minister P Chidambaram criticised what he described as the government's current economic model, calling it a "default system" that lacks deep analysis and expert economic leadership.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised Congress over its decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, accusing it of appeasement and disrespecting those who fought for India's independence. Shah linked Congress' 1937 resolution on the song to the circumstances that eventually led to Partition. The Centre has mandated the complete six-stanza version at official functions, describing the move as a step towards national integration. Congress has defended its position by citing historical decisions involving leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The party has also accused the BJP of politicising the issue to divert attention from other controversies.

A political debate has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the Vijay-led TVK government's decision to extend maternity leave to 365 days for government employees having a third child.

The political controversy over actor Trisha Krishnan's presence at Chennai's 80th Independence Day celebrations has intensified, with her being drawn into a wider political battle involving her friend, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay.

The Jharkhand government has accepted key demands raised by protesters and cancelled the JSSC-CGL examination. The decision follows sustained demonstrations over the recruitment process and paves the way for further action on the disputed exam.

In an exclusive chat with India Today, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju blamed the Opposition for the disruption of the Monsoon Session, saying it failed to engage in adequate debate on key issues and instead contributed to repeated deadlocks that affected the functioning of Parliament.

N Chandrasekaran has announced he will step down as chairman of Tata Sons when his tenure ends in February 2027, prompting the Tata Trust to initiate a selection process for his successor.

In this India Today video, anchor Marya Shakil looks at the three-week Parliament logjam that cost taxpayers over Rs 216 crore, with the government and Opposition locked in a bitter standoff. She also tracks the Justice Yashwant Varma cash case, as a parliamentary panel finds the charges against him proven.

In Bengaluru, a 40-year-old man, SG Imran, allegedly strangled his two daughters, aged 5 and 10, inside a hotel room before attempting suicide by slitting his throat. Police recovered a note citing a marital dispute and suspicions of an extramarital affair.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured protesting students that their concerns would be addressed and appropriate action taken, while the BJP demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged examination paper leak, intensifying the political battle over the recruitment controversy.

The Bombay High Court sentenced Tarun Tejpal to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment after overturning his acquittal, prompting debate over whether the verdict marks a significant moment for the #MeToo movement and strengthens confidence among sexual assault survivors seeking justice.

In this edition of News Track, anchor Maria Shakeel examines the issue of women being targeted in political crossfire, highlighting recent remarks involving actor Trisha Krishnan and subsequent police action against Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The BJP said it would introspect after its bypoll setbacks, while a panel discussion examined whether Prashant Kishor's Bankipur victory marks the emergence of a new political force capable of reshaping Bihar's electoral landscape.

In this edition of News Track, India Today accesses exclusive CCTV visuals from five locations showing how thousands of protesters during the July 20 Sansad Chalo march bypassed multiple barricades and reached within 50 metres of the Parliament perimeter wall. The security grid faced a major scare as crowds advanced near Central Secretariat Metro station and outer gates before security personnel dispersed them. Meanwhile, the pellet gun debate reached the Supreme Court, which observed that security forces may use pellet guns only in exceptional circumstances. The top court directed the Centre to preserve the Rapid Action Force (RAF) ammunition log from Jantar Mantar and mandated the Delhi government to provide medical care to injured petitioners. While Delhi Police maintained pellet guns were not used, internal reports revealed RAF fired plastic pellets during the student protest, leaving individuals like 19-year-old Sahil Lochan and 25-year-old artist Prashant Kumar Singh injured. On the show, former IB Special Director Yashvardhan Azad advocated a total ban on pellet guns due to their indiscriminate spray, while former J&K DGP S.P. Vaid argued they remain a necessary last resort compared to lethal force.