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A flag-hoisting ceremony is set to take place at the Ram temple in Ayodhya in November with thousands of special guests expected to attend and Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to be the chief guest, Hindustan Times reported.

An official of the temple trust, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told PTI on Monday that the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust has shortlisted two dates in November for this significant event. Preparations for the ceremony are gaining momentum.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi might be present as the chief guest on this auspicious occasion," the official said.

According to sources within the temple, the Ram flag will be hoisted atop the 161-foot-high spire of the temple. In addition, flags will also be hoisted on the spires of all other temples within the complex, marking a major milestone towards the completion of the temple's construction, according to Hindustan Times.

Europe’s top human rights court has ruled that Russia violated international law in Ukraine and was responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, which killed 298 people, according to Al Jazeera.

The decision, part of cases brought by Ukraine and the Netherlands, marks the first international court ruling holding Moscow accountable for human rights abuses since its 2022 invasion. While symbolic—Russia was expelled from the court in 2022—it is seen as a key step in seeking justice.

The ruling follows a record Russian drone assault on Ukraine and renewed Western pledges of military support.

Nepal and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a grant agreement for “The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)” for Fiscal Year 2025.

The grant amounting to 572 million Japanese Yen (JPY 572,000,000) will provide 22 scholarships to the government officials of Nepal through advanced education.

The Government of Japan has been providing scholarships continuously since 2016.

Ghanashyam Upadhaya, Secretary, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal and MAEDA Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal on behalf of the Government of Japan signed the agreement, reads a statement issued by JICA.

Similarly, the grant agreement was signed by Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary, International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD), Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal and MATSUZAKI Mizuki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office.

Each year, the scholarship offers 20 seats for two-year master’s degree courses (since 2016) and two seats for three-year Doctoral level courses (starting 2019) to reputed universities in Japan.

These scholarships enable participants to study at prestigious Japanese universities, enhancing their expertise in fields such as judiciary and economic policy among others while also expanding their global professional networks. Since 2016, 209 civil servants have been awarded scholarships through the JDS Grant Aid program.

On the occasion, MATSUZAKI Mizuki, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office, emphasized JICA’s commitment to strengthen human resources in Nepal.

Typhoon Danas made its third landfall late Tuesday in Rui’an City, Zhejiang Province, with strong winds and heavy rain, local officials confirmed.

It first hit Taiwan on Monday, then Wenzhou’s Dongtou District earlier Tuesday night before moving further inland, according to Xinhua.

Authorities continue to monitor the typhoon’s impact as it moves inland.

At least 31 people have been killed and over 100 injured in Kenya following nationwide anti-government protests, according to the National Commission on Human Rights. Over 500 arrests and two forced disappearances were also reported.

The demonstrations, held on Saba Saba Day, turned violent in cities including Nairobi and Eldoret. The commission accused police of excessive force and collusion with armed gangs, according to Al Jazeera.

Protests, largely youth-led, have continued since 2024 over tax hikes, economic hardship, and corruption. Rights groups condemned police for defying court orders and using military-grade weapons. The total death toll since the unrest began now exceeds 100.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed a sharp jump in its overall valuation after the latest edition.

According to a report by US-based investment bank Houlihan Lokey, IPL’s overall valuation has reached a whopping USD 18.5 billion (over Rs 1,56,000 crore) in 2025 and has seen a 12.9 percent increase from last year, Firstpost reported.

Meanwhile, the report also said that the league’s stand-alone brand value rose 13.8 percent to USD 3.9 billion (over Rs 32,000 crore). IPL’s brand value in 2024 was USD 3.4 billion.

“The brand value of the IPL has risen by 13.8% year over year, reaching US$3.9 billion (equivalent to ₹32,721 crore, reflecting a 16.1% increase year over year in INR terms). This growth underscores the league’s expanding commercial appeal, global reach, and deepening fan engagement, particularly in the digital domain,” the report stated, according to Firstpost.

 RCB becomes top-valued franchise

A major shift in the rankings saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerge as the most valuable IPL franchise for the first time ever, with a brand value of USD 269 million. The boost comes after their maiden IPL title win in 2025. Last year, RCB stood at USD 227 million.

Mumbai Indians (MI) rose from fourth to second place with a brand value of USD 242 million, up from USD 204 million last year. In contrast, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) dropped to third place at USD 235 million after a poor season where they finished last. Their value increased only slightly from USD 231 million in 2024.

At least nine people were killed and five others injured when part of the Gambhira Bridge collapsed in India’s western Gujarat state on Wednesday morning, sending vehicles plunging into the Mahisagar River.

The bridge, built in 1985 in Vadodara district, gave way unexpectedly, according to state officials. Rescue teams continue to search the river as recovery efforts remain ongoing, according to Al Jazeera.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “deeply saddening” and offered condolences to the victims’ families. Poor infrastructure safety has long troubled India, with a 2022 bridge collapse in Gujarat killing over 130 people.

The Narayangadh-Butwal road section along the East-West Highway has been obstructed after a landslide swept away some sections of the road this morning.

The landslide triggered by heavy rain washed away some sections of the road at Bardhaghat-4 nearby Daunne, police said.

DSP and Information Officer at the District Police Office, Nawalparasi, Bir Dutta Panta shared that a freight vehicle heading towards west has stranded in the middle of the road following the landslide.

The goods-carrying truck has also been buried by landslide debris to some extent, said DSP Panta, adding that efforts are underway to remove the truck as well as the debris as the rain has stopped.

Meanwhile, various places along the Siddhartha Highway have been obstructed due to landslides, police added.  The rain-triggered landslides have blocked roads at Burtang-Siddhababa and other areas too.

The local authority has urged the travelers to take precaution and remain alert.