Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines today.
Nepal’s flood crisis has taken a fresh turn, with China warning of another major flood risk as a lake swells upstream of the Lhende River. With around 1,500 people missing, including 288 Indians, rescue teams now face a race against another possible deluge.
Back in India, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) remains ahead in a fresh electoral survey, but its vote share has slipped to 45.1% against 46.7% in August. The alliance is projected to win 326 seats if polls were held now, raising questions over whether its political edge is beginning to narrow. Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, we look at why sugar prices have jumped 35% in a month and why retailers are limiting purchases.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
1. After hundreds of deaths, is Nepal facing another flood threat? Nepal’s flood disaster is far from over. As rescue teams search for hundreds of missing people, China has now warned of another major flood risk after a lake swelled upstream of the Lhende River. The warning comes after a massive landslide sent ice, rocks and water into river systems, devastating areas along the Nepal-Tibet border and leaving at least 359 people dead.
The scale of the crisis is still emerging. Around 1,500 people are reported missing, including 288 Indians. Meanwhile, 21 Indians have been rescued, of whom 11 have been identified. With another flood threat looming, rescue efforts face a fresh test. READ MORE
2. NDA may win 326 seats if polls held today, is its edge narrowing?
Twelve years into the NDA’s rule, voter sentiment may be showing its first signs of softening. A fresh Mood of the Nation (MOTN) survey by India Today projects 326 seats for the alliance if Lok Sabha elections were held today — 33 more than it won in 2024. Yet the bigger signal lies elsewhere: its projected vote share has slipped to 45.1%, while its January seat projection was much higher.
The BJP alone is projected to win 261 seats, still short of a majority. With the India Bloc at 185, the numbers raise a bigger question: is the NDA’s electoral advantage beginning to narrow? READ MORE
3. Blinkit, Zepto, BigBasket cap sugar purchases at 5kg Sugar is suddenly becoming a costly festive-season essential. Retail prices have jumped about 35% in a month, pushing quick-commerce platforms and major retailers to cap purchases. The concern is not just higher bills but whether rising demand and limited supplies could tighten availability further. BigBasket, Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart, along with retail chains such as DMart and Reliance Retail, have introduced purchase limits ranging from 2 kg to 6 kg per customer.
The move aims to curb bulk buying, hoarding and panic purchases. With festive demand building, retailers are now balancing customer demand against available stocks. READ MORE
4. Bhagwat’s New York event hit by X suspension; organiser’s account blocked
Bhagwat’s New York event has moved beyond a cultural gathering, with political and community groups now challenging it. The controversy matters because the programme is drawing opposition even as organisers prepare for a large gathering at Madison Square Garden. The latest flashpoint is the suspension of American Hindus for Engagement and Dialogue Forum’s (AHEAD) X account in the US, adding another layer to the dispute.
HAF has issued a security advisory, urging attendees to avoid confrontations and report suspicious activity. With Mayor Zohran Mamdani and several organisations opposing the event, the focus now shifts to security, protests and whether the programme goes ahead smoothly. READ MORE
5. Colombo Test ends in a draw, India win series 1-0 India’s second Test match ended with a draw, but the bigger concern is what slipped away with it. Sri Lanka’s lower order resisted a relentless Indian attack on the final day, denying the visitors the four wickets needed for victory. The result leaves India with a 1-0 series win, but also exposes how difficult it can be to close out a Test when the final breakthrough refuses to come.
Sonal Dinusha and the lower order held firm as India ran out of time. With the World Test Championship points at stake, the draw could prove costly when qualification is decided. READ MORE
The Day Ahead
1. India celebrates Raksha Bandhan 2026 today. The auspicious time for tying the rakhi is shorter this year, from 5:58 am to 9:48 am, giving devotees a 3-hour-50-minute window for the ritual. Indian markets– BSE, NSE– will remain open today
2. LoP Rahul Gandhi is expected to respond to two notices alleging breach of privilege and contempt of the House over his remarks against HM Amit Shah during the debate on the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026.
3. Priority Jewels IPO to open today: Price band set at ₹190–200 per share; ₹91.5 crore issue entirely a fresh issue of 45.75 lakh shares, with no offer-for-sale (OFS) component
4. Earth is expected to face geomagnetic storms on August 28, the 2nd straight day of the event. According to forecasts, the storm could reach moderate G2 strength, potentially causing fluctuations in power grids and slight orbital drag on low-Earth-orbit satellites.
5. The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will begin in Dubai on August 28. India will face Pakistan on September 5, while the tournament final will be held on September 13.
Visual Of The Day
‘Rakhi, Love and Tradition’: Students display colourful rakhis ahead of Raksha Bandhan in West Bengal’s Nadia. Photo: PTI
Today In History
Statement Of The Day
News With A Twist
Dogs get ‘Aadhaar cards’ at IIT Bombay
At IIT Bombay, stray dogs are now carrying QR-coded “Aadhaar cards” that reveal their vaccination and medical records. Meanwhile, in Madhya Pradesh, villagers rode a donkey around a crematorium in the hope of bringing rain.
In Russia, a tiger and a goat became unlikely best friends after the goat was released as prey. In the US, a couple heading to Las Vegas ended up getting married 35,000 feet in the air, with a wedding dress made from toilet paper. READ MORE
News In Headlines
1. Maharashtra cab drivers get 1-year extension amid Marathi language row READ MORE
2. Training aircraft crashes in UP’s Kanpur, pilot and trainee killed READ MORE
3. Urvashi Rautela faces criticism over wearing tri-colour-themed outfit READ MORE
4. Cargo ship sinks in Bay of Bengal, 22 crew missing READ MORE
5. Newlywed in Mumbai jumps from 10th floor, gets stuck READ MORE
