Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renewed his call for Indians to promote swadeshi products, avoid excessive gold purchases, foreign travel and destination weddings abroad. In a selfie-style video message, he congratulated the country after India recorded 7.8% economic growth in the first quarter. Modi said the strong growth reflected the hard work and collective resolve of the people. He added that India had achieved the growth despite global instability, wars, crises and supply-chain disruptions. The Prime Minister stressed the need for greater self-reliance and urged people to support domestic products and strengthen the country’s economy.  

Rescuers in Nepal are using explosives to blast through hillsides and reach more than 600 workers believed trapped inside mud-filled hydropower tunnels along the Trishuli River. The operation is being led by Nepalese and Chinese military teams, with experts from India, South Korea and Australia assisting. Rescuers are also pumping air into the underground network as families wait anxiously for news. Prime Minister Balendra Shah said 279 people had been rescued from hydropower sites. The Nepal disaster authority put the overall death toll at 939, while 3,925 people remained missing, including 592 foreign nationals. (PC: BBC)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the INDIA bloc’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Tamil Nadu Congress Legislature Party leader Tharahai Cuthbert said on Monday. She rejected speculation of a rift between the Congress and its ally, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), over the prime ministerial race. Cuthbert said recent projections of Vijay as a future Prime Minister reflected the enthusiasm of TVK workers and were not the party leadership’s official position. She also stressed that the Congress was expanding independently in Tamil Nadu and remained an autonomous party, while maintaining its alliance with the TVK. (PC: India Today)

Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from Argentina’s national football team, ending an international career that spanned nearly two decades. The 39-year-old said the decision “hurt and still hurts deep inside” but felt it was the right time to step away. Messi won the 2022 World Cup and played in six World Cups, leading Argentina to the 2026 final, where they lost to Spain. In his message, Messi thanked Argentina’s fans, family, teammates and coaches. He will continue his club career with Inter Miami, where he is contracted until 2028.

Nepal’s flash flood death toll has risen to 939, while the number of missing people has dropped to 3,925 as rescue operations entered their sixth day. Nepal’s disaster authority said 592 foreign nationals remain among the missing. The number of workers unaccounted for at hydropower projects, which were severely hit by the August 26 floods, has fallen from an earlier estimate of 933 to 639. China earlier reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing in Tibet, taking the combined toll to 955 dead and 4,471 missing. Nepal has also sought international support for tunnel rescue and forensic operations. (PC: The Hindu)

A newly deployed US missile, the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), is suspected of causing civilian deaths in strikes on the Iranian city of Lamerd on February 28, according to an AP report citing Airwars and weapons experts. Three missiles reportedly hit a sports complex and residential areas, killing at least 21 civilians, including seven children. Airwars said fragments or pellets from one blast travelled up to 50 metres and killed a two-year-old girl. Experts said damage patterns were consistent with the PrSM, although US Central Command denied responsibility. The missile was reportedly used in combat for the first time during the Iran operation. (PC: X)

India is looking for a “sustainable way forward” to continue its involvement in Iran’s strategic Chabahar port after a US sanctions waiver expired, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said. India is in talks with various stakeholders as it seeks to protect its $120 million investment. Reports say New Delhi may temporarily transfer its stake to an Iranian entity during the sanctions period, without exiting the project. Chabahar is crucial for India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan, and is also linked to the International North-South Transport Corridor. (PC: India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to move from “endless war” towards peace during their meeting at the SCO Summit in Bishkek. Modi said a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict was necessary for humanity. He added that India supports dialogue and diplomatic efforts to end the war. The leaders also discussed trade, defence, energy and other areas of cooperation. They raised concerns about attacks in the Black Sea that have affected maritime trade and Indian seafarers. Putin is expected to visit New Delhi later this month for the BRICS Summit.  

The US government has proposed ending work permits for some H-4 visa holders, who are spouses of H-1B workers. The move could affect thousands of families, especially Indians.   The proposal would reverse a 2015 rule that allowed eligible H-4 spouses to work with an Employment Authorisation Document. Between 2014 and 2017, about 93% of approved H-4 work permits went to Indian nationals.   The proposal is not yet a final rule. DHS must first publish it, allow public comments and issue a final decision. Until then, valid H-4 EAD holders can continue working under current rules.  

ISRO will launch its GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite on September 4. The launch is scheduled for 2:55 AM from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.   GSLV-F17 will be the 19th flight of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. The rocket will place EOS-05 into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.   EOS-05 will be India’s first imaging satellite to operate from a geosynchronous orbit. From its high position, it will observe large areas of Earth. The satellite will help monitor land, natural resources and changes on the planet. It will also support scientific and practical applications.