SCO Summit: Bilateral Talks on Defence Ties, Regional Dynamics and Cultural Outreach

A 16-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly gang-raped inside a moving sleeper bus across a 47-kilometre route in Delhi NCR. The incident occurred after the survivor accidentally deboarded at Pari Chowk and boarded the sleeper bus to travel towards Noida. The accused bus driver, identified as 39-year-old Sandeep, and the conductor allegedly assaulted and threatened to kill the minor before dropping her near Kashmere Gate on Outer Ring Road. Following a formal complaint lodged by the victim at the Kashmere Gate Police Station, Delhi Police registered a case, arrested both accused, and seized the bus for forensic examination. Both individuals have been remanded to judicial custody. Following mandatory counselling before the Child Welfare Committee, the survivor was safely reunited with her family. The crime has raised critical questions regarding street vigilance, administrative oversight, and non-compliance with transport safety mandates regarding open curtains and interior lighting on public buses across the national capital region.

The official death toll in Nepal's flood disaster has reached 903, with over 4,000 people reported missing and 10,451 individuals rescued so far. Disaster authorities and rescue workers are conducting door-to-door search operations in devastated areas like Dunge, where buildings have been submerged in sludge and debris up to the second floor. Ground reports show survivors returning to ruined homes to salvage remaining belongings while civil workers search for trapped individuals. In addition, rescue and clearance operations are ongoing in Tibet following Himalayan mudslides caused by a glacial outburst at an altitude of around 5,000 metres. Speaking to India Today, CGTN reporter Gong Ming explained that workers are using artificial intelligence equipment to monitor upstream barrier lakes and weather changes while attempting to clear damaged road stretches. Gong Ming dismissed allegations regarding Chinese construction causing the flash floods, citing expert confirmation that a high-altitude glacial collapse caused the mudslide.

A viral video showing a rat eating a snack inside a display case at a Surat railway station tea stall has raised serious concerns regarding food hygiene. Following the incident, railway authorities immediately sealed the outlet and ordered it to be cleaned and shut down. Railway PRO Anup Sakena stated that the outlet was sealed as soon as officials became aware of the video. The authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident and initiated proceedings to cancel the contractor's license, alongside plans to suspend or blacklist the contractor. This incident comes amid growing concerns over food safety and hygiene for passengers using Indian Railways.

In a major political development on campus, the student wings of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal have announced a last-minute alliance for the Panjab University elections. The Student Organisation of India, the student wing of the Akali Dal, is backing the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad candidate. The development has triggered speculation over a potential political realignment between the parent parties ahead of upcoming assembly elections. While BJP leaders publicly deny any tie-up with the Akali Dal, leaders like Bikram Majithia and Harsimrat Badal have previously indicated the need for an alliance. The student election is viewed as a significant precursor to state-level political equations.