Nepal floods kill hydropower, US tightens deportations
Floods cripple Nepal's energy bet, US squeezes green card hopefuls, and Jharkhand loses a minister
Today at a glance
Nepal's hydropower gamble backfires as floods knock out 10% of generation capacity, while US immigration judges are told to fast-track deportations of green card applicants. Closer home, Jharkhand loses its education minister to cardiac arrest, US envoys meet Putin for Ukraine talks, India crushes Pakistan in women's cricket, and the Yankees await Aaron Judge's return.
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Nepal floods expose risks of hydropower dependency
India1 min read
Last week's devastating floods in Nepal knocked out more than 10% of the country's energy generation capacity, exposing the fragility of its hydropower-dependent grid. Nepal has bet heavily on hydroelectric infrastructure to power its economy and export electricity to neighbors. But climate-driven extreme weather events are revealing the vulnerability of river-based energy systems. For India, this matters: Nepal supplies power to northern states, and any disruption affects cross-border energy security. The floods are a stark reminder that energy diversification isn't optional.
US immigration judges have been instructed to reduce time given to people awaiting green cards before deportation proceedings begin. The directive, part of a broader crackdown on immigration backlogs, leaves less room for compassionate delays even in cases involving families or long-term residents. Judges are being pushed to expedite rulings, which critics say undermines due process. For India, this hits hard: Indians make up one of the largest groups in the US immigration queue, with many waiting years for employment-based green cards. Faster deportations could affect thousands of Indian families stuck in limbo.
Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu died of cardiac arrest at the age of 56. A senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader, Sonu was serving his second term as MLA from Giridih and was known for his focus on expanding technical education access in the state. His sudden death is a blow to the JMM government, which has been pushing education reforms. Chief Minister Hemant Soren and opposition leaders have expressed condolences. Sonu's passing underscores the rising incidence of cardiac deaths among younger public figures in India.
US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Vladimir Putin in Moscow for discussions on the Ukraine conflict. Footage showed Putin greeting the duo before acknowledging that the current situation is not easy. The meeting signals a potential shift in US-Russia engagement after years of frozen diplomacy. Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law, has been involved in Middle East negotiations before. The talks come as the war in Ukraine drags on with no clear resolution in sight. For India, which has maintained a neutral stance and continues trade with Russia, any US-Russia rapprochement could ease pressure on New Delhi to pick sides.
India handed Pakistan a crushing seven-wicket defeat in the Women's Asia Cup 2026, bowling them out for their lowest T20 total ever — just 55 runs. Young spinners Shree Charani and Prema Rawat dismantled the Pakistani batting lineup with clinical precision. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur reached a personal milestone in the easy chase. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan couldn't resist trolling Pakistan on social media, quipping 'Aaj Sunday hai kya?' — a reference to his past jabs. The result continues India's dominance over Pakistan in women's cricket and sets up a strong campaign for the tournament ahead.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has provided a major injury update on star slugger Aaron Judge, whose prolonged absence has left the team scrambling. Judge, one of baseball's biggest offensive threats, has been sidelined as the Yankees push for a crucial playoff spot. Boone's comments suggest a return may be imminent, but the timeline remains uncertain. The Yankees have struggled without Judge's bat in the lineup, and his return could be the difference between playoff success and early elimination. Fans and analysts are watching closely as the season's final stretch approaches.
