NDTV TOP STORIES
1. The government calls an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the foreign ministry to brief floor leaders of political parties on developments in the war-torn country, foreign minister S Jaishankar has said. India is evacuating Indian citizens stranded in Afghanistan and has been allowed to operate two flights per day from Kabul. India has assured that it would also extend help to Hindus and Sikhs, as well as its friends in Afghanistan who need help. 2. In view of developments in Afghanistan, PM Narendra Modi instructs that MEA brief Floor Leaders of political parties. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will be intimating further details. 3. The world is witnessing a massive tragedy unfold in Afghanistan with Taliban's return to power after two decades and Afghan nationals in India are tremendously concerned about their future. Seeking refugee status and financial security, a large number of protesters on Monday gathers outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Delhi. 4. A cross-party delegation led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday morning to discuss the conduct of a caste-based census (in the state and across the country) and called on him to take "the appropriate decision". 5. Controversial comments by Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Sidhu's advisers threaten to shatter his fragile truce with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has publicly told them off for "atrocious and ill-conceived comments" on sensitive national issues. After the Chief Minister's warning, Navjot Sidhu summons both his advisers, Malwinder Singh Mali and Pyare Lal Garg, to his home in Patiala on Monday morning. 5. A 25-year-old man selling bangles is mercilessly beaten in full public view by a group of men, who also allegedly took away Rs 10,000 that he was carrying in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Sunday. A police case was registered late at night reportedly after hundreds of people gathered outside the police station demanding action against the accused. 6. India's Covid chart continues to show improvement on Monday, with the country recording 25,072 cases, a drop of nearly 19 per cent from Sunday. About 389 deaths were recorded during the period, according to the Health Ministry. 7. There is insufficient evidence to suggest a third Covid wave will affect children more than adults, the National Institute of Disaster Management indicates, while warning there is still "cause for worry, if not panic" so long as they remain unvaccinated and existing medical facilities remain inadequate.