Ferry Fire, Climber Recovery, Cauvery Row: Evening News Wrap

Here are the top stories from today's evening news wrap, covering developments from Indonesia, the Himalayas, Karnataka, Glasgow, and Indian markets.

Indonesia ferry fire: At least five people have died and 41 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off Indonesia's Madura Island. The blaze engulfed the vessel, and rescue teams are searching the waters for survivors. Officials said the fire broke out mid-journey, but the cause is under investigation. Indonesia has seen several ferry accidents in the past, many attributed to overcrowding and unsafe conditions, though this vessel's passenger count has not been officially confirmed.

Avalanche victim recovered: Rescuers have recovered the body of Nirmal Purja, the last missing climber, following an avalanche that killed 10 mountaineers. With this recovery, all 10 climbers are now confirmed dead. The search operation, which had been ongoing, has been called off after the final body was found. The identities of the other climbers have not been released, and the exact location of the avalanche has not been specified by authorities. The incident highlights the risks faced by mountain climbers in high-altitude regions.

Karnataka CM on Mekedatu: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar described the proposed Mekedatu dam project as a 'permanent solution' to the decades-old Cauvery water dispute with Tamil Nadu. Speaking at an event, he stressed that the project, which aims to provide drinking water and hydroelectric power, is essential for the state's needs. The project has been a point of contention, with Tamil Nadu opposing it on grounds of downstream water availability. The matter is pending before the Supreme Court, which is yet to give a final ruling on the project's clearances.

Lovlina flags map error: Assam boxer Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, has objected to a restaurant in Glasgow displaying a map of India that omits the northeastern states. She took to social media to point out the error, saying that the map incorrectly represents the country and hurts the sentiments of people from the region. The restaurant, located in Scotland, has been asked to correct the map. Borgohain's protest has drawn attention to the frequent omission of the Northeast in maps of India, a matter of sensitivity for many Indians.

FPIs return to Indian equities: Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) poured Rs 20,200 crore into Indian equities in July, reversing a four-month streak of outflows. This marks a significant turnaround in foreign investor sentiment, attributed to strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals and expectations of stable policy. The data from the National Securities Depository shows that FPIs have turned net buyers, a sign of growing confidence in the Indian market. Analysts feel this influx could support the rupee and boost market momentum in the coming weeks.

These stories represent key global and domestic developments. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as more information becomes available.