The Hindu American Foundation has issued a security advisory ahead of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s August 29 event at Madison Square Garden in New York. The group urged New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to ensure the safety and civil rights of all attendees, asking the community to remain vigilant amid attempts by activists to disrupt the event. Mamdani has said he opposes the gathering but does not know whether the city has the authority to cancel a private event. Bhagwat’s visit is part of an overseas outreach tour marking the RSS’s centenary year. (PC: HT)

Nepal’s devastating flash floods have left 823 people out of contact, including more than 300 Indians, according to Nepal’s Foreign Minister. The disaster struck areas near the Nepal-Tibet border, causing massive destruction along the Bhote Koshi and surrounding river systems. Entire settlements, roads, bridges and other infrastructure were swept away, while hundreds of travellers remain unaccounted for. Many Indians were reportedly travelling toward the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route. Rescue teams are continuing search operations despite severe damage to roads and communication networks. Indian authorities and Nepalese agencies are coordinating efforts to trace missing nationals and assist affected travellers. (PC: Reuters)

An Iranian warship reportedly confronted the Indian-flagged oil tanker HAANA while it attempted to transit the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, known as the Oman corridor. According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the tanker was warned by a large Iranian warship and subsequently deterred from continuing its journey. The incident occurred amid escalating Iran-US tensions and severe disruption to commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Fars reported that no traffic had been observed on the southern route during the previous 24 hours. The incident has not been independently confirmed by Iranian or Indian authorities. (PC: Reuters)

India has emerged as Kenya’s biggest supplier of petroleum products, overtaking Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the US-Iran war disrupted fuel trade routes in the Middle East. India’s expanding refining capacity and rising exports to Africa have helped drive the shift. Petroleum products were a major contributor to India’s growing trade with Kenya, with overall Indian exports to the East African nation rising 151% year-on-year in July 2026. India, the world’s fourth-largest oil refiner, exported 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2025-26 despite importing most of its crude oil. (PC: India Today)

A devastating flash flood in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi River has disrupted the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, leaving 384 pilgrims out of contact in the Rasuwagadhi border area. The river originates in Tibet, and the flooding has cut off a key route connecting Nepal and Tibet. While neither the Nepal government nor India’s Ministry of External Affairs has formally cancelled the pilgrimage, tour operators in Kathmandu have halted all departures for the next 48–72 hours as a safety precaution. Authorities are assessing the situation, while operators are exploring alternative crossings for pilgrims affected by the disruption. The flash flood has plunged the pilgrimage into uncertainty, with hundreds of travellers awaiting updates on their safety and possible onward travel. (PC: X/@Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar)

At least 133 Indians are among more than 400 people reported missing after massive flash floods struck Nepal’s northern Rasuwa district, near the Tibet border, leaving at least 95 people dead. The floods swept away homes, vehicles, bridges and infrastructure sites, severely affecting areas including Timure and Syapru Besi. Security footage showed people fleeing moments before a powerful surge of rocks, mud and water entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side around 9 am. A German geoscience agency reported a 4.4-magnitude earthquake about seven minutes earlier, though the relationship between the quake and flooding remains to be established. With floodwaters moving downstream, authorities have placed Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on alert.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday and expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the devastating floods. Modi assured Shah that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance as Nepal faces a major rescue and relief challenge. He said India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal during the crisis. Teams from both countries are coordinating closely on rescue and relief operations. The flash floods, triggered by a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River, have caused widespread destruction in Nepal’s Rasuwa and neighbouring districts. (PC: ANI)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is fully prepared for relief and rescue operations in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have killed at least 19 people and left hundreds missing. More than 100 Indians are reportedly among those missing. India has placed C-130 and C-17 aircraft on standby, carrying relief supplies, medicines and earth-moving equipment. The C-130 is scheduled to leave for Nepal on Wednesday, followed by the C-17 on Thursday. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also on standby. Floodwaters from Tibet caused extensive damage in Nuwakot and Dhading, destroying villages, roads, bridges and infrastructure. (PC: NDTV)

More than 70,000 Indians could be among up to 2 lakh people facing the cancellation of US business and tourist visas in what could become the biggest mass visa revocation in American history. The proposed action targets B1/B2 visa holders issued visas between 2016 and 2026 who have sought or are seeking asylum in the US. American officials say some visitors entered legally before filing asylum claims to remain in the country. The move may affect pending asylum cases and could lead to people losing legal status, though it would not mean immediate deportation. (PC: The Print)

The United States has paused or rescheduled immigrant visa appointments at embassies and consulates worldwide as the Trump administration tightens immigration rules. The State Department said a global training programme for consular officers was launched, with appointments adjusted to accommodate the initiative. The training aims to help officers assess applicants more consistently, including whether they could become dependent on public benefits. Applicants with scheduled interviews have been informed that their appointments will be rescheduled, though no timeline has been announced. The move comes amid a wider immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration. (PC: The Hindu)