Bangladesh has said it sees “no risk” in joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on August 7, and maintained that membership would not restrict its ties with other partners. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman earlier told Parliament that Dhaka would positively consider joining if invited, describing the pact as an internal matter of “our Muslim family.” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir reiterated the position after meeting Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah, calling the agreement a “unique pact” offering new opportunities. He said Bangladesh was discussing the matter and indicated that talks with its bilateral partners were progressing positively, according to the report. (PC: India Today)

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Tehran is not seeking war, but warned that Iran would respond decisively to any aggression. Speaking ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, Pezeshkian said Iran had consistently conveyed its opposition to war while maintaining that it would not remain silent if attacked. His remarks come amid renewed tensions following US strikes on two Iranian launchers on Larak Island, which Washington said were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently launched ballistic missiles at US bases in Jordan, according to reports. Pezeshkian’s statement underscores Tehran’s simultaneous emphasis on avoiding war and maintaining a deterrent response to further attacks. (PC: Fox News)

Nepal’s devastating floods have left a rising death toll and widespread destruction as rescue and recovery operations continue. The latest update puts the death toll at 903, according to Nepalese authorities. In the worst-hit areas, volunteers are clearing debris, recovering bodies and providing food, water and temporary shelter. Near Gyirong, a barrier lake formed after the floods has “naturally drained and is basically cleared”, easing fears of another major flood, though China has warned of continued rainfall through Tuesday. At the devastated border crossing, 117 firefighters and 13 rescue dogs are searching through mud and debris. Earlier figures cited 2,502 missing, including 933 hydropower workers and 592 foreign nationals. (PC: PTI)

At least 933 hydropower project workers are believed to be trapped across around half a dozen projects in Nepal following last week’s devastating floods, according to the country’s disaster management authority. Rescue teams are focusing on tunnels inundated with mud, rock and floodwater, particularly at the Upper Trishuli hydropower complex. Nepal has deployed thousands of security personnel and received specialist tunnel-rescue assistance from India and China. At one tunnel, rescuers have located the entrance and begun clearing debris, while equipment including oxygen supplies and cameras is being prepared for entry. The floods, triggered by a massive glacial collapse, have killed more than 780 people and left over 3,000 missing, severely damaging infrastructure and Nepal’s power-generation capacity. (PC: Khaleej Times)

Iran launched ballistic missiles at two US-operated air bases in Jordan on Sunday, hours after US forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the missiles targeted technical infrastructure, maintenance facilities and fighter-jet positions at King Hussein and Al-Azraq air bases, causing “heavy damage”, while Jordanian air defences intercepted the launches. The US said it attacked the Iranian launchers after observing preparations to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strategic waterway. The strikes mark the first known US attacks on Iran since July and come six months into the conflict. Iran vowed retaliation, calling the US action a “grave blunder”. The escalation has pushed oil prices higher.

US forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, marking the first known American strikes on Iran since late July, according to a US official. The official said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces were preparing to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz when the launchers were targeted. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said several soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded and vowed a “response and punishment.” Iran subsequently attacked US forces stationed in Jordan with ballistic missiles, according to a US source cited by Fox News, though nearly all incoming missiles were reportedly intercepted with no significant impact. The strikes come as the six-month Iran war remains in a stalemate and tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue. (PC: Reuters)

Three months before devastating flash floods hit the Nepal-Tibet border, Nepali and Chinese officials met in Kathmandu on May 27 to discuss cross-border disaster risks. Nepal later said it had not received as much information as sought from China on glacier movements, water levels and extreme events needed for disaster preparedness. China, however, said it had shared important information with Nepal “in a timely manner” and that substantial progress had been made on cross-border disaster information-sharing. The meeting involved 10 Nepali and around 12 Chinese officials, including Tibetan representatives. They discussed cooperation on floods, weather and glacier hazards, with proposed measures including glacial-lake inventories and hazard mapping. Nepal is now seeking more frequent warnings to improve future disaster preparedness. (PC: Reuters)

More than 20 people are reportedly missing after a flash flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch at Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday. The flooding began in Bright Angel Creek around 2:30 pm, sweeping away footbridges and carrying boulders, metal structures and debris into the Colorado River, while significantly altering the landscape. About half an inch to one inch of rain fell within 30 minutes, with most of it running off instantly due to the steep terrain. By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch, with no injuries reported. Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and parts of the North Kaibab Trail remained closed. Rafting trips were also halted as further thunderstorms threatened additional flooding.

Bangladesh has said it sees “no risk” in joining the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan on August 7. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman told Parliament that Dhaka would positively consider joining the pact if invited, describing it as an internal matter of “our Muslim family” and saying there was no reason for others to be concerned. Bangladesh also maintained that joining the agreement would not restrict its engagement with other international partners. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s expected visit to Riyadh, weeks after the three countries signed the defence pact. Bangladesh’s position could draw attention in India amid concerns over the agreement’s strategic implications. (PC: X)

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has released his first photographs from a US prison, declaring that he remains “standing firm” as his successor, interim President Delcy Rodriguez, moves ahead with a major oil deal with the Donald Trump administration. The images show the 63-year-old Maduro in a grey tracksuit, raising peace signs from a Brooklyn jail, where he is being held with his wife, Cilia Flores. Both face drug trafficking and firearms charges, which they deny. Maduro’s message came as Trump said Venezuelan crude from the proposed oil deal could help replenish the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. (PC: India Today)