At least 105 Indians are missing after massive flash floods swept through Nepal’s Nuwakot and Dhading districts near the Tibet border on Wednesday. The sudden surge of water in the Bhote Koshi River, reportedly from the Tibetan side, washed away villages, homes and infrastructure. The death toll in the Nepal-China border region has risen to nine, while several others remain missing. Rescue operations are under way, though high water levels have made it difficult for helicopters to land in affected areas. Authorities have urged people living along riverbanks to move to safer locations. 

At least 17 people were killed after a massive flash flood and mudslide swept through areas along the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, washing away villages and damaging roads and infrastructure. The disaster struck Rasuwa district after excessive snowmelt reportedly flooded the Bhote Koshi river. Search and rescue operations are under way on both sides of the border, with 12 people rescued so far. Authorities said 13 armed police personnel were missing, while communication, power and road links were disrupted. Nepalese officials warned of huge losses as several downstream areas remained on high alert. (PC: BBC)

India on Wednesday rejected what it called “politically motivated” and “highly malicious” references in a UN committee’s report on racial discrimination. The Ministry of External Affairs said the observations contained sweeping generalisations and unsubstantiated allegations that went beyond the convention’s mandate. The response came after the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination raised concerns over alleged large-scale violations against ethnic, tribal, Dalit and other communities. India said its delegation, led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, had already raised objections during the review and highlighted constitutional safeguards, legal protections and efforts to protect disadvantaged groups. (PC: HT)

At least 14 newborn babies were killed after a fire broke out in the maternity ward of a hospital in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The fire reportedly started in an air-conditioning unit at the mother and child unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and quickly spread after reaching oxygen connections. Fifteen babies were in the ward at the time, with one newborn rescued. Families gathered outside the hospital as officials confirmed the deaths. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and ordered an immediate inquiry. A committee has been asked to submit its report within 24 hours. (PC: BBC)

At least eight people were killed and nine others reported missing after flash floods hit Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border on Wednesday. The sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi river washed away villages, vehicles, bridges and infrastructure sites. Timure Bazaar and a newly rebuilt Friendship Bridge were among the structures damaged. Rescue teams, including the Nepal Army and police, were deployed, but high water levels hampered helicopter operations. The floods also disrupted hydropower supply and prompted alerts in downstream areas of Nepal and Bihar. Authorities are investigating whether the disaster was caused by heavy rainfall or a glacial lake outburst.  

The US Army is facing a leadership crisis after Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth fired or forced out several senior officers, leaving key posts vacant. The Army has had no permanent chief of staff since Hegseth removed General Randy George in April. At least six senior officers have reportedly been removed, while the number of active-duty four-star Army generals has fallen from 10 to five. The changes come as the Army supports US operations in the Middle East and Ukraine. General Christopher LaNeve is currently serving as acting Army chief while also holding the vice chief’s post. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for one week following the death of country music legend Dolly Parton at 80. The presidential proclamation directs flags at federal buildings, military installations, naval vessels and US diplomatic facilities abroad to remain at half-staff until sunset on September 1, 2026. Trump described Parton’s death as a “true loss for millions” and praised her extraordinary contribution to music and culture. Parton, whose career spanned nearly seven decades, was celebrated for hits including “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” as well as her philanthropy. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has opposed a planned August 29 event featuring RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Madison Square Garden. Mamdani said he found the RSS’s vision of India “exclusionary” and contrasted it with his belief in a pluralistic and secular society. However, he acknowledged that the city may not have legal authority to cancel the privately organised gathering. Bhagwat is visiting the U.S. as part of the RSS’s centenary-year global outreach programme and is expected to address around 5,000 members of the Indian diaspora. Several interfaith and civil rights groups have also urged the venue to cancel the event. (PC: Reuters)

Erebus Anomaly, a Maine Coon kitten from Kaukauna, Wisconsin, has set a Guinness World Record after being confirmed to have 29 toes, the most ever recorded on a cat. His unusual number of digits is caused by polydactyly, a genetic condition that produces extra toes. Erebus surpassed the previous record of 28 toes, held by Canadian cat Jake since 2002 and recently matched by Michigan kitten Toby. The kitten also survived a serious bout of pneumonia after suffering an aspiration event shortly after birth. His owners described his recovery as miraculous. Guinness officially recognised Erebus’s record on May 13.

The U.S. military said on Tuesday that a strike on a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in the Caribbean Sea killed four people. The U.S. Southern Command said intelligence showed the vessel was actively involved in narcotics trafficking and described those killed as “narco-terrorists.” The military did not identify the individuals or disclose the exact location of the strike. The attack is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign against alleged drug-trafficking networks, which began in September 2025. More than 210 people have reportedly been killed in similar strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Human rights organisations and UN experts have questioned their legality. (PC: X)