Iran’s Army has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures and hands over an American military personnel, according to state media. Army chief Amir Hatami said the reward is equivalent to 5 billion tomans and was created after requests for public participation in financial support. He also said Iranian women who carry out such an act would receive double the reward. Hatami did not specify where or when the bounty could be claimed. The announcement comes as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high, with both sides continuing to exchange threats and strikes amid the wider conflict in the region. (PC: HT)

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores Island on Saturday, killing at least 53 people and displacing around 5,000 residents. More than 130 people were injured, while rescuers continued searching for survivors in areas hit by landslides and collapsed buildings. The shallow quake damaged more than 900 homes and disrupted roads and other infrastructure. Hundreds of aftershocks have followed, adding to fears among residents sheltering in temporary camps. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake but was later lifted. Emergency teams are delivering food, water and medical supplies as authorities assess the full extent of the damage. (PC: BBC)

Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russia, with Moscow claiming hundreds of drones were intercepted overnight. Russian authorities said at least six people were killed, including an 83-year-old man, while several others were injured. A major Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, near Moscow, caught fire during the assault. Russia claimed 822 Ukrainian drones were shot down, including around 600 targeting Moscow, though these figures could not be independently verified. The attack comes as Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russian infrastructure. Russia simultaneously launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, causing further civilian casualties and damage. (PC: AFP)

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Dhaka said a “propitious environment” must be created before Rahman’s bilateral visit can proceed. Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry said officials from both countries have been discussing the visit for several weeks, but Hasina’s August 5 public interaction in New Delhi affected the process. Dhaka has urged India to expedite Hasina’s extradition, along with other fugitives, and is awaiting New Delhi’s response. The development highlights continuing diplomatic tensions and the sensitive nature of India-Bangladesh relations. (PC: AP)

Bihar-born chef Nand Kishor Yadav has been invited to King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s Royal Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The invitation recognises his culinary career, Indian heritage and community work in the UK. Chef Nand, who has spent 25 years working across India, the US and UK, called the occasion a proud and humbling moment. Born in Motihari, Bihar, he began his career in 1999 and later worked with international chefs before moving to Britain in 2007. He has also worked under celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and now runs The White Hart near London. (PC: X)

A powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores island early Saturday, killing at least 51 people and displacing thousands. The shallow quake damaged more than 900 homes and hundreds of other buildings, while 341 aftershocks were recorded, officials said. Manggarai was among the worst-hit areas, with 24 deaths reported, followed by 17 in East Manggarai. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated across affected areas. Rescue teams are searching damaged buildings for survivors, while landslides have blocked access to some villages. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake but was lifted about 3 hours later after no significant sea-level rise. (PC: BBC)

Ukraine reportedly launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Russia on August 16, with hundreds of drones targeting several regions, including Moscow. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it destroyed 822 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said around 600 were detected heading toward the capital. A Ukrainian drone strike sparked a major fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Podolsk, sending huge columns of black smoke into the sky. Fires were also reported at warehouses and industrial sites. At least 6 people were killed in the attacks, including 5 in Rostov and an 83-year-old man in the Moscow region. (PC: HT)

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said on Independence Day that the country “tolerates” its Hindu population, which he claimed is 3–4%. He also said Hindus are free in Pakistan and referred to India’s belief in “Akhand Bharat”. However, Pakistan’s 2023 census records about 5.2 million Hindus, or 2.17% of the population. Zardari’s remarks have drawn attention to Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities. Rights groups have documented cases involving forced conversions, abductions, discrimination and violence against minorities. Pakistan’s Constitution formally guarantees religious freedom, but critics say its record raises questions about whether minorities receive equal rights and protection. (PC: Indian Today)

At least 3 people have been killed and more than 10 injured in the latest Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine, officials said. Russian missiles and drones struck several areas, including a book market in Kyiv, where firefighters battled a major overnight fire. Ukraine said it had shot down 3 Russian missiles and nearly 100 drones. In Zaporizhzhia, 2 people were killed after a guided bomb destroyed a house, while Dnipropetrovsk reported 1 death and 14 injuries. Meanwhile, Moscow said around 600 Ukrainian drones targeted the capital overnight, injuring 3 people and hitting a Wildberries warehouse. (PC: BBC)

At least 47 people have died after a powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Indonesia’s Flores island early Saturday, with rescue teams searching for survivors trapped under rubble. The quake struck shortly before 05:00 local time at a depth of 15km, according to Indonesia’s meteorology agency. More than 900 homes and hundreds of other buildings were severely damaged, while 341 aftershocks were recorded. More than 5,000 people have moved to evacuation shelters, and thousands of aid packages have been sent to affected areas. A tsunami warning was issued after the quake but was lifted about 3 hours later after no significant sea-level rise. (PC: BBC)