American brands that once relied on China as a dependable growth engine are losing ground as economic weakness, cautious consumers and sophisticated domestic rivals reshape the market. Nike’s China business has shrunk about 30% since 2021, while Starbucks faces growing competition from lower-priced, digital-first chains such as Luckin and Cotti. General Motors has also struggled as Chinese electric-vehicle makers expand rapidly. Yet foreign brands can still succeed: Lululemon, Ralph Lauren and KFC continue growing by adapting to local preferences. Analysts say localisation, faster innovation, competitive pricing and strong local distribution are increasingly crucial. China remains a major consumer market, but global brand prestige alone can no longer guarantee success. (PC: The Economic Times)

The China-Nepal flooding crisis has intensified after a lake formed by debris from a glacier collapse began overflowing, forcing Chinese authorities to halt rescue operations. The lake was created when the glacier collapse triggered catastrophic flooding along the border. Fearing a possible breach and secondary disasters including mountain collapses and avalanches, Chinese rescue personnel and vehicles withdrew to a safe area. An engineering team found the lake had grown to more than 2.5 million cubic metres, from an estimated 1.5–2 million cubic metres a day earlier. The lake is around 150 metres long and 40–50 metres deep. China expects another 3 million cubic metres of water to enter over three days, with peak flow around September 1. (PC: Reuters)

The Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Maharashtra Police has arrested three more people, including two foreign nationals, in connection with a Mephedrone (MD) racket busted on a street in Balewadi, Pune, in June. The suspects were identified as Cisse Sadio alias Alex, 30, a Senegalese citizen; Jele Beasmark, 30, a citizen of the Kingdom of Eswatini; and Indian national Vikram Kalekar, 30, from Karjat in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. All three were arrested on Thursday and remanded to ANTF custody for six days by a Pune court. Police recovered 22 grams of MD and eight mobile phones from Alex, and 14 grams of MD and six phones from Jele. The case now has seven arrests. (PC: The Indian Express)

India’s food regulator FSSAI has proposed front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods and drinks following growing public anger over the absence of strict warnings for products high in sugar, fat or salt. The proposal marks a reversal of FSSAI’s earlier position and comes amid repeated calls from activists and the Supreme Court, which has highlighted concerns including obesity. In a filing before the Supreme Court on Friday, FSSAI proposed a red-coloured hexagonal warning symbol for products high in any two or more of three nutrients: saturated fat, sugar or salt. Food companies including Coca-Cola, Nestle and PepsiCo have opposed such labels, arguing they could be confusing, creating a setback for the industry. (PC: Times Now)  

Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to reject foreign rescue teams and will allow experts from India, China, Australia and South Korea to assist with flood relief operations. The teams will help search for people potentially trapped inside tunnels and identify bodies through DNA testing and forensic investigations. A senior government official said international pressure, including concerns over missing foreign nationals, influenced the decision. Nepal’s disaster authority has raised the number of missing people to 1,924, including 517 foreigners and 933 hydropower workers. India has offered tunnel-rescue expertise, medical teams, Bailey bridges and relief supplies. Two aircraft carrying emergency materials have already arrived, while another was scheduled to follow as rescue and recovery efforts continue. (PC: Reuters)

A Nepali family has survived the devastating flash floods after taking shelter in a green-painted house that remained standing as raging waters swept away nearby buildings and debris. Dramatic footage showing the house surrounded by fast-moving, muddy floodwaters went viral online, prompting widespread concern for the family’s safety. At least three family members were visible on the house as the torrent engulfed the surrounding area. While neighbouring structures were carried away, the green house appeared to suffer relatively little visible damage. Its durability quickly became a talking point online, with viewers highlighting how the structure withstood the extreme force of the flood. The disaster was triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near Nepal’s border.

Congress leaders have questioned Penguin Random House India (PRHI) over the publication row surrounding Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love, alleging pressure on the publisher and threats to freedom of expression. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed sections concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and China were targeted for removal, while Kamal Nath and other Congress leaders also raised concerns. Penguin denied that it rejected the memoir because Gandhi refused editorial changes, clarifying that it is not the book’s Indian publisher. PRHI said fact-checking and editorial recommendations are routine and maintained it had remained willing to publish the book. The memoir’s Indian publisher remains unclear, with international release scheduled for November. (PC: X)

Nepal has opened its doors to international assistance as devastating flash floods and landslides leave thousands affected and damage infrastructure. Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Mahabir Pun said the government needs help to rebuild, while rescue operations continue with more than 20 helicopters deployed. Finance Secretary Ghanshyam Upadhyaya said India, China and the World Bank are coordinating financial support. The World Bank said up to Rs 25 billion could be mobilised as emergency assistance. Around 93,000 people may have been affected, according to Red Cross estimates, while destroyed roads, bridges, electricity and mobile networks are hampering access. The IFRC has launched a $31 million appeal for relief and long-term recovery efforts.

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested a Delhi couple, Sahil, 25, and his wife Sameera, 21, for alleged links to a Pakistan-based espionage network. Police said the couple met in 2022 and married in 2024. Sameera, who worked at a Noida call centre, allegedly came into contact with a Pakistani “agent” on Instagram and later introduced Sahil to him. According to police, the agent told them they could make money through espionage-related activities. Investigators allege the couple sent Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai and were tasked with gathering information and recruiting operatives. Police said the Instagram trail helped uncover the alleged connection and led to the couple’s arrest on Friday. (PC: The Indian Express)

Nepal is struggling to store and identify bodies recovered after devastating flash floods killed hundreds and left more than 1,000 people unaccounted for. Bodies swept away by the Bhotekoshi flood have been recovered hundreds of kilometres downstream across Nuwakot, Chitwan, Tanahun and Nawalparasi. With district hospitals running out of morgue space, authorities are transferring remains and preparing temporary storage facilities for further recoveries. Chitwan has become a major recovery point, with 137 bodies recovered along the Trishuli and Narayani rivers between Phishling and Golaghat as of Thursday morning, according to The Kathmandu Post. Existing hospital morgues can hold only about 30–50 bodies, prompting officials to convert an unused government building in Bharatpur into temporary storage. (PC: Reuters)