The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has temporarily banned the sale of compounded hing made by Everest Food Products and Laljee Godhoo after laboratory tests found the products substandard. FSSAI said the samples did not meet the required 5% alcohol-soluble extract level, while some contained only 0–3%. The regulator also found excessive starch in raw hing samples from Laljee Godhoo. Everest’s egg curry masala, chicken masala and garam masala were also found non-compliant but have not been banned. The companies have been asked to explain the violations and voluntarily recall affected products. (PC: India Today)

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani celebrated Raksha Bandhan with the Indian and South Asian community at India Home, a community centre for South Asian seniors. Photos shared by Mamdani showed an elderly woman tying a rakhi on his wrist.   Calling the festival’s thread a symbol of a promise to “protect, support and stand by one another,” Mamdani said the spirit should extend across New York. He added that the city should continue working towards becoming safer and more affordable for all residents. (PC: X)

Catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border have left nearly 3,000 people missing as search and rescue operations enter their fourth day. Nepal reports 2,426 missing people and 626 deaths, while Tibet has confirmed seven fatalities and 554 missing. More than 3,700 people have been rescued, but difficult terrain and poor weather continue to hamper operations. Around 93,000 people have been affected, with extensive destruction to homes, roads and infrastructure. Authorities are also monitoring a glacial lake that could pose further flooding risks. Nepal faces reconstruction costs potentially reaching $5 billion, increasing calls for international assistance. (PC: AFP)

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the 2026 Asian Games and the remainder of the athletics season after suffering an ankle ligament tear during training. The two-time Olympic medallist recently finished second at the Lausanne Diamond League with a throw of 88.05 metres, but the injury has forced him to stop competing. Chopra, who was expected to be a strong medal contender in Aichi-Nagoya, said he will focus on recovery and rehabilitation. His absence is a major setback for India’s athletics campaign. He previously faced a lengthy injury layoff before returning to competition earlier this year. (PC: AP)

A Russian drone strike on Ukraine’s Kyiv region killed at least 27 people and injured 42 others, Ukrainian officials said. The attack struck a warehouse in the Bucha district near Kyiv late Friday, triggering a major explosion and fire. More than 380 people were evacuated as emergency crews worked to contain the blaze. Around 50 homes and other infrastructure were damaged, while a facility for elderly people was also affected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and ordered investigations into possible negligence surrounding ammunition storage. The incident highlights the continuing civilian toll of Russia’s war against Ukraine. (PC: X)

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticised the raising of “Azadi” slogans at Jadavpur University, saying it was painful to hear such slogans in Kolkata. He questioned slogans including “Kashmir Mange Azadi” and references to Maoist leader Kishanji reportedly written on the university’s walls. Adhikari also expressed concern over what he described as a culture of political intimidation on the campus and called for stronger action to restore discipline and nationalism. His remarks have intensified the political debate surrounding student activism, dissent and freedom of expression at Jadavpur University. The controversy comes amid a broader dispute over alleged anti-national graffiti on campus. (PC: ANI)

A 17-year-old Class 11 student, Rohit Sahebrao Dhangar, died by suicide in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon on Raksha Bandhan, shortly after meeting his sister and receiving a rakhi. After returning home, he reportedly posted an emotional message asking his sister to take care of their parents. Preliminary information also indicates that he sent a video to a friend saying he had lost money through online gaming. The friend and others rushed to his home after becoming concerned, but he had already died. Police have registered an accidental death case, and further investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. (PC: NDTV)

Satellite imagery has revealed the devastating impact of flash floods along the Nepal-China border. Images comparing the Gyirong Port–Rasuwagadhi border crossing before and after the disaster show that almost the entire border complex, including buildings, roads and a bridge, was swept away within a day. The disaster struck after a massive surge of water and debris devastated the Himalayan region. Rescue operations entered their fourth day on August 29, with at least 2,478 people still untraced. The images provide a stark visual record of the destruction and highlight the enormous challenge facing rescue teams and authorities. (PC: AFP)

Nepal is facing a devastating humanitarian crisis after flash floods triggered by an ice-and-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster has killed 626 people in Nepal, while more than 2,400 people remain unaccounted for across Nepal and Tibet. Floodwaters and debris destroyed homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure, severely disrupting rescue operations. Authorities have warned of further flooding as water levels rise in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli areas. More than 11,000 security personnel have been deployed for rescue efforts. India and other countries are providing specialised assistance, while authorities continue searching for survivors and missing people. (PC: Instgram)

Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to keep foreign rescuers away from areas devastated by the Bhotekoshi flash floods. Following diplomatic pressure from countries with missing nationals, Nepal has approved specialist teams from India, China, Australia and South Korea. The teams will assist with rescuing people trapped inside hydropower tunnels and conduct DNA testing and forensic examinations. More than 600 people had reportedly died, while at least 1,000 remained missing, including 517 foreigners from 31 countries. India has offered tunnel-rescue, medical and NDRF personnel, while South Korea has also sought assistance for its missing citizens. (PC: ANI)