An Iranian warship reportedly confronted the Indian-flagged oil tanker HAANA while it attempted to transit the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, known as the Oman corridor. According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the tanker was warned by a large Iranian warship and subsequently deterred from continuing its journey. The incident occurred amid escalating Iran-US tensions and severe disruption to commercial shipping through the strategic waterway. Fars reported that no traffic had been observed on the southern route during the previous 24 hours. The incident has not been independently confirmed by Iranian or Indian authorities. (PC: Reuters)

A construction worker in Nepal captured the terrifying moment a powerful mudslide and floodwaters swept through Mailung in Rasuwa district. Footage shows workers scrambling for safety as rapidly moving water and debris overwhelmed the area. The worker survived the disaster and was later rescued by helicopter along with more than 100 other people. The floods severely damaged roads and bridges, making ground rescue operations difficult. The incident occurred amid devastating flash floods affecting northern Nepal and nearby areas, highlighting the extreme danger faced by communities and workers in the Himalayan region during the disaster. 

Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, renowned for her polka-dot artworks and immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms, has died aged 97. Her studio said she died in a Tokyo hospital on August 14, 2026, and continued creating art until her final days. Kusama became one of the world’s most recognisable contemporary artists, blending painting, sculpture, performance, literature and installation. Her recurring themes of infinity, repetition and self-obliteration gained enormous international popularity, particularly through social media. Despite struggling for recognition early in her career, major exhibitions at institutions including MoMA and Tate Modern established her as a global artistic icon. (PC: Reuters)

Devastating flash floods and mudslides along Nepal’s border with Tibet have caused widespread destruction, with aerial footage showing entire villages and infrastructure wiped out. The powerful surge along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers swept away homes, roads, bridges and power plants. At least 165 people have died in Nepal and Tibet, while hundreds remain missing, including foreign tourists. Rescue teams are conducting search operations amid difficult conditions and damaged transportation links. Flood alerts have also been issued for parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India. The disaster has left several communities severely damaged and raised concerns over Himalayan disaster risks. 

Following the devastating flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border, the Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt proposed new hydropower projects in Sikkim. SIBLAC convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia also called for an independent, time-bound inquiry into existing and proposed hydroelectric projects, citing concerns over environmental and disaster risks in the fragile Himalayan region. The demand comes after the Nepal floods destroyed infrastructure, including power projects, and raised renewed concerns about large-scale development in vulnerable mountain areas. (PC: Reuters)

Devastating flash floods and landslides struck Nepal’s border region with Tibet, killing at least 162 people and leaving hundreds missing, including 133 Indian nationals. Many of the missing Indians were reportedly pilgrims travelling toward Mount Kailash. The floods swept through communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, destroying homes, roads, vehicles and other infrastructure. Initial reports suggested seismic activity, but the US Geological Survey (USGS) said the disaster was caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow, which produced catastrophic downstream flooding. Nepalese authorities have launched large-scale search-and-rescue operations, while India and international agencies are providing emergency assistance. (PC: AP)

Haryanvi singer and YouTuber Ankit Balyan was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gym in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, on Wednesday evening, August 26. The attackers opened fire as Balyan was leaving the gym, seriously injuring him. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead. Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed multiple teams to identify and arrest the attackers and determine the motive. His death sparked protests, with family members and supporters blocking the Delhi–Muzaffarnagar Road and demanding immediate arrests. Balyan was known for popular Haryanvi songs and a significant social-media following. (PC: India Today)

Scientists at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have warned of a possible second flood in Nepal after a deadly flash flood struck Rasuwa district near the Nepal-China border. Experts said an ice-rock avalanche may have triggered the disaster, while debris could still be blocking the Lhende Khola upstream. If the blockage gives way, trapped water could unleash another powerful flood downstream through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. Authorities are monitoring vulnerable areas, including Nuwakot and Dhading, while evacuation measures have been initiated. The cause of the initial disaster remains under investigation. (PC: X)

Chilling videos have captured the devastating flash floods that tore through Nepal near the Tibet border, sweeping away homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure. The disaster has killed 157 people and left more than 750 missing, including over 130 Indians. Rasuwa and Dhading are among the worst-hit districts after a suspected earthquake-triggered deluge sent massive volumes of water and debris downstream. Nepal has launched large-scale rescue and relief operations, while India is providing humanitarian assistance. Authorities in Bihar have also been placed on alert over the possibility of floodwaters moving downstream.

Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion to settle claims by 48 US states, Washington DC and three territories that Facebook and Instagram harmed children. If approved by a California judge, the deal will be Meta’s largest child safety-related payment. The company denied wrongdoing but agreed to introduce stronger protections, including default daily time limits, night-time notification blocks and school-hour restrictions for teen users. Parents will have greater control over settings, while features such as hidden likes and limits on autoplay will also be introduced. (PC: BBC)