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)

Before-and-after satellite images have revealed the widespread destruction caused by devastating flash floods in Nepal, with valleys and villages near the Nepal-China border badly damaged. The disaster has killed at least 98 people, while hundreds remain missing, including 105 Indians and 37 NRIs. Rescue operations have been slowed by bad weather and disrupted communications. The floods damaged homes, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure in Rasuwa and neighbouring districts. India has assured Nepal of humanitarian assistance, while NDRF teams in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh remain on alert over the possibility of floodwaters moving downstream. 

India has emerged as Kenya’s biggest supplier of petroleum products, overtaking Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the US-Iran war disrupted fuel trade routes in the Middle East. India’s expanding refining capacity and rising exports to Africa have helped drive the shift. Petroleum products were a major contributor to India’s growing trade with Kenya, with overall Indian exports to the East African nation rising 151% year-on-year in July 2026. India, the world’s fourth-largest oil refiner, exported 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2025-26 despite importing most of its crude oil. (PC: India Today)

At least 157 people have been killed after devastating flash floods struck Nepal's Tibet-border region, while 133 Indian Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims remain missing. The Bhote Koshi River surged through several districts, leaving settlements buried under mud and debris. Nepalese rescue teams are searching for survivors and recovering bodies as hundreds of tourists were initially reported unaccounted for. Prime Minister Balendra Shah has pledged all available government resources for relief operations. India has sent humanitarian assistance, including 10 tonnes of relief material and medical supplies, as rescue efforts continue in the disaster-hit region. (PC: NDTV)

The DRDO has successfully tested its indigenous Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) at the Nyoma-Mudh drop zone in Ladakh, one of the world's highest-altitude zones. Three test jumpers jumped from 22,000 feet above mean sea level in freezing temperatures of minus 15 degrees Celsius. The parachute system was deployed at 20,000 feet, and all three jumpers landed safely at an altitude of about 13,700 feet. The successful trial demonstrated the MCPS's performance in extreme high-altitude conditions, marking a significant step towards strengthening India's indigenous military airborne capabilities.

Bihar has been placed on high alert after deadly flash floods in neighbouring Nepal raised fears of a sudden rise in the Gandak River. Authorities opened all 36 gates of the Valmikinagar barrage as a precaution and put disaster response teams on standby. Preparations for possible evacuations have also begun in vulnerable areas. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary asked officials to maintain round-the-clock vigil in districts linked to the Gandak. The Centre is also monitoring the situation, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaking to the chief ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. (PC: The Hindu)

Air India and Bhutan's national carrier Drukair have entered an interline partnership, allowing passengers to book connecting flights on both airlines under a single ticket. The arrangement will also enable baggage to be transferred to the final destination through Delhi. Air India passengers can travel to Paro and connect to Bumthang, Gelephu and Yonphula, while Drukair passengers gain access to Air India's domestic and international network through Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata. The airlines said the partnership will improve connectivity, offer more travel options and strengthen links between India, Bhutan and destinations beyond. (PC: Business Today)

English actor Tim Curry, best known for his iconic role as Dr Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80. Curry also earned acclaim for playing Pennywise in the 1990 TV adaptation of Stephen King's It. His career included roles in Annie, Clue, Home Alone 2 and Muppet Treasure Island. After suffering a major stroke in 2012, Curry continued voice acting and attending fan conventions. He published his memoir, Vagabond, last year.

The United States said Wednesday it had disrupted a Chinese hacking campaign that allegedly breached sensitive government institutions, including the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve and the US Senate. According to the US Justice Department, China state-sponsored hackers allegedly used two platforms, QScan and QTRouter, to target US networks. American authorities said the platforms facilitated attacks against government agencies and other sensitive organisations. The Justice Department has seized domains linked to both platforms as part of efforts to disrupt the campaign. The operation comes amid broader US efforts to counter cyber threats that Washington attributes to China, highlighting continuing concerns over state-sponsored hacking targeting critical government and institutional networks. (PC: esecuritypanel.com)

Satellite images have revealed the devastating scale of flash floods along the Nepal-China border, after a massive mud and rock collapse triggered catastrophic flooding on August 25 and 26. At least 98 people have been killed, while hundreds remain missing as rescue teams assess the damage. Verified videos showed dozens of people being swept away, with authorities on both sides fearing significantly higher casualties. In Nepal, houses, roads and power projects were destroyed, while officials in Tibet reported major casualties and missing people in Gyirong after a mudslide struck a border crossing. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said initial reports suggested an earthquake may have triggered an avalanche, causing the floods. (PC: Planet Labs PBC/Handout via Reuters)