Heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in northern India and Nepal, killing at least 68 people combined. In Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, over 56 deaths and 46 injuries were reported, while in Nepal, 12 people have died, with more missing as rivers continue to rise.
Key Facts
Uttar Pradesh received 66.5mm (2.6 inches) of rain from Friday to Sunday, above the usual 7.6mm for this period.
Floods and landslides in Uttar Pradesh have damaged more than 1,000 houses.
A weather depression from the Bay of Bengal increased rainfall across the region.
Odisha, another Indian state, evacuated over 70,000 people due to rising rivers and damaged bridges.
Thirty river-monitoring stations in seven Indian states are reporting a severe situation with major rivers above danger levels.
In Nepal, recent floods and landslides have killed 12 people and disrupted power in four districts.
Flooding damaged a 40-megawatt hydropower project’s structures and transmission towers in Nepal.
Authorities warn of flash floods in 49 of Nepal’s 77 districts, with several areas facing high flood risk.
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Professor Biao Xiang, a Chinese anthropologist, has become popular among young people in China for discussing their anxiety about the future in a rapidly changing society. He speaks about the pressures they face, such as job competition and social expectations, and encourages finding meaning and connection beyond just approval from systems like exams and jobs.
Key Facts
Biao Xiang is a 54-year-old anthropologist who speaks about anxiety and social pressures faced by young Chinese people.
His talks attract large audiences, including one event in Singapore with about 500 attendees, mostly Chinese diaspora.
He served as director at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Germany and studies social change in China and Asia.
Xiang explains that young people in China feel uncertain despite the country’s rapid economic and social growth.
He highlights how young people seek approval from competitive systems, which can harm their self-worth.
Xiang uses terms like "floating" to describe people struggling just to survive and "the nearby" to explain how people feel disconnected from their immediate environment.
His ideas resonate because the issues he discusses are often difficult to talk about publicly in China due to political sensitivity and censorship.
China’s leader Xi Jinping has recognized similar social tensions, calling it a main contradiction between people's hopes and development gaps.
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The United States-led Board of Peace (BoP) has announced that the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) will not be involved in Gaza’s reconstruction. The BoP said it will only work with partners it trusts to meet the needs of Gaza’s people, stating that UNRWA does not meet these standards.
Key Facts
The Board of Peace was launched by President Donald Trump earlier in 2024 to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction after years of conflict.
BoP revealed a $2.4 billion, 66-project plan to start rebuilding Gaza but excluded UNRWA as a partner.
UNRWA was created in 1949 to support Palestinian refugees and currently has about 11,000 employees in Gaza.
The BoP said it will work only with partners who help create a "deradicalised" Gaza and said UNRWA does not pass this test.
UNRWA officials have met with BoP representatives but were told their agency’s "days are over" in Gaza.
UNRWA’s acting leader, Christian Saunders, called the agency essential and warned against ignoring its experience and capabilities.
Former UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said removing the agency would have a devastating effect on Palestinians.
Gaza continues to face severe humanitarian challenges due to ongoing conflict, restrictions on aid, and stalled reconstruction efforts.
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Hakim Mar’i and his family are struggling to survive after being displaced from the Tulkarem refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. The camp was emptied during an Israeli military operation, and the family now faces poverty, multiple moves, and lack of medical care.
Key Facts
The Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank was emptied by Israeli forces over 20 months ago in a military operation.
Hakim Mar’i suffered a severe leg injury and cannot work or access medical treatment.
His family has had to move four times since January 2025 and struggles to pay rent and buy food.
The original family home was destroyed by the Israeli military to make way for a road.
The displaced family faces ongoing eviction threats and debts.
Over 33,000 Palestinians were displaced from refugee camps in the northern West Bank during this operation.
Military orders prevent displaced families from returning to the camps.
The Mar’i family was originally displaced from al-Khudayra (Hadera) in 1948, living as refugees for generations.
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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the Israeli military should take strong action in the occupied West Bank similar to what was done in Gaza. He called for dismantling the Palestinian Authority, which he described as a terrorist group, amid rising violence in the area.
Key Facts
Bezalel Smotrich is Israel’s far-right Finance Minister.
He said the military should "go to war" in the West Bank, also called Judea and Samaria.
Smotrich wants to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which he called a "terror authority."
Violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023.
From January to July, over 1,330 settler attacks on Palestinians were recorded, averaging six attacks daily.
Some settler groups reportedly use military weapons and wear uniforms, blurring lines between soldiers and civilians.
Israel has imposed a military closure on the West Bank for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, lasting until October 3.
Hundreds of Israelis entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection, performing religious rituals amid heightened security measures.
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Yemen’s government forces have launched multiple attacks against the Iran-backed Houthi group in the southwestern Taiz province. The fighting has displaced about 130,000 people since July and is part of a wider conflict involving control over key areas like the strategic Red Sea coast and important maritime routes.
Key Facts
Yemen’s government forces carried out airstrikes and ground attacks against Houthis in five locations in Taiz province recently.
About 130,000 people have been forced to leave their homes due to fighting that restarted in July after a 2022 ceasefire.
Houthis gained control of the Red Sea city of Mocha and parts of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, an important global shipping route.
Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, called on citizens to join the fight against the Houthis to reclaim lost territory.
Saudi Arabia is seeking support from allies like Pakistan and Turkey as it faces attacks from Houthis on its own soil.
Government forces claim to have killed or wounded dozens of Houthi fighters, including commanders, and destroyed military vehicles.
Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of air strikes and threaten to block oil tanker routes in response to regional conflicts.
Both sides accuse each other of using dangerous weapons that threaten civilian and international air traffic in the Red Sea area.
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A plane carrying a military group in the Democratic Republic of Congo crashed, killing 17 people. Among the dead were two top military officers and four civilians. Authorities are investigating what caused the crash.
Key Facts
The crash happened in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The plane was carrying a military delegation.
A total of 17 people died in the crash.
Four of the victims were civilians, not military personnel.
Two senior members of the armed forces died in the accident.
The reason for the crash has not been determined yet and is being investigated.
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Police in the UK evacuated homes near an airbase used by the US military and arrested several men suspected of having explosives. Specialists are checking vehicles for bombs, and residents were moved to a local center for safety.
Key Facts
The evacuations happened near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England.
RAF Fairford is a UK airbase used by US forces.
Several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses.
The army’s bomb disposal team is examining multiple vehicles.
Evacuated residents were taken to a nearby leisure center.
RAF Fairford has been used by US forces for strikes during the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
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Robert Del Naja, a singer from the English band Massive Attack, was arrested in Liverpool during a protest supporting Palestine. The protest called on the UK to stop supplying weapons to Israel and opposed the UK government’s ban on Palestine Action.
Key Facts
Robert Del Naja is a member of the band Massive Attack.
He was arrested while protesting in Liverpool.
The protest focused on support for Palestine and opposing alleged genocide in Gaza.
Demonstrators wanted the UK government to stop sending weapons to Israel.
The protest also opposed the UK’s ban on a group called Palestine Action.
This event happened before a Labour Party conference.
The Labour Party was led by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the time.
The protest was part of wider demonstrations on the issue in the UK.
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Iran is trying to shift its oil exports and imports from its southern ports to the Caspian Sea in the north. This change comes after a U.S. naval blockade and strikes affected southern routes, but challenges like low water levels and border congestion make northern trade difficult.
Key Facts
The U.S. Navy blocks Iran’s southern ports, limiting Iran’s access to global trade.
Iran wants to use the Caspian Sea, shared with Russia and others, for shipping goods.
Water levels in the Caspian Sea have dropped about 2 meters since the 1990s, causing shipping problems.
Lower water levels mean Iranian ports can only handle smaller ships than before.
Ships entering the Caspian Sea through Russia’s Volga River sometimes get stuck due to low water.
Iran’s land borders, especially with Armenia, have long truck queues causing delays of days or weeks.
Congestion at borders is made worse by limited facilities, customs, road conditions, and airline sanctions affecting passenger flows.
Rail connections to some neighboring regions remain closed, dependent on peace agreements and infrastructure projects.
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Djibouti has asked the world for help at the United Nations because it is receiving thousands of refugees from Yemen due to ongoing fighting. The country says it cannot manage the large number of people arriving without support from other nations.
Key Facts
Djibouti is facing a large arrival of refugees fleeing conflict in Yemen.
Fighting in Yemen has worsened, causing many people to leave the country.
Refugees are crossing the Red Sea to reach Djibouti.
Djibouti’s foreign minister spoke about the situation at the United Nations General Assembly.
The country cannot handle the refugee arrivals on its own.
Djibouti is asking the international community to provide help and resources.
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A suicide bombing happened in northwest Pakistan when a vehicle filled with explosives crashed into a security checkpoint. At least 12 people died and about 30 others were injured, most of whom were security forces.
Key Facts
The attack took place in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
A vehicle packed with explosives hit a roadside security checkpoint.
At least 12 people were killed.
Around 30 people were wounded.
Most victims were members of security forces.
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Pope Leo XIV led an open-air Mass on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, attracting about 800,000 people, which was more than expected. The Mass took place near Place de la Concorde, a historic square with strong republican symbolism, and sparked some debate over the choice of location.
Key Facts
About 800,000 people attended the open-air Mass led by Pope Leo XIV in Paris.
The crowd was larger than the 600,000 people who had originally registered.
The pope traveled along the Champs-Elysees in a popemobile for a 2-kilometer parade.
The Mass was held at Place de la Concorde, a famous Paris square linked to the French Revolution.
Place de la Concorde is a symbol of the French republic and often hosts Bastille Day events.
Some people criticized holding the Mass there because France has a law separating church and state since 1905.
Critics suggested other locations, like Les Invalides, could have been better for the Mass.
The Vatican organized the event and described it as a historic moment for the square.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised opposition leaders who have started working together to replace his government before the October 27 Knesset elections. The opposition leaders held a meeting to coordinate their election strategy and agreed to cooperate in boosting voter turnout and forming a new government.
Key Facts
Five opposition leaders met at Yair Lapid’s home in Tel Aviv to plan their election strategy.
The opposition parties aim to increase voter turnout and secure a majority to form a new government.
Netanyahu posted an altered photo suggesting these opposition leaders plan to work with Arab parties.
The opposition leaders signed a document pledging cooperation before, during, and after the election.
They will form three working groups to focus on voter turnout, government guidelines, and countering misinformation.
One goal of the opposition is to establish a commission to investigate the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister, expressed hope and confidence in winning the election.
The Knesset election is scheduled for October 27, 2024.
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Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remark calling diplomats who left his UN speech “moral cowards.” She said that the term fits leaders who keep ignoring international law, rather than the diplomats who protested.
Key Facts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called diplomats who walked out of his UN speech “moral cowards.”
The diplomats left the speech in protest during the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Iceland’s Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir replied to Netanyahu’s comment.
Gunnarsdottir said “moral cowards” better describes leaders who repeatedly disrespect international law.
The disagreement occurred at the United Nations General Assembly, a global diplomatic meeting.
This exchange highlights tensions between Israel and other countries over international law and diplomacy.
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Heavy rain in Bangkok, Thailand, has caused flooding that affected about 52,000 households and forced nearly 4,900 people to move to shelters. Authorities are working to drain water from canals, and more rain is expected before easing on Monday.
Key Facts
Bangkok experienced nearly 48 hours of heavy rain, causing flooding.
Around 52,000 households were affected by the floodwaters.
About 4,900 people were evacuated and moved to shelters for safety.
Water levels in city canals remained high, prompting drainage efforts.
Over 330 millimeters (13 inches) of rain fell in some parts of Bangkok.
A flood disaster was officially declared for Bangkok on Saturday.
Additional rain was forecast for Sunday, with rain expected to lessen on Monday.
Scientists say extreme weather events like this flooding are likely to become more common due to global warming from fossil fuel emissions.
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Northern Ireland’s High Court allowed the Orange Order, a Protestant group, to march through a mainly Catholic area in Portadown for the first time in 28 years. The decision ended a legal battle and renewed tensions over this long-standing dispute linked to Northern Ireland’s divided communities.
Key Facts
The Orange Order’s march is planned along Garvaghy Road, a mostly Catholic neighborhood in Portadown.
Residents tried to stop the march but the High Court rejected their request.
The Court of Appeal lifted a temporary ban on the march given the day before.
Large crowds gathered, and some protesters planned peaceful blockades by linking arms.
Northern Ireland political leaders gave mixed reactions: Sinn Fein leaders opposed the march and supported protesters, while Democratic Unionist Party leaders called for calm and no violence.
The Parades Commission allowed the march with strict limits: only 35 people, no bands or supporters, and it must end by 9:30 a.m.
The parade dispute dates back to the Troubles, a conflict over Northern Ireland’s future that mostly ended with the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
Past attempts to march this route triggered significant protests and violence in the 1990s.
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At least 17 people died and 15 were injured in a shooting at a tavern in Gauteng province, South Africa. Police are looking for eight suspects who may have used rifles and pistols, but the reason for the attack is still unknown.
Key Facts
The shooting happened in Wedela township, southwest of Johannesburg.
Emergency services confirmed 17 people died at the scene.
Another 15 people were wounded in the attack.
Police are searching for eight suspects involved in the incident.
The suspects are believed to have used AK-47 rifles and pistols.
The motive behind the shooting has not been determined.
The incident took place in South Africa’s Gauteng province.
Police are actively investigating and looking for more information.
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Pope Leo XIV led a large outdoor Mass in central Paris, attracting about 800,000 people. He also visited Lourdes, where thousands gathered for prayers at a famous grotto.
Key Facts
The open-air Mass took place at Place de la Concorde in Paris.
Around 800,000 people attended the Mass.
Pope Leo XIV visited Lourdes during his trip to France.
Thousands of worshippers greeted him in Lourdes.
The Pope prayed at the Grotto of Massabielle, a well-known holy site.
The events were part of the Pope’s official visit to France.
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Ethiopia’s federal army says it is carefully managing rising conflict in the country’s north to avoid a new civil war. Fighting has spread from the Tigray region to neighboring areas, with a new rebel alliance aiming to remove the government, and internet access has been cut amid concerns about drone attacks on civilians.
Key Facts
Ethiopia’s army chief says the military is acting with “wisdom and restraint” amid rising tensions in northern Ethiopia.
Multiple armed groups formed the Ethiopian Peoples’ Forces Alliance for Survival to oppose Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.
Fighting has spread beyond Tigray into the Afar and Amhara regions, with clashes around towns like Abala and Alamata.
Ethiopia’s army reported killing 272 fighters and wounding 260 in a recent counterattack near North Wollo, part of Amhara region.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) says the federal government has launched a full military offensive using infantry, mechanized units, and drones.
Internet was cut off in northern Ethiopia after reports of drone strikes on civilians, raising alarm at the UN.
The 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which previously ended a two-year civil war in Tigray, is under severe strain due to renewed fighting.
Ethiopia’s president accused foreign actors of interfering in the country, emphasizing Ethiopia’s role in regional peace efforts.
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