Heavy floods hit the border area between Nepal and Tibet, causing at least 676 deaths and about 3,000 people missing, including around 90 Americans. Sunny Patel, whose father is missing after the disaster while on a pilgrimage, last spoke to him on the morning of the flood, and search efforts are still ongoing.
Key Facts
The floods occurred along the Trishuli River, affecting many communities on the Nepal-Tibet border.
At least 676 people have died, and nearly 3,000 remain missing after the floods.
Around 90 missing people are Americans, including Jitendra Patel from Long Island, New York.
Jitendra Patel was on a spiritual pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet when the floods struck.
Sunny Patel last spoke with his father on Wednesday morning, just after his father crossed into Tibet.
Since then, the family has not heard from him, and his phone has not connected to WhatsApp.
Rescue and recovery work are ongoing, but information is limited on the Tibetan side due to Chinese restrictions.
Jitendra Patel moved to the U.S. in 1979 and is described by his son as a kind and positive person.
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford put up a large sign saying “Lake Ontario. Now and Always” to respond to President Donald Trump’s order calling Lake Ontario “Lake America.” Canadian leaders mostly made fun of Trump’s move, seeing it as a political stunt rather than a serious claim.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order for U.S. government agencies to call Lake Ontario “Lake America.”
Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a 24-by-12-foot sign at the shoreline in Grimsby, Ontario, asserting the lake’s original name.
The sign has text in both English and French and stands about two stories tall.
Ford said the lake’s name will stay Lake Ontario long after Trump’s presidency ends.
Other Canadian politicians mocked Trump’s attempts to rename bodies of water, comparing it to a fading rock band trying to revive old hits.
Canadian historian Robert Bothwell called Trump’s move serious but criticized it as an effort to weaken Canada.
The event followed a series of tensions between the U.S. and Canada, including tariffs and threats by Trump.
The sign was unveiled while Canadian leaders showed a mix of defiance and humor toward Trump’s actions.
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Rescuers in Nepal and China are searching for nearly 3,000 people missing after severe flooding swept through villages near the border. At least 682 bodies have been found so far, and rescue teams are trying to save workers trapped in tunnels at hydropower sites. The floods were caused by a glacial collapse, a disaster linked to climate change.
Key Facts
Nearly 3,000 people are missing after flash floods along the Nepal-China border.
At least 682 bodies have been recovered: 675 in Nepal and 7 in China.
More than 100 workers may be trapped alive in tunnels at the Trishuli 3A and 3B hydropower sites in Nepal.
The floods were caused by a sudden collapse of a glacier at the Nepal-Tibet border.
Climate change and global warming are increasing the risk of such disasters.
Entire villages near the river were destroyed, leaving survivors with nothing.
Among the missing are 933 hydropower workers and 517 foreigners, including trekkers and pilgrims.
Rescue efforts include inserting pipes into tunnels to send air and begin excavation for trapped workers.
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Cancer medicines have run out in Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. This happened after an Israeli strike damaged the hospital’s water tanks, lab equipment, and storage areas.
Key Facts
Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital has no more cancer medicines left.
An Israeli strike caused damage to the hospital’s water tanks.
The strike also damaged laboratory equipment at the hospital.
Storage areas for medicines at the hospital were hit and destroyed.
The medicines shortage adds to the difficulties caused by the ongoing conflict.
Gaza is a small territory facing intense fighting and blockades.
The hospital is an important medical center for local residents.
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Wildfires in northeast Algeria have killed at least 12 people, and the number may increase. Many survivors report losing their homes, jobs, and whole villages as they face very hot and dry weather.
Key Facts
At least 12 people have died in wildfires in northeast Algeria.
The death toll is expected to rise as the situation develops.
Large areas, including homes and villages, have been destroyed.
Survivors say they have lost their homes and ways to earn a living.
The fires are happening during a period of extreme heat.
A severe drought is making the wildfires worse.
Thousands of people are affected by the fires.
Efforts to control the fires are ongoing amid challenging weather conditions.
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Countries and international groups are working harder to help Libya find peace. Libya currently has two governments that do not agree, and the main plan is to hold new elections to bring the country together.
Key Facts
Libya is controlled by two rival governments.
International efforts focus on organizing new elections in Libya.
The goal of the elections is to unify the divided country.
Experts from Libya and international relations discuss the situation.
Challenges remain in achieving lasting political progress in Libya.
The discussion includes historians, political researchers, and former diplomats.
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Donald Turrell, a World War Two veteran who lied about his age to join the army at 17, has died at 101. He fought in the Normandy campaign after landing on Sword Beach shortly after D-Day and was seriously injured in July 1944, leading to his discharge.
Key Facts
Donald Turrell was born in London in 1925.
He lied about his age, forging a letter to say he was 18 to join the army at 17.
He served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) during World War Two.
Turrell took part in the Normandy campaign and landed on Sword Beach in June 1944.
He was seriously injured during fighting near Eterville in July 1944 and discharged for medical reasons.
He lost close friends in the war and his older brother Leslie, who died when HMS Penelope was sunk in 1944.
Turrell recently lived in Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, and died surrounded by family.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans praised Turrell for his courage and warmth.
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Lenín Moreno, former president of Ecuador, was sentenced to five years in prison for corruption linked to a Chinese company’s contract to build a hydroelectric dam. Due to his age and disability, he will serve his sentence under house arrest and plans to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
Lenín Moreno was president of Ecuador from 2017 to 2021.
He and 19 others were found guilty of corruption involving bribes from Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned company.
Sinohydro allegedly paid $76.1 million through fake companies to secure the hydroelectric dam project.
Moreno will serve his sentence at home because of his age (73) and disability.
Family members of Moreno, including his wife, daughter, and brother, were also sentenced.
Those convicted must repay three times the bribe amount they received.
Moreno was banned from holding public office.
Moreno denied taking bribes and blamed previous president Rafael Correa, who was also sentenced for corruption in a related case.
The dam project faced problems like cracks, leading Ecuador to sue Sinohydro and settle for $400 million in 2024.
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Somali and Turkish forces freed the MV LUTUF, a Turkish ship hijacked by pirates near Somalia. The operation destroyed pirate boats and forced the hijackers to leave, allowing the ship to be recovered.
Key Facts
The MV LUTUF is a Turkish vessel flying the flag of Cameroon.
The ship was hijacked on August 17 near Puntland state in Somalia.
Somali and Turkish forces worked together under a security agreement to fight piracy.
During the rescue, four pirate boats were destroyed and 14 pirates were killed.
The remaining pirates ran away, letting the forces take back the ship.
The defense ministry gave no details about the crew’s condition.
A local community elder confirmed the ship and crew were freed.
The hijacking shows that piracy is still a problem near Somalia’s coast.
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A Russian drone attack hit a warehouse in the village of Myla near Kyiv, killing at least 37 people, making it the deadliest attack on Ukraine this year. The warehouse stored explosives that caused fires and damage to nearby homes, including a care facility where many victims died. Other deadly attacks on Kyiv have killed dozens and revealed weaknesses in Ukraine’s air defenses.
Key Facts
The Myla attack on August 29 killed 37 people, many in a care facility for elderly and disabled residents.
Ukrainian officials said explosives were stored illegally at the Myla warehouse, contributing to the disaster.
On July 2, a Russia drone and missile attack killed 31 people in Kyiv, after which thousands sheltered in subway stations.
On May 14, a Russian missile strike killed 24 people by destroying a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv.
On July 6, missile and drone strikes killed at least 22 people in the Kyiv region, showing gaps in Ukraine’s air defense.
Ukraine has requested more U.S.-made Patriot missiles to better protect against Russian attacks.
Emergency evacuations took place in Kyiv suburbs after some attacks due to unexploded bombs.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Myla attack and pointed to negligence in storing explosives near people.
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People in Tunisia are facing serious water shortages because of very hot weather, power outages, and old water systems. The problem has caused protests, and officials now deliver water using tankers to meet the demand.
Key Facts
Tunisia is experiencing a water shortage.
Extreme heat and power cuts are making water supplies unreliable.
Aging water infrastructure is contributing to the problem.
Bottled water plants are also affected by these issues.
Heavy rains earlier in the year did not prevent the current crisis.
People have protested due to the lack of water.
Authorities are delivering water by tanker trucks.
The situation affects daily access to tap water for many Tunisians.
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King Haakon VIII of Norway gave his first speech as king, paying tribute to his late father, King Harald V, who died recently after a long reign. Haakon spoke about his new role, national unity, and the royal family’s values during a difficult time for them.
Key Facts
King Harald V of Norway died at age 89 after treatment for a rare blood condition.
His son Haakon VIII became king and gave a televised speech honoring his father.
Haakon thanked his father and mentioned the challenges ahead in his new role.
The new king emphasized unity, law, justice, and equality in Norwegian society.
Thousands of Norwegians gathered outside the royal palace to mourn with flowers and candles.
Norway declared a national period of mourning, but no funeral date has been set.
Haakon will swear allegiance in parliament and take part in a consecration ceremony soon.
The royal family faces ongoing challenges, including health issues and recent scandals involving family members.
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Iran's leadership, dominated by military generals and clerics, has strengthened its hold six months into the ongoing conflict, showing no tolerance for internal protests or dissent. They are preparing for a long confrontation with the U.S. while facing economic challenges and potential new American sanctions.
Key Facts
Iran's new leadership centers on a group of military generals and senior clerics.
They reject any trust in agreements with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
New sanctions and a U.S. blockade threaten to worsen Iran's already fragile economy.
Mohsen Rezaei, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned of severe retaliation if the U.S. continues economic pressure.
Hossein Taeb, known for harshly suppressing protests, was appointed head of the Basij volunteer force.
Iran’s supreme leader’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen publicly since Israeli strikes killed his father.
The leadership group consists mainly of long-serving hard-line officials loyal to the supreme leader.
Internal unity and control appear to be priorities for Iran’s leadership amid growing domestic unrest.
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A man died when a train hit a van at a railway crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire. Two passengers on the train had minor injuries, and emergency services responded to the scene, causing train disruptions.
Key Facts
The accident happened just after 3:00 PM BST at a crossing in Burscough, West Lancashire.
A man traveling in the van died at the scene.
Two train passengers suffered minor injuries.
The train involved was on the Wigan Wallgate to Southport route.
Emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance attended the incident.
All train lines in the area were blocked, causing major disruption.
British Transport Police are investigating the incident to determine what happened.
Passengers were assisted off the train by emergency teams.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned violent actions by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank villages of Qusra and Jalud. The settlers attacked Palestinian residents, blocked supplies, and clashed with both Palestinians and Israeli security forces. Israeli forces intervened and opened a police investigation into the incidents.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages Qusra and Jalud in the northern West Bank.
Settlers blocked supplies from entering Palestinian homes near Qusra early in August.
The settlers threw stones and barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home with residents inside.
Israeli forces were deployed to remove the settlers and separate the groups.
Palestinian family and a foreign media crew were attacked by settlers in Jalud.
Prime Minister Netanyahu called the settlers’ actions "criminal acts of violence" and said such acts harm Israel’s image.
The Israeli military opened a police investigation and confiscated vehicles linked to the settlers.
The military said it is working to prevent further violence and restore order in the area.
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This year, the giant Australian cuttlefish mating event had the lowest number of participants ever recorded, with only 1,811 cuttlefish showing up, compared to 63,000 last year. Experts believe a toxic algal bloom along South Australia’s coast, worsened by climate change, is causing a steep decline in the cuttlefish population and their eggs.
Key Facts
The giant Australian cuttlefish mating event usually attracts hundreds of thousands of cuttlefish every winter along South Australia’s Cuttlefish Coast.
This year, only 1,811 cuttlefish came to mate, a 97% drop from the 63,000 recorded last year.
The number of eggs counted this year was about 440, instead of the millions normally laid.
Adult cuttlefish live 12 to 18 months and die after breeding, so each mating season is critical for the population’s future.
A toxic algal bloom has affected South Australia’s coastline for over 18 months and is likely the cause of the cuttlefish decline.
The algal bloom is linked to ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and pollution, all worsened by climate change.
Divers observed that adult cuttlefish were fewer in number and acted skittishly this year.
Conservation experts are considering listing the species as endangered due to the sharp population drop.
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Six children and seven women who were kidnapped in Kenscoff, Haiti, have been released, according to the United Nations. This mass abduction is part of a larger pattern of violence and instability in Haiti, where armed gangs have increased their control, causing many deaths, kidnappings, and displacements.
Key Facts
The kidnapping happened in Kenscoff, a community near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
Around 150 armed gang members attacked Kenscoff on August 23, killing about 47 people.
More than 50 people were kidnapped during the attack.
Over 2,600 residents fled their homes due to the violence.
Haiti has faced growing gang violence, displacing about 1.47 million people as of May 2024.
Political instability and the absence of a fully elected government have worsened security in the country.
The last presidential election in Haiti was in 2016, and upcoming elections have been repeatedly postponed.
Armed gangs have also been reported to use sexual violence to control communities.
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Pakistan’s prime minister ordered the suspension of eight hospital officials and criminal actions after a fire killed 14 babies in a government hospital in Islamabad. The fire spread quickly in a neonatal ward due to poor safety measures, and an investigation found serious failures in emergency response and fire safety protocols.
Key Facts
A fire broke out early Wednesday in the neonatal ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
The fire killed 14 babies; only one baby was rescued from the 15 in the ward.
Eight officials, including hospital directors and doctors, were suspended following the incident.
The hospital had weak fire safety protocols, with only two out of 13 standard procedures addressing emergencies.
Supervisory staff were not present at the time of the fire, with only two nurses, a security guard, and one house officer in the ward.
Emergency services were called six minutes after the fire started and arrived 15 minutes later.
A previous fire occurred at a hospital hostel a month earlier but did not lead to safety improvements.
A nurse who rescued one child was honored with a national award and a cash prize by the prime minister.
The government pledged compensation of about $17,700 for each affected family and supported a broader investigation into the health system.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has started vaccinating people against its biggest and deadliest Ebola outbreak. The vaccine being used has not yet been proven effective against the specific Ebola strain causing this outbreak, called the Bundibugyo strain.
Key Facts
DR Congo is facing its largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak to date.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
Since May, this strain has caused 2,786 deaths out of 5,795 confirmed cases.
DR Congo has started vaccinating people to try to control the outbreak.
70,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have been sent to DR Congo.
The Ervebo vaccine’s effectiveness against the Bundibugyo strain is not yet proven.
Vaccination is hoped to help reduce the spread and deaths from the virus.
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A Dutch health institute warned about dangerous ecstasy pills shaped like President Trump's head. These pills contain a harmful chemical called PMMA, which can cause serious health problems or death.
Key Facts
The Trimbos Institute in the Netherlands issued a warning about Trump-shaped ecstasy pills.
These pills contain PMMA, a chemical similar to the usual ecstasy ingredient MDMA, but more dangerous.
PMMA in ecstasy pills can cause overheating, seizures, unconsciousness, or heart issues.
Users may take more pills because the effects are delayed, increasing the risk of overdose.
The pills have the image of President Trump's head on one side and "NL" and "Trump" on the other.
Ecstasy use is illegal in the Netherlands but remains common, especially at clubs and music festivals.
The institute tests drugs at 34 locations in the country to warn users about dangerous substances.
No victims have been reported with PMMA found in their blood so far.
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