Authorities in Nepal have issued flood warnings as water levels in the Bhotekoshi River have risen, with the combined death toll in Nepal and China's Tibet region reaching 750 and over 3,000 people still missing. In Nepal alone, the death toll stands at 734, with 2,498 missing, and approximately 93,000 people affected by the disaster, prompting the country to seek international aid. Financial assistance has been pledged by several countries and organizations, including the U.S. and Canada with $3.6 million each, the U.K. with $6.8 million, and a total of over $8 million from the EU and UN, alongside an emergency appeal for $31 million from the Red Cross.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest son, Yair Netanyahu, was flown back to Israel from the United States due to a significant threat to his life, as reported by Israel’s Shin Bet. The threat surfaced after it was alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate Yair last December while he was in Florida, and this information was relayed to US authorities by Israeli intelligence. Yair, who had been living a luxurious lifestyle in the US, was criticized by many Israelis for remaining overseas despite the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of Israeli reservists following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
In Iceland's recent referendum on whether to restart negotiations with the European Union, the no campaign emerged victorious with approximately 52.8% of the votes, reflecting a deeply divided nation of around 400,000 people. Critics of the no campaign argued that it utilized fearmongering tactics, particularly concerning national identity linked to fishing and farming, while the ballot's phrasing made a "yes" vote feel ambiguous compared to the clear stance of a "no" vote. Despite the allure of closer ties to Europe amid global uncertainties, the referendum highlighted concerns about misinformation and foreign influence affecting public opinion, reminiscent of previous political divisions seen in the UK’s Brexit referendum.
Six months after the US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, resulting in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other leaders, the war has not achieved its stated objectives, including the destruction of Iran's nuclear capacity. Since the war began on February 28, petrol prices have surged by 50%, contributing to a mounting cost-of-living crisis, with fewer than one in three Americans supporting the conflict, raising concerns about its impact on President Trump's approval ratings ahead of the midterm elections. Despite the military campaign and sanctions, Iran's government remains intact and its capability for uranium enrichment continues, indicating Tehran's resilience and the potential long-term consequences of the conflict for US foreign policy.
Allianz, a Germany-based financial services company, is reportedly considering a £5bn takeover of the AA breakdown recovery group, with talks also ongoing with private equity firm EQT. The AA, known for its yellow recovery vehicles and founded in 1905, has been exploring options for sale or a public listing on the London Stock Exchange, having been taken private in 2020 by investors TowerBrook and Warburg Pincus. This potential sale follows reports from last year indicating AA's intention to seek buyers for the company.
The death toll from the floods near the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 734, with over 900 workers missing, many of whom were involved in hydropower projects in the hardest-hit areas. Emergency efforts include 19,000 security personnel and 16 helicopters, while a joint rescue team of 82 personnel is tasked with clearing debris at the entrances of tunnels where workers are trapped. The catastrophic flooding, triggered by a glacier collapse in the Himalayas, has led to significant damages, and authorities report that around 3,000 individuals are currently missing, with some bodies found in India.
Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, along with 17 others including his running mate Makebi Zulu, after he disputed the results of the country's presidential election where incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema won with 60% of the vote against Mundubile's 38%. The charges followed a deadly security raid linked to Mundubile, during which a former cabinet minister was killed and other politicians arrested, compelling Mundubile and Zulu to seek refuge in a UN building before their detention. As the authorities previously sealed off courts, the opposition was unable to mount a legal challenge to the election results, and President Hichilema is set to be sworn in for a second term on September 1.
A recent period of improved relations between Greece and Turkey, following Greece's aid after a February 2023 earthquake, has been complicated by new disputes over maritime boundaries, particularly after Turkey designated two marine parks in the Aegean Sea and eastern Mediterranean. Greece's Foreign Ministry has labeled Turkey's marine parks as "illegal," emphasizing that Greek sovereignty is determined by international law, while Turkey's actions are seen as part of its "Mavi Vatan" doctrine, which claims exclusive economic zones of Greece and Cyprus. Amid these tensions, Greece has invested heavily in military upgrades, ranking 19th among the largest arms importers globally from 2021 to 2025, as it feels increasingly threatened by Turkey's military capabilities.
Nearly all (95%) women in the UK arts believe gender inequality persists, with 75% reporting experiences of unconscious bias or sexism, based on a survey of 76 arts professionals. Over two-thirds (69%) indicated that age negatively impacts their career success, a concern heightened to 100% among those in artistic roles, with many citing a significant drop in casting opportunities after age 39. The report highlights the exacerbation of ageism and gender discrimination due to AI in hiring, and participants called for more recognition of seasoned talent and roles for older women in the industry.
Medicare's pilot GLP-1 discount program, which offers certain medications for $50 a month, has exclusions that can deny access to patients with specific health conditions, such as severe obstructive sleep apnea, as experienced by Jeff La Marca. Approximately 1 in 5 American adults take GLP-1 medications, but many find them unaffordable, with the program aimed at reducing costs while covering drugs linked to weight management for patients with a body mass index of 35 or higher. The fine print of the program stipulates that the reduced price only applies to those without qualifying health conditions, forcing others back to their Medicare Part D plans, which can result in copays reaching hundreds of dollars.
A 22-year-old woman was killed and five others aged 24 to 27 were wounded in a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, before 3:00 a.m. local time. The police have initiated a manhunt for the unknown perpetrator(s) and have deployed a large contingent from the Aargau Cantonal Police, with assistance from Freiburg police in Germany. The incident took place at the Schachen race course during the annual Aarauer Rave, which attracts around 22,300 residents from the city and surrounding areas.
Guillermo Del Toro will no longer participate in Crunchyroll's Anime Future Forum happening on October 7, as the event aims to feature leading filmmakers and Japanese animation executives. The inaugural Anime Future Forum coincides with the release of several animated works, including the mixed-media feature debuting in Brazil this fall and the theatrical run of Leah Nelson's Alzheimer’s dark comedy. Additionally, Disney’s plan for stock buybacks this year includes at least $9 billion, alongside changes to spousal health coverage starting in 2027.
The University of North Carolina's football team secured a 15-10 victory against TCU, highlighting a dominant defensive performance. Meanwhile, the men's golf team is set to debut their season on Monday in Knoxville, and the women’s volleyball team opened their season with a sweep of Davidson. In additional news, the men's soccer team achieved a 1-0 win over VCU, while the field hockey team lost their season opener to Michigan in overtime with a score of 2-1.
The United States recently deported dozens of individuals to the Central African Republic, including an Afghan man whose brothers assisted the U.S. military and face Taliban threats. This deportation involved 12 Afghans, 8 Iranians, and several individuals from Nepal and Nicaragua, amidst reports that the Trump administration has used legal loopholes to deport asylum seekers to countries other than their own. This marks the second deportation flight to the Central African Republic since June, highlighting concerns over the safety and rights of those being sent back.
Dolly Parton's official obituary has been released following her death at age 80. The Appalachian Fair is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, alongside events like the Food City Watermelon Eating Contest. Additionally, a July 28, 2026 EF1 tornado was confirmed to have occurred in a forested area of southeast Greene County by the National Weather Service.
Iceland has reportedly rejected the proposal to begin accession talks with the EU, with the no camp receiving 52.5% of votes compared to 47.5% for the yes camp, as announced by the public broadcaster RUV. The vote result, with just a few ballots remaining to be counted, signifies a setback for EU ambitions to integrate Iceland as a wealthy new member. Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir acknowledged the vote's potential to deepen national divisions while recognizing concerns from rural residents about impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and sovereignty.
Five-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar suffered a concussion and two broken bones, including a displaced left clavicle fracture, in a crash during the Spanish Vuelta, forcing him to withdraw from the race. Before the incident, Pogacar was leading the Vuelta by 3 minutes and 50 seconds, with hopes of becoming the ninth male rider to win all three Grand Tour races. Following his crash approximately 33km from the finish line, Enric Mas took the lead in the race, becoming the first Spanish rider to do so since 2018.
At least one person was killed and five others injured in a shooting at a rave party in Aarau, northern Switzerland, where approximately 3,500 attendees were present. The incident occurred before 3 am, prompting a police search for the unknown perpetrators and an appeal for any recordings from the public. Although Switzerland has a high rate of gun ownership, violent shootings are uncommon, and the country implemented tighter gun control measures in 2019.
Pet owners are at risk of being misled by private equity firms following changes by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which removed requirements for multinational companies to disclose ownership of veterinary practices, potentially allowing these firms to obscure their identities. The CMA found that pet owners pay 16.6% more on average at large vet groups compared to independent practices and highlighted a £6.3 billion market that needed modernization with proposed measures like capping prescriptions at £21. Despite these proposals, the Progressive Veterinary Association has threatened legal action, claiming the softened language in the CMA's rules could enable corporations to hide their ownership, which is detrimental to transparency and consumer choice.
Iceland has voted against holding accession talks with the European Union, with the "No" camp receiving 52.5% of votes compared to 47.5% for "Yes." The fisheries sector strongly opposed EU membership, with 90% of companies in the industry against the idea, and Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir stated that a "No" vote would indefinitely shelve EU membership discussions during her term, which ends in 2028. Despite the non-binding nature of the referendum, the government has pledged to respect the outcome and will consider whether to formally withdraw Iceland's EU membership application.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with representatives from the Board of Peace, have agreed to create a working group on sanitation and public health issues affecting both Israel and Gaza, amid health concerns from untreated sewage flowing into shared waters. Over 100,000 cubic meters of raw sewage enter the Mediterranean Sea daily from Gaza, contributing to public health hazards in Israel, including multiple shutdowns of the Ashkelon desalination plant due to high faecal bacteria contamination. Additionally, around 100 Israeli trucks have been observed daily transporting approximately 60 million tonnes of rubble from Gaza, which may include hazardous materials such as heavy metals and biological contaminants, posing long-term health and environmental risks.
Nepali rescuers are working to locate over 100 hydropower workers believed to be trapped in flooded tunnels following severe flash floods that have killed at least 750 people and left more than 3,000 missing, with 933 hydropower workers among those unaccounted for. The flash floods, triggered by a glacier collapse, raised the Trishuli River by nine meters in 30 minutes and resulted in extensive destruction of homes and livelihoods in multiple districts. International aid has begun to arrive, including $3.6 million from the US and Canada, and the UK has pledged $6.8 million in humanitarian assistance.
Several leaders, including the prime ministers of the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Samoa, have withdrawn from the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Palau, primarily due to political turmoil in the Solomon Islands. The absence of key leaders diminishes the potential impact of the summit, which was expected to address significant issues such as climate resilience and regional security ahead of the COP31 climate summit. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed his attendance and emphasized Australia's commitment to supporting Pacific nations, highlighting the importance of addressing regional challenges collaboratively.
Ethiopia's Addisu Gobena won the Sydney Marathon with a time of 2:04:42, breaking the course record by nearly one and a half minutes and finishing four seconds ahead of compatriot Chimdessa Debele Gudeta. Kenyon world champion Peres Jepchirchir secured her victory in the women's race with a time of 2:18:31, nearly four minutes ahead of fellow Kenyan Irine Cheptai, while both races were part of a record-setting event with around 40,000 participants. The Sydney Marathon, now the seventh World Marathon Major, has joined the ranks of elite marathons like Boston and London.
Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos praised Lionel Messi after he scored four goals and provided an assist in a 7-1 win against CF Montreal, marking the first time Messi scored four goals in a Major League Soccer match. Messi's performance came after a five-game winless streak for Miami, and he is now the top scorer in the MLS with 18 goals this season. Midfielder Casemiro emphasized the importance of Messi to the team, stating that they need to cherish these moments with him, as he continues to perform at an elite level.
The Timber Fire has expanded to over 23,000 acres, with a containment level currently at 21%. Meanwhile, the Plaskett Fire has grown past 8,000 acres as firefighting crews work to protect homes along Highway 1. In Salinas, Closter Park has reopened following a $10 million renovation.
A decade after her iconic photo standing against neo-Nazis in 2016, Tess Asplund reflects on the alarming normalization of far-right politics in Sweden, where polls suggest the Sweden Democrats, a party with neo-Nazi roots, could become the second-most voted party in upcoming elections. Asplund expresses her sadness and shame over the societal shift towards racism, where previously condemned groups are now part of political discourse, significantly influencing government policy, especially concerning migrants and asylum seekers. The 2022 elections saw the Sweden Democrats secure second place, and the potential for them to enter government alongside a right-wing coalition represents a watershed moment in Swedish politics, raising concerns about the safety and treatment of marginalized communities.
An experiment by NPR and NewsGuard tested AI chatbots and search engines against 30 questions based on false narratives pushed by China, Iran, and Russia, revealing that AI chatbots debunked falsehoods about 75% of the time. In contrast, AI summaries from search engines did not perform as well, suggesting users should approach them with caution. Digital literacy expert Mike Caulfield noted that using AI chatbots for researching these issues is a promising starting point compared to traditional web search links.
The combined death toll from the floods in Nepal and Tibet has reached 750, with over 3,000 people still missing, and a new flood alert issued due to rising river levels. Nepal's disaster authority reported 734 deaths in Nepal, while Chinese state media confirmed 16 dead in Tibet, including over a hundred Nepalis. Rescue efforts are focused on more than 100 hydropower workers still believed trapped in tunnels, with Nepal receiving $3.6 million in humanitarian assistance from the US to aid affected households.
One person has died and five others were injured, some seriously, in a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, with the incident occurring before 3:00 a.m. local time during the annual Aarauer Rave at the Schachen race course. A large police operation is underway as authorities search for the unknown perpetrators and have requested the public to share any videos or images from the event. The Aargau Cantonal Police have increased their presence in and around Aarau as a precautionary measure.