Nepal flash floods: Many killed and 384 people, including 291 foreigners, missingAt least nine ⁠people have been ‌killed ‌in ‌the ⁠massive ⁠flash flood ​that ‌swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet early ⁠Wednesday (August 26, 2206), officials said. At least 105 Indians are among the nearly 400 persons missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa district bordering Tibet. A sudden, massive flood swept through two central Nepal districts bordering Tibet killing four people, causing extensive devastation at settlements along the river and damaging at least a dozen hydropower projects early on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).Nepal flash flood: At least 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu stranded as landslips disrupt routeAbout 50 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were stranded in Nepal on Wednesday (August 26, 2026), after an early morning flash flood triggered landslips in their route. Officials of the Tamil Nadu government have initiated action towards their rescue upon receiving the alert, official sources said. As per the initial information, the pilgrims were on board three vehicles and occupants of one of the vehicles have taken refuge in a Armed Police Force outpost at Timure, about 150 km north of Kathmandu, they said. The pilgrims were from various parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Puducherry, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthirai and Tiruchi.India rejects ‘politically motivated, highly malicious references’ in remarks by UNCERDIndia on Wednesday (August 26, 2026) rejected observations made by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD), calling them “politically motivated” and “highly malicious”. The response, from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, comes after the UN Committee raised concerns about “reports of large-scale violations perpetrated by law enforcement officials against ethnic and ethno-religious groups, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, including Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, particularly Dalits, and non-citizens.”SC Judge seeks transfer of Rajasthan HC Acting Chief Justice, asks why CJI has ‘ignored’ appeals despite clear evidence of favouritismThree letters from Supreme Court Judge Justice Sandeep Mehta to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant in August questioned why his “fervent appeals” to transfer Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, despite “clear evidence” of favouritism, have been “ignored”. In his first letter on August 2, Justice Mehta wrote to the CJI about the “grim and disturbing scenario” in his parent High Court in Rajasthan.Rebel TMC MPs get notices from Lok Sabha Secretariat on disqualification pleas; Mahua Moitra alleges ‘cover up’The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued notices to 20 rebel Trinamool Congress MPs on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) and sought their replies within seven days on petitions filed by TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee seeking their disqualification under the anti-defection law. The notices, dated August 25, forwarded a copy of Mr. Banerjee’s petition dated June 18 filed against the MPs, who joined the NCPI, under Rule 6 of the Members of Lok Sabha (Disqualification on Ground of Defection) Rules, 1985.Jadavpur unrest probe committee to hold first meeting this week after ‘injured’ VC rejoinsA probe committee constituted by Jadavpur University to investigate the recent violence on the campus is likely to hold its first meeting this week after the “injured” vice-chancellor rejoins duty, officials said. VC Chiranjib Bhattacharya sustained injuries on his knee after tripping and falling down while leaving a meeting with stakeholders on Monday (August 24, 2026) night and was advised three days’ rest by doctors, they said.Owaisi denounces Allahabad HC ruling on hijab as ‘attack on Islam’All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi described the Allahabad High Court’s recent ruling denying a Muslim student permission to wear the hijab in school as an “attack on Islam”. Mr. Owaisi, Hyderabad parliamentarian, was speaking at a public meeting on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi late on Tuesday (August 26, 2026) night, where he asked, “Who are you to decide essentiality in Islam?”. The court’s position was against Articles 25 and 19 of the Constitution. “This decision is wrong and is an attack on Islam,” he said.Kremlin says U.S. spy chief held talks with Russian counterparts during Moscow visitU.S. CIA Director John ​Ratcliffe held talks with Russian intelligence officials during ‌his visit to Moscow on Tuesday (August 26, 2026) ​but did not meet President ⁠Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said on Wednesday (August 26, 2026). Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Mr. Putin had ‌been briefed on the outcome of Mr. Ratcliffe’s talks, which come as ‌the war in Ukraine is ‌escalating ⁠and as efforts to reach ⁠a lasting peace deal between the U.S. and Iran have stalled.Podcast | Is Israel winning?Israel has fought multiple wars and military campaigns since October 7, in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, while expanding its military and intelligence operations across the region. But military reach does not necessarily translate into strategic victory. What has Israel actually achieved, and at what cost? Has it strengthened its security and position in West Asia, or created new vulnerabilities and deeper isolation? How have these wars changed Israel’s relationship with the United States, the Gulf and India, and what do they mean for the future of the Palestinian question?Netanyahu says no diplomatic deal possible with Iran ‘savages’Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a diplomatic deal was not possible with the “savages” who rule Iran as he hailed U.S. President Donald Trump’s new campaign of economic pressure. Recounting a recent meeting with Mr. Trump, Mr. Netanyahu told an event late on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) that they had discussed the possibility of diplomacy with Iran and said: “I doubt, however, that an agreement can be reached with that group there, with those savages. I tell you -- an agreement cannot be reached.”Piyush Goyal proposes India-Japan ‘Shark Tank’ style startup series to boost investments, business tiesCommerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday (August 26, 2026) proposed an India-Japan startup pitching series, on the lines of the popular ‘Shark Tank’ format, to connect young startups from the two countries with investors and potential business partners. Addressing a roundtable on startups, Mr. Goyal said such pitching sessions could be organised virtually, leveraging digital connectivity, to facilitate greater interaction between Indian and Japanese startups.Sri Lanka vs India 2nd Test: Sooriyabandara, Mendis fight on after India enforces follow-onDark clouds hung like cotton candy and beneath them on the turf, Sri Lanka battled hard. Wednesday was about the ebb and flow of cricket’s longest format, as India pushed for a triumph against a resilient host at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground. The second Test’s fourth day found a rain-induced closure, and at that moist time, Sri Lanka, following-on in its second innings, posted 229 for six, and nursed a meagre 16-run lead.