At about 8:40 am local time on Wednesday, a glacier collapse in the Himalayas triggered flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, killing at least 157 people in Nepal and three in China and leaving nearly 1,500 missing. Officials said the floods occurred without rain, and satellite imagery showed a large section of a glacier breaking away at roughly 5,200 metres and falling about 1,200 metres, creating an ice‑rock avalanche that blocked the Lhende River before the debris dam gave way. In Nepal, police reported recovering 157 bodies, while authorities in Gyirong County, China, said three deaths had been confirmed and 558 people remained missing, including 260 foreign nationals. Rescue efforts involved more than 5,000 Nepalese army and police personnel, helicopters, drones and search dogs, but high water levels and damaged roads hampered access to the most severely impacted areas. Across the border, Chinese state media said deep sediment delayed rescue teams in the Gyirong region, where a still‑dammed lake upstream remains under monitoring for possible additional flooding. International responses included a rescue aircraft from India carrying about 10 tonnes of emergency supplies, a pledge of support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emergency funding of 1 million Swiss francs from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, a disaster response adviser and $500,000 from the United States, and a statement from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressing concern. South Korea established a government task force to assist search and rescue operations for its nationals reported missing, while the United Nations deployed personnel to Nepal and said it stood ready to support rescue efforts in Tibet. Scientists are investigating the cause of the glacier collapse, noting that rapid warming and glacial loss in the Himalayas have increased the potential for sudden floods, though a direct link to climate change for this event has not been established. Officials warned that the death toll may rise as rescuers reach inaccessible areas, and the situation remains fluid as rescue operations continue.
Geopolitics, diplomacy, and the stories shaping nations.
Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese visual artist, died on August 14 in Tokyo at the age of 97, according to a statement posted on her website.
Born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto, Japan, she grew up in a family that ran a plant nursery. She reported experiencing vivid hallucinations from childhood and began painting them under the guidance of a psychiatrist.
Kusama studied traditional Japanese painting at Kyoto City University of Arts before moving to New York in 1958. She exhibited abstract “Infinity Net” paintings at the Brata Gallery in 1959, where a review in ARTnews described her work as original.
During the 2010s, her “infinity mirror” installations attracted large audiences on social media, leading to exhibitions at institutions such as the Hirshhorn Museum and the Tate Modern. The 2017 Hirshhorn exhibition, which displayed six of her rooms, caused the museum’s website to crash due to high traffic.
Kusama struggled with mental health issues throughout her life. After a series of breakdowns and suicide attempts, she entered a psychiatric hospital in Japan in 1975 and remained a resident thereafter. She continued to produce art from a studio adjacent to the hospital.
A 1989 retrospective organized by curator Alexandra Munroe at the Center for International Contemporary Arts marked her return to prominence. She later represented Japan at the 1993 Venice Biennale and received the Praemium Imperiale in 2006. She opened a museum dedicated to her work in Tokyo.
Kusama’s polka‑dot motif appeared on merchandise, fashion collaborations with designers such as Marc Jacobs, and a balloon for the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Her work has been licensed for tote bags, shirts, and other products.
In 2023, a statement in her 2002 autobiography describing Black people as violent and hypersexual was resurfaced. She issued an apology to the San Francisco Chronicle, saying her intention has always been to promote love, hope, and respect.
Kusama’s legacy endures through her extensive body of work, her influence on contemporary art, and the continued public interest in her installations.
Forest fires killed 12 people and injured dozens in northeastern Algeria on Wednesday, according to the interior minister and civil protection authorities. The deaths occurred in Jijel, Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou provinces. Wildfires are common in northern Algeria during the summer, and climate change has increased the frequency of droughts and extreme heat that fuel the blazes. More than 30 people were killed in July 2023 when fires burned thousands of hectares and hundreds of homes around Bejaia, and authorities recorded nearly 2,000 fires nationwide in July this year. The latest incident involved 69 separate fires being fought by firefighters as of 8:00 pm local time. Five people died in Jijel province, four in Bejaia and three in Tizi Ouzou, the interior minister Said Sayoud said. A hospital in Bejaia treated 54 burn victims, including six in serious condition. An eight-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman were among those killed in Bejaia, a local radio station reported. Evacuations were ordered for many residents in Bejaia and Jijel, and three major national highways were closed due to fire proximity near Bejaia, Jijel and Setif, according to the gendarmerie. Strong winds have fanned the flames, prompting the civil protection agency to deploy additional resources. Authorities continue to battle the blazes while investigations into the causes of the fires proceed, and officials have indicated that arrests related to suspected arson may follow.
The U.S. Justice Department announced on Aug. 26 that it seized domains used by two hacking platforms, QScan and QTRouter, linked to a Chinese operation that targeted the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Senate and other agencies. The department said the platforms were operated by Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, which it said provided services to China's Ministry of State Security and the People's Liberation Army. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said the government opposes cyberattacks and accused the United States of using cybersecurity accusations to discredit China. An affidavit filed in U.S. court identified the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health and four unnamed U.S. and South Korean companies as victims. The affidavit indicated that the intrusion attempts began at least in 2018. In August 2019, the hackers attempted to breach NASA networks by exploiting a VPN vulnerability. In September 2024, they conducted intrusions at three unnamed Energy Department laboratories, the NIH, an HHS agency and a U.S. security device manufacturer. A joint advisory from the FBI, NSA and Cyber National Mission Force detailed additional attempts, including successful data theft from defense contractors, financial institutions and universities in May 2024, and unsuccessful attempts to access the Senate and a hospital in March 2026. The Justice Department did not provide further details, and the Department of Health and Human Services referred questions to the DOJ. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said the Chinese government "firmly opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks in accordance with the law" and characterized the U.S. action as an attempt to "smear or discredit China" and to "impose discriminatory restrictions on Chinese companies." The case highlights ongoing concerns about state-sponsored cyber espionage targeting U.S. government and private sector networks.
Trump administration officials threatened to demolish the Kennedy Center if renovations are not permitted, according to court documents. The attorneys argued that halting the work would cause donors to withdraw and contributions to cease, potentially leading to an unsafe, deteriorating structure. They also said removing President Trump's name from the venue was embarrassing to the nation's capital. The Justice Department attorney Brantley Mayers noted that after demolition, a decision would be made on what to build, including the possibility of an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Potomac River. The dispute stems from a judge's ruling that the president's name was added without congressional approval, which ordered its removal in June. The Kennedy Center, designated as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, is administered by a board that includes many individuals appointed by Trump. The case is part of a broader series of projects undertaken by the administration since returning to power. The situation remains unresolved as the venue awaits further legal and financial determinations.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made diversifying Canada’s export markets a central goal after the United States imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods.
For decades, Canadian trade has been heavily weighted toward the United States, with roughly 75 percent of exports going to that market.
Carney, who previously led the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has traveled to more than two dozen countries since taking office in March 2025, including visits to China and Saudi Arabia. Government figures show that exports to non‑U.S. markets rose 11.1 percent in the previous year while shipments to the United States fell 3.7 percent.
Analysts say building ports, rail lines and pipelines is needed to reach new buyers, and demand for Canadian energy, minerals, lumber and agricultural products remains strong in Europe and Asia.
China is Canada’s second‑largest trading partner, though exports to China represented only 4.5 percent of total trade last year. A recent agreement to lower tariffs on electric vehicles and increase market access for canola aims to boost that share. Foreign Ministry officials flagged concerns about market access barriers, regulatory opacity, intellectual property theft and potential military diversion.
India represents another potential market, with exports of $4 billion in 2025, or 0.5 percent of total, and the two countries have resumed negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Diplomatic tensions over the 2023 killing of a Canadian citizen in British Columbia have eased since recent talks between Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The European Union, with which Canada has a provisional trade deal, accounted for $178.6 billion in two‑way trade last year, but its mature manufacturing and agribusiness sectors limit new export opportunities.
University of British Columbia professor Werner Antweiler said the integrated nature of the two economies makes a trade war disadvantageous for both sides, and that Canada is investing heavily in export infrastructure to mitigate disruptions.
Carney has set a target of doubling non‑U.S. exports by 2035, but the pace of diversification remains uncertain.
Professor Jason Arday's memoir "Great and Unfortunate Things" is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on Thursday, following his death on Aug. 14.
Arday, who was appointed to a professorship at Cambridge University in 2023, became the youngest Black professor in the institution's history. He faced public scrutiny after allegations emerged that his academic work involved plagiarism and that he inflated athletic and fundraising achievements.
The memoir, previously published in the United States, was released in the UK at the request of his family, according to Simon & Schuster. The publisher declined to provide further comment on the book's content.
Cambridge announced on Aug. 5 that it had opened an investigation into Arday's appointment after receiving new information about his qualifications and honorary appointments. The university had initially defended him, stating that earlier plagiarism allegations were investigated and found unfounded.
Coverage of Arday's case intensified, with some British newspapers noting that his memoir omitted references to his claim of running 600 miles in six days to raise charity funds. In a July 31 interview with the Times of London, Arday acknowledged past mistakes, attributing them to his autism and limited oversight early in his career, and rejected accusations that he was a liar, fantasist, or academic fraud, saying they were motivated by racism and ableism.
His family issued a statement saying that Arday had been clear about wanting his memoir published and that they were grieving his loss. They called on the media to give them space.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was charged on Thursday with failing to declare assets, the Kuala Lumpur High Court said. Sabri, who served as prime minister from 2021 to 2022, is the third former premier prosecuted in recent years under the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act. He pleaded not guilty at a lower court in Kuala Lumpur and was released on bail of 300,000 ringgit, approximately $74,534. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 100,000 ringgit, according to the commission. In March 2025, the MACC said it had ordered Sabri to submit an assets declaration as part of an investigation into alleged graft and money‑laundering following the seizure of nearly $40 million in assets allegedly linked to him. The agency reported that cash amounting to 170 million ringgit in various currencies and 16 kg of gold bars were seized. Sabri, a trained lawyer, previously held cabinet positions in rural and regional development, agriculture and domestic trade, and served as a lawmaker under three prime ministers. The case is expected to proceed to trial later this year, though no trial date has been set.
Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, is scheduled to brief NATO ambassadors at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. The briefing will address a six‑month review of U.S. force posture in Europe, which was launched in June. Washington has roughly 80,000 troops stationed across the continent, and the review is examining the size, location and readiness of those forces.
Two documents circulated to NATO members in the summer outline goals that include improving access to European bases, increasing overflight permissions and encouraging European allies to take the lead in defending the region, according to people familiar with the matter. A questionnaire sent to allies asks whether they have imposed restrictions on U.S. basing, overflight or transit and whether they have publicly supported U.S. foreign policy in Europe, the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere.
European diplomats say the process has raised questions about the United States’ intentions and whether the review will result in troop reductions. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said his country is preparing a response, emphasizing that Europe should increase its own defence capabilities. Some allies have indicated they are offering adjustments to troop arrangements to secure U.S. support.
Colby said the review is meant to ensure the alliance’s strategic posture is clear, rigorous and ready, according to a post on the social media platform X. European officials have expressed uncertainty about the scope of the review and its potential impact on troop deployments. The Pentagon has not responded to requests for comment.
A man drove a car into a group of pedestrians in Caen, France, around 10:15 p.m. local time on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring ten before being taken into custody. The incident occurred opposite the train station and appeared to follow a confrontation, according to local prefect David Claviere. The deputy prosecutor said investigators found no indication of a terrorist motive at this stage. The suspect, a 26‑year‑old Russian‑born man, was known to police only for traffic offenses and had not been flagged by intelligence services. He fled the scene but was arrested in Ouistreham, about 20 kilometers away, a police source reported. Seven victims remained in critical condition and three suffered minor injuries, Claviere said. Police have opened an investigation on charges of murder and aggravated assault. The investigation is ongoing and no further details about the suspect’s identity or motive have been released.
A fire broke out in an air‑conditioning unit on the third floor of the maternal and child unit at PIMS hospital in Islamabad early Wednesday.
A fire broke out in an air‑conditioning unit on the third floor of the maternal and child unit at PIMS hospital in Islamabad early Wednesday.
The blaze killed 14 infants and left one infant in critical condition, according to hospital officials.
PIMS is one of the largest hospitals in the capital and has 156 beds in its maternal and child health unit.
The country has experienced several major fires in recent years, with officials linking many incidents to inadequate safety regulations and enforcement.
At about 6:30 am, witnesses reported hearing a shout and seeing smoke before the fire spread.
Carrie Davies and Usman Zahid, who were with a newborn at the time, fled the ward after the smoke appeared.
Hivsa Walid, a relative of a patient, described escaping down the stairs with the baby.
Khurram Mehmood told AFP that rescue workers arrived after a prolonged wait and that his three‑day‑old daughter died.
Jaweria, mother of another victim, said the ward door was locked and that she waited two hours before police arrived.
Abdul Ghafoor said thick black smoke filled the ward and that patients were trapped.
Rescue teams reached the scene after nearly two hours, despite an emergency call being made promptly.
Sohail Ashraf, Islamabad’s chief commissioner, said rescue teams responded immediately after the call.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow and ordered an immediate investigation, also suspending Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri.
The statement from his office called the loss of children irreparable.
Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and whether safety procedures were followed.
Israeli artillery and air strikes continue in southern Syria and Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered effort to negotiate a cease‑fire. The United States has urged Israel to halt the attacks as part of a framework agreement reached after a March escalation. The agreement calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal in exchange for Lebanese army deployment and Hezbollah disarmament. In Syria, Israeli forces shelled a hilltop near Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside on Wednesday, witnesses said. Al‑Ikhbariah TV reported that soldiers raided and searched a house in the village of Taranja in the Quneitra countryside. An Israeli drone struck a vehicle in Beit Jinn on Saturday, and a ground raid in the town last year killed at least 13 people, including children, according to witnesses. In Lebanon, Israeli aircraft bombed al‑Mansouri in the Tyre district and Sarbine in the Bint Jbeil district on Wednesday, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported. Artillery fire hit Wadi Zibqin in the Tyre district, and air strikes reached Beit Lif and Yater. Large explosions were heard in Bayt al‑Sayyad, Baraachit and Majdal Zoun, and Israeli forces demolished homes in Hula in the Marjayoun district. Drones flew low over Beirut and its southern suburbs. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shaibani met Israeli intelligence officials in Jordan for talks mediated by the United States, which Damascus described as an attempt to end “attacks, arrests and targeting operations” inside Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was trying to increase votes ahead of the October general election, according to analyst Marwan Kabalan of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. Analyst Khaldoun Al‑Sharif told Al Jazeera that Lebanon had met its commitments under the 2024 cease‑fire, but Israel continued strikes and home demolitions without U.S. consequences, saying “more than 10,000 violations, and they haven’t lifted a finger,” he said, adding that Washington, not Hezbollah, should press Israel to scale back. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 4,350 deaths and 12,310 wounded since March, and debate continues over the framework agreement that envisions Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese army deployment.
Rescue teams searched for more than 1,300 people missing after floods hit Nepal and Tibet following a glacial collapse on Wednesday.
The death toll in Nepal rose to 165.
Nepalese authorities said 826 people were missing in the districts of Nuwakot and Rasuwa.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that 260 of the 558 missing in Tibet were foreigners and that two villagers were rescued.
At least three people were killed in Tibet as of Thursday morning, CCTV said.
Army and private helicopters rescued more than 100 people from flood-affected areas on Thursday morning.
Eight foreign nationals were airlifted to Kathmandu, army spokesperson Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet said.
Bodies were recovered about 100 kilometers downstream in Chitwan district.
Dozens of injured people were taken to Kathmandu for advanced medical care.
In Tibet, a mudslide near Gyirong Port on Wednesday left mud up to two meters deep on some road sections and cut off communications, CCTV reported.
A barrier lake was discovered near the port, complicating rescue efforts, and Chinese authorities deployed a large military transport aircraft to the region, CCTV said.
Officials said hundreds of foreigners were reported missing, including Indians on pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, at least 34 Australians on pilgrimages and tours, and 55 Malaysians in Kathmandu, Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry said.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters that Australian citizens were part of separate pilgrimage and tour groups.
Australia was coordinating with Nepal, the United Nations, the Red Cross and other organizations on a humanitarian response.
The Nepalese government had not requested assistance, she added.
The U.S. Geological Survey said a magnitude 5.2 glacial collapse occurred near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday, not an earthquake, and that debris flowed downstream with significant impact on communities.
Experts at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said an avalanche from a glacier likely caused the flash flood, noting water levels on the Trishuli river rose by up to nine meters in half an hour.
The Lhende Khola river, a tributary of the Bhotekoshi, has flooded twice in 14 months, the most recent triggered by an ice rock avalanche from a glacier on the Nepal side, disaster risk reduction specialist Saswata Sanyal said.
Researchers found that glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region are melting faster, with ice loss rates doubling since 2000, raising concerns about increased flood risk in a warming climate.
Rescue operations continued as light rain persisted.
Authorities warned that secondary collapses or landslides may occur.
A flash flood on the Nepal‑Tibet border on Wednesday left more than 400 travelers, including 33 British citizens and a 13‑year‑old girl, missing, according to Nepal’s tourism board.
The flood occurred at about 8:30 am local time on the Tibetan side of the Bhote Koshi River after a mudslide collapsed into the river, causing severe flooding on the Nepali side.
At least 341 foreign nationals were unaccounted for, and the British missing included three men aged 65, 64 and 52 and seven women aged 44, 47, 51, 60, 63, 63 and 65, travel logs showed. The tour operator Alpine Eco Trek said a 13‑year‑old girl was among the missing British nationals and also listed two Irish citizens. Four Nepali guides aged 38, 35, 45 and 29 were also reported missing.
Kumar Adhikari, manager of Alpine Eco Trek, said the group had been crossing into Tibet from Nepal when they became trapped at the border, and that the tour guides’ phones went offline at 8:40 am. He added that the group had hoped to find safety inside the border immigration office. Chinese government video later showed flooding on the Tibetan side.
Police in Nepal reported 157 bodies recovered and more than 40 people injured in hospitals. The tourism board said more than 100 of the missing had not yet had their nationality confirmed. Officials in Tibet expressed concern about possible major casualties, and the Rasuwa district authority urged tourists to exercise caution, remain in safe areas and move to higher ground if necessary, while advising travelers to keep in contact with hotels and travel agencies and to postpone journeys.
The UK foreign secretary, Ed Miliband, said he was deeply concerned and that his thoughts were with those affected and with British nationals and their families. The British embassy in Kathmandu urged people in the affected areas to follow local advice, and a joint statement from the embassies of Australia, the European Union, Finland, France, Norway and Switzerland expressed solidarity and called for people to follow local guidance.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation, and travelers were advised to await further updates before planning trips to the region.
TORONTO — Canada announced a defense industrial strategy that earmarks an additional $60 billion over five years, raising total defense spending to an estimated $36‑43 billion. The plan calls for tripling the size of the domestic defense sector, creating 125,000 jobs and prioritizing sovereign capabilities such as aerospace, robotics and unmanned systems.
The strategy reflects Prime Minister Mark Carney’s effort to strengthen economic self‑sufficiency amid new tariff measures with the United States and to diversify procurement away from U.S. contractors. Companies are developing a range of products, including camouflage uniforms and helmet covers for the Canadian Armed Forces, remote sensors for Arctic operations, mobile AI‑driven robots, and drones capable of resupply or payload delivery. Wuxly, a Toronto‑based parka manufacturer, is assembling uniforms and helmet covers, while New Frontier Robotics is working on a mobile manipulator robot with potential military and civilian uses. Volatus Aerospace, based near Montreal, produces drones for both commercial and defense applications, including first‑person‑view models and cargo‑dropping systems tested at a site north of Toronto.
The government has also secured deals to purchase radar aircraft from Sweden’s Saab and submarines from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp, and it aims to support domestic firms through the broader defense supply chain. Industry leaders note strong demand at defense exhibitions, with many new companies entering the sector, but they caution that limited manufacturing capacity and competition from larger U.S. firms with greater research budgets may pose challenges. Analysts describe the initiative as a generational shift for a nation historically focused on peacekeeping.
Brazil’s government filed a lawsuit against the chat platform Discord on Wednesday, seeking $97 million in damages for alleged failures to protect children and adolescent users. The complaint, filed in the Superior Court of Justice, argues that Discord did not comply with Brazilian regulations designed to safeguard minors online. The action follows unsuccessful negotiations between the government and Discord, which the Ministry of Justice said did not meet required safety standards. The case stems from a July 22 incident in Mato Grosso do Sul in which a 13‑year‑old girl died after being pressured during a livestream to harm herself. Five individuals, including four teenagers and an adult, have been arrested in connection with that incident. In response, Brazil’s National Data Protection Agency ordered Discord to suspend its livestream service on August 12 and imposed a separate $30 million fine on TikTok for child privacy violations. Discord, which reports about 90 million daily active users, said it would discontinue livestreaming and implement measures to make the platform safer for teenagers. The government’s statement said the platform continues to exhibit weaknesses in age verification and user protection mechanisms. Discord’s legal team characterized the lawsuit as excessively harsh and disputed claims of non‑compliance with local law. The lawsuit seeks compensation for collective moral damages and aims to compel Discord to adopt effective protective measures for minors. The matter remains unresolved as the court reviews the evidence and arguments presented by both parties.
EU member states have revived a proposal to use frozen Russian assets held in European banks to support Ukraine, according to reports. The plan, which had been stalled, aims to unlock several billion euros in assets to fund reconstruction and military aid. Finance ministers from countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands have expressed support for examining legal pathways to access the funds. Officials note that the initiative must comply with existing sanctions and could trigger retaliation from Russia. The proposal is part of broader Western efforts to increase pressure on Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The European Commission said it will assess the legal framework before any implementation, and the plan still requires approval from EU authorities.
Yayoi Kusama, a Japanese avant‑garde artist known for her polka‑dot motifs, died on August 14 at age 97 in Tokyo. Her death marks the end of a career that made her one of the most recognized contemporary artists worldwide.
Born in 1929 as the youngest daughter of a wealthy family, Kusama began creating art at age 10. After studying in Japan, she moved to the United States in the late 1950s and became active in New York’s avant‑garde community, where she gained attention for large paintings and performance pieces that incorporated body painting and polka dots.
She produced a prolific body of work that included paintings, sculptures, installations and performance art, often using repetitive patterns and immersive environments such as infinity rooms. Her pumpkin sculptures, including a prominent piece on the art island Naoshima, and large‑scale exhibitions attracted substantial public interest and generated high auction prices. In the 1960s she organized happenings that featured polka‑dot motifs and participatory elements, and she later established a fashion line and described herself as the 'High Priestess of Polka Dots' in promotional materials. After returning to Japan in the 1970s, she voluntarily admitted herself to a Tokyo psychiatric hospital, where she lived and worked for the remainder of her life. Her website notes that lifelong visions and hallucinations beginning in childhood inspired her early polka‑dot and net drawings.
Fans and peers posted messages of appreciation on social media, describing her work as enduring and influential.
Kusama’s legacy will continue to be examined in museums and academic studies, though questions about the lasting impact of her self‑obliteration philosophy remain open.
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook said the Trump administration has no legal basis to remove her, following the president’s renewed accusations of mortgage fraud. The president has threatened to fire Cook, citing alleged false statements on mortgage documents, a claim the administration previously made in August 2025 and again in August 2026. Cook’s lawyers responded with a written rebuttal stating the accusations are not fraud and are an attempt to pressure the central bank. In a letter dated Wednesday, Abbe David Lowell and Norman Eisen said an inadvertent error does not constitute fraud, noting that similar mistakes have been made by members of the administration, and said the effort is an attempt to force the Fed to bend to the president’s will. Federal law requires removal of a governor “for cause,” and the Supreme Court ruled in June that the president cannot dismiss Fed officials at will; the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 provides protections to shield the bank from political pressure. The administration also opened a criminal probe into former Fed Chair Jerome Powell over a renovation project, which was later dropped after a federal judge rejected subpoenas; Powell said the investigation was intended to intimidate the Fed. Economists warn that pressure to lower interest rates quickly could increase liquidity in markets and weaken the dollar, a concern amid ongoing inflation management. The situation underscores tensions between the administration and the Fed’s independence, with no resolution yet.
Pentagon says it discovered previously undisclosed documents from the final days of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The documents were reportedly found during a review of records related to the 2021 withdrawal, according to the Department of Defense. Republicans have accused the Biden administration of concealing errors made during the final days of the conflict, arguing that the withheld materials could reveal missteps. The Pentagon declined to comment on the content of the files, stating only that they were part of routine archival efforts. The findings have not been independently verified, and no official has confirmed whether the documents contain new information about the withdrawal. The existence of the documents raises questions about the transparency of the administration's handling of the withdrawal, though no concrete evidence of wrongdoing has been presented.
South African police arrested two Thai nationals at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on August 20 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 50 parrot eggs out of the country. The 50‑year‑old Thai man was detained after customs officers discovered the eggs in a homemade incubator inside a hand‑luggage bag. A second Thai national was also found carrying parrot eggs in a separate incident, according to the environment ministry. The ministry said the eggs belong to species protected under CITES and that the arrests are part of a broader effort to curb illegal wildlife trade. Authorities have not disclosed the intended destination of the eggs, and investigations into the broader trafficking network are ongoing.
Six months after President Donald Trump initiated a war against Iran in late February, the conflict remains ongoing, and U.S. objectives have shifted to include reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carries about 20% of global oil shipments.
The war was initially expected to last four to five weeks, but fighting has continued despite repeated statements that it has been won or that a deal was near completion. A June memorandum of understanding intended to pave the way to a cease‑fire has not led to a resolution, and the United States has reduced its stockpiles of key weapons while increasing economic pressure on Iran.
Trump declared in June that the United States had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, but a stockpile of roughly 970 pounds (440 kilograms) of highly enriched uranium is believed to be stored at three sites bombed by the United States and Israel. Trump said the material would be retrieved in coordination with Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency and destroyed, though Iran has not indicated willingness to permit such an operation, which experts say would require a large deployment of U.S. troops.
The original war aims did not include reopening the strait, which had been closed since the conflict began, raising fuel and fertilizer prices. Trump has said the strait is functioning, though occasional drone or rocket attacks have occurred. A proposed deal would involve reopening the strait and lifting the U.S. blockade of Tehran’s ports, though the president has also suggested the waterway could become U.S. territory with tolls.
The administration set out to destroy Iran’s missile arsenal. Trump initially claimed that 90% of Iran’s missiles and launchers had been eliminated, later revising the estimate to 82% by mid‑May. U.S. Central Command continues to identify Iranian command centers, air‑defense sites, coastal surveillance facilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks as targets.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers in early June that Iran has suffered massive destruction of its defense industrial base, with attrition of 80% to 90%, a process he said would take years to reverse.
U.S. and Israeli forces achieved air superiority early in the conflict. Rubio said Iran retains limited drone capacity but lacks the ability to employ swarms, and that its navy no longer exists as a conventional force, relying instead on small fast‑boat units equipped with machine guns that occasionally lay mines. Trump asserted on July 3 that Iran’s navy and air force are “totally gone.”
Trump said in March that the United States would protect Middle Eastern allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and others. The United States maintains thousands of troops in the region, and in June responded with strikes after Iran fired missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain. Oman, which has pursued separate negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, has expressed discomfort with the administration’s approach, and Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it obstructed the deal.
Early in the war, the United States struck Iranian‑aligned militias in Iraq. Administration officials have reduced public updates on degrading proxy networks, saying the goal is to prevent the regime from arming and directing terrorist forces beyond its borders. The focus has shifted to the conflict in Lebanon, where the United States mediated a deal for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament; Hezbollah’s leader has rejected direct talks and pledged not to disarm.
Whether the United States can achieve its revised objectives, particularly reopening the Strait of Hormuz and securing a negotiated end to the conflict, remains unresolved as the war enters its seventh month.
A glacial collapse triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, killing at least 165 people and leaving nearly 1,500 missing.
The events affected the Nuwakot district of Nepal and the Tibet autonomous region, where mud and water swept away homes, roads and bridges.
Rescue teams used an earthmover to carry a victim along the Trishuli River in Nuwakot on August 26, 2026. Officials said the death toll could rise as search teams continued looking for survivors.
Search operations continued into Thursday as authorities sought to locate remaining survivors.
At least 157 people have been killed and hundreds, including many foreign tourists, are missing after flash floods struck the Nepal‑Tibet border region, sweeping away roads, bridges and power infrastructure. The floods were triggered by a sudden surge of mud, water and debris from a river that runs along the border between China and Nepal, according to local officials. Nepalese authorities reported the death toll and said numerous homes and transportation routes were destroyed, while Tibetan officials warned of possible major casualties. Rescue operations were underway, with teams searching for survivors amid debris. The incident highlights the vulnerability of remote mountainous border areas to extreme weather events, and authorities have not yet released a full assessment of the damage or the number of missing persons.
Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani will travel to Tehran on Thursday to meet Iranian officials and discuss ways to de‑escalate tensions and revive dialogue between Iran and the United States. A spokesman for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X that the visit reflects Qatar's belief that diplomatic engagement is the best path to regional security and stability. Sheikh Mohammed, also the foreign minister, will meet a number of Iranian officials to discuss de‑escalation and the creation of conditions for dialogue, according to the foreign ministry. Iran confirmed the visit, saying the talks will cover Qatar's mediation efforts and other regional developments. The United States and Israel began a conflict against Iran in February, which has now lasted nearly six months with fighting largely paused but no diplomatic breakthrough in sight. U.S. President Donald Trump told Al Jazeera that he sees no urgency in returning to talks and that economic and military pressure can be effective, adding that he has no set timetable for negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote to the United Nations that the new sanctions constitute an act of state and economic terrorism and that they harm civilians by restricting essential goods, urging member states not to implement them. He said the sanctions violate rights to life, health, food and an adequate standard of living. The two sides remain at odds over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that previously handled about 20 million barrels of crude oil per day. Since the conflict began, daily shipments have fallen to roughly 5 million barrels, a three‑month low. Iran seeks authority over the strait, while the United States insists the waterway must remain open to all. Qatar's foreign ministry said the prime minister will also address the strait, seeking a return to the pre‑February 28 arrangement. The visit follows Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi's meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Tehran earlier this week. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the two countries agreed on a temporary shipping route in the strait, but said reopening will depend on U.S. fulfillment of the June memorandum, including sanction relief and release of frozen assets. Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir visited Tehran earlier in the week, stating that Islamabad sees significant progress toward ending the conflict. Mohammad Khoshcheshm, a professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Tehran, said regional countries are intensifying diplomatic efforts because they fear escalation could trigger a wider war that would damage the global economy.
A landslide and flash flood on the Nepal‑Tibet border killed at least 160 people and left hundreds missing on Wednesday. The event occurred in steep Himalayan terrain where rock‑ice avalanches can block rivers and cause rapid downstream flooding. Initial reports suggested an earthquake triggered the slide, but USGS analysis indicated the seismic energy was generated by the landslide itself. The Kathmandu‑based ICIMOD said a rock‑ice avalanche blocked the Lhende River, causing the flood. Authorities noted no unusual conditions were observed on the Chinese side. Scientists cited a lack of rainfall before the disaster, which hampered flood warning systems. Experts said the high speed of the mud‑water mixture, likened to liquid concrete, made evacuation impossible; survivors were advised to climb at least 6 meters up a hill. Long‑term mitigation could include real‑time river‑level gauges providing 20–30 minutes warning. Researchers also highlighted the risk of secondary floods from the temporary river blockage and noted that glacial lake outburst floods are a recurring hazard in the region, though attribution to climate change awaits formal studies. Scientists will conduct attribution studies to determine whether climate trends such as glacial retreat and increased heatwaves influence the likelihood of similar events in the future.
FDA approved daraxonrasib (Rasonque) for pancreatic cancer, a therapy that in a late‑stage trial doubled median overall survival from 6.6 months to 13.2 months compared with chemotherapy. The agency said the daily oral medication, developed by Revolution Medicines, works by binding to and inhibiting the mutated KRAS protein, which is present in more than 90% of pancreatic tumors. A study of 500 patients showed the drug produced a median survival of 13.2 months, while the control group receiving chemotherapy had a median of 6.6 months, according to trial data. Common adverse events included rash, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and vomiting; severe side effects occurred in 44% of patients, lower than the 57.5% rate observed with chemotherapy, the FDA reported. The FDA granted the drug Breakthrough Therapy designation in 2025 and approved it six months before the scheduled deadline, citing unprecedented results in an area of high unmet need, said Angelo de Claro, director of the agency’s Oncology Center of Excellence. Pancreatic cancer accounts for roughly 67,000 new diagnoses in the United States annually and has the highest mortality rate among major cancers, the American Cancer Society noted. More than half of those diagnosed die within three months, and the disease is often detected late. Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, who announced a Stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis in December, is participating in the trial and reported tumor shrinkage, according to his statement. The approval represents a new therapeutic option for a disease with limited treatment alternatives.
Thousands of pilgrims gathered Wednesday night at the Church of St. Fanourios, 10 kilometers northwest of Athens, to offer orange cakes in observance of the feast of St. Fanourios, a saint associated with lost items. St. Fanourios, known as the Revealer, is venerated as the patron saint of lost and found. An icon depicting his martyrdom was discovered on the island of Rhodes more than 500 years ago. Celebrations occur mainly in Greece and Cyprus. Maria Chanioti, 66, has attended the services since childhood. She prepared a cake using fresh orange juice, a pinch of nutmeg, and a recipe that includes 4 cups self‑rising flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, 12 tablespoons orange juice, 1/2 cup water, lemon zest, raisins, and walnuts, then baked it at 170‑180 Celsius for 45 minutes. She described the wish as private, noting that participants seek help with personal difficulties such as lost keys, relationship strain, or need for courage. Father Nikolaos Vlavianos, who blessed the cakes, said, "If someone prayed to win the lottery, that would have no spiritual benefit and would not go anywhere." He added that he has heard requests ranging from illness and bankruptcy to parking problems and sports slumps. Most attendees keep their wishes private, though the gathering included an outdoor ceremony, a church fair with vendors selling toys, clothing, and grilled meat, and a communal sharing of the baked goods. Chanioti said the ritual reflects a broader view of loss, encompassing emotional and material concerns, and stressed that love, understanding, optimism and freedom from sadness are more important than money. The tradition continues each year, offering participants a moment of reflection while the Church of St. Fanourios remains a focal point for the community.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al‑Thani will travel to Tehran on Thursday to discuss restoring mediation after the United States and Iran exchanged criticism over new sanctions. The two sides have paused military actions for about a month, but no formal peace talks have begun. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane, has been a point of contention since the war began on Feb. 28. A projectile struck a tanker in the strait on Aug. 26, causing a fire that was extinguished; all crew were reported safe. Oil flows through the strait fell to 5 million barrels per day, the lowest level in three months, compared with about 20 million barrels before the conflict. Iran and Oman have been negotiating how to share control and revenue of the waterway, but a final agreement has not been reached. Iranian officials gave conflicting statements: a Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson said Iran and Oman had reached an acceptable understanding, while a senior Iranian source told Reuters the talks were still ongoing and no deal had been finalized. Qatar has acted as a back‑channel mediator between Iran and the United States, helping to secure a cease‑fire in June. During the Tehran visit, Al‑Thani will address freedom of navigation in the strait and seek to return to the pre‑Feb. 28 status, according to Qatari officials. He will also discuss ways to de‑escalate tensions. The United Nations maritime agency recorded 70 incidents in the strait since Feb. 28, resulting in 19 seafarer deaths.
A car drove into a crowd of pedestrians near a train station in Caen, Normandy, killing at least one person and injuring ten others, police said.
The incident occurred near a bar where a fight had been reported, according to local media.
Seven of the injured were in critical condition and three suffered minor injuries, regional prefect David Claviere told AFP.
All victims appeared to be men between the ages of 17 and 40, Claviere added.
Bruno Coutanceau, a senior security official for Caen, said investigators were not treating the event as a terrorist act at this stage, noting that the investigation was ongoing.
The suspect, a 26‑year‑old man born in Russia, was arrested about 20 km (12 miles) away in Ouistreham after a search operation, police said.
He had no prior known links to intelligence services and was only known to police for traffic offences, Claviere said.
Authorities have opened a criminal investigation led by detectives from Caen’s Specialised Crime Division, and the area around the train station has been cordoned off.
Local officials urged residents to avoid the vicinity while the inquiry continues.
The motive for the crash remains undetermined, and no charges have been filed against the suspect.
Dolly Parton, who died at 78, wrote the 1980 song “9 to 5” after noticing the tapping of her acrylic nails on a set where a guitar was not allowed; she sang the tune to co‑stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who recalled feeling goosebumps. The song reached number one on the U.S. charts, earned an Oscar nomination for best original song, and has been cited as an anthem for workplace equity. Parton first gained national exposure in 1967 as a regular on The Porter Wagoner Show, a television program that aired to millions of viewers each week. While with Wagoner she recorded 21 duet hits, then left to pursue a solo career, writing “I Will Always Love You” as an apology to her former mentor. In 1979 Wagoner sued her for breach of contract, claiming $3 million; Parton settled for about $1 million, retaining the publishing rights. After the song topped country charts, Elvis Presley expressed interest in recording it; his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded half of the publishing rights, leading Parton to decline and keep full ownership. When Whitney Houston recorded a version for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992, Parton earned enough to purchase Graceland and later used the money to fund scholarships in a Nashville black neighborhood. Her catalog includes “Coat of Many Colors,” “Jolene,” and “All I Can Do,” songs that address personal hardship, gender double standards, and personal relationships. Parton has supported education through scholarships and donated more than 200 million books to children. She has been recognized for maintaining artistic control and for using her platform to advocate for workers’ rights, a stance reflected in her continued public statements about ownership of her music. Swift’s decision to re‑record her master recordings has been noted as an echo of Parton’s approach to protecting her work.