- A deadly flash flood in Nepal’s Rasuwa district has left at least eight people dead, with 105 Indians among hundreds reported missing.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered India’s help with rescue and relief efforts after the floods.
- The US has reportedly asked Ukraine to pause strikes on Moscow and St Petersburg during CIA chief John Ratcliffe’s visit to Russia.
- Jewellery brand GIVA has withdrawn its Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon after backlash over her outfit.
- Police have arrested rifle shooting coach Sadhik Khan in connection with the alleged poisoning death of a woman’s husband and a subsequent family suicide.
Here are your top stories of the day.
Nepal floods: 105 Indians among hundreds reported missing after deadly flash flood
A sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday, killing over 30 people and causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, vehicles and hydropower projects. A preliminary list has 384 people missing, including 105 Indians, with many believed to be pilgrims travelling for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra; authorities are investigating whether the flood was triggered by an event on the Tibetan side. Read full story
PM Modi speaks to Nepal PM Balendra Shah, offers India’s help after floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the floods. Modi said India was “ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal” and that Indian teams were coordinating with Nepal on rescue and relief efforts as authorities continued operations in the affected areas. Read full story
Russia planning to use nukes? Why CIA chief made ’emergency’ visit to Moscow
The US has reportedly asked Ukraine not to strike Moscow and St Petersburg while CIA Director John Ratcliffe visits Russia, with Kyiv said to have agreed to a temporary pause between August 24 and 26. Ratcliffe is reportedly in Moscow for talks with senior Russian officials amid concerns over further escalation, while the Kremlin has not officially commented on the visit.
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Kriti Sanon ad row: GIVA withdraws Raksha Bandhan campaign after backlash
Jewellery brand GIVA has withdrawn its Raksha Bandhan advertisement featuring Kriti Sanon after criticism over the actor’s outfit. The brand apologised if the campaign had “inadvertently hurt the sentiments” of some people, while Sanon defended the advertisement and said the festival’s meaning lies in “the emotions and meaning you hold for the traditions”. Read full story
How a rifle coach came to ‘haunt’ Andhra family
Rifle shooting coach Sadhik Khan has been arrested after a woman and her parents died after jumping into the Godavari river in Rajahmundry, while her 10-year-old son survived. Police are investigating allegations in the family’s suicide notes that Khan threatened them and was involved in the alleged poisoning death of the woman’s husband, with investigators examining digital, medical and financial evidence. Read full story
