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Japan’s weather agency has issued its highest-level heavy rain warning for Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture after record downpours triggered fears of landslides, flooding, and overflowing rivers, according to Xinhua.

Kirishima recorded 107.5 mm of rain in one hour early Friday, with a 12-hour total of over 480 mm — nearly double its August average.

Torrential rain is forecast to continue across Kyushu through Sunday, with up to 200 mm expected in southern areas and 120 mm in the north. Authorities have urged residents to stay alert as dangerous conditions may already be present, Xinhua reported.

For a country hemmed between the world’s first and second most populous nations with giant carbon footprints, clean air is no less than a luxury. 

But it won’t be fair to blame the neighbors alone for a progressively worsening air pollution in the Kathmandu valley and other parts of our country, which still has a very nominal carbon footprint.

Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal stipulates the right to a clean environment, stating that every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. 

But that right is up in smoke like several other fundamental rights. With not much industrial base to boast of, vehicular emission is a major factor behind air pollution in the country, along with forest fires. During the sweltering summer that has just passed us by, the country hogged the headlines as numerous forest fires worsened air quality further and further even as the government did precious little to control the situation. 

Air quality has improved due to the rains, which, though, has brought another set of disasters in an ill-prepared and ill-governed country.

The wildfires are gone for now, but it’s not unusual to come across scenes that make one wonder if our roads were on fire. 

Every day, ill-maintained vehicles leave behind plumes of soot on our roads under the very nose of our extremely competent government, making a mockery of high emission standards it has set vis-a-vis vehicular emission.

Under the Paris Agreement, Nepal's Nationally Determined Contribution 3.0 aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, expanding clean energy to 15,000 MW by 2030, and 15 percent of energy from clean sources by 2030.

Despite green commitments to the international community and the domestic populace, the government continues to invest in infrastructure that is sure to increase the country’s dependence on dirty fuels. The country with enough hydropower potential to meet her domestic energy needs already has a cross-border pipeline (Motihari-Amhlekhgunj petroleum pipeline) with plans to extend it to Lothar (Chitwan) and then onto Kathmandu, and another cross-border petroleum pipeline (Siliguri-Charali petroleum) on the cards.

We export green energy and import dirty fuels. What can be more ironic?

When the rest of the world is switching to green transport alternatives like electric vehicles and hydrogen engines, the government is showing some clear signs of petroleum addiction, which will bleed the national economy further and further as petroleum imports account for a large chunk of our trade deficit.

It’s time the government did a course correction and shifted focus on developing green transport systems and an economy that does not ‘run’ on dirty fuels.   

Former Superman actor Dean Cain has announced he will soon be sworn in as an ICE agent, joining the agency’s efforts to expand its workforce. Cain, who is already a sworn law enforcement officer, praised the recruitment campaign aimed at doubling ICE’s personnel to support President Trump’s push for increased deportations, BBC reported.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Cain’s honorary appointment, highlighting his encouragement for Americans to join ICE and help protect communities. ICE is actively recruiting, offering bonuses of up to $50,000 and removing age limits to attract more candidates amid rising immigration enforcement.

Currently, ICE employs about 20,000 officers and staff nationwide. The agency recently received a significant budget increase, making it the highest funded federal law enforcement body, as it steps up deportations despite protests and criticism, according to BBC.

Six people died when a medical charity’s plane crashed in Nairobi on Thursday. The Amref Flying Doctors’ Cessna, heading to Somalia, went down shortly after takeoff, killing four on board and two people on the ground. Two others were seriously injured, BBC reported.

The plane lost contact with air traffic control minutes after departure. Authorities are investigating the cause, with emergency teams working at the scene.

In a separate accident near Naivasha, a train collided with a bus carrying Kenya Pipeline Company staff, killing at least four. Injured passengers have been hospitalized, according to BBC.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed. The majority of ministers rejected an alternative strategy, citing doubts it would defeat Hamas or secure the release of hostages, BBC reported.

The UN warned the operation could lead to catastrophic consequences, while families of hostages expressed fears for their loved ones’ safety. The decision comes amid growing international calls for an end to the conflict and increased humanitarian aid access.

The conflict began after Hamas’s October 7 attack, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. Since then, over 61,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s military offensive, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Access for international media to Gaza remains heavily restricted, according to BBC.

Donald Trump has urged Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan to resign immediately, citing concerns over Tan’s investments in companies linked to the Chinese military. Tan, who joined Intel earlier this year to help revive the company, has faced criticism from Republican lawmakers over national security risks, according to BBC.

Intel defended Tan, stressing their commitment to US security and ongoing domestic investments. Experts believe Trump’s attack may also relate to tensions over Intel’s US manufacturing plans.

Following Trump’s comments, Intel’s shares fell more than 3 percent. With US chip production a key priority, industry watchers say stable leadership is vital for Intel’s future growth, BBC reported.

The US has raised its reward for information leading to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s arrest to $50m, accusing him of major drug trafficking, according to BBC.

Attorney General Pam Bondi linked Maduro to cocaine smuggling and criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel. The DEA says it seized large amounts of cocaine connected to him.

Maduro denies the charges. He returned to power after a disputed election earlier this year. The US has long accused him of drug trafficking and corruption, increasing tensions between the two countries.

Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal was recently convicted on drug charges in the US, raising speculation of cooperation against Maduro, BBC reported.

Trump has ordered regulators to explore ways to let Americans invest their 401(k) savings in assets like cryptocurrencies, private equity, property, and gold. The move seeks to give everyday workers access to investments usually limited to the wealthy, according to BBC.

While some major firms are already preparing private equity retirement funds, critics warn this could increase risks for savers. The Department of Labor has 180 days to review rules, but any changes won’t happen right away.

This follows recent rollbacks of previous guidance that cautioned against including crypto and private equity in retirement plans, BBC reported.