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US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee made a rare appearance at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, calling it “an act of friendship.” He accused the judge of bias and compared Netanyahu’s legal troubles to those of President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu is on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, as Israel continues to fight in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Trump had earlier called for the trial to be cancelled, calling it a “witch hunt” and demanding a pardon for the Israeli leader. Huckabee echoed Trump’s stance, defending the move as support, not interference, according to Firstpost.

South Korea’s Supreme Court has cleared Samsung chairman Lee Jae-yong of fraud charges linked to a 2015 merger, ending a lengthy legal battle.

Lee was accused of inflating the value of Samsung Biologics to tighten control of the company. Lower courts had already acquitted him, and the top court upheld those rulings, declaring the merger lawful, according to BBC.

The verdict was welcomed by South Korea’s business community, which hopes the decision will help Samsung navigate ongoing economic and trade challenges.

At least 63 people have died and nearly 300 were injured in Pakistan’s Punjab province after torrential rains triggered building collapses, electrocutions, and flooding, officials said.

Rawalpindi declared a public holiday as evacuations began near the swelling Leh River. In Chakwal, which saw 400mm of rainfall in a day, rescue teams and military helicopters were deployed, according to BBC.

The monsoon death toll nationwide has reached nearly 180 since late June, over half of them children. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz declared emergencies in several areas, urging residents to follow safety measures.

More rains and flash floods are expected through the weekend, with thousands of rescuers on alert, BBC reported.

Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate change, with recurring monsoon disasters and rapidly melting glaciers worsening the crisis.

The US Senate has approved a $9bn spending cut bill in a 51–48 vote, targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting. Passed after an overnight session, the bill is part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to reduce federal spending, BBC reported.

The Senate version trims $8bn from international aid, including global health programs, and over $1bn from public broadcasting, affecting rural radio stations. A proposed $400m cut to the HIV/AIDS program Pepfar was dropped.

The bill now returns to the House, where its future remains uncertain ahead of Friday’s deadline, according to BBC.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on India, China, and Brazil to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin towards peace, warning that continued economic ties with Moscow could “slam back” on them.

His remarks come as India faces criticism for ramping up imports of discounted Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, European and NATO countries remain major buyers of Russian energy, Firstpost reported.

The EU leads in liquefied and pipeline gas imports, while NATO member Turkey is the top importer of Russian oil products—highlighting a double standard in Western criticism.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the construction of the cricket stadium in Kirtipur has reached its final stage.

Taking to his social site today, he mentioned that the contractor company is currently proceeding ahead with the work by paying compensation because they did not complete the construction of the stadium on time.

"Even while working in three shifts, there could have been delays due to the monsoon and other technical reasons. However, the government has now made provision for penalties and rewards to ensure results and maintain discipline in work, which is a positive step," Prime Minister Oli wrote on his social media wall.

He also mentioned that this system of reward and punishment is being implemented in other related public construction works as well.

CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pointed out the need of taking labor and production together by building strong relationships with the people.

Inaugurating the 'YCL in labor and production' campaign organized by YCL Nepal Central Committee at Balkumari ground of Sunakothi in Lalitpur today, Chair Dahal urged YCL members to help stop possible destruction from incessant rainfall, flood and landslide.

"Conspiracy has been hatched to reverse the change and it can be made unsuccessful. Significant changes can be achieved with participation of youth. It should be forwarded as a campaign", he argued.

Vice-Chairperson Pampha Bhusal, In-charge of Bagmati Province Saral Sahayatri, central members Hari Dahal, Ramkaji Maharjan, among others were present on the occasion. 

YCL Nepal In-Charge Ram Prasad Sapkota 'Deepshikha' shared that the campaign would be launched across the country in Shrawan and Bhadra, adding the campaign has been launched in 50 districts today itself.

YCL Nepal would carry out activities giving priority to production, labor and disaster management, he opined.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has nominated former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as the new defense minister, submitting the proposal to parliament on Wednesday.

The move comes as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle following Shmyhal’s resignation, which triggered the formal dismissal of the entire government, according to Xinhua.

Zelensky also named Herman Smetanin, minister of strategic industries, to head the state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom. The outgoing cabinet will remain in place until a new government is formed.