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Mexico has reported a 53 percent rise in flesh-eating screwworm cases, with 5,086 infections as of August 17, affecting cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs. Dozens of human cases have also been reported, mainly in Chiapas, and one case appeared in Maryland linked to travel in Central America, according to Al Jazeera.

The parasite, eradicated decades ago, re-emerged in 2023, causing $1.3bn in losses for Mexican cattle exports. US authorities warn that unchecked spread could threaten $100bn in livestock-related economic activity.

Mexico and the US are combating the outbreak with sterile fly programs and emergency veterinary drugs. Human risk in the US remains very low, officials say, but livestock protection is urgent, Al Jazeera reported.

Kyiv suffered a major Russian drone and missile attack overnight, killing at least four people, including a 14-year-old girl, and injuring more than 20. Explosions damaged residential and high-rise buildings across several districts, with a five-storey building in Darnytskyi destroyed, Al Jazeera reported.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko called it a “massive attack,” as rescue teams worked to free people trapped under rubble. The strike comes after recent US-Russia talks, which have so far failed to halt the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized Moscow’s stance in peace negotiations and called for increased pressure on Russia to end the fighting.

A Quinnipiac University poll finds 50 percent of US voters believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, including 77 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of independents; 64 percent of Republicans reject the claim, Al Jazeera reported.

Six in 10 voters oppose sending more US military aid to Israel, the highest level since November 2023. Sympathies are nearly evenly split, with 37 percent favoring Palestinians and 36 percent Israelis—the highest support for Palestinians on record.

Rights groups accuse Israel of genocide, which it denies. According to Al Jazeera, the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court have taken actions over alleged war crimes and Palestinian protections.

The United States is reviewing the involvement of Chinese nationals in managing sensitive cloud services for the military, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday. The move follows a ProPublica investigation revealing that Microsoft employed contractors in China and other countries to maintain Defense Department cloud systems, Al Jazeera reported.

Hegseth said a formal letter of concern has been sent to Microsoft, and a third-party audit of its digital escort program is underway to check for potential security breaches. He also directed software providers to end any Chinese involvement in Defense Department systems, calling the measure “common sense” for protecting national security.

Australia, Canada, and the Philippines carried out joint naval and air defense exercises near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, deploying warships, aircraft, and a heavy-lift helicopter. The drills aimed to enhance coordinated defense capabilities, counter aerial threats, and strengthen ties among allied nations, Al Jazeera reported.

The exercises marked the conclusion of Exercise ALON 2025, Australia’s largest military drill with the Philippines, involving over 3,600 personnel and 15 days of live-fire maneuvers.

Scarborough Shoal, claimed by both China and the Philippines, remains a sensitive flashpoint. Earlier this month, Chinese naval vessels collided while attempting to block a Philippine coastguard ship. China continues to assert control despite international rulings limiting its claims, according to Al Jazeera.

Vehicular movement along the Kaligandaki Corridor has been obstructed due to a landslide triggered by incessant rainfall at Rakse in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-2, Gulmi this morning.

The road is yet to be opened for traffic despite mobilization of security personnel with necessary equipment, said Information Officer of the District Police Office, Ganga Bahadur Saru.

The rain has not stopped since Wednesday afternoon.

A total of 42 percent of people living in Karnali Province are found to be suffering from anxiety and 23 percent from depression. Similarly, 11.7 percent of people here are suffering from some kind of mental health ailments.

This fact was shared at the Mid-term Review and Interaction on Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan 2079-2087 organized by the Karnali Province Ministry of Social Development with the financial and technical support of the Swiss Government and the Center for Mental Health and Counseling (CMC Nepal) in Surkhet Birendranagar on Wednesday.

The data from the National Health Research Council says that 42 percent of people in Karnali suffer from anxiety and 23 percent from depression, CMC Nepal Director Dr Pashupati Mahat said while giving his presentation on mental health, national policy and strategy. Stating that 11.7 percent of people are reported to be suffering from some kind of mental health issues, he stressed that governments at all levels should invest in its prevention.

At the program, Minister for Social Development Ghanashyam Bhandari said that a joint effort is needed to solve mental health problems. Karnali Province has developed and implemented a mental health and psychosocial strategy and action plan. This is the first of its kind among the seven provinces of the country, he added.

Psychiatrist Dr Sushil Samdarshi presented the future direction of the Karnali Provincial Government's Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan, the policies adopted and the progress made so far, and Public Health Officer Kiran Kumar Sharma gave a presentation on the mental health of Karnali and the activities and activities being undertaken by the provincial government for its improvement.

Himal Gaire, Head of Policy, Strategy and Good Governance at CMC Nepal, said that the program aims to cover the issues left out by conducting a 'Mid-Term Review of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Strategy and Action Plan 2079-2087' and to include the problems of Upper Karnali in particular in the strategy and action plan.

According to him, the mental health condition of citizens of districts like Rukum Paschim who migrate for foreign employment and return home has become even more alarming.

Toyoake, a town in Aichi, Japan, has proposed limiting residents’ smartphone use to two hours per day outside work and study. Mayor Masafumi Koki emphasized the guideline is voluntary, aiming to help families manage screen time, according to BBC.

Non-leisure activities like online learning, cooking, exercising, or e-sports practice are exempt. Suggested device cut-offs are 9 p.m. for primary students and 10 p.m. for older students and adults.

The move responds to concerns over students skipping school and adults losing sleep or family time. About 80 percent of residents opposed the plan, while some expressed support.