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Israel continues to carry out waves of airstrikes targeting Iranian military, nuclear sites, and major cities. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “severe punishment” for what he called a crime that killed top commanders and nuclear scientists.

Shortly after the strikes, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel, according to the Israeli military, which is working to intercept them. Isareli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation will persist “as long as necessary”, Al Jazeera reported.

US President Donald Trump urged Iran to pursue a nuclear deal before it’s “too late,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed the US is not involved and warned Iran against targeting American bases.

A Delhi-bound Air India flight made an emergency landing in Phuket, Thailand, on Friday following a bomb threat, a day after the deadly crash in Ahmedabad. The plane returned shortly after takeoff, and all 156 passengers were safely evacuated. Authorities have not released details of the threat, according to Firstpost.

Meanwhile, recovery efforts continue following the Ahmedabad tragedy, in which Air India Flight AI171 crashed into residential quarters shortly after takeoff. At least 265 bodies have been recovered. Only one passenger survived. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the fire, which was fueled by 1.25 lakh liters of aviation fuel, rendered rescue impossible. DNA tests are being conducted to identify victims.

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All preparations for the 'EV Rally', an event organized annually by the Annapurna Media Network to raise awareness about climate change and reducing air pollution, have been completed.

The program will be held at Bhrikutimandap from 8 am on Saturday. This is the fourth edition of the rally.

“We have been organizing EV rallies every year to spread awareness about climate change and reducing air pollution,” Annapurna Media Network General Manager Manoj Basnet said, adding, “This time, we are drawing the attention of the UN to internationalize the agendas of climate change and air pollution raised during this rally.”

Basnet said that 35 corporate houses have collaborated in the awareness campaign on climate change and air pollution reduction.

The main sponsors of the EV Rally are Hyundai, Global IME Bank Ltd., Curvv.ev (SUV Coupe), Proton E MAS7, Ather, Skywell, Nepal Electricity Authority, Indrive, Save The Children, Oriental Insurance, Hilton Kathmandu, Nami College, KIEC, NAMMI, Fonepay, Yeti Airlines, Real Juice, Jalapa Fresh, Aroma, Star Hospital, Subishu, Khadya Byawastha Tatha Byapar Company Ltd., Sath Sathai, iPPAN, AVNI Center For Sustainability, Gham Power,ARKSH Food, Rastriya Banijya Bank, WWF, Citizens Bank Limited, Henery Volts, Simrik Air and ZEHO.

Along with the rally, there will also be EV vehicles, food stalls,  kidzone for children and live bands.

The live concert will feature musical performances by child singer Prayush Gautam, singer Sanjja Chaulagain, Benisha Poudel, Laxmi Archay, singer Pawan Giri, and Karan Pariyar, while comedian Dinesh Kafle (Howde Dai) will perform in the event.

AMN General Manager Basnet has invited everyone to participate in this awareness campaign to reduce climate change and air pollution.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and met with injured victims at the Civil Hospital on Friday.

The London-bound flight crashed into a residential area shortly after take-off on Thursday, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is recovering in hospital. The number of casualties on the ground remains unknown, according to Firstpost.

The aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, according to Air India.

Families of the victims have begun providing DNA samples to aid in the identification process.

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting in Ahmedabad with ministers and senior officials to oversee rescue operations, victim identification, and support measures for affected families, according to Firstpost.

Describing the tragedy as “beyond words,” Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The wet season, like the winter, comes with very many challenges and dengue is one of them.

Caused by the dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti), this vectorborne disease has emerged as a major seasonal public health threat, especially in urban areas of Nepal.

A number of factors like rising temperatures resulting from climate change, the lack of proper drainage systems, rapid urbanization, potholes resulting from shoddy road construction works, lack of public awareness about the disease and inefficiency on the part of ‘responsible’ government authorities are behind this scourge.

Some reports point out that while the first case of dengue was reported in Nepal as a travel case in 2004, indigenous cases of the disease have become quite common since then.

Province-wise, as of 10 Sept 2022, the Bagmati had the highest number of dengue cases (6205), followed by Lumbini province (1284), Koshi province (282), Sudurpaschim (206), Gandaki (150), Madhes (144) and Karnali (56).

In 2022 and 2023, dengue emerged as a major threat, with 54,784 and 51,243 cases reported.

Are these data not enough to indicate to our responsible authorities that dengue is a clear and present danger?

If they are, what are these authorities doing to bring down dengue cases this time around?

Have they begun de-watering the pits and puddles, and started patching the holes that have become integral parts of our roads? Will they even bother to make sure that stagnated pools of water do not become breeding grounds for these mosquitoes?

While all three tiers of the government have a vital role to play in dengue control and management, blaming the government will not make us safe and secure. The onus is also on us to make sure that our homesteads and localities do not become breeding grounds for the dreaded vector like the mosquito, posing a threat to our health and well-being.

Interestingly, according to a study, mosquitos account for 725,000 deaths every year, followed by people (4.75 lakh), snakes (50,000), dogs (25,000), freshwater snails (10,000), hippos (500), elephants (100) and sharks (10).

According to the World Health Organization, the highest number of dengue cases was recorded in 2023, affecting over 80 countries in all regions of WHO. Since the beginning of 2023 ongoing transmission, combined with an unexpected spike in dengue cases, resulted in a historic high of over 6.5m cases and more than 7300 dengue-related deaths reported.

Water holding containers such as bird baths, pet water dishes, plant saucers, children's pools, boats and junks such as old tires, and discarded appliances are ideal breeding spots for this vector. As the vector lays eggs on water, getting rid of stagnated water is a wise step along with the use of mosquito nets and repellents.

As prevention is better than cure, let’s channelize our energies on keeping this dreaded vector away. Together, we can—and we should. 

Israel has launched a second wave of airstrikes on Iran as part of Operation Rising Lion, targeting key nuclear and military sites. Iranian state media reported a new explosion at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in Isfahan province, with black smoke seen rising from the area, according to Reuters.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation intends to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production sites, and military capabilities, calling it essential for Israel’s survival.

The United States has distanced itself from the strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Israel acted independently and reiterated that the US is not involved, with its main priority being the safety of American forces in the region, Reuters reported.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has formally declared Iran in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation guidelines for the first time in 20 years.

In a resolution supported by 19 of the IAEA's 35 board members, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Germany, the agency criticized Iran's refusal to explain undeclared nuclear material and its stockpile of uranium enriched near weapons-grade levels, UN News reported.

Iran rejected the resolution as politically driven, announcing plans to construct a new enrichment facility. It argues that its nuclear program is harmless.

The move follows a 2018 decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal, after which Iran began scaling back its compliance, according to UN News.

India has initiated an official investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, which claimed 241 lives. The UK-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, striking a building before catching fire. One person survived.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will lead the probe, adhering to international protocols set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Firstpost reported.

Additionally, the government has formed a high-level committee of experts to assess the incident and recommend measures to enhance aviation safety.