Heavy rains since September 27 have led to devastating floods and landslides across Nepal, claiming at least 66 lives, with officials warning that the death toll could rise.

The continuous downpours have also caused widespread disruptions to major roads and domestic air travel, authorities confirmed on September 28.

According to home ministry official Dil Kumar Tamang, 69 people are still missing, while 60 others have sustained injuries.

The Kathmandu Valley, which houses the capital and has a population of four million, is among the worst-hit regions, experiencing significant flooding that brought traffic and daily activities to a halt.

Tragically, six players from the Nepali Football Association’s academy in Makwanpur district lost their lives in a landslide.

The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) reported that the incident occurred in Indrasarowar as the players were attempting to move to safety. Search teams were immediately dispatched, and the bodies

Two death row inmates were executed in the United States this week, marking the second use of nitrogen gas for an execution in the country’s history.

In Oklahoma, 52-year-old Emmanuel Littlejohn was executed by lethal injection for the 1992 murder of Kenneth Meers during a convenience store robbery. While Littlejohn admitted being present, he consistently denied being the shooter.

Both he and his accomplice, Glenn Bethany, were convicted of murder, but while Bethany received life imprisonment, Littlejohn was sentenced to death. Despite the State Board of Pardons recommending clemency in August, Governor Kevin Stitt ultimately denied the request. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond stated that “justice has been served for the murder of Kenny Meers.”

Meanwhile, in Alabama, 59-year-old Alan Miller was executed using nitrogen gas at the Atmore Penitentiary for a 1999 workplace shooting spree that killed three colleagues. Miller reportedly struggled against the restraints as he suffocated, with reports noting similarities to the first nitrogen hypoxia execution earlier this year. The execution method, still controversial, has been likened to torture by the United Nations.

These executions bring the total number of executions in the U.S. this year to 18, with five carried out in the past week.

Putin Signs Decree to Boost Russian Armed Forces Personnel by 180,000

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the staffing levels of the country’s armed forces, raising the total number of personnel to 2.38 million, including 1.5 million military personnel. The decree, published on the government portal, represents an increase of 180,000 personnel across the Russian armed forces.

The new staffing levels, set to take effect on December 1, 2024, reflect Russia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its military amid global tensions and geopolitical challenges. This adjustment marks a rise from the previous staffing levels of 2.2 million, which included 1.32 million military personnel.

The decree is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s defense capabilities as Russia continues to prioritize military readiness.