PAKISTAN HOSPITAL FIRE PROBE SHIFTS BLAME TO NEBULISER BLAST AS INVESTIGATORS FIND NURSERY EXITS WERE LOCKED FROM OUTSIDE

A hospital preliminary report into the fire that killed fourteen newborn babies at Islamabad's PIMS hospital now says an exploding nebuliser — not an air-conditioning unit as first claimed — sparked the blaze, which spread rapidly because of the high concentration of oxygen in the nursery.

Investigators appointed by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the scene on Thursday, while a separate fire brigade report found that emergency exits were locked from outside and obstructed by barriers.

The prime minister has already sacked the Health Ministry's most senior civil servant, and the inquiry committee is expected to deliver an interim report within forty-eight hours.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

IN: “So far, investigators...”
OUT: “...the child ward.”
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NEPAL FLASH FLOOD DEATH TOLL REACHES 289 WITH MORE THAN 1,300 STILL MISSING INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF FOREIGNERS

The death toll from Wednesday's catastrophic flash floods in Nepal has risen to 289, with more than thirteen hundred people still missing, including more than seven hundred foreign nationals.

Scientists say the disaster was triggered by the collapse of part of a glacier near the Langtang Lirung peak, sending a wall of water through the Trishuli and Narayani river systems, destroying roads, bridges and entire villages.

More than fifteen hundred armed police have been deployed alongside drones and sniffer dogs, but rescuers are struggling to reach many of the worst-affected areas.

Rebecca Bundhun reports from Kathmandu.

IN: “There's the terrain...”
OUT: “...villages washed away.”
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(ALT)

Rebecca Bundhun in Kathmandu says locating the hundreds of people still unaccounted for remains the overriding priority for Nepal's rescue teams.

IN: “That's the real...”
OUT: “...for medical care.”
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(ALT)

Rebecca Bundhun in Kathmandu says Indian nationals make up the largest group of missing foreigners, with many having been pilgrims visiting Nepal and workers on hydropower projects.

IN: “Indians, they account...”
OUT: “...touch with Nepal.”
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NEPAL FLOOD DEATH TOLL PASSES 177 AS RESCUERS RACE TO REACH SURVIVORS TRAPPED IN MUD AND RUBBLE

Flash flooding triggered by a glacial collapse in Nepal has killed at least 177 people, with more than thirteen hundred others still missing on both sides of the Nepal-Tibet border, including hundreds of foreign nationals.

The United States Geological Survey has confirmed a massive chunk of ice plunged into a valley in Nepal's Rasuwa district, unleashing a wall of water and debris during the monsoon season.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Nepali Prime Minister Balen Shah, pledging full humanitarian support as more than a hundred Indian citizens remain unaccounted for.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

IN: “You know, the...”
OUT: “...people are missing.”
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Reporter Neha Poonia in New Delhi says India has flown two planeloads of emergency aid to Nepal, with embassy officials coordinating rescue efforts on the ground.

IN: “India sent two...”
OUT: “...worst hit areas.”
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Neha Poonia in New Delhi says rescue teams are resorting to helicopters and zip lines to extract survivors from areas buried under thick layers of mud.

IN: “We have been...”
OUT: “...areas as well.”
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800+ MISSING IN NEPAL/TIBET FLOODS

More than 800 people are missing in flash flooding and mudslides in Nepal.

At least 177 bodies have been recovered.

Authorities say a glacier collapse triggered the incident along the Nepal-Tibet border.

Climate and public policy expert Sunil Acharya is in Kathmandu, and says the incident has been devastating.

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OUT: ...the flood.”
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ALT:

Climate and public policy expert Sunil Acharya is in Kathmandu, and says it's unlike anything he's seen before.

IN: “The flood...
OUT: ...Tibet.”
DUR: 30 seconds

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Geologist Dr Ranjan Kumar Dahal is in Kathmandu - he says such an event is very difficult to foresee.

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OUT: ...the people.”
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NEPAL FLASH FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES TO 162 AS HUNDREDS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS REMAIN MISSING

The death toll from catastrophic flash flooding in Nepal's Rasuwa district has risen to at least 162, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for, including more than 300 foreign nationals.

Climate scientists say an ice-rock avalanche blocked a tributary of the Bhotekoshi river before releasing a devastating surge of water downstream, destroying homes, roads and bridges across the Nepal-Tibet border region.

India has dispatched ten metric tonnes of humanitarian aid, while Nepal's prime minister says the country is in a state of shock.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

IN: “At least 400...”
OUT: “...The flash floods.”
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(ALT)

Neha Poonia in New Delhi says the precise cause of the flooding has yet to be conclusively determined, even as the rapidly warming Himalayan region faces growing risks from glacial instability.

IN: “We still don't...”
OUT: “...many, many years.”
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NEPAL FLOOD DEATH TOLL RISES TO AT LEAST 162 AS HUNDREDS OF TOURISTS REMAIN MISSING

The death toll from catastrophic flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has risen to at least a hundred and sixty-two, with officials warning the number is expected to climb further.

More than four hundred foreign nationals are among nearly six hundred tourists still unaccounted for in the rugged Himalayan region, including a hundred and thirty-three Indian pilgrims — the largest group of missing foreigners.

India has put parts of the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar on high alert as floodwaters head toward the border.

Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.

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OUT: “...The flash floods.”
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(ALT)

Neha Poonia in New Delhi says while the cause of the flooding has not been confirmed, the Himalayan region is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

IN: “We still don't...”
OUT: “...many, many years.”
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MODERATE EARTHQUAKE RECORDED NEAR NEPAL WITH NO REPORTED DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake was recorded north of Kathmandu on Wednesday, though no damage or casualties have been reported and the quake does not appear to have been widely felt.

The event, logged by the United States Geological Survey near the Nepal-China border, was also recorded at a lower magnitude of 4.4 by other seismic monitoring networks.

Before the limited impact of the quake was confirmed, FSN's Ishan Garg reported on the flood risks that Indian states face from Nepal's Himalayan river systems during seismic events.

From New Delhi, Ishan Garg reports.

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OUT: “...these two states.”
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JUDGE PAUSES META'S OAKLAND TRIAL TO REVIEW $17.1 BILLION CHILD-SAFETY SETTLEMENT WITH 47 US STATES

A federal judge in Oakland, California, has suspended Meta's trial over alleged harms to young users while she reviews a settlement worth up to 17.1 billion dollars with 47 US states.

The deal would require Meta to impose a default two-hour daily screen-time cap for teenagers on Facebook and Instagram, mute notifications during school hours, and stop displaying like counts for under-18s.

Meta has denied wrongdoing but agreed to the terms, in what the judge called an excellent way to resolve the litigation.

Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.

IN: “Meta has admitted...”
OUT: “...of those changes.”
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(ALT)

Ira Spitzer, our reporter in San Francisco, says the settlement could have far-reaching consequences for Meta's competitors as well.

IN: “In terms of...”
OUT: “...treating younger users.”
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PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN LAND IN BRITAIN WITH THEIR CHILDREN AFTER SIX YEARS IN CALIFORNIA

Prince Harry, Meghan and their two children have landed in Britain, completing their move back from California after six years away.

The family touched down at Birmingham Airport on a private charter jet and were met by their own security detail — not police protection funded by the state.

The couple say they are returning as private citizens and will not take on official royal duties, though King Charles has said he welcomes the chance to see more of his grandchildren.

Olly Barratt reports from London.

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OUT: “...and months ahead.”
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Olly Barratt, our reporter in London, says the speed of the move surprised many — and that Prince Harry and his brother Prince William are still not believed to be in contact.

IN: “One of the...”
OUT: “...still not speaking.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Olly Barratt in London says the couple's standing with the British public remains a challenge, with polls showing them viewed less favourably than other senior royals.

IN: “Harry and Meghan...”
OUT: “...Catherine as well.”
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META AGREES TO PAY UP TO 18 BILLION DOLLARS TO SETTLE LANDMARK CHILD-SAFETY LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY US STATES

Meta has agreed to pay as much as 18 billion dollars to settle a landmark child-safety lawsuit brought by 29 US states, in a deal that would impose sweeping new restrictions on how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram.

The proposed settlement, filed in federal court in Oakland, California on Wednesday, still requires the approval of the presiding judge before it takes effect.

As part of the agreement, Meta has publicly called on YouTube and TikTok to adopt similar protections and join the deal.

Ira Spitzer has the story from San Francisco.

IN: “There will certainly...”
OUT: “...and children safety.”
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CANADA HITS BACK WITH RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON HUNDREDS OF US GOODS AS TRADE WAR ESCALATES

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of American products, matching US duties dollar for dollar, after trade talks between the two neighbours collapsed last week.

The United States imposed fifty per cent tariffs on roughly twenty billion dollars' worth of Canadian goods after a deadline set by US President Donald Trump expired on Saturday.

Ottawa says it is deliberately targeting goods from states where voters backed the president.

From Washington, Jagruti Dave reports.

IN: “You look at...”
OUT: “...upcoming midterm elections.”
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(ALT)

Jagruti Dave in Washington says Canada is hinting it could target energy exports to the United States — including oil, natural gas and electricity — if the trade war deepens further.

IN: “One of those...”
OUT: “...gets much worse.”
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META AGREES TO $16.7 BILLION SETTLEMENT WITH DOZENS OF US STATES OVER HARM TO TEENAGERS

Meta Platforms has agreed to an almost 17 billion-dollar settlement with attorneys general from more than two dozen US states, ending a landmark federal trial over social media's harm to teenagers.

The states had accused the company of deliberately designing its platforms to hook young users and of collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.

Meta says it does not admit any wrongdoing as part of the deal.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “The states had...”
OUT: “...wrongdoing by Meta.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Mitch Mccann in New York says the case centred on Meta's handling of children's data and its failure to shield young users from addiction.

IN: “Meta, the parent...”
OUT: “...without parental consent.”
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INDIA'S MODI OFFERS AID AS 105 INDIAN NATIONALS AMONG 384 MISSING IN NEPAL FLASH FLOODS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah, offering all possible humanitarian assistance after flash floods in Nepal's Rasuwa district left nearly four hundred travellers missing, including more than a hundred Indian nationals.

At least sixteen people are reported dead after a sudden surge in the Bhote Koshi River swept through parts of northern Nepal on Wednesday, with officials examining whether a glacial lake outburst on the Tibetan side may have triggered the flooding.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has activated emergency helpline numbers for affected Indian nationals.

Ishan Garg reports from New Delhi.

IN: “Establishing contact with...”
OUT: “...on that front.”
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AT LEAST 14 NEWBORNS KILLED IN ISLAMABAD HOSPITAL NURSERY FIRE AFTER AIR-CONDITIONING EXPLOSION

At least fourteen newborn babies have been killed in a fire at one of Pakistan's largest public hospitals in Islamabad, after an air-conditioning compressor exploded in a third-floor nursery early on Wednesday morning.

The blaze broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences just before seven o'clock local time, with rescue officials saying fifteen infants were inside the ward when the fire erupted.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the deaths and ordered an immediate investigation.

Hira Mustafa reports from Islamabad.

IN: “The blaze erupted...”
OUT: “...for the treatment.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Hira Mustafa in Islamabad says the district administration has formed an inquiry committee and has been given twenty-four hours to identify the cause of the fire.

IN: “We have seen...”
OUT: “...hearing on ground.”
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(ALT)

Hira Mustafa in Islamabad says the tragedy has sent shockwaves across Pakistan, with growing public anger directed at the hospital authorities over their failure to save the infants.

IN: “Here in Islamabad...”
OUT: “...the 14 infants.”
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INDIA AND CHINA CONCLUDE 25TH ROUND OF BORDER TALKS IN BEIJING, AGREE TO SEEK BOUNDARY SETTLEMENT

India and China have concluded their 25th round of border talks in Beijing, with both sides agreeing to continue dialogue and seek a mutually acceptable boundary settlement.

The discussions between India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday came ahead of a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to New Delhi for the BRICS summit in September — which would be his first trip to the Indian capital in seven years.

The two countries' relations have been strained since a deadly clash between their troops in the Galwan Valley in 2020.

From New Delhi, Neha Poonia reports.

IN: “What's important is...”
OUT: “...its diplomatic calendar.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Neha Poonia in New Delhi says both Doval and Wang Yi have framed the improving relationship as a foundation for a possible leaders' meeting at the BRICS summit next month.

IN: “Ajit Doval has...”
OUT: “...keep moving forward.”
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CANADA HITS BACK WITH RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON MORE THAN 700 US PRODUCTS AS TRUMP ESCALATES RHETORIC

Canada on Tuesday announced retaliatory tariffs on more than seven hundred American products, doubling duties on steel and aluminium to fifty per cent and imposing new levies on electronics, dairy and clothing.

The move came after trade talks collapsed late on Friday, prompting Washington to impose fifty per cent tariffs on roughly twenty billion dollars' worth of Canadian goods.

US President Donald Trump has responded with a barrage of personal attacks on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and has floated renaming Lake Ontario.

Kate Fisher reports from Washington.

IN: “Clearly I think...”
OUT: “...in golden letters.”
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EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TO GLOW PINK TONIGHT IN TRIBUTE TO DOLLY PARTON

The Empire State Building will glow pink at 9:25 tonight Eastern Time in tribute to Dolly Parton — a nod to her iconic hit "9 to 5" — as the world mourns the country music legend's death at the age of 80.

Parton died on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee. US President Donald Trump has ordered American flags lowered across the country for a week in her honour.

Tributes have been pouring in from across the entertainment world and the political spectrum.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “One of the...”
OUT: “...United States today.”
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DOLLY PARTON DIES PEACEFULLY IN NASHVILLE AT 80; PRESIDENT TRUMP ORDERS FLAGS LOWERED FOR ONE WEEK

Country music legend Dolly Parton has died peacefully in Nashville at the age of 80, with US President Donald Trump ordering flags to be lowered across the country for one week in her honour.

Parton had spoken publicly just days ago about struggling with her health after years of caring for her husband Carl Dean, who died in March last year.

The singer, songwriter and actress rose from humble beginnings in rural Tennessee to become one of the most celebrated entertainers in American history.

Ira Spitzer reports from San Francisco.

IN: “Her biography is...”
OUT: “...of her power.”
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CANADA HITS BACK WITH TARIFFS ON $20BN OF US GOODS AS WALL STREET SHRUGS OFF TRADE TENSIONS

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of up to fifty per cent on nearly twenty billion dollars' worth of American goods, effective the eighth of September, in a dollar-for-dollar response to new duties imposed by Washington.

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says the countermeasures will target steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment and electronics, with Ottawa also unveiling billions of dollars in support for affected workers and businesses.

Wall Street's early reaction, however, has been muted, with the major indices edging higher on Tuesday despite the escalating trade dispute.

Mitch Mccann reports from New York.

IN: “Steel and aluminum...”
OUT: “...to play out.”
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CANADA HITS BACK WITH RETALIATORY TARIFFS ON NEARLY $20 BILLION OF US GOODS AS TRADE WAR ESCALATES

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on nearly twenty billion dollars' worth of American goods, striking back after Washington imposed fifty per cent duties on Canadian exports over the weekend.

US President Donald Trump responded on social media, accusing Canada of having ripped off the United States for decades, and calling it the most difficult country to negotiate with.

The counter-tariffs — covering some seven hundred products including steel, dairy, and electronics — take effect on the eighth of September, backed by a support package worth more than five billion dollars for affected workers and businesses.

Nick Harper reports from Washington.

IN: “President Trump posted...”
OUT: “...Ontario any longer.”
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(ALT)

Reporter Nick Harper in Washington says US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins offered a notably restrained response to Ottawa's countermeasures, declining to address the retaliatory tariffs directly.

IN: “She was speaking...”
OUT: “...up of rhetoric.”
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