Peshawar/Islamabad: At least 214 people were killed and several injured as heavy rains lashed several parts of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir over the past 36 hours, officials said Friday.

Beirut: Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Kassem on Friday (August 15, 2025) vowed that the Iran-backed group would not lay down its weapons, criticising the Lebanese government’s recent decision to disarm the group by the end of the year, according to a report published by The Hindu. Speaking during a televised address marking a Shiite religious event, Kassem said the move “serves Israel’s interests” and endangers the lives of “resistance fighters and their families.”

A video of a 17-year-old American teen with Down syndrome singing the Indian national anthem has gone viral. The video features Gabe Merritt’s heartfelt rendition of Jana Gana Mana, reported NDTV. It was shared on Instagram by Disha Pansuriya, an Indian-origin resident of the United States, who wrote in her post, “You feel proud when a 17-year-old American sings the Indian National Anthem.”

Washington, Aug 14 (AP): US national debt reached record USD 37 trillion.

London: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday praised US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine, more than three years after Moscow launched its invasion, as the two leaders prepared for a pivotal US–Russia summit Friday in Alaska.

Washington: US President Donald Trump said Wednesday there will be “very severe consequences” if Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn't agree to stop the Ukraine war after Friday's summit.

United Nations: The UN chief warned Israel that the United Nations has “credible information” of sexual violence and other violations by Israeli forces against detained Palestinians, which Israel's UN ambassador dismissed as “baseless accusations.”

Tel Aviv: Israeli gunfire killed at least 25 people seeking aid in Gaza on Wednesday, health officials and witnesses said, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will “allow” Palestinians to leave during an upcoming military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.