Flash floods devastate Nepal-Tibet border as search continues
Flash floods triggered by a glacial collapse have swept through a Himalayan river valley along the Nepal-Tibet border, sweeping away entire villages and leaving scores dead and hundreds missing. A wall of water crashed down the valley shared between Nepal and the Chinese territory of Tibet, affecting northern Nepal and areas across the border.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the disaster followed a glacial collapse. The Nepali authorities said the missing included border officials, port workers and foreign tourists, and officials have warned that the death toll could rise further as search-and-rescue operations continue.
Casualty counts have continued to climb and vary among reports. The BBC reported at least 270 people killed and more than 800 missing, while NPR put the number of missing at at least 1,500, many of them foreign tourists. The Guardian reported that officials believe 340 foreign nationals from India, the United States, Britain, Australia, Malaysia and Ukraine are among the missing, and News24 earlier said more than 380 tourists, mostly foreigners, were out of contact.
The British embassy in Kathmandu said it was deeply saddened by the floods and urged people in affected areas to follow local guidance. Search teams are continuing to look for survivors.
Norway’s King Harald V dies at 89; Haakon succeeds
King Harald V of Norway died on Friday at the age of 89, the royal palace announced, ending a 35-year reign. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him as King Haakon VIII.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre joined officials and crowds paying tribute outside the Royal Palace in Oslo, where mourners gathered with flowers and candles. European monarchs and world leaders also paid tribute to the late monarch, who was Europe’s oldest reigning monarch.
Harald reigned for 35 years and broke with tradition by marrying a commoner. His reign also saw controversy over Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past association with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which had sparked fierce recent debate over the succession.
The new king has adopted the family motto “All for Norway,” the palace said.
Milo Yiannopoulos detained by ICE at New Orleans airport
Milo Yiannopoulos, a British right-wing commentator and early supporter of President Trump, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security said he “chose to overstay his welcome” and is facing a final removal order.
The Trump administration publicized the arrest and released a mug shot. Yiannopoulos, a former Breitbart News editor who lives and works in the United States, has previously voiced support for Trump and ICE agents.
Four men plead guilty to Golders Green ambulance arson
Four young men have pleaded guilty to an arson attack that destroyed four ambulances owned by a Jewish charity in Golders Green, north-west London, causing about £1 million in damage. Hamza Iqbal, 20, Rehan Khan, 19, and Judex Atshatshi and Saif Ali, both 18, admitted destroying or damaging property while being reckless whether life would be endangered.
Prosecutors allege the men deliberately targeted the Jewish community when they set the vehicles ablaze in March, causing explosions.
Trump claims US deal to control Venezuelan oil reserves
President Trump said the United States has entered a sweeping agreement with Venezuela that could give U.S. companies access to 65 billion barrels of the country’s untapped oil reserves, at cost. The Venezuelan interim president said the unusual agreement would help revive her country’s economy.
Trump has long pressed for American access to Venezuelan oil and urged oil companies to invest there.
Ex-White House staffer fined $172,000 over Trump speech bets
A former White House teleprompter operator has been ordered to pay $172,000 after he was found to have used prior knowledge of President Trump’s speeches to place lucrative bets on what the president would say. He was placed on unpaid leave from his White House job after the scheme was uncovered.
Uganda’s King Oyo of Tooro dies at 34
King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV of Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom, in western Uganda, has died at the age of 34. The kingdom’s prime minister said he had been in critical condition.
King Oyo ascended to the throne at the age of three, making him the world’s youngest reigning traditional monarch.
Man dies after sign falls at West Sussex Christian festival
A 41-year-old man from Eastbourne died after a large sign fell at the Big Church festival near Steyning in West Sussex on Friday afternoon, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. At least six other people were injured and taken to hospital.
Celtic and Rangers ordered to play cup ties behind closed doors
Celtic and Rangers have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup ties behind closed doors after fan disorder marred an Old Firm quarter-final at Ibrox. The sanction applies to their next home matches in the competition.
Thieves steal diamond necklace from Vienna museum in daylight
Two men bought tickets to enter Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts before smashing a display case, grabbing a 200-carat platinum and diamond necklace set with 600 diamonds and walking out, police said. Officers are hunting the suspects.
Dolly Parton’s sister says singer offered to test experimental drugs
Dolly Parton’s younger sister, Stella Parton, said in a Facebook tribute that the late country music singer had offered to receive experimental cancer drugs “if there was no hope for her” so that the treatment might help others in the future. “My sister was always thinking of others,” Stella Parton wrote.