Morning news brief

Over 400 people have died in a series of flash floods that struck parts of Nepal and Tibet, according to reports from local authorities and international relief agencies. The catastrophic rainfall, which began in the late summer and intensified in early September, has caused widespread devastation in the Himalayan foothills and the Tibetan plateau. Rescue operations are underway, but the sheer scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local resources, prompting appeals for international aid.

The floods have also triggered a wave of infrastructure damage, including the collapse of bridges and the flooding of roads that serve remote communities. Hospitals in Kathmandu and Lhasa are operating at full capacity, treating victims with injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe trauma. In addition to the human toll, the floods have destroyed thousands of homes and agricultural fields, threatening the livelihoods of thousands more.

In a separate development, Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh is scheduled to deliver a public address on Friday. The speech will focus on the current state of the U.S. economy, inflation trends, and the Fed’s monetary policy outlook. Warsh, who has served as chair since 2008, is expected to discuss recent data on employment and consumer spending, as well as the central bank’s forward guidance. The address will be broadcast on national television and streamed online, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the press.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Washington has heard arguments in a legal dispute over whether former President Donald Trump should have his name removed from the Kennedy Center’s honor roll. The case, brought by a coalition of former Kennedy Center staffers, argues that the former president’s conduct violated the institution’s code of conduct and damaged its reputation. Trump’s legal team has countered that the removal would constitute a violation of free speech and due process. The judge will decide whether the center can proceed with the removal or whether the decision must be reversed.

The Kennedy Center controversy is part of a broader debate over how public institutions should respond to political controversies involving high-profile figures. Legal experts note that the case could set a precedent for other cultural institutions that face pressure to distance themselves from controversial individuals.

NPR has not accepted any money or other compensation for coverage of these stories, and it does not accept offers or requests for interviews from any party. All reporting is based on publicly available information and statements from relevant officials.