Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that Israel will launch new strikes on Iran’s energy facilities and military and civilian infrastructure if Tehran carries out another attack against Israel, escalating rhetoric amid continuing regional tensions.

Speaking at a Defense Ministry event ahead of the Jewish New Year, Katz said Israel was prepared for “all possibilities” and would respond with overwhelming force if Iran attacked again. He said any future Iranian strike would remove what he described as Israel’s existing operational limitations on targeting sites inside Iran.

“Any Iranian attack on Israel will free us from all limitations,” Katz said. “We will strike all infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, and return Iran to the Stone Age and darkness,” according to remarks reported by Reuters.

Katz said Israel’s military was ready to act both defensively and offensively and warned that critical infrastructure inside Iran would become legitimate targets if hostilities resumed. He also argued that growing economic pressure and internal challenges in Iran could push Tehran toward what he described as “desperate measures,” although he did not provide evidence for that claim.

The warning comes after months of confrontation involving Israel, Iran and the United States. Earlier this year, Israel participated alongside the United States in military operations against Iran during a broader regional conflict. However, Israel has not directly joined the latest phase of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran.

The United States and Iran have continued to exchange missile and drone attacks targeting military installations and regional infrastructure, raising concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East. Washington has also expanded sanctions on Iran and maintained economic and maritime pressure linked to the conflict in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has also expressed support for Israel in recent days, saying Israel should not be concerned about the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran while the United States continues its strategy of military deterrence and economic pressure against Tehran.

The exchange of warnings highlights the fragile security situation across the Middle East, where regional powers remain on alert despite diplomatic efforts by several countries to prevent a broader military confrontation.

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Pakistan has concluded that measures taken by Kabul to restrain the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have produced only limited results, as militant attacks and border violence continue despite recent efforts to reduce tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Friday that Taliban authorities have relocated some TTP fighters and their families away from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and have instructed the group to halt attacks inside Pakistan. However, the report said recent clashes along the border indicate that the militant group’s operational activity has not stopped.

The report comes as Pakistan continues to press Kabul to take concrete steps to prevent Afghanistan territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the TTP of operating from safe havens inside Afghanistan, an allegation the Taliban administration has consistently denied.

According to Dawn, Pakistani officials believe recent Taliban measures represent a shift in approach but argue that they have not yet produced meaningful improvements in security along the frontier. The newspaper said Pakistan is seeking sustained action against militant networks rather than temporary relocations of fighters.

Border tensions have remained high in recent months, with repeated exchanges of fire and security incidents reported along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier. Pakistani officials have linked many of these incidents to TTP activity, while Kabul authorities have accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan territory during cross-border operations.

The TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces since ending a ceasefire with Islamabad in late 2022. The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where security forces have faced a renewed insurgency.

Pakistan has also welcomed China’s efforts to improve relations between Kabul and Islamabad, according to the Dawn report. Beijing has sought to facilitate dialogue between the two neighbors as part of broader regional efforts to improve border security and protect economic and infrastructure projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

China has repeatedly called for stronger counterterrorism cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has expressed concern that instability along the border could threaten regional connectivity and investment.

The continued presence of the TTP remains one of the most contentious issues between the two neighboring countries. Pakistan argues that cross-border militancy poses a direct threat to its national security, while Taliban authorities have insisted that security problems should be addressed through bilateral cooperation rather than public accusations.

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Federal authorities in the United States have arrested a 40-year-old Los Angeles podcaster accused of threatening to kill President Donald Trump and harassing the family of one of Trump’s former personal attorneys through social media and phone calls, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Benjamin Azariah Southworth was taken into custody Thursday morning in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood after a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment accusing him of making threats against the president, cyberstalking, and interstate telephone harassment. Prosecutors said Southworth pleaded not guilty during his initial court appearance and was ordered held without bond pending further proceedings.

According to the indictment, Southworth allegedly used YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and a personal website between January and May 2026 to publish repeated threats against Trump and his supporters. Prosecutors said one Instagram video posted in April included statements calling for Trump’s execution and urged violence against the president.

Federal investigators also allege that Southworth published the home address and photographs of a former personal attorney for Trump on TikTok alongside the message “No peace for traitors.” Authorities said the attorney’s wife and son subsequently received abusive messages, while the defendant allegedly left threatening voicemails and made repeated harassing phone calls to family members.

The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service said they jointly investigated the case, describing threats against elected officials as a serious federal offense. Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department would respond with “the full force of the law” to threats targeting the president and other public officials, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office said there is “zero tolerance for political violence.”

Court documents say investigators recovered online posts in which Southworth allegedly expressed a desire to kill Trump and depicted fictional acts of violence against the president. Prosecutors argue the statements went beyond political rhetoric and constituted credible threats under federal law. The defense has denied the allegations, and the charges remain unproven until decided in court.

If convicted, Southworth faces up to five years in federal prison for threatening the president, up to five years for cyberstalking, and additional prison time for interstate harassment charges, according to federal prosecutors. The case is scheduled to return to federal court in Los Angeles next month.

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Russia has warned that German military sites hosting long-range missile systems would become legitimate military targets if Berlin proceeds with plans to deploy advanced strike weapons as part of its expanding defense buildup in Europe.

The warning came from diplomats at the Russian Embassy in Berlin in comments published by Russian newspaper Izvestia. The diplomats said Germany’s accelerating militarization and deployment of long-range weapons are transforming the country into a direct military participant in NATO’s confrontation with Russia.

The embassy argued that critics of Germany’s growing defense spending are correct in saying that bases hosting long-range missile systems “will inevitably become legitimate military targets” for the Russian armed forces. Moscow claims such deployments increase the risk of direct conflict between Russia and NATO.

The remarks follow Germany’s announcement of one of its largest conventional military modernization programs in decades. German officials have confirmed plans to develop a long-range strike arsenal capable of hitting military targets up to 2,000 kilometers away, including command centers, air bases and logistics hubs deep behind enemy lines.

Berlin says the new missile program is being developed in cooperation with France and the United Kingdom as part of Europe’s broader effort to strengthen conventional deterrence against Russia. German officials argue the country needs advanced precision missiles and long-range drones because it does not possess nuclear weapons.

According to German defense documents reported by European media, the program is expected to cost around €12 billion and will include mass-produced long-range missiles, drones and future hypersonic weapons. Initial systems are expected to enter service from 2027, while more advanced capabilities are planned for the early 2030s.

German military leaders have repeatedly warned that Russia could be capable of threatening NATO territory before the end of the decade, prompting Berlin to accelerate defense investments. Germany is also expanding its air and missile defense network, including the deployment of the Israeli-made Arrow-3 missile defense system to protect against long-range ballistic missile threats.

Russia has condemned those efforts, accusing Germany of abandoning its post-Cold War security posture. Senior Russian officials, including former President and Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, have previously threatened strikes on German military production facilities and other targets if German weapons are used against Russia.

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A 91-year-old woman has become a symbol of survival after she was rescued alive from mud and floodwaters in Nepal, where devastating flash floods have killed more than 1,200 people and left thousands missing in one of the country’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years.

According to NDTV, Guna Maya Bohara was rescued from a senior citizens’ care home in Devighat, a riverside town in Nepal’s Nuwakot district, after floodwaters buried the building under thick layers of mud and debris. Images of Bohara, covered in mud and sitting inside the bucket of an excavator after her rescue, have gone viral across social media and become a powerful symbol of resilience.

Bohara survived for nearly three hours inside her ground-floor room as floodwaters rapidly filled the building. Volunteers said she managed to keep herself alive by opening a window and keeping her head above the water level until local rescuers reached the care home.

The care home was hit during breakfast as powerful flash floods swept through Devighat. Survivors told NDTV they had little warning before the disaster struck and rushed toward higher ground, but several elderly residents were unable to escape in time.

Authorities said seven residents of the care home died in the flooding, while Bohara and several others were rescued and later airlifted to a temporary shelter in Kathmandu. Relief workers said the rescued residents are receiving medical treatment, food, clothing and psychological support, and their health conditions are stable.

The floods have caused widespread destruction across Nepal, washing away homes, roads and public infrastructure in multiple districts. Search-and-rescue operations remain underway as emergency teams continue digging through mudslides and flooded areas in search of survivors.

Nepal’s army, police and international rescue teams are also searching several hydropower tunnels where people are feared trapped after floodwaters and debris inundated the sites. Excavators and other heavy equipment are being used as rescue efforts continue.

Officials say the disaster has killed more than 1,200 people, while over 4,200 others remain missing. The catastrophe has triggered a major humanitarian response, with thousands displaced and emergency shelters established for survivors as authorities continue relief and recovery operations across the flood-hit country.

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Restrictions on humanitarian access in Afghanistan forced the temporary suspension of 18 humanitarian programmes during July, while continued limits on women’s participation disrupted relief operations across the country, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a new report.

OCHA said it recorded 30 humanitarian access incidents in July, down from 60 in June. Despite the decline, the restrictions had a significant impact on aid delivery. The UN agency said 18 programmes were temporarily suspended, two aid facilities were temporarily closed, and 19 access incidents remained unresolved by the end of the month.

The report identifies Taliban interference as the biggest obstacle to humanitarian operations, accounting for 16 of the 30 incidents. OCHA said authorities interfered with programme implementation, delayed approvals, influenced the selection of aid recipients, requested sensitive staff information and imposed restrictions on the movement of aid workers and humanitarian supplies.

OCHA also warned that restrictions on women remain one of the most serious barriers to humanitarian work. It documented 11 gender-related incidents in July, including limits on female aid workers, requirements for women to be accompanied by a male guardian and restrictions affecting the recruitment of women and their access to humanitarian services.

The UN agency recorded 12 incidents involving violence against humanitarian workers, assets or facilities, including the detention of aid workers, physical assaults and threats. According to OCHA, 12 humanitarian workers were detained during July, although no aid workers were killed, injured or abducted during the reporting period.

OCHA said the highest number of access incidents was recorded in southern and western Afghanistan, with Herat reporting the largest number of cases. The agency warned that continued restrictions, particularly those affecting women and humanitarian access, continue to undermine efforts to deliver assistance to millions of Afghans facing humanitarian and economic hardship.

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Japan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have launched a new $9.4 million programme to support vulnerable communities in Afghanistan, expand alternative livelihoods for former poppy-growing families and strengthen drug prevention and treatment services in five provinces.

The agreement was signed in Kabul on Thursday, September 3, according to a joint statement from UNODC and the Government of Japan. The two-year initiative, funded through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will run from September 2026 to September 2028 in Badakhshan, Badghis, Helmand, Kandahar and Takhar.

The project is funded with JPY 1.488 billion (approximately $9.4 million) from the Government of Japan, while UNODC will implement the programme in partnership with JICA. It follows an earlier counternarcotics initiative carried out between 2024 and 2026 and is designed to help communities move away from dependence on poppy cultivation through sustainable economic opportunities.

Under the programme, UNODC says about 8,000 former poppy-growing households; around 56,000 people will receive support through alternative livelihood projects, including agriculture and income-generating activities. The initiative also aims to reach approximately 45,000 people affected by drug use or at risk of substance use through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services.

Japan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Kenichi Masamoto, said counternarcotics remains an area of shared responsibility between Afghanistan and the international community. He added that sustainable progress requires Afghan ownership supported by constructive international partnerships and welcomed continued dialogue under the Doha Process as a platform for cooperation and confidence-building.

JICA’s Chief Representative for Afghanistan, Sota Tosaka, said the programme seeks to expand opportunities for vulnerable people to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen resilience and restore dignity and self-reliance, while supporting Afghanistan’s long-term stability and regional cooperation.

UNODC Country Representative Polleak Ok Serei said the initiative combines alternative livelihoods with drug prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to address both the causes and consequences of illicit drug economies in Afghanistan. He said the project is intended to promote healthier, safer and more resilient communities through evidence-based and development-oriented approaches.

The programme comes as Afghanistan continues to face widespread humanitarian and economic challenges following a sharp decline in international aid and growing poverty in rural areas. UN agencies have repeatedly warned that the loss of livelihoods and limited economic opportunities increase the vulnerability of communities previously dependent on poppy cultivation.

UNODC said the initiative forms part of its broader counternarcotics strategy in Afghanistan and supports the objectives of the Doha Process Counternarcotics Working Group, which aims to strengthen national and international cooperation on drug control while supporting Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community in line with international standards.

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Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply this week as renewed military tensions between Iran and the United States continued to disrupt one of the world’s most important energy corridors, according to maritime tracking data.

The latest data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that only six commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, down from 11 ships on Tuesday and well below the current 10-day average of about 13 vessels per day.

The vessels that passed through the strait included two Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), two Long-Range oil tankers, one Suezmax tanker, and one Panamax tanker, reflecting a significant slowdown in both oil and liquefied petroleum gas shipments through the waterway.

The decline comes as the confrontation between Iran and the United States has intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting shipowners and energy companies to adopt additional security measures before entering the Gulf.

Industry analysts say many vessels have delayed departures, rerouted voyages, or waited outside the Gulf until security conditions become clearer. Maritime tracking experts also caution that the number of recorded transits may fluctuate because some commercial vessels temporarily switch off or limit their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmissions while sailing through high-risk areas.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints. Roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and a significant share of global liquefied natural gas exports pass through the narrow waterway.

The reduced traffic has renewed concerns about global energy supplies and shipping costs. International shipping companies have increased risk assessments for voyages through the Gulf, while insurers have reportedly raised premiums for vessels operating in the area.

The latest tensions follow renewed exchanges of military strikes between Iran and the United States in and around the Gulf, increasing fears that the conflict could threaten freedom of navigation through Hormuz.

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Turkish authorities detained 25,314 Afghan migrants during the first eight months of 2026, making Afghans the largest group of undocumented foreigners apprehended across the country, according to new figures released by Turkey’s Directorate General of Migration Management.

The official statistics show that Turkish police and migration authorities detained nearly 95,000 undocumented migrants from multiple nationalities between January and August as Ankara continued nationwide operations targeting irregular migration and human smuggling networks.

Afghans accounted for the highest number of detentions, followed by migrants from Syria, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, and Yemen.

The migration authority said those detained were found to be living in Turkey without valid residence permits or legal documentation. It did not provide details on how many of those arrested have been deported, remain in detention, or are undergoing immigration procedures.

Turkey continues crackdown on undocumented migration

The latest figures underscore Turkey’s intensified campaign against irregular migration, which has expanded in recent years through police raids, identity checks, and border enforcement operations.

Turkish authorities also reported that 8,342 people were detained during the same period on suspicion of involvement in human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Police and the Turkish Coast Guard have continued frequent operations against undocumented migrants, particularly Afghan nationals, near border crossings, transit routes, and major cities.

UN says thousands of Afghans have already been deported

The United Nations has previously reported that more than 13,000 Afghan migrants were deported from Turkey during the first five months of 2026, despite ongoing concerns about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

International organizations have repeatedly warned that many Afghans deported from Turkey face significant protection risks upon return, including economic hardship, displacement, and restrictions under Taliban rule.

Turkey hosts one of the world’s largest migrant populations and has tightened migration enforcement as public pressure over irregular migration has grown ahead of recent domestic political debates on border security and refugee policy.

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Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Israel is prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip by sea, air or other means if the United States gives its approval.

Speaking at a conference hosted by Israeli news outlet Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, Katz said there was “no real solution for Gaza” without what he described as Palestinian “migration.” He said Israel’s government was organised and prepared to facilitate the departure of people from the territory if countries agreed to receive them.

Katz said the plan to encourage Palestinians to leave Gaza had not been cancelled but had been “frozen” following pressure from Arab countries and the lack of countries willing to accept Palestinians from the territory.

He also claimed that about 80% of Gaza’s population wants to leave, but did not identify the surveys on which he based the figure. The Times of Israel noted that a May 2026 survey cited by Israeli authorities asked residents about obtaining information on mechanisms for relocation to a third country, but that this did not necessarily establish a desire for permanent departure.

Katz said the plan could move forward if Hamas failed to meet its commitments under the U.S.-backed framework for Gaza. He said Israel would then receive a “green light” to advance militarily and territorially and to pursue the emigration plan.

The comments revive an idea first promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2025, when he proposed relocating Gaza’s roughly 2.3 million Palestinians and redeveloping the devastated territory as a luxury destination. The proposal faced strong opposition from Palestinians and regional governments, particularly Egypt, and was subsequently put on hold.

According to Katz, however, Trump’s proposal remains under discussion. He said Israel’s emigration directorate remains prepared to facilitate departures if circumstances allow.

The remarks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an Israeli military position inside Gaza and said Israel would not withdraw from the territory it currently controls. Netanyahu said Israel controls about 60% of the Strip and would continue operations aimed at disarming Hamas.

The prospect of removing Gaza’s population has raised serious concerns under international humanitarian law. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits individual or mass forcible transfers and deportations of protected persons from occupied territory, while allowing only limited and temporary evacuations when required for the population’s security or by imperative military reasons. Unlawful deportation or transfer is listed as a grave breach under Article 147.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court also lists deportation or forcible transfer of a population among crimes against humanity when the required legal conditions are met.

The Gaza war began after the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 people taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 73,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, with more than 1,300 deaths reported since the October 2025 ceasefire.

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Yemen’s armed forces said Thursday that Houthi fighters launched 14 ballistic missiles and several drones toward populated areas along the country’s western coast, including parts of Taiz and Hodeidah provinces.

In a statement posted on X, the Yemeni Armed Forces Media Center said the attacks targeted districts along the western coast and were accompanied by drone strikes. Military sources said air defenses intercepted and shot down several drones over the Taiz front and other areas along the coast.

The military said the ballistic missiles did not hit positions held by government-aligned forces and had no impact on their ongoing operations. It also said troops had suppressed sources of hostile fire and threats in the Al-Kadhah sector of the Al-Barah front, west of Taiz, amid continued ground clashes in the area.

The Yemeni military did not provide figures for possible casualties or property damage from the missile and drone attacks.

The latest escalation follows renewed fighting on Yemen’s western fronts after years of relative calm. Recent Houthi attacks have also targeted the Red Sea port city of Mokha and surrounding areas, with previous attacks reported to have caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

The conflict between the Houthis and forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government has remained largely frozen since a UN-backed truce in 2022, although the truce formally expired. Fighting has intensified again in several areas since mid-2026.

The Houthis, who control the capital, Sanaa, and large parts of northern and western Yemen, are aligned with Iran. The renewed fighting comes amid broader regional tensions, including Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and their recent declaration of a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.

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Indian actor and philanthropist Sonu Sood has arrived in Nepal with his Sood Charity Foundation team to provide relief to communities affected by devastating floods that have killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands missing.

Sood landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday carrying food and blankets for flood survivors. He said his team would assess the needs of affected communities and continue providing assistance in the coming months.

“We are here to meet all the victims of the flood. We just want to be with the people who are in need and will try to bring their lives back,” Sood told reporters, according to media reports.

Sood later travelled to Nuwakot, one of the areas badly affected by the flooding, where he met survivors and delivered relief assistance. He also visited flood victims sheltering at a monastery in Kathmandu and spent time with children affected by the disaster.

The actor has also called for longer-term support for families who lost their homes. Local media reported that he proposed a “Resolve to Build a Home” campaign aimed at helping homeless survivors rebuild their houses.

Sood said the impact of seeing the destruction firsthand had underscored the scale of the crisis and appealed for people around the world to support those affected.

The floods followed a glacier collapse on August 26 that unleashed large volumes of ice, mud and debris across parts of Nepal and neighboring Tibet. The disaster destroyed homes, bridges and other infrastructure and has left rescue teams searching for thousands of missing people.

Nepal continues to face major humanitarian and reconstruction challenges. Rescue operations remain focused on remote areas and hydropower tunnels where workers are believed to be trapped, while authorities and international teams work to restore essential services and assist displaced communities.

Sood’s foundation said its relief effort in Nepal would extend beyond immediate supplies, with continued assistance planned as affected communities move from emergency response toward recovery and reconstruction.

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U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States is prepared to launch another attack on Iran, while insisting that the renewed U.S. military campaign against Tehran would not last long.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran had been attempting to rebuild its radar and missile systems and was developing a rocket capable of deploying mines. He said U.S. forces had destroyed the weapon and targeted other Iranian military capabilities.

Reuters reported that the latest U.S. strikes targeted Iranian air-defense and radar systems, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites. The attacks marked the most significant escalation between the two countries in weeks after a period of reduced fighting.

Trump also said the United States has “very strong control” over the Strait of Hormuz and is allowing commercial vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil to pass through the strategic waterway.

The comments came after U.S. forces completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets on Tuesday. Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. positions and allies in parts of the Middle East, according to Reuters.

The renewed fighting has raised fresh concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies. Shipping disruptions linked to the conflict have already affected regional energy exports, with some LNG cargoes from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates transferred between vessels outside the strait to avoid disrupted routes.

Iran has also reported civilian casualties from the latest U.S. strikes. Iranian officials said a U.S. strike hit a wedding gathering in southern Iran, killing civilians and injuring dozens, although Washington has said its military operation targeted Iranian military infrastructure rather than civilians.

Trump’s latest warning signals that Washington is prepared to continue military operations if it believes Iran is rebuilding capabilities that could threaten U.S. forces or shipping through the Gulf. At the same time, his claim that the renewed campaign would be short leaves the duration and scope of the confrontation uncertain.

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Two people were killed and six others were injured, including three police officers, in a shooting at a high-rise apartment building in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, according to police and local authorities. The suspected shooter also died.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting gunfire at about 4:36 p.m. at an apartment building at 15 East Grant Street near Loring Park and the Minneapolis Convention Center. Officers entered the building after finding victims and hearing additional gunfire on an upper floor.

Three Minneapolis police officers were injured during the response, with two suffering gunshot wounds. One officer was shot in the leg, while another was shot twice in the abdomen and underwent surgery, according to police. All three officers were reported to be in stable condition.

Four civilian victims were taken to Hennepin Healthcare, where one later died. Another person was killed at the scene, according to authorities. The suspected shooter was also found dead at the location. Police have not fully explained the circumstances of the suspect’s death.

Police said officers encountered heavy haze on an upper floor of the building, significantly limiting visibility as they responded to continuing gunfire. The incident prompted a major response involving Minneapolis police, state authorities, neighboring law enforcement agencies and federal officials.

Minneapolis police urged residents and visitors to avoid the area while emergency personnel secured the scene. The city initially asked the public to stay away from an area stretching from 12th Street to Franklin Avenue and from Hennepin Avenue to 3rd Avenue South.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said state law enforcement personnel were assisting local authorities and expressed support for the injured officers and other first responders. FBI Director Kash Patel also said the bureau would provide resources to assist local investigators.

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India’s economy grew 7.8 percent in the first quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy, Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra said Wednesday.

Kwatra made the remarks while ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq in New York, where he highlighted India’s economic and technological transformation and its growing ties with U.S. businesses and investors.

“India is undergoing a significant economic and technological transformation,” Kwatra said, attributing the growth to the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding digital capabilities and young workforce.

India recorded 7.8 percent gross domestic product growth in the April-June quarter, according to the figures cited by Kwatra. He said the latest performance demonstrated the continued strength of the Indian economy.

Kwatra also highlighted technology, investment and skilled professionals as key areas of cooperation between India and the United States.

He said India’s partnership with companies and institutions connected to Nasdaq could contribute to technology, capital, digital infrastructure and the movement of skilled professionals between the two countries.

The ambassador said India was working toward its “Viksit Bharat 2047” goal, referring to the country’s long-term ambition of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

He added that New Delhi was looking forward to strengthening cooperation with American businesses, investors and institutions.

Kwatra described the Nasdaq opening-bell ceremony as more than a market tradition, saying it represented confidence in enterprise, innovation and future economic partnerships between India and the United States.

The ceremony was attended by Acting Consul General of India in New York Vishal Harsh and other Indian officials. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also in New York after attending a G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.

India’s latest growth figures come as the country seeks to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing, technology and investment hub while expanding economic ties with major international markets.

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A White House-affiliated account on X has shared a graphic map renaming the Strait of Hormuz as the “Trump Strait,” shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested changing the waterway’s name.

Trump made the proposal Wednesday in a post on Truth Social, asking whether the Strait of Hormuz should be renamed the “Trump Strait” now that he says the waterway is under U.S. control.

“Now that this Strait is under United States control, should we call it the ‘TRUMP STRAIT?’” Trump wrote, adding that the proposed name would be “hotter than ever,” like the United States.

Soon afterward, a White House-affiliated X account reposted Trump’s proposal and published a graphic showing a map of the Persian Gulf. In the graphic, the traditional name Strait of Hormuz had been replaced with “Trump Strait,” alongside an image of Trump.

The move appears to be symbolic rather than an official change to the internationally recognized name of the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important maritime passage between Iran and Oman and is one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments.

Trump’s proposal comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran enters its seventh month, with the strait remaining a major focus of military and geopolitical tensions.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States has full control of the strategic waterway and has said Iran’s economy is collapsing. He has previously shared maps portraying the Strait of Hormuz as “new American territory.”

From Iran’s perspective, the proposed renaming has no legal or international basis. Iranian authorities would regard the Strait of Hormuz as an internationally recognized geographic name that cannot be changed through a U.S. presidential statement or a social-media post, including a graphic shared by a White House-affiliated account.

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Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked a U.S. federal judge to dismiss drug trafficking charges against him, arguing that he is protected from prosecution under international law as the head of a sovereign state.

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, made the argument in a filing before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal court. The defense says heads of state are protected by sovereign immunity and that Maduro’s alleged conduct was carried out as part of his official duties.

The charges formed the basis for a U.S. military operation in Caracas on Jan. 3, when American forces captured Maduro and brought him to the United States. He is being held in a federal jail in Brooklyn and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Maduro’s legal challenge is expected to test how U.S. courts apply international-law protections to foreign leaders accused of criminal conduct. Reuters reported that legal experts see significant obstacles to his immunity argument, including the fact that the United States has not recognized Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president since 2019.

U.S. courts have also previously rejected similar arguments by foreign leaders. Reuters noted the 1990 case of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega, who was captured by U.S. forces and later prosecuted in the United States.

Maduro has denied the allegations against him and maintains that he is innocent. His defense has also challenged the legality of his capture and the U.S. prosecution.

Judge Hellerstein is scheduled to hear arguments on the dismissal motions on Nov. 17. The U.S. government is expected to respond to Maduro’s request, while his trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027, if the case is not dismissed.

The case has broader implications for the limits of U.S. jurisdiction over foreign leaders and the extent to which international-law principles of sovereign immunity can be invoked in American criminal proceedings.

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The U.S. military escorted 40 commercial vessels carrying about 18 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, marking a wartime high as Washington and Tehran exchanged a new round of attacks, two U.S. officials familiar with the operation told CNN.

The operation involved U.S. air, sea and space assets and included efforts to counter waves of Iranian drone attacks and neutralize anti-ship cruise missiles, according to the officials. U.S. forces were also targeting Iranian military capabilities around the strategically important waterway during the escort operation.

Before the war began more than six months ago, roughly 20 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day. CNN reported that the 18 million barrels escorted on Tuesday represented the highest volume moved under U.S. military protection since the conflict began.

The operation comes as shipping through the strait has fallen sharply amid the escalating conflict. Preliminary data from shipping tracker Kpler showed that only four commodity vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, compared with a 10-day average of about 13 vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints, with around one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through it before the conflict. The recent fighting and threats against commercial shipping have raised concerns over energy supplies and global oil prices.

The U.S. military’s escort operation followed a new round of American strikes on Iranian military targets around the strait. Iran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. forces and regional allies, further intensifying tensions across the Gulf.

CNN reported that most, if not all, of the 40 commercial vessels that crossed the strait during Tuesday’s operation had turned off their tracking systems to avoid revealing their positions.

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Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper (GHK-Cu) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in the human body that has attracted growing attention in biomedical research. Scientists are studying GHK-Cu because it may play a role in cellular communication, tissue repair, collagen production and the body’s response to oxidative stress. While laboratory studies have produced promising findings, researchers say its medical uses are still being investigated and have not been fully established.

GHK-Cu is made from three amino acids; glycine, histidine and lysine. When these three amino acids bind to a copper ion, they form the GHK-Cu peptide. Researchers have found this peptide naturally in human blood, saliva and urine, and studies suggest its levels gradually decline with age.

Scientists believe GHK-Cu acts as a cell signaling molecule. Cell signaling is the process cells use to communicate with one another, helping the body respond to injury, stress and changes in its environment. Instead of directly creating new tissue, GHK-Cu is believed to influence the biological signals that help cells repair and maintain tissues.

One of the main reasons researchers are interested in GHK-Cu is its possible connection to collagen, one of the body’s most important structural proteins. Collagen gives strength and support to skin, bones, tendons and connective tissues. Laboratory research suggests GHK-Cu may help regulate genes involved in collagen production and tissue remodeling, making it an important subject in skin and wound-healing research.

Scientists are also studying GHK-Cu’s role in the extracellular matrix, the network of proteins and molecules that surrounds and supports cells throughout the body. A healthy extracellular matrix helps tissues remain strong, flexible and organized. Early research suggests GHK-Cu may influence how this structural network is maintained and repaired.

Another major area of research involves oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when harmful molecules, often called free radicals, build up faster than the body can neutralize them. Researchers are investigating whether GHK-Cu interacts with antioxidant pathways that help protect cells from damage and maintain a healthy cellular environment.

Modern studies have also linked GHK-Cu to gene expression. Scientists have reported that the peptide may influence genes involved in inflammation, tissue repair, antioxidant activity and cellular maintenance. This has made GHK-Cu a growing area of interest in regenerative biology and healthy aging research.

Researchers are further examining how GHK-Cu interacts with fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and maintaining connective tissue. Understanding this relationship may help explain how tissues organize and repair themselves after injury.

In recent years, GHK-Cu has also become a topic of interest in brain research. Because copper is essential for normal brain function, scientists are studying whether copper-binding peptides such as GHK-Cu may influence neuronal signaling and help protect nerve cells under certain laboratory conditions. This research remains at an early stage.

Although interest in GHK-Cu continues to grow, scientists emphasize that most evidence comes from laboratory and animal studies, not large human clinical trials. More clinical research is needed to determine its safety, effectiveness and potential medical applications.

References:

[i] Pickart, L., & Margolina, A. (2018). Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1987. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987

[ii] Maquart, F. X., Bellon, G., Chaqour, B., & Wegrowski, Y. (1993). In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 92(5), 2368–2376. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI116834

[iii] Pickart, L. (2008). The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition, 19(8), 969–988. https://doi.org/10.1163/156856208784909435

[iv] Canapp, S. O., Farese, J. P., Schultz, G. S., Gowda, S., Ishak, A. M., Swaim, S. F., Vangilder, J., & Lee-Ambrose, L. M. (2003). The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds. Veterinary Surgery, 32(6), 515–523. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2003.00515.x

[v] Brewer, G. J. (2010). Risks of copper and iron toxicity during aging in humans. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 23(2), 319–326. https://doi.org/10.1021/tx900338d

DISCLAIMER – The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Khaama Press News Agency. We welcome opinions and submissions to Khaama Press Opinions/Exclusives – Please email them to info@khaama.com.

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US President Donald Trump said he will personally campaign in 35 competitive congressional districts during the final weeks of the midterm elections, launching an aggressive nationwide push to help Republican candidates secure control of Congress.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said he plans to visit each of the 35 districts and campaign alongside Republican candidates in what he described as the most critical phase of the election season. He said he intends to be directly involved in races across the country as Republicans seek to strengthen their majority in the House of Representatives and improve their position in the Senate.

Trump also said the Republican Party is expanding its campaign operations in the closing weeks of the race, including a sharp increase in telephone town halls and virtual campaign events. He said Republicans could hold as many as 10 telephone campaign events in a single evening to mobilize supporters in key battleground districts.

The president’s campaign schedule comes as both major parties intensify efforts to win highly competitive districts that are expected to determine control of Congress. Midterm elections in the United States decide all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate, making them one of the country’s most consequential national elections outside a presidential race.

Republican strategists view Trump as the party’s most influential campaign figure, particularly in closely contested districts where voter turnout is expected to be decisive. His planned appearances are intended to energize Republican voters and boost support for candidates in districts considered pivotal to the party’s electoral prospects.

Democrats, meanwhile, have also increased campaign spending and appearances by senior party leaders in battleground states, setting up an intense final stretch of campaigning ahead of Election Day. The outcome of the midterms is expected to shape the balance of power in Washington and determine how easily Trump can advance his legislative agenda during the remainder of his presidency.

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The European Union has allocated €10 million to the Aga Khan Foundation to implement a €13.5 million programme in Afghanistan aimed at strengthening livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities and improving the resilience of communities facing displacement and other crises.

The EU Delegation to Afghanistan said Wednesday that the remaining €3.5 million of the programme’s funding will be provided by the Aga Khan Foundation. The initiative, known as Boosting Resilience, Inclusive Development, Growth and Economic Empowerment (BRIDGE), will run for 36 months across 10 provinces.

The programme is expected to directly benefit 83,197 people and indirectly reach a further 582,379. It will focus particularly on women, young people, returnees, internally displaced people and vulnerable host communities. The EU and the Aga Khan Foundation have not specified which 10 provinces will be covered.

A major component of the initiative will focus on climate resilience and agricultural livelihoods. The EU said about 35,900 people will directly benefit from climate-smart and regenerative agriculture, including support for agricultural assets, inputs and technologies, as well as efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve the sustainable management of natural resources.

The programme will also seek to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. About 24,000 people are expected to benefit from support for employment, entrepreneurship and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, with particular attention to women-led and returnee-led businesses.

The initiative will also seek to improve access to finance and markets and expand community-based savings groups, which the EU says could strengthen economic resilience and increase women’s participation in economic activities.

A further 23,300 people are expected to benefit directly from activities aimed at strengthening social cohesion, community engagement, sustainable reintegration and local resilience mechanisms.

Eric Beaume, head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Afghanistan, said the programme would support Afghanistan livelihoods while addressing some of the economic factors contributing to migration and forced displacement.

“Through this action, we provide economic stabilisation and strengthen the resilience of Afghan communities,” Beaume said, adding that the initiative aims to help communities build sustainable livelihoods and withstand future shocks.

The programme comes as Afghanistan continues to face significant economic and humanitarian pressures, while communities affected by displacement and the return of Afghans from neighbouring countries face additional challenges in accessing jobs, income and basic services.

The EU said the initiative builds on its longstanding partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network in Afghanistan and is intended to support more sustainable economic recovery and strengthen the ability of vulnerable communities to withstand future crises.

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The U.S. State Department has rejected a proposal for American investment in Afghanistan’s mineral sector, saying Washington has no plans to engage with the current administration of Afghanistan.

Voice of America reported Wednesday, September 2, that a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Washington would not cooperate with the Taliban on the development of Afghanistan’s mineral resources.

The U.S. official said investment in Afghanistan’s mines under Taliban rule could contribute to the continuation of the group’s repressive policies toward the people of Afghanistan.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, had said the group welcomed U.S. investment in Afghanistan’s mining, infrastructure, agriculture, and trade sectors.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Muttaqi said relations between the Taliban and the United States should not be assessed solely on the basis of their 20-year conflict and that both sides should focus on future cooperation.

Based on surveys conducted during Afghanistan’s former republic, the country’s mineral resources have been estimated to be worth at least $1 trillion. Lithium, cobalt, and niobium are among Afghanistan’s key mineral resources.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, also reiterated Wednesday the group’s desire to establish good relations with Washington, saying Afghanistan needs diplomatic and economic ties with the United States.

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Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of attacking one of its oil tankers while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, saying the strike killed crew members and marked a new escalation in the security crisis surrounding one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that the attack targeted a Saudi tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, condemning the incident as a violation of international law and maritime security. The ministry did not specify the exact time, location or method of the attack.

The statement followed an announcement by Saudi Arabia’s national shipping company, Bahri, which said two Filipino crew members aboard the tanker SIDR were killed during the attack. The company said the vessel had been carrying Saudi crude oil through the strait when it came under attack.

The attack comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between Iran and the United States over military operations and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping intelligence firms have reported a growing threat to commercial vessels in the waterway as attacks, naval operations and new Iranian restrictions disrupt maritime traffic.

The latest incident follows another recent attack on a large tanker transiting the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, where the vessel struck two sea mines and caught fire, further raising concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Recent attacks on tankers and military exchanges between Iran and the United States have fueled fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies and increased risks for commercial shipping in the Gulf.

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HBO has released the first official trailer for its highly anticipated Harry Potter television reboot, giving fans their first extended look at a new cast, familiar Hogwarts locations and scenes that closely follow J.K. Rowling’s original novel ahead of the series’ premiere later this year.

The trailer introduces Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, marking the beginning of a new adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. HBO says the reboot is designed as a long-form television series, with each season adapting one of Rowling’s seven books.

The footage revisits some of the franchise’s most iconic moments, including Harry’s arrival at Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat ceremony, Quidditch matches and encounters with magical creatures. It also teases scenes and storylines from the first novel that were not included in the original 2001 film, signaling a more faithful adaptation of the books.

The trailer also offers the first extended look at the new actors portraying Hogwarts’ legendary professors. John Lithgow appears as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of Severus Snape, Janet McTeer plays Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost stars as Rubeus Hagrid, alongside a new cast of students and supporting characters.

HBO has largely kept Lord Voldemort out of the trailer, suggesting the character’s appearance will be saved for later episodes in the first season. The series is expected to expand on characters and plotlines that received limited screen time in the film franchise, while maintaining the core story of Harry’s first year at Hogwarts.

The Harry Potter reboot is one of HBO’s biggest productions to date and is planned as a multi-year adaptation of the bestselling fantasy series. Filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in the United Kingdom, the series is scheduled to premiere globally on HBO and HBO Max on December 25, 2026.

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Germany has accused Russia of orchestrating an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport involving a drone loaded with explosives, saying intelligence and police investigations point to the involvement of people acting on behalf of Russian state entities.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Tuesday that investigators had identified similarities between the drone’s configuration, components, explosives and detonator and equipment previously associated with Russian hybrid operations and the war in Ukraine. He said the operation appeared to have involved a high degree of technical expertise and planning.

The drone was discovered on the evening of Aug. 4 near a Ukrainian cargo aircraft at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major freight hub that also supports logistics for Ukraine. The explosive device was defused by security forces. German authorities have described the incident as a serious threat to the country’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would close Russia’s consulate general in Bonn effective Sept. 18. Germany will also terminate the agreement governing the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin, tighten entry controls for Russian nationals and push for additional European Union sanctions against individuals linked to what it describes as Russian hybrid attacks.

The measures mark a significant escalation in diplomatic pressure between Berlin and Moscow. German officials have said the Leipzig incident forms part of a broader pattern of suspected Russian sabotage and other hybrid operations targeting European countries.

Russia has rejected the accusation. The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would respond to Germany’s “anti-Russian” measures, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Germany had not provided evidence to substantiate its claims. President Vladimir Putin also accused Germany of fabricating evidence to blame Moscow.

The European Union has backed Germany and is considering further sanctions against Russian individuals. EU officials have warned of a growing pattern of suspected Russian hybrid activity across Europe while seeking to avoid a direct military escalation with Moscow.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is particularly sensitive because Ukrainian Antonov transport aircraft regularly use the facility and the airport serves as an important logistics hub for military and other support to Ukraine.

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Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Wednesday that demonstrations are associated with democratic and republican systems and have no place under Islamic law, defending the group’s recently enacted ban on protests across Afghanistan.

Mujahid made the remarks at a press conference in Kabul in response to a question about the prohibition on demonstrations under the Taliban’s newly approved “Shurta Law,” or police law.

“The Shurta Law approved in Afghanistan has been drafted according to the conditions of Afghanistan,” Mujahid said, arguing that provisions necessary for the country’s security, stability and crime prevention had been incorporated into the law.

He said demonstrations are associated with societies where different legal systems, including democracy and republicanism, are in place.

“If a protest means a peaceful objection,” Mujahid said, people can instead take their grievances to relevant Taliban authorities. He also argued that the restrictions would help prevent disorder, damage to property and what he described as wasted time.

The comments follow the Taliban’s formal prohibition of demonstrations under the Shurta Law, which was published by the group’s Justice Ministry on August 22 after being approved by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Article 50 of the law states that “all demonstrations throughout Afghanistan” are prohibited, formally codifying a restriction the Taliban had already enforced against public protests since returning to power in August 2021. The law contains 53 articles and places the Shurta, the Taliban’s term for police, under the Interior Ministry.

The ban has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch described it as another step in the Taliban’s efforts to suppress dissent, while Amnesty International called the broader police legislation a further assault on human rights and described the protest ban as one of its most serious provisions.

The prohibition comes after several protests in Afghanistan were met with arrests and force by Taliban authorities. In June, Taliban forces detained dozens of people, including women, during protests in Herat. UN officials also reported that security forces opened fire during the demonstrations, killing at least one person.

Protests have become increasingly rare since the Taliban seized power, particularly as authorities have restricted public gatherings and cracked down on demonstrations over women’s rights, education and other issues.

The new law also expands the powers of Taliban police in several areas, including detention and the use of force, further formalizing the group’s system of security and public-order control.

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Argentinians have begun paying tribute to Lionel Messi after the 39-year-old announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 21-year career with the national team that included Argentina’s long-awaited 2022 World Cup triumph.

In Buenos Aires, fans gathered around giant murals depicting Messi with the World Cup trophy, while monuments and public spaces across the capital were illuminated in Argentina’s blue and white. Football clubs also paid tribute to the forward with banners and songs as supporters came to terms with the end of an era.

Messi announced his decision on August 31 in a handwritten message posted on Instagram. He described the decision as painful but said he believed the time had come to leave the national team after giving everything he could to Argentina.

The announcement came only weeks after Messi led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain, denying Messi a second World Cup title and preventing the fairytale ending many supporters had hoped for. Reuters described his departure as the close of a defining chapter in Argentine football.

Despite the disappointment of the 2026 final, Messi leaves the national team with a legacy that reshaped his relationship with Argentine football. For years, he faced criticism and comparisons with Diego Maradona after failing to deliver a World Cup title. That changed after Argentina won the 2021 Copa America and then lifted the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Messi also helped Argentina win the Copa America again in 2024. He leaves the national team as its record appearance maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 appearances, according to Reuters.

His retirement has prompted emotional reactions from former teammates and supporters. Ángel Di María, who played alongside Messi during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup campaign, paid tribute to the player, while Rodrigo De Paul described Messi’s commitment to Argentina as an enduring part of his legacy.

For many fans, Messi’s significance extends beyond his statistics and trophies. His journey from a young player who struggled under the weight of national expectations to the captain who finally delivered the World Cup has made him one of the defining figures in Argentina’s sporting history.

The Argentine Football Association is expected to honour Messi with a farewell match, while some supporters have called for the national team’s No. 10 shirt to be retired. FIFA regulations, however, prevent Argentina from permanently retiring a squad number while it remains part of the competition system.

Messi’s departure also leaves questions about the next phase of Argentina’s national team. Coach Lionel Scaloni must now oversee a side that has spent years developing around Messi while preparing a new generation of players to carry the team forward. Reuters reported that midfielder Leandro Paredes has already acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the team following Messi’s retirement.

For Argentinians mourning the end of Messi’s international career, however, the immediate focus is less on what comes next than on what he has already given them.

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Pakistan will continue efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy between the United States and Iran despite renewed military escalation between the two countries, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Wednesday.

Andrabi made the remarks at Pakistan’s weekly media briefing in Islamabad, saying the country remained hopeful that diplomacy could continue despite the latest escalation. He said Pakistan would remain engaged in efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table.

Pakistan’s mediation efforts gained momentum earlier this year, with Islamabad facilitating contacts between the United States and Iran that led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement was presented by Pakistan as a framework for continued dialogue and negotiations aimed at achieving a longer-term settlement.

Andrabi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also discussed the evolving regional situation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. He said Pakistan remained committed to its role as a mediator and facilitator.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as the latest U.S.-Iran escalation has spread beyond the two countries. Iran has launched attacks targeting U.S. military positions in several regional countries, while the United States has carried out strikes against Iranian military targets. Reuters reported that the latest exchange has raised concerns about a broader regional conflict and disruption to energy supplies.

Pakistan’s mediation faces a difficult test as mistrust between Washington and Tehran deepens. Earlier mediation efforts helped produce a framework for negotiations, but the latest military escalation has demonstrated how quickly diplomatic progress can be disrupted by renewed hostilities.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday that missile and drone attacks on the U.S. military presence at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait killed a number of American personnel and destroyed several drones and military facilities.

Iranian news agency Tasnim reported on Sept. 2 that the IRGC said its forces targeted the headquarters and accommodation of the U.S. commander at the base, as well as a drone hangar and a ramp used to deploy U.S. drones.

The IRGC claimed the attack caused fires at the facilities and destroyed several drones that it said had been used in attacks against Iran. It also said Iranian forces simultaneously targeted U.S. positions in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq.

The claims of U.S. casualties and the extent of damage at Ali Al Salem could not immediately be independently verified. The U.S. military has not confirmed the IRGC’s reported death toll.

The strikes followed a new round of U.S.-Iran hostilities after the U.S. military said it had carried out strikes against IRGC targets in Iran. Reuters reported on Wednesday that Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. military positions in several countries in the region, marking a major escalation after a period of relative calm.

Iran has described the attacks as retaliation for U.S. strikes in southern Iran. Iranian officials said a U.S. strike near a wedding in Kuhestak killed civilians, while the U.S. military said its operations targeted Iranian military infrastructure. The competing accounts have not been fully reconciled.

The latest escalation has raised concerns that the conflict could spread across the Gulf and draw additional countries and U.S. military facilities into the fighting. Iran has previously targeted U.S. and allied positions in the region, while Washington has warned of further military action if Iranian attacks continue.

The economic risks are also growing. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies, has already faced severe disruption during the conflict. Reuters reported that oil prices rose above $95 a barrel as renewed hostilities heightened fears over supplies and the wider regional economy. Gulf stock markets also fell on Wednesday as investors reacted to the escalation.

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Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, said on Wednesday that the group is seeking to establish and expand political and economic relations with the United States

Mujahid made the remarks Wednesday, Sept. 2, at a news conference in Kabul focused on the Taliban’s achievements. He said efforts to establish and expand political and economic ties with Washington had been and were continuing.

Mujahid said closer relations with the United States would benefit the Taliban because of Washington’s influence in global affairs. He added that the Taliban’s foreign ministry was making “serious” efforts to expand relations not only with the United States but also with other countries.

The outreach comes despite years of hostility between the two sides. The Taliban fought U.S. and NATO forces for nearly two decades before the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power.

One of the most sensitive issues between Washington and the Taliban remains the fate of American citizens who have been detained or are missing in Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department continues to warn Americans against traveling to Afghanistan, citing the risk of wrongful detention and hostage-taking.

The case of Mahmood Shah Habibi has drawn particular attention. Habibi, an Afghan-American and former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, disappeared in Kabul on Aug. 10, 2022. The FBI says he was taken by Taliban intelligence officials along with his driver and 29 employees of a telecommunications company. Most of those detained were later released, but Habibi and another individual remain missing.

The FBI continues to seek information that could lead to Habibi’s recovery and return and has offered a reward of up to $5 million. The Taliban has denied holding Habibi and Mujahid has said the group does not know his whereabouts.

A Difficult Path to Normalization

The Taliban’s call for stronger relations with Washington highlights a significant contradiction: the group is seeking political and economic engagement with the United States while the fate of American hostages and missing citizens remains unresolved. For Washington, resolving such cases is likely to remain central to any broader improvement in relations.

The issue also raises questions about how far diplomatic and economic engagement can advance without greater transparency and concrete action from the Taliban on detained and missing Americans. Any progress toward normalization is likely to depend not only on the Taliban’s diplomatic outreach but also on its willingness to address U.S. security concerns and provide credible answers about Americans whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The Taliban has also sought diplomatic recognition and stronger international ties since returning to power. Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in July 2025, but the United States and most other governments have not formally recognized the group.

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An Iranian politician has claimed that the United States could seek to return militarily to Afghanistan following recent developments in the Middle East, arguing that Washington may consider shifting part of its forces from Gulf bases to Afghanistan as part of a broader regional strategy.

Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, secretary-general of Iran’s Green Party, made the remarks in an interview with Iranian media outlet IRAF on Tuesday, saying one possible scenario under discussion in Washington could be the re-establishment of a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.

According to Kanani Moghaddam, Afghanistan remains strategically important for the United States because of its geographic position between Central Asia, China and Iran. He argued that a renewed U.S. presence could be aimed at limiting the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative toward western Asia and creating pressure on growing cooperation between Beijing and Tehran.

He also claimed that U.S. policymakers may view Afghanistan as a platform for pursuing broader strategic objectives in the region and regaining influence lost after the withdrawal of American troops in 2021.

The United States ended its 20-year military mission in Afghanistan in August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power following the collapse of the former Afghanistan government. Since then, Washington has maintained no military presence inside Afghanistan.

Kanani Moghaddam did not provide evidence to support his claim, and U.S. officials have not announced any plans to redeploy troops to Afghanistan. Washington has repeatedly said it relies on “over-the-horizon” counterterrorism capabilities rather than a permanent military presence in the country.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said four members of its Aerospace Force were killed in U.S. airstrikes on Kermanshah province, as Iranian media reported that the death toll from U.S. attacks across Iran over the past 24 hours has risen to 18.

According to the IRGC and the semi-official Fars News Agency, the four personnel were killed during Tuesday night’s strikes on military positions in Kermanshah, in western Iran. The attacks were described as part of a renewed U.S. campaign targeting IRGC military infrastructure.

Iranian officials had earlier reported that at least five civilians were killed when a U.S. airstrike hit a wedding ceremony in southern Iran. Local reports also said seven people were killed in three separate locations in Khuzestan province, while three Basij members died in attacks on Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf.

The latest casualties come as military confrontation between the United States and Iran has resumed after roughly a month-long pause. Washington says it has struck IRGC positions inside Iran, while Tehran has launched missile and drone attacks against U.S. military targets and allied facilities across the region, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.

The IRGC also claimed responsibility for a missile and drone strike on a military base in Kuwait, saying it targeted the location of a U.S. commander and facilities linked to drone operations. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that emergency crews extinguished a fire at a residential complex in Kuwait City after an Iranian drone crashed nearby, but did not immediately report casualties.

Qatar, which has previously mediated ceasefire efforts between Tehran and Washington, condemned Iran’s attacks and warned they would undermine attempts to contain the conflict. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the Islamic Republic bears full legal responsibility for the attacks and their consequences.

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Austria has deported a 26-year-old Afghan man convicted of serious crimes, marking another step in the country’s renewed policy of returning Afghan nationals with criminal records despite international concerns over conditions in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

Austria’s Interior Ministry said the Afghan national was deported via Istanbul after serving prison sentences for serious property crimes and drug-related offenses. Officials said he had spent more than two and a half years in prison and had 20 criminal police records in Austria.

The ministry said Austria and Germany are among the first European countries to have resumed direct deportations to Afghanistan and Syria after suspending removals following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Austrian authorities said additional deportations of convicted offenders are being prepared.

The announcement comes as Austria has intensified immigration enforcement. The Interior Ministry said it deported more than 8,800 people who were residing in the country illegally during the first seven months of the year.

Austria has increasingly coordinated with Taliban authorities on deportation procedures, including technical cooperation to verify identities and obtain travel documents for Afghan nationals facing removal. While Vienna says the cooperation is limited to deportation logistics, rights groups argue it amounts to de facto engagement with Taliban authorities.

Austria carried out its first deportation to Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in late 2025 and has continued individual removals during 2026, despite maintaining that it does not formally recognize the Taliban government.

The policy mirrors a broader shift in parts of Europe. Germany has also resumed deportations of Afghan nationals, expanding removals beyond convicted criminals in recent months, while several European governments are pressing for stronger cooperation on returning Afghans whose asylum claims have been rejected.

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Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have renewed their call for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that represents all ethnic and political groups, saying lasting peace and stability cannot be achieved without broad-based political participation.

In a joint declaration issued after the SCO summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, member states said they support international efforts to promote peace, stability and development in Afghanistan while reaffirming their vision of a country that is independent, neutral, free from terrorism and free from narcotics.

The statement marks another coordinated regional appeal for political inclusivity in Afghanistan. The SCO made a similar call last year, while the Taliban have consistently rejected international demands for an inclusive government, describing them as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

The declaration also placed strong emphasis on regional security, with member states calling for a united fight against terrorism, separatism and extremism. The SCO rejected what it described as “double standards” in counterterrorism and stressed the central role of the United Nations in addressing cross-border terrorist threats.

Leaders agreed to deepen security cooperation through regular joint counterterrorism exercises and stronger coordination against drug trafficking. The summit also approved regulations for a Regional Security Challenges Center in Tashkent and an Anti-Narcotics Executive Committee in Dushanbe.

Beyond security, the SCO said it would expand cooperation in trade, transport, energy, agriculture and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. Member states also welcomed progress toward establishing an SCO Development Bank to strengthen regional economic cooperation.

The organization transferred its rotating chairmanship to Pakistan, which will host the next SCO leaders’ summit in 2027.

Afghanistan has held observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization since 2012, but the Taliban did not participate in this year’s summit in Bishkek.

The SCO; which includes China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian states has repeatedly identified terrorism, extremism and narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan as major regional security concerns while advocating greater stability and economic engagement with the country.

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Polish security authorities have charged a 20-year-old university student with terrorism after alleging he planned an attack on a Christmas market inspired by the Islamic State (ISIS), officials said.

The Internal Security Agency (ABW) said the suspect had been studying how to manufacture explosives and was preparing for an attack on a large public gathering before he was arrested.

According to Polish public television and security officials, investigators allege the student researched bomb-making techniques and sought information on obtaining materials needed to build an explosive device and its detonation mechanism.

Authorities also claim the suspect attempted to recruit or contact other individuals to help carry out the planned attack and had communicated with people linked to ISIS while preparing the plot.

In a statement, the ABW said the suspect intended to use the knowledge he had acquired to carry out an attack during a mass public event, describing the alleged plot as inspired by the extremist group’s ideology.

Prosecutors further allege the student sought to join an organization connected to ISIS. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not publicly identified the suspect.

Poland has increased security measures in recent years over concerns about extremist threats, particularly around crowded public events such as Christmas markets, concerts and festivals. European security agencies have repeatedly warned that ISIS continues to encourage supporters to carry out attacks using homemade explosives or other easily accessible methods despite the group’s territorial defeat in the Middle East.

Officials said there is no indication that the alleged plot was carried out or that the public was in immediate danger at the time of the arrest, but they described the case as part of broader efforts to prevent extremist attacks before they are executed.

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More than 40,000 people were killed and over 77,000 injured during Afghanistan’s armed conflict between 2009 and 2021, according to a new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which documents the long-term human cost of two decades of war.

The report, released on Tuesday, September 1, examines violence and conflict in Afghanistan from 2001 until the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. It is based on interviews with 195 victims and family members, 23 humanitarian organizations, and 23 government officials, making it one of the UN’s most comprehensive assessments of the conflict’s impact.

UNAMA said the findings show that the consequences of the war continue to affect survivors years after the fighting subsided. Nearly all interviewees reported suffering psychological trauma, including depression, anxiety and recurring traumatic memories, while more than half said they continue to live with physical injuries and chronic pain caused by the conflict.

The report warns that the legacy of the war extends beyond casualties, leaving many families with lasting emotional, social and economic hardships that continue to shape daily life in Afghanistan.

UNAMA said addressing the needs of victims, including medical care, mental health support and long-term rehabilitation remains essential for Afghanistan’s recovery after decades of conflict.

The period between 2009 and 2021 was the deadliest phase of Afghanistan’s conflict, marked by intensified fighting between the former Afghanistan government, Taliban insurgents, Islamic State affiliates and international military forces. The conflict ended with the collapse of the previous government and the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.

Although nationwide fighting has declined since 2021, UNAMA has repeatedly warned that the humanitarian and psychological consequences of the conflict continue to affect millions of Afghans, particularly survivors, displaced families and communities that experienced prolonged violence.

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A motorcyclist miraculously survived after crashing into the side of a moving bus at high speed in western Colombia, with surveillance footage capturing the dramatic collision that sent him through the bus’s open rear doors.

The crash occurred on August 30 in the city of Buga, in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca department. Security camera footage shows the rider approaching an intersection at high speed before running a stop sign and slamming into the side of a public bus that was crossing the junction.

The impact launched the rider into the bus through its open rear doors. Footage recorded inside the bus shows the man landing in the aisle before sitting up, visibly dazed but conscious, moments after the collision.

Local media reported that the rider did not suffer life-threatening injuries despite the severity of the crash.

Authorities have not released the rider’s identity or provided further details about his medical condition. No passengers on the bus were reported to have suffered serious injuries.

The video has spread widely across social media in Colombia and internationally, with many viewers describing the rider’s survival as “miraculous.”

Traffic authorities have used the incident to remind motorists to obey stop signs and reduce speed at intersections, warning that failure to yield remains one of the leading causes of serious road crashes in Colombia.

The collision comes as Colombian authorities continue campaigns to improve road safety, particularly in urban areas where motorcycles account for a significant share of traffic fatalities and injuries.

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A six-year-old girl in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province has reportedly been married to a 60-year-old man in exchange for 200,000 Pakistani rupees, according to the provincial media office.

The Taliban’s media office in Helmand said on Sunday, 30 August, that the girl’s father arranged the marriage and received the money. It said the father was addicted to drugs and was facing financial and personal difficulties.

The case was reported in Garmser district, where poverty and economic hardship have increased concerns over child marriage and the vulnerability of children from struggling families.

The report follows another case reported by local sources in Helmand’s Nad Ali district, where an 80-year-old man allegedly married an eight-year-old girl.

The cases have renewed concerns about child and forced marriage in Afghanistan, particularly among girls. Poverty, displacement, food insecurity and limited access to education can leave children more vulnerable to early marriage and other forms of exploitation.

Poverty deepens risks for Afghan children

The reported marriage comes amid a wider humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, where millions of people continue to face economic hardship and difficulties meeting basic needs. For families struggling to afford food, housing and healthcare, financial pressure can increase the risk of harmful coping practices, including arranging early marriages in exchange for money.

Girls are particularly vulnerable because restrictions on education and employment have sharply limited their opportunities. Rights groups and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned that prolonged poverty, combined with restrictions affecting women and girls, can deepen their exposure to forced marriage, exploitation and other abuses.

The latest case highlights how economic hardship can intersect with longstanding child-protection concerns in Afghanistan, leaving young girls at heightened risk when families lack access to adequate financial and social support.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi discussed US sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and rising tensions between Tehran and Washington during a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

The meeting comes as the United States intensifies economic pressure on Iran and threatens further sanctions aimed at restricting Tehran’s access to international financial networks and limiting its ability to generate and transfer revenue.

According to a statement published on Araghchi’s Telegram channel, the talks focused on the Islamabad understanding, developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and tensions between Iran and the United States. The meeting also included discussions with other foreign ministers attending the SCO summit.

The talks come amid heightened tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy transit route. Any prolonged disruption in the waterway could affect international shipping and energy markets, increasing concerns among countries that depend on oil and gas supplies passing through the region.

China vows to protect its interests

China has said it will take measures to protect its economic interests after Washington announced a new campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Iran and encouraging other countries to join the sanctions effort.

Beijing has maintained close economic and diplomatic ties with Tehran and has repeatedly opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States. Chinese officials have also called for dialogue and a political solution to disputes involving Iran and the United States.

China has backed a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington and argued that sanctions alone cannot resolve the conflict.

Iran seeks diplomatic support

The meeting between Araghchi and Wang comes as Tehran faces renewed international pressure over its economic and security policies. For Iran, maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with China remains important as US sanctions continue to restrict its access to international markets.

For Beijing, developments around the Strait of Hormuz are also significant because instability in the region could threaten energy supplies and disrupt international trade.

The discussions at the SCO summit therefore reflect not only bilateral cooperation between Iran and China but also broader diplomatic efforts to manage tensions involving the United States and the wider Middle East.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit that lasting stability in Asia would be difficult to achieve without addressing the situation in Afghanistan, stressing that New Delhi would continue its engagement with the people of Afghanistan.

Speaking at the 26th SCO summit in Bishkek, Modi described Afghanistan as an important factor in maintaining regional security and stability, noting that developments in the country could have consequences for neighbouring states.

Modi said India had stood by the Afghanistan people in recent years through humanitarian assistance and development support.

He added that New Delhi intends to maintain this approach and continue providing humanitarian and development assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

India has focused much of its engagement with Afghanistan in recent years on humanitarian assistance, including supplies of food and medicine, while stressing the importance of stability in the country for regional security.

This comes amid sharply deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the Taliban regime, with disputes over border security, militant activity and the presence of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) becoming major sources of tension. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban regime of allowing militants operating against Pakistan to use Afghanistan territory, allegations the Taliban denies. The tensions have led to border clashes, diplomatic disputes and disruptions to trade and cross-border movement.

This comes as Pakistan has increased pressure on the Taliban regime through measures affecting Afghan nationals and bilateral trade, while urging Kabul to take action against militant groups. The Taliban has rejected Pakistan’s accusations and called for dialogue to resolve the disputes.

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Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Monday, as concerns grow in Tajikistan over security along its border with Afghanistan.

According to the United Nations, Rahmon and Guterres discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan. The UN did not provide further details about their discussion on Afghanistan.

Tajikistan has repeatedly raised concerns about security developments in Afghanistan and their potential impact on its southern border. In recent weeks, several incidents have added to those concerns, including armed clashes in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province and a border incident in which a woman in Tajikistan’s Darvoz district was killed by gunfire from the Afghanistan side, according to Tajik authorities.

The meeting also covered environmental issues. Guterres praised Tajikistan’s role in water-resource management and its efforts to protect glaciers, according to the UN.

Afghanistan security concerns at SCO summit

Security issues related to Afghanistan are also among the broader regional concerns being discussed at the SCO summit in Bishkek. Leaders of the organisation’s member states are expected to focus on counterterrorism, the threat posed by Islamic State and regional security cooperation.

The Afghan Taliban authorities are not represented at the summit. Afghanistan has held observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation since 2012. However, representatives of the Taliban authorities have not been invited to the organisation’s formal meetings since the group returned to power in August 2021.

The latest meeting between Rahmon and Guterres comes as Tajikistan continues to closely monitor developments along its border with Afghanistan, while regional governments seek greater cooperation on security and cross-border threats.

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Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level, according to vessel-tracking data from maritime analytics firm Kpler, as tensions between Iran and the United States have risen again.

Al Jazeera reported on Tuesday, September 1, citing Kpler data, that only five vessels passed through the strategic waterway the previous day. That was significantly below the 10-day average of about 14 vessels per day.

The tracking data showed that four vessels entered the strait, while only one vessel exited. Kpler also reported that no liquid-carrying tankers were recorded among the vessels that passed through the waterway during the period.

The sharp decline in traffic comes amid renewed tensions between Iran and the United States over control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, following a limited military confrontation between the two sides.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. A sustained disruption to shipping through the strait could affect the movement of oil and other energy products and potentially put pressure on global energy markets.

However, the latest figures indicate a significant reduction in recorded vessel traffic rather than a complete halt to shipping. The data also does not, by itself, establish that the decline was caused solely by the latest military tensions.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged Uzbekistan to accelerate the construction of the Trans-Afghan Railway, a major regional rail corridor linking Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, during talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek.

Sharif said the two countries should speed up the joint feasibility study and make greater use of existing multimodal transport routes to move the project forward. He described the railway as a strategic initiative that would strengthen connectivity between Central and South Asia and provide Uzbekistan with direct access to Pakistani seaports.

The three countries agreed in July last year to conduct a joint feasibility study for the railway, but construction has not yet begun.

The project has become increasingly expensive. Uzbek officials have previously said revised estimates show the railway could cost more than $7 billion, up from an earlier estimate of about $4.6 billion, reflecting higher construction and infrastructure costs.

The renewed push comes despite worsening relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. Recent months have seen border clashes, cross-border military strikes, the temporary closure of border crossings, and disruptions to trade between the two countries.

Pakistan has also intensified pressure on the Taliban by deporting Afghan migrants and restricting cross-border commerce, measures Islamabad says are intended to address security concerns.

During the meeting, Sharif and Mirziyoyev also agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment, setting a target of increasing Pakistan-Uzbekistan trade to $2 billion by 2029 through stronger economic cooperation and improved regional transport links.

The Trans-Afghan Railway is considered one of the region’s most significant connectivity projects. If completed, it would connect Central Asia with Pakistan’s ports on the Arabian Sea, reduce the region’s dependence on existing trade routes, and strengthen Afghanistan’s role as a key transit corridor between Central and South Asia.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where they pledged to deepen strategic cooperation as global geopolitical tensions continue to rise.

Al Jazeera reported on Monday that the two leaders discussed the international security situation, growing global uncertainty and the need to strengthen coordination between Moscow and Beijing on regional and global issues.

During the meeting, Putin and Xi reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the Russia-China strategic partnership, describing bilateral ties as a key pillar of stability in an increasingly fragmented international order. The leaders also discussed cooperation within the SCO and broader efforts to promote a multipolar world.

The talks took place as leaders from China, Russia, India, Iran, Pakistan and Central Asian countries gathered for the SCO’s annual summit, where conflicts in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, Afghanistan and regional security dominate the agenda.

Reports indicated that the meeting highlights the growing alignment between Moscow and Beijing as both countries seek closer political, economic and security cooperation while challenging Western influence in global affairs.

The Putin-Xi meeting comes amid heightened geopolitical rivalry, expanding sanctions on Russia, and continuing tensions between China and the United States over trade, technology and regional security.

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Russia has returned to a G20 finance ministers and central bank governors’ meeting for the first time in four years after being invited by the United States, a move that triggered strong objections from several European governments over Moscow’s participation while the war in Ukraine continues.

The meeting, hosted in North Carolina, marked the first appearance of Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at a G20 finance gathering since Russia’s isolation from many Western forums following its invasion of Ukraine. European officials warned that Russia’s return should not be interpreted as a normalization of relations with Moscow.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said there could be no return to normal relations with Russia as long as the war in Ukraine continues. He described Siluanov’s presence at the summit as “deeply concerning” and said he had expected the United States not to treat the Russian minister as an ordinary guest.

European officials also objected to Siluanov appearing in the summit’s official group photograph. According to Reuters, the group photo was ultimately taken without the Russian finance minister after consultations among European delegations.

Despite the diplomatic dispute, Siluanov held talks on the sidelines of the summit with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Russia’s Finance Ministry said the two officials discussed financial issues and cooperation between Moscow and Washington within the G20 framework.

Klingbeil said European finance ministers, the UK finance minister and the President of the European Central Bank met ahead of the summit to coordinate their response to Russia’s participation. He said European governments are preparing a new package of sanctions against Moscow and hope Washington will continue working closely with its allies.

The summit was also dominated by US efforts to build a common G20 position on China’s trade practices. Bessent urged member states to reassess their economic ties with Beijing, arguing that China’s economy is overly dependent on exports and that its $1.2 trillion trade surplus has created major global imbalances.

The US treasury secretary called on G20 members to encourage China to boost domestic consumption rather than rely on state support for exports. He also said Washington and Beijing would continue negotiations on reducing tariffs on some non-strategic goods ahead of a possible meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.

According to Bessent, both countries are discussing tariff reductions covering roughly $30 billion worth of non-strategic goods on each side, as well as establishing frameworks for cooperation on artificial intelligence.

The North Carolina meeting underscored widening divisions within the G20 over Russia’s participation, global trade with China, and the future direction of international economic cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

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The United States has approved an $800 million military sale of Bell helicopters and related equipment to Iraq, a move aimed at strengthening Iraq’s air mobility, reconnaissance and combat capabilities under the two countries’ ongoing defense partnership.

The US State Department announced on Tuesday that it had authorized the proposed sale, with Bell Textron, the Texas-based aerospace company, serving as the principal contractor. The package includes Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters, along with weapons, spare parts, training and logistical support.

According to the State Department, the helicopters are intended to enhance Iraq’s ability to conduct troop and cargo transport, reconnaissance missions, medical evacuations, border security operations, and air-to-ground targeting. The aircraft can also be configured for light attack and armed support missions.

Washington said the proposed sale is designed to improve Iraq’s security capabilities while supporting the country’s efforts to defend its territory and combat regional security threats. US officials added that the deal is consistent with American foreign policy and national security objectives in the Middle East.

The approval comes as US-Iraq defense cooperation continues despite growing regional tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and the presence of Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq. The United States still maintains military personnel in Iraq as part of security cooperation and training missions.

The proposed sale must still complete the US congressional notification process, a standard requirement for major foreign military sales before the deal can be finalized.

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President Donald Trump and his senior national security advisers are reviewing a plan for limited US military strikes on Iranian positions around the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Tehran from rebuilding radar systems, air defenses and anti-ship missile capabilities, according to Axios.

Axios, citing three US officials, reported that the proposal was prepared by US Central Command (CENTCOM) over the past week and has the backing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The plan has not yet been approved by Trump, but officials said the president could authorize it following the latest escalation between Washington and Tehran.

According to US officials, the proposed operation is intended to reduce the threat of Iranian attacks on commercial oil tankers, US Navy vessels and US military aircraft operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz. One official described the strategy as “mowing the lawn,” meaning periodic strikes would be carried out to prevent Iran from restoring military capabilities in the area.

The report says CENTCOM has become increasingly concerned that Iran is attempting to rebuild radar installations, air defense systems and anti-ship missile launchers around the strategic waterway after recent US military operations weakened those capabilities.

One incident that reportedly heightened those concerns involved an Iranian surface-to-air missile fired toward a US F-35 fighter jet supporting maritime security operations in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said the missile did not come close enough to threaten the aircraft but viewed the launch as evidence that Iran is restoring its air-defense network.

The proposed strikes come after US forces targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions on Larak Island, where officials said Iranian forces were preparing rockets capable of deploying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by launching ballistic missile attacks on US military bases in Jordan, marking a major escalation in direct hostilities between the two countries.

A White House official neither confirmed nor denied the Axios report but said “the president has all options on the table,” adding that Iran wants a deal but has repeatedly failed to act in time.

Speaking to Fox News after the latest Iranian missile attacks, Trump vowed a strong response, saying the United States would “hit them hard” in retaliation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, and military officials say continued attacks on shipping or naval assets could threaten global oil supplies and further destabilize the Middle East.

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Dan Driscoll, the US Army Secretary, has submitted his resignation to the White House after months of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Driscoll, who is considered a close ally of Vice President JD Vance, has become the latest senior Pentagon official to leave or be pushed out during Hegseth’s tenure at the Defense Department. Sources told Reuters the resignation followed growing disagreements over the direction of Army leadership and military reforms.

Reuters reported that it is not yet clear whether the White House has accepted Driscoll’s resignation. Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has officially confirmed his departure.

According to one source, Driscoll had raised concerns with the Trump administration about the Army’s modernization program and combat readiness. He reportedly believed Hegseth had undermined those reforms by dismissing senior generals responsible for implementing them.

The dispute is said to have intensified after the removal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and the blocking of promotions for several senior military commanders, moves that fueled internal divisions within the Pentagon.

The resignation comes as the United States remains engaged in a military conflict with Iran, with thousands of American troops deployed across the Middle East and heightened concerns over regional security.

Driscoll has served as US Army Secretary since February 2025 and has been a leading advocate for reforming military procurement, reducing the Army’s reliance on major defense contractors, and accelerating modernization efforts. He also previously participated in Trump administration diplomatic discussions related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

In its response, the White House praised Driscoll’s service but did not confirm or deny whether his resignation had been accepted. Officials described him as an effective leader who helped strengthen Army readiness and supported key military and diplomatic initiatives.

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A US federal judge has ordered that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national accused of killing a US National Guard soldier and seriously wounding another, be force-fed and provided medical treatment after months of a hunger strike in federal custody.

According to US court documents, Lakanwal has been on a prolonged hunger strike for several months while in detention and has at times also refused to drink water, raising serious concerns about his health.

US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that prison authorities may provide involuntary nutrition, hydration and medical care to preserve Lakanwal’s life and prevent further deterioration of his condition. The order authorizes force-feeding until he voluntarily resumes eating and drinking, accepts medical treatment, and is no longer considered to be in immediate danger. The order remains in effect until October 28.

The US Department of Justice previously said Lakanwal was transferred to a hospital on July 9 after his condition became critical because he had refused food since June. Prosecutors argued that continued refusal of food and water posed a life-threatening risk.

Lakanwal is accused of carrying out a shooting near the White House in November last year, in which Sarah Bextrom, a member of the US National Guard, was killed and another soldier, Andrew Wolf, was seriously injured. Prosecutors also accuse him of attempting to kill two additional service members who intervened during the attack.

Lakanwal has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies the allegations against him.

He faces more than 10 federal charges, including murder, attempted murder, and firearms-related offenses. The Justice Department is also considering whether to seek the death penalty if he is convicted.

The case remains pending in federal court, and no trial verdict has been issued.

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Lionel Messi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a historic 20-year career with Argentina after saying he has “nothing left to give” to the national team.

The 39-year-old made the announcement in a statement published on Monday, saying the decision was deeply painful but that “the time has come.” Messi said he wrote the message shortly after Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, a loss that convinced him his international journey had reached its end.

“I’ve given it my all. I have nothing left to give,” Messi said. “I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. Now it’s time for the next generation.”

Messi leaves Argentina as the country’s all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, having scored 125 goals in 207 appearances since making his debut in 2005. He captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar and also won two Copa América trophies, cementing his status as one of the greatest players in football history.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also finished his international career as the second-highest scorer in World Cup history, with 21 goals, behind France’s Kylian Mbappé. He also recorded 12 World Cup assists, more than any other player in the tournament’s knockout stages.

Messi said recent personal events also influenced his decision, including the death of his father, Jorge Messi, after a long illness. He described the loss as another reason he felt it was time to close an emotional chapter in his career.

Despite retiring from Argentina duty, Messi confirmed he will continue playing club football with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where his contract runs until the end of the 2028 season.

Messi previously retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa América final to Chile, but reversed that decision months later. His return ultimately led to the most successful period in Argentina’s modern football history, including the Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, the Finalissima, and the 2022 World Cup.

Football legends, teammates and fans around the world have paid tribute to Messi’s international career, widely describing it as one of the greatest in the history of the sport.

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The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights is set to hold a hearing on Thursday to examine the deportation of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers from European Union member states, as concerns grow over cooperation between some European governments and the Taliban.

The hearing comes days after a three-member Taliban delegation arrived in Germany for talks aimed at accelerating the deportation of Afghan nationals to Kabul. German officials have confirmed the delegation’s presence, saying it is working on the technical arrangements needed for future deportation flights.

The meeting in Brussels is expected to focus on the legality and human rights implications of returning Afghan asylum seekers to a country where the Taliban remain in power. Human rights groups have warned that deportations could expose returnees; particularly women, girls, journalists, former government employees, activists and other vulnerable groups to persecution, arbitrary detention or retaliation.

The debate follows Germany’s recent deportation of 30 Afghan nationals on a charter flight from Leipzig to Kabul, the latest move under Berlin’s tougher migration policy. German authorities have said the deportations primarily target individuals convicted of serious crimes or considered security threats.

The hearing also comes amid growing criticism from international human rights organizations over European engagement with the Taliban on migration issues. Critics argue that cooperation on deportations risks legitimizing the Taliban without meaningful improvements in human rights conditions inside Afghanistan.

The United Nations has repeatedly urged all countries to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan nationals, warning that people returned to Afghanistan face serious risks, including persecution, retaliation, arbitrary detention and other human rights abuses under Taliban rule.

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Three Afghan nationals have drowned while swimming off the coast of Babolsar in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, local authorities said, after a rescue operation was launched in the Caspian Sea.

Mehdi Habibollahpour, head of the Babolsar Lifeguard and Diving Association, told Iran’s Mehr News Agency that the incident occurred on Friday evening when four Afghan nationals entered the sea to swim.

According to Habibollahpour, one member of the group remained behind because of his physical condition. After losing sight of the other three swimmers, he exited the water and alerted lifeguards, reporting that his companions had disappeared.

Rescue teams immediately launched a search operation along the Babolsar coastline. Authorities said the bodies of two victims have been recovered and transferred to a morgue for legal procedures.

The search for the third victim was continuing at the time of the latest update, with rescue teams and divers combing the coastal waters.

Officials have not released the identities or ages of the victims, and no further details about the circumstances leading to the drowning have been disclosed.

The tragedy is the latest in a series of drowning incidents reported along Iran’s Caspian Sea coast during the summer swimming season, where authorities frequently warn swimmers about dangerous currents and entering the water outside designated safe zones.

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Leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, are gathering in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the bloc’s two-day annual summit amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

The summit, held under the theme “Together for Sustainable Peace, Development and Prosperity,” brings together heads of state from China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus and the Central Asian nations. According to Reuters, the meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions following the US-Israel conflict with Iran and the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.

Analysts say China and Russia are expected to use the summit to promote a multipolar world order and strengthen political, economic and security cooperation among developing nations in response to what they describe as unilateral Western policies led by the United States.

Originally established as the Shanghai Five in 1996, the SCO has expanded into one of the world’s largest regional organizations. The bloc now represents about 43% of the global population and nearly 23% of global GDP, making it an increasingly influential platform for cooperation across Eurasia.

The summit agenda includes discussions on the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the situation in Afghanistan, India-China relations, border tensions between India and Pakistan, and regional counterterrorism cooperation.

Economic cooperation is also expected to dominate the talks. Leaders are set to discuss advancing the proposed SCO Development Bank, expanding regional investment, and accelerating trade projects such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Northern Sea Route, which have gained importance as shipping disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz.

A closely watched bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin is also expected to focus on alternative trade and energy routes as regional conflicts continue to threaten global supply chains and energy markets.

Despite internal differences; including India’s position on the Ukraine war and longstanding disputes between India and Pakistan, analysts say the summit offers member states an opportunity to demonstrate cooperation among Global South powers while seeking to reduce dependence on Western-led institutions.

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Iran’s armed forces have claimed that more than 1,000 Israeli soldiers were killed during the recent war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, accusing both Washington and Tel Aviv of concealing the true scale of their military losses.

Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi made the claim in remarks carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency and other Iranian state-affiliated media on Monday. He said that, in addition to more than 1,000 Israeli military deaths, thousands of Israeli personnel were also wounded during the conflict.

Shekarchi accused Israel and the United States of censoring casualty figures and misleading the public about the outcome of the war. He also claimed that American forces suffered hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, though he did not provide evidence to support the figures.

The claims come after weeks of intense fighting between Iran, Israel and the United States, including US strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US targets across the region.

Israel and the United States have not confirmed Iran’s casualty claims. Neither government has reported military losses on the scale described by Tehran, and no independent verification of the figures has been released.

Both sides have continued to claim victory in the conflict while accusing the other of suffering far greater losses. Meanwhile, the full military casualty toll from the war remains unclear, as official figures from all parties have been limited and many battlefield claims remain unverified.

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Serbian authorities have rescued five kidnapped foreign nationals, including two Afghan citizens and three Turkish nationals, after they were allegedly abducted and held captive near Belgrade, the country’s Interior Ministry said.

The Serbian Interior Ministry said in a statement that three suspects were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the kidnapping. The victims were reportedly taken from Belgrade and transported to a rural property in Vladimirci, about 70 kilometers west of the Serbian capital, where they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

According to the ministry, the suspects allegedly forced the foreign nationals into a vehicle before taking them to the house, where they were unlawfully detained and mistreated.

The three arrested suspects were identified only by their initials as S.P. (30), S.K. (43) and D.S. (29), a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Authorities said all three have been placed in custody for up to 48 hours pending further legal proceedings.

Police said prosecutors will decide on formal charges after reviewing the investigation. The suspects are currently accused of kidnapping, and their guilt or innocence will be determined by the courts.

Serbian authorities declined to release additional information about the identities of the rescued victims or the details of the rescue operation, citing the ongoing investigation.

The case has drawn attention to concerns over the safety of migrants and foreign nationals traveling through the Balkans, a region that remains a major transit route for refugees and migrants attempting to reach Western Europe.

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Donald Trump has declared that Iran will “never” be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, arguing that Tehran would use such weapons if it acquired them and warning that Israel and other countries in the Middle East would face an unprecedented security threat.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state remains a central objective of his administration’s policy toward Tehran. He argued that Iran’s military actions across the region demonstrate why Washington cannot allow it to develop nuclear weapons.

Trump pointed to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, saying he was surprised by the scale of the attacks on neighboring Gulf states. He claimed the strikes had damaged Iran’s standing in the region and caused Tehran to lose support from countries that had previously maintained more neutral positions.

The US president also said American forces had cleared sea mines from key shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz and now had “complete or almost complete control” over maritime security in the area. Trump predicted that oil and gasoline prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends and shipping returns to normal.

Trump also criticized some US allies over their response to the regional conflict. He singled out South Korea, saying Seoul had declined Washington’s request to participate in actions related to Iran and that the United States would take that decision into account in future bilateral relations.

The interview comes after months of escalating military confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The Trump administration has carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, including operations targeting sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, saying the attacks were intended to prevent Iran from advancing toward a nuclear weapon.

Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons and says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Tehran has condemned US military operations and responded with missile and drone attacks targeting US military interests and regional targets, further escalating tensions across the Middle East.

The conflict has entered its sixth month, with fighting in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz raising concerns about regional stability, global energy supplies and the possibility of a broader war. Analysts say Trump’s latest remarks reinforce Washington’s position that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a non-negotiable priority, even as diplomatic prospects remain uncertain.

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NASA has successfully launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, its next-generation observatory designed to investigate some of the universe’s biggest mysteries, including dark matter, dark energy, black holes and tens of thousands of planets beyond the Solar System. The telescope lifted off Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

According to the BBC’s English service, the Roman Space Telescope separated from the Falcon Heavy rocket about 30 minutes after launch and has begun a 100-day journey to the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 2 (L2), approximately 1.6 million kilometers (1 million miles) from Earth. NASA says the location provides an exceptionally stable and cold environment for its highly sensitive infrared instruments.

The Roman Telescope is considered one of NASA’s most ambitious astronomy missions since the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. While Webb focuses on observing distant objects in extraordinary detail, Roman is designed to survey enormous areas of the sky, capturing a field of view about 100 times larger than Hubble or Webb in a single image.

NASA says this wide-field capability will allow scientists to map billions of galaxies across the universe, creating the largest and most detailed cosmic surveys ever conducted. Researchers hope these maps will reveal how galaxies have formed and evolved over billions of years under the influence of dark matter and dark energy.

One of the mission’s primary scientific goals is to investigate dark matter and dark energy, which scientists estimate make up about 95% of the universe. Dark matter cannot be observed directly but is detected through its gravitational effects on stars and galaxies, while dark energy is believed to be responsible for the accelerating expansion of the universe.

The telescope is also expected to revolutionize the search for exoplanets. NASA’s Associate Administrator for Science, Nicky Fox, said Roman could discover tens of thousands, and potentially up to 100,000, planets orbiting stars beyond our Solar System. Scientists hope these discoveries will improve understanding of how planetary systems form and how many distant worlds may have conditions suitable for life.

Beyond exoplanets and cosmology, Roman will study black holes, nearby planets and asteroids, distant galaxies, and other cosmic phenomena. Its observations are expected to complement data collected by both Hubble and James Webb, providing astronomers with a broader picture of the universe.

NASA has planned the telescope’s primary mission for five years, but officials hope Roman will continue operating for up to a decade, depending on its performance and fuel reserves.

The telescope is named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy and one of the agency’s first female executives. Often called the “Mother of Hubble,” Roman played a crucial role in securing congressional support for the Hubble Space Telescope, helping lay the foundation for modern space astronomy.

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The United States will likely impose new secondary sanctions on Iran every week, with banks and financial institutions becoming the first targets in Washington’s expanding economic pressure campaign against Tehran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Bessent said the Trump administration plans to intensify its sanctions campaign in the coming weeks, warning that foreign banks and financial institutions that help Iran hold, transfer or process funds could face US sanctions. He said Washington’s goal is to further isolate Iran from the global financial system.

According to Bessent, the campaign will begin with banks, and institutions that continue doing business with Iran could ultimately lose access to the US dollar financial system, one of the strongest tools in Washington’s sanctions arsenal.

The warning follows the launch of the Treasury Department’s new sanctions drive, dubbed “Operation Economic Exclusion,” which aims to expand secondary sanctions beyond Iranian entities to foreign companies and financial institutions that facilitate transactions linked to Tehran.

As part of the first phase of the campaign, the United States targeted branches of a major Egyptian bank operating in the United Arab Emirates, accusing them of helping facilitate financial transactions connected to Iran. US officials have indicated that additional financial institutions could be sanctioned in the coming weeks.

The measures come as Iran faces mounting economic pressure from declining foreign currency reserves, reduced oil revenues and tighter restrictions on international banking. Washington is seeking to discourage banks and businesses around the world from maintaining financial ties with Tehran by threatening penalties on third-party institutions.

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A 25-year-old woman in India died during childbirth hours after recording a viral video in which she pleaded with her family to save her, saying, “They will kill me.” The incident has sparked nationwide outrage and prompted authorities to suspend doctors and launch a high-level investigation into alleged medical negligence.

The incident took place at Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh, where Kalpana Mishra had been admitted for the birth of her first child. According to The Times of India, both Kalpana and her newborn died shortly after delivery, while her family accused hospital staff of failing to provide timely medical care.

The viral video, recorded shortly before the delivery, shows Mishra crying, screaming and attempting to leave the labour ward while telling her relatives that her life was in danger. Hospital staff are seen trying to restrain her and persuade her to return for treatment, footage that has fueled widespread public anger.

Following the deaths, Mishra’s family staged protests outside the hospital, alleging serious medical negligence and demanding criminal action against those responsible. They also questioned the administration of anaesthesia and the treatment provided during and after childbirth.

The Madhya Pradesh government responded by suspending two doctors on duty pending an inquiry and constituting a five-member investigation committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. State Health Minister Rajendra Shukla described the incident as “deeply tragic” and said action would be taken if negligence is confirmed.

Hospital officials have denied allegations of negligence, saying the woman was treated according to established medical protocols and that the exact cause of death remains under investigation. They said disciplinary measures and further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry committee.

The case has reignited debate over maternal healthcare and patient safety in India’s government hospitals, with rights advocates calling for a transparent investigation and stronger accountability for maternal deaths during childbirth.

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A small green house in Nepal has drawn widespread attention after surviving a powerful flash flood that swept through the area, destroying nearby structures and leaving hundreds dead and thousands missing.

According to Indian Media, the house remained standing as a torrent of water, mud, boulders and uprooted trees surged around it. The family inside reportedly survived and was later rescued safely.

The house’s survival appears to have been linked to its reinforced concrete structural frame, rather than luck alone. Unlike many traditional homes in Himalayan valleys that rely heavily on stone masonry, the structure had steel reinforcement connecting its columns, beams and foundation into a rigid framework, NDTV reported.

Structural experts cited in the report explained that such a frame can provide greater resistance to the sideways forces generated when fast-moving floodwater and debris strike a building. The reinforced skeleton helped transfer those forces through the structure and into the ground.

The house’s location also appears to have played an important role. It was not directly in the deepest channel of the debris flow and stood on slightly higher ground. This meant that some of the water, mud and debris could split and move around the structure rather than hitting it with the full force of the main flow.

Its compact design may also have helped reduce the pressure exerted by the moving debris. As mud accumulated around the building, it reportedly formed a natural barrier that helped redirect later surges away from the house.

The incident highlights the importance of structural design, reinforcement and site selection in areas vulnerable to flash floods and debris flows. However, the survival of one building does not mean that reinforced concrete structures are immune to extreme flooding. The intensity and direction of the flow, the building’s foundation, surrounding terrain and the type of debris involved can all determine whether a structure survives.

The dramatic footage of the green house standing amid widespread destruction has since gone viral on social media, prompting discussion about why some structures withstand extreme natural disasters while neighbouring buildings collapse.

The flash floods have caused a major humanitarian disaster in Nepal, with more than 700 people reported dead and more than 3,000 still missing, according to the reports.

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Uzbekistan has officially confirmed the arrival of Chinese-made J-10C multirole fighter jets, marking a significant step in the country’s effort to modernize its aging air force and deepen military cooperation with Beijing.

Uzbekistan’s Defense Ministry released video footage showing the new aircraft flying over the country, confirming that the fighters have entered operational service and begun patrols to protect Uzbekistan’s airspace. The jets were publicly displayed for the first time during celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence.

According to available reports, Tashkent has agreed to purchase more than 20 J-10C fighters from China, with at least six aircraft delivered in the first phase. Unofficial reports indicate that the first batch has been deployed at the Karshi-Khanabad air base.

The acquisition represents a major shift for Uzbekistan, whose air force has historically relied heavily on Soviet-era aircraft, including MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters. Many of these aircraft are decades old, making maintenance, modernization and access to spare parts increasingly difficult.

The deal also highlights the growing defense relationship between Uzbekistan and China. Tashkent previously purchased Chinese-made HQ-9B and FM-90 air-defense systems, with military cooperation between the two countries expanding in recent years.

The J-10C, developed by China’s Chengdu Aerospace Corporation, is a single-engine, multirole fighter generally classified as a 4+ generation aircraft. It is equipped with modern avionics, electronic warfare systems and an advanced radar designed to track and engage multiple targets.

The fighter can reportedly reach speeds of around Mach 2.2 and has 11 external weapons stations. Its weapons package can include precision-guided munitions for ground targets as well as air-to-air missiles such as the PL-10 short-range missile and PL-15 long-range missile.

The purchase could make Uzbekistan one of the largest foreign operators of Chinese combat aircraft after Pakistan if the full order is delivered. For Tashkent, the move provides an opportunity to replace aging Soviet-era fighters while diversifying its military suppliers beyond Russia.

The acquisition also reflects a broader trend in Central Asia, where governments are seeking to modernize their armed forces while maintaining strategic relationships with multiple major powers. Uzbekistan’s decision to acquire advanced Chinese fighters could therefore strengthen its air-defense capabilities while further expanding Beijing’s military-technical influence in the region.

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Oil prices rose by more than $1 per barrel on Monday after military tensions between the United States and Iran escalated in and around the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies and the security of one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.

Reuters reported that global oil markets reacted after US forces struck Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory military action. The exchange has heightened fears of a wider regional conflict that could disrupt commercial shipping through the Gulf.

Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures both gained more than $1 a barrel as traders priced in the risk of supply disruptions. Analysts said markets remain highly sensitive to any escalation involving the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption.

The conflict has also begun affecting maritime traffic. Shipping companies have reduced vessel movements through the strait as security risks increase, while insurers are reassessing premiums for tankers operating in the Gulf.

The latest escalation comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a large oil tanker struck two sea mines and caught fire while attempting to use the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC warned that vessels using the route without following Iranian naval instructions could face similar consequences.

The tanker incident followed the US strike on Larak Island, where Washington said it targeted Iranian missile launchers allegedly preparing rockets carrying sea mines. Tehran condemned the attack and described its subsequent actions as retaliation against US military operations in the region.

The Middle East conflict has now entered its sixth month, with investors closely watching whether further attacks on tankers, ports or energy infrastructure could trigger a broader disruption to global oil supplies and push crude prices even higher.

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A supertanker caught fire after striking two naval mines in the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Monday, warning that any vessel using the route would face the same risk unless it follows Iran’s navigation rules.

According to Al Jazeera, citing Iranian state media, the tanker was attempting to transit the southern route near Oman, which Iran says is an unauthorized shipping corridor promoted by the United States. The IRGC said the vessel hit two sea mines, caught fire and came to a complete stop, but did not identify the tanker or disclose the nationality of its crew.

The Revolutionary Guards said compliance with navigation instructions issued by the IRGC Navy is mandatory for all vessels passing through the strategic waterway. Tehran considers routes close to Oman’s coast, where some commercial ships have reportedly sailed under US military escort, to be illegal.

The incident comes a day after US forces struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island, saying they were preparing to deploy rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz. The US military described the operation as a limited strike to protect international shipping from an imminent threat.

The latest maritime incident marks another escalation in the confrontation between Iran and the United States in one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. The exchange of military strikes has raised fears of further disruptions to commercial shipping and global oil supplies.

Despite repeated statements by US President Donald Trump that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to maritime traffic, shipping data shows vessel movements through the waterway have dropped sharply as security risks have intensified. Several tankers have reportedly altered their routes, delayed voyages or reduced traffic through the strait.

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Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia will hold the first meeting of their Strategic Political and Defense Committee in Istanbul on Monday, marking the first high-level gathering under the Mecca Joint Defense Pact signed by the three countries earlier this month.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will represent Islamabad at the meeting. The talks will also be attended by the foreign and defense ministers and senior military commanders of Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

According to Reuters, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said the meeting will focus on international and regional security issues, as well as strengthening defense cooperation among the three countries.

Officials are expected to discuss expanding military coordination, improving interoperability between their armed forces and increasing cooperation in the defense industry, including the joint production and development of military equipment and technology.

The committee was established under the Mecca Joint Defense Pact, signed on August 7, which aims to deepen strategic, political and military cooperation among Pakistan, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia amid growing instability in the Middle East.

Under the agreement, an armed attack against any one of the three countries is considered an attack against all three, a collective defense principle that has drawn comparisons with Article 5 of the NATO treaty. However, Turkish officials have emphasized that the pact is not intended to replace NATO or other existing security alliances.

The three countries signed the agreement as regional tensions intensified following the conflict involving Iran and the broader escalation across the Middle East, raising concerns over Gulf security and global energy markets.

Turkish officials have also indicated that the defense framework could be expanded in the future, with Egypt mentioned as one of the potential countries that could join the initiative.

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Russian airstrikes targeting shopping centers and food warehouses across Ukraine are disrupting the country’s food supply network, raising concerns over shortages of essential goods and rising prices in Kyiv and other cities.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday, August 30, that recent Russian attacks have damaged key food distribution hubs, warehouses and retail infrastructure, making it increasingly difficult for supermarkets to replenish supplies in parts of Ukraine.

According to the report, the strikes have hit facilities that play a critical role in storing and distributing food across the country. Damage to warehouses, logistics centers and transportation infrastructure has slowed deliveries to major cities, including Kyiv, where retailers have warned of delays in restocking shelves.

Ukrainian officials say Russia has increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure alongside energy facilities, transportation routes and industrial sites, a strategy they argue is designed to weaken the country’s economy and daily life. Moscow has repeatedly said it targets military-related infrastructure, while Ukraine says civilian facilities have suffered extensive damage.

Economists and food industry experts warn that continued attacks on supply chains could push up the prices of food and other essential commodities, particularly if warehouses and distribution centers remain out of service. Disruptions to transportation routes and storage facilities could also affect the availability of fresh produce and imported goods.

The attacks come as Ukraine continues to face mounting pressure on its infrastructure after months of intensified Russian strikes. Humanitarian organizations have warned that damage to civilian infrastructure; including food storage, power facilities and transport networks could have long-term consequences for millions of Ukrainians.

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The death toll from the catastrophic floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border has climbed to 797, while more than 3,000 people remain missing as rescue teams continue searching through devastated Himalayan communities.

Al Jazeera reported on Monday, August 31, that emergency operations are continuing on both sides of the border, where flash floods and massive landslides have destroyed villages, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure. Authorities say the disaster has become one of the deadliest natural catastrophes in the Himalayan region in recent years.

Officials in Nepal and China say the floods were triggered after the collapse of a glacier in the Himalayas, which unleashed a powerful torrent of water, mud and rock into mountain valleys. The sudden surge swept away homes, vehicles and entire communities within minutes.

Rescue teams are racing to reach isolated communities, but heavy rain, landslides, damaged highways and unstable terrain continue to hamper operations. Specialist crews are also searching mud-filled tunnels and riverbanks where dozens of people are feared trapped.

Authorities say thousands of residents have been displaced, while critical infrastructure; including roads, bridges and electricity facilities has suffered extensive damage. Nepal’s disaster management agencies have deployed helicopters and military personnel to deliver emergency supplies and evacuate survivors from remote mountain areas.

Scientists say the disaster has renewed concerns about the growing impact of climate change and glacial instability across the Himalayas. Rising temperatures have accelerated glacier melt, increasing the risk of glacial lake outburst floods and other extreme weather events in Nepal, Tibet and neighboring mountain regions.

Humanitarian organizations have warned that continued rainfall could trigger additional landslides and flooding, complicating rescue efforts and increasing the risk for communities already affected by the disaster.

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The Duolingo English Test will stop accepting candidates using Iranian-issued identity documents starting September 1, expanding the restriction beyond Iran to include Iranian citizens living abroad under updated US sanctions regulations.

According to Duolingo’s official announcement, the new policy is based on a candidate’s identity documents rather than geographic location. This means Iranian passport holders and people using other IDs issued by Iran will no longer be able to register for or verify their identity for the test, even if they reside outside Iran.

The company said the decision follows changes to regulations administered by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) governing educational services and transactions involving Iran.

The policy means that changing location, traveling abroad or using VPN services will not bypass the restriction, because eligibility is determined during the identity verification process.

Duolingo clarified that scores earned before September 1 will remain valid. The Duolingo English Test is generally accepted for two years by universities and institutions, and previously issued results will not be cancelled.

The move comes as access to international English-language exams for Iranian students is becoming increasingly limited. Reports from TOEFL Resources indicate that TOEFL test dates in Iran have sharply declined, with only limited testing capacity available near Tehran before registrations disappeared from the system.

The restrictions follow the US Treasury’s decision in late August to suspend a general license that previously allowed certain educational exchanges involving Iran, including professional examinations, university entrance tests and services related to admissions at US higher education institutions.

The latest changes could have significant consequences for Iranian students and academic applicants, many of whom rely on internationally recognized English-language tests to apply for universities, scholarships and exchange programs abroad.

Education advocates warn that limiting access to Duolingo, TOEFL and IELTS could make the admissions process more difficult for thousands of Iranian students, particularly those seeking higher education opportunities in the United States, Canada and other English-speaking countries.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it launched ballistic missile attacks on two US military bases in Jordan in retaliation for an American strike on missile launchers on Iran’s Larak Island, marking a sharp escalation in the conflict between Tehran and Washington.

According to Al Jazeera, the IRGC said it targeted the King Hussein Air Base and Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan under an operation it called “Punishment of the Aggressor.” The attack came hours after US forces struck two Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the launchers were preparing to deploy rockets carrying sea mines.

Jordan’s military said eight missiles entered the country’s airspace and were intercepted by its air defense systems before reaching their intended targets. Jordanian authorities said the interceptions were carried out to protect the country’s sovereignty and the safety of civilians.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its earlier strike on Larak Island was a “limited and precise operation” aimed at preventing an imminent threat to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US officials said Iranian forces had been observed preparing rockets equipped with sea mines before the strike was launched.

Iranian state media reported that the US strike on Larak Island killed and wounded several members of the Revolutionary Guards and civilians. Tehran condemned the attack as an act of aggression and vowed retaliation shortly before announcing the missile strikes on Jordan.

The exchange marks the first direct military confrontation between the United States and Iran since late July, ending weeks of relative calm in a conflict that has now entered its sixth month. The renewed hostilities have heightened concerns about a broader regional escalation across the Middle East.

The latest military exchange also rattled global energy markets. Oil prices rose after news of the strikes, as investors worried that renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz could threaten one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

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CIA Director John Ratcliffe proposed a three-way meeting between US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a secret visit to Moscow last week, according to Axios, as Washington seeks to revive efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

Axios, citing two people familiar with the discussions, reported that Ratcliffe’s visit marked his first direct involvement in diplomatic efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv. The trip was aimed partly at assessing whether Russia’s intelligence chiefs could persuade Putin to resume US-mediated negotiations.

Ratcliffe met on Tuesday with Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), and Alexander Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service (FSB). US officials briefed Zelensky on the discussions and the proposed three-way summit on Friday.

The idea of a meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky has previously been raised by the Trump administration. Zelensky has expressed support for such talks, while Putin has rejected the proposal.

Trump described Ratcliffe’s trip as routine and said it was not intended to warn Moscow against attacking NATO territory. The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe delivered a bleak assessment of the war to Bortnikov and argued that Russia should seek an agreement before conditions deteriorate further.

According to people familiar with the discussions, Ratcliffe viewed Bortnikov as a potentially constructive figure who could help revive diplomatic efforts. The role of Russia’s security and intelligence leadership could therefore become important if Washington attempts to reopen direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

Ukraine, however, remains deeply sceptical of Putin’s intentions. Ukrainian officials have claimed that their intelligence indicates Russia is preparing for a major escalation of the war. A deputy head of Zelensky’s office said Putin had ordered preparations for several operational scenarios involving a potential offensive in northern Ukraine, including areas around Kyiv and Chernihiv.

US-mediated negotiations have largely stalled since mid-February, while the White House has continued separate contacts with Russian and Ukrainian officials. Despite those efforts, little substantive progress has been reported toward a broader peace agreement.

Zelensky has welcomed what he described as a realistic approach by the Trump administration in its dealings with Moscow, but significant obstacles remain. Any three-way summit would depend on Moscow’s willingness to return to negotiations, while Kyiv is seeking credible guarantees that talks would not simply provide Russia with an opportunity to regroup.

The reported proposal comes as Washington attempts to balance diplomatic engagement with continued pressure on Moscow, while Ukraine warns that Russia may be preparing for further military escalation.

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An iPhone 17 Pro has survived a freefall from an altitude of 30,607 metres (100,417 feet) over northern Sweden, remaining functional after landing and setting a new Guinness World Records title.

The test was carried out in June 2026 near the Esrange Space Center outside Kiruna by smartphone case maker RHINOSHIELD in partnership with British aerospace company Sent Into Space. The phone was lifted into the stratosphere using a high-altitude balloon before being released without a parachute.

The device fell for approximately 25 minutes before landing in the Swedish wilderness. A recovery team located it using GPS and found that the phone could still power on, make calls and take photographs.

During the test, the iPhone was exposed to extreme conditions, including temperatures of around minus 60 degrees Celsius and very low atmospheric pressure at high altitude.

Guinness World Records recognised the feat as the highest drop of a mobile phone in a protective case onto natural terrain, with the recorded altitude of 30,607 metres. The drop was more than three times the height of Mount Everest and far above the cruising altitude of commercial passenger aircraft.

RHINOSHIELD said its AirX protective case was designed to absorb and distribute impact forces through a multilayer structure. The company conducted the stunt to demonstrate the durability of its case and its ability to protect a smartphone under extreme conditions.

However, the result does not mean that an iPhone or its protective case would necessarily survive every high-altitude or hard-surface fall. The outcome of a fall depends on several factors, including the phone’s speed at impact, air resistance, the angle of impact and the surface on which it lands.

The unusual test also highlights how smartphone and accessory companies increasingly use extreme durability stunts as a marketing tool. While the Guinness record provides a striking demonstration of the case’s performance, it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of protection against all types of accidental drops.

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The administration of US President Donald Trump has deported an Afghan man to the Central African Republic, despite a US judge previously protecting him from removal to Afghanistan because of credible fears of persecution by the Taliban.

His case has drawn renewed criticism from immigration lawyers and human rights advocates over the Trump administration’s use of third countries for deportations.

The Associated Press reported that the man, who is in his early 20s, was among dozens of people deported to the Central African Republic on Saturday. The flight landed in Bangui and included 12 Afghans, eight Iranians and several nationals of Nepal and Nicaragua, according to Savi Arvey of Human Rights First.

According to court documents cited by AP, the Afghan man’s family had faced threats from the Taliban because of his brothers’ work supporting US forces in Afghanistan. One brother, who now lives in the United States, served in the former Afghanistan National Army, which worked alongside US forces before the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

His lawyer, Alma David, said another brother was a US-trained Afghan pilot who was killed by the Taliban. A US immigration judge had previously granted the young man protection from removal to Afghanistan after finding his fears of Taliban persecution credible.

The deportation is part of a broader Trump administration policy of sending migrants to countries other than their countries of origin. Human rights groups and immigration advocates have criticized the practice, arguing that transferring people to unfamiliar or unstable third countries can undermine protections granted through the US asylum and immigration system.

The Central African Republic is itself affected by conflict and severe humanitarian challenges, prompting further concern among rights groups about its use as a destination for deportees. Human Rights Watch has warned against forcibly sending people from high-risk countries such as Afghanistan and Iran to countries where they may lack meaningful protection.

The case has also raised questions about the US government’s obligations toward Afghans and their families who supported American military operations during the two-decade war in Afghanistan. Advocates argue that deporting relatives of Afghan military partners to a third country, particularly when a US court has already recognized the danger of returning them to Afghanistan, could undermine longstanding commitments to people who assisted US forces.

The US Department of Homeland Security has defended the broader deportation policy, saying the administration is enforcing immigration law and removing people who do not have a legal right to remain in the United States. However, immigration lawyers and rights organizations say third-country removals can circumvent established asylum protections and expose vulnerable migrants to further danger.

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A historic diamond necklace once worn by Queen Nazli of Egypt has been stolen from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna, with Austrian police searching for two men suspected of smashing a display case and fleeing with the valuable jewellery.

The robbery took place on Thursday afternoon, August 27. Police said the two suspects entered the museum after purchasing tickets before breaking the display case and taking the necklace. Security cameras captured images of both men without masks, and police have released the footage in an effort to identify them. Investigators also suspect that one of the men may have been carrying a firearm.

The suspects fled toward Stadtpark, near the museum. Police deployed search dogs in Vienna and Lower Austria, while forensic investigators examined evidence from the scene and surveillance footage. No one was injured during the robbery.

The stolen necklace is made of platinum and diamonds, with the stones weighing more than 200 carats in total. It was part of an exhibition of jewellery by French luxury house Van Cleef & Arpels and was created for Egypt’s former royal family.

The necklace has particular historical significance. Queen Nazli wore it in 1939 at the wedding of her daughter, Princess Fawzia, to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, then Crown Prince of Iran, in Cairo. Pahlavi became Iran’s shah two years later.

The necklace was valued at between $3.6 million and $4.6 million at an auction around a decade ago, although its current market value may differ. Its historical provenance could also make recovery and resale particularly complicated.

Lilli Hollein, director of the Museum of Applied Arts, described the theft as a “severe blow” to the institution. She said special security measures had been put in place for the exhibition in cooperation with Van Cleef & Arpels and that museum staff followed established security procedures when the theft occurred.

The robbery comes amid growing concern over high-profile museum thefts across Europe. Europol has warned that organised criminals are increasingly targeting cultural institutions and that museum thefts are becoming more aggressive and, in some cases, violent.

Police have not yet announced any arrests and continue to investigate the identities of the suspects, the whereabouts of the necklace and whether the robbery was part of a wider organised operation.

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A shooting at a rave party in the northern Swiss city of Aarau early Sunday left one person dead and five others injured, some seriously, authorities said. Police launched a large-scale operation to find the unidentified shooter or shooters, while the motive and circumstances of the incident remain unclear.

The shooting took place at the Schachen horse-racing track, where the annual Aarau Rave was being held. Swiss media reported that around 3,500 people were expected to attend the techno event, which ran from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday. Police received reports of gunfire shortly after 2:30 a.m. and said several shots were fired within a large crowd.

Aargau cantonal police said the search for those responsible was continuing and urged people to stay away from the area. Large parts of Aarau were cordoned off as police, firefighters and emergency services responded. A Swiss military Super Puma helicopter was also deployed during the operation. Authorities asked anyone with photographs or videos of the incident to provide them to investigators.

Witness accounts cited by Swiss media said some people initially mistook the sound of gunfire for fireworks before realizing what was happening and taking cover. Police have not identified a suspect or announced any arrests, and the motive remains unknown.

The incident has drawn attention because, although Switzerland has one of Europe’s highest rates of civilian gun ownership, violent shootings are relatively uncommon. The country tightened its firearms laws in 2019.

Authorities have not suggested that the shooting was politically or ideologically motivated, and investigators are still working to establish what led to the attack.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America” by unveiling a giant sign on the Canadian shoreline declaring: “Lake Ontario. Now and Always.”

Trump signed an executive order on August 27 directing the U.S. government to adopt the name “Lake America” in federal use and update official U.S. geographic records within 30 days. The order does not change Canada’s official name for the lake.

Ford unveiled the 24-by-12-foot sign at Fifty Point Conservation Area near Grimsby, Ontario, on Saturday. The sign also carries the French wording “Lac Ontario — Aujourd’hui et pour toujours.” Ford said the lake was known as Lake Ontario long before Trump and would continue to be known by that name after his presidency.

The move comes amid a sharp deterioration in Canada-U.S. relations, following the collapse of trade negotiations and Washington’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian goods. Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, adding to tensions between the two longtime trading partners.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has also rejected the renaming, saying Canadians should continue to call the lake by its established name. Indigenous leaders have criticized the U.S. move as well, arguing that it disregards the lake’s Indigenous heritage. The name “Ontario” has roots in Indigenous languages and predates both modern countries.

Critics in Canada and the United States have described the renaming effort as provocative and politically driven, arguing that it risks further damaging already strained relations without addressing the underlying trade dispute.

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At least 676 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 remain missing after devastating flash floods and landslides struck communities along the Nepal-China border, with rescue teams racing to reach people trapped in remote areas.

Fox News reported on Saturday, August 29, that rescue teams were searching a mud-filled hydropower tunnel in Nepal where people are believed to be trapped. Nepalese authorities have intensified efforts to reach workers inside the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, while specialist teams work through thick mud and debris.

The disaster has devastated large parts of Nepal and Tibet after a powerful flash flood and landslides swept through villages, destroying homes, roads and bridges. In Nepal alone, authorities reported hundreds of deaths and more than 2,400 people missing, while Chinese authorities reported seven deaths and 554 missing in Tibet.

Rescue operations have been severely hampered by heavy rain, poor visibility, damaged roads and difficult Himalayan terrain. Helicopters have resumed flights in some areas, while rescuers are using specialized equipment to reach people trapped in tunnels and other inaccessible locations.

Nepal has also requested specialized international technical assistance, particularly for tunnel rescues, restoring damaged transport links and identifying recovered bodies. India and China have offered technical support as rescue teams continue searching for survivors.

The disaster has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of Himalayan communities and hydropower infrastructure to increasingly severe weather and glacier-related hazards. Experts say improved monitoring, early-warning systems and cross-border sharing of hydrological data will be crucial to reducing the risk of similar disasters in the future.

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The Trump administration is considering a new financial measure to further restrict Iran’s access to the US financial system and the global economy, targeting what Washington says is a key channel used by Tehran to evade sanctions through the United Arab Emirates.

According to Reuters and the US Treasury Department, the Treasury has proposed cutting off the UAE branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr from the US dollar-based financial system, alleging the bank helped facilitate financial transactions linked to Iran. The proposed action could take effect within 30 days unless the bank addresses the concerns raised by US authorities.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would do “whatever is necessary” to block Iran’s access to international financial networks as part of the administration’s campaign to increase economic pressure on Tehran. Treasury officials described the targeted bank as a critical node in Iran’s alleged sanctions-evasion network operating through the UAE.

The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader sanctions strategy, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, which seeks to isolate Iran from global banking and trade by threatening secondary sanctions against foreign institutions that continue doing business with Tehran.

The latest measures also place renewed pressure on China, Iran’s largest oil customer and trading partner. Washington has warned countries, including China, that they could face secondary sanctions if they continue purchasing Iranian oil or facilitating trade with Tehran.

China has rejected the US sanctions campaign, saying it opposes unilateral sanctions and will continue defending its legitimate economic interests. Beijing has maintained that trade with Iran should not be subject to US pressure, underscoring growing tensions between the world’s two largest economies over Iran policy.

The proposed restrictions could have wider implications for regional banking, particularly in the UAE, which has long served as a major financial hub for Iranian businesses. Following the US notice, the UAE Central Bank launched an urgent review of Banque Misr’s operations in the country, while the bank said it is reviewing the Treasury’s allegations and continues to operate in compliance with local regulations.

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A former US national security official says China will be the decisive test of President Donald Trump’s threat to launch an “all-out economic war” against Iran, arguing that Beijing’s response will determine whether Washington’s sanctions campaign can significantly weaken Tehran.

According to Al Jazeera, Mark Pfeifle, a former deputy national security adviser in the United States, said China has already reduced its imports of Iranian oil from about 1.5 million barrels per day to roughly 500,000 barrels per day while increasing purchases from Brazil, Iraq and Russia. He said Beijing’s next moves will reveal how seriously it takes Washington’s latest economic pressure campaign against Iran.

Pfeifle said China remains Iran’s largest trading partner and the biggest buyer of its oil exports, making Beijing central to the effectiveness of any US effort to cut off Tehran’s oil revenues. If China continues reducing Iranian imports, the sanctions campaign could have a much greater economic impact on Iran.

The comments come as the Trump administration prepares a tougher sanctions strategy aimed at isolating Iran economically. US officials have warned that countries and companies helping Iran bypass sanctions could face secondary sanctions and restrictions on access to the US financial system.

Analysts cited by Al Jazeera say China is the biggest challenge to Trump’s strategy because it has long opposed unilateral US sanctions on Iran and has repeatedly defended its trade with Tehran. They also note that Washington faces a difficult balancing act as it seeks to pressure China over Iranian oil while avoiding a broader confrontation with Beijing.

China has publicly maintained that it opposes unilateral sanctions and supports resolving disputes through dialogue rather than economic coercion. Beijing has not announced any formal policy change regarding its trade relationship with Iran.

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The United Nations says funding cuts to humanitarian operations in Afghanistan have forced the closure of more than 100 health centers, leaving millions of children with reduced access to lifesaving nutrition and medical care.

Melissa Fleming, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, said in a post on X on Saturday that the closures come as Afghanistan faces a worsening child malnutrition crisis. She warned that 3.7 million children across the country are suffering from acute malnutrition, including around one million children with severe, life-threatening forms of the condition.

Fleming said the shutdown of health facilities has made it significantly harder for children with acute malnutrition to receive essential treatment, therapeutic food and other critical nutrition services.

The closures follow months of growing warnings from UN agencies that humanitarian funding for Afghanistan has fallen sharply, forcing aid organizations to scale back health, nutrition and emergency assistance programs across the country.

Millions of Afghans, particularly children, pregnant women and displaced families, remain dependent on humanitarian aid for access to basic healthcare and food assistance after years of conflict, economic collapse and recurring natural disasters.

UN agencies have repeatedly warned that without additional international funding, more health and nutrition services could be suspended, putting vulnerable communities at greater risk of disease, hunger and preventable deaths.

Humanitarian organizations have urged donors to increase funding, saying Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises despite declining global financial support.

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Venezuela’s government says a newly announced energy agreement with the United States will remain in force for 25 years and is aimed at increasing oil production while preserving the country’s sovereignty over its natural resources, responding to claims by US President Donald Trump about the deal.

Delcy Rodríguez, interim president of Venezuela, who announced the agreement late Friday, described it as a “historic” deal that would help revive Venezuela’s economy, boost government revenues and increase crude oil production to 1.5 million barrels per day. She said the agreement would preserve Venezuela’s control over its oil resources and play a key role in the country’s future.

Rodríguez’s remarks came after Donald Trump said Washington had secured majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves through a new agreement involving private companies. Trump described the reserves as roughly one-fifth of Venezuela’s vast oil wealth.

However, Trump provided few details about the legal or financial structure of the agreement and did not identify the oil fields or private companies involved. It also remains unclear how the United States would exercise the claimed majority control over those reserves.

The differing statements highlight competing narratives from Washington and Caracas over the scope of the agreement. While Trump portrayed it as giving the United States significant control over Venezuelan oil assets, Venezuelan officials insist the deal does not compromise the country’s sovereignty over its natural resources.

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The United States deported dozens of refugees, including 12 Afghan nationals, to the Central African Republic on Saturday, despite concerns that some of the Afghans face serious threats from the Taliban if returned to Afghanistan, according to the Associated Press.

According to the Associated Press, the group was flown to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, as part of a transfer to a third country. The deportees also included eight Iranian nationals and several refugees from Nepal and Nicaragua.

Among the Afghans was a man in his early 20s whose family has longstanding ties to the US military mission in Afghanistan. His lawyers said a US federal judge had previously blocked his deportation to Afghanistan because he faced a credible risk of persecution and retaliation by the Taliban.

Court documents obtained by the Associated Press state that the man’s family had received repeated Taliban threats because his brothers worked alongside US forces in Afghanistan. One brother now lives in the United States after serving in the former Afghanistan National Army, while another, a US-trained pilot, was killed by the Taliban after the group’s return to power in 2021.

Alma David, one of the refugee’s attorneys, said the court order prohibited his removal to Afghanistan because of the documented risks he faced there. Instead of returning him to Afghanistan, US authorities transferred him to a third country along with the other refugees.

The deportation comes as the United States continues to tighten immigration enforcement while using third-country transfers for some migrants and refugees whose removal to their home countries has been delayed or blocked by legal rulings.

The case has drawn criticism from refugee advocates, who argue that transferring vulnerable Afghan refugees to countries with limited protection systems raises serious humanitarian concerns. Rights groups have also warned that Afghans linked to the former US-backed government or military remain at risk of persecution if ultimately returned to Afghanistan.

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At least 20 Afghan nationals have been executed in Iranian prisons since the beginning of 2026, according to a review of reports published by Iranian human rights organizations, with concerns growing over due process and access to legal representation.

According to the reports, at least one Afghan national has been executed each month so far this year, while at least three others have been sentenced to death. The cases involve allegations including drug-related offenses, murder, espionage for Israel and participation in anti-government protests.

Iranian human rights organizations have raised concerns over the lack of transparent oversight in death-penalty cases, limited access to lawyers and fair trials, and families being kept unaware of the fate or legal status of their relatives.

Most of the documented executions were carried out at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Taybad Prison, Yazd Prison and Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, according to the reports.

Drug-related offenses account for a significant number of the cases, while other defendants have faced charges including murder, alleged espionage for Israel and participation in anti-government protests.

In the latest cases cited in the reports, Gol Mohammad Mohammadi and Qaim Hosseini, two cousins, were tried and sentenced to death in the so-called Alikhani Square case in Isfahan, which has been linked to protests in Iran in January 2026.

Separately, three Afghan nationals; Afshar Shah-Ahmadi, Iman Shafaei and Sadruddin Ahmadzadeh, were sentenced to death in July. According to Human Rights Iran and Hengaw, the three were convicted of allegedly participating in the burning of a police station.

Human rights groups say the concerns extend beyond the executions themselves, particularly to how the cases are investigated and prosecuted. They have questioned whether defendants have adequate access to lawyers, whether families are properly informed about judicial proceedings and whether those facing execution are able to mount an effective defense.

Rights organizations also say a significant number of executions in Iran are carried out without official public announcements, making it difficult to establish the full scale of executions involving Afghan nationals.

According to Hengaw, at least 85 Afghan nationals were executed in Iran in 2025. The continued executions have also drawn criticism over the lack of visible public action by the Taliban authorities on behalf of Afghan citizens facing the death penalty in Iran.

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Germany has confirmed that a technical team from Kabul is in the country to help establish the procedures needed for more deportations of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan.

According to German broadcaster NDR, the three-member delegation arrived in Germany last Wednesday on a 30-day visa issued by the German Embassy in Qatar after transiting through Doha. The report said the visit had been kept confidential and was not disclosed to the German public.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the team’s presence on Friday, saying the visit is directly linked to preparations for additional deportations of Afghan citizens. The ministry described the delegation as a temporary technical support team tasked with creating the administrative and consular arrangements required for future deportation flights.

NDR reported that the delegation is currently staying at the Afghanistan Embassy in Berlin’s Grunewald district and is expected to travel to Bonn and Munich next week, where Afghanistan’s consulates are located, as part of the mission.

The Taliban have not publicly commented on the delegation’s visit or Germany’s confirmation of the mission.

The visit follows Germany’s broader policy of increasing deportations of Afghan nationals convicted of serious crimes. The governing coalition has previously said it intends to resume deportations to Afghanistan through practical arrangements with authorities in Kabul despite the absence of formal diplomatic recognition of the Taliban government.

NDR also reported that Taliban representatives visited Germany last year with a separate objective: replacing diplomats appointed by Afghanistan’s former republican government. Two Taliban-appointed diplomats are now effectively managing Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin and its consulate in Bonn, according to the report.

The latest mission comes after several rounds of talks between German officials and Taliban representatives over what Berlin describes as the deportation of criminal Afghan migrants.

However, the policy has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and refugee advocates, who argue that coordinating deportations through Kabul amounts to greater engagement and normalization of relations with the Taliban. Rights groups have urged the German government to halt the process, warning that returning Afghans to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan could expose deportees to serious security and human rights risks.

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At least 27 people were killed and dozens injured after a Russian drone strike hit a warehouse near Kyiv, triggering a massive explosion that damaged nearby residential buildings and a care home, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday.

According to CNN, the strike hit a warehouse in the village of Mila, west of Kyiv, before a powerful blast spread through the surrounding area. The explosion caused extensive destruction, prompted the evacuation of hundreds of residents and raised questions over the storage of ammunition near residential neighborhoods. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said emergency services began rescue operations immediately after the attack.

More than 300 State Emergency Service personnel were deployed to the scene as rescue teams searched damaged buildings and cleared debris. Zelensky said a warehouse was hit during the attack, triggering a powerful explosion that caused extensive damage to nearby homes and a care facility for elderly people and people with disabilities.

Among those killed was Taras Didysh, the head of the Dmytrivka community, who died while helping evacuate residents during the attack, Zelensky said.

Ukrainian authorities said dozens of people were injured and more than 370 residents were evacuated from the area as emergency crews continued rescue and recovery operations.

Zelensky said Ukraine’s National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) had opened an investigation into possible official negligence, saying ammunition storage facilities are prohibited near residential neighborhoods. The investigation will examine whether the explosion was worsened by improperly stored military equipment.

The attack was part of a broader overnight wave of Russian drone strikes across Ukraine, Zelensky said. He reported attacks in Odesa, Dnipro, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Donetsk and Chernihiv regions.

According to the Ukrainian president, Russia launched more than 260 attack drones, including jet-powered Banderol drones, during the latest assault. He said Kyiv has faced nearly continuous drone attacks in recent days.

Zelensky expressed condolences to the families of those killed and renewed calls for increased international military assistance and tougher sanctions against Russia, saying stronger air defenses remain critical to protecting Ukrainian cities from continued drone attacks.

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The death toll from the catastrophic floods that struck Nepal and China’s Tibet region has risen to 586, while more than 2,500 people remain missing days after the disaster, as rescue teams continue searching through mudslides and collapsed tunnels in the Himalayas.

According to officials in Nepal and China, emergency crews are battling landslides, flooded river valleys and damaged infrastructure to reach communities cut off by the disaster. Rescue workers are also attempting to access tunnels where survivors may still be trapped.

Authorities said Nepal has recorded 579 deaths, while seven people have been confirmed dead in Tibet, bringing the combined death toll to 586. On the Chinese side, the number of confirmed fatalities increased from two to seven, while the number of missing people fell slightly from 558 to 554 as search operations continued.

Nepalese officials said 517 foreign nationals are among those still missing, including tourists and pilgrims who were traveling through the Himalayan region toward Mount Kailash in Tibet when the floods struck.

Despite the widespread devastation, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said rescue teams had evacuated more than 4,400 people by Friday evening, using helicopters and ground teams to reach isolated mountain communities.

The floods, triggered by a massive surge of water, mud and debris in the Himalayan border region, destroyed villages, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure, severely disrupting transportation and communications between Nepal and Tibet.

Officials have warned that the death toll could continue to rise as recovery teams gain access to remote areas buried under mud and debris. The disaster is among the deadliest floods to hit the Himalayan region in recent years and has renewed concerns about the growing risks posed by glacier-related disasters and extreme weather events.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are set to join other regional leaders Monday in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The meeting will also bring together Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with dozens of other heads of government, as the SCO marks the 25th anniversary of its founding. The organisation includes Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, four Central Asian countries and Belarus, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are among its 15 dialogue partners.

Despite Afghanistan’s observer status, the country has not been represented at SCO meetings since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban authorities have not been granted the same participation in the organization’s meetings as Mongolia, another observer state.

The SCO represents roughly 40 percent of the world’s population and about 25 percent of global GDP. In recent years, the organisation has taken on greater political significance as Moscow and Beijing have promoted it as part of a broader push for a more multipolar international order.

The summit comes amid major geopolitical tensions, including the continuing war in Ukraine, the conflict between the United States and Iran, and trade disputes involving US tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods and secondary sanctions targeting Iran’s trading partners.

Putin is expected to hold bilateral meetings with Xi and Pezeshkian during the summit. Russia and Iran have significantly expanded their military and economic cooperation since the war in Ukraine began, while China has also faced growing pressure from Washington over its relations with Moscow and Tehran.

Although the SCO has traditionally focused on economic and regional cooperation and insists it is not directed against outside powers, its political profile has grown under Russian and Chinese leadership. Analysts say Iran’s membership could provide additional opportunities to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions, although the organisation’s practical ability to coordinate responses during major crises remains limited.

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Canadians are increasingly turning to domestic products and avoiding American goods as the escalating trade conflict with the United States fuels economic nationalism across Canada.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the boycott gained momentum after US President Donald Trump launched his tariff offensive, with American wines and spirits disappearing from shelves in several Canadian provinces and consumers increasingly seeking Canadian alternatives.

The Canadian government is encouraging the trend, urging consumers to use their purchasing power to support domestic businesses and jobs. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said Canadians can choose to buy domestic products, while Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said purchasing Canadian goods helps protect jobs while putting economic pressure on the United States.

The shift is also visible in supermarkets, where consumers are increasingly checking product origins and choosing Canadian-made goods even when they cost more. Retailers have responded by highlighting Canadian products and using maple-leaf symbols and other national imagery to appeal to economic patriotism.

The boycott has extended beyond consumer goods to tourism. The number of Canadians traveling to the United States fell by 25 percent last year, although the decline has begun to ease. About 2.3 million trips from Canada to the United States were recorded in June, up five percent from the same month a year earlier, according to Canadian statistics.

Some US states are now trying to win Canadian tourists back with discounts and promotional campaigns. New York, for example, has launched a “New York Loves Canada” initiative offering special promotions to Canadian visitors through the end of the year.

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The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit is scheduled to take place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, on Monday, bringing together leaders of member states to discuss political, security and economic issues as well as major international and regional developments.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the summit. Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin, said the Russian president would travel to Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 1 and participate in the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State.

The summit will bring together leaders of the organization’s 10 member states, which include Russia, Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The organization also has Afghanistan and Mongolia as observer states, while 15 other countries hold dialogue-partner status. Representatives of several guest countries and international organizations are also expected to attend the Bishkek meeting.

Among the organizations expected to be represented are the United Nations, Eurasian Economic Union, Collective Security Treaty Organization and Commonwealth of Independent States, highlighting the summit’s broader regional and international significance.

Despite Afghanistan’s observer status, the country has not been represented at SCO meetings since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban authorities have not been granted the same participation in the organization’s meetings as Mongolia, another observer state.

Afghanistan’s absence from the upcoming summit comes as the Taliban authorities continue to seek greater diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries and regional organizations. The country’s security situation, cross-border militancy, trade and connectivity remain issues of particular importance to SCO members, given Afghanistan’s location between Central and South Asia.

The SCO has increasingly focused on regional security, counterterrorism, economic cooperation and connectivity, making Afghanistan a significant issue for member states even without direct representation from Kabul.

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Afghan writer, university professor and former ambassador Manizha Bakhtari has unveiled her third novel, A Daf for Golsa, at a literary gathering in Langley, British Columbia, bringing together Afghan and Iranian academics, researchers, journalists and literature enthusiasts.

The event was held on Friday, August 28, and organized by the Darakht-e Danesh Academy, an organization focused on education and learning resources. The gathering featured discussions on Bakhtari’s latest novel and her wider contribution to Afghan literature and journalism.

Among the speakers were Farzan Sajoudi, an Iranian linguist and semiotician; Mohammad Mohaghegh, a researcher and former diplomat; Mujib Khalwatgar, a journalist and head of the NAI media organization; Abdulrahim Ahmad Parwani, educational resources manager at Darakht-e Danesh Academy; and Maryam Zareh-Nejad, an Iranian researcher.

The speakers discussed A Daf for Golsa before an audience that included members of the Afghan and Iranian literary and academic communities in British Columbia.

The novel is Bakhtari’s third published work of fiction. Her previous novels include Sweet Ashes and The Four Daughters of Zarathustra.

In addition to her literary work, Bakhtari has written extensively about the history of journalism in Afghanistan. Her professional background also includes academia and diplomacy, including serving as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Austria.

The launch comes as Afghan writers and intellectuals continue to use literature and cultural events outside Afghanistan to maintain links with Afghanistan’s literary and intellectual traditions.

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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has denied a report that he has privately discussed a possible bid for the 2028 presidential election, after NBC News cited two people familiar with the matter as saying he and his wife had raised the prospect in recent months.

NBC News reported that Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, had discussed a potential presidential campaign with close friends and people in their circle. The report did not say that Hegseth had formally decided to seek the Republican nomination.

The Pentagon rejected the report, calling it “ridiculous” and saying Hegseth would not run for president. The department said his priority was leading the US Department of War.

Hegseth also rejected the report in a post on X, describing it as “100% false.” He said NBC had been told that the report was untrue but had relied on anonymous sources.

The speculation follows Hegseth’s recent appearance at the Iowa State Fair, where he attended as a supporter of a Republican candidate and received a warm reception. Iowa traditionally plays an important role in the US presidential primary process, making appearances by potential Republican contenders closely watched for signs of future political ambitions.

The NBC report cited sources who said Hegseth and his wife believe he shares some characteristics with President Donald Trump, including an aggressive political style and willingness to address contentious social issues that could appeal to Trump’s political base.

A Republican political activist also described Hegseth to NBC as a figure who represents a form of masculinity that resonated with Trump’s male supporters during the 2024 election.

Hegseth’s reported political ambitions, if pursued, would place him among a potentially crowded field of Republican figures looking toward the 2028 presidential race. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are already widely discussed as possible contenders to succeed Trump, although neither has formally declared a campaign.

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The Islamabad High Court has questioned the legal basis of a petition seeking visa extensions for 87 Afghan students, with a judge also raising concerns over whether Afghan nationals can invoke the court’s constitutional jurisdiction amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

During a hearing, Justice Khadem Hussain Soomro questioned the petition’s admissibility and the legal status of the Afghan students, according to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.

The students’ lawyer told the court that the 87 Afghans had entered Pakistan in 2023 under the policies in force at the time, each holding a valid one-year visa issued with government authorization.

The court, however, questioned whether the students could rely on the constitutional jurisdiction of the Islamabad High Court to seek relief. Justice Soomro asked whether Pakistan’s Constitution grants Afghan nationals the right to invoke that jurisdiction in such circumstances.

The judge also questioned the validity of the power of attorney obtained from the 87 students and asked the lawyer on what legal basis he had accepted their authorization to represent them.

During the hearing, Soomro referred to the current tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan and asked the lawyer whether similar treatment would be extended to Indian students if they sought entry to Pakistan.

The judge also suggested that the Afghan students pursue the matter through diplomatic channels rather than constitutional litigation, including by approaching the Afghanistan Embassy to seek discussions with Pakistani authorities.

The case highlights the legal uncertainty facing Afghan nationals in Pakistan as Islamabad continues to tighten immigration controls and address security concerns linked to relations with the Taliban authorities in Kabul.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of allowing militant groups, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghanistan territory. Kabul has denied allowing Afghanistan to be used for attacks against Pakistan.

The students’ lawyer agreed to respond to the legal questions raised by the court at a subsequent hearing. The Islamabad High Court adjourned further proceedings without issuing a final ruling on the students’ visa-extension request.

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An explosion inside a rickshaw in Mehtarlam, Laghman province, injured 14 people on Friday, according to local reports.

A gas cylinder explosion inside a rickshaw in Mehtarlam, the capital of Afghanistan’s Laghman province, injured 14 people on Friday, according to local authorities.

Abdul Malik Niazi, spokesman for the Taliban-appointed governor of Laghman, said the explosion occurred at around 11 a.m. local time in the Rahmani Chowk area of Mehtarlam.

Niazi said preliminary findings indicate that the blast originated from the gas cylinder installed in the rickshaw. Authorities have not yet provided further details on whether the cylinder malfunctioned, leaked gas or was otherwise damaged before the explosion.

The injured were taken for medical treatment, although local authorities have not released details about the severity of their injuries or whether any of them remain in critical condition.

Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the explosion and that further information about the incident and the condition of the injured would be released after the inquiry.

The incident highlights the potential risks associated with gas-powered vehicles, which are widely used for passenger transport in Afghanistan. However, authorities have not yet determined whether any safety violation contributed to Friday’s explosion.

No further details were immediately available.

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A new US poll shows that a strong majority of Americans support protecting and resettling Afghans who assisted US military forces during the two-decade war in Afghanistan, with support increasing significantly after voters were informed about the roles those Afghans played.

The survey, released on Friday by refugee advocacy organizations HIAS and AfghanEvac, found that support for protecting Afghan allies rose from 52% to 72% after respondents learned that many had served as interpreters, journalists, drivers, security personnel and other civilian partners alongside US forces.

The poll was conducted by Lake Research Partners and The Tarrance Group, two US polling firms, among likely voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

According to the survey, 84% of likely voters believe the United States should honor its commitments to Afghan allies and their families by continuing protection and resettlement efforts.

The findings also show bipartisan support for Afghan allies. Among Republican voters, support increased from 22% to 54% after respondents were given additional information about the roles Afghans played during the US mission in Afghanistan.

The survey found that 76% of respondents support restoring protection programs for Afghans whose resettlement cases had already been approved, while 63% oppose proposals to deport or transfer those Afghans to third countries.

Beth Oppenheim, president and chief executive of HIAS, said the findings reflect broad public backing for honoring US commitments.

“Behind every statistic is a family whose future has been put on hold by an unfulfilled American promise,” Oppenheim said in a statement released with the survey.

Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac and a US Navy veteran, said the poll demonstrates continued public support for Afghan partners despite changes in US refugee policy.

“The American people have not abandoned this promise,” VanDiver said.

Human rights organizations and refugee advocates said the survey strengthens their call for the US administration and Congress to reserve refugee admissions in the 2027 fiscal year for Afghan allies and their families who remain at risk.

The findings come as thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States continue to wait for resettlement through US refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

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The US Congress has extended the mandate of the Afghanistan War Commission for another year, giving the bipartisan panel more time to complete its independent review of the United States’ 20-year war in Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Thursday, the commission’s co-chairs, Shamila Chaudhary and Colin Jackson, said the one-year extension will allow the panel to continue its comprehensive assessment of America’s longest war.

According to the statement, the extension was approved by both chambers of Congress with support from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, reflecting bipartisan backing for the commission’s work.

The commission said the additional time is necessary to complete a thorough, independent and evidence-based review of the decisions, policies and events that shaped the US war in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021.

Chaudhary and Jackson said the commission’s findings are intended to help future American leaders draw lessons from the conflict and improve decision-making on future military engagements.

The Afghanistan War Commission was established by the US Congress in 2021 to conduct an independent review of the two-decade conflict, including the military campaign, diplomatic efforts, development programs and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The commission has held public hearings and interviewed former US military officials, diplomats, policymakers and experts as part of its investigation into the war and the 2021 withdrawal.

Its final report is expected to examine strategic decisions made across multiple US administrations and provide recommendations for future US national security and foreign policy.

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The US Department of Justice has revised its earlier claims about a Chinese cyber espionage campaign, saying several federal agencies were targeted by suspected Chinese hackers, but not all were successfully breached.

In a corrected statement issued on Friday, the Justice Department said the US Senate, the Federal Reserve, NASA, and several other government agencies were among the targets of a hacking group known as QTFY, which US authorities allege is backed by the Chinese government.

The revised statement replaced an earlier version released on Aug. 26, which described all of the organizations as victims of the cyber campaign. The department said the previous wording was inaccurate because court documents show that while all of the institutions were targeted, only some experienced confirmed network intrusions.

According to an FBI affidavit, the cyber campaign dates back to at least 2018 and targeted multiple US federal agencies, including NASA, the Federal Reserve, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the US Senate.

The affidavit states that an attempted intrusion into NASA was unsuccessful because the targeted systems had received a software update that blocked the attack.

US investigators also allege that successful intrusions occurred in September 2024 at three Department of Energy national laboratories, the National Institutes of Health, an agency affiliated with the Department of Health and Human Services, and a US security equipment manufacturer.

Separately, a joint cybersecurity advisory issued by the FBI, the National Security Agency (NSA) and US Cyber Command said the group stole data from defense contractors, financial institutions and universities in May 2024. The advisory also described unsuccessful attempts to access the US Senate’s network and a hospital in March 2026.

The Justice Department said the correction narrows the scope of confirmed breaches but does not change its allegations that QTFY conducted a long-running cyber espionage campaign against sensitive US government and private-sector targets.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. Beijing has previously rejected similar US allegations, describing them as attempts to “smear China.”

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Bangladesh is moving forward with plans to purchase Chinese-made J-10CE multirole fighter jets, with senior government officials saying the aircraft’s reported performance during the recent India-Pakistan conflict influenced Dhaka’s decision.

According to Bangladeshi officials, preliminary negotiations with China have been completed and a draft government-to-government agreement has been prepared. The purchase could be finalized later this year if funding is approved.

Zahed Ur Rahman, an adviser to Bangladesh’s prime minister, said the J-10CE attracted attention during Operation Sindoor, the India-Pakistan military confrontation in 2025.

Rahman claimed that Chinese-built J-10CE fighter jets used by Pakistan had shot down Indian Dassault Rafale aircraft during the conflict, describing the incident as a key factor behind Bangladesh’s procurement decision.

However, India has not officially confirmed that Rafale fighter jets were shot down during Operation Sindoor, and claims about aircraft losses during the conflict remain disputed.

Rahman described the 4.5-generation J-10CE as a more affordable alternative to European fighter jets, including the Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, while arguing that it offers comparable combat capabilities.

The proposed purchase forms part of Bangladesh’s broader military modernization program following the country’s political changes in 2024. Rahman said the new government is pursuing a more independent defense policy and expanding military cooperation with China.

In addition to fighter jets, Bangladesh is also in talks with China over the possible acquisition of attack helicopters, utility helicopters and combat drones as part of its armed forces modernization plans.

China has been Bangladesh’s largest supplier of military equipment for more than two decades, providing naval vessels, tanks, missile systems and combat aircraft. The J-10CE deal, if completed, would represent one of Bangladesh’s biggest defense procurements in recent years and further deepen military ties between Dhaka and Beijing.

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Pakistan has completed another stage in the consolidation of military authority around Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir — this time not through a coup or martial law, but through legislation passed by the country’s elected parliament.

On August 20, the National Assembly and Senate passed the Defence Forces of Pakistan Act, 2026, and amendments to the National Command Authority Act, 2010. The legislation was approved by both chambers and received presidential assent the same day, according to Pakistan’s parliamentary records.

The speed and manner of passage were striking. Dawn reported that opposition lawmakers walked out while the bills were being considered, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari objected to the way the legislation had been presented. His party nevertheless voted in favour.

What the government presents as a technical follow-up to the 27th Constitutional Amendment is, in reality, far more consequential. Parliament has given statutory form to a command structure that places unprecedented authority over Pakistan’s Army, Navy and Air Force in one office.

The Defence Forces of Pakistan Act establishes a Defence Forces Headquarters under the Chief of Defence Forces and names the CDF the prime minister’s principal military adviser on national security, defence and all matters concerning the armed forces. More significantly, it gives the CDF “operational command and control” of the armed forces.

Munir is both Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces.

The Act also gives the CDF sweeping authority over military careers. He may retire, release or discharge personnel, accept or reject resignations, retain officers in service, and relax age or service limits for people subject to Pakistan’s armed-forces laws. The principal exception concerns appointments made under Article 243 of the Constitution.

That provision matters. Control over promotions, extensions and retirement is one of the most powerful instruments within any military hierarchy. Munir now possesses statutory authority extending far beyond command of the army itself.

The law is also retrospective. Although enacted on August 20, it is deemed to have taken effect from November 13, 2025. It further validates earlier rules, notifications, orders and actions that are consistent with the new law.

In other words, parliament has not simply created a new system. It has provided legal cover for a structure that had already been operating for months.

Munir was formally appointed Chief of Defence Forces for five years in December 2025, according to the President of Pakistan. In July, General Syed Aamer Raza became the first Commander of the National Strategic Command, another office created as part of the restructuring. Dawn reported that the new four-star command oversees the operational integration of Pakistan’s strategic forces.

The nuclear dimension

The National Command Authority amendment is particularly significant.

The official Gazette text replaces references to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee with the “Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defence Forces.” It also adds the Commander of the National Strategic Command to the National Command Authority. The amendment is deemed effective retrospectively from November 27, 2025.

Pakistan has therefore placed the officer who commands its army and all three services at the centre of a reorganised strategic command structure.

This consolidation did not begin in August. The 27th Constitutional Amendment of November 2025 had already transformed Pakistan’s civil-military architecture.

Chatham House wrote that the amendment “decisively shifted the dial in favour of authoritarian rule,” creating the CDF position, strengthening Munir’s authority and granting extraordinary protections to five-star military officers. The amendment provides lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution to five-star officers and requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority for their removal — even though an elected prime minister can be removed through a simple majority.

That asymmetry says more about Pakistan’s present power structure than official descriptions of “administrative reform.”

Even senior members of the government no longer conceal the nature of that arrangement. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described Pakistan’s system as a “hybrid model” in which military and civilian leaders share power, telling Arab News that the model was “doing wonders.”

The judiciary has also been fundamentally reshaped. The 27th Amendment created a Federal Constitutional Court and transferred significant constitutional jurisdiction away from the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned after its passage; Dawn reported that Shah described the amendment as a “grave assault” on the Constitution and accused it of subordinating the judiciary to executive control.

Munir without martial law

Pakistanis inevitably compare Munir with Ayub Khan, the country’s only previous field marshal.

But Ayub required a coup, martial law and a new political order to acquire his authority. Munir has reached an extraordinary concentration of power through constitutional amendments, cabinet decisions, presidential notifications and parliamentary votes.

That may make the present arrangement harder to reverse.

There is no martial-law proclamation to withdraw and no military government formally occupying Islamabad. Instead, military predominance is increasingly being embedded within Pakistan’s constitutional and statutory framework.

Munir now commands the army while simultaneously serving as Chief of Defence Forces. He exercises operational authority across the services, possesses extensive powers affecting military careers, and sits at the centre of a reorganised strategic command structure.

The question is therefore no longer simply how powerful Pakistan’s army chief has become.

It is whether the country’s civilian institutions still possess either the capacity — or the willingness — to restrain him.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Khaama Press.

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Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump, saying his recent remarks about the Strait of Hormuz reflect “delusions” and accusing him of suffering from schizophrenia.

In a post on X on Friday, Gharibabadi responded to Trump’s repeated claims that the Strait of Hormuz is “American territory.” He wrote that schizophrenia is “a severe psychotic disorder characterized by impaired thinking and a distorted perception of reality,” and added that hallucinations and delusions are among its most common symptoms.

The Iranian official made the remarks after Trump shared another post and map describing the Strait of Hormuz as “New US Territory,” escalating his rhetoric over the strategic waterway. Trump has repeatedly said in recent days that the strait is open and under US control.

Gharibabadi also wrote that people suffering from schizophrenia require continuous medical supervision, using the description as a political attack on the US president rather than providing a medical diagnosis.

The exchange comes as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high over the Strait of Hormuz and the broader US-Iran confrontation. The United States has intensified sanctions and maritime pressure on Iran, while Tehran continues to insist that any reopening of the strait depends on changes in US policy toward Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Disputes over control and navigation through the waterway have become a central issue in the ongoing standoff between the United States and Iran.

Neither the White House nor Trump had publicly responded to Gharibabadi’s comments at the time of publication.

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Pakistan’s security forces killed 11 suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, security sources said on Friday, as violence continued in the country’s northwest and southwest.

According to The Express Tribune, citing Pakistani security sources, the operations were carried out in South Waziristan and Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as Khuzdar district in Balochistan.

Security sources said seven suspected militants were killed in operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while four others were killed in Balochistan. Pakistani authorities described those killed as members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The military and police have not released the identities of those killed, and no independent confirmation of the casualties was immediately available.

The operations come amid a continuing campaign by Pakistan’s security forces against militant groups operating in the country’s border regions, where attacks targeting security personnel and civilians have increased in recent months.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the TTP of carrying out attacks from bases in neighboring Afghanistan, an allegation the Taliban administration has denied, saying Afghanistan territory is not used to threaten other countries.

Separately on Friday, a bomb explosion in South Waziristan’s Makeen Bazaar killed one person and injured eight others, according to police. Authorities have not said whether the bombing was linked to the security operations carried out elsewhere in the province.

Pakistan has also accused armed groups operating in Balochistan of receiving support from India, describing them as part of what it calls an Indian-backed proxy campaign. India has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s allegations.

No militant group had claimed responsibility for Friday’s bomb explosion or commented on the reported security operations at the time of publication.

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The European Union has provided €15 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen climate resilience and local food systems across Afghanistan, the UN agency announced on Friday.

In a post on X, WFP welcomed the new EU funding, saying it will support vulnerable communities facing the growing impact of climate change while helping improve food security and livelihoods across the country.

According to WFP, the funding will support local food systems, create economic opportunities for women and young people, and strengthen the agency’s school feeding programme in Afghanistan.

The UN agency said the investment is intended to help communities become more resilient to climate-related shocks while supporting long-term recovery and sustainable livelihoods.

The announcement comes as UN agencies continue to warn of severe funding shortages for humanitarian operations in Afghanistan. In recent days, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said humanitarian organizations face significant funding gaps in providing shelter and assistance to people affected by natural disasters, returning migrants and internally displaced people.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations, with millions of people requiring food assistance, shelter and other essential services after years of conflict, economic hardship and recurring climate-related disasters.

WFP has repeatedly warned that drought, floods and other extreme weather events are increasing food insecurity and placing additional pressure on rural communities that depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

The agency said the EU funding will help expand resilience programmes alongside emergency food assistance in some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.

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An Afghan man was among two people killed and nine others injured after a driver rammed a vehicle into a crowd in the French city of Caen in Normandy, French police said. Authorities said there is no indication of a terrorist motive behind the attack.

According to Le Monde, the incident occurred on Wednesday when a man drove into a group of pedestrians in Caen, a city in northwestern France. Police arrested the suspect shortly after the attack and launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

French police said one of the victims was a 35-year-old Afghan man, while the second victim was a 28-year-old man believed to be of Afghan origin. Authorities have not officially released the identities of either victim.

Nine other people of various nationalities were injured in the attack. Police said seven of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at local hospitals.

According to the report, the suspect is a Russian national from Chechnya. French authorities said the man is Muslim but stressed that investigators have found no evidence suggesting the attack was terrorism-related.

The investigation is focusing on the driver’s motives and the events leading up to the collision. Prosecutors have not announced any terrorism-related charges.

French authorities have not released further details about the suspect or the victims as the investigation continues.

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