Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after another commercial tanker was struck while moving through the strategic waterway, as the United States prepares to deploy an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The latest incident has added to concerns over the safety of commercial shipping between Iran and Oman. The vessel reportedly caught fire after being hit, but the crew was said to be safe. Responsibility for the attack has not been independently

Mumbai will host the second edition of the Global Impact Forum on September 5 and 6, bringing together diplomats, business leaders, scholars, artists and investors from BRICS countries ahead of the bloc’s leaders’ summit in New Delhi. The two-day event, titled Global Impact Forum II: Civilisational Legacy, will be held at The Taj Mahal Palace. It will be the forum’s first edition in India and is expected to serve as a cultural and economic platform in the run-up to the BRICS S

Nepal flood aid is expanding after catastrophic flash floods devastated Rasuwa and downstream districts, killing more than 150 people and leaving hundreds missing. The US has pledged $500,000 in emergency relief as India, China and the World Bank mobilize additional assistance. US relief supports Nepal rescue effort The US State Department

Germany’s cyber threat has intensified, with foreign intelligence services playing a much larger role in attacks on businesses. A new Bitkom study says 37% of affected companies linked at least one incident to a foreign intelligence service, up sharply from 28% last year and just 7% in 2023. Foreign spies target more German companies Bit

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that Israel would not exist today without his policies toward Iran. In a wide-ranging interview, he defended withdrawing from the JCPOA, discussed Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition and said the Strait of Hormuz was functioning despite continuing attacks. JCPOA exit returns to center of Trump Israel claim

Nepal floods on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, left at least 95 people dead and 484 travelers reported missing near the Tibet border. The disaster disrupted a key Kailash Mansarovar route as rescuers searched for survivors and investigators examined a possible quake-linked glacier collapse. 484 travelers reported missing near Tibet border At least 95 bodies have been recovered in Nepal after catas

Iran sanctions pressure has intensified after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Tehran’s leadership is showing signs that Washington’s new economic campaign is working. Iranian officials rejected that assessment, while oil prices fell despite continuing US-Iran tensions. Bessent claim focuses on Iranian leaders Bessent said on

US Iran sanctions have triggered a fresh diplomatic clash after Tehran accused Washington of using economic pressure to force countries into compliance. The dispute comes as President Donald Trump says mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz while Iran and Oman discuss a temporary shipping corridor. Iran row grows over US economic pressure

A Barron Trump Iran threat aired by Iranian state television has prompted scrutiny from the US Secret Service. The agency says it is aware of the broadcast and investigates anything perceived as a threat to its protectees, as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high. USSS probe follows Iran TV video The US Secret Service confirme

Trump Korea drill cuts have changed the scale of one of Washington’s most important military exercises in Asia. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to sharply reduce US participation in drills with South Korea, citing their cost and his effort to reopen diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. ROK drills reduced after Trump order

The Syria terror delisting marks one of Washington’s most dramatic policy reversals in the Middle East. The United States has formally removed Syria from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list after nearly 47 years, opening new economic opportunities while strengthening ties with President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government. Syria terror delisting ends a 47-year

Raksha Bandhan 2026 will not fall on the same civil date worldwide. Local Hindu Panchang calculations place the festival on August 27 in much of North America and Europe, while India and much of Asia-Pacific observe it on August 28, with city-specific Rakhi timings. Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on two local dates Raksha Bandhan is observed on Shravana Purnima, but its Gregorian date can change dependin

Bangladesh has renewed its Rohingya return appeal as the displacement crisis enters its tenth year, calling for sustained Myanmar pressure, stronger aid funding and conditions for safe repatriation. Dhaka says prolonged displacement cannot become a permanent solution for refugees or host communities. Myanmar pressure central to Rohingya return

Ontario Premier Doug Ford sharply escalated his feud with US President Donald Trump, calling him a “bully,” “dictator” and “loser” as the Canada-US tariff dispute moved from trade negotiations into an increasingly personal political confrontation. Ford Trump row turns personal Ford made the remarks during a news conference in Ha

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran tried to assassinate one of his sons, but he has not disclosed which son was allegedly targeted, when the attempt occurred or how it was uncovered. The claim came as he defended expanded Shin Bet protection for his family ahead of Israel’s October election. Netanyahu Iran claim emerges during Channel 14 in

Bangladesh journalists jailed in a crimes-against-humanity case linked to the 2024 uprising have triggered renewed concern over press freedom. A special tribunal ordered Farzana Rupa, Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta to remain in custody while investigators continue their case. ICT press case sends journalists back to jail Bangladesh’s Int

Russia sabotage Europe concerns are rising as NATO countries investigate attacks and unexplained fires involving defence firms linked to Ukraine. Western officials say Russia increasingly uses proxies for hybrid operations, but direct Moscow involvement has not been established in every recent incident. NATO hybrid threat draws fresh scrutiny

Trump Canada tariffs have pushed the US-Canada trade dispute into a sharper confrontation after negotiations collapsed and Washington imposed 50% duties on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports. Ottawa is preparing counter-tariffs, while US officials warn Canada could face severe economic consequences. Trump Canada tariffs follow failed trade talks

The US-Canada trade war intensified over the weekend after the Trump administration warned Ottawa that retaliating against Washington’s new tariffs could bring “devastating” economic consequences. Canada, however, has refused to back down, with Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing counter-tariffs after trade negotiations collapsed. Trump Canada tariffs

Iran has announced a major gas discovery in the southern part of Fars Province, with Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad estimating the field contains about 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas. The discovery could strengthen Iran’s gas reserves as the country faces economic pressure and challenges across its energy sector. Iran gas discovery reaches 7.5 trillion cubic feet Paknejad announced the discovery on Sunday, saying the newly identified field holds an estimated 7.5 trillion cubic feet, or roughly 212 billion cubic metres, of natural gas. Of that total, approximately 5.7 trillion cubic feet is considered recoverable, according to figures provided by the oil minister. Recoverable reserves refer to the portion of gas that authorities estimate can realistically be extracted under technical and economic conditions. Paknejad said the recoverable volume could provide an amount of gas comparable to the production of one phase of the giant South Pars field for about 15 years. The comparison highlights the potential scale of the new resource, although future output will depend on development, infrastructure and production conditions. Sweet gas could lower development costs The Iranian oil minister described the resource as “sweet gas,” a term generally used for natural gas containing relatively low levels of hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds. That characteristic could offer an economic advantage because sweet gas typically requires less processing than sour gas before entering commercial supply systems. Paknejad said this could help reduce both development and operating costs at the field. The discovery also includes gas condensates, according to the minister. These liquid hydrocarbons can have significant commercial value alongside natural gas production. Paknejad said the condensate resources could potentially generate tens of billions of dollars in additional value. The actual economic return, however, will depend on factors including investment, production rates, infrastructure, energy prices and Iran’s access to international markets. New reserves strengthen Iran energy sector The discovery comes at an important time for Iran’s energy industry. Tehran has been working to maintain and repair energy infrastructure while dealing with sanctions and broader economic pressure. Iran already possesses some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, and South Pars remains central to the country’s gas production. Adding another substantial resource could improve long-term supply options, but discovering gas does not automatically translate into immediate production. A field must undergo appraisal and development before commercial extraction can begin. That process can require drilling additional wells, building processing facilities and connecting production sites to pipelines and other infrastructure. Iran gas reserves gain new strategic resource Paknejad said the discovery adds a significant resource to Iran’s national hydrocarbon reserves. If subsequent assessments confirm the announced estimates, the Fars gas field could become an important addition to the country’s long-term energy portfolio. The timing also gives the announcement wider economic significance as Tehran navigates sanctions and international tensions that can complicate financing, technology access and energy exports. For Iran, the value of the discovery will ultimately depend not only on the volume underground but also on how quickly and efficiently it can bring the recoverable gas and condensates into production. The government has not yet provided a detailed timetable for development or commercial output from the newly announced field.