Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, with greetings pouring in from political leaders, family members, film personalities and fans. The occasion once again highlighted his unique presence in both Telugu cinema and active politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the prominent leaders who extended birthday wishes to the Jana Sena Party chief. In his message, Modi praised Pawan Kalyan’s public ser

The US State Department is considering new passport procedures that could require parents or legal guardians to provide proof of their own citizenship or immigration status when applying for a passport for a child. The possible change is linked to the Trump administration’s efforts to implement new rules surrounding birthright citizenship and prevent what officials describe as misuse of US citizenship laws. The proposal has not yet been finalized, meaning families should continue

Bitcoin remained relatively resilient around the $77,000 level on Wednesday as rising US Treasury yields, stronger interest-rate expectations and renewed inflation concerns weighed on global financial markets. The cryptocurrency traded in the upper-$70,000 range even as several major digital assets and equity markets faced selling pressure. Investors are closely tracking developments in the bond market, oil prices and expectations surrounding the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy

The Himalayas face a growing danger from glacial floods as warming temperatures destabilize glaciers and expand high-altitude lakes. UN officials and Chinese authorities have warned that millions of people across Nepal, China and India could face more destructive events in the years ahead. Himalayan glacial floods threaten mountain communities Concerns have intensified following the catastrophi

Tyler Robinson will stand trial on an aggravated murder charge in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after a Utah judge ruled prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence to move the case forward. Robinson pleaded not guilty, while prosecutors continue to seek the death penalty. Tyler Robinson trial moves forward Utah District Judge Tony Graf ruled on September 1 that prosecutor

Netflix is preparing to release The Decoy Plane, a new Instadocs documentary examining President Donald Trump’s secret aircraft switch during his July 2026 trip to Turkey. The film uses firsthand accounts to explore the security operation, the role of the press corps and why reporters continued aboard what effectively became a decoy plane. Trump secret plane switch in Turkey The incident took

Mark Carney trade talks with the United States remain frozen as Canada rejects US trade demands affecting key industries and sovereignty. Ottawa says negotiations can resume if Washington takes a more serious approach while new tariffs deepen the dispute. Mark Carney trade talks remain stalled Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called on US President Donald Trump’s administration to take

Russian strikes on Ukraine killed at least 12 people, including an Indian national, as Moscow launched another wave of missiles and drones against Kyiv and several other regions. Residential areas, railway facilities and civilian infrastructure were damaged, renewing calls from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for stronger air-defence support. Kyiv Attack Kills Indian National An Indian citizen was among those killed in the latest attacks around Kyiv. The deceased was identified by Indian community sources as 40-year-old Sudarshan Bhabhilala from Gujarat. He reportedly suffered a severe head injury during the Russian attack. India’s embassy in Kyiv said it was deeply saddened by the death and was assisting the family with the repatriation of his remains. Another Indian national, Ganesh Kalleda from Telangana, was reported injured. The deaths came during a prolonged Russian assault on Kyiv and surrounding areas involving ballistic missiles, drones and other weapons. Ukrainian authorities said several civilian and railway locations were hit. Odesa and Border Infrastructure Hit The attacks extended beyond the capital. Zelenskyy said Russian strikes affected Odesa and surrounding areas, while Kyiv, Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy and Dnipro regions also faced attacks. Ukraine also reported damage to railway, energy and export infrastructure. Zelenskyy’s office said Russia had intensified attacks since August and was increasingly targeting infrastructure that supports everyday civilian life. Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately attacking civilian targets. Moscow, however, has repeatedly said its strikes are aimed at military and military-linked infrastructure. Ukraine Seeks More Air Defence The scale and frequency of the latest attacks have renewed pressure on Ukraine’s air-defence system. Ukrainian officials say the country needs more Patriot interceptors and other systems capable of stopping ballistic missiles and increasingly fast drones. Recent Russian attacks have combined conventional missiles with large numbers of unmanned aircraft, placing heavy pressure on Ukraine’s existing interceptor stocks. Western air-defence assistance therefore remains one of Kyiv’s most urgent military priorities. Modi Putin Peace Message The renewed violence came shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek on August 31. According to India’s Prime Minister’s Office, Modi reiterated that dialogue and diplomacy were the way forward for resolving conflicts. The two leaders also discussed the Black Sea conflict and its wider impact on maritime trade and Indian seafarers. Modi has continued to position India in favour of a negotiated settlement while maintaining its strategic partnership with Moscow. Indians in Russian Army The Ukraine war has also created a separate concern for New Delhi involving Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said 227 Indian nationals had been recruited into the Russian military. Of them, 139 had been discharged while 51 had died. India remains in talks with Moscow to secure the release and repatriation of those still serving. The latest death of an Indian civilian in Ukraine adds another human dimension to the conflict for India. As Russian missile and drone attacks continue, New Delhi now faces both the task of assisting citizens affected inside Ukraine and pursuing the return of Indians still linked to Russia’s military.

Labor Day gas prices are forecast to average a record $4.03 per gallon nationwide in 2026. GasBuddy says geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect fuel markets, while Columbus and central Ohio prices remain well above year-ago levels. Labor Day gas prices are forecast to reach their highest level on record for the holiday, with GasBuddy projecting a national average of about $4.03 per gallon during the 2026 Labor Day weekend. GasBuddy said on Tuesday, S

Panorama Produce recalled 302 boxes of Martina mangoes sold at select Walmart stores in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Consumers should check for the Agrofepac sticker, PLU 4584 and UPC 07503061948050 and avoid eating recalled fruit.   Panorama Produce has voluntarily recalled 302 boxes of mangoes sold at select Walmart stores in four U.S. states because of possible Salmonella contamination.

The “Vijay for PM 2029” campaign has become a major talking point in Tamil Nadu politics after the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey placed Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay third among respondents’ preferred choices for prime minister. The survey showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading with 48.7 percent support, followed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at 27.1 percent and Vijay at 9.2 percent. The result has given fresh momentum to TVK supporters who say Vijay’s

The SCO Summit 2026 remains at the centre of global attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds high-level meetings in Bishkek. Modi’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on bilateral ties and the need for dialogue to resolve conflicts, while Nepal continues a massive flood rescue operation and Pakistan sees fresh political chatter around Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Pakistan’s food crisis is increasingly visible at the household level, with official data showing families consuming less of many everyday foods while food insecurity continues to rise. The decline in milk, meat, rice and other staples suggests that affordability is reshaping diets and pushing more households toward cheaper sources of calories.

The Nepal tunnel rescue effort has entered a critical phase as more than 900 hydropower workers remain missing after the catastrophic Nepal-Tibet border floods. At the Trishuli site, rescuers have begun blasting through hillsides and pumping air into mud-filled tunnels as officials warn that the window to find survivors is narrowing. Trishuli Site Rescue Rescue teams on Monday escalated operations at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project, where many workers are feared trapped in a sprawling underground tunnel system clogged with mud, debris and floodwater. After days of difficult access, crews resorted to controlled explosives to break through the hillside and improve entry points. They also began pumping air into the tunnel network in the hope that some survivors may still be holding out underground. According to Nepal’s disaster management authority, more than 900 hydropower workers are still missing. Officials believe a significant number may be trapped inside tunnels and underground sections linked to multiple projects along the Trishuli River. Rescue teams briefly entered one tunnel on Monday, but withdrew after finding no survivors in that section. Hydropower Flood Damage The disaster has exposed Nepal’s vulnerability along its river-based hydropower corridor. Authorities say at least 11 hydropower projects, either completed or under construction, suffered damage in the floods. Nepal depends heavily on hydropower, and the destruction now threatens both immediate rescue efforts and longer-term energy infrastructure. About 250 people were rescued from the Upper Trishuli hydroelectric project over the weekend. Army engineers are now trying to reach another group of missing workers believed to be trapped deeper inside the site. Australian tunnelling expert Arnold Dix, who is assisting remotely, said there is still some hope because underground spaces may have offered partial protection from the force of the flood above. Chitwan Burials The rising number of unidentified bodies has created another crisis. In Chitwan, local authorities have begun temporary burials because they do not have enough freezers to store remains. Officials said families will be allowed to reclaim bodies later after DNA testing confirms identities. Chief district officer Ganesh Aryaal said the administration had no other option because morgue facilities were overwhelmed. The move underlines the scale of the tragedy and the pressure now facing local health, police and disaster-response systems. Rising Nepal Death Toll Nepal’s disaster management authority said the death toll has climbed to 939 after the unprecedented flow of ice, rock, mud and debris struck the Nepal-Tibet border region last Wednesday. The number of missing has also been revised sharply upward to 3,925, including 592 foreign nationals. An international rescue operation is now underway, led by Nepalese and Chinese military personnel with technical experts from India, Korea and Australia also involved. Their work remains difficult because unstable slopes, blocked access routes and mud-filled underground chambers continue to slow progress. Tibet Toll and Wider Impact Across the border in Tibet, Chinese state media have put the official death toll at 16, with 546 people reported missing. Chinese authorities have also reportedly cracked down on online speculation that the actual casualty numbers may be much higher. The cross-border nature of the disaster shows how severe the flooding has been throughout the Himalayan region. For Nepal, however, the immediate concern remains the missing workers. As oxygen levels fall and time runs short, the Trishuli tunnel rescue has become the central focus of one of the country’s most desperate recovery operations in recent years.

Russia’s growing use of jet-powered drones is creating a new challenge for Ukraine’s air-defence network, with Kyiv experiencing longer daytime air raid warnings. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said around 800 jet-powered drones were among nearly 1,500 unmanned aircraft launched over four days. Kyiv Drone Attacks Russia has increasingly used daytime drone waves around the Ukrainian capital, disrupting businesses, emergency services and daily routines. Kyiv recorded eight air raid alerts by lunchtime on Monday, highlighting how frequently residents are now being forced to react to incoming threats. The presence of additional drones after an initial strike can also complicate rescue operations. Firefighters and other emergency crews may have to leave damaged locations when another threat appears, increasing the risk that fires and structural damage will worsen before teams can safely return. Shahed Drones Gain Speed The newer generation of Shahed-type drones can reportedly cruise at roughly 200 to 250 mph, about twice the speed of older piston-powered versions that travel near 115 mph. That increased speed makes them more difficult for Ukraine’s existing low-cost interceptor drones to catch and destroy. Shahed drones were originally developed in Iran before the technology reached Russia. Moscow has since expanded domestic production and introduced newer jet-powered variants, including the Geran-4 and Geran-5. Geran-4 Drone Campaign One Geran-4 reportedly struck an ammunition storage site in Myla, west of Kyiv, triggering hours of secondary explosions and damaging surrounding property. The source article reports 38 deaths in the attack. Ukraine says the scale of production is also increasing rapidly. Defence technology adviser Serhii Beskrestnov said at least 2,500 jet-powered drones were launched against Ukraine during August, compared with about 1,500 in July. Some recovered components reportedly carried production dates only days before the weapons were launched. Ukraine Air Defence Ukraine previously built a network of inexpensive ground-launched interceptor drones designed to destroy slower Shahed models. According to the source article, those systems helped raise interception rates above 90%, but the arrival of faster jet-powered variants is putting that approach under pressure. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian engineers are already developing faster interceptors specifically for the new threat. Four companies have produced relevant systems, with one technology described by the president as showing particularly strong results. Drone Warfare Intensifies The shift toward faster, mass-produced drones shows how quickly aerial warfare is evolving. Russia can increase pressure by launching large numbers of comparatively inexpensive weapons, while Ukraine must develop interceptors fast enough to catch them without relying entirely on costly aircraft or conventional air-defence missiles. That cost equation may become increasingly important as the campaign continues. Ukraine now faces the challenge of maintaining high interception rates while Russia expands production and uses jet-powered drones in sustained daytime waves. The outcome could shape how effectively Kyiv protects cities, infrastructure and emergency services during the coming months. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. The Modi Pezeshkian meeting focused on India-Iran ties, the West Asia conflict, maritime security, trade and the need for lasting regional peace. India Iran Ties The two leaders revi

Venus Williams’ 26th US Open singles campaign came to an end in the first round after the 46-year-old lost to fellow American Sofia Kenin in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Kenin secured a 6-2, 7-6 (6) victory in a match that began after midnight and stretched into the early hours of Monday. The contest started at 12:13 a.m. local time, making it the latest-starting match in US Open history. It eventually finished at 2:01 a.m., setting another tournament record a

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has added another remarkable achievement to his rapidly growing cricket career by becoming the youngest player in Duleep Trophy history to score a half-century. The 15-year-old created the record while representing East Zone against Central Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy semi-final in Bengaluru. Showing his attacking approach from the start, Sooryavanshi reached his fifty in just 42 deliveries before going on to score 92 from 81 balls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Bishkek on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The Modi Pezeshkian meeting would be their first face-to-face interaction since the latest West Asia conflict erupted, putting India-Iran ties, energy security and regional stability firmly in focus. India Iran Ties Modi and Pezeshkian last met in person in October 2024 during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. At that meeting, the leaders reviewed bilateral relations and highlighted the importance of the Chabahar Port project for trade links with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Their relationship has remained active despite the deterioration in regional security. The two leaders have spoken by phone several times during 2026, discussing developments in Iran and the wider region. India has consistently positioned itself as a partner of Iran while maintaining relationships with other major powers in West Asia. Hormuz Talks The Strait of Hormuz is expected to be one of the most important strategic issues surrounding the discussions. India depends heavily on secure maritime routes for energy imports, making any disruption in the Gulf a direct economic concern. During a March conversation with Pezeshkian, Modi stressed the importance of protecting Indian nationals and maintaining unhindered movement of energy and goods. He also reiterated India’s position that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. In another conversation in June, Modi again called for lasting regional stability and freedom of navigation and commerce. SCO Bishkek Summit The bilateral engagement comes as Bishkek hosts the 26th SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1. India’s government has confirmed that Modi will hold meetings with several SCO leaders on the sidelines while highlighting India’s priorities of security, connectivity and opportunity. The 2026 gathering also marks the SCO’s 25th anniversary. Iran, India, Russia, China and Pakistan are among the organisation’s 10 full members, giving the summit added geopolitical weight as several regional conflicts remain unresolved. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also attending the Bishkek gathering, while Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the other major leaders expected to participate. Energy Security Energy cooperation remains central to India-Iran relations. New Delhi has repeatedly stressed that instability in West Asia can affect fuel supplies, shipping costs and the broader Indian economy. Connectivity is another major issue. Chabahar Port gives India a strategic route toward Afghanistan and Central Asia that bypasses Pakistan, making the project important for both commerce and regional connectivity. The two sides are therefore expected to review trade, transport links and wider economic cooperation alongside the security situation. Dialogue and Diplomacy India is likely to continue urging de-escalation rather than taking sides in the conflict. Modi has repeatedly told Pezeshkian that New Delhi supports dialogue and diplomacy while calling for the protection of civilians, infrastructure and international shipping routes. The Bishkek interaction would also carry significance ahead of further BRICS engagement. Pezeshkian has previously supported a larger role for organisations such as BRICS and the SCO in addressing regional challenges. For India, the meeting provides an opportunity to protect practical interests—energy supplies, maritime security, connectivity and the safety of Indian nationals—while maintaining a diplomatic channel with Tehran during one of the most unstable periods in recent West Asian politics.

Google Maps has changed the display name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users in the United States following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The move has triggered a fresh US-Canada dispute, while users in Canada will continue to see the traditional Lake Ontario name. Trump Order Drives Map Rename Trump announced