Official Pentagon data for FY2025 shows a further US military assault decline, with estimated unwanted sexual contact falling among active-duty women and men. The 2025 survey also found a higher reporting rate, while total sexual assault reports declined from recent years. Pentagon data The FY2025 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military found that estimated unwanted sexual contact fell

US-Iran tensions, a deadly Russian drone attack in Ukraine, security concerns in Meghalaya and a new international notice linked to the Sambhal violence case. Officials have issued fresh statements as military, diplomatic and law-enforcement developments unfold. Trump Hormuz remarks sharpen US-Iran tensions US President Donald Trump said he views the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory”

The Nigerian Navy has rescued nine suspected stowaways discovered aboard the merchant vessel MT Evgenia in Lagos and handed them over to the Nigeria Immigration Service. The NNS Beecroft handover followed an investigation into an alleged illegal travel attempt from Apapa, highlighting continuing concerns over maritime safety and irregular migration. NNS handover follows discovery aboard MT Evgenia

The northwest Indiana power outage continues more than 10 days after the August 11 derecho, with Gary and Lake County communities reporting prolonged disruptions. NIPSCO crews are repairing damaged lines as transformer failures and blocked access slow restoration. Gary and Lake County face prolonged outages Thousands of residents across northwest Indiana remained without electricity more than 1

US authorities have charged a 35-year-old Albany woman over an alleged ISIS-inspired plot targeting the New York State Capitol. The Justice Department says Jessica Bowie intended to use an explosive device against the building, kill public officials and later travel to Syria. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Jessica Bowie ISIS plot charge Jessica Bowie, 35, made her

Bilibili global push is taking China’s major long-form video platform into new international markets with easier sign-ups, creator recruitment and localization. But India is notably absent from its early expansion map, highlighting how the country’s restrictions on Chinese apps continue to shape global platform strategies. Bilibili global push expands beyo

Pakistan has formally expanded Asim Munir powers through new defence legislation that places joint operational command of the Army, Navy and Air Force under the Chief of Defence Forces. The law also gives the CDF broad personnel powers and establishes a new Defence Forces Headquarters. Pakistan defence law reshapes military command Pakista

The UK asylum booklet explaining British laws on consent, gender equality and public behaviour has triggered a wider political argument. The Home Office says the migrant guide helps newcomers understand UK law, while critics question whether singling out asylum seekers risks reinforcing stereotypes. UK asylum booklet explains British laws T

The US debt has crossed $40 trillion for the first time, putting renewed focus on federal deficits, higher interest costs and Treasury yields. The milestone does not mean an immediate debt crisis, but it highlights how rapidly Washington’s borrowing burden is growing. Why US debt keeps rising The United States’ gross national debt reach

PV Sindhu vs Wang Zhi Yi will be one of the biggest women’s singles contests in the BWF World Championships 2026 round of 16. Sindhu reached the stage with a straight-game win over Wen Yu Zhang and says consistency, recovery and long-rally discipline will be crucial against the Chinese world No. 3. Sindhu round 16 challenge PV Sindhu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals in New Delhi after defeat

The Natalie Harp Trump row has intensified after Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff publicly targeted President Donald Trump’s close working relationship with his executive assistant. The remarks triggered an unusually aggressive White House response and renewed attention on Harp’s access, personal letters and role inside Trump’s circle. Ossoff remarks put Natalie Harp in spotlight Democratic Sen

A US Antarctic C17 mission turned back to New Zealand after a Russia alert prompted aviation authorities to warn of potentially hazardous activity over the Southern Ocean. The C17 return disrupted a WINFLY mission to McMurdo Station while New Zealand established a temporary NZ danger area. Russia alert triggers C-17 return A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flying from Christchurch to Antarcti

US ICC sanctions have intensified Washington's dispute with the International Criminal Court. The Trump administration has designated ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, escalating the ICC jurisdiction row and its campaign over national sovereignty. US ICC sanctions The United States announced sanctions against two senior International Criminal Court officials on

President Donald Trump has announced a three-day Trump Canada tariff pause, delaying new 50% duties on Canadian goods after saying Washington and Ottawa have a deal pending final documents. The Canada trade deal follows intense Carney talks and renewed discussion about a Keystone revival. Trump Canada tariff pause US President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday, August 18, that planned 50% tar

The UAE Iran missile dispute has opened a new front in already tense Gulf relations. Abu Dhabi says two ballistic missiles launched from Iran targeted maritime navigation, while Tehran rejects the allegation. The UAE has now halted Iran trade as the Hormuz crisis continues to threaten regional shipping. UAE Iran missile claim The United Arab Emirates has accused Iran of launching two ballistic

North Korea has sharply criticized the latest US-South Korea military drills, calling them an open threat to its security even after President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in their scale. The response from Pyongyang shows that the deeper dispute on the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, with mistrust still shaping every military and diplomatic move. Trump drill cut Pyongyang’s reaction c

Iran is demanding a permanent end to its conflict with the United States rather than another temporary ceasefire. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran wants lasting guarantees, even as the US-Iran deal stalls, Trump Iran talks remain off the table and Gulf security concerns grow. Iran permanent peace Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the idea of another temporary truce

Trump’s India voter ID remarks have renewed debate over the SAVE America Act as India conducts its SIR 2026 exercise. While Trump praised India’s voter identification system, voter roll exclusions in Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal have raised concerns over electoral access and voting rights. Trump India voter ID e

The Kharge Vande Mataram row intensified on Tuesday, August 18, as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended the version of the national song followed by his party and rejected BJP allegations of disrespect. The dispute has also fuelled a wider Congress-BJP clash as Kharge focuses on strengthening the party in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Vande Mataram Row Intensifies Kharge t

Nearly 18 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian authorities have initiated the 26/11 in absentia trial process against six Pakistan-based accused linked to the conspiracy. Mumbai Police has moved to invoke the new legal mechanism under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, while the court must still determine whether all statutory requirements have been fulfilled. The accused are Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur