The US war with Iran has cost at least $45.1 billion, according to figures the Pentagon provided to Congress on September 19. The estimate includes $43.6 billion in costs recorded through September 3, plus about $1.5 billion in additional fuel expenses. A large portion of the spending has gone toward costly munitions, including missile interceptors. The estimate does not include repairs to US military bases and other facilities damaged during the conflict. The Congressional Budget Office had previously estimated the cost at $38 billion through August 1 and projected additional monthly expenses of roughly $2–3 billion, depending on the intensity of fighting. (PC: Reuters)

Ed Sheeran addressed the Gaza conflict during his first US concert since controversy erupted over the removal of rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour. Speaking in Philadelphia, Sheeran said the devastation and loss of civilian and children’s lives had broken his heart, describing the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” He also acknowledged the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel as horrific. Sheeran said he had faced difficult decisions and apologized for mistakes while stressing that he had not intended to become a political activist. Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside the stadium, while other fans attended to support the singer and his music. (PC: AP)

India made a strong start on Day 1 of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, securing its first medal in the women’s 10m air rifle team event. Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod won silver behind China. India also guaranteed another historic medal after Suchika Tariyal reached the women’s traditional 60kg MMA semifinals. The women’s hockey team began impressively against Uzbekistan, while the women’s table-tennis team defeated Indonesia 3-0. Quimcy Dsouza’s teqball campaign ended after losses in the singles and mixed-doubles bronze matches. India’s women’s cricket team also faced Bangladesh in the semifinal. (PC: NDTV)

The US military said it struck a high-speed vessel suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea on September 19, killing four people. US Southern Command said the boat was operating along established drug-trafficking routes and that intelligence indicated it was involved in narcotics trafficking. However, the military did not publicly provide evidence showing that the vessel was carrying drugs or identify those killed. The strike is part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign against alleged “narcoterrorists” in Latin American waters. The latest operation brings the reported death toll from such US military strikes to at least 231 people across 69 operations. (PC: Reuters)

Jharkhand-based Naxal commander Brijesh Ganjhu, alias Gopal Singh, was killed in a police encounter in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday morning, September 20. Ganjhu was reportedly the chief of the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) in Jharkhand and carried a total bounty of ₹30 lakh—₹25 lakh from the Jharkhand government and ₹5 lakh from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Police said he was wanted in several cases. The encounter followed intelligence inputs about his presence in Varanasi. Jharkhand Police confirmed his death after receiving information from the state STF. (PC: X)

Iran has conveyed seven conditions to the United States through Qatar to restart negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war. Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran wants an end to hostilities on all fronts, release of frozen Iranian funds and lifting of the naval blockade. Qatar has passed the conditions to Washington, and Iran is awaiting President Donald Trump’s response. Tehran also warned it is prepared for a “decisive war” if its demands are rejected. Meanwhile, Iran says it is preparing for a possible further US strike while continuing diplomatic efforts through regional mediators. (PC: India Today)

The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya will feature 11,000 athletes competing from September 19 to October 4 across disciplines. Beyond cricket, hockey and athletics, Indian competitors will participate in sports including Teqball, Kurash, Soft Tennis, Sepak Takraw and Sport Climbing. Teqball, making its Asian Games debut, combines football with table tennis. Kurash is a standing wrestling discipline that prohibits groundwork. Soft Tennis uses a lighter rubber ball and rackets than tennis. Sepak Takraw blends football and volleyball, while Sport Climbing tests speed, strength, balance and technique across speed, boulder and lead disciplines. India has won medals in Kurash and Sepak Takraw, but remains without medals in Soft Tennis and Sport Climbing.

US President Donald Trump has signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, giving him authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that continue major purchases of Russian oil and gas. India and China, among the largest buyers of Russian energy, could potentially face such measures, though the law does not automatically impose them. The legislation expands sanctions on Russia, targets its energy sector, banks, officials and shadow fleet, and extends existing sanctions on Iran. India has expressed concern over possible effects on bilateral ties, energy security and markets. New Delhi says it will continue sourcing energy based on prices and availability. (PC: NY Times)

Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya marked the start of the 20th Asian Games. Bhaker, who won bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol at Paris 2024 with Sarabjot Singh, became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals at Olympics. Sehrawat was part of India’s gold-winning kabaddi team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. India has sent 503 athletes, including 269 men and 234 women, across 36 disciplines.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 reported major problems at Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, September 19, 2026, including flight cancellations and delays. The airport was listed under Flightradar24’s maximum disruption index of 5.0, indicating “major problems with long delays and several cancelled flights.” The disruption followed an overnight air raid alert issued by Saudi authorities. An Aramco fuel tank near the airport was reportedly on fire, according to an AFP journalist, after residents reported hearing explosions in the city. Smoke and flames were seen near the site. The incident caused disruption at Riyadh’s main airport, although the supplied report does not provide details of the number of affected flights.