US drone company Powerus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army that includes an initial, undisclosed order for unmanned aerial systems, according to co-founder Brett Velicovich. The agreement also envisages potential cooperation on drone technology and production. Powerus is expected to merge with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings in October. US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, hold a stake in Aureus through American Ventures, which is expected to own 9.9% of the combined company. Trump Jr.’s spokesperson said he is a passive investor with no involvement in Powerus operations or contract negotiations. (PC: X)

India completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Afghanistan after a spectacular batting display in the third match in New Delhi. Abhishek Sharma smashed a record-breaking century from just 30 balls, the fastest T20I hundred by an Indian batter and the third-fastest overall. He eventually scored 108 off 34 deliveries, including nine fours and 11 sixes. Sanju Samson also contributed a half-century as India posted 221/7. Abhishek and Samson added 142 for the opening wicket after India reached 100 in the powerplay. Afghanistan were set a target of 222 in the series finale. (PC: The Hindu)

A 16-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Delhi’s Swaroop Nagar, with police apprehending four suspects, including one adult and three minors. According to police, the girl knew one of the suspects and had gone to meet him on September 10. She was allegedly sexually assaulted before being taken to a field, where she was stabbed multiple times. Her body was discovered under leaves and mud on September 13. Police examined more than 50 CCTV cameras and traced a tempo allegedly linked to the suspects. Two knives and clothing were recovered. Further forensic and technical investigation is underway. (PC: HT)

A UN-backed fact-finding mission said Thursday that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe the United States committed war crimes in two February airstrikes in Iran. The strikes reportedly killed at least 178 civilians, including women and children. One attack hit a clearly identifiable school in Minab, while another struck a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd. The mission said the incidents involved indiscriminate attacks causing civilian deaths and damage to civilian objects. It also accused Iranian authorities of crimes against humanity during their crackdown on anti-government protests. The findings are expected to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, September 17, wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday and praised his leadership. In a post on X, Netanyahu said Modi’s leadership had transformed India into a “world power.” He also described the relationship between India and Israel as an “unprecedented partnership” and said friendship between the two countries had never been stronger. Netanyahu expressed confidence that bilateral ties would reach greater heights and wished Modi continued leadership, good health and fulfilment. The message came as leaders and diplomatic representatives from several countries extended birthday greetings to the Indian Prime Minister.

A Pakistani naval vessel, PNS Hunain, collided with the Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata in the North Arabian Sea on September 15, according to reports. Indian officials described the Pakistani vessel’s manoeuvring as “unprofessional and unsafe,” saying it approached the Indian destroyer at high speed despite warnings. The Pakistani ship sustained damage and headed toward its home port, while INS Kolkata reportedly continued its surveillance mission without structural damage. Defence experts cited by India Today said the manoeuvre appeared similar to maritime intimidation tactics associated with Chinese naval and coast-guard encounters. India also said the incident violated the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement on maintaining safe separation between naval vessels. (PC: PTI)

A major satellite-based study has found that Greenland and Antarctica lost about 12.5 trillion tons of ice between 1979 and 2025, contributing more than 1.2 inches to global sea-level rise. Researchers from the IMBIE team analyzed 42 satellite surveys involving 27 missions to track changes over nearly five decades. About 84% of the ice loss occurred because glaciers accelerated into the ocean, rather than from surface melting alone, highlighting the influence of warmer ocean waters. Ice loss increased sharply from the 1990s, although temporary slowing between 2020 and 2023 was linked to snowfall and weather conditions. 

The Hindi remake of The Intern, starring Amitabh Bachchan, is reportedly set to begin production after facing several delays since its announcement. Directed by Amit Sharma, the film is an adaptation of the 2015 Hollywood comedy-drama featuring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. Bachchan joined the project after Rishi Kapoor, who was initially attached to the role, passed away. Recent reports say the Hindi version will not be an exact copy of the original and will have its own treatment. However, reports about Deepika Padukone’s involvement have differed, with earlier reports saying she would continue only as producer. (PC: Moneycontrol)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said West Bengal is set to emerge as one of the world’s major shipbuilding hubs, highlighting the state’s growing role in India’s defence manufacturing sector. Speaking in Kolkata, Singh said India’s defence production has increased four-fold to around ₹1.80 lakh crore, while Indian defence equipment is now exported to more than 100 countries. The Centre is also planning a new shipbuilding facility at Haldia in East Midnapore. The developments are expected to strengthen shipbuilding, defence manufacturing and related industries in West Bengal, while creating employment and opportunities for supporting businesses and MSMEs. (PC: AP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s confrontation with Iran is not over, claiming Tehran’s ability to attack Israel has been severely damaged but that “more work” remains. Netanyahu said Iran and its proxies still seek Israel’s destruction, though their capability has weakened, and vowed Israel would defeat and bring down the Iranian regime. He also said Israel would eliminate Hamas and deal with Hezbollah. Separately, Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would eventually resume full-scale military operations in Gaza and implement a plan concerning the territory’s Palestinian population. Katz said 70% of Gaza had been emptied during the offensive. He said Hamas was unlikely to disarm despite October 2025 ceasefire.