U.N.-backed human rights experts say they found “reasonable grounds” to believe the United States committed war crimes in two February 28 strikes in Iran that killed civilians. The fact-finding mission said a U.S. strike hit a clearly identifiable school in Minab, where Iranian officials and state media reported about 170 deaths, mostly schoolgirls aged 7 to 12. A preliminary U.S. assessment reportedly found the U.S. likely responsible but said the school was not intentionally targeted and may have been struck due to outdated intelligence. The mission also alleged a U.S. missile strike in Lamerd killed 22 civilians. U.S. Central Command denied responsibility. The experts separately accused Iranian security forces of crimes against humanity. (PC: Getty Images)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wished Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 76th birthday, calling him her friend and wishing him health, energy and success. In a post on X, Meloni said Italy and India were strengthening their deep bond of friendship while building a future of cooperation and prosperity for both nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump also extended birthday wishes to Modi. Putin praised Modi’s contribution to strengthening the India-Russia special and privileged strategic partnership, while the US Embassy conveyed Trump’s wishes for health and happiness. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Modi, praising his leadership and saying India-Israel friendship had never been stronger.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation for five expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) in West Bengal, aimed at boosting shipbuilding and defence manufacturing under Make in India. GRSE will develop Hooghly riverside sites: a Rs 2,500-crore Raichak facility for warships and commercial vessels, a Rs 100-crore Shalimar site for medium-sized ships and repairs, and a Rs 70-crore Kidderpore facility for vessel repairs, electric ferries and small crafts. At YIL’s Ishapore factory, projects worth over Rs 750 crore will expand metallurgical production, including forging presses for gun barrels, ammunition components, ordnance hardware, railway axles and nuclear reactor components, while reducing import dependency. (PC: Uinewz)

About 12.5 trillion tons of ice from glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica have melted since 1979, according to a major scientific report published in Scientific Data. The melt produced nearly 3 quadrillion gallons of water and raised global sea levels by about 3.1 centimetres, with researchers warning that every centimetre of sea-level rise could flood another 2 to 3 million people annually. Five-sixths of the ice loss comes from warmer waters attacking ice sheets from below and sides. Scientists said melting accelerated particularly during the 2010s. Jakobshavn glacier in Greenland is retreating up to 50 metres daily. Researchers warned that dynamic ice loss could contribute to instability and potential tipping points. (PC: AP)

A Pakistani naval vessel, PNS Hunain, closed in at high speed on an Indian Navy Kolkata-class warship in the North Arabian Sea, raising questions over how the vessels ended up on a collision course despite radars, navigation systems and communications equipment. Indian officials said Hunain was manoeuvring in an “unprofessional and unsafe” manner. Senior journalist and defence expert Sandeep Unnithan told India Today Digital that he did not believe the incident was accidental. He described it as a form of maritime intimidation, a tactic he said is increasingly associated with China’s maritime forces in the South China Sea. The report suggests Pakistan may be adopting Chinese tactics alongside Chinese-built warships. (PC: PTI)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, praising his leadership and saying it had transformed India into a “world power.” Netanyahu said the friendship between Israel and India had “never been stronger” and highlighted what he called an unprecedented partnership between the two countries. He expressed confidence that the nations would take their partnership to “even greater heights” and wished Modi many more years of leadership, health and fulfillment. Modi turned 76 on Thursday, receiving birthday greetings from leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Droupadi Murmu. Putin praised Modi’s contribution to strengthening India-Russia’s “special and privileged strategic partnership,” while Murmu highlighted his public service and governance contributions.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has approached a United Nations rights body alleging that senior Muslim IAS and IPS officers in West Bengal were excluded from official events linked to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visits because of their religion. Moitra flagged the issue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Minorities in a social media post, alleging Muslim officers were kept away from events attended by Shah in north Bengal. She named Siliguri Police Commissioner Waquar Raza, West Bengal Police Special Task Force chief Jawed Shamim and IAS officer Khalil Ahmed. A complaint was later filed against Moitra in Diamond Harbour over the post, after which cybercrime police summoned her for questioning. (PC: PTI)

Abhishek Sharma broke the record for the fastest century by an Indian in men’s T20Is, reaching 100 in 30 balls against Afghanistan in the third T20I at Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 17, during India’s third T20I against Afghanistan. He surpassed Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017. After a cautious start, Abhishek accelerated, reaching his fifty in 14 balls after attacking Mohammad Nabi. He then struck boundaries against Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Abdullah Ahmadzai before completing his century with a single in the ninth over. His innings ended at 108 when Rashid induced an edge, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz completing the catch after a review confirmed contact.

Pakistan has introduced sweeping austerity measures to conserve fuel and curb non-essential spending amid renewed Middle East tensions and disruption in the Red Sea. The measures include a complete ban on government vehicle purchases, a 50% reduction in fuel allocations for official vehicles and a single-dish rule for marriage functions. The government has also imposed restrictions resembling Covid-era curbs, including limits on new vehicle purchases, foreign travel restrictions and market closures by 9 pm. The measures come as Pakistan faces a deepening fuel crisis, with motorists lining up at petrol stations. The government is seeking to conserve fuel and control spending as regional conflict continues to disrupt energy and shipping routes. (PC: Reuters)

Australia has announced plans to prevent most international students from bringing partners and dependent children with them while studying, as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government aims to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2028. Existing families already in Australia will not be separated under the changes. Exemptions will apply to students from Pacific and Southeast Asian countries and those enrolled in certain courses, including PhD programs. The government will also tighten rules on temporary migrants switching visas. International education contributes significantly to Australia’s economy, while universities have raised concerns about the impact on overseas student demand. (PC: AP)