US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington has “almost total control” of the Strait of Hormuz and said Iran’s economy is “totally collapsing” as tensions escalate amid intensified strikes. In a Truth Social post issued hours after fresh US airstrikes against Iran, Trump rejected an ABC News report that he was seeking to force Tehran back to negotiations. He said he was not interested in pushing Iran into an agreement, calling any potential deal “worthless” to Tehran. Trump said he preferred the current situation, citing what he described as near-total US control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s economic collapse. His remarks came amid continued exchanges of strikes between US and Iranian forces.

Indian powerlifter Keyaa Kunal Banerji won a silver medal in the deadlift at the 2026 IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Classic Powerlifting Championships in Sun City, South Africa. The 21-year-old lifted 140kg despite weighing 45.70kg, raising more than three times her body weight. Competing in the Junior Women’s 47kg category, Banerji finished fifth overall with a total of 280kg, including a 90kg squat and 50kg bench press. Her silver came after France’s Ines Herbaux won gold with a 165kg deadlift. India’s Joshua Ngoka also won gold in the men’s 120kg category. (PC: Economic Times)

As many as 163 Indian nationals have been rescued from flood-hit Nepal, while 151 Indians left China on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said in its latest update. Five more Indians were rescued since Monday. Indian teams continued search operations at hydropower tunnels in Chilime, where difficult terrain, restricted access and a marshy tunnel floor have hampered efforts to reach possible survivors. The team used improvised floats to move deeper into the tunnels. India has also expanded forensic assistance, including DNA analysis, with Nepalese authorities. The devastating floods have killed more than 1,050 people, while over 580 foreign nationals remain missing. (PC: X)

The US has launched fresh strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets in Iran, prompting President Donald Trump to warn Tehran that the “biggest attack” was still to come if it retaliated. US Central Command said the action followed attempted IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members in the region. Iran’s state media reported that four projectiles hit areas in Chabahar and Konarak. The latest escalation comes after weeks of tensions and follows earlier US strikes on Iranian rocket launchers. Iran has vowed that Washington will regret the attacks. (PC: NDTV)

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma has become the first non-medical woman officer in the Indian Defence Services to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal or equivalent. She assumed charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters on September 1, 2026, the Indian Air Force said. Commissioned into the IAF’s Education Branch in 1994, Sharma has served for over three decades at training establishments, field stations and headquarters. She earlier became the first woman officer from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, serving as principal of Sainik School Kapurthala. (PC: India Today)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s spontaneous gesture during his visit to Mettur has gone viral on social media. The actor-turned-politician stopped his convoy to meet elderly woman Chellam and spoke with her about her health. Vijay then removed his Christian Dior sunglasses and gifted them to her. Chellam said she was surprised and delighted by the meeting, adding that Vijay “looked just like he does in his movies.” She also said the Chief Minister asked whether she had eaten. The video of their warm interaction quickly spread online, drawing widespread attention. Vijay was in Mettur to open the sluice gates of the Stanley Reservoir.  

Nepali hydropower worker Pemba Dundu Tamang has described running for 20 minutes as floodwater from the Trishuli River crashed into a tunnel during last week’s deadly disaster. A sudden gust of air and rising water forced dozens of workers to flee the Upper Trishuli 3B Hydropower Project. Tamang survived but lost six relatives after his riverside home was swept away. Nepal’s flood death toll has crossed 1,000, with about 4,000 people still missing. Rescuers are pumping air into tunnels and clearing debris as they search for hundreds of trapped workers.

Erin Piacenti, a Bank of America vice president, has been identified as the woman killed in a stabbing in New York City’s Times Square. The attack took place around 4:30pm on Monday at West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue. A 68-year-old man was also stabbed and remains in stable condition. Police said the attack appeared random and unprovoked. Officers fatally shot the female suspect after a Taser failed to stop her and she advanced towards them with knives. Bank of America said it was “deeply saddened” by the loss of its colleague.  

Bangladesh is set to buy electricity from a Chinese waste-to-energy project at Tk 25 per unit, around 127% higher than the average Tk 11 paid for power imported from India in FY 2025-26. The 42MW project at Dhaka’s Aminbazar landfill is expected to begin supplying electricity by 2028. The deal comes days after Dhaka objected to India’s proposed Rs 0.01-per-unit cross-border transaction charge, which was later reduced to Rs 0.005. Bangladesh says the Chinese project will also help tackle Dhaka’s growing waste problem and produce fertiliser.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed FIRs registered across India against students and youths who participated in the July protests over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the 2026 NEET examination. Using its powers under Article 142, the court said peaceful participation in a protest should not be treated as a criminal offence. It ordered that no fresh FIRs be filed over the July 20-25 protests. However, the court allowed police to separately examine the roles of 2,837 people with serious criminal antecedents. Following the order, the protest group withdrew its planned September 5 march in Delhi. (PC: HT)