Jaish-e-Mohammad has, for the first time, admitted that Masood Azhar’s family was killed in India’s Operation Sindoor strike on May 7. In a viral video, senior commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri said Azhar’s family was “torn into pieces” when India targeted the group’s Bahawalpur headquarters, Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah. The strike came after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists. Reports said 10 relatives, including Azhar’s sister, her husband, and children, died, along with four aides. Pakistan never confirmed the deaths, but state funerals were held. Azhar has since been spotted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Gilgit-Baltistan. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif begins a crucial three-nation diplomatic tour on September 17, visiting Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and United States to strengthen bilateral ties. Accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Sharif will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Sept 17), UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London (Sept 18-21), and potentially US President Donald Trump during the UN General Assembly session (Sept 24-25). Sharif addresses UNGA on September 26, highlighting Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, climate change, and economic challenges. Munir will conduct parallel security meetings focusing on defense cooperation and counterterrorism. This diplomatic outreach represents Pakistan's effort to reassert its international role amid evolving regional dynamics and follows previous high-level engagements including Munir's June White House meeting. (PC: X & Wikipedia)

A United Nations commission of inquiry has said Israel committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The report says Israel carried out 4 of the 5 genocidal acts under international law, including killing, serious harm, destroying living conditions, and preventing births. It cites statements by Israeli leaders and Israeli military actions as proof of intent. Israel has rejected the report, calling it false and biased. The commission said Israel’s actions are “attributable to the State of Israel.” Over 64,900 people have been killed in Gaza since 2023, according to local health officials. (PC: BBC)

Israel launched a major offensive to occupy Gaza City, with heavy bombings killing at least 16 Palestinians, local health officials said. Strikes hit two homes and a tent sheltering a displaced family, while a 16-floor building was destroyed. The assault came a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli leaders in Jerusalem. Rubio backed Israel, calling Hamas “savage terrorists” and warning diplomacy may not end the war. Israeli tanks also moved into Gaza City as part of the new plan. Civil defence officials said bombings were ongoing, with more deaths and injuries expected. (PC: HT)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared the Trump administration won't impose new tariffs on Chinese goods over Russian oil purchases unless European nations implement steep duties first. Speaking to Reuters, Bessent emphasized Europe must strengthen efforts to cut Russia's oil revenues. He guaranteed the Ukraine war would end within "60 or 90 days" if Europe imposed substantial secondary tariffs on Russian oil buyers. During Madrid talks covering trade and TikTok, Bessent reminded Chinese officials of existing Indian tariffs while Trump urged 50-100% European tariffs on China and India. China rejected these proposals through Foreign Minister Wang Yi, calling for multilateral cooperation over sanctions. Bessent criticized European countries still purchasing Russian oil or refined petroleum products from discounted Russian crude. (PC: Reuters)

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said people celebrating the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk should face consequences. Hosting the Charlie Kirk Show, Vance urged Americans to report such individuals to their employers. “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility,” he said. His comments follow reports of teachers, pilots, medical staff, and even a US Secret Service employee losing jobs or facing suspension over insensitive posts. Critics argue these firings threaten free speech, but US companies have wide discretion. Kirk, a supporter of Donald Trump and Vance, was shot dead while hosting a debate in Utah. (PC: BBC)

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the brutal killing of Indian national Chandra Nagamallaiah, 50, in Dallas, Texas. He was beheaded last week at a motel where he worked after an argument with Cuban national Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, 37. Police said the accused used a machete in front of the victim’s wife and child before being arrested at the scene. DHS said the crime was “preventable” since Cuba had earlier refused to take Cobos-Martinez back, leading to his release in the US. President Donald Trump called Nagamallaiah a “respected man” and promised justice for the gruesome murder.  (PC: India Today)

Belarus and Russia staged joint military drills called Zapad-2025 near Minsk, showcasing bombers, artillery, helicopters, and drones. The exercises, held every four years, come during rising tension in Eastern Europe. Belarus invited media and military observers from 23 countries, calling the drills “transparent” and defensive. Officials said they were not a threat but aimed at strengthening security. Poland, however, called the drills “very aggressive” and closed its border with Belarus. The war in Ukraine and recent drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace have raised concerns that Moscow and Minsk are signaling Europe through this show of force. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump has hinted that TikTok may not face a ban in America after new talks with China. He posted on Truth Social that a deal had been reached for a company “young people wanted to save,” without naming TikTok directly. The announcement comes ahead of the September 17 deadline for TikTok to meet US ownership rules. US and Chinese officials held trade talks in Madrid, where TikTok’s future was on the agenda. Washington has demanded Chinese parent ByteDance divest control. Trump also said he will speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday. The meeting focused on the fallout from Israel’s recent strike in Qatar that killed senior Hamas leaders. The attack angered many countries as Qatar is a close US ally. President Donald Trump also criticised Israel, saying he was unhappy with the strike. Rubio echoed those concerns, adding the US must now “figure out what comes next.” Meanwhile, Arab leaders gathered at a summit to back Qatar. Qatar’s prime minister accused Israel of double standards and demanded international punishment for the attack. (PC: BBC)